The Best Restaurants in Bhaktapur, Nepal
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LOOKING FOR THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN BHAKTAPUR, NEPAL?
If you are heading to Bhaktapur and looking for recommendations on where to eat and which food to try, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. I have been to Bhaktapur many times and here are my top recommendations on where to eat in Bhaktapur.
The original inhabitants of Bhaktapur were the Newari people, thus, Bhaktapur is well-known for its newari dishes and traditions. If you are in Bhaktapur, you have to try Newari dishes. Some of the must try Newari dishes include bara, samay baji, choila and yomari.
Apart from Newari food, there are many restaurants where you can find typical western dishes as well. So in case your stomach is not up to trying Newari dishes (which tend to be more spicy), there are plenty of places serving various cuisines.
Looking for activities to do in Bhaktapur? Check out the best things to do in Bhaktapur.
Best Restaurants in Bhaktapur: A Quick Guide
If you are in a hurry, here is a quick list of the best restaurants and food to try in Bhaktapur:
➡️ Newa Lahana – best Newari food (dishes to try: samay baji, choila)
➡️ Alphabet Pizzeria – best pizza
➡️ Amako Bara Pasal – best affordable Newari snacks (dish to try: bara)
➡️ Garuda Bar – best rooftop views of the Bhaktapur Durbar Square
➡️ Must try dessert in Bhaktapur: Juju Dhau (King Curd)
Best Restaurants in Bhaktapur
Newa Lahana
- Cuisine: Newari
The Newa Lahana restaurant is a newari restaurant in Bhaktapur. It has a wide range of menu including bara (lentil pancake), chatamari (newari pizza), choila (spicy buff/chicken/duck meat), and samay baji (Newari meal set).
The restaurant is decorated in a traditional Newari setting, including a seating area on the floor and pillows decorated in red and black colours.
Newari food can be very spicy so it is good to be careful about that. Newa Lahana also has another branch in Kirtipur which is closer to central Kathmandu.
Amako Bara Pasal
- Cuisine: Newari
The Amako Bara Pasal (translates to “Mom’s Bara Shop”) is a tiny little Newari restaurant in Bhaktapur. They serve Newari snacks here and is most known for the bara.
Bara is like a pancake made out of lentils and it usually served as plain, with eggs or minced meat on top. Bara can be great as a snack/side dish and usually it is also served as part of the samay baji dish.
Amako Bara Pasal is a small restaurant and is not like a western-type of restaurant, but they serve the best bara here. It is usually full of people, and as the inside of the restaurant is small and smoky, a lot of people usually just sit outside.
Alphabet Pizzeria
- Cuisine: Italian, Nepali
Alphabet Pizzeria is the perfect place for Italian food in Bhaktapur. They serve pasta, pizza, lasagna but they also have Nepali food on the menu. The restaurant has a really chill vibe, spread out over 3 floors.
The restaurant is actually outside of the Bhaktapur Durbar Square area and it is overlooking the Na Pukhu Pond. The best views are from the top floor but during busy times it is difficult to get a table on the top floor.
Mayur Restaurant
- Cuisine: Nepali, Continental
The Mayur Restaurant is located on the Dattatreya Square. From the square, there is a tiny entrance into the restaurant and once you get inside, it is like you are in a small oasis.
It has a unique interior with newari woodcarved architecture, lots of plants and the outside sitting area is covered by a glass ceiling. Menu includes pad thai, dishes with tofu, fried rice and Nepali thali set.
Garuda Bar
- Cuisine: Nepali, Continental
The Garuda Bar is both a hotel with a rooftop restaurant in Bhaktapur. Even if you don’t stay at the hotel, you can come to the restaurant.
The restaurant is located on the top floor and it has great views to the Taumadhi Square (including the Nyatapola Temple, which is the highest temple in Nepal).
Although, the name suggests that it is a bar, they serve a wide-range of dishes (including dal bhat, pasta, pizza). Some of the dishes are a bit more on the expensive side but it is in a very popular part of the town, so they have a bit higher prices.
Peaceful Korean Restaurant
- Cuisine: Korean
The Peaceful Korean Restaurant is located on the Dattatreya Square in Bhaktapur and as the name suggests, it serves Korean food. The Korean barbecue is pretty good here and you get your own little stove where you can barbecue the meat and veggies.
To find the restaurant, you have to go through a courtyard to reach the restaurant. It has a garden, open air area and also an indoor seating area.
It is a really cozy place, especially in the evenings. The courtyard that leads to the restaurant is lit up with fairy lights and looks very nice at nights.
Cafe Harati
- Cuisine: Nepali
Cafe Harati is a temple turned into a cafe on the Taumadhi Square in Bhaktapur. What I like the most about this cafe is that it used to be a temple so it makes it a unique experience to have a tea or coffee here.
Apart from the unique architecture, you also get a pretty good view of the Taumadhi Square and the Nyatapola Temple, which is one of the biggest temples in the Kathmandu Valley. It is a great stop to relax and watch daily life in Bhaktapur.
Cafes/Shops Selling King Curd (Juju Dhau)
As you walk around in Bhaktapur, you will see that many little shops are selling King Curd (also called as Juju Dhau). Juju Dhau is a sweet yogurt and is like a dessert in Nepal. It usually comes in a small, clay pot which is traditionally made in Bhaktapur.
It is a very popular Newari dessert in Nepal and Bhaktapur is especially famous for it. Look for small cafes or shops with the sign King Curd (or Juju Dhau) to try some of it.
How to Get from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur
From Kathmandu, you can either get to Bhaktapur by bus or taxi.
Taxi from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur
The taxi from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur takes about 45 minutes and costs Rs. 1,000. Download Pathao or InDrive taxi apps for the best prices.
Kathmandu to Bhaktapur Bus
The buses go from the Bhaktapur Bus Park in Kathmandu to Bhaktapur. Once you get to Bhaktapur, the bus will drop you around Siddha Pokhari pond.
The bus journey from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur takes about 1 hour 15 minutes and costs Rs. 40.
💡 Need more information? Check out my post on how to get from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur here!
Where to Stay in Bhaktapur
Most people come to Bhaktapur just as a day trip but if you have more time, it is easy to spend 2-3 days in Bhaktapur.
If you decide to spend a few days in Bhaktapur, here are some of your best options for hotels:
📍 Best Budget Hotel: Hostel Swastik
📍 Best Mid-Range Hotel: Hotel Rupakot and Rooftop Restaurant
📍 Best High-End Hotel: Milla Guesthouse
For more options, check out the 7 best hotels in Bhaktapur here!
FAQs: Best Restaurants in Bhaktapur
Which Type of Food is Bhaktapur Famous For?
The original inhabitants of Bhaktapur were the Newari people and Bhaktapur remains well-known for its Newari Cuisine.
Newari cuisine generally tends to be spicy and include lots of dishes with meat. If you are vegetarian, there are also options for vegetarian dishes.
Some of the most popular Newari dishes include samay baji (Newari meal set), bara (lentil pancake), yomari (dessert), choila (marinated, spicy meat), chatamari (“Newari pizza”) and juju dhau (king curd).
Are There Any Rooftop Restaurants in Bhaktapur?
Yes, Bhaktapur has many rooftop restaurants from where you can have a nice view of the Bhaktapur Durbar Square and temples. For the best rooftop restaurant, check out the Garuda Bar.
Which product is Bhaktapur famous for?
Bhaktapur is famous for pottery, wood carvings, thangka paintings and handicrafts.
If you have time, there are workshops for pottery and thangka paintings that you can sign up for.
What is the traditional food of Newari people?
Traditional Newari food is usually spicy and includes a lot of dishes with meat. If it is your first time eating Newari food, be careful as it is really spicy.
Some of the most popular Newari dishes include the samay baji (lunch meal set), bara (like a lentil pancake), yomari (sweet dessert), chatamari (Newari pizza) and choila (spicy, marinated meat).
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many restaurants in Bhaktapur offering a wide-range of cuisines.
Bhaktapur is famous for newari food, so if you are in town, make sure to try some of the newari restaurants, such as Newa Lahana or the Amako Bara Pasal.
You can also get Juju Dhau (King Curd) in Bhaktapur, which is a sweet Newari dessert made of yogurt. They are mostly sold in small clay pots that are traditionally made in Bhaktapur.
