Nepal Food - What & Where to Eat in Nepal

Nepal food is heavily influenced by Indian and Tibetan cuisine which is quick to cook and rich in flavors and aromas. Compared with Indian food, Nepal food is much less spicy than Indian food. It is said that Indian influence is only confined to Southwest Nepal. The rest of Nepal has more of Tibetan and Chinese influence in their cuisines. Generally, Nepal food relies more on chunky vegetables, lean means, pickled ingredients and salads instead of fats. The common ingredients used in Nepalese cuisine contain potatoes, lentils, tomatoes, chilies, coriander, pepper, cumin, garlic and mustard oil. If you are a gluten-free dieter, Nepal will be a culinary heaven for you.

Daal, Bhaat and Tarkaari – It is the most popular Nepal food made of lentils, rice, and vegetable curry. This is the main course served in the most Nepalese houses regardless of the economic conditions, that too in both lunch and as well as dinner.

Newar Dish – Another popular dish is favored by many tourists. The rice will be push into sheet and put on the plate (made by leaves). With some side dishes, including curried potatoes, bacons and dried beans, this dish becomes rather savory.

Momo – Momo is not only a delicious cuisine served in the restaurant, but also a famous street food. There are both vegetable Momo and buffbeef Momo. The Momo can be steamed and fried according to your taste.

Daal, Bhaat and Tarkaari - National Dish

Steamed Nepal Momo

Thukpa – Thukpa is a hot noodle soup with pieces of meat and vegetables. It is often seen eaten alongside Momo. The delicately-seasoned meat stock (ranging from buffbeef, lamb, goat to chicken) makes it a warming and comforting dish.

Gundruk – Gundruk is a sun-dried leafy green vegetable which is cooked in different ways (particularly in soup)

Skiarni - As a hot dessert in Nepal, Skiarni is a yogurt dish that is mixed with spices (cardamom, chopped cashews, and a few strands of saffron) and fruit. Some people also use it as a light breakfast or snack.

Milky Tea ­– Though you can have a cup of Milky Tea everywhere, Nepal Milky Tea is rather yummy. After heating the milk and boiling it with black tea, the fragrance will come out gradually.

Kathmandu is a melting pot of international cuisine. Besides Nepal food, Nepal restaurants here serve varieties of hygienic delicacies from other countries, like Indian, Chinese, Tibetan, Japanese, Italian, Australian, Russian, Korean, and Mexican etc. to Continental at remarkably reasonable price. Dining out, therefore, is a pleasure.

Recommended Nepal Tours
☞ 4 Days Classic Kathmandu Valley Tour
☞ 5 Days Kathmandu Pokhara Leisure Tour (by Flight)

Healthy Nepal Milky Tea

Nepali Thali Set

Here are some recommended western restaurants with good traveler ratings where you can treat your palate.

● Thamel Doner Kebab

Guest Impressions: Simple but excellent restaurant/ Kebab prepared with so much hart and effort / artfully and lovingly prepared fresh falafel wrap / Food is awesome

Cuisines: Fast Food, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Arabic, Turkish, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Halal

Address: Chaksibari Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

Hours Open: 12:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Falafel Wrap of Thamel Doner Kebab

Guests Impressions: Great food with lovely ambiance /

One of the best / Great atmosphere - a hidden prize in Thamel / Nice food, good surroundings

Cuisines: Italian, American, Cafe, European, Asian, Nepali, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options

Address: Chaksibari Marg 338/19, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

Hours Open: 7AM–11PM

New Orleans Cafe

● Blueberry Kitchen & Coffee Shop

Guests’s impression: Great lunch spot! / Amazing place - beautiful service and super tasty food / Good place for expat dining / Relaxed coffee and cake

Cuisines: Italian, International, European, Asian, Nepali, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options

Address: Chaksibari Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

Hours Open: 7AM–10:30PM

Great Pizza of Blueberry Kitchen & Coffee Shop

Guest Impressions: Nicely arranged with good cushion / Both Vegetarian and non-vegetarian /  Best steaks are served in Kathmandu / Perfect place to hang out and re-energize after trekking

Cuisines: Italian, American, Cafe, European, Asian, Nepali, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options

Cuisines: Italian, American, Cafe, European, Asian, Nepali, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options

Address: Chaksibari Marg, Thamel, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

Hours Open: 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Kathmandu Steak House Restaurant

Guests Impressions: Great pizza nice atmosphere / Great Pizza, Great Service, Great Location / Best pizza in a long time / Relaxed Friendly Place / Good food, nice portions!

Cuisines: Italian, Pizza, Cafe, European, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options

Address: Chaksibari Road, Thamel, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

Hours Open: 11AM–10PM

Reservations: www.roadhouse.com.n

Roadhouse Cafe Thamel

Guests Impressions: Delicious Food, Great Service, and Romantic Atmosphere / Best food in Pokhara / Upscale and clean / Phenomenal Service, Amazing Food / Incredible service and great food

Cuisines: Mediterranean, European, International, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options

Address: Lakeside, Gaurighat, Pokhara 33700, Nepal

Hours Open: 11AM–10PM

Recommended Nepal Tours
☞ 4 Days Kathmandu Nagarkot Himalayan Sunrise Tour
☞ 6 Days Kathmandu to Pokhara Highlights Tour

Harbor Restaurant

If you go to visit a local family, or dine with local people, please be aware that there are some local table etiquettes you should abbey, including:

● It is a taboo to enter a Hindu kitchen if you are non-Hindus.

● Touching other’s food is a bad manner in Nepal.

● Use your right hand for eating because locals use left had for cleaning after the toilet. Besides, also don’t use the left hand to pass food to other people.

● Locals usually have two meals a day – one at about 7AM and another at around 8PM. But lunches are offered in tourist areas.

● As Nepal is a Hindu country, locals don’t eat the cow, but water buffalo. Beef steaks can only be found in the tourist areas.

Water Safety in Nepal

During your traveling in Nepal, you’d better not to drink the tap water, even if the hotel and restaurants. If you have to, you can pack a boiling pan or a filter for the tap water. You can buy some bottle waters in the supermarkets for daily use. Don’t to eat fruit which may have been washed in contaminated water. Also don’t drink soft drinks which have ice inside, because the ice may have been made from the tap water.

Table Etiquette

Undrinkable Water from Tap

Tourists always start a Nepal tour from Kathmandu - the capital city and tourist distribution center. 4 days is enough to enjoy the world heritage sites and Himalayan views in Kathmandu Valley (Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur and Nagarkot). For those travelers who won’t want to miss the most astonishing nature of Nepal, spend 1 or 2 more days visiting lakeside Pokhara. For more experience, Chitwan is a good choice to offer Nepal’s oldest wildlife (various mammal and birds species) as well as a variety of excursions in 2 days usually. If you are a Buddhist follower or fan, travel Lumbini and other Buddhist sites in 3~4 more days. If you are a trekking enthusiast, there is a bucket of trekking routes, like Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Circuit, Poon Hill, etc.

☞ 4 Days Classic Kathmandu Valley Tour
☞ 5 Days Kathmandu Pokhara Leisure Tour (by Flight)
☞ 8 Days Nepal Holiday Tour (Kathmandu - Pokhara - Chitwan)

Travel with Us

Traveling with Himalayas Discovery, you are assured to use our high-quality travel services, including vehicles, professional tour guide and experienced driver, well-organized itinerary, assistance of visa and permits application and other travel related services. We will settle all arrangements in advance to make sure you always enjoy a worry-free journey.

Adam's Family from USA visited Kathmandu with Himalayas Discovery