While walking on the streets of Thamel you come across a lot of restaurants. Some are good, some are bad but there are a few that are truly unique. One such café I came across was ‘The Café with No Name’ located near Mandala Street.
The café is a hidden gem in Thamel. It has a rustic vibe to it coupled with a rugged pub-like look. The warm lighting along with soft blues music gives way to a cozy ambiance.
Upon talking to the manager of the café, Yanki, I found out that the restaurant is part of Our Sansar, an NGO that looks after street kids in various regions of the country. He also told me that 100 per cent of the profits from the café go to the benefit of street children.
The only meat item on the menu is tuna. The limited menu means that the food is good. The menu has pasta, salads, burgers, sandwiches, and soups which goes quite well with the range of classic wine and Nepal’s only craft beer Sherpa.
To start with, I went for hummus served with vegetable sticks and bread. The chickpea spread went well with the baguette. It had a nutty taste and a peppery flavour to it. The cucumbers and carrots on the side gave the dish a healthy touch.
The other dish I went for was the chunky bread sandwich. I went for the one with feta cheese, tomato, and olives and came with a side salad. The sandwich was delicious. Not like your average sandwich, this one is open and can be eaten like a pizza. The feta cheese gave the bread a sharp salty and tangy taste and was full of flavour. The cheese blended quite well with the tomatoes and olive topping on the dish which would be ideal with a glass of red wine. You can also try the sandwich with Tuna and cream cheese with toppings like gherkin, jalapeno peppers and rocket.
For dessert, Yanki recommended the Banana Chocolate Muffin. The muffin makes for a great dessert as it’s fluffy, buttery and full of chocolates which for a sweet tooth like me were a treat. They taste like a warm slice of banana bread which have been perfectly domed and have just the right amount of chocolate.
Other items that look nice are paninis which have been received well by the customers who come here. They also serve tofu burgers that stand out. I’ve heard that their pasta is just as good along with their salad which is served in enormous portions. They also serve breakfast which is also available with vegan options.
Overall, the cafe is a place everyone should visit at least once. The place is small but is an escape for those who want to get away from chaotic Thamel.
The café is raising awareness about street children in Nepal. This gives the customers who visit the cafe a chance to help an organisation working with street children.
Location: Thamel (Opposite the Purple Haze bar)
Phone: 981-0226449
Opening hours: 9:30 AM – Midnight
