The Journal

Stories from the valley.

Walks, food crawls, school guides and hidden places. Written by people who live in Dehradun.

Best Street Food in Dehradun: 10 Places Locals Swear By

From chole katlamba in Moti Bazaar to bun tikki in Dalanwala and momos at the Clock Tower: the street food in Dehradun that locals actually queue for.

Best Cafés on Rajpur Road, Dehradun: Where to Go and What to Order

A local's guide to cafés in Dehradun's Rajpur Road: quiet work spots, date-night places, Tibetan kitchens and the old bakeries worth a stop on the way.

Waterfalls Near Dehradun: 7 to Visit and How to Reach Them

Sahastradhara, Robber's Cave, Shikhar Falls, Maldevta, Jharipani and Mossy Falls: the best waterfalls near Dehradun, when to go and how to get there.

20 Things to Do in Dehradun (That Locals Actually Do)

Katlamba in Moti Bazaar, a cold walk through Robber's Cave, FRI, Rajpur Road cafés and city lights from the Mussoorie road. 20 things to do in Dehradun.

Dehradun Shopping Guide: Paltan Bazaar, Indira Market and Where Locals Really Shop

Paltan Bazaar, Indira Market, the Tibetan Market and pahadi stores: a local's guide to shopping in Dehradun, what to bring home and how to bargain well.

Temples in Dehradun: 8 Sacred Places Worth Visiting

Tapkeshwar's cave shrine, the hilltop Santala Devi temple, Prakasheshwar Mahadev, Darbar Sahib and Mindrolling Monastery: temples in Dehradun to visit.

One Day in Dehradun: A Perfect Itinerary from Breakfast to City Lights

Katlamba for breakfast, FRI, Robber's Cave, Rajpur Road cafés and city lights from the Mussoorie road: a one day Dehradun itinerary that skips the traffic.

Dehradun's Bakeries and the Famous Rusk: Where to Buy and What to Try

Why Dehradun is famous for rusks, which bakeries locals swear by, and what to carry home as a gift: rusks, cheese straws, plum cake, puffs and more.

Pet Owner's Guide to Dehradun: Pet Shops, Vets, Groomers and Dog-Friendly Walks

Pet shops, vet clinics, groomers and kennels in Dehradun, all in one place, plus local tips for walking your dog and taking your pet up to the hills.

Moving to Dehradun as a Student: Coaching, Study Spaces, PGs and Budget Tips

Moving to Dehradun for college or coaching? Finding a PG in Dehradun, the best student areas, self-study libraries, getting around and living on a budget.

48 hours in Dehradun

Two days, one valley. Bakeries at breakfast, a river gorge before lunch, momos by the Clock Tower and a sunset up the Mussoorie road.

Rajpur Road, end to end, on foot

Nine kilometres from the Clock Tower to the foot of the Mussoorie road. Bakeries, Tibetan kitchens and old bungalows on the way.

A bun-tikki crawl through Paltan Bazaar

The thelas come out after 6 pm. Here’s what to eat, in what order, and how to leave room for chai.

Day school or boarding? Choosing a school in Dehradun

Dehradun has some of India’s best-known schools. A simple way to compare boards, campuses and costs.

Robber’s Cave, before the crowds

A narrow river gorge eight kilometres from the city. Go at 8 am and you’ll have it almost to yourself.

Litchi season: when and where

Late May to June, the orchards turn red. How to buy the best Dehradun litchis straight from the tree.

The Sunday letter