Kathmandu food tour
KATHMANDU FOOD TOUR - Kathmandu is the culinary crossroads where the salt-yak caravans of the Tibetan plateau met with the aromatic spice routes of the south. Whether you are stocking up on calories before Everest, or you want more than the repetitive trekking lodge fare, the true depth of the Nepalese kitchen remains a mystery to most - and it stretches far beyond dal bhat rice and lentils.
Over centuries, a rugged food culture was forged by the Newari, Sherpa, and mountain tribes. We strip away the tourist veneer to lead a 15+ tasting expedition into the hidden backstreet kitchens of Thamel.
Start at Indrachowk, a market labyrinth hiding a neighborhood institution that has stood its ground for over twenty years. Tear into a Newari khaja set - a textural riot of crunchy beaten rice and smoky roasted soybeans, alongside rice-flour crepes loaded with minced buff meat and fresh herbs. Toast the journey with chhyang; a milky rice wine that serves as the cityβs favourite local aperitif.
Head to a women-led street food hotspot for chaku yomari rice dumplings oozing with dark, bittersweet molasses. Round out the Newari comfort food with bara tarkari pancakes submerged into an aalu tarkari curry. Weβre only a few rounds into our food marathon, with more surprises to come.
Duck into the ancient courtyards of Asan bazaar for the undisputed street food kings: momo dumplings: robust, juice-filled parcels dipped into a tomato and sesame chutney. Tucked behind a tailorβs shop, we find a legendary stall for flaky samosas, and orange pretzel-shaped jalebi dripping in syrup. Pivot for litti chokha dough balls stuffed with roasted gram and charred over an open fire, balanced by the cooling, yogurt-soaked explosion of dahi puri shells.
Jump into a bicycle rickshaw ride through a cacophony of honking horns and temple bells, to pay tribute to the Tibetan diaspora. Slurp on slippery laphing noodles slicked in a signature timur chili oil, and try cured buffalo jerky stir-fried into a smoky masterpiece. For those with a sweet tooth, settle for silky burfi milk fudge, washed down with a saffron-dusted mitho lassi.
Experience a side of Thamel that most visitors walk right past. Led by a food-obsessed local guide, you'll soon discover the tourist cafes don't stand a chance once youβve found the secret kitchens where the locals actually eat.
Date or Time not available? Click on our lunchtime tour page >> Everest Eats
Why this tour is awesome
Long before the era of Gore-Tex and carabiners, Kathmandu was the lifeblood of the Silk Roadβs mountain corridor. This is a food expedition into the backstreet kitchens and hole-in-the-wall legends of the real Kathmandu. Just as ancient Newari explorers used these alleys as a staging post between long treks, Thamel remains the culinary melting pot of the Himalayas today.
Meet the locals on a gastronomic tour of Nepalese cuisine
Laphing noodles at a tucked away balcony
Newari speciality set at a local kitchen
Roam the backstreets of monastic quarters in Thamel
Discover the real Kathmandu kitchens that you'll struggle to find alone
Legendary food heroes with steaming hot momos
Crispy pancakes dunked in a potato curry
Learn about special sauces that bring Nepalese dishes to life
Find hidden local eateries with your local foodie guide
Street food samosas, deliciously flaky
Orange pretzel shaped jalebi
Generational chefs that have been perfecting recipes for decades
The crunch of dahi puri with drizzled yoghurt and tangy tamarind
Stunning stupas in the heart of Thamel
Local legend serves up a lassi dusted with nuts
Celebrate the insider local heroes in Kathmandu's kitchens
Toast a masaya tea to new-found friends
Includes
- Tastings 15+ food tastings included
- Price US $35 per person
- Drinks Bottled water included
- Small group tour Maximum of 8 guests (private tours or groups of 9+, please contact us)
- Transport / Walking Walking tour with 9-10 stops including a short rickshaw ride
- Start Time 4:00PM
- Duration 3.5 to 4 hours depending on the pace of the group
- Days Open / Closed Open Every Day
- Guide Led by one of our superb Kathmandu food hosts
- Child Policy Children aged 3-12 years: 50% discount. Infants 0-2 years: free
- Instant Confirmation Book instantly on our live calendar. If your date is unavailable, please contact us
- Cancellation policy Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
- Language English
- Pick up / Drop off Not included. Easy to find meeting point for all guests
Dietary information
- General Advice Many streetside vendors specialise in signature menus, and may not have alternatives. It is not always possible to cater for all dietary requests at every stop
- Vegetarian Possible, though meat is used in 2-3 tastings with no alternatives available
- Vegan Unsuitable as meat, dairy eggs are used in over half the tastings
- Pescatarian Possible, though meat is used in 2-3 tastings with no alternatives available
- Pork Pork is not typically used in any of the tastings
- Halal Unsuitable for strict halal diets, as there are few vendors on the tour route that hold halal certification.
- Gluten Intolerance / Celiac Disease Unsuitable as gluten is used in 8-9 tastings with no alternatives available
- Lactose intolerance Milk is used in 3-4 tastings with limited alternatives available. Not recommended if ghee cannot be consumed
- Peanuts / Tree Nut Allergy Peanuts are used in 1-2 tastings. Cashews and almonds are used in 2-3 tastings. Possible for mild allergies only.
- Seafood / Shellfish Allergy Seafood is not typically used in any of the tastings
- Severe Allergies Due to the nature of street food cooking, we can never guarantee any dish to be 100% free from allergens, as there is always the risk of traces and cross-contamination. It is unsuitable for severe allergies. Contact us: info@achefstour.com
How to book
To join our Kathmandu evening food tour, use the live booking calendar to select your date and secure your tour. If the date is unavailable, or for special requests and private bookings, pleaseΒ contact us. Safety and comfort of guests is our first priority, so if you have any questions on dietary information or food allergies, pleaseΒ contact usΒ before booking.
What to expect
This tour is designed for adventurous eaters with an interest in discovering the food locals eat. Itβs a walking tour, but the pace is gentle, the terrain flat and there are plenty of rest (eating) stops along the way. Join us on the best MelakaΒ food tour in the city, you won't regret it.
Meeting point
Cancellation Policy
Why you should book with us
-
99% 5 star reviews across our tours -
Secure payments through provider Peek
-
No hidden charges - all food tastings included in the price
-
Authentic food experience, escape the tourist traps