I’m a fan of Tibetan cuisine and visited Majnu ka Tila in Delhi to satisfy my cravings. However, finding a Tibetan restaurant in the US was a challenge.
But one day, while strolling on the bustling Broadway Street in Capitol Hill, Seattle, we spotted a cozy restaurant decorated with Tibetan prayer flags and a prayer wheel. We instantly decided to visit the restaurant, and to our surprise, it turned out better than we expected. We were impressed by everything so much that I decided to pen down this post right after our meal. So the feelings are absolutely raw!
How to reach Annapurna Cafe?
Reaching the cafe is easy because of its excellent location. It is just next to the Capitol Hill Light Rail Station, which makes it accessible from practically anywhere in Seattle via Light Rail. Alternatively, you can take bus routes 49 and 60.
First impression
This restaurant is a fine example of the phrase “don’t judge the book by its cover” because we used to pass by this place frequently, assuming it to be a cozy space with tiny indoor and outdoor sitting areas. But to our surprise, they have a separate sitting area in the basement that we were unaware of. Hence, we were shocked at first, learning about their basement scene, followed by being awestruck by the gorgeous interiors of this cafe.
About the cafe
Annapurna Cafe is a popular restaurant in Capitol Hill specializing in Indian, Tibetan, and Nepali food. Founded by Roshita Shrestha, a native of Nepal, who moved her base to Seattle and started this cafe with a dream of sharing her passion for food with the world. Roshitabringd her years of cooking experience and knowledge she gained while traveling extensively in India and Tibet to the table that you can taste in every dish they serve. They specialize in steaming hot Himalayan dishes like Momos, Thukpa, Chowmein, and Curries. Moreover, most of their food is gluten-free, plus they also have a good variety of vegan options.
Food at Annapurna Cafe
We tried one of their seasonal specials, Spicy Jhol Momos, and their most popular dish, Lhasa curry with rice and garlic naan. Spicy Jhol Momos was something new for our tastebuds. The soup was infused with Tibetan spices, creating a blast of flavors. The momos were juicy and nicely stuffed with minced meat. Moreover, unlike other restaurants, the momos retained their texture and weren’t soggy. For the entree, we had Lhasa, a creamy tomato-based curry. It came with a bowl of white rice. However, we also ordered a Garlic Naan, as we read a lot about it on various food websites. The curry was creamy and delicious. The chicken was tender and well cooked. Lastly, the naan is one of the best I’ve had in Seattle, especially the size. The naan is gigantic and super fluffy. If you’re ordering more than one dish, we recommend sharing your naan with your friends or partner.
Final verdict
Overall it was a great experience dining at Annapurna Cafe. The decor was beautiful and had all the elements of a Tibetan cafe, especially the flags and photos from Nepal and its surrounding areas. The staff was friendly and sweet. We might make this our go-to place for Indian and Tibetan food.
Meal for two: $40-50
Timing: Monday to Sunday, 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
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