KATHMANDU: Patan (Lalitpur) has been featured on Condé Nast Traveller’s global list of “The Best Places to Eat in 2026,” placing the historic city among the world’s most exciting food destinations and strengthening Nepal’s growing profile as a culinary travel hotspot.

In its annual selection, Condé Nast Traveller said the list is curated for travellers who plan their journeys around food—whether for celebrated restaurants, vibrant street food, or immersive local culinary traditions. Alongside destinations such as Boston, Crete, Fès, Hong Kong, Medellín, Seville and Parramatta (Sydney), Patan stood out for its unique blend of heritage, creativity and flavour.

Highlighting Patan, the magazine wrote: “Go for knock-your-socks-off cocktails, tasteful takes on native ingredients, and lessons on Nepal’s tea terroir.” It noted that while Kathmandu has long been seen as a gateway to the Himalayas, chefs and bartenders are now redefining the city, and particularly Patan, as a destination in its own right for memorable dining and drinking experiences.

Condé Nast Traveller praised Patan’s living food culture, where Newari culinary traditions continue alongside modern experimentation. From early-morning jalebi makers and sizzling bara on cast-iron tavas to iconic local favourites like Honacha near Patan Durbar Square and Binu’s for spicy chilled laphing, the city’s streets were described as a constant celebration of flavour.

The feature also spotlighted Patan’s growing contemporary scene, including Barc, the first Nepali bar to enter Asia’s 50 Best Bars list, and its newly opened sister venue Swotha, a boutique cocktail bar dedicated to the traditional beaten-rice spirit aylā. Another highlight was Old Nepal Tokyo, a Michelin-recommended Japanese restaurant inspired by two decades of culinary fieldwork across Nepal, which is set to relocate from Tokyo to Patan in 2026.

Beyond Patan, the article acknowledged the wider Kathmandu Valley’s evolving food landscape, from farmers’ markets and momo houses to innovative cocktail bars and seasonal fine dining in Bhaktapur, underscoring a broader shift in how Nepal’s urban destinations are being experienced by travellers.

Welcoming the recognition, the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) said Patan’s inclusion reflects the city’s distinctive gastronomic identity, where heritage, culture and cuisine intersect. NTB Chief Executive Officer Deepak Raj Joshi said the listing, alongside recent features on Nepal by National Geographic and BBC Travel, signals growing international appreciation for Nepal beyond its mountains.

“Patan’s inclusion shows how our living heritage, local flavours and creative culinary communities are gaining global recognition,” Joshi said. “These affirmations strengthen Nepal’s positioning as a destination for authentic, meaningful and diverse travel experiences.”

Condé Nast Traveller also noted that Patan appears on its list of Best Places to Go in Asia in 2026, further cementing the city’s rising appeal for culture- and food-focused travellers planning their year ahead.