6 Best Restaurants in Pokhara (+ 1 Bonus Spot For Midnight Cravings!)

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I won’t deny that Pokhara is as touristy as it gets. Don’t let that deter you, though: in addition to heaps of hidden gems, you’ll find plenty of great restaurants in Pokhara for just about every tastebud!

Most visitors tend to flock right to the lakeside cafes with chalkboard menus and acoustic covers of John Mayer in the background. While these spots are undeniably great for the views, that’s not the real Pokhara. Or at least not the Pokhara that locals wake up early for. If you want the good stuff – and by that I mean smoky tandoor ovens, battered menus, and aunties stirring curry pots – I got you!

Here are 6 of my favorite restaurants in Pokhara for when you’re in the mood for a local feast, plus a bonus spot to curb those late-night cravings.

1. TashiLing Tibetan Restaurant: Best Restaurants in Pokhara For The History

Let’s start off with a restaurant I think everyone should visit: not only is the food at TashiLing Tibetan Restaurant as authentic as it gets, but you’ll also be supporting the Tibetan refugees while learning about their past.  

Most tourists never make it past Devi’s Fall, which is a shame since the restaurant is located right next door! The restaurant is run by members of the Tibetan community who’ve lived here since the 1960s. It’s quiet, low-key, and full of home-style flavors that hit especially hard on a cold day.

My go-to order there is a big plate of shapaley (Tibetan meat pies). I’m also a huge fan of their thenthuk, which are hand-pulled noodles in a light broth speckled with greens, radish, and soft cubes of buffalo or chicken. They also serve po cha, a salty yak butter tea you either love instantly or spend the next week trying to forget. Personally, I absolutely love it!

They’re also known for serving the best momos in the valley. Think super soft and super juicy dumplings which are lovingly hand-folded by people who’ve been doing it for decades.

Local tip: The friendly aunties cooking here don’t mess around when it comes to the seasoning. If you want less salt or less chili, say so when you order. Otherwise, you’re getting it full blast.

2. Thakali Kitchen Pokhara: For the Classics

Dal bhat is as Nepalese as it gets. If you ask me, no place does it better than Thakali Kitchen. Their version is as comforting as it gets, and it won’t take you long to understand why Nepalis can eat it twice a day forever.

Now, the restaurant does lie in a super touristy spot, but it’s not flashy. Meals are served on metal plates (locally known as thalis), and the service is quite straightforward. But what lands on your plate is the real deal. This is the kind of place where you’ll spot local families, off-duty guides, and taxi drivers eating here — always a good sign!

Speaking of thalis, I also love their Thakali thali set, which includes rice or dhido (buckwheat porridge), black lentil dal, and your pick of meat: goat, chicken, or buff. If you’re not sure what to go for, I recommend the goat. It’s richly spiced and slow-cooked on the bone for extra richness.

Local tip: If you’re ordering dhido instead of rice, you may wish to request al bowl of jhol achar (liquid tomato pickle) on the side. It’s not automatically included with dhido but trust me when I say it makes a huge difference in balancing the earthy flavors.

3. Bismillah Restaurant: Best Restaurants in Pokhara for Grilled Meat

Vegans, look away now!

Tucked into a side street in Gairapatan, Bismillah Restaurant is the place to go for an absolute meat fest!

For me, this is one of my favorite restaurants in Pokhara for beef curry, chapati, and spicy dry-fried mutton. The kitchen is right up front, so you’ll see the chef in full action as he moves from the single gas burner to the tandoor-style flat pan. It’s hot, smoky, and delightfully unpretentious.

I’m also a huge fan of the grilled beef skewers and beef fry with pepper and garlic. Pair it with a warm, fluffy chapati (flatbread) and you’ve got yourself a scrumptious combo! I noticed locals usually chase down their sekuwa with a cold glass bottle of Fanta.

Local tip: They sometimes serve briyani on Fridays. They don’t always advertise it on the board though, so you’ll need to ask if they have it. I also suggest that you visit after 6 pm for ultimate freshness since they usually prep during the day.

4. Bhojan Griha: Best Restaurants in Pokhara for an Elegant Meal

I’m not usually a fan of formal restaurants. Still, there’s something about Bhojan Griha that’s elegant without being pretentious. Think carved wood panels, cozy lighting, and quiet Nepalese music in the background. Despite the refined setting, the restaurant is still very grounded in local Newari food culture.

I’ve often noticed the staff taking travelers through the different components on their plates, so don’t hesitate to flag someone down if you need recommendations.

One of my favorite things to order at Bhojan Griha is the samay baji set. This includes beaten rice, spicy potato cubes, boiled egg, dried meat (the famous sukuti), soybeans, and at least two kinds of pickles. I always order mine with a side of chatamari. A classic Newari staple, chatamari looks like a pizza, but it’s a rice-flour pancake topped with minced buffalo and egg. Savor it with a glass or two of thwon (rice beer) and you’ve got yourself an amazing combo!

Best of all, you’ll be treated to a Nepalese folk dance during dinner. Oh, and did I mention the restaurant is found in a heritage building that once housed the Royal Priest of Nepal?

Local tip: If the food’s too spicy, ask for a side of ghee (clarified butter). Locals drizzle it over samay baji to mellow out the heat and add richness to the dish.

5. Nanglo Thakali Bhancha Ghar: Classic Yet Comforting Thali Sets

If you’re in the mood for deeply satisfying Thakali food, then be sure to check out Nanglo Thakali Bhancha Ghar.

This place is well-known among the locals, but it’s still mostly off the tourist radar, despite its central location. Inside, the space is simple and well-lit with wooden tables, steel water jugs, and a quiet buzz of locals digging into the set thalis.  

It’s one of those spots where the entire menu is high quality, but I still end up ordering the same thing every time: The Thakali thali with rice, lentil soup, pickles, and crispy bitter gourd. The thali’s real highlight is the mutton curry, cooked in a spicy, slightly smoky gravy.

Unlike some commercial thali houses, they don’t rush you here. Portions are generous, and I love how they immediately give you a refill if you finish something on your plate.

Local tip: I suggest that you visit the restaurant for dinner since lunch can be pretty crowded and noisy.

6. Duna Tapari Restaurant: Best Restaurants in Pokhara To Eat Like A Local

Okay just a quick heads-up: this isn’t the type of restaurant in Pokhara which you’ll find in guidebooks. In fact, Duna Tapari Restaurant is tucked just off Khahare Road, away from the crowds and tourist-friendly menus. That being said, it still provides fabulous lake views!

The restaurant’s name literally translates to ‘leaf bowl’, and yes, you can actually eat your meal off a stitched leaf plate. There’s something about the warm rice and dal hitting that earthy leafy surface that adds some extra oomph to the meal!  They do offer cutlery, but I suggest you ignore the spoons and eat with your fingers in true local fashion.

The last time I ate here, I ordered a whole fried fish which matched perfectly with the raw carrots, cucumber, and achar with crushed chili and lemon.

Local tip: If they’ve made maas ko jhol (black lentils) that day, ask for a small bowl on the side. Locals believe it helps digest the heavier food. Plus, it tastes absolutely amazing!

…And a Cool Spot for Late Night Cravings

Restaurant Taste of Boudha and Sherpa Bar

When most places around Boudha start shutting down for the night, the Taste of Boudha and Sherpa Bar is one of those rare restaurants in Pokhara which is open until the early hours of the morning.

Their fried momos are absolutely out of this world: crackly on the outside, juicy inside, and served with a sharp, homemade achar (Nepalese pickle) for that extra kick of spice.

I also love their buff sukuti (richly marinated, dry-aged buffalo meat with a jerky-like texture), served with rice and gundrunk. If you ask me, this dish is best enjoyed with a hit of Tongba millet beer. In the winter, locals usually top off their beer with boiling water.

This place can get quite noisy, but in a good way! There’s the occasional karaoke songs leaking down from the upstairs Sherpa bar, stoves firing, cutlery clinking, and loud, often drunken chatter. With mismatched mugs and plastic stools, this isn’t a super polished place, but it hits all the right notes when you want a classic Nepalese meal.

Local tip: Go after 9 pm. That’s when the grill guy is in full action. If you want to avoid the usual bar noise but still want to watch the tandoor, I suggest that you sit in the back left corner.

Now that you know where to get all the best eats in Pokhara, how about checking out the best cafes in Kathmandu for a post-lunch coffee? Speaking of, did you know that there are heaps of scrumptious desserts in Nepal to satisfy any sweet tooth?

And for all Nepal foodies, you’ll want to make sure you tick off our ultimate Nepal street food bucket list.

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