The best restaurants in Nagarkot, Nepal — top places to eat from authentic Nepali and Newari kitchens to cafes and international dining, picked by locals.
Most travellers eat at their hotel's terrace restaurant, where the draw is dinner or breakfast served with the panorama. Menus usually mix Nepali staples with Indian, Tibetan and Continental dishes. Quality varies by property, but the view is consistent.
A circular ridge-top cafe famous for sunrise breakfasts and views opening in two directions. It is a relaxed spot to linger over coffee after the dawn show. The setting is the main event.
Small village eateries serve steaming momo with fiery tomato achar, a perfect warm-up on a cold ridge morning. Both buff and veg fillings are common. Cheap, filling and authentically local.
Simple local kitchens serve the all-you-can-eat dal bhat thali that fuels Nepal: rice, lentil soup, curry, greens and pickle, usually with free refills. It is the best-value and most authentic meal in town. Vegetarian and meat versions are both available.
A few kitchens specialise in jhol momo, dumplings served swimming in a spiced, slightly tangy soup that is ideal in the cool hill air. It is a more substantial, soupy take on the classic momo. Order it hot and fresh.
On the drive up or down, Bhaktapur and nearby villages serve a Newari feast of bara, choila, beaten rice and brass-served sides that is unmissable in the valley. It is one of Nepal's richest regional cuisines. Pair it with a visit to the durbar square.
Tibetan-style noodle soups and chow mein are widely available and warming after an early, cold sunrise. Thukpa brings vegetables, noodles and meat in a hearty broth. A reliable, comforting choice.
Small stalls along the ridge and viewpoint road sell hot milk tea, instant noodles and fried snacks to people waiting for the sunrise. They are cheap, quick and exactly what you want at dawn. Cash only and basic, but reliable.
Several cafes cater to the steady flow of international visitors with pasta, pizza, sandwiches and decent coffee. Useful when you want a break from rice and curry. Quality is generally fine if not spectacular.
Staying at a homestay or family guesthouse usually means home-cooked Nepali meals eaten with the host family. It is the most authentic and personal way to eat in Nagarkot. Portions are generous and the food is honest village cooking.
Go deeper with our travel blog guides for Nagarkot and beyond.
