The best bars and cafés Himalaya

This is Thamel's finest cocktail bar, inspired by the sophisticated mixology counters of New York. Only regular Nepalese hipsters pass this discreet entrance, upstairs on a busy street. The counter is all lit up, the glasses beautifully set, the blends subtle and not too sweet, the barmaids tattooed and stylish, the musical backdrop well chosen, the decor enhanced by a cabinet of curiosities with a stuffed fox in the codes of the cocktail bar, the decor dark, chic and intimate. The Blackbird signature cocktail is divine.

Exposed beams, cob walls, imposing wooden tables, rolling pins in the background and a charming little courtyard jealously hidden from view: this restaurant with its quirky yet meticulous decor almost makes you forget you're in the heart of Thamel. The setting is elegant and the menu very Western: pasta, lasagne, sandwiches, all set to jazzy rhythms. Yes, this restaurant is aimed at a more touristy clientele, but it's not all bad! The proof: we advise you to make a reservation, as it's quite crowded.

Customers almost 100% Tibetans for this bar away from traditional tourist paths but located in the neighborhood where the locals leave. You can also eat it.

The trendy bars of the Hauz Khas district have not opened their doors as soon as they close them. Let's hope this won't be the case for this "summer house". Installed on the second floor of a shopping mall, one comes first for its terrace lit with colorful garlands and dressed with tables and chairs of schoolboys repainted in bright colors. The air-conditioned room is much more plain with its brick walls and its too loud music. Lovers of strong drinks will be delighted here, as the menu offers an infinite number of variations.

With its air of gallery, this small café is a godsend for travel lovers and small budgets. The concept? Sharing around the trip. Ajay Jain, the manager of the place, invites the clientele to sit on wicker armchairs and enjoy a wi-fi connection as free as the hot drinks on the table at the back. Surrounded by beautiful pictures of India, you can consult travel guides in the library and leave a note on the central panel to find a companion or share a good map.

Whatever the day or time, this bar never closes its doors: that's why it's called 24/7. At 4 o'clock in the morning or in the afternoon, you can come and have a juice or a drink. The atmosphere is much nicer in the evening and the classic decor is less dull. Even if it offers cocktails, liqueurs and beers, this establishment will appeal to wine lovers. A nice selection of vineyards from France, Australia, California, Italy or South America at high prices.

Opened in 2002, this is one of the city's historic bars. Completely renovated in 2023, this stubbornly rock pub boasts Jimi Hendrix and Michael Jackson on its walls and speakers, as well as many other artists. It's a little quieter during the week, except on Wednesdays for Ladies Night. Ideal for a nightcap, if you like lively places. The bar doubles up as a restaurant, but you'll need to come before 8pm to get a table.

Well known address of students who serve the cheapest alcohol in the neighbourhood and perhaps even in the whole city. To drink a good beer or a strong alcohol, ignore the red and blue lighting that provides a somewhat ugly atmosphere. You'll find a few backpackers with whom you can share your travel stories and why not a 2 litre Kingfisher giraffe at a competitive price! If hunger seizes you, possibility to dine on-site at the same price. But it's not terrible…

In English, barracks means barracks. While the military theme is well present with old stories and shiny medals hanging on the wall, it is more of an officer's mess than a piou-piou's room. Wide chesterfield sofas, beautiful cast iron, wood and leather bar stools and solid woodwork complete the soul of the place. There are as many drinks and cocktails as there are bullets in the magazine of a machine gun. But watch out for the bill, which can quickly turn out to be murderous with its 30% tax surcharge!

The bar is the image of the hotel that hosts it with its British colonial style. The floors are in marble, the succession of airy rooms furnished with bourgeois sofas and armchairs in patinated wood. The bar itself is framed by stucco columns, the window is backlit and there is no doubt that one feels in a select club. The house offers nice references of whisky (Scotch!) and gin as well as a wine list, short but with interesting references. All this is well policed and the back is instinctively straightened when you sit down.

To relax ina luxurious setting, go to the bar of the Taj hotel.Relaxing jazzy atmosphere, elegant and muffled decor with its thick purple carpet, red velvet armchairs and baroque chandeliers. It's like being in a nightclub in Saint-Germain. The bartender offers a wide range of original cocktails, including the surprising "Blue Bar" with curacao, apple and vodka. Lemon slice, grapefruit quarter, chili pepper or curry leaf decorate the glasses. It is necessary to count the price of a good meal in the capital.

If hotels are being renovated or appearing, we can't say that the nightlife scene in Paharganj is diversifying or even changing. The Gem is one of the best places to have a drink and to meet the Indian youth and backpackers staying in Delhi or in transit. You can find the same gloomy and dark atmosphere as in many places. Great choice of local or imported alcohol. You can of course have a bite to eat as well. Fair prices.

Of all the hotel bars located in New Delhi, the one of the Hyatt Regency stands out. We appreciate the old fashioned setting of this very British bar. Woodwork, coffered ceilings, inlaid parquet and a long marble bar with high stools form a perfect match. The long list of spirits and cocktails is sure to please, especially if you are a wine lover. The house offers a very nice selection of grapes from all over the world, some served by the glass. As for whisky, note the presence of Johnnie Walker.

This bar is located in a small pedestrian cul-de-sac in the heart of Thamel, away from the hustle and bustle of the narrow streets. Inside and out, the setting is refined and resembles an Italian brasserie, with its terrace of water-green benches on the cobblestones, very elegant with a beautiful counter and green plants. Vino è Vita lives up to its name: it's the place to go for a glass of imported wine. The cocktail menu is interesting and serves good quality pasta dishes and fusion snacks. Pleasant background music.

If you can't wait to get back to Europe for an aperitif of charcuterie and cheese, washed down with good wine, this is the place for you. In this wine bar, where the Nepalese learn a few words of French to make you feel at home, it's also a good place to meet French people living in Nepal and ask them all your questions. On the menu, rillettes and a board of charcuterie or cheese...

A Starbucks-style chain of Nepalese coffee shops where the golden youth love to come and chill out over a cup of coffee and an American-style cheesecake. The chain has now spread to all the towns in the valley (Patan, Bodnath...). The one in Thamel offers a lovely view of Durbar Square. Wide choice of locally roasted organic coffees (latte, mocha, espresso...). We recommend this address for its light breakfasts and lunches, good wifi and sofas for relaxing after a good walk in the city.

This is Kathmandu's new speak easy bar, one of those deceptively clandestine bars that play on the codes of American bars during alcohol prohibition in the 1920s. The entrance is inevitably concealed (here at the top of a random building in the middle of nowhere between Kathmandu and Patan), the banquettes upholstered, the Art Deco style, the electro swing music and the lights dimmed. On the menu, signature cocktails including the excellent Basil Instinct (beware, some are very sweet), and a menu of gourmet fusion tapas to share. Terrace.

An institution in Kathmandu. Open since 1997, Sam's Bar offers an environment where the history of tourism is written - literally, as all the walls are covered with the words of passing visitors. The outdoor terrace upstairs is not a viewpoint (the bamboo judiciously separates the tables from the surrounding street) but a welcome moment of calm. A relaxed atmosphere in small rattan armchairs, with international music playing in the background. A good place to have a drink with friends, with a menu of beers and classic cocktails.

Here's a lounge bar nestled in the heart of Thamel, but in a small alleyway that keeps it far from the hustle and bustle. People come here mainly to chill out after work in the early evening and to drink good craft draught beers. It's an address frequented more by tourists and Kathmandu's wealthy class, as the prices seem a little prohibitive. However, we really appreciate the shady courtyard and rooftop terrace. The atmosphere is definitely relaxed. Regular live concerts, mostly on Thursdays. A good place for a drink.

This chic bakery and café lounge, which exists in several districts of Kathmandu and Patan, displays pretty pastries in its illuminated window and offers a trendy menu of black burgers with activated charcoal bread (gluten-free and easily digestible), thalis and mouth-watering Nepalese revisited dishes served on slates, as well as delicious homemade lemonades and real espresso coffee. The setting is truly designer, with wood and leather elements and superb decor.