Tibetan restaurants in China
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A
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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B
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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C
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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D
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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E
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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F
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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G
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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H
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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I
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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Tashi II
Located in the Kirey Hotel, Tashi II offers the same menu as Tashi I but is quieter and has a spruced-up interior. Menu in English.
reviewed
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K
Woeser Zedroe Tibetan Restaurant
This is where visiting and local Tibetans come to fill up after a visit to the Jokhang. Add some pleasant traditional seating and a perfect location to the Tibetan vibe and it's a logical lunch stop. The momos are recommended, especially the fried yak meat or cheese varieties.
reviewed
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Tibetan Restaurant
This wonderfully decorated teahouse/restaurant, just across from the bus station, is run by a local nun and is the main Tibetan hang-out in town. Sip butter tea, tuck into hearty plates of yak meat and get your hands covered in dough as you attempt to mix your own tsampa. English menu.
reviewed
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Tibetan Culture Dew
Hang out with the yak-butter-tea-sipping locals at this lovely teahouse/restaurant with a rustic stone-and-wood interior decorated with colourful Tibetan prayer flags. There are all sorts of tea if you don't like the yak-butter variety, plus coffee and beer. The English menu is limited, but includes tsampa, Tibetan yoghurt, a few yak-meat dishes and some delicious dumplings.
reviewed
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Tara Gallery Café & Bar
This upmarket restaurant, bar and cafe (and art gallery) is a lovely, thoughtfully designed space, and includes a plant-filled 2nd-floor terrace. The menu is a tantalising mix of Tibetan, Indian and Yúnnán dishes; the seven-course Tibetan set meal (Y80) is a feast. It's also a relaxing spot for a coffee or an evening drink.
reviewed
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Sūjī Nímǎ
The main reason to come to this canal-side restaurant is to watch the evening performances of Tibetan dancing (9.30pm to midnight) which are free as long as you buy drinks or a meal. The Tibetan food is also very good. There's no English menu but the kāngbā níupái (康巴牛排; Khampa beef steak; Y58) and zàngxiāng mèntǔjī (藏乡焖土鸡; Tibetan clay pot chicken; Y46) are highly recommended.
reviewed
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Snow Mountain Restaurant
For more-authentic Tibetan food, try this simple place with English menu. It's between the bus station and Tiāntiān Restaurant.
reviewed
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Silent Holy Stones
In a town full of Tibetan restaurants, this is the one the locals head to. With a real neighbourhood feel and a menu of Amdo specialities like minced yak with tsampa (the roasted barley flour that is a Tibetan staple), it's a treat. You'll need to order the whole goat in advance, otherwise try the yak meat momo or hotpot.
reviewed
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Rebkong Teahouse
There are a few Tibetan teahouses in town but this is hands down the coolest. There's a small range of well-presented Tibetan dishes as well as snacks (from Y3), tea (including yak-butter tea; Y12), fresh coffee (from Y10) and beers (from Y6). Some English is spoken. It's at the far end of Zhongshan Lu from the bridge. First floor.
reviewed
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Nomad Restaurant
With its great service and commanding views of the monastery and kora route, get into the swing of things with some hot yak milk (Y4), boiled yak meat (Y35), a bowl of tsampa (Y8), a plate of momo (Y10), vegetable hotpot (Y18) and a volatile shot of Nomad barley alcohol (Y6). It's on the 3rd floor, just before the monastery walls.
reviewed
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L
Móunì Tibetan Restaurant
The English menu is limited but the location, in a lovely garden by the river, is worth the visit. By Mín River off Shunjiang Nanlu.
reviewed
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M
Kampa Tibetan Restaurant
Small, friendly Tibetan-run restaurant next to Holly's Hostel serving tasty Tibetan classics like tsampa (porridge of roasted barley flour), yak meat and butter tea. English menu.
reviewed
