A glass of chiya is the heartbeat of daily life in Nepal, and Pokhara's chiya pasals (tea shops) are where the city pauses, chats and refuels. This guide explains the tea culture behind that simple glass, the types of chiya to order, what to snack on alongside it, and where to find the friendliest tea corners around town.
“Chiya khayo?” — Pokhara's tea culture
In Nepal, tea is far more than a drink — it's a daily ritual and a way of saying hello. People greet one another with "chiya khayo?" (have you had tea?), and the neighbourhood chiya pasal is where friends gather, news is traded, deals are made and the day pauses for a few minutes. These little tea shops have always been the country's conversation hubs.
Pokhara's chiya pasals carry that same easy warmth, from busy roadside stalls near the bazaar to small tea corners tucked along the Lakeside lanes, where a hot glass and the lake breeze make the perfect break between sightseeing.
Types of chiya to try
Most chiya is brewed strong with milk and sugar and gently spiced. Ginger and masala versions are the most popular, but it's worth trying a few styles:
- Dudh chiya — comforting Nepali milk tea, the everyday favourite
- Masala chiya — spiced with cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and black pepper
- Aduwa (ginger) chiya — warming and soothing, great in the cooler hills
- Kalo / sada chiya — lighter black tea without milk
- Kagati (lemon) chiya and modern blends like chocolate or honey-ginger
What to eat with your chiya
Chiya is rarely drunk alone — most tea shops also serve khaja, the sweet and savoury snacks that make a glass of tea into a proper break. Look out for:
- Pakoda — spiced potato-and-onion fritters, deep-fried and crisp
- Sel roti — a sweet, ring-shaped Nepali rice doughnut
- Jeri (jalebi) — bright, syrup-soaked spirals
- Samosa, aloo chop and biscuits for something savoury
Where to find chiya pasals in Pokhara
You'll find tea shops on almost every street, but the most pleasant for visitors are around Lakeside and the busier Mahendrapul and bazaar areas, where you can people-watch with a glass in hand.
Browse the listings above and open any chiya pasal for its location, hours and contact details.
A note on Nepali tea
Nepal is a serious tea country. Much of the leaf comes from the eastern hills around Ilam, which produce both everyday CTC tea (used for milk chiya) and prized orthodox teas similar in style to neighbouring Darjeeling. So while a roadside glass costs only a few rupees, the tea in it has genuine Himalayan provenance.
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