Top Rated Pizza Joints in Gangtok That Locals Swear By
Words by
Anirudh Sharma
I have been eating my way through Gangtok's pizza scene for the better part of three years now, and if you are hunting for the top rated pizza joints in Gangtok, you need to know that this city does not do pizza the way Delhi or Mumbai do. Here, pizza sits at this strange and wonderful crossroads of Italian technique, Nepali spice tolerance, and Sikkimese comfort. The cheese is different. The dough is different. And the people who run these places have stories that go far deeper than what is printed on the menu.
What follows is not a list I pulled from some algorithm. These are places I have sat in, argued about toppings at, and gone back to again and again because they earned it.
1. The Bakehouse on MG Marg
MG Marg is Gangtok's most famous pedestrian stretch, and The Bakehouse sits right in the heart of it, a few steps up from the main walking lane. I first walked in here on a rainy Tuesday afternoon in 2022, mostly to get out of the downpour, and ended up staying for two hours because the wood-fired margherita they pulled out was genuinely surprising. The crust had that proper char and chew you expect from a real wood oven, and they use a local Sikkimese cheese blend alongside mozzarella, which gives it a tang you will not find anywhere else in the city.
Order the Farmhouse Pizza if you want something loaded, or stick with the classic Margherita to judge the kitchen's actual skill. The garlic bread here is also worth mentioning, thick-cut and properly buttered rather than the dry, pre-packaged versions you get at half the places in town.
The best time to come is between 2 PM and 4 PM on a weekday. By 6 PM on weekends, the wait stretches past 40 minutes because the place is small and everyone in Gangtok seems to know about it now. Parking on MG Marg is impossible during peak hours, so walk if you can.
Local Insider Tip: "Ask for the 'Bakehouse Special' pizza. It is not on the menu. It is a thin-crust pizza with smoked chicken, local jalapeños, and a drizzle of Sikkimese chili oil. The owner's wife makes the chili oil herself, and they only prepare it if you ask directly."
What most tourists do not know is that The Bakehouse started as a small bakery in 2016, selling bread and pastries to local hotels. The pizza oven was added almost as an experiment in 2019, and it became the main draw within a year. The original bakery counter is still at the back of the shop, and if you peek behind the curtain, you will see trays of fresh buns going out to half the cafes on MG Marg every morning.
2. Cafe Live and Loud near Lal Bazaar
A short walk downhill from MG Marg, past the busy Lal Bazaar area, there is a place called Cafe Live and Loud that most first-time visitors walk right past because the entrance is narrow and easy to miss. I found it because a friend who has lived in Gangtok his whole life dragged me there one evening in late 2023. The pizza here is not wood-fired, but they do something interesting, they use a tandoor-style preparation for certain specialty pizzas, which gives the base a smoky, almost naan-like quality that works better than it sounds.
Their best item is the Chicken Seekh Kebab Pizza, which layers spiced minced chicken seekh kebab over a pizza base with a mint chutney drizzle. It sounds chaotic, but the flavors actually come together in a way that makes sense after the first bite. The regular cheese burst pizza is also popular with the college crowd that hangs out here in the evenings.
Evenings after 7 PM are when this place comes alive, with live music on Fridays and Saturdays. The crowd is mostly local, students from nearby colleges and young professionals, which keeps the energy authentic rather than touristy. Weekday afternoons are quieter and better if you just want to eat without the noise.
Local Insider Tip: "Sit on the upper floor near the window if you want the best view of the valley. The owner, a musician himself, sometimes joins the live sessions on weekends. If you compliment his guitar playing, he might bring out a complimentary dessert pizza."
One thing tourists rarely realize is that Cafe Live and Loud was originally a recording studio before it became a cafe. You can still see the soundproofing panels on the walls of the upper floor, and the owner occasionally records local Sikkimese artists in the back room.
The only real complaint I have is that the service slows down badly during the Friday and Saturday live music nights. If you are here just for the food, come on a weekday when the kitchen is not overwhelmed.
3. The Pizza Corner in Deorali
Deorali is one of Gangtok's older neighborhoods, and The Pizza Corner has been a fixture here for years, serving what many locals consider the best cheap pizza in Gangtok. I have been coming here since 2021, and the prices have barely changed much, which in a city where everything else has gotten more expensive, says something. A full-sized cheese pizza here costs a fraction of what you would pay on MG Marg, and the portions are generous.
The Veggie Supreme is the standout, loaded with local mushrooms, bell peppers, and a generous amount of cheese. They also do a decent Chicken Tikka Pizza that leans more toward the Nepali palate than Italian, but that is exactly why people here love it. The base is hand-tossed and has a slightly sweet dough that pairs well with the spicier toppings.
Lunchtime between 12 PM and 2 PM is ideal. The place fills up with office workers from the nearby government offices, and by evening it is mostly families. The seating is basic plastic chairs and metal tables, nothing fancy, but that is part of the appeal.
Local Insider Tip: "Order the 'Deorali Special' garlic bread with extra cheese and a side of their house tomato soup. The soup recipe has not changed in over a decade, and the owner's mother still makes the base every morning. It is the best soup in the neighborhood, and most people do not even know they serve it."
What most outsiders do not know is that The Pizza Corner was one of the first places in Gangtok to offer home delivery by bicycle in the early 2010s, long before food apps arrived. The owner still keeps the original delivery bicycle parked inside the shop as a memento.
4. Bakers' Cafe on Tibet Road
Tibet Road runs through one of Gangtok's quieter commercial stretches, and Bakers' Cafe sits in a row of shops that most tourists never explore. I stumbled into this place in early 2023 while looking for a specific type of sourdough bread a friend had recommended, and I ended up staying for the pizza, which I had not expected to be good. It was.
The thin-crust Margherita here is clean and well-balanced, with a proper San Marzano-style tomato sauce and fresh basil. They also do a Pepperoni that uses a local cured meat rather than imported pepperoni, which gives it a slightly different but interesting flavor profile. The cheese pull is excellent, and the crust has a nice snap.
Mid-morning around 10:30 AM is a good time to visit because the oven is just getting going and the first batches come out perfectly. By late afternoon, the place gets busy with the after-school crowd, and the wait times increase. Weekdays are generally calmer than weekends.
Local Insider Tip: "Ask for the 'Baker's Secret' which is a small personal pizza with a honey and chili drizzle on top. It is technically a dessert pizza, but the owner only makes it for people who ask. It pairs surprisingly well with their cold coffee."
Bakers' Cafe has been part of Gangtok's small but growing artisan food scene for about eight years now. The owner trained as a pastry chef in Kolkata before returning to Gangtok, and you can see that training in the precision of the dough and the balance of flavors. Most tourists associate Gangtok with momos and thukpa, but places like this are quietly expanding what the city's food identity can be.
5. The Fat Panda near Sikkim Manipal Institute area
Out near the Sikkim Manipal Institute, there is a small cluster of eateries that cater to students, and The Fat Panda is the one that has survived the longest. I first ate here in 2022 with a group of students who insisted it was the best pizza in Gangtok. I was skeptical, but the BBQ Chicken Pizza they ordered changed my mind. The sauce has a smoky sweetness that works, and the chicken is properly grilled rather than just tossed on top.
The menu is small, maybe eight or nine pizzas, but that focus means each one is done well. The Paneer Tikka Pizza is another strong option, with a marinade that has real depth. Prices are very reasonable, making this one of the best cheap pizza Gangtok options for students and budget travelers.
Late evenings after 8 PM are when the student crowd peaks, and the place has a fun, loud energy. If you want a quieter meal, come around 5 PM or 6 PM. The outdoor seating area is small but pleasant in the cooler months.
Local Insider Tip: "The owner does a 'midnight special' on Fridays and Saturdays where any large pizza is discounted after 11 PM. It is not advertised anywhere, but the regulars all know about it. Just walk in and ask."
The Fat Panda started as a small takeaway counter in 2018 and expanded into a proper sit-down place by 2020. The owner is a former student of the institute himself, which is why the place has such a strong connection to the student community. You will often find flyers for local events and college functions pinned to the notice board inside.
6. Rollin' Crust in Bojoghari
Bojoghari is a residential area most visitors never see, and Rollin' Crust is the kind of local pizza spots Gangtok locals keep to themselves. I found it through a colleague who lives in the area and swore it was better than anything on MG Marg. After three visits, I am not sure I agree it is better, but it is absolutely worth the trip.
What makes Rollin' Crust different is the crust, which is slightly thicker and has a buttery, almost brioche-like quality. The Chicken Overload Pizza is the signature, piled high with three types of chicken preparation, grilled, tikka, and shredded. It is messy and indulgent and exactly what you want on a cold Gangtok evening. The Veggie Delight is also solid, with a good mix of fresh vegetables and a garlic cream base.
Dinner between 6 PM and 8 PM is the sweet spot. The place is family-run, and the kitchen operates at a steady pace during those hours. Later than 9 PM and they start running out of certain toppings, so do not show up too late.
Local Insider Tip: "Ask for the 'Bojoghari Blast' sauce on the side. It is a homemade green chili and garlic sauce that the owner's wife makes in small batches. It goes on everything, not just pizza, and they will give you extra if you ask nicely."
Rollin' Crust has been operating since around 2017, and it remains a family affair. The husband handles the oven, the wife handles the sauces and prep, and their teenage son often takes orders. It is the kind of place where they remember your face after two visits and your order after three. In a city that is increasingly dominated by chains and app-based delivery, places like this are becoming rare.
7. The Brick Oven near Development Area
The Development Area is one of Gangtok's more modern commercial zones, and The Brick Oven sits in a small complex near the main road. I visited for the first time in late 2023 and was impressed by the setup, a proper brick-lined oven that you can see from the dining area, and the pizzas that come out of it have a depth of flavor that electric ovens just cannot replicate.
The Truffle Mushroom Pizza is the standout here, using a truffle oil drizzle and a mix of button and shiitake mushrooms. It is pricier than most pizzas in Gangtok, but the quality justifies it. The Classic Pepperoni is also well-done, with a good char on the edges and a spicy kick from the pepperoni slices.
Weekday lunches are the best time to visit because the place is relatively unknown compared to the MG Marg spots, so you can often get a table without waiting. Weekends get busier, especially in the evenings, but the wait is usually manageable.
Local Insider Tip: "The owner sources his flour from a specific mill in Siliguri and his cheese from a dairy in Kalimpong. If you compliment the crust, he will happily tell you the whole supply chain story. It is actually interesting."
The Brick Oven is part of a small wave of restaurants in Gangtok that are trying to elevate casual dining without losing the local connection. The owner previously worked in a restaurant in Bangalore for several years before returning to Sikkim, and you can see that experience in the attention to detail. The interior design is also noticeably more thoughtful than most pizza places in the city, with warm lighting and exposed brick walls.
8. Mama's Kitchen in Arithang
Arithang is a quieter neighborhood on the eastern side of Gangtok, and Mama's Kitchen is a small, unassuming place that serves some of the most comforting food in the area. I discovered it in 2022 when a neighbor brought over a pizza from here during a power outage, and it was so good that I went to the actual shop the next day.
The pizza here is not trying to be authentic Italian. It is trying to be the best version of what a Gangtok local wants pizza to be, and that means generous cheese, bold flavors, and a slightly sweet tomato base. The Chicken Sausage Pizza is my go-to, with a good snap on the sausage and a nice distribution of toppings. The Margherita is also reliable, with a fresh basil garnish that suggests someone in the kitchen actually cares about the details.
Afternoons between 1 PM and 3 PM are ideal. The place is run by a small team, and they are most relaxed during this window. Evenings can get hectic, especially on weekends when families come in for dinner.
Local Insider Tip: "Order the 'Mama's Special Garlic Bread' even if you do not think you need it. It is made with a butter and herb mix that the owner guards jealously, and it is the best garlic bread I have had in Gangtok. I am not exaggerating."
Mama's Kitchen has been around since about 2015, and it started as a home catering service before the owner opened a small shop. The name is literal, the food is made with the same recipes and care that you would find in a family kitchen, and the portions reflect that generosity. It is the kind of place that reminds you why local pizza spots in Gangtok matter, because they are not just selling food, they are sharing something personal.
When to Go and What to Know About Eating Pizza in Gangtok
Gangtok's pizza scene operates on its own rhythm, and understanding that rhythm will make your experience significantly better. Most local pizza spots in Gangtok open around 10:30 AM or 11 AM and close by 9 PM or 9:30 PM, though a few places near the college areas stay open later on weekends. If you are planning a pizza-focused day, aim for lunch between 12 PM and 2 PM when kitchens are fresh and crowds are manageable.
The monsoon season, roughly June through September, affects both the quality of ingredients and the reliability of delivery services. Flour and cheese supplies can be inconsistent during heavy rains because the roads connecting Gangtok to Siliguri and Kalimpong sometimes face disruptions. During these months, call ahead to confirm that your chosen place is fully stocked.
Altitude is something most visitors do not think about, but Gangtok sits at roughly 5,500 feet above sea level, which means water boils at a lower temperature and dough behaves slightly differently. The best pizza makers in the city have adjusted their recipes for this, but you may notice that crusts here are sometimes a bit denser or softer than what you are used to at sea level. This is not a flaw, it is physics.
Payment is another practical consideration. While most established places accept UPI and cards, some of the smaller local spots in Gangtok still operate on a cash-only basis. Carry some Indian rupees with you, especially if you are venturing into neighborhoods like Bojoghari or Arithang where the smaller family-run places may not have digital payment setups.
Finally, do not expect the same speed of service you might find in a metro city. Gangtok operates at a different pace, and pizza made with care takes time. A 20 to 30 minute wait for a freshly made pizza is normal and worth it. If you are in a rush, the pre-made or frozen-reheated options exist, but you will know the difference immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the one must-try local specialty food or drink that Gangtok is famous for?
Gangtok is most famous for momos, both steamed and fried, which are available at virtually every street corner and restaurant in the city. The local variation often includes fillings like minced pork, chicken, or a vegetable mix seasoned with garlic, ginger, and Sikkimese chili. Tongba, a traditional fermented millet beer served warm in a bamboo container, is another local specialty that visitors should try at least once. It is widely available in local eateries across Gangtok and typically costs between 150 and 300 rupees per serving.
Are there any specific dress codes or cultural etiquettes to keep in mind when visiting local spots in Gangtok?
Gangtok is generally casual, and most pizza joints and cafes have no dress code. However, when visiting monasteries or religious sites, which are common around the city, modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees is expected. It is also customary to remove shoes before entering someone's home or certain traditional establishments. When dining with locals, offering to share food is a common gesture of warmth, and refusing a second serving too abruptly can sometimes be seen as impolite.
How easy is it to find pure vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based dining options in Gangtok?
Vegetarian options are widely available across Gangtok, as a significant portion of the local population follows a vegetarian diet, particularly among the Nepali and Marwari communities. Most pizza places offer multiple vegetarian pizzas, and dedicated vegetarian restaurants are common on MG Marg and in the Lal Bazaar area. Vegan options are more limited but growing, with a few cafes now offering vegan cheese or plant-based milk alternatives. Travelers with strict dietary needs should call ahead to confirm ingredient details, as cross-contamination in shared kitchens is possible.
Is the tap water in Gangtok to drink, or should travelers strictly rely on filtered water options?
Tap water in Gangtok is not considered safe for direct consumption by most locals and visitors. The municipal supply is treated, but aging pipeline infrastructure in parts of the city can introduce contaminants. Most restaurants and cafes use filtered or boiled water for cooking and serving, and bottled water is widely available at costs ranging from 20 to 40 rupees per liter. Travelers should carry a reusable bottle and refill from verified filtered sources, which most hotels and guesthouses provide.
Is Gangtok expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.
A mid-tier traveler in Gangtok can expect to spend between 2,500 and 4,000 rupees per day, excluding accommodation. A meal at a local restaurant costs between 200 and 500 rupees, while a pizza at a casual joint ranges from 250 to 600 rupees depending on size and toppings. Shared taxi rides within the city cost between 50 and 150 rupees per trip, and a mid-range hotel room typically runs between 1,500 and 3,000 rupees per night. Budget an additional 500 to 1,000 rupees for entry fees to attractions, snacks, and miscellaneous expenses.
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