Burger Shack: Possibly the best burger place in K-town

We came across Burger Shack when we were on a burger hunt in Kathmandu. We wanted to find out where we could get some really good burgers. We visited a lot of places and liked many of them but Burger Shack blew our minds. This is the place we will be returning to when we want burgers from now on. It has three outlets—in Kamaladi, Sanepa, and Jawalakhel. The burgers taste the same in all three places. We were quite impressed with the consistency. But we prefer the one in Kamaladi as it has a bigger seating area than the other outlets.   The burgers here are to die for. One of their bestsellers is the Baconiser. It’s basically crispy bacon in a bun but there are other fillings too that nicely balance out the flavors. The fillings ooze out as you bite into it but the burger is worth the mess you make. For neat freaks, they have the Hissi Mini, a set of four mini-burgers. These are easier to eat because of their comparatively smaller size and you don’t make a mess either. But the taste is the same as their regular burgers. We think these are fun to eat on the go.   If you don’t want to start with burgers and would rather ease into the meal, then there are plenty of options for that too. Burger Shack has a nice variety of starters. We recommend the Bacon Cheese Fries. It’s exactly what the name suggests: bacon, cheese, and fries. It’s delightful and just right for two people to share.   To wash down the scrumptious meal, we suggest you opt for something refreshing rather than a milkshake. A milkshake burger combination feels a little too heavy. Whatever you choose to do, you won’t be disappointed with the place. Their specials

  • Baconiser
  • Bacon Cheese Fries
  • Hissi Mini
Opening hours: 12:00 noon to 8:00 pm Locations: Kamaladi, Sanepa, Jawalakhel Meal for 2: Rs 1,500 Online/Card Payment: Accepted Reservations: 9813214458/980844708 Parking Space: Not available

Future Foods: So much goodness under one roof

It’s difficult to say no to biryani. But we have all been disappointed when we have been served a plate full of rice and chicken in the name of biryani. ‘Biryani Moments’ is different. Located in a secluded area at Shankhamul, Kathmandu, it’s one of the many brands under Future Foods, a cloud kitchen. Besides Biryani Moments, there’s Biggies Burgers & Fries and Pie Pickers Pizza that are equally good. The biryani they serve is perhaps one of the best you can find in Kathmandu. It’s neither dry, nor soggy. It’s neither spicy, nor bland. A single serving comes with two chicken-leg pieces, which are tender with perfectly balanced flavors. You will definitely go back for more as well as recommend it to your friends. The burger here is delicious as the patty is juicy and cooked just right. But burger lovers will attest that it’s the bread bit that makes or breaks the burger. The bun they use is made from scratch and they have their own special recipe. The same goes for the pizza as well. The thin-crust pizza was surprisingly good for one that was made in the microwave.  There is another quite peculiar dish that has just been launched. It’s called ‘Saptarangi Momo’ and there are seven pieces in one plate. The name comes from the fact that they have used seven colors to make the momo wraps. Don’t be alarmed as they haven’t used any artificial coloring. The chef mixes organic food materials like spinach, beetroot, turmeric, etc. to create the desired colors that are used. It not only tastes good but makes for an Instagram-worthy photo as well. The best part about Future Foods is that it’s open 24/7 and their delivery service also operates round the clock. So, the next time you are hungry and find yourself trying to decide between leftovers or instant noodles, we suggest you give Future Foods a try. Specials:

  • Chicken Hyderabad Lazeej Dum Biryani
  • Classic Chicken Burger
  • Saptarangi Momo
Opening hours: 24 hours Location: Shankhamul, Kathmandu Meal for two: Rs 1,500 Online payment: Accepted Reservations: 01-5906111/01-5261562 Parking: Not available 

Places Restaurant: A haven for vegetarians and vegans

If you’re a vegetarian or a vegan, you might always be on the lookout for different places to eat. There are, after all, only so many options. We would like to recommend Places Restaurant. Conveniently located in central Thamel, it has quite a wide variety of dishes. Best, they also serve gluten-free food. Dim, warm lights with soft music playing in the background create a serene, pleasant atmosphere. You will feel instantly relaxed. They have also dedicated two entire walls to display and auction art by contemporary Nepali artists. The seating area is varied too, with both floor and cabaret style arrangements. Food-wise, Places Restaurant won’t disappoint. Popcorn Chili, which is basically popcorn fried in Chinese kung pao sauce, was a delight. We had never tasted anything like it. The Mexican quesadilla, a tortilla with cheese, corn, and other fillings, that is served with salsa and sour cream is crispy and soft at the same time. It hits all the right taste buds. The salsa could have been slightly better but when everything else was near-perfect, we don’t want to complain. You can wash your meal down with a Peach Iced Tea or Fresh Mint Lemonade. Both are equally good. We would be hard-pressed to pick a favorite. They also have an array of probiotic drinks that you might want to try. Specials: Popcorn Chilly Mexican Quesadilla Padthai Noodles Opening hours: 8:00am - 11:00pm Location: Thamel Meal for two: Rs 1,500 Online/Card Payment: Accepted Reservations: 01-5914599 Parking Space: Yes

Khushi Coffee House: A unique combo of food and games

If spending an afternoon at a cafe with multiple choices of board games to play and books to read is your idea of a perfect outing, then you should definitely check out Khushi Coffee House.  This establishment at Battisputali offers a variety of board games to choose from for the customers to enjoy along with their food and drinks. For the bookish types, there is a small collection of books to skim through while enjoying your coffee. The place does not lack in the entertainment department. That’s for certain. But food-wise, it could do better.  What stands out among their specials is the ‘Mixed Ramen’ served with well-balanced spice flavors. This one is definitely a hit, the standout dish that everyone should try. With your hot bowl of ramen order a glass of Green Lemon Iced Tea. They somehow go together really well. The hot spicy taste of ramen is offset, rather soothingly, by the iced tea without ruining your taste.       One of their other specials, Cheese and Chicken Pizza, falls short of expectation. A readymade packaged dough and generic flavors and toppings are what you get. The taste is best described as ‘doughy’—but you be the judge.   Their other special, Chicken Wrap with Onion Rings, is also, well, okayish. Perhaps, it is a good choice for those who love sour tasting food with a distinct taste of egg.  Their other drink called the Blue Lagoon is an acquired taste. Whether it is a hit or a miss, the jury is still out.    Khushi Coffee House is a great hangout place for a group of friends to enjoy a fun, entertaining afternoon. But do not expect too much out of the menu.   Their Special Mixed Ramen Chicken wrap with onion rings Cheese and chicken pizza Opening hours: 7:00am to 9:00pm Location: Battisputali Meal for 2: Rs 1,000 Online/Card Payment: Accepted Parking Spot: None