Where to Eat in Thamel, Kathmandu
Contents
Three Thamel restaurants have their full menus on KTMenu. Start with them, then use the notes below to eat well anywhere in the area.
Thamel menus on KTMenu
OR2K
Vegetarian Mediterranean on Mandala Street, cushion seating, shoes off at the door. Order the hummus with pita, the shakshuka or the Buddha bowl.
Roadhouse Cafe
Wood-fired pizza on Chaksibari Road since 1992. The margherita and diavola are the classics, with spaghetti bolognese for anyone not having pizza.
Third Eye Restaurant
Indian and Nepali with a full tandoor, on J.P. Road since 1989. Butter chicken, chicken biryani and butter naan are the orders.
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Breakfast in Thamel
Most Thamel hotels include breakfast, usually eggs, toast and tea. Eating out, the better options are South Indian breakfast (idli, dosa, sambar) at the small South Indian places near the main chowk, or a tea shop (chiya pasal) with roti and tea. OR2K serves shakshuka if you want a sit-down breakfast. Portions at the bakery-style Western breakfast places on the tourist drag are small for what they cost.
Lunch in Thamel
Lunch is the best value meal in Thamel. Dal bhat sets at local restaurants come with refills of rice and dal, and a plate of momos is the other quick lunch. Walk away from the main tourist streets: Jyatha road and the lanes south of Garden of Dreams are cheaper, and a handwritten or Nepali-language board is a better sign than a photographed menu.
Dinner in Thamel
Dinner is where bills climb. Rooftop restaurants sell the view more than the food. Third Eye's curries and tandoori dishes are a safer bet from a kitchen that has been open since 1989. Eating earlier, before the evening rush, gets you better food for the same money.
How to Spot a Tourist Trap Restaurant in Thamel
- The menu has photographs of every dish. Locals do not need a photo to know what dal bhat looks like.
- Staff wait outside and try to walk you in. The better restaurants in Thamel do not need to.
- One menu covers Nepali, Indian, Chinese, Italian and Mexican. No kitchen does all of those well.
- Prices are listed in dollars or euros as well as rupees.
- It sits directly on the main Thamel road. One block in any direction is better value.
What to Order in Thamel
- Dal bhat, at places that serve it as a set with unlimited refills rather than a single bowl.
- Jhol momos, steamed and served in broth.
- Thakali thali, the set meal with several curries, ghee and achar.
- Tibetan thukpa, filling and cheap, best at the Tibetan-run restaurants at the northern end of Thamel.
- Fresh juice. Pomelo, sugarcane and mango from the street stalls.
The best momo in Kathmandu, ranked by reviews
Practical Tips for Eating in Thamel
- Most restaurants open 7am to 10pm. A few run later, though the kitchen winds down before the room does.
- Cash is preferred. Many places take no cards, and those that do often add 3 to 5 percent.
- Tap water is not safe to drink. Order mineral water or stick to hot drinks made with boiled water.
- A 10 to 13 percent service charge plus 13 percent VAT is added at many restaurants. Check the menu before ordering.
- Cart food is generally safe where turnover is high and it is cooked in front of you.
Looking for restaurants in Kathmandu? Browse menus, check opening hours, and get directions on KTMenu.
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