Tibetan restaurants in Asia
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A
Old Tashi Delek Rest
This place, a long-time favourite, feels like a trekking lodge that’s been transplanted from Everest into a Thamel time warp. Prices are decent, the Tibetan momos (especially the richosse momo soup) are authentic, and the spinach mushroom enchilada (Rs 140) is surprisingly good for Tibetan-Mexican food (Tib-Mex?). It’s down a corridor, slap bang in the centre of the Thamel action.
reviewed
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B
Dechenling
Quality Tibetan and Indian food is served up in this attractive beer garden, and it’s one of the few places in town to offer interesting Bhutanese dishes such as kewa dhatsi (potatoes and cheese curry). The thukpa (Tibetan noodle soup; Rs 150) is the best in Thamel. If you can’t decide, opt for a Tibetan or Bhutanese set meal washed down with a draught Everest Beer. No wonder the Tibetan name means Place of Joy.
reviewed
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C
Dolma Momo Center
This is typical of the Tibetan eateries dotted around town - it's just a hole in the wall, and momos and a few stains are the only things on the menu. But the momos are excellent, and they're top value.
reviewed
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D
Lotus Lounge
A great place to chill, this laid-back, half–open-air restaurant, with broken-tile mosaic flooring and wicker chairs, has a terrace that juts out over Mansarowar Ghat. The menu’s a mixed bag, with fresh coffee, salads, pasta, curry and even Tibetan momos (dumplings).
reviewed
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E
Pentoc Tibetan Restaurant
For something more authentically Tibetan, charming English-speaking Pentoc runs this local teahouse restaurant after working in Tashi I for many years. It's a good place to try homemade Tibetan standards, such as momos, thugpa, shemdre (rice, potato and yak meat), plus butter tea, chang (barley beer) and even dal bhat (lentils and rice). It's 20m down an alleyway off Beijing Donglu, on the left.
reviewed
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Chopsticks
The most popular traveller choice along the Mall in Manali town, this intimate Tibetan-Chinese-Japanese place is always busy. Naturally there are Indian dishes here, too, along with local trout. Cold beers and fruit wines are also served. Arrive early to secure a table in the evening.
reviewed
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Tibet Kitchen
On the road to the Club House, this is a decent Tibetan and Chinese place with the feel of a real restaurant.
reviewed
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F
Tibetan Kitchen
Evening tables should be booked in the afternoon (in person) at this classy restaurant at the Hotel Tso-Kar. The menu has lots of Tibetan specialities like sha bakleh (bread stuffed with meat) and ruchowtse (cheese and vegetable momos in soup), but no alcohol.
reviewed
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G
Lanqing Qingzhen Fanguan
There are several Muslim restaurants in the old town but this one is unique in having cosy Tibetan-style seating in the side room. The Xinjiang specialty xiaopanji (小盘鸡) - chicken in a sauce with potatoes and carrots on a bed of noodles - is bony but very tasty. The photo menu on the wall is a help, though these bear only a passing resemblance. For lunch try one of the noodle dishes, such as chaomianpian (fried noodle squares) or ganbanmian (a kind of stir-fried spaghetti bolognaise).
reviewed
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Āré Zàngcān
Right across the street from Wuhou Temple, this Tibetan restaurant looks fussy on the outside, but the 3rd floor dining room is actually bright and relaxed with small, simple tables. There's an English menu from which you can choose something simple, such as veggie momos Tibetan dumplings, or something more elaborate, such as yak stew. Service is attentive and there's an adjoining outdoor terrace crowded with leafy green plants that's perfect for warm weather alfresco dining.
reviewed
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Lamu's House of Tibet
Lamu has been putting smiles and service before yuán for over a decade and, after a few relocations, she's finally nailed her spot in this casual pine-and-bamboo place on the north side of the old town. The upstairs is great for people-watching. It's a UN menu, but the Tibetan items are all you really need (though the Naxiburger rocks).
reviewed
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H
Norzing Selchung Tashi Yamphel Restaurant
Super-convenient if you're visiting the next-door Ramoche Temple, this pleasant upstairs Tibetan restaurant offers great views over the street below from the low Tibetan-style tables. Try the set meal of shemdre (rice, potato and yak meat) for around Y10 or choose something more adventurous from the picture menu, such as the tiger-skin chillies.
reviewed
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I
New Mandala Restaurant
This Nepali-run restaurant is definitely a winner for its fine views over the Barkhor, either from the 2nd floor or the sunny rooftop. The inside features some lovely and ornate Tibetan murals. It also sells packaged Nepali foods such as muesli and soup mixes. The owner runs the Tashi restaurants in Shigatse and Tsetang. Menu in English.
reviewed
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Naychung Café
Newly opened at the time of writing, the Naychung serves the usual traveller-friendly Nepalese, Tibetan, Chinese and Western fare. The food is a little better than average and the friendly, competent staff and the bistro atmosphere make this a good choice for a relaxing meal at the beginning or end of the day. Menu in English.
reviewed
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J
Kagui Nongmo Sakhang
This traditional Tibetan-style restaurant is a great place to take a Tibetan friend and try out local dishes without feeling overwhelmed (there's a picture menu for easy ordering). It has a good range of Tibetan and Chinese dishes, from curried potatoes to sweet-and-sour ribs, and the friendly Tibetan staff are very helpful.
reviewed
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K
Tengyelink Café
This warm and cosy restaurant is popular with both foreigners and Tibetans so get here early for a good table. The Chinese and Western dishes are joined by a good range of Tibetan, Thai and even Korean options. Service is good and it's a well-run place. The cakes are discounted after 21:00. Menu in English.
reviewed
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L
Tibet Café
Richly decorated and set up with imposing wooden tables, this café has terrific atmosphere and a great choice of Tibetan, Western and Chinese dishes. It also consistently attracts some of the more experienced travellers in town, so is a good place to eavesdrop or just ask around about what's new.
reviewed
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M
Lhasa Tibetan Restaurant
Soothing temple music and Tibetan flags on the ceiling add a relaxed atmosphere to this big Tibetan eatery. Going strong since 1982, the menu has an excellent range of Tibetan dishes and you can warm up after dinner with a tankard of tongba (warm millet beer).
reviewed
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N
Makye Ame
Comfy restaurant behind the Friendship Store with Tibetan ornaments and a suitably exotic menu: lamb ribs, boiled yak with chilli, tsampa (roasted barley flour porridge), yoghurt, butter tea, cooling salads and evening dancers.
reviewed
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O
Gompu’s Bar & Restaurant
Gompu’s is famous for its massive momos (pork, chicken and veg), and has been pleasing locals and travellers with Tibetan, Bhutanese, Indian, Chinese and continental fare for ages. It’s found within the hotel of the same name.
reviewed
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P
Rice Bowl Tibetan Restaurant
This wildly popular restaurant has a laid-back atmosphere with cushion seating tables inside and sunny outdoor terrace. It serves up a typical Lakeside menu, and also decent Tibetan staples like momos and thukpa (noodle soup).
reviewed
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Q
Kunga Restaurant
Kunga's Tibetan cuisine is tasteful simplicity. Its steamed momos are legendary as are its noodle soups (gyathuk, thenthuk and bhagthuk). For a filling breakfast, try its muesli and fruit curd.
reviewed
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R
Gongkar Tibetan Restaurant
This popular local hang-out features the standard momos and noodle dishes, in addition to some easy-to-resist dishes such as yak-tongue soup.
reviewed
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Kailash Traditional Restaurant
At the end of Zhufeng Lu next to the park is this new travellers' hangout with cosy Tibetan-style seating and decent Nepalese curries, Western breakfasts and sandwiches. Menu in English.
reviewed
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Tsongkha
A simple but popular Tibetan restaurant with a great rooftop terrace looking out over the chorten and valley, plus an indoor dining room for chilly days.
reviewed