Restaurants in Tibet
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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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Dunya Restaurant
With its classy decor, wide-ranging dishes and interesting specials, this foreign-run eatery is popular with travellers who need something reassuringly familiar.
reviewed
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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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Tashi I
This old standard feels like a slice of old Tibet and is a mellow place to hang out. Try the bobi (chapatti-like unleavened bread), which comes with seasoned cream cheese and fried vegetables or meat.
reviewed
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E
Mandala Restaurant
Perfect for a post-kora meal, this cosy place on the Barkhor circuit offers a wide range of dishes from Indian curries to pizza, plus a few special-occasion Tibetan dishes and decent breakfasts. The Indian dishes can be a bit bland so ask for the 'real' spices if that's how you like it. In summer grab a seat on the rooftop for awesome views of the Jokhang. Menu in English.
reviewed
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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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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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Restaurant of Zhuang Yuan
The owners of the Zhuang Yuan know how to promote themselves, and you'd likely find yourself stepping in for a look even without our recommendation. The Chinese dishes are tasty and while the prices are not cheap, portions are large, although single travellers will spend much more here than elsewhere for a complete meal. 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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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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Snowland Restaurant
Attached to the Snowland Hotel, this well-run restaurant serves a mix of excellent Continental and Nepali food in very civilised surroundings. The Indian dishes are particularly good and the cakes (discounted after 9pm) are easily the best in town. Try the gourmet-quality 'yak' cheese.
reviewed
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J
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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Islam Restaurant
For the most authentic Muslim food head to the Muslim district and particularly the Islam Restaurant. Invest in a cup of Muslim tea (babao wanzi) and a bowl of Xinjiang noodles and watch the chefs at work in the open kitchen - but know that the English menu is more expensive than the Chinese.
reviewed
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Tashi Restaurant
Another popular travellers' hangout with a wide range of comfort foods. This Nepali-run restaurant has everything from yoghurt muesli to pizza and Nepali curries to choose from. Staff sometimes give you the impression they've been doing this kind of work for a few too many years. Menu in English.
reviewed
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Holy Land Vegetarian Restaurant
Vegetarians don't need to worry about the 'soy fish' or 'soy chicken feet', this is 100% vegetarian food, dressed up to resemble meat dishes. The wooden tables and Buddhist images on the wall give the place a simple Zen-like atmosphere. The English and picture menus help things along.
reviewed
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Songtsen Tibetan Restaurant
This popular Western-style place does hearty breakfasts. It has a great location on the pedestrian-only street, offering views of the pilgrims ambling past as you dine on good Indian, Nepalese, Tibetan or Western fare.
reviewed
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Traditional Market
Shigatse has a number of shops selling drinks and snacks along Zhufeng Lu and Shandong Lu. There's a traditional market behind the defunct department store selling fruit, vegetables, meats and also breads.
reviewed
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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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Zhengxin Restaurant
On a street with a few other Chinese restaurants, the Zhengxin stands out mostly for its English menu and friendly owners. The food is tasty enough but not outstanding. Menu in English.
reviewed
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Yak Restaurant
The Yak offers backpacker treats such as French toast (Y15), pizza, yak burgers, sizzlers (dishes served on a hot, sizzling plate) and Western breakfasts. The owner prides herself on her French cuisine, so have a go at the yak-liver paté or yak bourguignon.
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Tashi Restaurant
This Nepali-run place (a branch of Tashi in Shigatse) whips up tasty and filling Indian fare. It also has the usual range of Western breakfasts, Italian and Chinese food. The decor is Tibetan but the Indian movies and Nepali music give it a subcontinental vibe.
reviewed
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Feijie Restaurant
Across from the Banak Shol hotel, this simple Sichuanese restaurant offers good, cheap Chinese dishes and is one of the few to have an English menu.
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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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
