Food is at the heart of every Italian household and Italian Cuisine has constantly evolved over the centuries. Diverse and rich, Italian cuisine is one of the most unique and popular cuisines in the world. In Nepal, Italian food is growing ever more popular and that is evident from growing number of Italian restaurants.
Whether it’s Pasta, Spaghetti or Lasagna, THT Travel and Lifestyles explores where some of the best Italian food is available in Kathmandu.
La Dolce Vita (Thamel)
Established in 1986 by an Italian, this restaurant takes its name from movie. Serving only an Italian menu, Manoj Gurung, the manager says, “Our menu is all Italian and nothing else. The ingredients we use here are all important and quality along with taste is our top priority.”
La dolce Vita’s most sort after items are its Pizza Capriccioso which has tomatoes, mozzarella, ham, mushroom, artichokes and black olives, and the Salmon Ai Capperri or grilled Norwegian salmon fillet served with vegetables, wedged potatoes and caper creamy sauce.
Location: Thamel
Contact: 01-4700612
Timing: 10am to 10pm
Meal for two excluding liquor: Approx Rs.1500 + VAT+SC
Roadhouse Café
Jim Morrison’s Roadhouse Blues inspired the name of this chain of restaurants which were started in 1992. Good ambience, great food and a wide range of wine and other beverages is sure to leave you wishing you had a bigger appetite. The continental/ Italian restaurant is renowned for its wood fired pizzas and Rajesh Sijapati, the head chef and pizza specialist who looks after all the four outlet’s kitchens, has been making pizza for the last 13 years and only getting better at it.
He says you” must try” the Margherita Pizza with bacon, spinach and garlic topping which like all pizzas is served with chilli olive oil, chilli flakes and Tabasco. An alternative would be the Spaghetti Puttanesca served with Parmesan cheese and bread. It is prepared with homemade tomato sauce, garlic, capers, chilli and black olives. If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss the Tiramisu which is blend of rich cream, espresso, rum, mascarpone cheese with cocoa powder with a cheese topping.
Location: Jhamsikhel
Contact: 01-5521755
Timing: 8am to 10pm
Meal for two excluding liquor: Approx Rs.2000+VAT+SC
Casa Toscana
Established in 2010 in Pulchowk, Lalitpur and named after Toscana, one of the regions of Italy, this is a spacious Italy Styled restaurant with a well stocked bar. It serves some of the finest Italian cuisine and has made its mark on the culinary map of Kathmandu.
Ahmad Arshad, the manager recommends Pasta, Spaghetti, Aglio Olio, Rissottos and veg Antipasti Piatto which are signature dishes offered at Casa Toscana. The choices of wines, both red and white are as popular as its bakery and desserts.
The vegetable Antipasti piatoo is a good starter, with marinated olives and cheese with garlic breads and house salads while the Pasta, Spaghetti, Aglio Olio served with basil, capers and peppers is definitely worth a try. Other appreciated items on the menu are Pomodore Spinach Rissottos and Rissottos Ai Fungi.
Location: Pulchowk, Lalitpur
Contact: 01-5537775
Timing: 10am to 10:30pm
Meal for two excluding liquor: Approx Rs.1500+VAT+SC
Whether it’s Pasta, Spaghetti or Lasagna, THT Travel and Lifestyles explores where some of the best Italian food is available in Kathmandu.
La Dolce Vita (Thamel)
Established in 1986 by an Italian, this restaurant takes its name from movie. Serving only an Italian menu, Manoj Gurung, the manager says, “Our menu is all Italian and nothing else. The ingredients we use here are all important and quality along with taste is our top priority.”
La dolce Vita’s most sort after items are its Pizza Capriccioso which has tomatoes, mozzarella, ham, mushroom, artichokes and black olives, and the Salmon Ai Capperri or grilled Norwegian salmon fillet served with vegetables, wedged potatoes and caper creamy sauce.
Location: Thamel
Contact: 01-4700612
Timing: 10am to 10pm
Meal for two excluding liquor: Approx Rs.1500 + VAT+SC
Roadhouse Café
Jim Morrison’s Roadhouse Blues inspired the name of this chain of restaurants which were started in 1992. Good ambience, great food and a wide range of wine and other beverages is sure to leave you wishing you had a bigger appetite. The continental/ Italian restaurant is renowned for its wood fired pizzas and Rajesh Sijapati, the head chef and pizza specialist who looks after all the four outlet’s kitchens, has been making pizza for the last 13 years and only getting better at it.
He says you” must try” the Margherita Pizza with bacon, spinach and garlic topping which like all pizzas is served with chilli olive oil, chilli flakes and Tabasco. An alternative would be the Spaghetti Puttanesca served with Parmesan cheese and bread. It is prepared with homemade tomato sauce, garlic, capers, chilli and black olives. If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss the Tiramisu which is blend of rich cream, espresso, rum, mascarpone cheese with cocoa powder with a cheese topping.
Location: Jhamsikhel
Contact: 01-5521755
Timing: 8am to 10pm
Meal for two excluding liquor: Approx Rs.2000+VAT+SC
Casa Toscana
Established in 2010 in Pulchowk, Lalitpur and named after Toscana, one of the regions of Italy, this is a spacious Italy Styled restaurant with a well stocked bar. It serves some of the finest Italian cuisine and has made its mark on the culinary map of Kathmandu.
Ahmad Arshad, the manager recommends Pasta, Spaghetti, Aglio Olio, Rissottos and veg Antipasti Piatto which are signature dishes offered at Casa Toscana. The choices of wines, both red and white are as popular as its bakery and desserts.
The vegetable Antipasti piatoo is a good starter, with marinated olives and cheese with garlic breads and house salads while the Pasta, Spaghetti, Aglio Olio served with basil, capers and peppers is definitely worth a try. Other appreciated items on the menu are Pomodore Spinach Rissottos and Rissottos Ai Fungi.
Location: Pulchowk, Lalitpur
Contact: 01-5537775
Timing: 10am to 10:30pm
Meal for two excluding liquor: Approx Rs.1500+VAT+SC
