The 9 Best Cheap Restaurants in Pokhara, Nepal
Looking for cheap restaurants in Pokhara Lakeside? Here are the best affordable, budget-friendly restaurants in Pokhara, Nepal!
I have been visiting and periodically living in Nepal since 2015 and had the chance to visit Pokhara many times! During this time, I have tried and tested many restaurants in Pokhara.
Even if you are on a budget, you can find many different types of quality budget restaurants serving various cuisines such as Nepali, Tibetan, Turkish, Indian or Italian.
So, here is the ultimate list of the best cheap restaurants in Pokhara that serve delicious, good quality food and are also affordable.
Best Cheap Restaurants in Pokhara: A Quick Guide
Are you in a hurry? No worries, here’s a quick guide to the best cheap restaurants in Pokhara:
- Tara’s Restaurant: best for Nepali food + vegetarian options
- Flying Spirit Organic Kitchen: best breakfast and falafel
- Potala Tibetan Restaurant: best Tibetan food and momos
- Europa Restaurant: best burgers
- New Turkish and Nepali Kitchen Kebab House: best falafel
Best Cheap Restaurants in Pokhara
1. Tara’s Restaurant (Nepalese Vegetarian)
- Cuisine: Nepali, Continental
Tara’s Restaurant is tucked away off the main street in Lakeside. It is very peaceful once you enter the courtyard and sit down in the restaurant. Surrounded by all the plants, it feels like you are away from the bustle of Lakeside. The owners are super friendly and the food served is really delicious.
2. Flying Spirit Organic Kitchen
- Cuisine: Nepali, Continental
The Flying Spirit Organic Kitchen opens quite early at 6 am. I found this restaurant as most restaurants in Pokhara open a bit later, so if you are looking for a restaurant for an early morning breakfast, this is the place.
I was so happy I found this restaurant, the food is delicious and the prices are also affordable. They serve great coffee, breakfast, and they are also known for their amazing falafels.
3. Potala Tibetan Restaurant
- Cuisine: Tibetan
This family-run restaurant serves hands down the best Tibetan food in Pokhara. It is on the first floor of a building with balconies overlooking the main street in Lakeside. The owners are so nice and the food served is just delicious. I loved the momos and the sha phaley here.
4. New Turkish and Nepali Kitchen Kebab House
- Cuisine: Turkish
The New Turkish and Nepali Kitchen Kebab House is a small, family-run restaurant. They serve big portions of food for affordable prices, and it is definitely good value for money.
They have great falafel and chips here. It can take a bit long for the food to be ready but it is so tasty, it is definitely worth the wait.
5. Europa Restaurant
- Cuisine: Indian, Nepali, Continental
The Europa Restaurant is a small restaurant on the main street in Lakeside. I first noticed this restaurant as every time I walked past it, it was always full of people. I later checked it out and the serve really great burgers here. The prices are also very affordable, hence I believe it is always full.
6. Restaurant Once Upon a Time
- Cuisine: Nepali, Continental
The Restaurant Once Upon a Time has great food and the prices are also very affordable in comparison to some of the restaurants with the tourist prices.
The staff are very friendly and the food served here tastes so tasty. The Nepali thali set is really great here.
7. Godfather’s Pizzeria
- Cuisine: Italian
The Godfather’s Pizzeria serves one of the best pizzas in Pokhara. The price of pizza is also affordable in comparison to some of the other pizza places in town. They serve food fire pizza with vegetarian and non-veg options.
Apart from pizza, they serve other dishes as well such as pasta, lasagna, sandwiches, burgers and more!
8. Marwadi Restaurant
- Cuisine: Indian
The Marwadi Restaurant has many branches all over Pokhara. It serves pure vegetarian Indian dishes, however, they also have vegan options.
The portions here are big and the prices are also affordable. The food can be a little bit spicy but the staff can recommend less spicy items.
9. You and I Cafe and Gallery
- Food: Vegetarian, Vegan
- Cooking class at the cafe: 3-4 hours, costs Rs. 2,500-3,500 depending on the dish.
You and I Cafe and Gallery serves one of the best coffee in Pokhara and the menu also includes delicious vegan dishes. They have really god falafel wraps and a good selection of breakfast menu.
Apart from the great food, they also offer cooking classes every day. If you are interested in taking a cooking class, just walk in and check the options with the staff/owner of the cafe. Usually, you have to book the cooking class the day before and you can choose between a variety of Nepali dishes to learn to cook.
How to Get to Pokhara
Pokhara is probably the most popular holiday destination in Nepal. There are many buses that go to Pokhara from various cities across Nepal, so it is easy to catch a bus or flight there.
For more information, check out:
BONUS: Best Affordable Hotels in Pokhara
If you are looking for a cheap but great accommodation in Pokhara, check our top 2 recommendations:
📍 Best Hostel: Pokhara Backpackers Hostel
📍 Best Budget Hotel: Beli Guest House
BONUS: Free and Cheap Things to Do in Pokhara
Pokhara is the second biggest city in Nepal (following Kathmandu) and there are many different activities you can do on a budget.
Our top budget-friendly activities are:
- Hike to the World Peace Pagoda
- Chill by the Fewa Lake
- Movie Garden Pokhara
- Visit to the top 3 caves in Pokhara
- Museums in Pokhara
Looking for more activities in Pokhara? Check out the best things to do in Pokhara here!
BONUS: Cheap Restaurants in Kathmandu
Are you also looking for some great and cheap restaurants in Kathmandu? There are many budget-friendly restaurants in Thamel and our top 3 recommendations are:
- Newa Momo – best for momo and snacks
- Western Tandoori – best for Indian food (curry, naan, roti)
- Yangling Tibetan Restaurant – best for momo and Tibetan food
🍽️ For more affordable restaurants, check out the best cheap restaurants in Thamel, Kathmandu here!
FAQs: Cheap Restaurants in Pokhara
How much does food cost in Pokhara?
It depends on where you eat. If you eat in a budget-friendly restaurant, the prices are between Rs. 200-400 per meal.
However, if you eat in a western-type restaurant, the prices can be between Rs. 500-1,500 per meal.
How much is a beer in Pokhara?
If you buy beer in a restaurant, the price is around Rs. 700-800 per bottle. If you buy the beer in a shop, the prices are around Rs. 400-500 per bottle.
What is the famous thing of Pokhara?
Pokhara is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nepal and is the starting point to many trekking routes into the Annapurna region.
Pokhara is most famous for its trekking routes to the Annapurna region, views of the Himalayas, hiking routes, Fewa Lake, World Peace Pagoda and sunrise trip to Sarangkot.
Is Pokhara bigger than Kathmandu?
The short answer is that, no, Pokhara is not bigger than Kathmandu. Kathmandu is the biggest city and Pokhara is the second biggest city in Nepal.
Which time is best to visit for Pokhara?
The best time to visit Pokhara is in the Autumn (October-November) and Spring (March-April). During these times, the weather is the best for trekking in Nepal which the reason most tourists come to Nepal.
If you visit Pokhara in Autumn (October-November) or Spring (March-April), you will get the best chance to have a clear view of the Annapurna ranges.
Which is better, Pokhara or Chitwan?
Are you wondering if Pokhara or Chitwan is better for you? Well, it depends on what you are looking for and what you prefer.
On the one hand, Chitwan is a great place to go on a jungle safari and see wildlife in Nepal. Chitwan can be reached by direct buses from Kathmandu and Pokhara and is the most popular places in Nepal for jungle safaris.
On the other hand, Pokhara is a chill tourist town, mostly known for its trekking and hiking routes, boating on the Fewa Lake, hiking to the World Peace Pagoda or visiting its caves.
Thus, Pokhara and Chitwan provide two different experiences depending if you prefer to go on a jungle safari or if you prefer to go trekking and see the Himalayas.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many great and cheap restaurants in Pokhara. So, even if you are on a budget, you can find quality budget restaurants serving various cuisines such as Nepali, Tibetan, Turkish, Indian or Italian.
Some of the best cheap restaurants in Pokhara include Tara’s Restaurant, Potala Tibetan Restaurant, Flying Spirit Organic Kitchen, Europa Restaurant and the New Turkish and Nepali Kitchen Kebab House.
