The Best Restaurants in Bandipur, Nepal
Bandipur is such a nice place and it has lots of restaurants and cafes. The main street is full of outdoor cafes and restaurants, and it reminded me of places like Belgium, where you can sit outside with a coffee and enjoy the sun.
There are also restaurants that overlook the hills and mountains which I found to be really nice during sunsets.
The restaurants in Bandipur serve all types of dishes, and you can find everything from Nepali to international dishes. The original inhabitants of Bandipur are the Newari people (a caste in Nepal), and it’s also a good place to try Newari food.
During my visit to Bandipur, I tried and tested most of the restaurants in town, and these are my favourite places for food.
The Best Restaurants in Bandipur
Bandipur Bahidar Cafe
- Cuisine: Nepali, international
I just love the Bandipur Bahidar Cafe. It is run by a lovely lady and her cooking is amazing. It is a great place for breakfast but they have other items on the menu too, such as pizza, burger and Nepali dishes.
The best thing is that they have their own bakery, so all bakery items are freshly made. They serve great French press coffee and even make birthday cakes. The prices are very affordable and usually opens a bit earlier than other restaurants in the Bandipur Bazaar.
Samay Baji
- Cuisine: Nepali, Newari
Bandipur is a Newari settlement but there are only a few restaurants where you can try Newari food.
Samay Baji is one of the best restaurants in Bandipur that serve Newari dishes. I recommend trying samay baji (Newari thali set), choila (marinated, spicy buff/chicken) or bara (Newari lentil pancake).
Newari dishes are usually very spicy, so if you want to go easy on your stomach, it’s better to go for dishes that are less spicy, e.g. bara. They also serve Nepali dishes that you can ask to be served less spicy.
The lady and her family who owns the restaurants are all very nice and they can also give you some recommendations on things to do in Bandipur.
Cafe Active Ant Bandipur
- Cuisine: Nepali, international
The best thing about this restaurant is that they have balconies and seats overlooking the hills. It makes it a great place for sunset and dinner.
The owner is also very friendly and is happy to give some recommendations on things to do in Bandipur. They serve both Nepali as well as continental dishes.
Khaja Cafe
- Cuisine: Indian, Nepali
The Khaja Cafe is near the Bandipur Bazaar and it has really tasty and affordable meals. ‘Khaja’ means ‘snacks’ in Nepali, so here they serve mostly snacks and light meals such as chaat, samosa, momos and sandwiches.
The owner is super friendly and helpful if you have any questions about Bandipur. The prices are also very affordable, one of the cheapest I have found in Bandipur.
The Old Inn Bandipur
- Cuisine: Nepali, international
The Old Inn is a bit more on the higher end of restaurants in Bandipur. It is a hotel but you can also just come here to eat at the restaurant.
Typically, they have Nepali dishes and are best known for their Nepali set menus. These set menus include the Nepali thali set with various side dishes. It is definitely a place to come if you feel like treating yourself to a well-deserved, tasty meal.
Pratiksha Restaurant and Sweet House
- Cuisine: Indian, Nepali
At the Pratiksha Restaurant and Sweets House you can try different sweets, donuts and yogurt. They also serve bakery products, so it is a great stop for a quick and cheap bite of donuts or set roti. You can eat in or you can also get it for take away.
The Best Things to Do in Bandipur
Bandipur is a small town on the way between Kathmandu and Pokhara, and is a popular stop to enjoy the sunrise and sunset views of the Himalayas, go hiking or just chill at one of the cafes and restaurants.
There are so many things to do in Bandipur that it is easy to spend 3-4 days here. These are my recommendations for visiting Bandipur:
- Hike up to the Thani Mai Temple and see the sunrise or sunset (I did both but probably loved the sunrise more)
- Visit the largest cave of Nepal, the Siddha Gufa
- Go on a Hike from Bandipur to Ramkot
Where to Stay in Bandipur
Bandipur is such a beautiful little town in Nepal and it is easy to spend 3-4 days here. These are my top 3 recommendations for hotels in Bandipur:
- Best Budget Hotel in Bandipur: Himchuli Guesthouse
- Best Mid-Range Hotel in Bandipur: Bandipur Chhen
- Best High-End Hotel in Bandipur: The Old Inn
FAQs: Restaurants in Bandipur
What is Bandipur famous for?
Bandipur is a small town in Nepal, famous for its well-preserved Newari architecture. Newari architecture is traditionally made of red bricks and wood carved windows.
Walking around in Bandipur makes you feel as if you were in Belgium or France. It feels like Belgium or France as the main street has outdoor cafes and restaurants where you can soak in the sun and people watch.
How many days should I spend in Bandipur?
There are a lot of things to do in Bandipur, which could take 2 full days to explore. If you don’t want to rush it, spend 3-4 days in town.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, Bandipur is a touristy town and has many restaurants to choose from. There are many different types of restaurants and dishes available, including Nepali, Newari, Indian and continental.
As Bandipur is a Newari town, it is worth trying some Newari dishes. Samay Baji in Bandipur is a great restaurant to try Newari dishes, and you can try Newari dishes such as samay baji, bara, or choila.
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