Darjeeling is definitely not short on places to eat out, and there is something to please everyone from Chinese to South Indian, and everything in between. We also own Hotel & Restaurant Shangrila, a restaurant and bar with a great location at the top of the mall that offers a range of Indian, Chinese, Tibetan and Nepali cuisine. An original British Raj building, it has the quaint charm of a Victorian seaside town.
In the winter there is an open fire to warm you up and during the day you can sit outside and enjoy the sunshine and watch the crowds going up to Chowrastha. Don't forget guests of Shangri-La Regency get a 15% discount on food and drinks when they dine in Shangri la Restaurant.
Whilst in Darjeeling make sure you sample Tibetan Momos. These steamed dumplings are filled with minced meat or cheese and served with a fiery chilli dip. Arguably the best momos and Shaphale (Deep-fried savoury pastries) are also prepared in Shangri la Restaurant.
Although Darjeeling is not known for its throbbing nightlife, most restaurants are closed by 10-10.30, (8.30 to 9pm during the off-season). There are a few places where you can get a late drink and meet up with your fellow travellers. Joeys pub is warm and cosy with a good crowd and popular with foreigners. It is opposite the Rink Mall and near the post office.
The best place to start shopping is on the Mall Road which is just few minutes walk along from Hotel Shangri-la Regency, leading up to Chowrastha. You can spend many a happy hour browsing through the myriad curio shops in Darjeeling where you will find a wide range of handicrafts such as Nepalese and Tibetan brass work and jewellery, carpets and woven crafts.
There is also a wide range of Buddhist ceremonial realia such as statues, Thankhas (Paintings) and metal work available.
If you need a break from the sight-seeing and shopping Darjeeling also boasts a multi-screen cinema "INOX" showing the latest Indian and western releases. This is part of a large mall which has shops, cafes and restaurants.
Almost all hotels in Darjeeling have internet access. There are also plenty of Internet cafes around Darjeeling where you can catch up with your emails or surf the web. One of the best is Compuset where the owner and staff are friendly and helpful. Its just opposite Hotel Shangri-la Regency on Gandhi Road.
All of the major Indian banks have branches in Darjeeling and most of them have ATM facilities.