Shopping · Kathmandu
Kathmandu Supermarkets and Essentials
Where to find groceries, toiletries, bottled water and trek food in Kathmandu, plus pharmacy and SIM tips.
Not all Kathmandu shopping is souvenirs. For the practical side of a trip — groceries, toiletries, bottled water, snacks for a trek or a quick SIM top-up — the city's supermarkets and minimarts are your friends, and unlike the bazaars they run on fixed prices with no bargaining required. This guide covers where to find everyday essentials and how to stock up before heading to the hills.
The short answer
Kathmandu has modern supermarkets and minimarts across the city, with handy clusters around Thamel, Lazimpat and along the Ring Road. They stock groceries, fresh produce, toiletries, snacks, bottled and purified water, and imported goods at set prices. For trekking, buy energy bars, nuts, chocolate, instant noodles and electrolyte sachets here before you leave, as the same items cost more the higher you climb. Pharmacies are common for over-the-counter medicine, and SIM cards need your passport to register.
What to buy where
- Groceries and snacks — supermarkets and minimarts for fresh and packaged food, breakfast items and drinks.
- Trek supplies — energy bars, nuts, dried fruit, chocolate, instant noodles and electrolyte sachets; pair with our trekking gear in Thamel guide.
- Toiletries and basics — soap, sunscreen, wet wipes, batteries and the like in larger supermarkets.
- Medicine — pharmacies (signed "medical" or "pharmacy") stock most over-the-counter remedies; bring prescriptions for anything specific.
- Water — buy bottled or, better, refill purified water to cut plastic waste.
- SIM and top-ups — official Ncell and Nepal Telecom outlets and small shops; carry your passport.
Practical tips
- Fixed prices — no need to bargain in supermarkets, unlike the traditional bazaars.
- Payment — larger stores take cards (sometimes with a surcharge); smaller shops are cash only, so keep small Nepali rupee notes handy. See money and ATMs in Nepal.
- Getting there — most areas are walkable or a short taxi or ride-hail trip; our getting around Kathmandu guide has the details.
- Opening hours — most open daily from morning into the evening, though some close on Saturday, Nepal's weekly holiday.
Fit it into your trip
Stock up on essentials at the start of your stay or just before a trek, then save the souvenir shopping for Thamel and the markets. This pin is part of the Kathmandu shopping and markets collection, and our national Nepal travel essentials guide rounds up the rest of what to pack and arrange before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Are there supermarkets in Kathmandu?+
Yes. Kathmandu has modern supermarkets and minimarts across the city, including around Thamel, Lazimpat and along the Ring Road, stocking groceries, fresh produce, toiletries, snacks, bottled water and imported goods at fixed prices. They are convenient for travellers who want set prices without bargaining.
Where can I buy trek food and snacks in Kathmandu?+
Supermarkets and grocery shops in and near Thamel stock energy bars, nuts, chocolate, instant noodles, electrolyte sachets, biscuits and bottled or purified water that are useful for trekking. Stock up here before heading to the hills, where the same items cost more the higher you go.
Do Kathmandu supermarkets take cards?+
Many larger supermarkets accept cards, sometimes with a small surcharge, but smaller minimarts and local grocers are often cash only. Carry some Nepali rupees for everyday purchases, and keep cash for street vendors and the traditional markets.
Where do I buy toiletries, medicine and a SIM card in Kathmandu?+
Toiletries and basics are sold in supermarkets, while pharmacies (look for 'medical' or 'pharmacy' signs) are common and stock most over-the-counter medicines. SIM cards and top-ups are available from official Ncell and Nepal Telecom outlets and many small shops, with your passport needed to register a new SIM.
