Summary
One thing that we absolutely loved when we arrived at Kathmandu, Nepal was the variety of food.
Once you have spent weeks eating Dal Baht (Traditional Nepalese Dish) while climbing to Mount Everest Base Camp or trekking around the Annapurna Region, it is heaven to be able to come back to Kathmandu and sample all the international cuisine.
Here are our choices for where to eat in Kathmandu.
Where to Eat in Kathmandu
We loved the food in Kathmandu after traveling Asia for 5 months leading up to our arrival in Nepal. We eagerly anticipated indulging in the diverse offerings available in Thamel, the main tourist area of Kathmandu.
Having heard that it boasts the most varied menu in Asia, we were excited to sample everything from pizza and pasta to Mexican and Thai dishes. Coming from Canada, where multicultural cuisine is prevalent, we appreciated this wide range of choices.
This is not always the case when we travel.
While we enjoy Indian food, having it every day can become monotonous. Moreover, while Sri Lankan cuisine is a nice change, we also find ourselves craving variety after a while. Therefore, discovering all the different restaurants and food types in Kathmandu was a delightful experience.
Here is a list of the best places we found to eat at in Kathmandu
1. Road House Café
The Roadhouse Café was our first dining experience in Kathmandu, located just down the street from the Kathmandu Guest House on JP School. It features a relaxed atmosphere.
Serving Italian Illy Coffee and fresh Woodoven Pizza, along with olive oil and hot chilies on the side, it is known for having the best pizza in Nepal. The menu also includes pasta and fresh bruschetta, complemented by delicious desserts.
A quiet courtyard in the back of the restaurant provides a soothing escape from the bustling city. The Roadhouse Café is certainly our top recommendation for dining in Kathmandu.
2. OR2K
OR2K was another gem we discovered while dining out in Kathmandu.
Situated down a side street just off Tridevi Marg, west of the main Thamel Cowk, this establishment stands out for its ambiance. Like many restaurants in Kathmandu, OR2K offers free Wifi, enhancing the overall dining experience.
Its delicious Middle Eastern cuisine includes excellent hummus and falafel. Customers can relax on comfortable floor cushions as they savor a healthy juice or fresh mint lemonade alongside a delightful vegetarian snack.
3. The Northfield Café
This café is bustling every night, and after dining there, we understood why.
The Northfield Café’s chimichangas and enchiladas are absolutely delicious. We recommend ordering the bean and grilled chicken mix for your burrito or any wrap. The generous portions and friendly service made our visit memorable.
During our meal, we enjoyed a Skype conversation home using the free wifi while listening to a lively band performing in the background.
4. New Orleans
After much anticipation, we finally made our way to New Orleans and were left wondering why we waited so long.
Located almost directly opposite the Kathmandu Guest House, New Orleans boasts a diverse menu. We particularly enjoyed the jambalaya combined with an ice-cold beer served in a chilled glass!
Don’t miss their freshly baked apple pie on display at the cash register.
5. La Dolce Vita
If you’re looking for a celebratory meal after your climb or a romantic dinner, La Dolce Vita is an excellent choice that we visited twice!
The gnocchi and cannelloni received high praise from our table, and we indulged in a fine bottle of wine. This second-story eatery features tasteful linen tablecloths and fresh bread, and we later enjoyed our espresso from a comfortable sofa by the window.
This Italian restaurant offers some of the most authentic Italian cuisine we encountered.
6. Food Bazaar
Traveling with a group where everyone craves different meals? If you can’t agree on a specific cuisine, check out the food court.
This smartly decorated venue features sofas and padded chairs around large coffee tables, and traditional tables are also available. With a menu offering Indian, Italian, Chinese, and Lebanese cuisine, there’s something to satiate every palate.
Outdoor balconies allow for al fresco dining, and attentive wait staff are readily available. This food court also serves alcohol and provides free wifi.
Bonus Tip: Visit the Espresso Bar
After your meal, make sure to stop by the Espresso Bar for a cappuccino and dessert!
7. Coffee To Go
In a rush and looking for an affordable meal? Coffee to Go’s corner café serves the best wraps and falafel in the town.
The vegetarian or chicken wraps are substantial and satisfying. Proudly positioned in the heart of Thamel on the main street leading from Thamel Chowk to the Kathmandu Guest House, Coffee to Go is hard to miss due to its bustling crowd.
The coffee is fresh and delicious, making it one of the most budget-friendly dining options in the Thamel area of Kathmandu.
8. Café Kaldi
While shopping at the Sherpa Store on Tridevi Marg, west of Thamel Chowk, we noticed this lovely café.
As we browsed for trekking gear on the second floor, we saw many people working on their laptops in this trendy café. We tried it the following day and savored a delicious breakfast and cappuccino.
The breakfast consisted of two eggs, fresh fruit, toast, and roasted vegetables. Stylish presentation and prompt service made this café an excellent spot to relax away from the heat and noise while enjoying nutritious and tasty food.
Café Kaldi is conveniently located on the same side street as OR2K and Coffee to Go, near an outdoor shopping center with a Bikram (Hot) Yoga Centre on the second story.
The Final Word on Food
During our time in Kathmandu, we explored numerous eateries. As our home base before and after trekking to Everest Base Camp and enjoying mountain biking and hiking in Pokhara, we returned to familiar favorites.
Other Eats in Kathmandu
K-Too Steak House came highly recommended in travel guidebooks, but we were left disappointed after our visit.
Nameless Café – We stumbled upon an impressive Mexican restaurant serving fresh Mojitos just down the street from K-Too Steak House, though we can’t recall its name. It’s situated on the second story of the main street west of Thamel Chowk. Their chips and salsa were exceptional.
We Skipped the Nepalese Food in Kathmandu – Many might wonder about our lack of Nepalese cuisine. After all, on the mountain you can enjoy ample Nepali food, and virtually all guesthouses in Kathmandu offer a variety of Nepalese and Indian dishes.
Our favorite guesthouse for dining was Pilgrims Guest House, located north of Thamel Chowk. It’s renowned for its lovely quiet outdoor patio, free wifi, and delectable meals.
Ultimately, when selecting restaurants in Kathmandu, nothing appealed to us more than indulging in comforting pasta and pizza after enduring the challenges of trekking through the Everest Region.
