City Hut Dhaba

The first thing that strikes you as you enter City Hut Dhaba is the serene and calming ambience. Water cascades down the waterfall on your right giving the place a perfect touch of nature. Located just next to Police Bazar, City Hut Dhaba is pleasantly removed from the hustle and bustle of arguably the busiest part of Shillong city.

Going back through the years, the surrounding area was not regarded as a safe place. This all changed in 2005 when the trustees of Earle Holiday Home joined hands with the present owners of City Hut Dhaba. Had it not been for this far seeing move by these trustees, I doubt if the entire area would have seen such a welcomed change. The benefits of this decision have gone both ways as now, both Earle Holiday Home and City Hut Dhaba have progressed by leaps and bounds. The locality too, has now become a much safer place.

Incorporating designs that would do any international interior designer proud,

City Hut Dhaba gave the premises a much needed makeover. The concept behind the interior design is a wonderful blend of the traditional and modernism. There is a well at the centre of the portico which has been deliberately kept very shallow, so as to avoid any accidents. Owing to the fact that the clientele is chiefly made up of families, the management has kept in mind that kids will be kids and extra effort has been put in to ensure their safety. Special mention has to be made here of the ladies’ toilet. I dare say that it is the best public toilet in the entire North East Region, good enough to outshine toilets in private homes. 

As the years roll on, the establishment carves a niche among the eateries that abound in the city, not an easy feat considering the fact that Shillong is THE cuisine capital of the North East. The management behind City Hut Dhaba has managed to pull this off through impeccable service, great food at an affordable price and, best of all, a kitchen that is in plain view of the customers. Food lovers can now enjoy the live barbeque, watching their food sizzle right in front of their eyes. Now, in all honesty, how many eating establishments can be so transparent when it comes to the hygienic aspects of how they prepare the food they serve?

Nowadays, the establishment has become a sort of a tourist destination, regularly frequented by both locals and tourists. It has also been said that one of the guests from abroad had put up the suggestion for the management to open up a similar restaurant in Okalahoma, U.S.A. If you come to Shillong, don’t miss a visit to City Hut Dhaba.  Anyone will vouch that after such a trip, a visit to any other eating establishment in the city pales in comparison.  

Siddharth Anant Joshirao