In the hushed embrace of the Kumaon Himalayas, Sitla Estate unfolds like a living larder carved from the mountainside. Over three immersive days, M. and I surrendered to a rhythm where the land itself dictates the table. Here, acres dedicated to cultivation transform every meal into a quiet testament of patience, seasonality, and the alchemy of farm-to-kitchen-to-table, all in under three hours. “We’re truly farm to table” remarks the charming founder of Sitla Estate, Vikram Maira, something we left agreeing to a hundred per cent.
Dawn on the first day breaks with views of the snow-capped Himalayan range, a crystalline backdrop that frames the estate’s sprawling apple orchards and vegetable fields. The air is sharp with the stench of an incoming monsoon. We wander the grounds witnessing rows of bhindi, beans, cauliflower, spinach, cabbage, eggplant, and peas thriving alongside local treasures like lye ko saag.
Further afield, Nepalese imports like the fragrant rye ko saag and potent red chillies, are a nod to the owner’s trekking heritage, while Western arrivals such as red and yellow bell peppers, snow peas, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, lettuces, and baby carrots add vibrancy. Herbs—parsley, celery, mint, basil, cilantro, thyme, perfume the paths in high-altitude fragility.
Breakfast unfolds on the patio beneath a long standing tree while plates come alive with fresh food. A classic English breakfast tied together with fresh farm-made jam on bread made in house.
The meal is not mere sustenance but a dialogue between earth and palate, where the snow-capped peaks seem to approve each forkful.
Lunch turned greener with a farm to table buffet at the lunch pit amidst greenery. Hot phulkas, dal, chicken curry, and rice make for a wholesome thali, and the perfect precursor to a trek through the forest.
“For much of the year, at least 80 percent of the fresh produce travels this swift, reverent journey, preserving flavours that lowland tables can only dream of”, says General Manager Vijay, while proudly guiding us to the open air lunch lounge where we feasted everyday at 2 PM.
Evenings are mostly spent in the common lounge or the library that feels every bit out of a novel.
“All you have to do is rest” says Vikram as we cosy up with a drink and a book from the library while jazz swoons us to nirvana.
Dinner is a formal sit-down meticulously curated, transforming the dining space into a theatre of hospitality. Maira’s recipes, developed over years and faithfully reproduced by his trained team, blend homely comfort with gourmet precision. Substitutes are gracefully deployed when seasons shift, yet the soul remains intact.
What was fascinating about the four course dinners were the use and reuse of ingredients. The chilli sauce was spotted in the jus, while it was the hero in the appetiser. Every dish is a visual to behold while you’ll get surprise dishes like perfectly crisped up salmon served with mash, veggies—that taste like they’ve been plucked 180 minutes before dinner started. Dinner and conversations flow as freely as the courses, punctuated by the quiet satisfaction of knowing the land’s generosity has been honored.
When it comes to the space itself, snow ranges are visible through wide windows that cast an ethereal glow. With 12 rooms in totality, each category is different, each with its own view and charm. Our favourite bit? The balconies that are perfect to unwind on with a coffee (or something stronger) while you refuse to tire of the view in front of you.
By the third day, departure feels bittersweet. Sitla Estate does not merely feed its guests; it reconnects them to the primal poetry of food; seasonal, honest, and profoundly local. In a world of disconnection, this mountain sanctuary reminds us that the finest meals are those where acres of care, a chef’s quiet mastery, and nature’s grand theater converge on the plate. One leaves with a full belly and fuller spirit, carrying the taste of the Himalayas long after the snow ranges fade from view.
Tarrif: Starts at INR 10,450.00 + GST going upto INR 35,000.00 + GST
Address: Sitla Estate, FJQJ+742, Mukteshwar, Seetla, Uttarakhand 263158
Phone: 092862 54873
