YAK RESTAURANT
Thamel
A fashionable hashery for Sherpas, Yak restaurant serves up hearty Tibetan and Nepalese fare at affordable prices. In part garbed in booths, the allure for many - aside from rustic flavours - is seclusion, away from the bustle of Thamel's hectic streets. Simplicity underpins Yak's unpretentious ideology, seen in decorations and the variable selection of fodder.
Personal Recommendation
For a sizzling spectacular, try the roast chicken with fries and vegetables. Delivered on a hot plate, the chicken - served in its entirety sans head and feet - can be heard before it's seen. It gets a 6/10 for taste bud titillation.
ROADHOUSE CAFÉ
Boudhi Stupa and Thamel
A la mode in terms of decor and vista, the chain - specialising in Italian fare - turns on the class at arrival. Convivial wait staff - at both locations - set the benevolent tone, conducive to savouring the self-indulgence to come. A sophisticated menu in terms of Italian authenticity, discerning the right wood-fired pizza for the respective dining experience can be tedious. If dining at Boudhi, order a cocktail - particularly if sitting on the terrace - and seek Buddha's input by staring directly into the stupa's cogitative eyes.
Personal Recommendation
The prosciutto with rucola and parmigiano will be as sapid to one’s gustation as any of the other saliva-inducing options on the pizza page of the meagre menu. The honey glazed chicken with a side of vegetables isn't bad, either.
LA DOLCE VITA
Thamel
Although it’s not the cornucopia of a Roman kitchen, the Italian favourites served by the city-centre establishment make life sweet enough to endure the touts badgering passers-by on the street outside. Bedecked in traditional red-and-white check tablecloths with moody candles and a roof terrace to boot, the ambiance – aside from the eclectic tunes blaring from the radio – is conducive to romanticizing about worldly escapades, and perhaps the post-dinner rendezvous that awaits. In terms of fare, moving past the pasta dishes is difficult, especially with options like ‘goat’s cheese and walnut ravioli’. The pasta options boast “lots of variety, served with fresh and delicious ingredients,” says Tilak, one of several convivial wait staff.
Personal Recommendation
Although archetypical, I opted for tradition by gorging Spaghetti alla Bolognese, and was hard pressed to fault the flavoursome dish, rich in texture; unsurprisingly, the spaghetti was al dente.
NEW ORLEANS CAFÉ
Thamel
Although not as jazzy as its US Louisianan counterpart, the intimate courtyard restaurant – surrounded by historic Nepalese architecture - delivers glitz in terms of variety and diversity. Step from one continent to the next, simply by travelling from ‘Indian curries’ to ‘Creole jambalaya’ down, over and around the menu. To appreciate local flavours, try Choila. “It’s a bit spicy, and it’s typically Nepalese” highlights Dhan, adorned tastefully in a waistcoat with a matching collar.
Personal Recommendation
Although the Thai green chicken curry was appetising, it lacked the punch usually derived from the amalgamation of fragrant South-East Asian spices. Rather, opt for the chicken Choila: it’s a tastebud titillating affair, akin to consuming jambalaya in the Vieux Carré. The mojitos are a tasty liquid accompaniment.
THIRD EYE RESTAURANT
Thamel
No eyes are necessary to savour the complex flavour pairings created daily by the historic kitchen. Established in 1989, the Kathmandu-based food institution has made its mark on the cuisine trail for producing consistently classy gourmandise, specialising mostly in Indian fare of a regal nature, with hints of Nepal and the continent thrown in for good measure. With its use of variant ingredients, the resulting combinations of Indian flavour are unlike anything else in the country. Decorated accordingly, the dim lights with cushioned seating – in oriental style – at the back provide contrast to the elegant roof terrace with ambient lighting in the evenings. According to waiter Raju, “the tandoori chicken, marinated in twelve spices, served with julienne vegetables and a side salad is famous, reported by one traveller …. to be the best she’d ever had.”
Personal Recommendation
The chicken curry, infused with hints of onion, ginger and garlic and overlaid with tomato and cashew, was gastronomic. Each ingredient brought a unique component to the meal, creating an overall knockout dish.
REVOLUTION CAFÉ AND RESTAURANT
Thamel
A comme il faut establishment frequented by locals and foreigners alike, Raj (a co-owner) aims to please by ensuring the food – and its quality – matches the bohemian-cum-chic décor in terms of satisfaction. With an outdoor courtyard and cushioned floor-seating at the front, one can easily lose track of time, sipping on a delicious freshly squeezed juice while grooving to the subtle musical overtures circling through the warm Kathmandu air (with live music on Friday nights). In terms of food, “the pork chop is juicy and grilled, and comes with a side of barbeque sauce making it delicious,” boasts Jiten, a fresh-faced member of the wait team. Sometimes, simplicity says it best.
Personal Recommendation
Replete with chunks of vegetable goodness and a hint of local spice, the Nepali Curry wins the battle of most-enjoyable. Paired with the creamy palatability of a mango lassi, I settled in for the afternoon. The scrambled eggs on toast is equally tasty in its simplicity.
TUMMO BISTRO
Thamel
Slightly chicer than its city-centre counterparts, the occidental-oriented menu compliments the trendy décor; it’s luxuriant, and atmospheric. Complete with an impressive bar and a cosy outdoor lounge space, it’s an idyllic place to escape and unwind. When asked about fare, football-fanatic Zansu responded wholeheartedly that “sandwiches are the best menu items.”
Personal Recommendation
Sometimes capricious at heart when presented with various food options, I moved straight to the sweet side of the menu. The vanilla infused hot-frothy milk was the perfect accompaniment to a seismic cinnamon scroll laden with flavour.
KAISER CAFÉ RESTAURANT AND BAR
Thamel
Set in neo-classic surroundings, the Garden of Dreams establishment is one of Kathmandu’s most empyreal, romantic as the sun fragments golden rays through the statuary at dusk. It takes tranquillity to new levels and resembles a world apart from the bustling street on the other side of the concrete wall. In fact, access to the restaurant is permitted solely by paying the 200-rupee Garden entrance fee, a meagre price for visiting Nepalese-nirvana. From light snacks to indulgent desserts, the menu abounds in classy overtures and sophistication. “The grilled rainbow trout is really fresh,” boasts Bikash, “and they’re collected daily from fresh sources.”
Personal Recommendation
I found the drinks menu just as titillating as the food options. The Singapore Sling was buoyant and sleek, and provided unusual yet wholly satisfying accompanying satisfaction to a dish close to my ancestral-heart, wiener schnitzel. There is no mark on the menu for dissatisfaction.
MUSTANG THAKALI CHULO
Thamel
Unpretentious, it’s clear the focus of this establishment is the fare. Open the menu and this becomes more evident: the Thakali, headlining page one, is generously served, robust in local flavour and hearty. The second story Thamel restaurant, situated in a quiet building near a main street, deserves every effort in unearthing its location. With friendly wait staff and private booth-style dining, it’s a recipe for lunch or dinner time dining success.
Personal Recommendation
I was unable to move my eyes and rumbling tum past the Thakali Sets. The vegetarian option was flavoursome and wholly satisfying.
CAFÉ DE FIRE
Thamel
To indulge one’s sweet tooth, there is no going past Café de Fire. Not famous for a sleek interior, it’s the mouth-watering desserts that give it a place on the foodie trail of Kathmandu. Glistening in a glass counter at the store’s entrance, the gastronomic goodies entice visitors from the outset. “The Nepali Arabica coffee and baked walnut chocolate brownie are quality at its best; they’re delicious,” gleams Sulochana, as she motions towards the well-presented desserts.
Personal Recommendation
Unable to disagree, the chocolate walnut brownie was sublime, oozing flavour and melted chocolate from its core with every fork-dividing crumble. It was dessert-porn, at its greatest.
NOTE: All of these restaurants and cafes can be found using Google Maps. If you have any questions about anything that’s been written in this article, feel free to comment below or contact me.
