Nepali Times

Pizzas are hit and miss in Kathmandu. While Fire and Ice and Roadhouse Cafe are the big boys, Pizza Hut is average at best, and most other restaurants serve the Italian delight as an afterthought. Himalayan Pizza, the newest kid in town, has finally arrived with a mission to transform the Valley’s pizzascape.

Boasting a delivery service anywhere in or around Thamel, Himalayan enjoys the distinction of being run by a genuine Italian manager, as well as having a chef who has plied his trade around the world. The influence shows on the menu, which includes not only traditional Italian favourites, but also an inventive ‘fusion’ selection with toppings native to the particular region of Nepal that the pizzas are named after. For example, the Annapurna pizza is lined with spicy paneer, boiled egg, and zucchini.

Space is a bit of premium, but you can choose to sit in the outdoor ‘garden’ or a bigger room connected to it by a small staircase. Being surrounded by high-rise apartments on both sides gives the impression that you’re dining at a friend’s loft.

There is a buffet of pizzas to choose from -108 to be exact- both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, and the pizzas aren’t huge (the small ones are about the size of a large saucer) so you can afford to try a bit more of the menu. The owners tell me they settled on 108 because it is a lucky number in Hindu and Buddhist cultures.

We felt like having a real Italian-style meal, which always begins with an antipasto dish. Usually made from cold cuts and fresh bread, antipasto entrees are intended to prime you for the main, heavier course. We ordered the crostino amalfi (Rs 135. pic left), Italian bread topped with cheese and tomatoes, and served with olive oil. Bite-sized pieces enough for one person, they were the perfect starters before the pizzas arrived.

Being a big fan of cheesy pizzas, we got the small Quattro Formaggi (Rs 225) or four cheeses in Italian. Baked with mozzarella, parmesan, cottage cheese, and feta, it was savoury without being overwhelming. The small Pavarotti (Rs 285) won’t make you warble like the famed opera singer, but its mushrooms and smoked ham was a nice contrast to the vegetarian option.

But the menu really shines in its fusion pizzas, for where else but Nepal could you get spicy buffalo meat as a pizza topping? The small Gorkha (Rs 275, pic centre), topped with spicy buffalo, chilies, and garlic was fiery and flavourful. There’s a pizza for every town in Nepal, so pick your destination and see if it matches up.

With salads, pastas, and fruit pizzas for the kids looking to try something sweet, Himalayan has enough options to keep both adults and children coming back for more. Give it a try next time you’re in Thamel.

How to get there: Ask around for Hotel Manang in Chaksibari Marg, Thamel. Himalayan Pizza is right next to the hotel.