Dining & Accommodation in Pokhara

Dining in Pokhara

Pokhara has a surprisingly good international food scene — better than Kathmandu in many areas, as the restaurants cater to relaxed long-term travelers and hungry post-trek trekkers.

€ Budget

Moondance Restaurant · Lakeside — An institution for 20 years. Huge portions, good Dal Bhat, decent pizza, steaks, and pasta. The breakfast buffet is legendary. Everything under 500 NPR.

Godfather's Pizzeria · Lakeside Central — The best pizza in Pokhara, baked in a real wood-fired oven. Thin, crispy, generously topped. Large pizza 500–800 NPR.

Lemon Tree · Lakeside North — Israeli-Nepalese breakfast café with shakshuka, hummus, fresh juices, and the best lemon cheesecake in town. 300–600 NPR.

€€ Mid-range

Caffe Concerto · Lakeside — Italian-run, with real espresso, homemade pasta, and tiramisu. The rooftop terrace with lake view is the best place for dinner at sunset. 600–1,200 NPR.

Busy Bee Café · Lakeside Central — Nepal's most famous backpacker café: large portions, cheap alcohol, live music on weekends, and the "Bumper Breakfast" (Nepal's biggest breakfast). 400–800 NPR.

Pokhara Thakali Kitchen · Lakeside — Authentic Thakali Dal Bhat Set (the Thakali from the Annapurna region are Nepal's best cooks). Huge portions with 7–8 side dishes, endlessly refillable. 400–700 NPR.

€€€ Upscale

The Harbor Restaurant · By the lake — Fine dining right by the water with views of Phewa Lake and the mountains. Nepalese and international cuisine, wine list, cocktails. The best in Pokhara for special occasions. 1,500–3,000 NPR.

Accommodation in Pokhara

€ Budget (under 20€)

Zostel Pokhara · Lakeside — Cool hostel concept with dorms (from 500 NPR/4€), private rooms, communal kitchen, and regular events. Rooftop terrace with lake view.

Hotel Middle Path · Lakeside — Solid budget hotel with clean rooms, balcony, and friendly staff. Double room from 1,200 NPR (8€).

€€ Mid-range (20–60€)

Hotel Barahi · Lakeside — Right by the lake, pool, good restaurant, rooms with balcony and lake view. The best value for money in Pokhara. Double room from 5,000 NPR (34€).

Temple Tree Resort & Spa · Lakeside North — Boutique resort with pool, spa, and garden. Quietly located at the northern end of Lakeside. Double room from 7,000 NPR (48€).

€€€ Upscale (over 60€)

Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge · Outside — The most spectacular accommodation in the region: stone bungalows on a ridge with a 270° panorama of the Annapurna range. Hand-rammed clay walls, open fireplaces, farm-to-table cuisine. 30 Min. from Lakeside, but a different world. From 200€/night (including breakfast). For special occasions.

Pavilions Himalayas Pokhara · Outside — Sustainable luxury lodge with organic farm, infinity pool, and perhaps the best Himalaya view of any hotel in Nepal. From 250€/night.

Practical Information Pokhara

• Getting there from Kathmandu: Tourist bus (6–7h, 800–1,500 NPR / 5–10€, scenically beautiful along the Trisuli River), Greenline Deluxe Bus (7h, 3,000 NPR / 20€, with lunch stop and guaranteed comfort) or flight (25 Min., from 80€ with Buddha Air — spectacular Himalaya view from the window!)
• Pokhara Airport: The new Pokhara International Airport (opened 2023) is 4 km east of Lakeside. It was designed for international flights but currently only has domestic connections. Taxi to Lakeside: 300–500 NPR
• City transport: Taxi (always negotiate the price beforehand!), motorcycle rental (500–1,500 NPR/day, international driver's license required), bicycle rental (300–800 NPR/day — perfect for the flat Lakeside area). Buses connect the various city districts (20–50 NPR)
• Laundry: Laundry services are everywhere in Lakeside: 100–200 NPR/kg. After the trek: indispensable!
• Massage: After the trek, a massage is worth gold. Numerous spas in Lakeside: Nepali massage from 1,000 NPR (1h), Thai massage from 1,500 NPR. "Seeing Hands Nepal" in Lakeside employs blind masseurs — excellent massage AND a social project
• Yoga & Meditation: Pokhara has developed into a yoga center. Drop-in classes from 500 NPR, multi-day retreats from 30€/day (including accommodation + meals + yoga). Recommended: Sadhana Yoga Retreat and Pokhara Yoga School