Author: jmaurizi

The Mexican

I thought is was strange to find a Mexican restaurant in Bangkok but very glad that I did. The food here is incredibly good! The place is owned by an American who is always there and very friendly. His wife is the cook and has a special recipe for the bean. These are the best refried beans I’ve ever had! There chicken Mole is also very good. After discovering this place, I ate here 4 more times! I’ve always been there for lunch and never for dinner.

Update 2021: Sadly, The Mexican has closed. A product of the covid situation and their landlord not being flexible. Hopefully they reopen in a new location some day!

Author: jmaurizi

Yak Hotel

The Yak Hotel is by far my favorite hotel in Lhasa. Over the four times I’ve visited Tibet, I always request the Yak Hotel based on my first visit in 2006. Over the years guide services will try and force you into a Chinese owned hotel. I insist on staying at the Yak because of there great location, within walking distance of Barkhor Square, Old Town section and many good restaurants. It is also very clean with tradition Tibetan decorations.

The hotel does have storage so if you want to leave bags at the hotel when you check out to explore the rest of Tibet, there is no problem. They also have a reliable laundry service. Breakfast is included with your stay. Past years, breakfast was served on the roof. It provided great views of Lhasa and the Potala. However, my last visit in 2019, the breakfast room moved to a level below the roof.

Attached to the Yak Hotel is a great restaurant and bar called Dunya. A good place to relax at the end of the day.

Author: jmaurizi

House of Shambhala

House of Shambhala is my favorite restaurant in Lhasa. It is on the top floor of a boutique hotel by the same name. The location is an old monastery that housed monks and offices. The rooms were converted to hotel rooms with bathrooms but no windows. Very unique and pricey. Would love to stay here one time.

Over the years the restaurant has moved from the roof to a room on the top floor. You can no longer dine on the room but you can lounge up there and carry up a drink from the small bar inside the restaurant. The restaurant is dark but cozy with limited seating. Not many people know about this place so I’ve never had to wait for a table. Shambhala has an extensive menu with the highlights being their various Momo’s and curry dishes. However, the best dish here is the Yak steak. Well season in a tasty sauce and a double portion from what your would receive at other restaurants. Always perfectly prepared. This is a must try when in Lhasa!

Author: jmaurizi

Snowland Restaurant

Snowland Restaurant is a long time favorite with tourist. It has been around a long time and outlasted many other restaurants even going back to my first visit in 2006. It is located on the second floor of a building along Danjielin Rd. When walking in from Beijing East rd, it is on the left. In the past the restaurant had large letters “SNOWLAND” which is no longer there so took me a while to find it this time.

They offer Tibetan and Nepali food. The best dish I’ve had here is the Yak steak and french fries. Service can be very slow. You have to be assertive with the wait staff or you will sit there all day. Also this location is very convenient when visiting Jokhang Monastery.

Author: jmaurizi

Tibetan Family Kitchen

This is my new favorite restaurant in Lhasa. Tibetan family owned, very friendly people. The restaurant is just off the Johkar Kora on the second floor. There is good signage but take note, you have to walk down a short alley on the right of the building to the stairs in the back.

The first visit I had the Yak steak which was prepared perfectly but overall a good experience. On my second visit I discovered Hachis Parmentier, which is minced Yak meat filled into mashed potato and baked. The flavors were out of the world! I was able to fit another visit in here before my final day in Lhasa. Highly recommend!