Kathmandu foodguide: 15x Kathmandu Hotspots (2023 update)

Kathmandu is intense, chaotic, and simultaneously essential during your journey through Nepal. The capital of Nepal has many facets. Let’s be honest, you need to have a bit of an affinity for it. Some people run away screaming, while others fall in love. Because if you search well, you’ll find plenty of peaceful, beautiful spots, history, and culture in Kathmandu. That’s why we highly recommend staying here for at least a day or two. Of course, We Wander Why has also ventured out to discover the coolest hotspots.

Tip! Can’t make a choice or have no idea what to order? First, book a food tour! This is truly the perfect way to get to know a city and acquaint yourself with the cuisine. PLUS, you’ll end up eating like there’s no tomorrow. Not a bad deal either ;p Book a Kathmandu Food Tour here >

Overview of Where to Eat in Kathmandu:

Forest and Plate: A favored dining spot with delightful salads and delicious dishes.
Himalayan Java: Great coffee, smoothies, refreshing lemonades, and fantastic brownies.
Thamel Doner Kebab: Cozy eatery serving tasty doner and falafel.
Yala Café & Coffee Shop: Offers delightful dahl bath in a charming courtyard setting.
French Creperie: Amazing crepes with goat cheese or shrimp.
Sams House: Relaxing spot for a chilled beer.
Road House: Pizza, pasta, and grilled meats.
Khumbu Hotel: Beautiful view overlooking the temple.
Blueberry Kitchen & Coffee Shop: Nepalese cuisine and Dal Bath.
Rosemary Chicken: Popular restaurant with great food and a cozy garden.
OR2K: Vegan hotspot and the most delicious mezze plate.
Fire and Ice Pizza: For pizza lovers.
Pho 99: Vietnamese cuisine.
Kaiser Café: Stunning location near the Secret Gardens.
Yangling Restaurant: Affordable and good Nepalese food.
Le Sherpa Restaurant: Fine dining in Kathmandu.
Kantipur Tandoori House: That’s some good Potandoori food!

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Forest and Plate

We’ve discovered a new favorite! At Forest and Plate, you can indulge in truly fantastic food. Without a doubt, this has become my top dining spot in Kathmandu. The salads here are absolutely delightful, a rarity in Nepal. But that’s not all – in addition to the salads, you can choose from tasty pastas and other delightful dishes. It might not be traditional Nepalese fare, but trust me, it’s an absolute culinary delight!
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Himalayan Java

As a coffee enthusiast in Nepal, finding the perfect cup can sometimes be a challenge, but at Himalayan Java, you’re in for a treat. Here, you can not only enjoy excellent coffee, but also delicious smoothies and fresh lemonades. And if you’re looking for a productive spot, this has been my favorite workspace as well. And let’s be honest, the brownies here are truly fantastic!
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Thamel Doner Kebab

During our journey, Thamel Doner Kebab claimed the top spot on Tripadvisor. A small joint with about 4 seats, where many claim you can score the best doner and falafel in Nepal – and we wholeheartedly agree. The owner is a super friendly young Nepali who carefully prepares the tastiest doner for you. You can take your meal to go or enjoy it on the small terrace. Highly recommended! We went back a few times.
In 2023, we revisited and YES, it’s still fantastic! They now have a small space in the back where you can even sit comfortably.
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Yala Café & Coffee Shop

In the evening, we decided to grab a bite here and naturally went for dahl bath. And what a delicious choice that was! We enjoyed our meal in the charming courtyard, surrounded by a hospitable atmosphere of friendly people. This is definitely a must-try!
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French Creperie

Holy CREPE! It took a bit of searching, but that effort is fully rewarded by the amazing crepes here. Not only do they serve the standard crepes, but also creations with goat cheese or shrimp. And guess what? It fits perfectly within your budget and tastes absolutely divine.
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Sams House

After a day full of impressions in Kathmandu, there’s nothing quite like a cold beer! The best place to do this is unquestionably Sams House. It has a laid-back atmosphere and is bustling with life every evening.
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Road House

Craving pizza or pasta? Then Road House is the place to be. And if you’re a fan of well-grilled meats, you’re in the right spot too. While it might be a bit pricier than other places, it’s absolutely worth a visit.
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Khumbu Hotel

We decided to have a drink here for the beautiful view overlooking the temple. I’d suggest skipping the food here; you come mainly for the view.
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Blueberry Kitchen & Coffee Shop

It took some searching, but we ended up having a delightful meal here on the terrace. This was my first taste of Dal Bath in Nepal, and I truly savored every bite. If you want to enjoy Nepalese cuisine, this is the place to be.
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Rosemary Chicken

Rosemary Chicken kept popping up in various blogs. We had to give it a try too. And yes, we understand why this restaurant is so popular. The food is good, and you can enjoy a cozy time in the garden. Unfortunately, there was only space for us in the restaurant, which I personally found a bit less appealing. In Pokhara, there’s also a Rosemary Chicken, also worth recommending.
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OR2K

OR2K, the restaurant in Kathmandu where vegan options and laid-back hippie vibes come together! Here, you’ll not only taste delicious smoothie bowls but the mezze plate is also a standout. A place where flavors and atmosphere perfectly converge for a unique dining experience.
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