De Khambir

The De Khambir is one of Ladakh's hidden treasures. From busy Zangsti Road, the first floor local eatery, looks modest and unassuming. Accessed by a rickety iron staircase, it's easy to miss while on one's way to more colourful restaurants and cafés in Zangsti and nearby Changspa Road. A visit is not just rewarding but will make your day. Run by two Ladakhi women, the space and light inside is a total surprise. The main dining space is the size of an urban banquet hall and doubles up as a yoga space on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday mornings. Located in an old and traditional Ladakhi building, the architecture inside is a tour-de-force in local building materials and design. The ceiling inside has large poplar logs supported by even larger floor logs. The poplar logs support a poplar twig and adobe roof, that is still in vogue all over Ladakh. It's a great insulating material and keeps out the cold on chilly days. The floor is the original adobe floor, only lightly papered over with mortar in some places. There's a variety of seating and you may want to try all three on your visits. Tables and chairs in the narrow entrance corridor with great light streaming in and great for people-watching. The main dining space has intimate low-walled spaces with low tables and cushions and mattresses on low benches ranged against the wall. It's great for lounging over a meal or curling up with a book. There're also wooden tables and chairs at either ends of the hall with awesome light pouring in through huge glass windows. Prayer flags fluttering outside and inside add further local ambience to this beautiful, traditional space. The biggest treasure is its small but delightful menu, composed entirely of local dishes, made from local ingredients. There's cuisine you won't find elsewhere, like tenten, a buckwheat pancake with fried egg, or paba and thaangthur, or tapu. The De Khambir serves authentically local cuisine. Cuisine that's disappearing from rapidly modernising Ladakh, both from eateries and homes. All the more reason for you to check it out, like I did, and take pictures of one of its kind dishes, you won't find anywhere else in the world.

When we asked for recommendations for local food a couple of people suggested this place. This was situated near the Tibetan market on the 1st floor. Maintained by local women, this is a must try if you want to have some authentic local Ladakhi cuisine on a budget. The ambience was calming and spacious. It has these mattresses on floor with low tables or normal tables for you sit. The food is gonna take some time as it's freshly prepared but it's worth it. The breakfast and dinner both have really good options.

The best restaurant in Leh!!! Fresh and healthy local Ladakhi food Good price and also good quality local products

Best place to try local food.. I ordered two dishes. 1. SPYU - This is made of small wheat balls dipped in dal. Taste is unique. 2. Soya Nuggets - It's more like wrap having soya and veggies inside. Very similar to subway sandwich. 3. Drinks - Butter Tea (Didn't liked it, smells like goat milk), Fresh Apricot Juice was awesome. Overall the experience was good. Must try if you are in Leh.

Nice cozy shack looking cafe on the first floor on the east side of Leh market on the road to KARZOO & Moravian church. The exteriors don't give much of an impression and you've to brave a flight of metal staircase (antique). Once you get in its a beautiful, ethnic , rustic decor so typical of Ladakh . The sitting is low lying as well as wooden table chairs . Quite spacious interiors and Saturday and Sunday they have live music too. The menu spread is not expansive but each item has taste of exclusivity and feels tasty. The pocket khambir and the Tibetan tea tasted so good. Indeed a place for young hearts visiting Leh .