Bhojan Griha

This spectacular restaurant serves traditional Nepali dishes in one of the most unique places in the city. The four-storey building was the residence of the royal priest over 150 years ago, and it retains its traditional feeling, with floor seating on decorative cushions and meals served in brass dishes. It also hosts regular cultural shows and boasts a Kamasutra bar decorated with erotic-themed wood carvings.

• Web:

  www.bhojangriha.com

• Address:

  Dilli Bazar, Kathmandu

• Phone:

  +977 1 4416 423

• Opening hours:

  Sun–Sat 10am–10pm

Krishnarpan Nepali Restaurant

Krishnarpan is located within the charming Dwarika’s heritage hotel and serves traditional Nepali dishes in a welcoming upmarket atmosphere. Enjoy the award-winning architecture, rustic earthenware and the local dress worn by the staff. Meals here are anything but fast: the "slow dining" meals range from six to 22 courses. This is further enhanced by traditional earthenware and the local dress worn by the waiters. The ingredients are sourced from Dwarika’s own organic farms.

• E-mail:

  info@dwarikas.com

• Address:

  Battisputali Road, Kathmandu

• Phone:

  +977 1 4479 488

• Opening hours:

  Daily 6pm–11pm

• More info:

  Located in The Dwarika's Hotel

Le Sherpa

Le Sherpa offers one of Kathmandu's best fine dining experiences. This relatively new restaurant brings contemporary European cuisine to the city, offering specialties like the Sherpa soup and rabbit tortellini, as well as a formidable wine selection, in elegant surroundings with a green open-air courtyard.

• Web:

  www.lesherpa.com.np

• E-mail:

  dine@lesherpa.com.np

• Address:

  Ramalaya, Pani Pokhara, Kathmandu

• Phone:

  +977 1 4428 604

• Opening hours:

  Mon noon–10pm, Tue–Fri 11am–10pm, Sat & Sun 8am–10pm

OR2K

This vegetarian restaurant is popular with tourists and locals alike, offering light Middle Eastern dishes in a stylish and intimate setting. Patrons must take off their shoes at the entrance, and all seating is on cushions on the floor, which gives OR2K an authentic feeling to accompany the delicious food.

• Address:

  Mandala Street, Thamel, Kathmandu

• Phone:

  +977 1 4422097

• Opening hours:

  Daily 11am–10pm

Saigon Pho

Award-winning Saigon Pho is the only Vietnamese restaurant in Kathmandu, and is deservedly a favourite in the city. Serving delicious Vietnamese and South Asian cuisine, including pho, shrimp rice wraps, papaya salad, and much more, visitors will want to arrive early to get a table on the outdoor terrace to enjoy the view.

• E-mail:

  saigonphorestaurant@gmail.com

• Address:

  Lazimpat, Kathmandu

• Phone:

  +977 1 4443 330

• Opening hours:

  Daily 11am–9pm

Third Eye

Established in 1989, Third Eye restaurant offers a reflective of unique Royal Indian and Nepalese cuisines. The walls are adorned with original oil paintings by Nepalese artists. Their dining room designed to enhance your dining experience. Order a thali set according to your preferences. Vegetarian options are quite popular, and you can adjust the level of spiciness.

• Web:

  www.thirdeye.com.np

• E-mail:

  info@thirdeye.com.np

• Address:

  J.P. Road, Kathmandu

• Phone:

  +977 1 5360 289

Electric Pagoda Bar & Cafe

Quickly becoming one of the best places to eat, drink, and party in Nepal, Electric Pagoda provides a great environment for travellers. The primarily Mexican-inspired menu is top-notch, the bar is fully stocked with international spirits, and the resident DJs pump out an eclectic mix to satisfy all tastes. The courtyard is green, the decor tasteful, and the company is always cheerful.

• E-mail:

  epmandu@gmail.com

• Address:

  Saat Ghumti Marg, Kathmandu

• Phone:

  +977 1 4700 123

• Opening hours:

  Daily 10am–midnight

Jai Nepal Cinema Hall

For a more relaxed evening, the Jai Nepal Cinema offers a convenient option for cinema-lovers. The selection is usually limited to Bollywood movies (mostly Hindi, but also some local Nepali films) with no English audio or subtitles, but that only makes it a more interesting experience, and it takes nothing away from enjoying the music and the dances.

• Web:

  www.qfxcinemas.com

• Address:

  Narayanhiti Marg, Kathmandu

• Phone:

  +977 1 444 222 0

LOD — Lord of the Drinks

LOD regarded as is the biggest and loudest club in Kathmandu. The club is frequented by local celebrities, VIPs, VVIPs. Even Nepal's ex-royal family visits this club for their weekend hangouts.

• Address:

  Thamel Marg, Kathmandu

• Phone:

  +977 984 3948 991

• Opening hours:

  Daily 6pm–4am

• More info:

  Entry fee is about 10 USD and comes with a complimentary beer

Moksh Bar

Moksh is a popular music venue and, allegedly, a destination for a more "posh" and "refined" crowd. It's a whole new concept for art, music, and food lovers. Every Tuesday and Friday you can catch a music show here. The bar is built like an extension to an existing building in the form of a long narrow veranda, which serves as a place for interaction and seating. Exposed concrete and local clay tiles are used along with teak louvers. True modern architecture with local flair.

• Address:

  Gyan-Mandala, Jhamsikhel, Lalitpur

• Phone:

  +977 1 5428 362

New Orleans Cafe

For a bit of live music, be sure to visit New Orleans. It is an extremely popular place for a drink due to its intimate vibe set to candlelight and soft tunes, and the courtyard hosts live blues and rock covers almost every night. The far-reaching menu has excellent and varied options, too. Book ahead or arrive early to be sure to get a table.

• Address:

  Sagarmatha Bazar, Kathmandu

• Phone:

  +977 1 4700 736

• Opening hours:

  Daily 7:30am–11pm

Rum Doodle

The ceiling of Rum Doodle is covered with foot-shaped notes, left there by every Mt Everest summiteer who has visited the bar. One of the most iconic bars in the city and a real hub for the mountaineers since the 70s. Come for a drink and stay for the home-style food and the atmosphere of camaraderie.

• Address:

  Bhupi Road, Naxal, Kathmandu

• Phone:

  +977 1 4421 420

Cafe Swotha

Swotha is a small cafe adjoining the boutique and B&B of Traditional Homes Swotha. Small and quaint, it is perfect for romantic dates and quiet afternoons with a book. Have a moment of rest in the back garden. The menu is not long, but you are sure to find something appetizing. Fresh sandwiches and salads, quiches, filling divine soups and strong coffee — what's not to like?

• Address:

  Traditional Road, Lalitpur, Nepal

• Phone:

  +977 1 5551 184

Himalayan Java Coffee

Hailed as serving some of the best coffee in the whole country (they roast their coffee in-house), local and travelling coffee lovers flock here for the high-quality coffee drinks and the relaxed vibe. It provides a very relaxing environment despite the bustle of the city streets just outside its walls.

• Web:

  www.himalayanjava.com

• E-mail:

  info@himalayanjava.com

• Address:

  Tridevi Sadak, Kathmandu

• Phone:

  +977 1 442 2519

• Opening hours:

  Daily 7am–8:30pm

Kathmandu Guest House

The Kathmandu Guest House is part of a great chain of hotels in Nepal, founded by Karna Sakya, hailed as the father of tourism in the country. Not only is it a great place to stay, once a favourite among mountaineers, but it also boasts some of the best coffee in Kathmandu. Other beverages are also available to enjoy in the lovely courtyard.

• Web:

  www.ktmgh.com/kathmandu-guest-house

• E-mail:

  info@ktmgh.com

• Address:

  Thamel, Kathmandu

• Phone:

  +977 1 4700 632

Roadhouse Cafe

Roadhouse Cafe is not just great for coffee. It's also famous for their wood-fired pizzas, a variety of wines and diverse world cuisine, including pasta, salads and burger. Mosaic-covered walls and wooden furniture give Roadhouse a rustic welcoming atmosphere.

• Web:

  www.roadhouse.com.np/thamel

• E-mail:

  info@roadhousenepal.com

• Address:

  Chaksibari Road, Thamel, Kathmandu

• Phone:

  +977 1 5367 885

• More info:

  Today, this food chain has four outlets in Kathmandu and seven in total in Nepal

Rosemary Kitchen and Coffee Shop

A Kathmandu favourite, the menu at Rosemary Kitchen offers a bit of everything: dishes from all over the Asian continent, from India to Thailand, via Mongolia, Italian specialties, fine wines and homemade bread. It gets busy, so reservations are recommended, especially for garden seating, but the interior is elegant and comfortable as well.

• Web:

  www.rosemarykitchen.com.np

• E-mail:

  rosemarykitchenktm@gmail.com

• Address:

  Thamel Marg, Kathmandu

• Phone:

  +977 1 4226 066

• Opening hours:

  Daily 7:30am–10pm

The Bakery Cafe

This great local chain has outlets throughout the city and serves up snacks and fast food, as well as delicious coffee drinks. The Bakery Cafe is famous for hiring deaf employees who would otherwise have difficulty finding stable work, and is thus a favourite among the local community.

• Web:

  www.thebakerycafe.com.np

• E-mail:

  nanglobakery@gmail.com

• Address:

  Teendhara Marg, Kathmandu

• Phone:

  +977 1 4169 247

• Opening hours:

  Daily 11am–9pm