Food experience · Kathmandu
Kathmandu Food & Drink Guide
Where and what to eat in Kathmandu — Newari feasts, momo, coffee, rooftops and the city's best food neighbourhoods, from Thamel to Jhamsikhel.
Kathmandu is one of Asia's most rewarding eating cities, and the short answer to "where and what should I eat?" is this: chase momo and Newari food first, drink the city's homegrown coffee, then graze your way across its distinct food neighbourhoods. This guide rounds up the dishes, the districts and the experiences that make the Nepali capital so good to eat in, and links you to a full pin for each.
What to eat first
The two flavours that define the city are momo — plump steamed or fried dumplings served with fiery achar — and the indigenous food of the valley's Newar people. Start with our guide to the best momo in Kathmandu to learn the styles, from classic steamed to soupy jhol, then dig into Newari food in Kathmandu for bara, chatamari, choila and the ceremonial samay baji platter. Both sit at the heart of the wider Newari cuisine tradition of the Kathmandu Valley.
Don't stop there. The city's street food scene turns out sel roti, sekuwa, chatamari and sweets from carts and hole-in-the-wall stalls, and there's plenty for plant-based eaters in our guide to vegetarian food in Kathmandu.
Where to eat, neighbourhood by neighbourhood
Kathmandu's food map breaks down by district, and the neighbourhoods guide is worth reading alongside this one.
- Thamel — the traveller hub and the easiest place to graze, with momo houses, Tibetan kitchens, international menus and a nightlife scene. See Thamel food and nightlife.
- The old city and Patan — the heartland of Newari feasts, sweet shops and tucked-away bhattis; pair the food pins with our Patan and Lalitpur guide.
- Jhamsikhel and Pulchowk — Lalitpur's contemporary dining belt of bistros, bakeries and cafes. See Jhamsikhel and Pulchowk dining.
Coffee, cafes and rooftops
Kathmandu has quietly become a real coffee city, roasting Nepali arabica from the mid-hills. Our guide to the Kathmandu coffee and cafe scene covers where to find a proper flat white and a good corner to work in. When the sun drops, climb up: Kathmandu rooftop dining looks at terrace restaurants with temple and mountain views, a Kathmandu speciality born of the city's dense, low-rise old quarters.
Plan it into your trip
Use the Kathmandu hub to slot eating around sightseeing, and read up on Nepal's wider food culture in the national food and drink guide. For the cultural backstory to what's on your plate, Newar culture and heritage explains why the valley eats the way it does. However you plan it, leave room: in Kathmandu, the food is the trip.
Where to eat
Cafes & coffee
Food experiences
Nepali cuisine
Frequently asked questions
What food is Kathmandu famous for?+
Kathmandu is famous for momo, the Nepali-Tibetan dumpling, and for Newari cuisine, the rich indigenous food of the Kathmandu Valley built around dishes like bara, chatamari, choila and samay baji. The city also has Nepal's strongest coffee and cafe scene, a thriving street-food culture, and everything from rooftop dining to dal bhat thali sets.
What is the best food neighbourhood in Kathmandu?+
Thamel has the widest choice for visitors, from momo houses to rooftops and live-music bars. For Newari food, head into the old city and Patan; for a calmer, more contemporary dining scene of cafes, bistros and craft kitchens, cross the river to Jhamsikhel and Pulchowk in Lalitpur.
Is Kathmandu good for vegetarians?+
Yes. Nepali food has deep vegetarian roots, and dal bhat, vegetable momo, chatamari and many Newari dishes are naturally meat-free. Cafes and restaurants across Thamel, Patan and Jhamsikhel cater well to vegetarians and vegans.
How much should I budget for food in Kathmandu?+
A plate of momo or a local dal bhat runs from NPR 150 to 400, a cafe coffee around NPR 200 to 350, and a sit-down meal at a mid-range tourist restaurant NPR 500 to 1,200 per person. Newari feasts and rooftop restaurants cost a little more, but Kathmandu remains an inexpensive city to eat well in.
