The Best Food & Bars in Kathmandu
26TH NOVEMBER 2019
Guide to must try food & the best bars in Kathmandu
You can find all types of food in the tourist district of Kathmandu, mostly due to the number of expats and the wide variety of tourists that visit KTM. You won't fall short for Nepali food in this area, but you'll always get the best food at local run restaurants. KTM is also a great place for a good night out, so many places for live music and pub culture, we'll be very surprised if you miss out on that dreaded hangover! This post will share some must try foods in Kathmandu and our favourite spots for a drink.
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Also read: Chandragiri Hill: Day Hike from Kathmandu
Dal Bhat
Dal Bhat is similar to an Indian Thali, your large metal plate will be filled with a lentil soup, rice, curry, vegetables and pickles – they will then keep topping you up with rice and lentils until you simply cannot consume anymore. Dal Bhat is a bit of a cult food in Nepal, keep your eyes open for t-shirts with the slogan: ‘Dal Bhat Power, 24 Hours’, referencing the somewhat godly energy it provides while trekking. Despite being most commonly vegetarian in the trekking regions, chicken, mutton and beef versions are readily found in the cities. The best place in Thamel for dal bhat is Himali Kitchen,
it's cheap, and because it's the most popular thing on the menu, it comes out fast and hot. This place is popular among locals and tourists alike, and once you try it, you'll know exactly why.
Momos
These dumplings are served all over Nepal and can be eaten as a beer soaking snack or a main meal. There are many variations of the momo, with the most common being simply steamed and served with a dipping sauce. Other variations include pan fried, served in a HOT tomato-chilli sauce or even served in soups. The fillings normally consist of minced meat and/or vegetables which are then wrapped in simple flour dough. We popped into the Balcony restaurant & bar for a beer during happy hour and were pleasantly surprised with their menu, Momos here are great, especially in their tomato-chilli sauce!
Thukpa & Thenthuk
2 very similar and equally delicious and comforting dishes. Both are noodle soups; thukpa is more of a regular string noodle, while thenthuk is a long, flat noodle, often cut into little squares. A perfect dish for the cold Nepali evening and often really cheap! A great place, again, is Himali kitchen! Delicious, authentic, fast and friendly!
Kathi Rolls
Kathi Rolls are the fast food of Kathmandu, they consist of chicken fried in a sweet chilli sauce which is then wrapped in a chapatti style wrap. They are available from take outs until the early hours of the morning and will do a good job of staving off those beer munchies. We had one after a night out at about 3am from Thamel Kathi Roll and craved them again the next day for lunch and ate at Syanko Katti Roll!
Kathmandu Bakeries
A surprising thing we found in Kathmandu were the tons of bakeries selling amazing sweet and savoury treats! We hadn't seen so much chocolatey goodness for a while so we took FULL advantage of these delights. Be sure to get something with apple too because they'll likely use Himalayan apples which are DELICIOUS! We ate at Hot Breads Bakery which has the most amazing range of savoury and sweet baked goods!
Sam's Bar
Sam’s is a busy bar set above the streets of Thamel only noticeable by a small door that leads to the stairs that take you up. You are directed to seats, crammed in with other patrons making for a lovely atmosphere where having a chat with stranger is encouraged. We ended up playing cards with a Korean pair for hours.
Everest Irish Pub
Another great place for a beer is Everest Irish Pub. We visited here a couple of times as the owner is lovely, beer is cheap and they have a pool table! They showed the rugby here on the big screen too and the place was packed out with and amazing atmosphere. Chips and Momos make for great beer soakers too!
Purple Haze
We visited Purple Haze severals times during our trip to Karthmandu and so wish we could have taken it home with us! This spacious rack bar stays open late and showcases some of the best local rock bands. Rows of tables mean you'll be sharing with other people and you'll definitely meet some interesting people here! We became friends with a member of the Nepali rock band Cobweb and partied until sunrise!
Hole in the Wall
Pralaya and the whole team are so much fun and take all your song requests. The vibe is chilled out 70’s in your parents basement, grungy, intimate and authentic! the perfect place to chill with a beer. Had an absolute blast and didn't hurt our pocket in the process. A few adventurous tourists ventured in and we had a good time meeting and talking with them!
You'll definitely have a full belly and a great time in Kathmandu, without break the bank! There's so much to take advantage of in Kathmandu and we hope this post will help guide you to the best places for an amazing time! Check out our Guide to Sightseeing in Kathmandu for all your non-foodie needs! Also check out our guide for a day hike from Kathmandu to really work up an appetite.
