The best restaurants Thimphu

Farewell to the endless buffet! Here is a restaurant where locals and initiated foreigners meet, on a professional mission. If the setting doesn't look good, on the other hand the dishes are tasty and Mrs Pushpa Moktan, the owner of the place, is remarkably kind. Indian, Bhutanese and recently Japanese (the only one in town), the menu is varied to say the least. Take a seat in front of one of the tables decorated with waxed cloths and enjoy a chowmein, a curry, a Japanese speciality or a good paneer tikka.

With its frieze of dragons, red paper lanterns, the Rice Bowl displays its Chinese origins. It has even proclaimed itself the only authentic Chinese restaurant in the capital! On the menu: chicken with ginger, pork with chilli pepper, Cantonese beef or chicken with sesame as a starter. Everything is well done, a change from Bhutanese peppers to cheese. We advise you against the suggestions of the sea (quite simply, because it seems rather far away...). On the other hand, we prefer to warn you: it's better not to be in a hurry, as the service is rather... slow!

Sandhya learned how to make pizzas herself and it's a success! In the room with tiled tables or on the sheltered terrace, you can taste one of her creations: the yak and blue cheese pizza in winter or her refreshing salads in summer. Its pastries are not to be outdone (blueberry cheesecake, lemon cake, brownie...) nor its various breads (multigrain, brown...), very appreciated by the trekkers before departure!

Elegant setting, upright tables, and orchids and fuchsias for the final touch, this Thai address offers a good "taste" alternative. Fresh, local produce is transformed by a Thai chef. No ema datsi here, but the curries are rather spicy and the dishes are perfectly seasoned. Let yourself be tempted by a green curry with coconut milk, spring rolls with vegetables, a green papaya salad (bran tam), or sweet and sour pork with jasmine rice. Ask for a table by the window: nice view of the city.

This Bhutanese canteen is located on the ground floor of a beautiful traditional house. It has been one of the meeting places of the locals for more than ten years. The Bhutanese come here to eat ema datsi and other equally typical dishes such as ema shukam, beef jerky and chili cheese, accompanied by rice and tea. Dishes that warm up and keep you warm in winter. You can also try the seuja, churned butter tea with salt and a small handful of puffed rice.