Food & cafes · Nepal
Nepali Food and Drink: What to Eat in Nepal
Dal bhat, momo, Newari and Thakali plates, sweet juju dhau and milky chiya — what to eat and drink across Nepal.
Nepal eats well and cheaply, with a cuisine shaped by Himalayan, Indian and Tibetan influences. The everyday plate is dal bhat, but you will also meet steamed momo, rich Newari spreads, mountain Thakali sets, festive sel roti and the creamy yoghurt called juju dhau.
The short answer
Order dal bhat for a balanced, refillable meal, momo for a quick snack, and a Thakali set when you want the tastiest single plate in the hills. Drink milky chiya (tea) throughout the day, try juju dhau in Bhaktapur, and stick to bottled or filtered water to stay well.
Dishes to try
- Dal bhat — rice, lentil soup, curry and pickle; the national staple and a trekker's best friend thanks to free refills.
- Momo — steamed or fried dumplings with fiery achar; the country's favourite snack.
- Newari food — bara, choila, samay baji and bhuteko bhatmas, best in the Kathmandu Valley.
- Thakali — a tidy set meal from the Annapurna region with black-eyed beans, greens and tangy gundruk.
- Sel roti — a sweet, ring-shaped rice doughnut made for festivals.
- Juju dhau — Bhaktapur's "king of yoghurts", thick and lightly caramelised.
Drinks and good to know
- Chiya — milky, sweet spiced tea, the social drink of choice everywhere.
- Raksi and tongba — clear distilled spirit and warm millet beer, common in the hills.
- Veg-friendly — vegetarians and vegans are well catered for nationwide.
- Water — drink bottled or filtered; carry purification tablets or a filter on treks.
For specific places to eat in the capital, see our pick of the best restaurants in Kathmandu. Heading into the mountains? Read the Nepal trekking guide for what teahouse menus serve, and time your trip with the best time to visit Nepal.
Frequently asked questions
What is the national dish of Nepal?+
Dal bhat — steamed rice with lentil soup, a vegetable curry and pickle (achar) — is the national staple, eaten twice a day by most Nepalis. It is filling, balanced and almost always served with free refills, which is why trekkers swear by it.
Is Nepali food vegetarian-friendly?+
Very. A large share of Nepalis are vegetarian for religious reasons, so menus everywhere offer veg dal bhat, paneer, dumplings and vegetable curries. Vegans should ask about ghee and dairy, but plant-based eating is straightforward across the country.
Is it safe to eat street food in Nepal?+
Generally yes if you choose busy stalls with high turnover and freshly cooked, piping-hot food. Drink bottled or filtered water, peel fruit yourself, and ease gently into spicier dishes during your first few days.
What do Nepalis drink?+
Milky, spiced tea (chiya) is the everyday drink, served sweet and often with cardamom or ginger. Locally brewed raksi (a clear spirit) and tongba (warm millet beer) are common in the hills, while bottled and filtered water is the safe choice for visitors.
