Unveil the Wonders of Bhutan

Phoenix Coffee and Restaurant is a bright, clean place with potted green plants and just a few tables, located in the part of downtown closest to the ancient Rinpung Dzong that looms over Paro. Head here for pizza, burgers, and coffee — they nail their specialties quite well.

Set in a beautiful orchard, the Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant is an essential stop for all tourists, and has quickly become a favorite destination for official dinners. Serving traditional Bhutanese cuisine in a unique setting, the restaurant uses mostly local organic ingredients for their delectable and nutritious meals.

Buckwheat pancakes and noodles are local delicacies you shouldn't miss when visiting Bumthang, but if you hanker for a little Western flavor in the mix, head to Himalayan Pizza. Their square pizza slices are decent, cheap (about USD 1), and served up fresh with local cheese, tomato pieces, and a tangy sauce that's not too sweet. Other “fooding” on offer includes pasta and spaghetti dishes, beef and cheese momos (dumplings), and chugo (dried cheese).

Located just opposite the 108 chortens of Dochula Pass at around 3,100 meters (10,170 feet), Druk Wangyel Cafe has terrific views of the Eastern Himalayan range on clear days and makes a perfect pit stop on the journey between Thimphu and Punakha. Though it's the only food and beverage facility at the pass, the coffee and tea are quite good. Grab one and gaze out from the glassed semi-circular indoor sitting area warmed by a wood-burning stove (bukhari) — or in warm weather, sit outside on the porch and use the affixed binoculars for closer views.

A favorite with expatriate and local coffee aficionados, Champaca Café in the heart of main street is the place to get caffeinated in Paro. They serve over 15 varieties of coffees — all freshly brewed, with especially good lattes and americanos — along with cakes and pastries baked fresh in limited quantities daily.

Started by a Thai man who married a local woman, Yegyel Restaurant is Paro's only Thai restaurant, centrally located toward the south end of the main market area. The Thai chef makes authentic, reasonably decent dishes with large portions that will be a welcome break from buffets. Everything is made to order so it may take a while for your food to arrive.

Phuensum Gakhil Restaurant serves respectable Bhutanese and Indian dishes in a cozy setting just off the big children's play park in the heart of Paro town. Locals and travelers alike frequent it for their traditional Bhutanese dishes with fresh vegetables and specialties like chicken with chick peas and glass noodles. Complement them with Red Panda or another local beer from their well-stocked bar.

In business since 1991 and still popular, Sonam Trophel restaurant serves some of the best food in Paro, right in the heart of town. It's a small space with simple wooden tables and chairs that has a homey, friendly vibe, and is located inside Hotel Sonam Trophel. Their Indian food is excellent, and they serve very respectable Bhutanese homestyle dishes tweaked slightly to keep them palatable to foreign tastes (much Bhutanese food makes liberal use of chilis). The food is fresh and made to order.

Two walls of Chimi Lhakhang Cafeteria are virtually all glass, windows over the clustered village houses and terraced paddy fields sloping away below. Rising just beyond them is the famous fertility temple after which this eatery is named. The expansive view is a people pleaser and every tour guide knows about this place. Yours most likely will take your group there unless you request otherwise, either before or after visiting Chimi Lhakhang.

Serving exceptional coffee and quality vegetarian food, Ambient Café has been catering to expats and locals alike for 5 years. The consistent quality of the food, the loose tea collection, the baked goods, and the amazing couple who own the place make this is a must-see stop in Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan.

Bhutan Kitchen, right in the heart of Thimphu town, is a mainstay for tourists due to its cozy traditional seating and dishes that cater to the less chili-tolerant western palette.

Bhutan Orchid offers a variety of authentic Bhutanese food, served strictly buffet style, in set menus priced at Nu 390 (around USD 6). Lunch and dinner are made fresh every day, the food is simple and natural with no extra flavoring, and the chili spiciness is toned down for foreign palates. Diners are welcome to return to the buffet for more, so it's essentially all you can eat.