OR2K Restaurant

OR2K is a Thamel institution and the first name most travellers mention when you ask where to eat vegetarian in Kathmandu. The Middle Eastern and Israeli menu, relaxed floor-cushion seating and buzzy crowd have made it a backpacker favourite for years.

What to order

Go for the mezze platters, hummus and falafel, washed down with a fresh juice. Portions are generous and built for sharing, so it works best when there are a few of you round the table pulling from the same plates. The kitchen is fully vegetarian with plenty of vegan choices, which makes ordering easy if you've been picking your way around meat-heavy menus elsewhere in the city. If you want a broader sense of where meat-free travellers eat well here, see our guide to vegetarian food in Kathmandu.

The vibe and seating

The draw isn't only the food. Upstairs you sit on low floor cushions with your shoes off at the door, which sets a slower, more sociable pace than a standard table-and-chairs restaurant. It fills up in the evenings and stays lively, so expect a bit of noise and, at busy times, a short wait for the popular cushion spots. Come earlier if you'd rather a quieter meal or a spot overlooking the lane, and don't be in a rush — this is a place people settle into for a long, unhurried dinner.

Finding it

OR2K sits on Mandala Street in the heart of Thamel, Kathmandu's main tourist quarter — a warren of narrow lanes packed with trekking shops, cafes, bookshops and bars. Most visitors are already staying nearby or wandering through, so you'll almost certainly reach it on foot. It's one of the better-known addresses in the area, so if the lanes have you turned around, asking a shopkeeper for OR2K will usually point you the right way. If you're heading in from the airport, it's a short taxi ride to the edge of Thamel, and the last stretch through the pedestrian lanes is walked rather than driven.

Who it suits

This is a natural fit for vegetarians and vegans, solo travellers who don't mind a communal buzz, and small groups after sharing plates without a big bill. It also makes a handy lunch or afternoon-juice stop if you're working remotely in Kathmandu and want something lighter and greener than a full Nepali thali. Families and larger groups do well here too, since the big platters are easy to divide and there's enough variety to keep fussier eaters happy.

What's nearby

You're within easy walking distance of most of Thamel's shopping and nightlife, so it's simple to fold a meal here into an evening out. When you want to escape the crowds, the walled calm of the Garden of Dreams is only a short stroll away on the edge of the neighbourhood. And for a different night, Fire and Ice does reliable pizza a short walk from here — a good back-up when someone in the group isn't in the mood for mezze.