Restaurant
Krishnarpan at The Dwarika’s
The Dwarika's Nepali fine-dining room, serving a seasonal multi-course tasting menu that travels across the country's regions with produce from the hotel's own farms.
Utsav Authentic Nepali Restaurant
A Durbar Marg restaurant serving Nepali set meals while dancers in traditional dress perform stories of gods and goddesses throughout dinner.
At a glance
- Type
- Nepali set menu with cultural show
- Area
- Durbar Marg, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Official site
- utsavrestaurant.com.np
Good to know
- Cultural dance show
- Large halls
- Group dining
Why we recommend it
Utsav opened in 2009 with a simple aim: to introduce foreign visitors to Nepali food in a setting that also shows something of the country's culture. It is now on Durbar Marg, in the Lal Durbar area, in an alley beside Ace Travels, after moving from its first home when that building was damaged in the 2015 earthquake. Its two large halls hold up to 250 people, and the venue also hosts conferences and corporate team-building events.
The evening is as much about the welcome and the show as the food. Staff in Nepali dress greet each guest and place a tika on the forehead, and performers in traditional costume present dances through the meal, most of them telling stories of gods and goddesses. The dancing is designed to accompany dinner rather than interrupt it, so conversation is still possible. Staff explain the dishes as they arrive, which helps first-time visitors understand what they are eating; the manager, Mahesh Regmi, spoke to Onlinekhabar about the restaurant's aim of serving authentic Nepali food, a word the reviewer felt was overused in Kathmandu but which Utsav largely lived up to.
The set meal follows a classic Nepali pattern. Onlinekhabar's 2018 review began with chicken momo and went on to steamed rice, black lentils tempered with herbs, mixed vegetables, sauteed spinach, Nepali-style chicken and fish, and fresh tomato pickle. The restaurant says no monosodium glutamate is used, and other cuisines are available for anyone in a group who prefers them. The chicken is cooked with foreign palates in mind, so it is a gentle introduction to Nepali spicing.
Utsav suits first-time visitors, families and tour groups who want a gentle introduction to Nepali food and an evening of food and dance in one place, and its halls are also used for conferences and corporate events. Onlinekhabar's reviewer judged it more of an experience than a food destination, though the food was solid. The review listed opening hours of 10am to 10pm, but call ahead to check show times and to book for a group.
Durbar Marg is also home to the Hotel Yak & Yeti, about 1 km from Thamel, so Utsav is convenient for guests staying in either area.
Utsav Authentic Nepali Restaurant FAQs
When did Utsav open?
In 2009, with the aim of serving Nepali food to visitors from abroad.
Where is it?
In the Lal Durbar area of Durbar Marg, in the alley beside Ace Travels.
Is there a cultural show?
Yes. Dancers in traditional dress perform stories of gods and goddesses throughout the meal.
What is on the set menu?
Typically momo to start, then rice, black lentils, vegetables, spinach, Nepali-style chicken and fish, and tomato pickle.
Is it good for groups?
Yes. Its two halls hold up to 250 people.
Is the food very spicy?
The dishes are cooked to suit visitors unused to strong spice.
How do I book?
Call +977 1 4430170.
Is MSG used?
The restaurant says no monosodium glutamate is added.