Must-see restaurants in Kathmandu

This cafe-restaurant in the Garden of Dreams is run by Dwarika’s so quality is high. It’s a fine place for a light meal (such as savoury crêpes or build…

This excellent and informal Italian place serves the best pizzas in Kathmandu (wholewheat crusts available, as well as combo pizzas), alongside breakfasts…

This long-running favourite is popular with well-heeled tourists. Indian food is the speciality and the tandoori dishes are especially good, even if the…

This popular and dependable place combines good breakfasts, salads, sandwiches and organic coffee in a pleasant garden courtyard with global music,…

Both locals and tourists flock to this unpretentious family-run place for possibly the best momos (dumplings) in town (try the chicken ones). It also…

In the hotel of the same name, this is one of the longest-running restaurants in Thamel (since 1971!) and still turns out excellent Tibetan dishes,…

This bright, buzzy and ever-popular Israeli vegetarian restaurant is a favourite for fresh and light Middle Eastern dishes, with plenty of vegan and…

In the Baber Mahal Revisited complex, Caroline’s is a sophisticated outdoor bistro popular with expat foodies. It offers French-influenced main courses…

This easily missed but charming 200-year-old Rana residence features French-Nepali food. Dishes range from light lunch sandwiches (Rs 400 to Rs 500) and…

A friendly and cool place on the edge of Thamel that is trying to offer something more than the bog-standard tourist restaurant options. There are lots of…

Run by the same people as Or2k, but a less grungy, more grown-up option, Friends shows its Israeli roots through its hummus, shawarma and borek (filo…

Life is indeed sweet at Thamel’s best Italian bistro, offering such delights as Parmesan gnocchi; goat’s cheese and spinach ravioli; and sinfully rich…

Healthy foodies pining for their kale and quinoa will breathe a sigh of relief at this well-run place specialising in organic salads. The inventive…

Hidden down an alley near Kathmandu Guest House, New Orleans boasts an intimate candlelit vibe, a classy blues and jazz soundtrack and live music on…

Yin Yang is one of Thamel’s most highly regarded restaurants, serving authentic Thai food that is a definite cut above the imitation Thai food found…

One of the best places for traditional Nepali food is this impressive place at Dwarika’s hotel. The atmosphere is superb and the organic food gets…

There's a little bit of everything here, from Nepali choela chicken and tasty Thai curries to fresh salads, homemade bread and wine by the glass. Choose…

This classy restaurant is set in a charming former residence of a Rana court musician, with a lovely garden set off by a modern glass pavilion. Food…

This unpretentious place overlooking Durbar Marg is a good choice for authentic Thai food. Starters include squid salad and som tam thai (young papaya and…

There are now two branches of long-running Koto next to each other on Durbar Marg; the southern one has the larger selection of sushi and nigiri rolls,…