What to do in Kathmandu?

November 14, 2009 11:35 PM

Where to eat and what to do in Kathmandu?

Got a couple of days here in Kathmandu before heading down to Chitwan region for work. I wanted to resist hitting up the LP guidebook this time and instead opt for some first-hand recommendations. Anyone been here lately and come away with a good memory?

posted by pranalaxmi to Travel & Transportation around Kathmandu, Nepal (5 answers total)

If you want to hit a French restaurant, there's a great one called Chez Caroline over in an place called Babar Mahal Revisited. The phone number for the restaurant is 4263070. They're located near the old parliament building, just off the main Thapathali junction.
posted by blueberry at 12:52 AM on November 15, 2009

Perhaps not as specific as you might like, but I much preferred Lalitpur and Bhaktapur to Kathmandu. A short cab ride from Kathmandu (they're within easy walking distance, if you like walking.) They're both beautiful, and much cleaner and quieter than Kathmandu. (Well, okay, when I was stuck in Bhaktapur during a bandh in 2001, the trash and dead dogs did start to pile up in the streets; but hopefully that won't happen to you.)
posted by buxtonbluecat at 5:13 AM on November 15, 2009

I was rather fed up with the tourists and crap in Kathmandu until I headed up Swayambhu (Monkey Temple) for the sunset. Mindblowing.

As for eating, find the smallest streetside stall (look for one filled with locals) selling momos and dig in. A whole meal shouldn't set you back more than $0.20.
posted by turkeyphant at 6:32 AM on November 15, 2009

It's been a few years since I was there, but I would second Chez Caroline--it's good French food, and it should set you back substantially less than the same meal would in other parts of the world. If it's in the same place it used to be, there are a few high-end souvenir shops in the same group of buildings/complex with some excellent handmade paper and jewelry and so on. You can find the same kinds of things in the markets for less money, but the quality is much higher here.

For local food, go to momo stalls like turkeyphant suggests. Be aware that you can get horribly ill at these places, but it's worth the risk, in my opinion (the two times I got sick from momo stalls I was in really bad shape for about a day, but that was it, so it's not typhoid or anything). It will be delicious and cost almost nothing. Same goes for tandoori shops--you can get a whole chicken, some extra sauce, and a couple pieces of naan for not very much at all.

There's also a spectacular Indian place called Downtown Restaurant on Pulchowk. Again, not very expensive and utterly delicious.

I would definitely try to make it to Kathmandu Durbar Square and/or Patan Durbar Square. Those are the oldest parts of the city, and there's some really cool woodwork on the old temples and a bunch of maze-like little brick alleys with fun shops and so on to explore in the surrounding area. Early morning is a really great time to visit these areas.

A number of the temples are really fun to visit. I would second the Swayambhu recommendation, especially at sunset. This time of year, the air should still be relatively clear, and you'll have a great view. I also like Boudha, and the neighborhood around it has a more Tibetan flavor than many parts of the city.

Have fun. Wish I could be there.
posted by Hypocrite_Lecteur at 11:30 AM on November 15, 2009

The monkey temple is also fun to walk up vigorously at dawn.

If you like seeing theatre in languages that (I assume) you don't understand, see if Aarohan is performing anything; I saw a pretty amazing show they made in collaboration with villagers from the far east of the country.
posted by Mngo at 3:46 PM on November 16, 2009