Thakali restaurant in Thamel, Kathmandu
Thulo Thakali is on Chaksibari Marg in the middle of Thamel. If you are staying anywhere in Thamel, you are probably a few minutes’ walk from a proper Thakali set.
Searching for Thakali food near you in central Kathmandu usually means Thamel, and that is where we cook. Our kitchen serves the Thakali khana of Mustang every day from 9 in the morning to 10:30 at night: rice or buckwheat dhido, black lentil dal tempered with jimbu, gundruk, achar, seasonal vegetables and your choice of curry, with rice, dal and vegetables refilled.
This page is a practical guide to reaching us: how long it takes from the places people usually start, how to find the entrance and what to do if you are coming from further across the valley.
Finding the entrance
We are at 495 Chaksibari Marg, a short walk from Thamel Chowk. Look for the glass-fronted building with the Thulo Thakali sign; the dining room is on the ground floor and the glass-roofed atrium is just above it. At night the whole front is lit up, so it is easy to spot from down the street.
Thamel lanes change names often and house numbers are not always shown, so the simplest way is to open our pin on Google Maps and follow the walking directions. If you get turned around, call us and we will guide you in.
Getting here
On foot: most of Thamel, Paknajol, Jyatha and Chhetrapati are within a 15 minute walk.
By taxi or ride app: ask for Chaksibari Marg, Thamel. Taxi drivers know the street, and ride apps such as Pathao and inDrive will take you to our map pin. Evening traffic around Lazimpat and Kantipath can be slow, so allow extra time for dinner bookings.
From the airport: Tribhuvan International Airport is about 6 km away. A taxi usually takes 25 to 45 minutes depending on traffic, which makes us an easy first meal on the day you land.
How far are we from…
Approximate times from each place to our door. Walking times are at an easy pace; taxi times depend heavily on traffic.
Thamel Chowk
3 to 5 min walk
The main Thamel crossroads, right around the corner.
Paknajol
5 min walk
Just to the north of us.
Garden of Dreams
8 to 10 min walk
A good stop before or after a long lunch.
Chhetrapati and Jyatha
10 to 12 min walk
Southern edge of Thamel, many guesthouses.
Sorhakhutte
10 to 12 min walk
West of Thamel, towards Balaju.
Narayanhiti Palace Museum and Durbar Marg
12 to 16 min walk
Through Thamel past the Garden of Dreams.
Asan and Indra Chowk
15 to 20 min walk
Through the old bazaar lanes.
Lazimpat
15 to 20 min walk, 5 to 10 min by taxi
Embassies and hotels north-east of Thamel.
Kathmandu Durbar Square (Basantapur)
20 to 25 min walk, 10 min by taxi
Walk up through Asan for the full old-town experience.
Swayambhunath
10 to 20 min by taxi
Or about 35 minutes on foot across the Bishnumati.
Boudhanath and Patan Durbar Square
25 to 45 min by taxi
Plan around rush hour in the evening.
Tribhuvan International Airport
25 to 45 min by taxi
About 6 km.
Why people walk across Thamel for our Thakali set
Thamel has a restaurant on every corner, and many of them list a "Thakali set" somewhere between pizza and pad thai. We only cook what we know. Our recipes come from Thakali family kitchens, the dal is tempered with jimbu and finished with ghee, gundruk and achar come with every set, and rice, dal and vegetables are refilled the way they are in Mustang.
If it is your first time, read our guide to Thakali khana or how to eat a Thakali set, look through the menu and prices, and see what guests say in our reviews.
Questions about visiting
Is Thulo Thakali in Thamel?
Yes. We are at 495 Chaksibari Marg, Thamel, Kathmandu, a few minutes’ walk from Thamel Chowk.
What are your opening hours?
We are open every day from 9:00 AM to 10:30 PM, for lunch, dinner and everything in between.
Do I need to book a table?
Walk-ins are welcome. For dinner after 7:30 PM, groups, and the busy autumn and spring trekking seasons, booking online or by phone is a good idea.
Do you have vegetarian Thakali food?
Yes. The vegetable Thakali set, the vegetable dhido set, kanchamba and several starters are vegetarian. Tell us if you avoid ghee or dairy.
Do you do takeaway?
Yes, call us to order takeaway. We also cater for events and group meals.
Your table in Thamel is waiting.
Book online, call us, or just walk in. We’re open 9:00 am to 10:30 pm, every day.