Local Food Experience At Pokhara: A Culinary Journey https://www.everesthighpassadventures.com/blog/local-foodexperience-at-pokhara-a-culinary-journey
Pokhara, the gateway to the Annapurna Region, is pretty famous for its breathtaking scenery and mountain views. With countless tourist attractions and adventure activities, it is a famous spot among tourists. Overall, just a great city to visit. However, Pokhara is not only famous for such things; it also has a rich and diverse food culture.
Influenced by the Tibet region alongside Gurung and Magar people, this city has a wide range of dishes to offer. Pokhara also has some bit of influence coming from the southern parts of Nepal and India. All of this makes Pokhara a place with varied food options and a rich culinary heritage.
If you're a foodie eager to try the unique hidden local foods, or a foreigner wanting to try out Nepali specialties, don't worry, this beautiful city has got you covered.
Traditional Nepali Food (Dal Bhat)
Your trip to Nepal is incomplete without traditional Nepali dal bhat. You will find this amazing dish almost everywhere in Nepal. And Pokhara is no exception, with various restaurants offering it. Nepal's staple food consists of Dal (lentil), Bhat (rice), Tarkari (vegetable curry), and some pickles. This food is consumed on a daily basis all over Nepal.
Where To Try:
Airport Thakali Bhansa Ghar: It is famous for an authentic Nepali dal bhat taste with a variety of flavors. Located close to the airport, it is accessible too. With good ratings and reviews, this is one of the best places known authentically for Nepali food.
OR2K, Pokhara: Located in Lakeside, although this restaurant may not seem local, it serves great Nepali food, too. It is a great option for a cozy dining experience with a great ambiance too. It also serves a wide range of foreign flavors too.
Moondance Restaurant: Also located in Lakeside, it also serves great Nepali food. With its good ambiance, great dining facilities, and positive reviews, it is a must-visit if you're around Pokhara.
Thakali Cuisine
It is said to have originated from Thak Khola in the Mustang region. Similar to traditional Nepali Dal Bhat, a Thakali Khana Set is another delicious local food found all over Pokhara. Known for its rich flavors, it contains spiced lentils and ghee-infused Mustang rice and Mustang aaloo (fried potatoes), alongside chicken or mutton curry.
Where To Try:
Pokhara Thakali Kitchen: This highly rated thakali restaurant is your go-to if you're around Pokhara. This restaurant is easily accessible as it is located in Lakeside, Pokhara. Apart from thakali khana set, it also serves other Nepali food like Dhido.
Fewa Thakali: Another great option for thakali cuisine, this restaurant attracts numerous customers each day. Also located in Lakeside, Pokhara, this is a great place to try out the authentic Thakali Khana set.
Freshwater Fish Dishes
Pokhara is known for its lakes. Phewa, Begnas, and Rupa are some of the most notable ones. Freshly caught fish from one of the lakes is a delicious local food. Some of the best fish dishes are either grilled, deep-fried, or curried. Various cafes, and restaurants around Phewa Lake and other lakes in Pokhara serve great fish items. Here are some of those:
Where To Try:
Fishtail Lodge by Annapurna: This high-end lodge at the bank of Phewa Lake offers some of the best lake food around. Although a stay here might be pretty expensive, you can try out their restaurant for a delicious culinary experience. The prices might be on the expensive side here. It offers mouthwatering grilled fish with localspices.
Green View Restaurant: Top-rated, great view, and a rich culinary experience, this place is sure not to disappoint. Additionally, this offers great fish items, from grilled, deep-fried to curried fish. Located in Sarangkot, this place is the perfect combination of great food with outstanding views.
Momo (Nepali-styled Dumplings)
Momo is probably the most famous fast food in Nepal. Originating in Tibet, this dumplingstyled food was later adopted and loved in Nepal, too. You will find a Momo stall or a restaurant serving Momo in almost every corner of Nepal, especially in Kathmandu and Pokhara. These dumplings are filled with either meat or vegetables. They come in different variations: steamed, fried, etc.
Where To Try:
Mo2's Delight: They offer a wide variety of momo like steam, kothey, fried, and cmomo. You can also enjoy buff and pork options in this restaurant. With good ratings and reviews, this is a must-try if you're craving momo around Pokhara.
Momo House: Visit this place if you're looking for an authentic momo taste. The ambiance may not be as good as some of the other restaurants, but the taste is pretty good here. They serve authentic Tibetan-styled momo with a variety of options, such as Jhol momo.
Newari Cuisine
Newari food is an essential part of Nepal's culinary heritage. Some of the popular dishes include Yomari (sweet dumplings), Bara (lentil pancakes), and Chatamari (newari-styled pizza). Newari dishes are a must-try local food in Pokhara as they have a wide range of options to choose from.
Where To Try:
Newari Bhoj: This place is best for experiencing traditional Newari platters. Located close to the airport, you can easily reach this place with the help of Google Maps. This place also has good ratings and reviews.
Newa Lahana: Known for authentic Newari dishes, this is another great option in Pokhara to try Newari food. You may also like: https://everesthighpassadventures.com/blog/best-things-to-do-inpokhara