Kathmandu Restaurants

  1. Chez Caroline

    Caroline's is a swanky (pretentious even?) outdoor restaurant popular with expat foodies. It offers French-influenced main courses such as 'wild mushroom tart with walnut sauce', quiche and crêpes, plus a wide range of patisseries, teas and wines. After a swift couple of glasses of pastis (liquorice-flavoured liqueur), head upstairs for some steamy salsa dancing at Latin Quarter.

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  2. Chimney Room

    This is one of Kathmandu's most famous restaurants, named after the famous open fireplace. It now serves mostly continental cuisine, with the excellent borscht and chicken à la Kiev two of the last links with its Russian roots.

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  3. Ciao Ciao

    Formerly known as the Marco Polo, this restaurant is great for authentic Italian food, including Italian permigiano cheese, good espresso, and truly yummy pizzas.

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  4. Fire & Ice Restaurant

    Rumour has it that this was a favourite of Prince Dipendra and his girlfriend, before he massacred his entire family in 2001. Regardless, it's an excellent and informal Italian place, serving some of the best pizzas in Kathmandu, imported Italian soft-serve ice cream, seriously good coffee and rousing opera - Italian, of course. It's very popular and you'll need a reservation in the high season.

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  5. La Dolce Vita

    Thamel's best attempt at comfort Italian cuisine offers up such delights as gnocchi, spinach and walnut ravioli, tasty baked potatoes, tiramisu and wines by the glass. Choose between the rustic red and white tablecloths and terracotta tiles of the main restaurant, a rooftop garden, the yummy-smelling espresso bar or sunny lounge space; either way the atmosphere and food are excellent. It's right on the corner opposite Kathmandu Guest House.

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