Elen Turner, author of The Best Digital Nomad Neighborhoods in Kathmandu, shares her pick for the Nepalese capital's best hang-out spots for world-traveling remote workers.

The Best Restaurants in Kathmandu for Digital Nomads

OR2K: Serving Israeli/Middle Eastern vegetarian food over two floors in the heart of Thamel, this is a great place to bring your laptop and lounge on the comfy sofas and pillows on the floor.

Chez Caroline: With indoor and outdoor courtyard tables, Chez Caroline serves some of the best French food south of the Himalayas and west of Vietnam. It’s in the elegant Babar Mahal Revisited complex in a renovated palace building.

Fire and Ice: Serving arguably the best pizzas in town, this institution on Tridevi Sadak in Thamel is the place to go when you need a break from dal bhat.

Krishnarpan Restaurant: For a special occasion you can’t beat Krishnarpan, in the five-star Dwarika’s Hotel near Pashupatinath Temple. Multi-course set meals allow you to sample dishes from all over Nepal.

Roadhouse Café: With many branches around Kathmandu (including Thamel, Patan, Boudha, and Lazimpat), Roadhouse is a reliable choice for pizza and non-Nepali food.

Dan Ran Japanese Restaurant: With tatami-mat flooring indoors and outdoor seating, this Jhamsikhel restaurant is a great place to eat authentic Japanese food.

Le Sherpa: European-inspired fine dining on Maharajgunj Road, beyond Lazimpat Road.

The Village Café: A social enterprise that supports local women, the Pulchowk branch is one of the best places to try authentic Newari food in a modern restaurant setting.

Pho 99: With branches in Boudha and Lalitpur, this is the best place in Kathmandu for a serving of fresh, tasty Vietnamese food.

Curilo: Great sandwiches and burgers, and handy for the British or Indian embassies and English-language schools.

The Best Bars in Kathmandu for Digital Nomads

Jazz Upstairs: This live jazz venue on Lazimpat Road ups the quality of live music in Kathmandu.

Tom and Jerry Pub: Hang out with young (and not so young) Nepali river guides over a round of pool at this popular spot.

Purple Haze Rock Bar: Rockers will find the home of live music and rock shows in the heart of Thamel.

Places Restaurant and Bar: Interesting murals and mood lighting make this an equally great spot for dining or drinking.

Pauline’s Rooftop: Run by French Pauline, this stylish place on Lazimpat Road is ideal on a hot summer evening.

Shisha Lounge and Bar: This relaxed shisha bar in Thamel also serves good food.

Club OMG: When you want to bust a move, this is a fun place to dance in Thamel.

Reggae Bar: Head here for reggae, rock, and other live music in Thamel.

Base Camp: The place to go for good-quality drinks and live music in Sanepa.

Sam’s Bar: A bit of an institution among travelers, this is a popular spot in Thamel.

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The Best Digital Nomad Cafes in Kathmandu

Dhokaima Café: In a spacious courtyard behind a brick wall (and small bookshop) at Patan Dhoka, you’re likely to see Nepali journalists on their coffee breaks here. 

Himalayan Java Mangalbazar: This small branch of the Nepali cafe chain is in a heritage-listed building around the corner from the Patan Durbar Square and provides a calm respite from the bustling market outside its doors.

Himalayan Java Thamel: This large branch on an upper floor of Tridevi Sadak has many tables and couches, as well as balcony seating, and is a comfortable place to work.

Café Soma: On a busy street in Jhamsikhel, Café Soma is popular with expats, and sells Nepal and India-themed books.

Café Swotha: A quiet cafe beneath a boutique down an alley near the Patan Durbar Square. The tables, power points and WiFi make working here easy.

The Best Coworking Spaces in Kathmandu for Digital Nomads

Nepal Communitere: This “innovation hub” in Lalitpur is a good spot for longer-term remote workers.

kar.maCOFFEE@HUB: With branches in Thamel, Boudha, and Jhamsikhel, this is a relaxed place to bring your work and enjoy local coffee.  

Work Around: A stylish coworking spot in Lazimpat that’s ideal for groups; there are photocopiers, scanners, and other helpful additions.

Kausimaa Coworking Space: Colorful murals and plants brighten up the work day at this coworking cafe in Patan.

Open Gov Hub: A coworking space in the Lazimpat area specifically for non-profits and individuals working on issues of governance, transparency, and accountability.

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