Fire and Ice Pizzeria

Fire and Ice Pizzeria is one of Kathmandu's longest-running restaurant success stories — an Italian-run pizzeria that has been serving proper wood-fired, thin-crust pizza near Thamel for decades. After days of dal bhat and momos, it's where many travellers go for a familiar treat.

What to order

The Margherita is the benchmark — a thin, blistered crust and simple toppings done well — but the menu runs through the classic Italian repertoire, with a few spicier options for anyone who wants more of a kick. Save room for the Italian coffee and a scoop of ice cream to finish. Order a couple of pizzas to share and you'll have a proper meal. It sits at the mid-range end of Thamel's dining — a sit-down treat rather than a street-food bargain, and worth it when you're craving something familiar.

The neighbourhood

The restaurant is on Tridevi Marg, the busy road that runs along the southern edge of Thamel, Kathmandu's main travellers' district. Thamel is a warren of narrow lanes packed with trekking-gear shops, bookshops, bars and cafes, and Fire and Ice sits right where that bustle meets the calmer end of town. Next door is the Garden of Dreams, a restored neo-classical garden that's one of the few genuinely quiet green spaces in the city centre — an easy pairing before or after a meal. It's the kind of address you'll walk past repeatedly during any Kathmandu stay, so it's simple to fit in.

Getting there

Most people simply walk. From anywhere in Thamel it's only a few minutes on foot, and the Garden of Dreams entrance makes a useful landmark if you get turned around in the lanes. If you're arriving with luggage or coming from further out, a taxi to the Thamel end of Tridevi Marg drops you close by — see getting from the airport to Thamel for the ride into town. Central Thamel is largely walkable, so once you're staying nearby you rarely need transport to reach it.

Who it suits

This is a reliable choice for anyone wanting a break from Nepali food — trekkers coming off the trail, families with fussy eaters, and groups after a comfortable sit-down dinner in familiar surroundings. It works equally well for a relaxed lunch between sightseeing or a proper evening meal to round off the day. If you'd rather chase local flavours, the momos at Yangling are a short walk away, and there are plenty more places to eat and drink in the Thamel food and nightlife guide.

Good to know

• Location: Tridevi Marg, on the southern edge of Thamel beside the Garden of Dreams.
• When to go: Evenings get busy, especially in the autumn and spring trekking seasons — arrive early or book ahead, and expect lunch to be an easier walk-in.
• Stay nearby: It's an easy stroll from many of the best hotels in Kathmandu, so you can wander back to your room straight after dinner.