The 25 Best Restaurants in Pokhara
LOOKING FOR THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN POKHARA?
You’ve come to the right place! I live in Nepal and Pokhara has so many great restaurants. I had the chance to visit Pokhara a couple of times and have tried and tested many of the restaurants there.
If you are coming to Nepal and worried about what you will eat, you don’t have to! Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan have lots restaurants serving Nepali as well as international dishes.
Pokhara has many restaurants serving various cuisines, such as Nepali, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Middle-Eastern, Thai and many others.
Some of the best places to eat in Pokhara are the AM/PM Organic Cafe, French Creperie, Little Windows, OR2K, Roadhouse, Flying Spirit Organic Kitchen, Vegan Way, Natssul Korean Restaurant and Caffe Concerto.
So, here are the best restaurants and places to eat in Pokhara!
Best Breakfast Restaurants in Pokhara
1. AM/PM Organic Cafe
- Best for: smoothie bowls, coffee, vegan milk
The AM/PM Organic Cafe is one of the best restaurants for breakfast in Pokhara. They serve big portions and nice coffee. They also have vegan milk available if you are looking for vegan options.
Although it is not purely vegan, it has many great vegan and even gluten-free dishes on the menu.
The dishes served are very health and the prices are also affordable. It is a nice place to relax and the staff is also very friendly. They serve delicious smoothie bowls here for breakfast.
2. Flying Spirit Organic Kitchen
- Best for: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at an affordable price
The Flying Spirit Organic Kitchen serves delicious food and the prices are also affordable. They serve great coffee, breakfast, and they are also known for their amazing falafels.
It opens quite early around 6 am before most of the restaurants open, so it is a great place if you are looking for an early morning coffee or breakfast.
3. Ayurvedico Cafe
- Best for: Breakfast (smoothies), Vegetarian, Vegan options
Ayurvedico Cafe is on the main street in Lakeside and is a great place for breakfast. They also have vegan dishes and everything is made fresh.
The dishes here are really tasty, they have good options for vegan breakfast and smoothies. It is definitely worth stopping by especially if you are looking for vegan dishes.
4. You and I Cafe and Gallery
Best for: Breakfast (+they also hold cooking classes)
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.
Casual Restaurants for Lunch and Dinner in Pokhara
5. Frituur No. 1
- Best for: Fries, Burgers, Belgian beer
If you are looking for burgers, fries and Belgian beer, then Frituur is the place for you! It is such a chill place with nice music on. The burgers are crunchy and the fries are crispy. They have both veg and non-veg burgers.
They also have Nepali draught beer and Belgian beer. Some of the Belgian beer they have include Leffe, Duvel and Stella so if you miss Belgian beer make sure to stop by.
Frituur also has both indoor and outdoor seats, so if you sit outdoors you can people watch. You have to pay extra for the sauce (like ketchup or mayo) but overall the food is priced reasonable and is good value for money.
6. French Creperie
- Best for: crepes, vegan options
The French Creperie has a variety of dishes, be it vegan, vegetarian, non-vegetarian, or gluten-free.
Although they serve non-veg options, they have a wide-range of options for vegan dishes. The food is really tasty and the portions are really big, so make sure to come hungry!
It is a nice restaurant with a great ambiance to relax and sometimes they also have live music on in the evenings.
7. Natssul Korean Restaurant
- Best for: Korean
Natssul is the best restaurant for Korean food in Pokhara. They serve authentic Korean dishes and some of the best dishes to have are the Korean barbeque, ramen, kimchi and bibimbap.
The restaurant has a nice ambiance and is a great place for dinner with friends and family. The second floor of the restaurant is decorated with lights in the evenings which make it nice and cozy.
8. Juicery Cafe
- Best for: Vegan, Vegetarian + views of Fewa Lake
The Juicery Cafe is a great restaurant overlooking Fewa Lake. It has a nice vibe and is such a beautiful place to hang out or have dinner. The food served here is so delicious and apart from the food, you can also sign up for yoga classes here.
It is not a purely vegan restaurant but they have great selection of vegan dishes. It has a really great atmosphere and is decorated with fairy lights in the evenings.
9. Godfather’s Pizzeria
- Best for: Pizza
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!
10. Old Lan Hua
- Best for: Chinese
Are you looking for Chinese food in Pokhara? Check out the Old Lan Hua restaurant. It has the best Chinese food in Lakeside and serves big portions. Some of the best dishes include the veg spring rolls, chowmein noodles, green beans and mapo tofu, and fried wontons.
The restaurant has a traditional Chinese decor so you will feel like you are eating in a restaurant in China. The staff is friendly and is a nice place for family and friends.
11. Krishna’s Kitchen
- Best for: Thai
Krishna’s Kitchen is the best for Thai food in Pokhara. They serve tasty, authentic Thai food and can prepare vegetarian and vegan options as well.
The staff is friendly and helpful and the restaurants has a calm and peaceful vibe. There is also a nice view of Fewa Lake from the restaurant.
12. Aozora
- Best for: Japanese
Aozora is the best Japanese restaurant in Pokhara. They serve great grilled fish, tempura prawns, ramen and miso soup. The sushi is not that good but the other dishes are all great. They serve big portions which is always nice. They also have vegetarian and vegan options available.
The restaurant is located on a busy street, so it can be a bit noisy. Nevertheless, the service is fast and friendly.
13. Umbrella Cafe
- Best for: Vegan and gluten-free dishes
The Umbrella Cafe has many tasty and healthy vegan and vegetarian dishes. The restaurant has such a nice ambience and the staff are really friendly.
The vegan burger and wrap are very tasty. They also do yoga and sound healing sessions here which you can sign up for anytime.
14. Old Star Restaurant
- Best for: Lassi, momos + views of Fewa Lake
The Old Star Restaurant is located on the far end of Lakeside and is a family run restaurant. They serve Nepali and international dishes and all dishes are homemade with fresh vegetables and fruits. The food is delicious and you also have a nice view of Fewa Lake.
They are also famous for their lassi, especially the bhang lassi. As far as I know, this is the only restaurant in Lakeside that serves bhang lassi. It is popular to have the bhang lassi during the Holi Festival, so it must be a fun place to visit on the day of Holi.
Overall, the service is friendly, the prices are cheap and it is a good value for money.
High-Dining Restaurants in Pokhara
15. Caffe Concerto
- Best for: Italian
Caffe Concerto is a great place to treat yourself to a nice meal. They serve Italian cuisine and you must try their pizza, pasta, or gelato.
The restaurant serves high quality dishes and thus, the prices are a bit on the higher end. It has a nice and cozy ambience and friendly staff.
16. Roadhouse
- Best for: pizza
If you are tired of eating a lot of Nepali food and you ae just craving pizza, then you should check out Roadhouse. They are best known for their pizza and they have branches both in Pokhara and Kathmandu. Apart from the pizza, their pasta and fish and chips are also really tasty.
The restaurant has an indoor seating on the ground floor and an outdoor seating on the upper floor. The service is good, the staff is friendly, and is a nice place for lunch or dinner with family and friends.
17. Fresh Elements
- Best for: lunch and dinner
Fresh Elements has a beautiful interior with lots of plants. It has a really peaceful ambience and a really great and friendly service. Sometimes, they even have live music in the evenings so it is the best to come here for dinner.
They serve various dishes including Nepali, Italian, Chinese or Indian dishes. Plus they also have a good selection of wine and make nice cocktails.
18. Moondance
- Best for: dinner
Moondance is best for dinner and they have a cool interior with fairy lights in the evenings. The staff is friendly and the place has a good ambience.
They serve both Nepali and international dishes, cocktails and have vegan and vegetarian options.
Affordable Restaurants in Pokhara
Eating in Pokhara can also be on a very low cost. There are some really good affordable restaurants in Pokhara where the food is really tasty and the prices are also very cheap.
Here are 4 of the best affordable restaurants in Pokhara:
19. Potala Tibetan Restaurant
- Best for: Tibetan food
Potala is 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. They serve great momos and sha phaley here.
20. New Turkish and Nepali Kebab House
- Best for: Kebab, falafel
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.
21. Europa Restaurant
- Best for: Burgers
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, so that’s why you will always find it full of people.
22. Tara’s Restaurant
- Best for: Nepali food, Vegetarian
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.
Best Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in Pokhara
Although there are no restaurants in Pokhara that serves only vegan food, there are a couple of restaurants that serve vegan and vegetarian food in Pokhara.
Here are three of the best restaurants that serve vegan and vegetarian food in Pokhara:
23. Little Windows
- Best for: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free
Little Windows is one of the best restaurants in Pokhara. The food is simply amazing and they serve vegetarian and vegan dishes.
The portions are big and the way the food is presented is really creative. They even serve vegan cheese pizza.
The staff is very friendly and makes sure that the guests are being looked after. The restaurant is over three floors overlooking the main street in Lakeside.
If you are looking for a nice ambience and great food, this is definitely the place to be. If you like to sing, they also have karaoke on Fridays.
Check out the complete list of restaurants serving vegan food in Pokhara here!
24. Vegan Way
- Best for: Vegan + views of Fewa Lake
I simply love Vegan Way. It is a vegetarian restaurant with lots of vegan dishes on the menu.
The food is delicious, staff is friendly and there is a big space for seating downstairs and also has a rooftop terrace.
The terrace has big open windows overlooking the Fewa Lake. It has a really relaxing atmosphere and is usually always full of people.
Vegan Way feels more than just a restaurant but also a community of like-minded people from all over the world.
25. OR2K
- Best for: Vegan, Middle Eastern food + views of Fewa Lake
OR2K is a popular restaurant serving vegetarian as well as vegan dishes. It has branches both in Kathmandu and Pokhara so you can try this restaurant even in Kathmandu.
The food is super delicious and is a great spot to hang out with friends. It has a very chill and relaxing atmosphere with views overlooking the Fewa Lake.
Where to Stay in Pokhara
Looking for a place to stay in Pokhara? Here are my top recommendations for every budget:
📍 Best Budget Accommodation: Pokhara Backpackers Hostel
📍 Best Mid-Range Hotel: Beli Guest House
📍 Best High-End Hotel: Bar Peepal Resort
FAQs: Best Restaurants in Pokhara
What are the best cafes in Pokhara?
The best cafes in Pokhara are Cafe Camellia, Perky Beans, AM/PM Organic Cafe and the White Rabbit Coffee. These cafes serve tasty coffee and have a chill, relaxing ambience. Apart from the coffee, they also serve delicious breakfast.
Are there any vegetarian restaurants in Pokhara?
Yes, there are vegetarian restaurants in Pokhara. The Marwadi Restaurant is a pure vegetarian restaurant and in addition many restaurants in Pokhara have vegan and vegetarian options.
Some of the best restaurants serving vegetarian food in Pokhara include OR2K, Little Windows, Vegan Way and Marwadi restaurant.
Are there any Indian restaurants in Pokhara?
Yes, there are a couple of Indian restaurants in Pokhara and in addition, many restaurants have Indian dishes on the menu. If you are looking for Indian food, check out the Marwadi restaurant.
What are the best places to eat in Pokhara?
The best places to eat in Pokhara are the AM/PM Organic Cafe, French Creperie, Little Windows, OR2K, Roadhouse, Flying Spirit Organic Kitchen, Vegan Way, Natssul Korean Restaurant and Caffe Concerto.
Conclusion
If you are coming to Nepal and worried about what you will eat, you don’t have to worry! Pokhara has lots of Nepali as well as western type of restaurants to choose from.
Pokhara has many nice restaurants serving various cuisines, such as Nepali, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Middle-Eastern, Thai and many others.
Some of the best restaurants in Pokhara are AM/Pm Organic Cafe, French Creperie, Little Windows, OR2K, Roadhouse and the Flying Spirit Organic Kitchen.
