Himalayan Yak in Jackson Heights is a lively casual eatery serving up satisfying momos and a diverse menu of Nepalese, Tibetan, and Bhutanese delights, complete with live music on weekends.
"Prabal Gurung, Fashion Designer “[Both] Thamel and the Himalayan Yak restaurant in Queens have truly won my heart. These establishments stand out as the ultimate destinations for savoring the flavors of Nepal. It's not just about celebrating Diwali; it's a year-round affair filled with incredible food, a delightful community, and a heartwarming ambiance that always makes you feel like you've found a home away from home. The menu, featuring momos and a wide array of Nepali delights, is a culinary journey you won't want to miss. And, if that's not enough, the occasional live music adds the perfect finishing touch to an already remarkable experience.”" - jess basser sanders
"Even at lunchtime on a weekday, this neighborhood staple in Elmhurst is the sort of place you could easily spend several hours. There’s a long bar, a bunch of tables, and a wall in the back, covered in Polaroids of regular customers who come here every weekend for live music, cocktails, and momos. If you’re looking for great meal, head to one of the other spots on this list. (Annapurna Thakali Kitchen is right next door.) But if a fun night at a long-time local institution, with bites of fried momo between cocktails is what you’re after, Himalayan Yak is a good choice." - willa moore, sonal shah, bryan kim
"The best time to come to Himalayan Yak is on the weekends after 8:30pm, when the live music starts, and the cavernous Roosevelt Ave. spot fills up with locals making good use of the large wooden bar. Himalayan Yak—formerly Tibetan Yak—has been a community staple in Elmhurst since the early 2000s. And even though the long menu of Tibetan, Nepali, Bhutanese, and Indian dishes don’t quite stand up to other Himalayan spots in the area, the momos at this local institution are still pretty satisfying. Order some, grab a cocktail, and try to keep pace with people who’ve been regulars here for years. Then see which of them managed to make it onto the wall of Polaroids hanging in the back. Food Rundown Chicken Momos Momos are a near-perfect drinking food, and the ones at Himalayan Yak don’t disappoint. Nepali-Style Goat Curry Though comforting, we found this curry to be pretty underseasoned, and a bit thin and watery. Stick to the momos, the cocktails, and the live music." - Willa Moore
"Jackson Heights has too many good restaurants, so it's always tough deciding where to eat there. But if spend Saturday on a Jackson Heights Food Crawl, you won't have to choose. The food crawl is being hosted by Homecoming, a group that consists of first and second-generation immigrants who are passionate about food and bringing the Queens community together. Over the course of the two hour tour, you'll start at Himalayan Yak and move through some of our favorite neighborhood staples, with guides giving cultural context along the way. Buy tickets here. " - neha talreja
"“Himalayan Yak is one of the nicer-looking restaurants in Jackson Heights,” says Islam. They serve Nepalese, Tibetan, and Bhutanese dishes. “They have this fondu cheese rice chili dish called ema-datsi that’s really good and cheesy,” says Islam. “And they do a traditional butter tea as well.”" - Devorah Lev Tov 1
