Dinning and Night Life in the Country
Menu:
Where to eat?
Kathmandu restaurants offer typical
foods like Nepali which consists of the basic rice, vegetables, chicken curry, pickles and other vegetables and meat mix. Meals are either local, or heavily drawn from Indian Recipes. Some offer Indian, Tibetan to just about any other cuisines you can find on this planet.
Hotels benefit earnings through their own dinning in facilities often branded as basement or roof-top restaurants. Your hotel might have a restaurant at the location where you are staying. It's a great offering from the hotel -- they are open to serve you when you are hungry.
Finding restaurants of your choice in cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara isn't difficult. You might like to know, Tourists haven't been picky in Nepal either. Many, will simply enjoy the local food (Dal Bhat and Tarkari) once or even twice in a row, adding a few days of their own country's menu, then mixing other menus such as the famous Chinese dishes like Momo and Chicken Noodles.
In metro areas, people ride to eat. Here, you basically won't be doing that. It's all small and compact, unless you are up in the Everest Base Camp (LOL!!). You can walk by foot, cross-pass many restaurants and it won't take long before you give up your full belly and rested legs. In the evening, when it comes to eating in Kathmandu, its more about where you are, than your choice. In thamel, some restaurants have lived for decades and new ones have come up with new styles. Thamel knows Nepali tourists too well. Here, it is the menu that wins the hearts of tourists.
Menu can be upto 8 folds! and wows!! Don't get confused, it's all about time to try something new, exciting, and different, for you are in Nepal. When you are surrounded by Aaaahs and Wows, pinch once or twice.. "Should I ask, if it's hot and spicy ?" If our bellies haven't had one even a pinch of red peppers, we would wanna make sure if Chicken Wings are as extreme as they are in the U.S. or U. K.
Thamel, Durbarmarg, and Lazimpat in Kathmandu, and Phewa Lake in Pokhara are four places to go. Restaurants await here with mouthwatering taste, aroma and flavor.
"Khana Khanu Vayo? " - did you get it ? Try pronouncing it again. did you get it yet ? Awesome! You just asked us, "Have you eaten ?" --- That's, one of the most used Nepali phrase ! Wow and double Wows for learning!! You can say that as many times as you want, don't worry -- it's just a phrase and more about respect than what it literally means. Sure thing to speak when you get there! For more like these, see related content
Good to Know
- Tipping is not common across restaurants and places. Generally, those who wait tables expect something for their service, and that service may not be included in your bills. Please check your bill. 10% Tip is expected in mid class restaurants, and upto 15% Tip expected in higher class restaurants.
- Those on a diet due to physical reasons, should avoid eating package foods. Not all contain what you might need. Serving size, nutrients and allergy information aren't found in most packages.
- Order but Ask too: (1) Ask if the restaurant offers menu as well as local cultural dance program. You should dine-in at least in a restaurant that offers local cultural programs such as music and Nepali Folk Dance. It's a simple and elegant way to learn about a new culture. (2) Don't go by the name of the menu, but name of the foods that comes with it. Know what's included before you order. Don't expect all Nepali restaurants to be perfect in offering foreign menu items.
- Your meal will taste great on top of a mountain than in a lower grounds, crowded by people and noise. We recommend that you pack up your bags and head for the hills with a guide. There is nothing like a little barbeque on a Nepali mountain. It's all about your choice. Give away the cost of eating in fancy restaurants to a small trekking package -- You are good to go.
- Just because you saw someone eating in a place, doesn't mean you should sit down and start eating. No! Cheaper restaurants may not have the basic sanitation and hence avoid eating anything raw here including water, salad mix and so forth.
- We all get sick even at the comfort of our own home. Carry a few basic medicine kit having (a) Pepto Bismol, (b) Anti-Diarrhea Medicines, (c) Anti-Gas Medicines and (d) Acetaminophen, Aspirin or such pain/fever reducing medicines. You can buy these in Kathmandu, over the counter, at medicine stores.
- We have written this too many times here, here goes one more time, DO NOT DRINK WATER from the tap. Boil Water then Drink.
What to Eat?
Kathmandu and Pokhara are food lovers paradise -- more so for those who have just landed there or for those who are getting ready to leave for home.
Here, lots of International Standards eating out facilities exist. Try your food of
choice but make sure one such is to discover the wonderful flavor
and aroma of Nepali or Newari food which are the most favorites foods
in this sub continent.
During your trekking expedition in the remote
parts, don't forget to taste the ethnic delights such as Sherpa Tea
or Local food.
What kinds of food should I try in Nepal ?
- Anything you like that's not raw. Please give up your salad mix etc while in Nepal.
- Nepali Basic Food ; Rice and veggies
- Newari Food and other Ethnic Foods like Tibetan Dishes
- Indian, Chinese, American and Others
What to drink?
Water, soft-drink and beer. Nepal makes international brands of beer such as San Miguel, also makes spirits including rum,
whisky, vodka and gin. Imported wines, beer and spirits are also
available here. Locally made liquor such as chang and rakshi are
also available. These are made from barley or millet and are highly
intoxicating.
Milk is processed and distributed by Nepal Diary located in Kathmandu. Boil for a few minutes, let it cool, then drink. Drink Nepali Tea (Nepali Cheeya), a popular drink in the morning here. Juice of many fruits can be found in stores in cartoons.
Local bottlers for softdrinks are here. Coke and Pepsi were introduced to Nepal not so long ago, and it's become pretty popular among locals and tourists. We highly recommend that you drink soft drinks instead of tap water. Since you are drinking an International Brand, you can be sure of it's quality and hygiene.
About Drinking Water
A traveler needs to be weary of drinking water straight out of the tap, specially when visiting a 3rd world country like Nepal. Drink only the bottled mineral waters or water that your accommodation provider says is "Safe to Drink". Bottled water goes through filtration and treatment facilities.
When in doubt, ask for a glass of hot boiled water, let it cool, then drink.
The safest way to drink any water is to boil it before you drink.
Night Life in Nepal
Generally speaking, there is no night life in this country except for the heavily concentrated tourists areas like "Thamel" of Kathmandu. Here, you can expect 24 Hours Services of these kinds; Restaurants, Bars, ATM services, Internet Cafes, and Convenient Shopping Centers. But don't expect all to be so bright all around you. During certain months, Kathmandu gets only a few hours of electricity per day which is distributed to the valley on a weekly schedule.
Nepalese spend most of their night life with friends and family at home. Evening is a time for villagers to rush inside their tiny homes, see family and rest from the day of hard work. Not all villages have access to modern roads, electricity and other facilities that cities enjoy.
Discos and bars are available in Kathmandu which stay up late in the night, specifically catering to Nepalese youth. Such places have also become increasingly popular among tourists and Nepalese business men.
Public buses to and from major cities are available during night time. There are buses you can take from Kathmandu to Pokhara in the evening like 6PM to 9 PM, but public buses inside the city areas close very early, often as early as 7PM, and every city has its own rules. So getting in and around the city during the evening will depend on your ability to get a cab. Cabs are available easily from hotel areas, bus parks, tourists areas and other places.
Cabs are available day and night. Late means more. Night cabs are expensive than day cabs.
Conclusion ? : At night, unless you are in Thamel or Durbarmarg of Kathmandu, you are pretty much in the dark. In broad prospect, there is no night life in Nepal, period. Asking is is a common practice that travelers follow when they visit a foreign land. So, Please ask your accommodation provider, about where to go in evening, when to return back, how long certain things remain open, and so forth. Their local knowledge will benefit you greatly more than anything else you find on the Internet.
How much does it cost ? - Eating Out
Answer is a three words, "it is cheap".
Generally speaking, transportation cost is heavy on foods and commodities in rural areas such as Langtang. Porters must carry foods and other commodities for hours and hours and in many places, it could take even days. If it's not locally grown, you are going to pay much.
Rice is the basic food in this country. We highly recommend that you try "Dal Bhat and Tarkar" -- Read on to find pages dedicated to this topic.
|
Food |
Average Price (in US$) |
| Nepali Food Plain |
$2 |
| Nepali Food with Chicken |
$3 |
| Nepali Food with Mutton |
$3 |
| Chicken Momo Small |
$2 |
| Cheese Pizza Small |
$2 |
| Burger |
$2 |
| French Fries |
75 cents |
| Beer 750ml |
$2 |
| a Cup of Coffee |
$1 |
| a Cup of Tea |
$1 |
| a Pepsi / Coke (250 ml bottle) |
$1 |
Know what your order includes.
Minimum to Maximum Range is for Budget Class Restaurants. |
Range |
| Budget Breakfast |
from $3 to $5 |
| Budget Lunch |
from $4 to $6 |
| Budget Dinner |
from $5 to $8 |
Foot Note for Dinning In a Restaurant : Overall, you are expected to pay in Nepalese currency as per Law, pay 13% extra as Tax, and 2-3% tourism tax (in tourism areas), and 10 to 15% tips based on where you dine.
Budget Restaurants List
Sorry for not giving you a comprehensive list. But please know -- there aren't any dedicated directory for this topic. If we find anything else as we surf the Internet, we will add them in our Forum. After you're done here, go to the forum to find anything new.
List of Budget Restaurants in Kathmandu
click on the link to visit their website, link opens in a new window/tab
| Name of Restaurant |
Features |
Website |
Price Range in US$ or Phone Number. |
| Bhojan Griha |
Local, Traditional, and Live Cultural Programs, located at Dillibazar |
|
$ 13 |
| The Rum Doodle |
a classy bar and restaurant in Thamel |
|
Not available. |
| Thamel House |
Traditional Nepali food, located at Thamel |
|
Not available |
| The Third Eye |
Indian Cuisine, located at Thamel |
N/A |
Phone: 2460289 |
| Mike's Breakfast |
American Cuisine, Located at Naxal |
N/A |
Phone: 4424303 |
| 1905 Restaurant and Bar |
Variety, Located at Kantipath |
|
Phone: 4225272 |
| Om Nepalese Kitchen |
Nepalese style Cuisine. |
N/A |
Phone: 4260365 |
| Bhanchha Ghar |
Nepali, Cultural Programs, located at Kamaladi |
N/A |
Phone: 4225172 |
Related Contents
- Accommodation in Nepal - a simple guide from Travel Section.
- About Nepali Food - a simple stuff on cooking Nepali Food. Go grab your plate !
- Nepali Customs - since we asked you what "Khna Khanu Vayo?" means, it's time to go grab that page even if you know some. If you are kind of puzzled, we think you've missed something here. Go up and read down please!
Support
- Did you find what you were looking for ?
Use our forum to ask questions.
- We said it earlier, we will add other restaurants listings in the forum as we find them. Do you know of any restaurants that needs to be listed ? Please add.
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