Kathmandu - Post Report Question and Answers
What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
There is a food delivery app called Foodmandu that we've used (as do many expats), which is similar to Uber Eats. Time for delivery can vary greatly. Another app, Pathao, was originally for taxis but now also does food delivery. We've found that one good as well. There are a variety of restaurants in Kathmandu, but most focus on Nepali cuisine. It is not uncommon for a restaurant to open with an interesting menu and then pivot to Nepali cuisine after a few months. It is also not uncommon for restaurants to close within months of opening. We learned not to fall in love with any restaurant as they either had drastic menu changes or closed down completely after we raved about them to friends. Regarding any Western food offerings, we've found restaurants typically try to recreate Western dishes using local ingredients, but with no apparent knowledge of how the food is supposed to taste. The meals aren't necessarily bad, but don't order spaghetti and meatballs thinking you know what it will taste like. You will not and you will be disappointed. There are some legitimate Western restaurants in the tourist areas but they are very pricey (though they are also less likely to abruptly shut down). - Jun 2024
There are many restaurants to pick from, I have been happy with all of them and haven't gotten sick. Most restaurants are good enough, only a few are top notch in my opinion. There is a good take-out service, Foodmandu, that has many options. I tend to not use Foodmandu as much because I prefer food fresh and hot and sometimes it can take a little while to get food if you order during high traffic times. We've learned what travels well and what doesn't. Compared to the States, prices are low and you can get a lot for your money. - Aug 2022
There are a few decent restaurants and there's Foodmandu delivery service. We don't eat out much because it's expensive if you want a good meal and 75% of the time ,one of us gets sick. Sanitation, or lack thereof is a huge problem in Nepal. People simply don't understand the concept of washing and the dangers of contaminating toilet water with food. I was totally blown away and I've lived in some rough places! - Aug 2019
There is a food delivery service that will deliver food from many restaurants for $1.00 delivery charge. There's not really fast food available (there's a KFC, but I haven't tried it). There are a lot more restaurants than I expected. There's really almost everything your could want, including sushi and Japanese food, Korean BBQ, Thai, Vietnamese, etc. in addition to Nepali restaurants. The "American" restaurants seem to have the lowest quality food. - Aug 2015
A number of decent restaurants but nothing fantastic. Everything is cheap and there are a lot of restaurants catering to expats that serve hygienic food. - Jul 2014
KFC, Baskin Robbins and maybe one other. Don't come if you can't live without Starbucks or McDonald's. There are cheap good options for Indian or Nepali food for a few dollars a meal, all the way to relatively expensive European fare at Chez Caroline, and organic vegetarian food in Thamel. - May 2014
No fast food which is a good thing, and about a dozen decent restaurants which are SUPER CHEAP. A nice night out with your spouse, with drinks and dessert and a good meal will cost about US$20 each. A regular meal is about US$7 at the nicer restaurants. You can eat here, and I mean an entire filling delicious meal, for 95 cents. - Apr 2014
There are many decent restaurants where you can eat for cheap, but there are no popular fast food chains except for Baskin Robbins, Pizza Hut and KFC. Once you go to some of the good local restaurants, you won't want Pizza Hut or KFC. - Dec 2013
KFC recently opened up -- which was a big hit for some people. There are plenty of restaurants that can serve food quickly, and even a home food delivery service (Foodmandu.com) that is extremely efficient and effective. Cost tends to be very affordable. Meals for two can be $10 USD at a modest restaurant or closer to $100 at the nicer hotels/restaurants. - Jun 2013
There is a wide variety of restaurants that I view as a bargain. Going home to the U.S. always causes sticker shock. - May 2013
Very little fast food, but a huge variety of fantastic restaurants at a very low cost. - Jun 2011
No fast food time-wise, but culturally there is Pizza Hut. Other restaurants (all hole-in-wall) are around, and actually very good. Indian, Nepali, Tibetan, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Western, Thai. Amazing. - Sep 2010
None. But my FAVORITE Chinese restaurant is at the Soaltee hotel. Roadhouse is also great. It is super cheap and fantastic. - Jan 2010
Nothing 5 star, but there are many places that are good enough. No fast food chains - for which I am grateful. - May 2008
