Things to do in Thamel

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Things to do in Thamel

Kathmandu, the capital, city of Nepal carries historical, cultural, and religious significances and offers numerous pilgrimage shrines, centuries of antique art, and article cure along with some cultural performances too.

Some of those shrines and monuments even enlisted in the World Heritage Sites as well. Pasupatinath, Boudhanath, Swyambhunath, and durbar squares are such places to get this flavor of the city and the whole nation. 

Thamel, a touristic core that awakes 24/7. It is one of the commercial zones located in central Kathmandu. Varieties of the activities occur in Thamel.

For many years, it is popular among travelers as a tourist destination that offers lots of shopping, leisure, and eateries. For fun and relaxation, you have many options there. Colorful markets to restaurants, bars, pubs, Thamel offers you the taste of everything in the city and the whole country itself. 

Endless things you can do in Thamel. You can visit some cultural heritages, savory cafes, bakeries, and peaceful massages to relax your body and re-energize yourself. This blog clarifies the things to do in Thamel. 

Eateries in Thamel

Eateries in Thamel

One of the most popular things to do in Thamel is the variety of eateries that it offers. Several hotels and restaurants offer you local and international menus where you can enjoy cultural, continental, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, French, Indian, occidental, and several other dishes. 

The traditional and typical Nepali Thali is quite a popular dish in Thamel which includes Daal(lentil), Bhat(rice) vegetables, and different types of pickles. Don’t miss Dhindo and Gundruk, which relishes differently.   

Where to find them? 

Although most of the restaurants in Thamel offer plenty of menus in the same place. But some restaurants are popular for specific eateries. Some of them include: 

Gokarna House Restaurant 

Gokarna House Restaurant, a typical nepali restaurant with cultural show

Situating at the Paknajol, Thamel Gokarna House Restaurant is quite popular for Typical Nepalese food along with several other varieties. Along with the food items, voyagers can enjoy the folk dance playing Nepali musical instruments. Along with the food, it offers open sitting areas with the best hospitality, ambiance, entertainment as well. 

OR2K

OR2K, Amazing Middle East food!

One of the vegan restaurants of Thamel OR2K is especially popular for its Arabic food. It also offers multi-national cuisines with chilled music and trampers can sit on pillows around low tables that make the family environment. 

The Third Eye Restaurant 

Third Eye Restaurant: Very good Indian food in the centre of katmandu

Positioned at the Thamel, The Third Eye Restaurant is popular for Indian and continental items. Along with the delicious food, explorers can enjoy the design, art, architecture, and paintings of the restaurants. Providing international service, visitors can get the Himalayan taste in this restaurant. 

Fire & Ice Pizzeria

fire-and-ice-thamel

If you want to try the best Pizzas in Kathmandu, Fire & Ice Pizzeria is a perfect choice. It serves not only pizzas but also breakfasts, crespelle (savory crêpes), smoothies, and excellent espresso. Organic salads, desserts, and even a Grappa after dinner are other attractions of this restaurant. 

The best coffee shops in Thamel

As you are in Thamel, you can see plenty of cafes and restaurants. Most of them claim that they serve the best. But you need to know to find the peaceful, atmospheric and unique place to sit and enjoy the sip of coffee communicating with your beloved ones. 

There is a growing number of coffee shops in Kathmandu. In this blog, some of the best coffee shops around the Thamel where you can taste the sip of the coffee with the flavorsome slice of cake or sandwich on the side. 

Himalayan Java Coffee 

himalayan-java

Producing from the own brand, the Himalayan coffee house is gritty to become the place for a daily stop for locals, locals, expatriates, tourists, and coffee lovers. In these coffee shops, you can find it. comfortable seating and a good range of coffee there. Most of the branches are in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and other cities of Nepal. 

In Kathmandu, you can find them in Mandala Street, Tridevi, Durbar Marg, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and many other places. 

Other popular cafes for tea, coffee, breakfasts, and sandwich, you can visit Chisuka Café, Himalayan Arabica Beans, Café De Genre, Kasier Café (inside the Garden of Dreams), Roadhouse Café, Hot Breads Bakery, Himalayan Mountain Café, and many more. 

Spa and Natural Therapy

Spa-and-Natural-Therapy

Plenty of massage parlors and spas throughout Kathmandu especially in Thamel offer you Massages, Jacuzzi, Sauna for your tired and fatigued body. Most of the trekkers after the completion of their trek prefer such therapies. Trekkers Recovery Massage helps you to be free from the stress and tiredness of trekking. 

Other massages they offer include Thai Massage, Tissue Massage, Ayurvedic Massage, and many more 

The Best massage centers in Thamel

You have easy access these days to find the best massage centers around by googling them. Checking the reviews, you can choose one of them. However, some of the massage parlors nearby Thamel are:

  • Mandala Studio Yoga & Spa
  • Ananda Spa & Natural Therapy Center
  • Mount Heaven Spa
  • Seeing Hands Clinic
  • Kathmandu Spa Pvt Ltd
  • The Zen Spa & Healing Center
  • MONA HERBAL MASSAGE
  • Kathmandu spa, Thamel, etc. 

Shopping in Thamel

shopping-in-thamel

As you want to buy some souvenirs or gifts from Nepal, Thamel is the best choice as it is a shopper’s paradise. You will have plenty of choices to buy whatever you prefer. 

You can find several shops and souvenir centers where you can buy a variety of items as handmade items, paintings, art, architecture, Pashmina items, Thanga, and many more. 

Singing bowls, statues, trekking and mountaineering gears, Nepali spices, a variety of tea and coffee items, stuffed toys, puppets, and masks are other souvenirs you can buy in Thamel. 

Trek Preparation

trek-preparation-in-thamel

Trekking in the Himalayas, you need to be well prepared. Everything needed for your tour trek, climb and even expedition, can be found in Thamel. 

According to your needs and budget, you can buy the gears needed for your entire journey. Sleeping Bags, Boots, Down Jackets, Trekking Poles, Rucksacks are some of them which you can buy before your trek. 

You can even rent some of the trekking stuff from the different stores in Thamel if you are tight on budget. You can return them after the completion of the journey. 

Bars and Clubs

Bars-and-Clubs-in-thamel

Thamel never sleeps. Several bars, pubs, and clubs make it awake offering drinks, music, dances, and multi-colored night party as well. The nightlife of Thamel is popular throughout Kathmandu valley. 

Along with the party music, visitors can enjoy live performances by local or even national artists there. On the weekend days (Friday evening), these may be crowded. You can find some peaceful places for drinks and some peaceful acoustic performances as well.

Some extra tips while visiting Thamel

thamel

  • As even the streets are safer and police round all the time, stay safe especially at night time. 
  • The streets of Thamel are narrower, and confusing it is better to take the Map with you. 
  • As the alleys are mostly crowded by the locals and foreigners, keep your belongings safe. 
  • You may encounter charlatans, just ignore them.  
  • You can find some street children/ beggars, keep walking ignoring them. Instead of giving money, you can buy them some snacks. 
  • Buying and selling drugs like hashish, heroin, and others are sternly forbidden in Nepal.
  • Do not forget to get a discount while buying things. 

The Bottom Lines 

Thamel, one of the tourist attractions should be visited at least once if you are landing in Nepal. Visiting the people, markets and busy alleys reflects the typical Nepalese lifestyle. 

It fulfills all the desires and the need of every visitor offering varieties of services in the same place. Visitors fall in love with this zone due to its attractions. 

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