Food · Dentam
Dairy, cheese and milk tea in the valley
Stop in the Dentam valley for milk tea made with local milk and, if it is open, look for the Alpine Cheese Factory near the Singshore Bridge, which Incredible India lists as a maker of Gouda cheese.
Dentam is cow country by Sikkim's standards, and the simplest way to taste that is a glass of milk tea in a bazaar tea shop, often with sel roti, the ring-shaped rice bread fried at home, or a plate of momos. Ask for tea made with fresh milk; most shops use it here.
The more unusual stop is cheese. Wikipedia's article on the Singshore Bridge, citing the Incredible India site, notes that the Alpine Cheese Factory, which makes Gouda cheese, lies not far from the bridge. We have not been able to confirm how it operates today or whether visitors are received, so ask your driver or host before you go out of your way.
If cheese is for sale, buy a small piece for a picnic at the bridge or for the road. Either way, this is a gentle, low-cost stop that fits into the Pelling–Singshore–Uttarey day and gives you a reason to linger in the valley.
Good for
Questions travellers ask
Before you book
Is there a cheese factory near Dentam?
Wikipedia's article on the Singshore Bridge, citing the Incredible India site, mentions an Alpine Cheese Factory near the bridge that makes Gouda cheese. We have not confirmed its current opening or whether visits are possible, so ask locally before you plan around it. Check current status before you travel.
What should I eat in Dentam?
Simple local food: milk tea, sel roti, momos, chowmein and rice-dal-vegetable thalis at the bazaar's small eateries, indicatively ₹120–250 for a meal. Homestays cook home-style meals with rice, dal, seasonal greens, pickles and sometimes chicken or pork. Tell your host in advance if you are vegetarian.
Are there restaurants in Dentam?
Only small local eateries and tea shops in the bazaar, which close early in the evening. There are no tourist restaurants. If you need a particular diet or a late meal, eat in Pelling or arrange dinner with your homestay. Carry snacks and water for the drive on to Uttarey.
Also in Dentam
More hours worth planning
Farm walk on the Dentam valley floor
Walk the footpaths between houses and terraces around Dentam bazaar with a local guide or homestay host, seeing how a West Sikkim …
Wildlife and birds
Early morning birding around Dentam
Walk the edges of fields, river and forest around Dentam at dawn, when the valley is quiet and the birds are most …
Adventure
Walk the old trail towards Varsey
Follow part of the rhododendron trek route that the district administration lists between Dentam and the Barsey (Varsey) ridge, through farmland and …
Price your own route
Tell us dates, people and budget. We send a day-by-day plan with every cost shown. StartNot sure where to start?
We match districts to your month, your budget and the people travelling with you. StartAsk the Gangtok desk
An itemised quote within one working day. No payment to start. StartGet my price
Tell us your dates and your budget
Who is travelling, when, and roughly what you want to spend. The Gangtok desk replies within one working day with a day-by-day plan and an itemised price.
- No payment to start
- Permits handled through registered partners
- Every hotel, car and fee listed