Bhutan - Lindsay Brown [86]
Jumolhari Hotel (Map; 322747; www.hoteljumolhari.com; Wogzin Lam; mains Nu 50-150; breakfast, lunch & dinner) This delightful restaurant in one of Thimphu’s most appealing hotels is notable for its delicious tandoori and curries, delicate naans, cold beer and relaxed atmosphere.
Bhutan Kitchen (Map; 331919; Gatoen Lam; mains Nu 100-300; lunch & dinner) This elegant restaurant showcases Bhutanese cuisine (in addition to a multicuisine menu) in a spacious but warm setting that features traditional seating, a traditional kitchen and store room. It was designed with tour groups in mind, so you can dive into ema datse (chillies and cheese) and other local dishes without calling for the fire brigade. Finish off with a warm arra – the local firewater.
Plums Café (Map; 324307; Chorten Lam; mains Nu 60-120; lunch & dinner Mon-Sat) A small sign above a door points patrons upstairs to this popular restaurant which offers continental food as well as an extensive range of Chinese and Bhutanese. It’s another ideal place to try ema datse or a dish of local mushrooms or nakey.
Rice Bowl (Map; 333844; Centre Mall, Norzin Lam; mains Nu 70-150; lunch & dinner) Excellent chilli pork, Sechuan chicken or the recommended crispy sesame chicken, are just some of the numerous spicy offerings best enjoyed by sharing.
Thai Cuisine (Galingkha Hotel; Map; 328126; Chorten Lam; mains Nu 60-80; lunch & dinner) Local, fresh ingredients are given the Thai touch and presented with flair in this spacious restaurant overlooking the southern traffic circle. Peruse the menu by all means but it’s better to ask the chef what she recommends on the night.
Mid Point Restaurant (Map; 321269; Wogzin Lam; mains Nu 30-60; lunch & dinner) This is a favourite restaurant of many Bhutanese for its generous local, Chinese and Indian dishes, particularly dosas and other south Indian cuisine, at very reasonable prices.
S.N.S. Restaurant (Map; 326177; Chang Lam; breakfast, lunch & dinner) Conveniently located next to All Stars Disco, S.N.S. is a busy place on disco nights and is the only restaurant in town where you might get a late-night snack. It has the only Japanese food around.
NT Hotel (Map; 323458; Norzin Lam; mains Nu 30-70; breakfast, lunch & dinner) Don’t bother checking out the rooms, but the restaurant is a recommended, basic, inexpensive, hot curry and cold beer haunt. Don’t inspect under the tables but do enjoy the Tuesday special.
Most hotel restaurants can put on decent meals, and a few have other charms: Jambayang Resort (Map; 322349; Dechen Lam; mains Nu 70-180; breakfast, lunch & dinner) is noted for its olde worlde charm and superb view over town; on the other hand, the Amankora (Map; 8272333; set menu US$50) boasts international fare and five-star service. Not surprisingly the hotels that primarily cater to Indian guests serve up good-value curries. Try the Hotel Yoedzer (Map; 324007; Wogzin Lam; mains Nu 40-90; lunch & dinner), which also does a mean shepherd’s pie; the Terdzor Hotel (Map; 334453; Norzin Lam; mains Nu 30-50, buffet per person Nu 130; lunch & dinner), which has outstanding Nepali (Friday) and Punjabi (Saturday) buffets; or the Hotel New Grand (Map; 324290; Norzin Lam; mains Nu 30-50; lunch & dinner), an unsophisticated vegetarian restaurant with south Indian delicacies.
Cafés
Art Café (Map; 327933; Doebum Lam; cakes & soups Nu 50-150; 7.30am-7pm, closed Mon) Smart, bright and cosy best describe this Thimphu trendsetter. Great coffee and wicked cakes (such as the addictive chocolate tart) will have you returning again and again, and the small mains selection – hearty soups, pasta, noodles – make for an ideal lunch.
Swiss Bakery (Map; 322259; Chorten Lam; 8am-7pm Wed-Mon) On a hill above the southern traffic circle, this was Bhutan’s first attempt at a fast-food joint. It was opened in 1970 by one of Bhutan’s first expatriates and despite its well-worn appearance it’s a much-loved