A Metropolitan slice of Asia – Kathmandu’s Cafe Culture
| Posted in Destinations | Posted on 12-12-2009
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Jenny Lama asked:
Cafe culture is new to Nepal, once upon a time one could not find a good coffee (or a coffee in general) in Kathmandu and salvation in hot drinks came through sitting in a curb side tea shop sipping piping hot Nepali tea from small glasses and picking the skin and excess cinnamon from the top of your glass, though it truly is an amazing way to watch life go past and get to know locals not to mention delicious, travellers at times need a touch of the west and a dose of good coffee. For some of us westies, coffee really does make the world go round.
Cafe culture in Kathmandu has come along in leaps and bounds in the last three years and this year has seen a boom in high style cafes all boasting Wi Fi internet, organic, freshly ground coffee and a slice of the west in exotic Kathmandu. The perfect places to escape the summer sun or to hang out and get on line on those hazy monsoon days, get in touch with friends and enjoy some of the world’s finest coffee.
Cafe Kaldi – A great modern vibe, squeaky clean interior and super friendly staff make Kuldi a popular new addition to Kathmandu’s cafe scene. The best part about Kuldi is that they don’t lug you with surplus tax and service charges, like every other cafe does. Though, this does mean that the place is jam packed with lap tops, and the noise of tapping keyboards or enthusiastic Skype conversations. Though the drinks list of coffees, iced beverages, smoothes and shakes is impressive and sublimely tasty, the atmosphere is a little too office like for a relaxed meeting with friends. The waffles here are a hit on the menu and come with a dollop of the creamiest ice cream ever and to top that the high speed Wi Fi is free.
ORZ2K – The entire restaurant is made up of cushioned seating on comfortable platforms. Here it’s more about the food than the coffee. Amazing selection of Israeli and middle eastern food to satisfy your appetite for something other than rice. ORZ2K is one of the most popular Wi Fi and chill out spots in Thamel. People freely lounge around here in this hippy like atmosphere whiling away the afternoon over tea, coffee or a plate of fresh salsas, hummus and delicious naan bread. The walls are adorned with bright murals and homely rugs and cushions really make you feel relaxed. Ample windows let in the natural light and fresh air. ORZ2K is a great place to meet friends, chill out or just check what the rest of the world is doing in your inbox.
Java – The best and cheapest place in Kathmandu and one of the original cafe establishments. Here they serve American style food and coffee. The coffee is sensational with a huge range to choose from and the cakes are out of this world! Not to mention the crispy bacon they serve for breakfast and Java is one of the very few places in Kathmandu with authentic, flaky croissants, not the doughie imitations you find in most bakeries! Java’s layout is spacious and welcoming, with super comfortable couches, secluded niches and an airy if somewhat noise balcony that overlooks the bustling kings’ way.
Be aware that you have to pay an extra charge to use their wireless internet!
The Factory – Walk up the stairs to The Factory and you will think you have walked into one of the funkiest bars in New York, Paris or any other big western city. Two million rupees was spent on fitting out this warehouse like space with some new age and rather inventive features. Polished concert floors, rope curtains and walls made from tin cans all meld together to produce an “ultra funk” environment. A galvanised iron and red wood bar stretches along the rear of the restaurant and the waiters are all clad in factory-funky jump suits (we think they look more toy boy than factory!). A long cushioned bay peels off at the side for secluded private parties. Though the menu is pricy, the food is top notch, the coffee brilliant and the wine list impressive. Wi Fi is fast and free and there is always some interesting live music or jam session going on. The Factory is an ultra hip place to be from morning until late night.
New Orleans- One of the original modern style cafes in Kathmandu. New Orleans offers a spacious courtyard and open pergola seating area. The Internet is free and the food is amazing and one of the best places in Kathmandu to get authentic hamburgers. New Orleans also has a fine range of cakes and coffees, not to mention a killer brownie that is served hot, with ice cream and sticks to the top of your mouth like a good brownie should! On Sundays you can often find a jazz jam session going on in the garden. New Orleans is a favourite with ex pats and locals and was one of the first cafe/restaurants to go Wi Fi in Kathmandu.
Himalayan Java- This fine establishment is now in its second year of operation. The décor is welcoming and comfortable, the staff actually have time to chat as this place seems to be less busy than other cafes due to the out of the way location. The walls are decorated in some fine modern abstract art by local artists. There is a gallery of books and magazines to choose from and the balcony view overlooks a quite courtyard leading into one of Thamel’s original stately homes. Though the price is a little high, the internet is free and the coffee is sensational. Cappuccinos here are perhaps the best in town and the peanut butter brownie hits the right tastebuds with those sweet tooths out there.
So if you and your lap top ever find yourself in Kathmandu looking to hook up with a great coffee and some Wi Fi, then the above suggestions are ideal. Though don’t expect to have these places to yourselves as these days hordes of well dressed young local Kathmandu-yuppies are flocking to the cafe scene as well.
For more information about what to do and see around Kathmandu please visit our web site
http://www.dtoursoriginal.com
Cafe culture is new to Nepal, once upon a time one could not find a good coffee (or a coffee in general) in Kathmandu and salvation in hot drinks came through sitting in a curb side tea shop sipping piping hot Nepali tea from small glasses and picking the skin and excess cinnamon from the top of your glass, though it truly is an amazing way to watch life go past and get to know locals not to mention delicious, travellers at times need a touch of the west and a dose of good coffee. For some of us westies, coffee really does make the world go round.
Cafe culture in Kathmandu has come along in leaps and bounds in the last three years and this year has seen a boom in high style cafes all boasting Wi Fi internet, organic, freshly ground coffee and a slice of the west in exotic Kathmandu. The perfect places to escape the summer sun or to hang out and get on line on those hazy monsoon days, get in touch with friends and enjoy some of the world’s finest coffee.
Cafe Kaldi – A great modern vibe, squeaky clean interior and super friendly staff make Kuldi a popular new addition to Kathmandu’s cafe scene. The best part about Kuldi is that they don’t lug you with surplus tax and service charges, like every other cafe does. Though, this does mean that the place is jam packed with lap tops, and the noise of tapping keyboards or enthusiastic Skype conversations. Though the drinks list of coffees, iced beverages, smoothes and shakes is impressive and sublimely tasty, the atmosphere is a little too office like for a relaxed meeting with friends. The waffles here are a hit on the menu and come with a dollop of the creamiest ice cream ever and to top that the high speed Wi Fi is free.
ORZ2K – The entire restaurant is made up of cushioned seating on comfortable platforms. Here it’s more about the food than the coffee. Amazing selection of Israeli and middle eastern food to satisfy your appetite for something other than rice. ORZ2K is one of the most popular Wi Fi and chill out spots in Thamel. People freely lounge around here in this hippy like atmosphere whiling away the afternoon over tea, coffee or a plate of fresh salsas, hummus and delicious naan bread. The walls are adorned with bright murals and homely rugs and cushions really make you feel relaxed. Ample windows let in the natural light and fresh air. ORZ2K is a great place to meet friends, chill out or just check what the rest of the world is doing in your inbox.
Java – The best and cheapest place in Kathmandu and one of the original cafe establishments. Here they serve American style food and coffee. The coffee is sensational with a huge range to choose from and the cakes are out of this world! Not to mention the crispy bacon they serve for breakfast and Java is one of the very few places in Kathmandu with authentic, flaky croissants, not the doughie imitations you find in most bakeries! Java’s layout is spacious and welcoming, with super comfortable couches, secluded niches and an airy if somewhat noise balcony that overlooks the bustling kings’ way.
Be aware that you have to pay an extra charge to use their wireless internet!
The Factory – Walk up the stairs to The Factory and you will think you have walked into one of the funkiest bars in New York, Paris or any other big western city. Two million rupees was spent on fitting out this warehouse like space with some new age and rather inventive features. Polished concert floors, rope curtains and walls made from tin cans all meld together to produce an “ultra funk” environment. A galvanised iron and red wood bar stretches along the rear of the restaurant and the waiters are all clad in factory-funky jump suits (we think they look more toy boy than factory!). A long cushioned bay peels off at the side for secluded private parties. Though the menu is pricy, the food is top notch, the coffee brilliant and the wine list impressive. Wi Fi is fast and free and there is always some interesting live music or jam session going on. The Factory is an ultra hip place to be from morning until late night.
New Orleans- One of the original modern style cafes in Kathmandu. New Orleans offers a spacious courtyard and open pergola seating area. The Internet is free and the food is amazing and one of the best places in Kathmandu to get authentic hamburgers. New Orleans also has a fine range of cakes and coffees, not to mention a killer brownie that is served hot, with ice cream and sticks to the top of your mouth like a good brownie should! On Sundays you can often find a jazz jam session going on in the garden. New Orleans is a favourite with ex pats and locals and was one of the first cafe/restaurants to go Wi Fi in Kathmandu.
Himalayan Java- This fine establishment is now in its second year of operation. The décor is welcoming and comfortable, the staff actually have time to chat as this place seems to be less busy than other cafes due to the out of the way location. The walls are decorated in some fine modern abstract art by local artists. There is a gallery of books and magazines to choose from and the balcony view overlooks a quite courtyard leading into one of Thamel’s original stately homes. Though the price is a little high, the internet is free and the coffee is sensational. Cappuccinos here are perhaps the best in town and the peanut butter brownie hits the right tastebuds with those sweet tooths out there.
So if you and your lap top ever find yourself in Kathmandu looking to hook up with a great coffee and some Wi Fi, then the above suggestions are ideal. Though don’t expect to have these places to yourselves as these days hordes of well dressed young local Kathmandu-yuppies are flocking to the cafe scene as well.
For more information about what to do and see around Kathmandu please visit our web site
http://www.dtoursoriginal.com