Must-see restaurants in Nepal

  • Café du Mont

    Nagarkot

    Open to nonguests, the restaurant at the Peaceful Cottage hotel is housed inside its octagonal tower and has an eclectic menu of local, Chinese, Indian…

  • Old Mike’s Kitchen

    Pokhara

    With a Lakeside setting under the spreading boughs of a pipal tree, Old Mike's makes a delightful spot for a hearty breakfast, lunch or dinner. Among the…

  • Bricks Cafe

    Patan

    This converted century-old traditional house is a great place to take a break from shopping at the nearby interior design shops of Kupondol. You can relax…

  • Thamel House

    Kathmandu

    This place is set in a traditional old Newari building and has bags of atmosphere, as well as a dance show at 7pm. Choose between the downstairs courtyard…

  • Mayur Restaurant

    Bhaktapur

    Mayur is an atmospheric place to refuel – dine on tables in a sunken courtyard, surrounded by carved windows and, possibly, in the company of woodcarvers…

  • Don’t Pass Me By

    Pokhara

    The pick of the Damside eateries is this cosy restaurant that sits smack on the edge of the lake. It has decent if not exciting travellers’ fare of…

  • New Café Nyatapola

    Bhaktapur

    Occupying prime real estate in Taumadhi Tole, this landmark cafe is touristy and pricey. But what a setting! Tables are arranged on the balconies of a…

  • Si Taleju Restaurant & Bar

    Patan

    A narrow, towering place with four floors, each with a different feel. Best is the top-floor dining room with magical views north across Durbar Sq to the…

  • Sing Ma Food Court

    Patan

    For the authentic tastes of Malaysia, head to this busy food court south of Pulchowk. The noodle soups, nasi lemak (coconut rice with anchovies) and beef…

  • Garet Express

    Kathmandu

    There are several sandwich shops in Thamel, but this French-style épicerie is a definite grade above them all. Choose from nak cheese from Jiri, French…

  • Dhokaima Café

    Patan

    A sophisticated cafe set inside a Rana-era storehouse by the Patan Dhoka gateway. Shaded by a sprawling walnut tree, the courtyard garden is a peaceful…

  • Curry Kitchen/Hot Bread

    Kathmandu

    This bakery on the main Thamel junction does a roaring trade in sandwiches, bread rolls, pizza slices and pastries. Add an espresso and head upstairs to…

  • Pokhara Thakali Kitchen

    Pokhara

    This cosy, atmospheric restaurant specialises in regional Thakali cuisine presented as thalis, each with three curries – choose veg or non-veg, standard…

  • Café de Patan

    Patan

    Southwest of Durbar Sq behind a small Uma Maheshwar Temple, this quiet place is a long-running travellers’ favourite, with an open-air courtyard and a…

  • New Watshala Garden Restaurant

    Bhaktapur

    Set in a pot-plant-filled courtyard behind the Shiva Guest House, this place offers a genuine retreat from the Durbar Sq crowds, even if the food is tour…

  • Kumari Restaurant

    Kathmandu

    Next to the Century Lodge, this basic but friendly hang-out is one of few places that seems to have hung onto some of the mellowness of times past. Grab a…

  • New Café dé Peacock

    Bhaktapur

    Tachupal Tole’s answer to New Café Nyatapola in a wood-fronted former priest's house on the north side of the square is certainly atmospheric, with great…

  • Stupa View Restaurant

    Nepal

    The stupa views are as good as they claim at this superior traveller-oriented vegetarian place, so come early to nab one of the coveted top-floor seats…

  • Cafe Swotha

    Patan

    Fresh and modern with lots of glass and a tiny garden, Swotha serves light salads, quiches and sandwiches made with seasonal ingredients, plus daily…

  • German Bakery

    Pokhara

    This is one of the original ‘German bakeries’, which supplies cafes from Pokhara to Jomsom. Come here for breakfasts, sweet cheesecake, Danish pastries,…

  • Flavors Café

    Nepal

    There's something for everyone here, from baked mushroom and spinach to Thai curries, pizzas and steak. There are no views from the pleasant interior…

  • Organic Farmers Market

    Kathmandu

    This weekly organic food market in the Le Sherpa Restaurant is popular with foreign residents who come here for the French cheese, jams, breads and…

  • Jungle View Restaurant

    Chitwan National Park

    A pleasant rooftop restaurant overlooking Gaida Chowk, Jungle View has good curries and barbecue, plus all your cheesy traveller favourites including…

  • Namaste Restaurant

    Bhaktapur

    This tiny, low-ceilinged, upstairs cafe is decked out in attractive decor and offers great views of Taumadhi Tole. The Nepali curries with rice are…

  • Café Cheeno

    Patan

    A great place just outside Patan Dhoka with a charming garden (sadly next door to the noisy bus stand), good salads and soups, tasty breakfast crêpes and…

  • Pho 99

    Nepal

    This new place is a stylish take on light and fresh Vietnamese dishes such as summer spring rolls, a spicy green papaya salad and plenty of pho noodles…

  • Pumpernickel Bakery

    Kathmandu

    Bleary-eyed tourists crowd in here every morning for fresh croissants, quality breads and reviving espresso in the pleasant garden area at the back…

  • Third World Restaurant

    Patan

    Located on the quiet western side of Durbar Sq, with budget prices, Newari set meals and good rooftop views of the Krishna Mandir.

  • Tibetan Pema Restaurant

    Pokhara

    This cosy little restaurant at the very rear of the Tibetan Mini Market is painted in bright colours and does delicious, cheap momos (potato and cheese,…

  • Desi Tadka

    Pokhara

    In a neighbourhood of similar tandoori restaurants, Desi Tadka gets our vote for succulent tandoori chicken, brilliant biryanis and delicious curries…

  • Yala

    Patan

    An island of calm in the courtyard of the Unesco-restored Rajbhandari House, this stylish cafe and art gallery has a peaceful back terrace and a fine menu…

  • Bakery Café

    Patan

    All the branches of this excellent chain provide work for deaf Nepalis. This one by the main roundabout at Jawalakhel offers good-value coffee, momos,…

  • Temple View Restaurant

    Bhaktapur

    Opposite the Royal Palace in a long, historic building, this regal place with one long balcony offers the chance to dine with a view that used to be…

  • Newa Chhen Restaurant

    Bhaktapur

    Slightly rundown and dingy, but the food here is cheap and tasty. It gets points for excellent Newari snacks and set meals, and a corner table with views…

  • Hira’s Coffee Shop

    Around the Kathmandu Valley

    On the wide lane south of the Adinath Lokeshwar Temple, this intimate and quaint cafe in a village house serves Nepali snacks.

  • Rabsel Garden Cafe

    Nepal

    This restaurant in the Shechen Guest House offers espresso coffee and cooks up excellent vegetarian food in a peaceful garden.

  • Garden Kitchen

    Nepal

    A partly open-air place serving the usual globe-trotting menu in a quiet and pleasant garden. Reasonable prices attract many long-term dharma students.

  • Casa Pagoda

    Patan

    A sister concern of the nearby Café du Temple, with roughly the same menu (daal bhaat, Chinese etc).

  • Roadhouse Cafe

    Patan

    A stylish branch of the ever-popular Thamel pizza parlour, with a relaxed, family vibe. Pasta and other dishes are also available.

  • Yoghurt Shops

    Bhaktapur

    Bhaktapur's famous 'king curd' is curdled in these small shops, which can also be found in other lanes around the city.

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