Pokhara is one of Nepal's best food cities — a place where a humble plate of dal bhat and a candle-lit dinner over Phewa Lake are both easy to find. This guide covers what to eat, where the dining districts are, what it costs, and how to choose between Thakali, rooftop, lakeside, family and vegetarian restaurants.
What to eat in Pokhara
Pokhara's dining scene blends traditional Nepali flavours with food from all over the world. The local hero is the Thakali khana set — rice or buckwheat dhido with dal, seasonal vegetable curry, sautéed greens, a meat or bean curry and a tangy timur-tomato pickle — but the city is just as well known for momos (steamed, fried, jhol and C-momo), Newari plates and Tibetan classics like thukpa and sha phaley.
Because Pokhara hosts trekkers and travellers from everywhere, the international choice is excellent too: wood-fired pizza, Italian, Indian thalis, Israeli and Middle Eastern menus, and plenty of healthy, plant-based options. Portions are generous and prices are friendly.
- Thakali khana — the signature set meal, hearty and balanced
- Momos — steamed, fried, jhol (soup) and spicy C-momo
- Newari food — samay baji, choila, bara and chatamari
- Tibetan — thukpa, sha phaley and tingmo
- International — pizza, pasta, Indian thali, Israeli & Middle Eastern
Best areas for dining out
Lakeside (Baidam) is the main restaurant district — a long, walkable strip of options from casual eateries to refined dining, many with terraces and gardens facing Phewa Lake. For more local and traditional food, New Road and the Mahendrapul bazaar area are worth the short trip.
Rooftop restaurants are especially popular at sunset, when the light hits the Annapurna range behind the water. Use the subcategories below to jump straight to the kind of meal you're after.
What dining out costs in Pokhara
Eating out in Pokhara is excellent value. A filling local meal for two can come in under Rs 700, a pure-veg Indian thali typically runs Rs 350–450, and a plate of momos starts around Rs 200. Wood-fired pizzas usually start near Rs 450.
Lakeside restaurants with views and international menus sit a little higher, while fine-dining and specialty Newari restaurants are the priciest — still very reasonable by international standards. Most places take cash; many also accept cards or digital wallets.
Find a restaurant by type
Different occasions call for different tables. These curated collections help you go straight to the right kind of restaurant within our Pokhara directory:
- Thakali restaurants — authentic Thakali khana and dal bhat
- Rooftop restaurants — sunset dinners with Annapurna views
- Lakeside restaurants — dining beside Phewa Lake
- Family restaurants — relaxed, all-welcome spots for groups and kids
- Vegetarian & vegan restaurants — plant-based thali and global dishes
Vegetarian, vegan and family dining
Pokhara is very easy for vegetarians and vegans — many kitchens are fully plant-based and almost all clearly mark veg dishes, from satvik thali to smoothie bowls and global comfort food. Families are well catered for too, with broad menus, generous portions and relaxed, child-friendly spaces, especially along Lakeside.
Open any restaurant listing for hours, location, amenities and contact details, and confirm specifics like opening times directly with the venue before a special meal.
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