🍽️ Where to Eat in Kathmandu: 3 Unmissable Restaurants You’ll Remember Long After the Trek

Kathmandu is more than a starting point for Himalayan adventures—it’s a city that wraps its arms around you with chaotic charm, spiritual rhythm… and some truly unforgettable food.

From winding streets in Thamel to serene courtyards hidden behind temple walls, this city is alive with flavour. Whether you’re fuelling up before a high-altitude trek or celebrating your return with a well-earned feast, Kathmandu delivers on every culinary level.

As a foodie who has eaten in their fair share of Nepalese restaurants, these are the three restaurants I always return to—and send fellow adventurers to without hesitation.

🇮🇳 1. Third Eye Restaurant – Thamel’s Timeless Icon

Best for: Traditional Indian and Nepalese flavours done properly

Where: J.P. Road, Thamel

In the bustling heart of Thamel, where trekking shops, temples, and tuk-tuks blur together, there’s a quiet refuge tucked behind an arched wooden door: Third Eye Restaurant. Since 1989, it’s been serving up deeply flavoured Indian and Nepalese dishes to locals, climbers, diplomats, and in-the-know travellers.

Walk past the flickering lanterns and into the courtyard, and you’re welcomed by the scent of slow-cooked masalas and sizzling tandoori. The space feels almost timeless—wood-carved detailing, warm lighting, and a team of staff who treat you like family.

What to order:

• Their tandoori mixed grill is legendary—smoky, tender, perfectly spiced

• The paneer butter masala is rich, creamy, and comforting

• If you’re curious, try the Nepali thali for a locally inspired sampler

The balance of flavour here is extraordinary. Spices are bold but never overwhelming. Portions are generous. And there’s an understated elegance that makes this one of Thamel’s standout dining experiences.

🍕 2. Roadhouse Café – Wood-Fired Comfort With a View

Best for: Pizza, pasta, and laid-back ambience

Where: Multiple locations – start with the original in Thamel

There comes a moment in every trekker’s journey when all you want is something warm, cheesy, and comforting. Enter Roadhouse Café, Kathmandu’s beloved pizzeria and all-round haven for those craving the familiar, done well.

With rustic décor, flickering candlelight, and open-air seating, Roadhouse is the kind of place where the vibe is just as important as the food—and both deliver. It’s popular, yes, but never chaotic. And their wood-fired oven? A thing of beauty.

What to order:

• The Margherita Roadhouse-style with a hint of garlic oil

• Spinach and ricotta ravioli for something hearty

• One of their excellent espresso drinks or a glass of house red

You’ll find Roadhouse locations in Thamel, Boudha, and Patan, each with its own personality. But the food? Consistently excellent. And after two weeks of dal bhat and trail snacks, their pizza will taste like heaven.

🥘 3. Krishnarpan – Fine Dining the Nepali Way

Best for: A cultural deep-dive through food

Where: Dwarika’s Hotel, Battisputali

If you want to taste Nepal through time and tradition, then dinner at Krishnarpan is a must.

Located inside the exquisitely restored Dwarika’s Hotel, this isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a sensory and cultural experience. Everything from the architecture to the hand-thrown serving pottery reflects the ethos of a slower, more sacred Nepal.

Meals here are multi-course banquets (you can choose between 6 and 22 courses), each representing a region or ritual. Dishes are prepared with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and served with ceremonial grace. You’ll eat seated cross-legged on low stools, in dim candlelight, attended by hosts dressed in traditional Newari dress.

What to order:

• The 12-course Nepali tasting menu strikes the right balance between indulgence and manageability

• Spiced lentil cakes, buff meat with Himalayan herbs, and wild mushroom stew are standouts

• Pair it all with a traditional millet-based raksi (Nepali spirit) if you’re feeling adventurous

It’s not cheap by local standards, but it’s unforgettable. The kind of dinner you’ll talk about long after you leave Nepal.

🧭 Final Word: Kathmandu on a Plate

Kathmandu’s energy can feel overwhelming at first—but when you find a great place to eat, it all slows down. The incense, the motorbikes, the chants from nearby temples—they all become part of the flavour.

Whether you’re looking for spice, soul, or a wood-fired slice of comfort, these three restaurants offer an experience that goes beyond the food. They’re the places you remember—and return to—whenever you come back to the Himalayas.

My advice? Plan your treks. But plan your meals, too. They matter more than you think.