Shopping in Kathmandu
-
A
-
B
Babar Mahal Revisited
This unique complex of old Rana palace outbuildings, originally built in 1919, has been redeveloped to house a warren of chic clothes shops, designer galleries, handicraft shops and even a wine shop, as well as a couple of top-end restaurants and bars. It's aimed squarely at local expats and wealthy locals so prices are as high as the quality. It's southeast of the city near the Singh Durbar government offices.
reviewed
-
C
Mahaguthi
For general handicrafts such as handmade paper, ceramics and woodwork – much of it made by disadvantaged or minority groups – the best places are the showrooms of the nonprofit development organisations that are based in the Kopundol district of Patan. Mahaguthi, has an outlet in Lazimpat.
reviewed
-
D
Amrita Craft Collection
This is a good place to start, with a broad collection of crafts and clothing. Subtract 20% from its fixed prices and you get a good benchmark for what you should aim to pay on the street if you don’t mind haggling. The branch across the road has a larger selection.
reviewed
-
E
Mountain Hard Wear
One of a collection of pukka (authentic) gear shops on Tridevi Marg Mountain Hard Wear offers imported gear at foreign prices, These shops sell everything from Black Diamond climbing gear to proper Thermarests.
reviewed
-
F
Tibetan Thangka Gallery
Just past the Hotel Ambassador, this is another good little place. Thangkas are painted on the spot (you can watch the artists at work) and many pieces from here end up in the Durbar Sq shops with higher price tags.
reviewed
-
G
Digimax
Fairly reliable, Digimax can handle colour prints and E-6 or Ektachrome slides. Mounted slide processing will cost you around Rs 500 for 36 slides. Passport photos are available on the spot (Rs 200 for nine photos).
reviewed
-
H
Tea World
Tea World is a reliable place for high-quality tea and spices. Find it down a long corridor beside the Student Guest House in Thamel. The manager offers free tasting and will tell you a lot about the teas on offer.
reviewed
-
I
Sana Hastakala
This is a showroom for a nonprofit development organisation where you can purchase general handicrafts (much of which is made by disadvantaged or minority groups) and know your shopping is making a difference.
reviewed
-
J
Paper Park
There are dozens of shops in Thamel that sell handmade paper products from photo albums to paper lamps. One of the good shops is Paper Park, next to the Hotel Marshyangdi.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Shona’s Alpine Rental
For reliable rentals and purchase try Shona’s Alpine Rental, which makes its own sleeping bags and offers unbiased advice on the best trek gear for your trip.
reviewed
-
L
Pilgrims Book House
A couple of doors north of the Kathmandu Guest House; the best in town and particularly strong on antiquarian travelogues. There are a couple of smaller branches around town.
reviewed
-
M
Indigo Gallery
An upmarket gallery at Mike’s Breakfast set in a lovely old Rana building; excellent exhibits of modern thangkas, photography and prints, most for sale at top-end prices.
reviewed
-
N
Aroma Garden
As the name suggests, this is Thamel’s sweetest-smelling shop. It’s a good one-stop shop for incense, essential oils, soaps and almost anything else that smells great.
reviewed
-
O
Snapper Photo
Snapper Photo is one option if you're keen to buy near-new camera equipment. Just be sure to ascertain whether what you are buying has an international warranty.
reviewed
-
P
Dharmapala Thangka Center
Down an arcade, off Durbar Marg, this is a showroom for a local school of thangka painting. You can see the thangkas being painted at the nearby workshop.
reviewed
-
Q
Vajra Books
This knowledgeable local publisher offers an excellent selection of academic books and will post books internationally. There’s a branch across the road.
reviewed
-
R
Best Shopping Centre
Best Shopping Centre is a small supermarket in Thamel that can help self-caterers or those buying trekking food such as noodles, nuts or dried fruit.
reviewed
-
S
Bhat Bhateni Supermarket
Bhat Bhateni Supermarket is the largest in the city, though it has a slightly inconvenient location south of the Chinese embassy.
reviewed
-
T
Everest Adventure Mountaineering
The better trekking gear shops are at the southern end of Thamel. Try Everest Adventure Mountaineering.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
U
Holyland Hiking Shop
The better trekking gear shops are at the southern end of Thamel. Holyland Hiking Shop is recommended.
reviewed
-
V
United Books
Well-chosen selection and sensible prices, run by Danish Lars. Branches across town at Northfield Cafe and elsewhere.
reviewed
-
W
Third World Craft Nepal
Third World Craft Nepal, is not quite as interesting as the other fair trade shops but worth a quick look.
reviewed
-
X
Bluebird Supermarkets
Has a wide variety of goods. There's also a branch by the main bridge across the Bagmati River to Patan.
reviewed
-
Y
Advanced Photo Finisher
One of several places in the area that can print out digital shots and which also sells film.
reviewed
