Ever wondered what it feels like to eat dinner behind bars – without breaking any laws? Deep in the misty hills of Sohra (Cherrapunjee), Meghalaya, lies a hidden gem where history meets hospitality. The newly opened Sohra 1885 café isn’t your average eatery – because it once was a real jail.
Yes, you read that right. A 140-year-old colonial-era police station, once dreaded during the British rule, has now been reborn as one of the most unique dining destinations in India. And diners are loving every bite of this unlikely transformation.
The brain behind the transformation is 2015 batch IPS officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre, Mr Vivek Syiem, now the Superintendent of Police of East Khasi Hills. He has long been passionate about preserving Meghalaya’s heritage. Today, Sohra 1885 offers visitors the thrilling experience of dining inside historic jail cells, all while supporting police welfare initiatives.
A LIVING PIECE OF HISTORY
Built in 1885, the building was the oldest police station in Meghalaya, used as a detention center during colonial times. For decades, its stone walls and iron-barred cells echoed with the memories of those confined within. But instead of letting this powerful piece of history fall into disrepair, the Meghalaya Police, in a novel initiative, decided to preserve and repurpose it – giving it a second life as a café.
Now called Sohra 1885, the restaurant is part museum, part dining experience. Visitors can enjoy gourmet food while seated inside the very lock-up cells that once held prisoners.
A VISION BROUGHT TO LIFE
IPS Syiem’s idea took root years ago when he was posted in Sohra as a Deputy SP. He pitched an innovative idea to transform this colonial-era police station – a building once dreaded as a detention center during British rule – into a unique café.
“I pitched this idea when I was a DSP. I knew all along that this heritage site would attract a lot of visitors,” Syiem shared. “Monetisation meant extra income for the force and especially for police welfare activities.”
With support from his department, and after the government constructed a new police station nearby, the restoration project kicked off. A bidding process was initiated to find a creative partner who could do justice to the building’s legacy.
A YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR STEPS IN
Enter Nafi Nongrum, a young entrepreneur who took on the challenge of transforming the abandoned station into a heritage café while preserving its soul. The project was a joint effort between the Meghalaya Police and Nafi Nongrum. She spearheaded the restoration.
The café preserves the original stone walls, aged wooden floors, and antique fireplaces, letting guests dine surrounded by genuine colonial-era architecture. Despite the historic setting, the ambiance remains cozy and inviting, making the transformation truly remarkable.
With respect for history and an eye for detail, she restored British-era artefacts, refurbished a 200 kg iron safe, and even brought an old fireplace back to life.
“We have converted the lockups into a dining area. The visitors are enjoying the ambience,” Nongrum said. The floors and walls were left untouched – each crack and creak telling a story from another era.
DINING BEHIND BARS – LITERALLY
The highlight of Sohra 1885 is the ‘jail dining experience’ – where customers are served inside old lockups that have been transformed into cozy seating spaces. It’s history you can literally sit in.
A visitor summed up the experience – “We really enjoyed our time in the lockup which has been converted into a dining area.”
With seating for up to 100 guests, the café offers a multi-cuisine menu that includes everything from pizza, pasta, and burgers to momos and Indian favorites. The contrast of modern food in a colonial-era jail setting creates a dining experience that’s truly one-of-a-kind.
A CAFÉ WITH A CAUSE
What makes this initiative even more remarkable is that the profits from Sohra 1885 go towards police welfare activities – a fitting tribute to the building’s original purpose and those who served there.
“Monetization provided additional revenue for the police force, particularly supporting police welfare programs,” explained IPS Syiem.
Since its inauguration on May 22, the café has quickly become a favorite among tourists and locals alike. Located in one of the wettest places on Earth, it offers a warm, dry, and delicious escape into history.
A TASTE OF THE PAST, A VISION FOR THE FUTURE
Sohra 1885 isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a preserved monument, a story of innovation, and a celebration of Meghalaya’s heritage. From haunted hallways to hearty meals, it shows how creative thinking can turn forgotten relics into vibrant spaces that nourish both the community and its culture.
MORE SUCH CAFÉ
There are many more cafés like this that offer not only a taste of delicious food but also a deep connection to heritage and culture, providing visitors with memorable and immersive experiences.
Similar cafés like this–
- Shrunkhala Restaurant, Pune
- Tihar Food Court, Delhi
- Cafe Rista, Noida
- Jail View Cafe, Patiala
- Apni Rasoi, Bhopal
