Bhaktapur, a small city on the outskirts of Kathmandu, is a cultural hub. It’s been coined “the cultural capital of Nepal” and certainly lives up to the name. While you can experience beautiful architecture, dive into the history, or learn a new art form, culture has always been about one thing for me. The food. It seemed crazy to go to such a cultural city and not find the best places to eat. Bhaktapur is known for its Newari culture, so I tried to eat as much amazing Newari food as I could. Below you’ll find a list of the best restaurants in Bhaktapur as well as restaurants with the best views!
Pro Tip: Local food stalls sometimes prepare food in the morning and it sits out during the day. I recommend bringing activated charcoal with you which comes in pill form and can be taken after you eat at local restaurants to help prevent any kind of food poisoning or traveler’s diarrhea. Check with your doctor before taking activated charcoal as it can negate the effect of medicines and should not be taken at the same time as prescription drugs.
Newa Lahana
Located near Taumadhi Square
Newa Lahana is a little difficult to find, but it’s worth the search. Down a small side street near Taumadhi Square, you’ll find this little gem. They serve typical Newari food. Newars were the main ethnic group in Bhaktapur, and they have their own unique cuisine. Newa Lahana has a vast menu with something for everyone, but you should note that Newari food is typically very spicy. I recommend trying Samay Baji which is also called the Khaja Set. This has beaten rice, bara, egg, chicken choila, and a few spicy vegetables. It’s the typical snack platter served in Newari homes around festival season.
Aamako Bara Pasal
Located near Durbar Square
Aamako Bara Pasal is famous among locals in Bhaktapur. This teeny tiny shop has been operating for 53 years! Aama means “mother” in Nepali, but it doesn’t necessarily mean your own mom. It can mean someone who is like a mom to you or someone the same age as your mom. The woman run shop features “Aama” who cooks all of the food herself. She specializes in bara which is a Newari style pancake with egg or meat mixed in. Tama (bamboo shoot and bean) soup is poured on top for a delicious snack.
There is no menu, you simply get whatever she makes that day. The day we went, she also had aloo achar (spicy potato) which was amazing. This is a very local experience in Nepal. You can get a filling meal here for under 300 NRS.
Alphabet Pizza
Located near Guhya Pond
Alphabet Pizza is located outside the gates of Bhaktapur Durbar Square, so you don’t have to pay the entrance fee to eat here. They offer an array of western dishes including pizza, pasta, salads, and other Italian snacks. I haven’t been to many western restaurants in Bhaktapur that were worth mentioning, but Alphabet Pizza is the exception.
The food was great, and I say that as someone who is particular about Italian food. The decor in the restaurant is also cute and modern with a nice vibe. We ordered a pizza, organic side salad, and the Italian dumplings. The Italiann dumplings were kind of funny because they were basically vegetable momo with marinara sauce and mozzarella on top, but I have to be honest, I kind of liked the weird fusion! Prices ranges between 300 and 1000 rupees per item.
Temple View Palace Restaurant
Located in Durbar Square
I tend to avoid restaurants located in tourist hubs. Often, they’re overpriced and the food is overly westernized. I find that you’re just paying for the view and the ambience rather than the quality of the food. Temple View Restaurant is the exception. We ate there on our last night in town, and it ended up being the best restaurant of the bunch. We ordered the Samay Baji set which is a traditional Newari set meal. The dish consists of spicy chicken, beaten rice, vegetable curry, a fried egg, a potato pancake, beans, a dried fish, and a green vegetable. This is the only place we went where they were able to make it “mild” and surprisingly, it didn’t take away from the flavor. The set dish cost 795 rupees ($8 USD), but was worth the expensive price tag.
Everest Momo
Located near Taumadhi Square
If you are looking to try local Newari style momo, then Everest Momo Center is the place to be. Popular among locals, you can get a plate of momo for less than 100 NRS. Newari style momo comes with a cold broth on top which is spicy compared to the traditional Tibetan momo. This place offers fast service at a cheap price. It’s definitely a hole in the wall, but it is an authentic experience to try while in Nepal, and food is extremely tasty.
Palache Restaurant
Located near Guhya Pond
Palache Restaurant makes the top of the list because of the view. The views from the patio are beyond spectacular. We ordered the Samay Baji here. It was not as good as the two mentioned above simply because we asked for it “not too spicy” and it came out spicier than any meal I’ve ever had in my life. Most of it was delicious but I couldn’t eat the chicken or onions. I’d recommend asking for it without chili. What won me over was that they had some of the best dal I’ve ever had (and I’ve been in Nepal for over 8 months). It was so full of flavor and not spicy at all. I could have eaten ten bowls!
King Curd
Available all over Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur is famous for its buffalo milk yogurt which is called King Curd. King Curd is kind of like the Starbucks of Bhaktapur. There’s one every ten feet. I’d recommend getting it at one of the little local shops that sells it out of a refrigerator. It costs 50 rupees per pot ($0.50 USD). If you order it at a sit down restaurant, they charge over 200 rupees for the same thing. Newari food is so spicy that we had some curd after every meal to cool our mouths.
Hotel Garuda
Located near Taumadhi Square
Hotel Garuda is located near Nayatapola Temple. They have a mix of continental and Nepali cuisine. Their restaurant also features a rooftop with views. We tried a few different items including the veg samay baji (Newari snack set), the veg Thali set, and chicken momo. Everything was really tasty. They made the food a little less spicy for me and it was perfect! The mushroom choila here is especially good, and I highly recommend it to those looking to try Newari food! This hotel is a little more on the expensive side with a Newari set coming in around 700 NRS, but it’s good for tourists who want something cooked fresh and hygienically.
Himalayan Java
Located near Taumadhi Square
If you need a break from Nepali food, then Himalayan Java is a great option. They are considered the Starbucks of Nepal. Beyond coffee, they also have an excellent food menu with salads, sandwiches, and burgers. Compared to other places, it is expensive, but the serving sizes are good. I had one of the sandwiches and it was enough for two of us. The prices here are usually above 600 NRS per meal. This is also a fantastic place to have good coffee. The building is well designed and fits the Newari vibe with an upscale modern touch. It also has incredible views of Nayatapola Temple.
Mulmi Coffee Shop
Located in Taumadhi Square
With all the expensive coffee shops serving somewhat average masala tea, we wanted to try a local spot. No one makes Nepali chiya (masala tea) as good as a local place. Here you can get a cup for 15 rupees ($0.15 USD), and it will taste way better than the 100 rupee tea found at all the fancy places. Plus, I love watching all the locals drink and chat during their breaks.
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Peacock Restaurant
Located in Duttatraya Square
Peacock Restaurant is one of the more popular places in Bhaktapur. It’s a little on the expensive side, but the food is good. The menu caters to western taste buds, so you won’t find an authentic Newari meal here. That being said, we needed a break and wanted some simple chow mein and this restaurant delivered. Their chicken chow mein was excellent. We also had fish curry but the fish didn’t have a lot of meat, so I wouldn’t recommend it. The curry sauce was really good though, so I’d recommend a chicken or vegetable curry instead.
Travellers Coffee & Café
Located in Duttatraya Square
We stopped at Travellers Coffee & Café for a quick ginger tea. Although we didn’t eat here, I have to recommend it for the view! From the roof, you can actually see the Himalaya mountains including Langtang. I was completely blown away. I had no idea you could see the mountains from Bhaktapur. It was such a special treat. I would recommend going here for breakfast since your chances of a clear sky are best in the morning.
De Gurkhas Restaurant
Located in Taumadhi Square
We went to De Gurkhas Restaurant for snacks one day. It has an incredible view of Nyatapola Temple, and we wanted to enjoy the sunshine on such a nice day. Besides the ambience, the food is pretty good and not too expensive. We had a banana lassi and chicken choila with beaten rice. Choila is a Newari snack. You can order chicken or buffalo. It’s definitely on the spicy side, so ask for it mild if you need to. We didn’t go to this restaurant at night, but they have live music some evenings.
Ravi Dai Newa Chhen
Located near Duttatraya Square
Ravi Dai Newa Chhen is one of the cheaper places to get traditional Newari food along the main tourist area. The place is neat and clean with local décor. It’s popular among locals as well as tourists. You can get a samay baji set (the local Newari snack platter) for under 500 NRS which is much cheaper than other restaurants nearby. You can also order items a la cart to share with friends and family. This place is more authentic than some of the others which cater to tourists so be prepared for spicy food. Some of it is premade and marinated for a long time, so you can’t ask for it mild.
Namaste Restaurant
Located in Taumadhi Square
Namaste Restaurant offers great views, but it’s also one of the cheaper places to get breakfast in town. For less than $3 USD you can get a really good set breakfast with eggs, hash, toast, coffee, and juice. It’s a great value for the money. We stopped at other places nearby and they were all charging over $5 or $6 for a similar meal.
Cafe Harati
Located in Taumadhi Square
Cafe Harati looks like a miniature temple within one of the squares. It does seem a little overpriced, so I’d recommend it for a cup of coffee or tea instead of a whole meal. That way, you can enjoy the view and keep your budget in check. If you end up getting food here, let me know how it is in the comments.
Shyama Bakery
Located near Taumadhi Square
This tiny local bakery is what we would describe as a “hole in the wall.” Located near Taumadhi Square, it offers a variety of local treats like jeri, lalmahon, or sweet samosa. I tried the sweet samosa which I’d never had before. It was definitely interesting as it’s filled with a hard sugary substance. I love trying new things so this was fun. I’d recommend trying jeri if you haven’t had it before as it’s my favorite street treat. You’ll have to forgive the placement on the map for this bakery as it might be a little off from the real location. It is on that street though.
Aalucha
Located near Durbar Square
Aalucha is a local spot known for its tornado fries. One skewer of fries is 100 NRS, which is a perfect snack. They also serve rolls and other snacks that are inexpensive. The tornado fries are topped with sauce and spices. Overall, this is a great spot to grab a quick snack between all the sightseeing.
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Michelle Della Giovanna
Writer at Full Time Explorer
I’m just your average New Yorker who quit her job in the fashion industry to explore the world. Come find out what it’s like to trade in five-inch heels for squat toilets.
Cafe D’Traditional Resturant within Bhaktapur Square is a Very expensive, 5* rates but service and food quality is not even 1*. Place is also not hygienic only thing is that they are very good at cheating tourist and visitors. If you are a tourist visiting Nepal and if your guide takes you to this restaurant or insist on taking food there than you also need to doubt your guide as he may be getting commission on your bill. Locals who enter once either they leave the restaurant after seeing the menu price or they never come back to this restaurant after having food once. You are advised not to have food in any of the restaurant within the Bhaktapur Darbar Square you should take food outside the square.
Thanks for sharing your opinion Jugal! I went to a lot of the restaurants in Bhaktapur. Although many of the ones inside the square are expensive, they are easier to navigate for most tourists. When I went outside the square, there were no menus and the kitchens weren’t clean. As someone who lives in Nepal and loves Nepali food and will eat anything put in front of me, I love this. But for tourists who have allergies, weak stomachs, or aren’t as adventurous, it can be very difficult for them to navigate. A lot of people visit Bhaktapur in the first week in Nepal since it’s close to Kathmandu and their stomachs have not adapted to the food yet, so they are likely to get sick. All of the places I recommend were the cleanest I found and were easy to order from. If you have some specific recommendations of places outside of the square, let me know. I’d love to try them 🙂