Himalayan Java Coffee Thamel

Himalayan Java describes itself as the first specialty coffee shop in Nepal. It opened in 1999 and has since grown into a company with many outlets across the Kathmandu Valley and beyond, including branches in Boudha, Patan, Bhaktapur, Nagarkot and at the airport, as well as franchises abroad. Its head office is on Tridevi Marg in Thamel, and the branch on the main road into Thamel is the one most travellers know.

The company says its beans are grown in the Himalayas on its own farm, then processed, roasted and packed before being sent to its outlets. That makes it a good place to taste Nepali-grown coffee, which is still unfamiliar to many visitors. Its house blends include the Everest Roast and the Thamel Roast, the classic house blend, as well as an espresso roast and a medium roast, and the beans are sold in packs to take home.

The menu covers espresso-based drinks, hand-brewed coffee, iced coffees and smoothies, with a cake display and a limited food menu. Kimkim's guide to the city's cafes described the large Thamel branch as having comfortable sofas, low tables and big group tables with power points, which is why it is popular with people working on laptops and with groups planning treks. Nepal Traveller noted in 2025 that the chain, with branches in Thamel, Basantapur and Boudhanath among others, is popular with both locals and travellers for its espresso drinks, hand-brewed coffee and desserts. Customer favourites quoted on its website include affogato and blended mocha.

Himalayan Java suits solo travellers who want a reliable coffee and a place to sit, as well as groups meeting before a day of sightseeing. It also franchises its Nepali coffee brand at home and abroad, so the Thamel branch is a good introduction to a company that has spread Nepali coffee well beyond the country.

The Thamel branch is on the main road into the district, close to the Garden of Dreams, so it makes a convenient break between sights. If you are heading further afield, the company lists outlets in Boudha and at Pashupati, and one in Nagarkot for those staying on the hill.