Jackson Heights is the beating heart of New York's Nepali community — Roosevelt Avenue alone has more momo counters than most cities have restaurants. If you're anywhere near Queens and craving something that tastes like home, these are the seven kitchens we'd send you to first.
1. Nepali Bhanchha Ghar — the NYT-approved classic
The New York Times has recommended this Jackson Heights fixture, and for good reason. The jhol momo here — dumplings swimming in a warming, slightly sour broth — is the kind of bowl people drive across boroughs for. Sel roti arrives crisp and fresh, and the thali plates are a steal. Open daily 11am–11pm.
https://meetnepali.com/businesses/nepali-bhanchha-ghar-jackson-heights
2. Lakeside NYC — the late-night thali spot
One of the few Nepali kitchens in the neighborhood open till 2am, Lakeside has become the default dinner-after-everything spot. The Thali Set is the bestseller — rice, lentils, veggies, meat, achar, the full works — and the jhol momos get rave reviews. Mon–Fri 4pm–2am, Sat–Sun 12pm–2am.
https://meetnepali.com/businesses/lakeside-nyc-jackson-heights
3. Gorkhali Nepalese Restaurant — dinner and live music
Gorkhali pairs serious cooking with live Nepali folk music on weekends, plus a full bar — the Jackson Heights pick when the evening matters as much as the food. Order the sekuwa skewers and the chilli momo, which regulars swear by. Open noon to late, every day.
https://meetnepali.com/businesses/gorkhali-nepalese-restaurant-jackson-heights
4. Tawa Roti Dhaulagiri Food — old-school and cheap
The name says it all: tawa rotis and Dhaulagiri-region cooking at prices that feel like a decade ago. This is the spot for sel roti, sandheko waiwai, chhoila beef, and bhutun — the snacky side of Nepali food that too many menus skip. Daily 9am–10pm.
https://meetnepali.com/businesses/tawa-roti-dhaulagiri-food-jackson-heights
5. Laliguras Restaurant — Himalayan breadth
Laliguras leans into the Himalayan side of the menu — thenthuk, sukuti, goat thali alongside the usual momo and thali lineup. An easy, dependable sit-down dinner spot in the middle of the Heights, open 11am–11pm daily.
https://meetnepali.com/businesses/laliguras-restaurant-jackson-heights
6. Nepali Momo Cafe — the all-rounder
Despite the name, this is more than a momo shop: Nepali curry with rice, veggie dhido sets, and a proper Nepali thali set round out a menu that works for lunch, dinner, or both. Mon–Sat 9am–10pm, Sun 9am–9:30pm.
https://meetnepali.com/businesses/nepali-momo-cafe-jackson-heights
7. Annapurna Thakali Kitchen — Thakali done right
Named for the Thakali people of the Annapurna region, this kitchen does the cuisine justice: hearty, well-seasoned Thakali plates in the heart of Jackson Heights. Open daily 11am–10pm.
https://meetnepali.com/businesses/annapurna-thakali-kitchen-jackson-heights
Beyond the restaurants
Stocking your own kitchen? Nepali Food Bazar & Meat Grocery Inc on 75th Street covers the Nepali grocery and halal meat run. Sending money home? The IME REMIT office on Roosevelt Avenue is one of the longest-running Nepali remittance brands. And if you're planning the trip back, Travel Bureau of Nepal Inc on 74th Street has been arranging treks and tickets for over a decade.
https://meetnepali.com/businesses/nepali-food-bazar-meat-grocery-inc-elmhurst
https://meetnepali.com/businesses/ime-remit-jackson-heights
https://meetnepali.com/businesses/travel-bureau-of-nepal-inc-jackson-heights
All seven listings above were verified against official sources this week. Hungry? The 7 train to 74th Street–Broadway puts you in the middle of all of it.
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