Royal Nepal Restaurant

Visiting some family and went to Royal Nepal. This was my first time trying Nepalese food and it was awesome! Our server was very knowledgeable and recommended the perfect combination of appetizers and entrees. All of the food was so flavorful and unique but my favorite was the Spicey Lamb Curry. I will definitely come back when I'm in town.

This was my first time experiencing a Nepal restaurant and I was completely blown away by the taste, ingredients and spices used to make some of these incredible dishes. I visited a Friday afternoon with a friend who was a regular at the establishment and even she was surprised at the chicken curry flavor used. It was full of flavor and enough kick to get your taste buds going. The service was by far outstanding and very respectful ensuring we were well taken care of at all times. Roger was very helpful at assisting with a solid recommendation. Being that it was my first time I wanted to verify I had the best experience possible. He didn’t miss! More than happy to a review for anyone who may interested in trying something new. During peak times there could be a lot of background chatter. I would recommend they play some type of music to dull out some of the conversations going on, but none the less a great overall experience. See you guys again!

Came here on a Monday and got a table immediately. We started off with the fried bread which is unique and sweet tasting. Then had the duck egg rolls and the momocha (chicken and yak) - super delicious! For my main course, I had the Chowmein with Nepalese lomein and chicken. The smell alone will get you hungry fast. Everything was cooked fresh! Our waiter was also super friendly and nice and always checked in appropriately. I absolutely can’t wait to come back. Also great to know they do take out. Highly recommend!

We had heard good things about this restaurant but it didn’t really meet our expectations. The service wasn’t prompt. We had to wait so long even for one the house sel roti and achar. The aloo Sadeko didn’t hit the pallet, it was just average. Chana chatpate was my favorite there. I also enjoyed fish curry with rice, that was yummy. The mixed momo platter felt a little pricey and the achar served with it was smaller in portion. We had to ask three more servings of achar for the momos. Overall it was an average restaurant.

This is the place to go. Food is outstanding. All the food was bursting with so much flavor. Very delicious. Service was amazing. Staff is friendly, polite, and cheerful. Atmosphere is incredible. Very calming and relaxing.

On my business trip to Amazon HQ2, a colleague and I decided to give this place a try based on its fantastic reviews. Unfortunately, the food turned out to be subpar. The lamb appetizer was dry, chewy, and not cooked properly. Despite this, the service was excellent. The staff promptly offered to either redo the dish or replace it with something else. Despite their willingness to make it right, my colleague and I opted to dine elsewhere for the main course.

Best Nepalese food I’ve ever had! Service was wonderful and the food was unforgettably delicious. I can’t get over how flavorful it was! This is a must go to stop in the DMV.

This restaurant does not disappoint! Came with a group of 5 and we tried so many things, all were delicious but I think the okra was my star. They also have the best veggie momos I have ever had. The staff were also awesome, so attentive and fun to talk to. I have already told so many people I am going to take them there, can’t wait to go back!

Our party of 5 had a fantastic dinner this past Sunday evening at Royal Nepal. Everything we got was so delicious and filling, the entire table was satisfied with what we tried. Our server was very nice and there was complementary sel roti (Nepali fried bread) for the table. We ordered a good amount of food and family-styled. It was definitely enough for a group of 5 and we had some leftovers, too. BREAD BASKET - 10 This comes with a basket of three different naan: plain, garlic and cheese. Each piece of naan was nice and fluffy. I wasn't able to try the garlic since it quickly got snatched, but the plain met my expectations and the cheese was definitely something new with slight savoriness. I would recommend eating the curries and thali with the naan DUCK FRIED RICE - 9 This had cilantro in it, so I stayed away. But our group really liked it and it's one of the most popular dishes on Yelp from this restaurant. CHICKEN SIZZLER - 18 This also had cilantro, so I didn't try too much of it. The chow mein and bits of chicken I had with it was definitely very flavorful. Our group enjoyed this dish. YAK CURRY - 20 The yak curry was so tender and flavorful. I've never had yak before so this was a great experience. Our entire table enjoyed the rich and hearty flavors of the curry and would definitely recommend this entree. ROYAL THALI - 25 This comes with a plate of rice (and a fried egg on top) and a variety of smaller sides such as duck curry, sauteed spinach, black lentils, something else (I forgot) and Royal Nepal Sikarni (whipped Greek Yogurt with lots of spices and nuts, more like a dessert). The duck curry was great and I love duck in general. Even though it was so simple, I kept getting seconds and thirds of the spinach and black lentils -- very hearty and satisfying. ROYAL NEPAL MOMO PLATTER (20 PCS.) - 32 Each platter comes with 4 different momos: buffalo, yak, wild boar and lamb. This was perfect because there was 5 of each momo and there were 5 of us! I don't know which momo contained what meat. All I know is that I thoroughly enjoyed all of them. The meats were well seasoned and the dumpling wrappers had a nice chew. I am so glad we chose Royal Nepal for dinner. Everyone was happy and had a fantastic time. We did not talk much in the beginning because we focused more on eating than socializing.

came here as a group and tried multiple curries. I personally didn't enjoy most of the flavors and spices, but that could just be my palette and personal preference not enjoying Nepalese food. I haven't had it before so that could be the case. I prefer Indian or middle eastern cuisine. I would still recommend you give this place a shot if you like Nepalese food or want to try something new. They had excellent service and always kept our water full. I didn't love the wild boar curry, royal chicken curry, aloo cauliflower curry, or garlic naan (too much minced garlic in it). My girlfriend enjoyed the aloo cauliflower curry though and we all liked the sel roti (complimentary bread) and pickled veggies for the table. The sel roti had a unique dense texture but could have been warmer when it was serve to us. I will say this place had excellent Brussel sprouts though. One of the best brussel sprout side dishes I've ever had.

We found this cozy spot after visiting the DC cherry blossoms. The restaurant gave us some Nepali fried bread with pickled sides and sauce at the beginning which was a delightful treat. We then started with yak momos that were very beautifully presented and tasted great. The meat was juicy and just the right amount of salt. We then ordered a variety of curries ranging from the spicy lamb one to the mutton one to the chicken and yak ones. I really liked how each of the gravies had its own different flavor, and it was nice to try all the different kinds of meats. Service was quite friendly and the price for the quantity food we had was also very good.

Absolutely amazing restaurant. Highly recommend to anyone looking to step outside their comfort zone! Ambiance: causal hole in the wall vibe. Not somewhere I'd come for a first date. Restaurant is always clean and food presentation is always on point Food: everything you eat here is simply amazing. Every dish is so full of flavor and spice. I always get their combo platter ($22), great deal to try their main dishes Price: entrees are around $20-$30 but their portion size is huge, usually always leave with left overs Service: very attentive servers, seems like it is family run and that the servers truly care about their food

I absolutely love this place! It's the best Nepalese food in the area. I used to go to Himalayan Heritage in Adams Morgan which is great, but somehow Royal Nepal is even 10x better. The staff go out of their way to make sure each visit is perfect. It doesn't matter if it's a quiet evening with just a couple of tables or a super busy dinner rush; the service is consistently impeccable. I highly recommend the chicken momos, lamb momos, any of the lamb dishes, and any of the appetizers. There's really nothing I don't like on the menu. The masala chai is also pretty legit, and even better than the Indian place down street.

Literally the BEST food I've had since I moved to Alexandria. Everything tastes authentic and is filled with unique flavors. 100% will be returning. The service was amazing and we even talked to the manager who came to check on us.

This was my first time trying Nepalese food and it was a great first experience! Everything tasted awesome and service was really great. I highly recommend checking out Royal Nepal

This place is tucked away - if you are driving (because it's not metro accessible), you have to park in a parking lot that doesn't have good drainage after it rains. There is other parking around that I would recommend using instead of the lot right next to the restaurant. But don't let the outside fool you - the interior is modern, as very cool decor (I love the pattern on the napkins!) and has a good ambiance to enjoy a delicious meal. The sel roti that they give you before the meal (for free) is incredibly delicious - a perfect 10/10. It's served so warm and the perfect texture. File this under foods that I still think about. We ordered some different varieties of momos (not pictured) that were very good - I especially liked the wild boar one. I ordered the yak curry and I was less impressed with this though it was still very good. I thought it was just too salty such that I couldn't finish eating the dish and needed a lot of water. I would definitely try this place again and order something else - I'm glad I tried the yak but ultimately did not like the dish.

Food and service. One waiter spoke to my wife and her mom and dad in Nepali. Her Dad said the food was the best they have had that reminded them of their hometown in Nepal. I myself have made momo sauce before and it taste similar but theirs was much better than I have ever made. This place can cook some amazing food. I would recommend it to anyone trying to get some more flavors from the area of Nepal.

I am Nepalese and this is my favorite Nepalese restaurant in the country and I've tried a few. Most Nepalese restaurants have a big Indian menu with a little bit of Nepalese food thrown in there, I truly appreciate that Royal Nepal doesn't do that. The service is always great. It's no frills but food is great. The Kale salad is really good. I love the duck fried rice. Momos are great BUT my favorite dish is the Jhol momo, the sauce is fantastic and the flavor is incredible. I also love the sel roti and aachar they bring you prior to the meal. Thank you for representing our food so well. Will always return when I can

Interesting flavors... average execution We had a long day hiking around the DC area and had a big lunch. We decided to eat a light dinner here. We ordered three dishes - Wild Boar app - This did not taste fresh at all and the boar was tough. Did not think it was well executed at all. - Watermelon salad - might be the best dish of the night that combined the spices with the lightness of the watermelon. - Royal Momo platter - we couldn't decide what to get so decide to get all 4 different types of momo. buffalo, yak, lamb and boar. Biggest issue is that these didn't seem fresh either. Felt like these were frozen previously. The meat was dry and the sauces were not very inventive. Service was average and the food was average at best. Wish it was better.

A wonderful find in Del Ray neighborhood in Alexandria VA. I heard there's another location near Vienna. I love the ambiance, you're transported into a serene, very traditional setting where you have Nepalese village figurines on the window sill, jars of pickled radish soaked in spices which they serve with their complimentary warm fresh sweet dough. The place setting was eclectic, with patterned cloth napkin on stoneware plate. I know Nepalese cuisine specializes in momos but I want to try other menu items since Yelp reviews indicated this is very authentic food. I ordered duck rolls and grilled wild boar. Both were delicious. The duck rolls came with 3 dipping sauces: hot, cilantro and some beautifully blended tomato based sauce. Both dishes came out very artfully garnished. It's in the details. Service was wonderful. The waiter was polite and made sure he checked in to see if you enjoyed the food. He also asked if I wanted tea while pointing to different teas available. I would definitely come back to try their curry dishes.

Royal Nepal is a hidden gem of a restaurant that I stumbled upon recently, and I couldn't be happier with my experience there. The food is simply amazing, and the prices are very reasonable, especially considering the great value of their dishes. I highly recommend the thali, which comes with a variety of delicious dishes, and definitely add some momos which were some of the best momos I've ever had. The momos are definitely a highlight of the menu - they're unique and full of flavor, and I can't get enough of them. I loved the Momo sauce and trying all different types of meat.

This place is always very welcoming with great food. It's in an out-of-the-way location but worth visiting. There's plenty of parking and you're made to feel at home as soon as you go in. It's a comfortable setting and very relaxing inside. There's a variety of dishes you don't see in other restaurants and expands your tastes. This time I ate appetizers while my wife and son had main dishes. The watermelon salad was delicious, with a hint of spicy to it. My aloo sedehka was good, just different from what I expected. My wife had the Royal Chicken Curry (very good) and my son had the Bhutan (not for me but he liked it) and duck fried rice (delicious).

An absolutely wonderful gem of a restaurant in Del Ray. I had never had Nepalese cuisine before and clearly had no idea what I was missing. The garlic naan was fantastic to start with. We went with the Royal MoMo platter for the main course- which is enough food for two people for two meals. A combination of Buffalo, Yak, Wild Boar and Lamb dumplings with three sauces- and all four are delicious. The Buffalo and Yak were definitely my favorites of the four. The service was excellent throughout. It was a fantastic meal and one of the best I've had in the area.

I enjoyed my time at Nova's noteworthy Nepali restaurant. The food was plentiful, portions were generous, and the price was reasonable. The service and ambiance were excellent. We received free roti and ordered chicken biryani, naan bread and a soup with dumplings. If I'm ever in the area again, I would gladly return.

Each of my visits has been filled with savory, flavorful goodness and friendly, attentive service. Notable dish mentions are the momocha, ghee chicken, and duck fried rice.

We started off with pickled vegetables and a rice-based bread which came as complementary appetizers. The staff was super friendly and recommended yak and Buffalo momos for us. We also got the boar (which tasted to me like hearty lamb) curry as part of the royal thali - which came with a meat curry, chickpea curry, (super flavorful) spinach, black bean curry, and a rice pudding as dessert! It was our first time trying these types of meats but definitely not our last! Would love to come back again and try out other house specialties!

First time having Nepalese food and I'm definitely a fan. Do yourself a favor and order the fried okra. I enjoyed the paneer while others enjoyed the fried rice and momocha chicken and boar. I also enjoyed some hot tea. Friendly service and clearly a spot that's favored by the community.

Such wonderful flavors here. We've gotten take out several times and everything we've had is lovely. Great flavors and spices, the dumplings, of all kinds, are my go to.

Staff are super friendly and the food is excellent! The wild boar curry and the daal are my personal favorite. They give generous portions and the food is always delicious.

What an amazing hole in the wall. This place doesn't look like much from the outside, but the food is incredible. The service was also great. Highly recommend!

Food was AMAZING. Never had Nepalese food before but I was very impressed. It's similar to Indian food but also different enough to be its own thing. Highly recommend this place. Prices are very reasonable. Will return.

First dine-in visit yesterday was wonderful! Perhaps due to the frigid weather on Sat Royal Nepal was practically (and pleasantly) empty in the afternoon which made for a very cozy, relaxed setting. Absolutely delicious feast here too at a very affordable price The combo platter ($22) of chicken momo, duck fried rice and a chicken lo mein like dish with buttered nan ($3) was enough to feed two hungry adults for lunch. Served on an elegant stone platter it was not only all very tasty but presented well. Service was attentive. I had a hot cider as well which was also simply perfect for such a cold day. I had mine non-alcoholic but they have alcoholic versions of the cider available as well. I've had carry out from here before but now can also highly recommend the dine in experience. There is a free 2 hour Public parking lot right across the street.

Order was complete and accurate. Native Nepalese were very delighted with the choices and considered it accurate

Excellent! Placed an order online, which was quick and simple. Street parking is available. Our takeout order was ready when we arrived. Employees are welcoming, friendly, and helpful. Plenty of indoor seating is available and the restaurant is neat and organized. Everything was neatly wrapped and labeled. I appreciate the double bagging and each dish was secure. Very grateful, since we don't live close by. It was all delicious from start to finish. The kiddos loved the Chicken Momo's and kept asking for more. The dumpling skin was delicate yet held the flavorful and juicy filling all together. The roasted tomato sauce on the side was a perfect match. Their meats had a lovely marinade, were well cooked, and incredibly flavorful. Quality ingredients are used and you can taste the difference. I'm so glad we got a chance to try Royal Nepal out and can't wait to come back!

Our party of three came in for lunch open minded to taste all the meat options being offered on the menu. Of all the items we ordered, three stood out - water buffalo and wild boar momos, lamb curry and wild boar curry. What made the experience even better was the attention given to us by the dining staff. They even brought out a special birthday dessert for a friend who had wanted to try this place. I will be back.

Parked on the street and entered through the front door to this class family friendly restaurant for a date with bae. Ordered a Cosmopolitan which was made to perfection, I mean, it was one of the best I've had. The sweet bread and side that comes out free of charge isn't too much of my taste, but it's a delicacy of Nepal, so give it a try! The waitstaff were incredibly nice and helpful, I truly enjoyed my first experience here!

Amazing food! Don't miss this gem in Chirilagua. The aromas when you walk in are just the start of an amazing adventure for your senses. We've found something delicious for everyone each time we've visited - from the conservative carnivores to the adventurous vegans, and everyone in between! The service is wonderful - unassuming and happy to answer questions or make a suggestion. And out takeout orders arrive home still hot and fresh It's a cute little place with plenty of seating - never too crowded.

First time eating here and had a great experience! Came on a Friday evening around 6:30pm. The restaurant is spacious, the food was very flavorful, extremely family / kid friendly, and the customer service was great. We had our toddler and infant with us and felt very comfortable. They even brought plastic silverware (plate, cup, fork, spoon) for our toddler to use. There was enough space for us to bring our stroller for the baby. We enjoyed all the food (see pics) we ordered and had to take some home too. The servers and manager (I believe) always made sure we had what we needed. And the cost was very reasonable. Would definitely come back again!

Since returning from a trip to Nepal in 2018, I've been casually hoping to find some delicious and authentic Neaplese food in the US. Well folks, I'm happy to report that this place is as authentic and yummy as they come. Situated in Northern Virginia, this spot boasts some local foodie accolades on their wall, very cute decor, and smells that will make you hungry for what they're cooking in the kitchen. We were greeted by a complimentary appetizer that proudly showcases the unique flavors and tastes of Nepal. Some pickled daikon and a crispy ring that really set the tone. Our server was very friendly, and would often return to our table to fill up our waters while we waited for our order. He was originally from Nepal, and we could tell that he was proud to share the food of his homeland with us. The food, when it arrived, was all so delicious. The momos are presented very artfully on a really nice platter, and come with a very nice, spicy dipping sauce. They are so addicting - I could eat 50 of these! Then came our curries and rice, which were deeply flavorful and really hit the spot. We left feeling full but not overly stuffed. We had plenty of food to take home for dinner that evening. Overall, if you're looking for friendly and delicious Nepalese food- look no further. Royal Nepal is it!!

Can I give this place 6 stars? Not only is the food phenomenal the prices are really good. I usually order pick-up, but this time some friends wanted to get together so we met for a feast. I can't get over some of the more exotic items (Yak meat? Wild boar?) but the staples like briyani and lamb chops are also great. I went with my usual lamb chops but was immediately captivated by someone who had what looked like a full course of dumplings. I don't care how much food it had; I'd happily stuff myself and take what few leftovers home. Come here and eat like a king!

Food/Drinks: Huge portions! From the naan to the chicken tikka masala, make sure you eat while it's warm and fresh. The duck fried rice is delicious and has just the right amount of oil that gets soaked by the nicely mixed rice. Garlic naan goes heavy on garlic which is my favorite. Atmosphere: The nicest employees that did everything to make sure the order was correct. Fantastic small business!

Amazing food, amazing service and extremely good ambiance. You should totally try the choila l, mutton sekwa and mutton sadheko.

Awesome food, great experience and extremely nice service. Loved the great taste. The wide selection of menu item is really commendable. My favorites are the mo:mo and Buffalo Sukuti. Me and my group ordered various dishes and we all absolutely loved it. The ambiance is lovely and the staffs are really friendly and professional. Kudos to Diwash for his awesomeness. Highly recommend this place for authentic Nepali food and experience. 5/5 Definitely coming back for sure.

Royal Nepal is one of my favorite restaurants in the DMV. Favorite items include the Thali combo meal, the momos and the sel roti free appetizer that they serve at the beginning of every meal. I would come here just for the sel roti and pay for it if I had to - it's that good! But almost as much as the food I appreciate their excellent customer service and the friendly staff. Always look forward to a meal here.

Just excellent. A friend who recently left took me there when he came back by. Very satisfying.

This place is the REAL deal. After going here my wife and I wanted more... We wound up in Kathmandu and Pokhara in Nepal. There is no place else like this gem in NoVA. Dine in guests will be treated to Nepalese pickles which are a must, as well as Sal Roti (rice flour based - doughnut ring). My recommendation is to try anything with the Wild Boar meat. Also the crispy kale, aloosadeko (potato dish), and Momo dumplings. When they have Yak meat try it though it is very lean and doesn't have much flavor. The decor and ambiance are very minimalist, but the people and the atmosphere are very authentic. You will be back with some regular cadence. 10 stars out of 5.

My rating = 77 (food 54/75, ambiance 8/10, service 15/15). (Lisa's rating = 60.) An unpretentious and seemingly authentic Nepali meal in a neighborhood restaurant with adorably doting service. We ordered: 1. Momos (dumplings) filled with yak meat (or chicken), with masala roasted tomato sauce* 2. Spicy chana chatpat - black lentils, garbanzo, potato, crispy rice, green chili, lemon juice 3. Vegetarian thali with crispy brussels sprouts - potato-cauliflower curry, black lentils, red beans, sauteed spinach, & rice pudding with pomegranate seeds 4. Rasmalai (cottage cheese in sweet milk syrup) 5. Silver yeti tea* - Nepalese white tea grown at high altitude * = my favorites

If I could give this place 6 stars, I would. Other reviews talk about the hospitality and service. Well it's better than that. The food? Delicious. Unique. For appetizer, we ordered the crispy eggplant (chickpeas flour battered eggplant,goat cheese, pumpkin seed, tamarind sauce, whipped yogurt). Added a little extra tamarind sauce for sweetness. For entrée, we ordered the Ghee Chicken, Royal Nepal's version of butter chicken (Creamy Cashew, Tomato Gravy Dry Fenugreek, Clarified butter). It was delightful and aroma filled, fenugreek forward with a hint of spiciness. This place was so good, we ordered another dish to go. Ask for Bansal. Phenomenal, kind, attentive waiter.

One of the best restaurants I've been to in a while. Definitely a top favorite in northern VA. We ordered the spicy Chana chatpat and yak chili appetizers which were both incredibly unique and delicious. The chatpat reminds me of the crunchy snacks mixed with delicious veggies. The yak was a spicy jerky that was incredibly flavorful and chewy. I had hiccups but still kept eating more. Everyone else managed the spice well. We also shared the spicy lamb curry and kofta entrees. We scooped every drop of the sauce with the garlic naan. The service was also remarkable. The nicest people and best service I've ever had by a long shot.

Unusual and tasty offerings at this little gem in Del Ray. Service was excellent. Lots of parking nearby, too!

Your Restaurant Looks Incredibly Outstanding,,,,,!!!!!! Menu Looks Delicious . Thank You for the August Alexandria Invitation,,,,,,!!!!!! Cheryl and Joe

Food was great. Service was excellent and attentive. The ambiance was friendly and welcoming. Overall I would highly recommend. Have I said that the food was really delicious?

First Napalese restaurant and so glad we came by. Overall everything was delicious. Their Garlic Naan was the best I ever had. The fried eggplant was a standout. The chutney on top was awesome. Service was GREAT. Everyone was very attentive. Check it out!

I have never really tried Nepalese food before and Royal Nepal provided a fabulous and delicious experience. The smells from this place, the attentive service, and the food that hits every spot --I was in heaven. If you're a person who enjoys venturing into the unfamiliar and be rewarded for it, you cannot go wrong with anything on the menu. Price is more affordable compared to what's in the area, too.

A must try! The food is authentic, delicious, and affordable. The menu has enough variety for everyone in your party and the opportunity to eat traditionally (e.g. chicken MoMo dumplings) but also to try new things (yak or boar). The service is fabulous and they are willing to explain anything on the menu. I've tried a variety of items. Some of my favorites are the crispy eggplant appetizer, the potato appetizer. the MoMo, and the boar curry. We always get a ton of food when we come (apps, entrees, sides, drinks, desserts) and it usually comes out to $30 a person. So affordable! Parking lot is also right next door. Come check this place out!

Momos are awesome. Food was fresh and hot. Awesome find. Groovy place to eat if you are in the Arlington Alexandria area.

My family ate here for the first time tonight and I was blown away with how delicious the food was. Every dish we ordered was flavorful and savory and spiced to perfection. Even my kids loved it! The server even brought out toddler friendly cutlery/plates and gave the kids mango lassi drink with their meal. We'll definitely be putting this restaurant on our regular rotation. So delicious!

We've been hearing about this place for a long while from our friends from Nepal. I would recommend that if you've had Indian food before don't come in with the expectation that this will be the same. The flavors are quite different and honestly less spicy and more bland. We were shocked at how much food we got for the price it is a great deal but a lot of it is really just rice and sauces and less of the meat. The MoMos were phenomenal. We appreciated the welcome appetizer complimentary. There's a lot of dishes with Boar which was different. The duck rice was raved about and we tried it and it was quite good.