Founder and chef Gautami puts her heart into cooking, and you can taste the Love in every dish she and the cafe team serve.
Already her family was all about food. "Everybody is cooking all the time. And every conversation includes food.", Gautami recalls. She grew up near Mumbai and it was probably the buzz in the family kitchen that inspired her to imagine her own cafe or ice cream parlour when she was only 7 years old.
Fast forward to 2020, Gautami has been running Ira's Kitchen & Tearoom in Rishikesh for several years now. Every meal is freshly prepared with the best ingredients (such as basmati rice, ghee, jaggery, organic flour etc.) Nothing gets reheated, or overcooked. Food is pure, simple and honest, yet has a contemporary spin. Best described as fusion of classic Indian and international cuisine. Indian spices are used, with one exception: chilli (which makes it palatable to guests and yoga students from abroad who tend to prefer mild food).
Few know that Gautami went to a renowned International Boarding School in India. It broadened her horizons in many ways. Sharpened her awareness for things multicultural. No surprise that the cafe not only attracts customers from India but also has an entire fan base of foreigners.
But who is Ira? Well, Ira is the daughter of Gautami and her husband Bhajman (who is also a cook). And Ira's Tearoom was founded when Ira was born, to allow the family to spend time together in the important formative years of the child. The idea is to offer Ira a community and opportunities to learn things she would not be taught at school (cooking, intercultural communication and socialising, management etc). And as Gautami and Bhajman are naturally attentive hosts, this concept creates a beautiful open and homely atmosphere for visitors.
While the food offered is mainly vegetarian and vegan, every item on the menu can be prepared vegan. Our favourites are:
+ Aloo Ghobi & Butter Chapati
+ Bhurji with fresh Coriander & Tumeric
+ Vegetable Byriani
+ Rose Lassi
+ Fruit Salad
+ Porridge with tailored Toppings
+ Cinnamon Pancakes
+ French press Coffee
Enjoy their beautiful garden!
Address:
Balak Nath Mandir Road,
Tapovan, Rishikesh
Serves breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Wednesdays closed.
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