Where to eat in Lhasa: 9 Best Restaurants in Lhasa

Food is an indelible element of culture, telling us stories about social customs and ancient traditions. As an ancient city with a history of thousands of years, Lhasa naturally has a unique Tibetan food culture, which keeps locals and visitors exploring the city center and surrounding neighborhoods where excellent Tibetan cuisine, Himalayan cuisine (Nepalese and Indian) and Western dishes are on the menus. For those who haven’t taken a tour in Tibet yet, the food here may be far beyond their imagination. 

Most Tibetan restaurants in Lhasa can be found when you stroll around Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street, while Western-style restaurants are mainly distributed on the Beijing road. Here we lay bare the secrets of the best restaurants in Lhasa and tell you where to find it.

Opening Hours: 11:00 am – 10:30 pm
Address: No.1 Danjielin Road (opposite the Shambhala Palace), Chengguan District, Lhasa (拉萨市城关区丹杰林路6号)
Tel: +86-13889015053
Price: CN¥ 64/person
Special Diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options

Locals will tell you that the best restaurants in Lhasa are at Tibetan Family Kitchen, an elegant Tibetan building on the southeastern corner of Barkhor Street, which is also the No. 1 Lhasa Restaurant on TripAdvisor. It is advised that you order up the home-style recipes such as yak meat in tomato sauce, but you can now try chicken curry, yak burgers, and steak. Don’t miss it’s three-floor with a remarkably fascinating rooftop, offering grand views of the Jokhang Temple.

If you are interested in cooking experience not only just eating dishes from the menu, our professional travel advisor can help to arrange a two-hour cooking class with Tibetan Family Kitchen (about ¥150 per person including dinner: 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm), during which you can learn to make authentic Tibetan taste.

Opening Hours: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Address: No.7 Kirey 2nd Alley, Beijing East Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa (拉萨市城关区北京东路吉日二巷7号)
Tel: +86-18989097198
Price: CN¥ 60 – 80/per person
Special Diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options

Owned by the House of Shambhala Hotel, the very cozy restaurant shared the same name. You can easily find it when entering from Beijing road and track street marks to the hotel, which is hidden in the old town to the North-East from the Jokhang, decorated in historic Tibetan style. The House of Shambhala restaurant makes it perfect for couples who prefer an intimate atmosphere and comfortable environment. Restaurant’s menu offers a wide range of delicious Tibetan staples, Indian cuisines, Nepalese cuisines, along with some western food. Most recommended are Roti Prata and Yak Pizza, as well as local delicacies and views of the Potala Palace offered by its rooftop restaurant.

Opening Hours: 08:00 am – 10:00 pm
Address: No. 100 Beijing East Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa (拉萨市城关区北京东路100号)
Tel: +86-18012480826
Price: CN¥ 70 – 80/person
Special Diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options

Dunya restaurant is in the same building as the Yak hotel, located in the old core of Lhasa, nearby Jokhang Temple. With tranquil furnishing and a wide selection of food, the restaurant is owned by Tibetans now, instead of the original Dutch family. However, it is still attracting tour groups, especially Dutch tourists and American school groups. The food is pretty authentic, only top quality meats and vegetables are used in the kitchen which meets European hygienic standards, thus the price is a bit higher than others. You can feast on anything from yak burgers to imported Italian pasta. If you’re not eating, at least come for a beer or a decent glass of cocktail or wine on the second floor, overlooking the busy street. 

Opening Hours: 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
Address: No. 30 Yutuo Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa (拉萨市城关区拓宇路30号)
Tel: +86-891-6324669
Price: CN¥ 68/person
Special Diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options

At the west end of Barkhor Square, the Nepalese-owned Lhasa Namaste Restaurant is hidden behind a pharmacy/herbs store, go upstairs, you will find an enormous dining room with a cute little garden courtyard, which serves not only Nepalese food but also Tibetan and Indian food. If there’s only one thing you must try, it’s Chicken Tikka Masala with Sirloin, a highlight dish that’s never left the menu. And the complimentary Yogurt Cake is an additional sweet touch. The restaurant is very welcome among local Tibetan people as well as tourists from different areas, so it is usually crowded, and you need to wait sometimes. Be quick to nab a pleasant seat by the window, you will have a nice view of the Barkhor market and walking pilgrimages.

Opening Hours: 08:00 am – 10:00 pm
Address: Crossroad of Danjielin Road and Beijing East Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa (拉萨市城关区丹杰林路和北京东路交叉口)
Tel: +86-891-6337305
Price: CN¥ 41/person
Special Diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options

If you want great food and a very fast efficient service, Tashi 1 restaurant is for you. Walk to the intersection of Danjielin Road and Beijing East Road, you will find it at the South-West corner. Equipped with a few square tables, the restaurant can serve around 60 foodies at once, with fine decor and a tidy environment. This unpretentious piece of old Lhasa, is always attractive for local families and foreign visitors, for its pure vide, joyful service, reasonable prices, and great position. Menus in English, staff speak English, so there isn’t any problem communicating. Try Yak Burger, Yak Curry, and the bobis (chapati-like unleavened bread) which come with fried vegetables or meat and flavor cream cheese.

Opening Hours: 09:00 am – 10:00 pm
Address: No.3 Minchi Khang East Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa (拉萨市城关区藏医院东街3号)
Tel: +86-891-6348855
Price: CN¥ 49/person
Special Diets: Vegetarian Friendly

Settled on the core street to Barkhor Street, Lhasa Kitchen is on the second floor and it looks towards the square in front of the Jokhang Temple. The wide-ranging menu covers everything from Tibetan cuisine to Indian, Nepalese, Western cuisine. The coolest part is their Nepalese and Indian cuisine, which are highly appreciated by tourists and locals alike. The price is decent with friendly service, so it’s no doubt that this is an extremely popular place for a budget lunch and dinner.

Opening Hours: 11:30 am – 12:00 am
Address: No. 40 Dongzisu Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa (拉萨市城关区东孜苏路40号)
Tel: +86-891-6328608
Price: CN¥ 110/person

Surrounded by white buildings, a yellow house named Makye Ame stands prominently in the southeast corner of Barkhor Street. It was the residential place for the sixth Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, and its name “Makye Ame” originates from his poem, meaning “sacred mother”, “pure lady” or ‘wonderful ancient dream” in Tibetan dialect. The rigorous Tibetan decor gives a vintage-look to the restaurant, people like to sit by the window where they can witness people doing “Kora” around Jokhang Temple. Due to its extraordinary history and profound culture, Makye Ame becomes a landmark of Lhasa that you should not miss. Recommended cuisines are roast mutton chops, acid turnip fried beef, and Tibetan roasted natural mushroom.

Opening Hours: 08:30 am – 10:00 pm
Address: No. 23 Jiangsu Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa (拉萨市城关区江苏路23号)
Tel: +86-891-6342235
Price: CN¥ 56/person

New Mandala Restaurant is another Nepalese owned restaurant in Lhasa, and the owner also owns the Tashi restaurants in Shigatse and Tsedang. It has changed the location from Barkhor Street to Jiangsu Road, adjacent to the New Mandala Hotel. This restaurant has good Tibetan, Nepalese, Indian and Chinese cuisine. The Nepalese set meals are recommended, which is delicious and a great deal.

Opening Hours: 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Address: 2F No. 8 Zangyiyuan Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa (拉萨市城关区藏医院路8号2F)
Tel: +86-891-6337323
Price: CN¥ 65/person
Special Diets: Vegetarian Friendly

Around the West-East corner of the famed Barkhor Square, Snowland Restaurant is the destination for budget travelers to seek tasty bites at a pocket-friendly price. The decent restaurant provides a variety of yummy Tibetan foods along with Indian, Nepalese, and western selections. Choose an especially good Indian dish like chicken butter curry, or naan bread, it will never make you disappointed.