Thamel is Kathmandu's busiest neighbourhood for visitors, and it has more restaurants per street than almost anywhere in Nepal. Many of them list dal bhat or a Thakali set. Not all of them deliver the real thing.
Here is what to look for if you want authentic Thakali food in Thamel.
Signs of a real Thakali kitchen
The dal smells of jimbu
Thakali dal is often finished with jimbu fried in ghee. If the dal tastes of nothing but lentils and salt, the kitchen is cutting corners.
Gundruk and proper achar
Fermented greens and freshly made pickles take time. Restaurants that bother with them usually care about the rest of the plate too.
Refills without asking twice
Refilling rice, dal and vegetables is part of Thakali hospitality. A good restaurant does it naturally.
Dhido on the menu
Dhido is harder to make well than rice. Seeing a buckwheat dhido set on the menu is a good sign.
Locals eating there
If Nepali families and office groups are eating alongside travellers, the food is probably right.
Things that should make you cautious
- A menu that lists every cuisine in the world next to "Thakali set".
- Sets served cold or with sides that look like they came from a bulk tray.
- No clear prices.
Thulo Thakali on Chaksibari Marg
We are biased, of course, but we built Thulo Thakali around these ideas. Our recipes come from family kitchens, the dal is tempered with jimbu, gundruk and achar are part of every set, and rice, dal and vegetables are refilled. We also take hygiene seriously: cooking and drinking water is filtered and ingredients are bought fresh every day. You can read more in our story.
You will find us at 495 Chaksibari Marg, Thamel, Kathmandu. Look for the Thulo Thakali sign on the ground floor.
Getting there
From the heart of Thamel, head to Chaksibari Marg and look for the building with the large glass windows and the Thulo Thakali sign. Most Thamel guesthouses are within a ten minute walk. Taxi drivers know the street. You can also open our location on Google Maps, or see walking times from around Thamel.
When to visit
We are open every day from 9 AM to 10:30 PM. Lunch is usually relaxed. Dinner from around 7:30 PM is the busiest time, especially in the autumn trekking season, so it is worth booking.
What to order on your first visit
- The Thulo Thakali Set with chicken or mutton.
- A plate of Kanchamba, our crispy buckwheat fries, to share.
- Khuwa momo if you have room for dessert.
Before you go
- Browse the full menu with prices.
- Read what guests say.
- Reserve a table if you are coming at dinner time or with a group.
