Overall it was a good experience! Crowded but cozy local spot in a popular neighborhood. Here for the good vibes ! Despite the vibes the food did not hit the mark. Noodles did not taste like much. It was missing salt and flavor. It tasted like I was eating unseasoned noodles. However, they tried & didn't skimp on the toppings (I guess). read more

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Sometimes you have to trust the Yelp and Google reviews, and I am so glad I did for Cafe Himalaya! Hot momos during the heat-wave might sound counter intuitive, but it was perfect! I was bopping around east village looking for a late lunch, and just wanted something a little spicy. I ordered a plate of the beef sha momos - steamed, and they were perfect! The spicy sauce was the perfect fresh kick to pair with the flavorful filling. Given it was a quiet afternoon, I was surprised by how long it took to get my food. But they did seem very busy in the kitchen. The space has a few tables for dining in, and a bathroom in the basement for customers. But set your expectations accordingly, it's a no-frill spot. Go for the food, not the ambiance. read more

Man - this place was packed for a Tuesday - and definitely felt like it was packed. The heat did make it feel extra hot. We order some of the top three dishes which included the sauteed noodles, the steamed momos, and the chicken curry.   I would like to try the spicy beef next time (looked like other tables were ordering it and I felt jealousy) I did enjoy the flavor of the noodles and the momos. The curry wasn't really anything that stood out to me. Service was fast and there were a few people waiting while we ate. Small place so try to only bring people you like. read more

Cafe Himalaya - Himalayan/Nepalese Near Me - New York, New York

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Delicious, affordable, and satisfying Tibetan food near the East Village! Stopped by for lunch with a friend and we left stuffed and satisfied with the meal. It was a nice cross between Chinese and Indian with many cooking techniques and flavors melded from both. It's a no frills spot that gets the basics right, we ended up splitting some beef momos (the hot sauce paired with them was divine), I got the traditional Tibetan noodle soup with shrimp (would recommend a different protein), and my friend got a spicy lamb (?) dish that he seemed to enjoy. There is plenty of seating inside, but chairs can be a tad uncomfortable. Fortunately food comes quick so you may not have to sit for long! The service was fast and efficient and refilled our waters / provided extra napkins when we asked. I would definitely return when in the mood for Tibetan food. read more

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Amazing food, great price. Can't wait to come back. Just felt really classic, no frills food. Got a beer w my food which is always really nice. I do wish I had gotten my noodles w beef instead but I'll just have to be back to try more things on the menu. Extensive veggie options as well. Sorry for taking my pic halfway through the meal lol. read more

Cafe Himalaya - Beef momo and pan fried noodles w chicken - Himalayan/Nepalese Near Me - New York, New York

I've been putting off writing a review for one of my FAVORITE places in New York City. Cafe Himalaya is a hidden gem in the LES. The place is small (like most places in the city); however, they manage just fine. This family-owned establishment offers friendly service and some of the most delicious food you will ever eat! Their Menu is full of all the yummies! In the winter, their Dal (Lentil) soup hits, in the summer, their Avocado salad is right on point. Their Chili Chicken makes my mouth water just thinking about it. No matter what you order, you will not be disappointed. I will continue to return until they kick me out! read more

Had to return to this place from when I visited my last trip because it's just that good. It's small but well-attended restaurant with patrons coming in and out and having lively conversation or getting food to-go. There was plenty of seating at 1:00 PM but quickly filled up. I got their Sha Thukpa with shrimp, and it was just so comforting without being too heavy. I didn't get them this time but I highly recommend getting the Momos -- they are so delicious and crispy! This place always gives large portions of food with cheap prices and has super friendly staff. I think they prefer if you pay with cash but they will take card. I will always recommend this place to people! read more

Cafe Himalaya - #28 Sha Thukpa with Shrimp - Himalayan/Nepalese Near Me - New York, New York

Lived in the neighbourhood for 2y and this place came highly recommended by locals. No frills, affordable lunch / dinner spot. Came Food (5/5) - Momos here are to die for. Should I come back, would probably just eat those as a full meal. Saw a few patrons doing that, to be honest. We had the Sha Momo (pan fried), Sha Thukpa, Chili Chicken. Sha Thukpa in the heat was a mistake but honestly we still really liked it. Tomato-based, mild broth with round and thick noodles, some spinach and beef. Could be very hearty, especially when sick, without being too heavy. Service (5/5) - Fast, reliable, staff are non-intrusive. Most patrons seem to know what they want and don't really need much hand-holding. Ambiance (3/5) - Only thing to nitpick here. Think maybe normally they'd have AC but it was during a heatwave and restaurant was packed despite not having it. Was sitting in a puddle of my sweat at the end of the meal, but still worth it. Price (5/5) - 50 for 2 including a drink. Hard to beat that around here. read more

3.5 stars. Unfortunately I thought the food was on the bland side, but I also did order vegetarian food. The place is very cute and the staff is very nice. Not my most favorite food but glad I checked it out read more

Cafe Himalaya - Himalayan/Nepalese Near Me - New York, New York

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Small place but very fast turnover. Give it 15ish mins and you'll likely get a table Service is no fluff and to the point Definitely try the momos with the hot sauce. Felt more like dumplings though. Not a bad thing. We tried the crispy noodles with veggies and chicken - was very flavorful and yummy We tried the lamb curry - it tastes 99% like the home made Sunday stew we make in Calcutta. Amazing subtle flavors - squeeze some lemon juice in, mash the potatoes with a fork and then eat this flavor bomb. AMAZING!! Chili chicken was a little too sweet for na although the idea was there - crispy tangy some veggies Darjeeling tea comes with milk and sugar so you don't really get a lot of Darjeeling tea flavor But that's said on the menu so you can decide accordingly Overall, no frills places for good food. Everything is about 16$ ish. There's a 4% cash discount read more

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Cafe Himalaya is my hidden gem and the first recommendation I provide people come to the city. Everything I've tried here is fantastic -- fresh, hearty without being too heavy, warming, and satiating. Everyone talks about the momos and they are fantastic and very much worth the hype. Give it a try! And don't be dissuaded by a wait; I usually get a table within 30 minutes. read more

Cafe Himalaya - The chicken momos are worth the hype (really!) - Himalayan/Nepalese Near Me - New York, New York

In a world where we are now wearing ski goggles that operate as a computer-iphone hybrid to stack on to our reality, it's always refreshing to go to a restaurant where the host is frantically writing down names with a bic pen into a small notepad. The current tech boom kind of lost me at the apple watch, as I found it way too overwhelming to get texts to my wrist ahahaha. I pulled up to Cafe Himalaya fresh out of the steam room hungrier than a 2008 Kobe Bryant, willing to do anything to prove he doesn't need Shaq to win a ring. On a Friday night at primetime, I was told by a short Tibetan looking host/waiter/food runner/busboy hybrid it was a 15-20 minute wait. He was doing it ALL in there shoutout to my boy. I couldn't help but smile when we sat down, as time seemingly hasn't changed this place. I've never been to the Tibetan region of the world, but I can only imagine this is what it would feel like. The dining area of Cafe Himalaya is one 700 sf room (ballpark) that consists of about 20 war torn two tops, a handwritten chalkboard of popular menu items, old pictures of the region littering the walls, and a smell that just feels like you have teleported out of nyc and straight to the Himalayas... not that I've been to the Himalayas but.... a man could dream can't he? We put in Ruthang Momo soup, Chasha Momo, Sha Momo, Chicken Curry, and the Shapta. Everyone kept saying momo this momo that, but momo is just a Tibetan dumpling so don't be intimidated. People just love to sound sophisticated and cultured like that smh... BUT THE MOMO WAS ABSOLUTE HEAT OH MY GOODNESS. I'm still dreaming about the momo soup, which at $5.99 is a mf STEAL! Inflation buster territory. It was 4 traditional Tibetan beef momo in a light broth with some veggies that packed a flavor that warmed my soul. I can't stop thinking about it. Wherever I go I've been seeing that bowl of Ruthang momo soup..... The other 16 Momo (8 beef, 8 chicken) we ordered and demolished were also delicious, but the beef was dubbing the chicken. I feel like everyone likes beef better than chicken though haha. But what do I know? Don't let me tell you how to live your life. My Shapta, which was traditional Tibetan spicy beef w/ veggies and a side of rice, hit the spot as well. Just quality food packed with flavor but not in an overwhelming way... and was a beast portion size for $15.99, albeit not inflation buster territory. The interior here was one of the coziest environments I've been in in the city. Although it was packed, I felt like I could take a breath. Places with character like this calm me down a bit and take me out of the hustle bustle of nyc that can chew you up and spit you out if you're not careful. Alright, I'm doing the most now but I really do love this place. One of my favorite things about nyc is that you can live here for years and never go to a place like this. They are just sitting there, waiting to be found. Hell, I never even thought about Tibetan cuisine until this place haha. But I learned, and I will now proceed to tell everyone with two ears about Momo until they ask "Wait, what's Momo?" just so I can feel superior and say "WAIT.......YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT MOMO!?!?!" Thank you, Cafe Himalaya. Thank you, Momo. IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov__ read more

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All of the dishes were good overall! I really enjoyed the dumplings and how flavorful it was. The avocado salad was also a good appetizer. The coldness of the potatos kind of took me by surprised. The beef supta was just ok although it was one of the most popular items. It was a bit too sweet and the sauce had a taste similar to a combination of ketchup and siracha. I loved the texture of the noodles but the spices and flavors were not mixed in very well so sometimes it tasted too bland while flavorful in others. The mango lassi was a great addition to the meal and I would highly recommend. For the price, coziness, and the food, Cafe Himalaya is a solid restaurant. read more

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Love going to Cafe Himalaya for a no frills, casual, and affordable meal! With nothing over $16 on the menu, you can be sure that you'll end up with a full belly and a happy wallet. Last time we went to Cafe Himalaya, we ordered their pan fried Sha Momo (traditional Tibetan beef dumplings), Sha Thukpa (noodle soup with vegetables and shrimp), and their Chili Chicken. My favorite was 100% the Sha Momo. It was pan fried to a crisp and the filling was seasoned perfectly. The dish came with a chili sauce and some pickled cabbage, which balanced out the dish well. Their noodle soup tasted very homey and I can see it being a great dish if you're ever in the mood for a warm bowl of noodle soup that reminds you of something your mom would make for you. The Chili Chicken was just ok. It's sweet and sour, a flavor combination that I'm a fan of, but the breading was a little too thick for me. Overall, it's a great place for a cheap and yummy meal. Would highly recommend coming for the momos! read more

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I tried pan-fried shogok momo takpa (potato dumplings) and tsel phing (bean thread noodles with paratha). The momos had a delicious filling with plenty of spices, and I enjoyed the flavors and textures of the tsel phing. The flaky paratha on the side made for a unique touch. Prices were very reasonable for about $26 for a large meal. read more

This is my favorite place in NYC these days. As a vegetarian, the flavors and textures are incredible. I always order the same thing: spicy tofu sautéed with onions, ginger, garlic, bell peppers, tomato, scallion, and cilantro--so good. I pair it with momos, a soup, and tea. And since I get so much I always have left over. Any time I'm in the neighborhood, this is the spot I want to go. Though prepared to wait a little since it is small and many people love it! read more

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I regret not finding this place earlier. Employees combine speed with real kindness. They offer many different dishes and all taste fresh and good. Their dishes show consistency and the place is perfectly positioned for me. The spot impresses in every way! read more

A noticeable decline in quality. Meats are thinly sliced to disguise small portions. Seasoning is withheld.

After several meals here, I finally have enough perspective to comment. The staff delivered good service with attentive care. Thanks. I found both the taste and amount pleasing. It's a tight fit but feels good, with staff who are sufficiently nice. This restaurant stands out, and I'll definitely be back. read more

I had a great time at Cafe Himalaya. A couple of friends and I met up to hang out because we haven't in a while. The food is great, flavorful, and tasty. Definitely will come back and try some other entrees. Even the wine was good and overall not very expensive, which is always a good thing. The place is small, and outside seating consists of a table of four. However, they can fit another table outside if needed. So enjoy, and you can actually have and hear your conversation . read more

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Absolutely amazing. I came here two times and never regretted it. All their food is so good and homey and definitely so authentic. The price here is actually a lot compared to the ones I tried in Queens but they probably have a high rent to pay compared to over there, hence why it's easier to get here when I live a train stop away versus riding 1 hour on the subway. My top dishes are the chili dofu and the gyathuk takpa! The chili dofu is so addicting and has a really amazing flavor that makes you want more and more. The gyathuk takpa is interesting because the noodles are crispy and it tastes really good with the veggies on top! The other ones I got was the tsel khowa and the other lamb curry and those are not as memorable. I also always get the momo which is a staple. I would say that the price is kind of a lot for these dishes and it's over 50 dollars whenever I eat here since appetizer and mains both cost a bit over 10 dollars- we end up getting more than what we expect since the portions are reasonable but not huge to really share with two. There was also cockroaches here the last time I came so that's something to note as well but this area is usually filled with them and it's not too alarming for me but I would bump 1 star down from the 5 for that - overall cleanliness, high pricing and service is slow. read more

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You won't find better food here. The staff member started with the standard welcome and ordering question. I found culinary artistry at Cafe Himalaya. Their decor strikes a perfect balance between fancy and relaxed. I promote this place whenever possible. read more

This is my goto takeout spot. I absolutely love their cabbage salad (refreshing and surprisingly filling). I've also had their momos, noodles, and chili chicken. I would repeat order everything except maybe the chilli chicken. The service is very quick and the staff is friendly. It is extremely no frills ie limited seating and warm. I wouldn't ever find there personally but the food is absolutely worth it read more

Absolutely delicious. Everything. Thukpa was warm and homey and flavorful. The momos were also delicious. Prices extremely fair too. Highly recommend this spot !!! read more

Cafe Himalaya - #15 Thukpa - Himalayan/Nepalese Near Me - New York, New York

This place does not take reservations, so you have to wait outside to be seated. We waited for about half an hour outside as the restaurant itself is quite small. Service was typical and food came out rather quickly. I ordered the darjeeling tea, the momos, and the gyathuk takpa. The darjeeling tea had a hint of minty flavor and was overall quite pleasant to sip on throughout the meal as it helped cut through the heaviness of the other dishes. The momos were alright; the dough was thicker than I am used to. They were not phenomenal and you can get better ones in Jackson Heights. The gyathuk takpa are fried noodles topped with vegetables and meat. I really enjoyed the presentation of the dish, but the noodles were sitting in a bit of residual oil from the frying on the plate, which was a little off-putting. Overall, this is a cute local restaurant for some good eats. read more

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Love it! One of the best restaurants in the city for vegetarians. Veggie momos are my favorite here.

The busy atmosphere convinced me to give this place a chance. Employees here know their business and focus on customers. The dishes offer remarkable quality and freshness for a place focused on quick service. Incredibly good. The dishes seem promising from sight. read more

loved the momos and the noodles. such a homey atmosphere and delicious food. will be returning asap! read more

Cafe Himalaya - Himalayan/Nepalese Near Me - New York, New York

Welcome to the BEST Tibetan restaurant you'll ever go to, which also happens to be my favorite restaurant ever!! My aunt and I discovered this spot years ago and it has been our spot ever since. The food is spectacular and never fails me with incredible flavor. The owners are such nice people that make you feel like you're family. We are always well taken care of. Although it's a small spot there's seats outside, which is great in the summer. I literally go to eat Sha momos and paratha. It's my top two favorite things that I ALWAYS get. Their fried rice is great as well. They have bottle of wines for a great price for that area. I highly recommend. read more

Cafe Himalaya - #26 Sha Momo 8 Pieces - Himalayan/Nepalese Near Me - New York, New York

Short review: Cheap tasty Tibetan food. Would recommend their chili chicken and their shapta the most but the rest were good. The tsel shesha was my favorite veggie dish but in general I preferred the meat here. Also as noted early, outstanding paratha. Worth it for $2. Went here with a small group a while back. Note that Tibetan food has a lighter flavor spectrum compared to Indian so if you're looking for a spicier kick, I'd suggest another spot. However if your looking for Himalayan food and looking for a cheaper place in the overpriced area that is the border of East Village/LES and to support a local mom and pop spots, this was quite good. In terms of drinks I had a ginger tea which had a super strong ginger flavor (they gave honey to add, it was alright) and I had a butter tea/bocha later which was better and tasty. They also have Chai and absurdly cheap lassi including mango and banana. Shoutouts go to their paratha first of. Perfect texture and it oddly had a strong coconut flavor. Unsure if they make theirs in coconut milk or something due to that flavor but really tasty and highly recommended like everyone else says. We got a few vegetarian dishes. The tsangsel was essentially coleslaw with a light sesame dressing and it was a light refreshing dish. The aloo katsa which we got soon after was the Tibetan lighter version of aloo dum. It was also pretty tasty. To round out the small dishes, I can't describe the black channa salad as tasting anything but of the veggies it consisted of. I could imagine it selling well in a health food store. The tsel shesha, a sauteed spicy mixed vegetable, was my favorite of the vegetarian options. This consisted of mushrooms, broccoli, zucchini, carrots, & spinach, and it was very well flavored. Would recommend For meat, the chili chicken was outstanding and probably my favorite of the dishes. Nicely spiced and not too sweet. The shapta (stir fried spicy beef) was also very good with little strips of chewy tasty beef. The momos (I believe we got one of each type) had a good texture but I have had some from momo specialty shops so it's hard to compete. The sha khowa consisted of a light curry with beef or chicken and it was also good served with "bean thread noodles" which had a fun texture. The final dish with meat was the gyathuk ngopa a fried noodle dish with veggies and shrimp. It reminded of some Chinese places (I presume some influence) and it was a tasty noodle dish. For dessert, we got something called Deysee which I haven't found outside of here. Apparently from research this is Dre-si, a traditional dish served on Tibetan New Year, This was a sweet rice & raisin pudding mixed with yogurt, They top theirs with strawberries and this was a light unique tasty dessert. I would recommend. Good food here with reasonable prices. Low 4. read more

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This will be my second time getting momos. The momos were delicious. Much better than the ones I got at a mini food hall in Maryland. Although the beef momos were so delicious, I'm not sure if I would choose them over dumplings as they were 4-5x the cost but they were definitely worth the occasional splurge. I also tried the sauté noodles with shrimp. I still can't pinpoint what it tasted like. It was very unique and different from other Asian noodle dishes I've had before. Come check this place out! read more

Good and efficient !! I wish i was hungrier bc all i tried was the himalayan salad (spicy one w cauliflower potatoes peas tofu) it was v good cold and fresh for this hot day even if i wasnt crazy abt the treatment of the tofu (kind of just cut up raw in the sauce). I alr know i wld have loved the momos and other dishes so im looking forward to coming back! read more

Food was very tasty and for such reasonable prices. great place to stop by when you want a quick, yet satisfying culinary experience. Juicy, flavorful, and just so yummy. Will be back and back and back again read more

1st time, I stop by. I was expected more tasty...vegetables need to be more cooked. Esp Onions. It was still low and hard to eat when they cut very large pieces. We waited about 10-15min. I liked the cozy and homey atmosphere. I enjoyed it it food was ok. read more

Inconspicuous spot but great food and service. We had momos, chasha shamdey (lamb) and fried rice with chicken. Food is tasty. Service is fast. Not good for large groups. Excellent choice. read more

Cafe Himalaya - Menu board - Himalayan/Nepalese Near Me - New York, New York

No frills but the food is fire. They have a butternut curry that is to die for. I can't stop thinking about it. Spicy

Small, friendly, and priced well! This place is like that nice hole in the wall joint which you've probably walked without much consideration. Go in, get fed, be happy! Portion to price ratio is damn good for NYC. Full of flavor and spice .. if that's your thing. read more

Cafe Himalaya - Himalayan/Nepalese Near Me - New York, New York

6-13 dollars per dish - what a steal in LES. The spot is close to all the main bars too. It's a small restaurant so don't expect to stay here for long! Eat quickly and leave type of spot We ordered some dishes that were described as spicy but they weren't spicy at all (i cant handle spice well) The bread was super super buttery and flavorful. I could eat that without any sauces! Smoothies were fresh. Would come back! read more

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I initially want to go to Katz's deli bug line was way long. Found this place on my way back to F train. I love momo's so had to try. They had veg, chicken & beef momo's $12 for 8 dumplings. A big pricier than those in Jackson heights but saves me trouble of transit. I dined in. The hot pepper sauce was potent. I ordered the veg panfried which came out 1st. The chicken & beef were steamed. The dumpling skin had a nice chewy texture; not too hard. The dishes came with a nice cabbage slaw which. Loved! I can eat that as a whole side dish! Had a mild tangy and sesame flavor. The chicken momo had a nice broth. The beef filling was soft. The veg filling was neutral but fried gave if more flavor. I also ordered their squash chili which was great, mild spice accompanied with crunchy onion & bell peppers. It was after lunch snd they were initially full. They have limited seating do go during off peak hours so you can relax and eat. Spanish music was playing in back and someone was singing. My kind of atmosphere! I would definitely support this business. And def support local small businesses. Great veg, noodle & rice options. read more

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Ordered on the phone for dine-in on a weekday night and the restaurant was pretty full, even when the restaurant was 45min from closing (which is why we ordered ahead). When we got to the restaurant though, they forgot our order and apologized. We were seated outside and waited 20min for our meal. We got the tea leaf salad, pan-fried sha momos, and roti. It was a nice snack as we were doing a food tour all night. There was nothing to dip the roti with. Overall, I'm not sure going out of the way during our trip for this spot was worthwhile considering how much food there is in NYC; I didn't find it extraordinary but it's definitely a family business that the community enjoys. read more