Jain & Gujarati Food in Sikkim and Darjeeling

For Jain and strictly vegetarian travellers, food is often the biggest worry about a holiday in the hills. Sikkim and Darjeeling have wonderful vegetarian dishes, but most restaurants also cook meat and eggs in the same kitchen, and food without onion, garlic or root vegetables is rare – especially in remote places like Lachen and Lachung, where choices are very limited.

That is why Tip Top Group runs its own pure vegetarian kitchens at all its hotels. Our guests can enjoy Gangtok, North Sikkim, Pelling and Darjeeling without compromising on what they eat.

What we serve

• Gujarati meals – dal, kadhi, shaak, rotli, rice and farsan
• Rajasthani and Maharashtrian dishes on request
• Jain food without onion, garlic, potatoes or other root vegetables
• Simple, home-style cooking that is easy on the stomach at altitude
• Special orders for festivals, fasting days and children

Meals on our tour packages

On our packages, meals are included as per your itinerary – usually breakfast, lunch and dinner at our hotels, with packed food or recommended stops on long driving days. Tell us about your requirements when you book, for example Chauvihar (no food after sunset) or Tithi days, and our kitchen will do its best to plan for them.

Where we serve Jain food

Tips for Jain travellers in Sikkim

• Carry dry snacks such as khakhra, thepla and dry fruit for long drives and high-altitude days.
• Inform the hotel in advance about Chauvihar timings – sunset is early in the hills, especially in winter.
• On the Nathula and Gurudongmar days you will be out from early morning; we can pack breakfast.
• Local Sikkimese vegetarian food like momos and thukpa usually contains onion and garlic – ask before ordering outside.

Frequently asked questions

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Updated October 2026 by the Tip Top Group team.