11/07/2025
Hello from While In Kathmandu 🌿
The image below reflects back to the original plan of what while in kathmandu was meant to be. We seek to finally become what we always envisioned for this venue or atleast make the full effort towards the vision.
We’ve been overwhelmed by the outpouring of concern and support over the past few days after we put out the message that we are throwing in the towel for the current service hours & menu - thank you all so much. We’d like to take a moment to clarify a few things.
Yes, we are making some major changes: we’re stepping away from our current hours, menu, and business model. However, we are not closing. What we’ve been doing for the past nine years no longer aligns with today’s economic realities, evolving dining habits, increasing neighborhood options, and rising costs of goods and services.
For years, we managed to keep things going because we were extremely busy. But since last year, the landscape has changed significantly. After careful reflection, we realized that if we continue with the same model, we risk losing the establishment entirely—so change is necessary, and now is the time.
What to Expect
Our goal is to return to the original vision of While In Kathmandu: a Nepali café and bar, just as we imagined it nine years ago.
Phase One: Menu & Hours Restructure
We’ll begin with a smaller lunch menu. In the past, we offered many dinner dishes throughout the day, but moving forward, lunch and dinner will have distinct menus. The dinner menu will also be streamlined—not because we can’t handle more, but because we want to build a more efficient and sustainable kitchen operation.
Our kitchen was originally designed for a bar and tapas-style menu, but our current setup often pushes it beyond capacity, leading to slower service and unnecessary stress during peak hours. Simplifying our offerings will allow us to provide a smoother dining experience.
Phase Two: Strengthening the Bar Program
We plan to operate a full bar with a strong focus on crafted cocktails featuring Nepali liquors and ingredients, complemented by live music after dinner service. This shift will not only enhance the experience for our guests but will also help balance food and labor costs through increased beverage sales.
Phase Three: Bringing Back the Café
If these changes bring positive results, we hope to reopen our morning café hours. This would allow us to operate with multiple teams, creating a more dynamic, stable, and enjoyable environment for both our staff and our guests.
How You Can Help
We don’t ask for much—just your continued support. Please come in and enjoy our current hours and menu during this transition period. Your patronage directly supports our renovation and growth efforts.
We also want to be transparent: as we evolve, some prices will increase due to higher costs and the introduction of new concepts. We understand that we may lose some customers who prefer our older menu or pricing, but we hope our community will embrace these changes and grow with us. Every visit, every meal, and every drink helps us move toward a more sustainable and exciting future.
A Note from the Owner
A little story—When I first opened While In Kathmandu, it was 4 a.m. when I decided I couldn’t wait any longer for my liquor license and just went for a soft opening. I kept telling myself we’d have a proper grand opening once everything was ready, but we got busy, and the food side of things took off faster than expected.
Now, I finally hope to bring that long-delayed grand opening to life—this time, with the full vision realized.
We’re not closing, and we’re not giving up. We’re simply evolving before it’s too late to do so. Thank you to everyone who has supported, believed in, and celebrated us over the years. Your appreciation truly fuels what we do.
Since 2012, our family has operated three restaurants in this neighborhood—Nepalese Indian Restaurant (2012–2022), While In Kathmandu (2016–2025), and Fresh Pond Spice (2016–2019). This community is our home, and we have no intention of leaving it. ❤️
With gratitude,
The While In Kathmandu Family
