Best Breakfast & Brunch Places in Thimphu

Honestly, Bhutanese love having breakfast at home. But if you find yourself craving for something different – say, maybe on a weekend you want to enjoy a late breakfast or brunch with friends, a loved one or alone, here’s a list of places to explore for a meal that’s more than just tea and toast. Photos by Gyeltshen Tobden & PemC Written by Chimi Wangmo

AMBIENT CAFE

A favourite among the expats in Thimphu and conveniently located in the heart of the main town, Ambient cafe is our first stop. If you want a healthy meal to start your day then the granola with yoghurt and banana, drizzled in organic honey is your best bet. Oats and nuts to give you the same filling of rice, it’s deliciously nutty with the high sugar balanced by yoghurt and bananas – an ultimate healthy yet tasty treat at Nu. 200 only. If you want a more old school kind of breakfast, try their whole grain toast breakfast. It has a wonderful flavor, texture and aroma of a brown bread toasted the right temperature – complemented with a masala omelet that’s slightly spicy at Nu. 180 only.  Opens at 9 Am. Closed on Thursdays.

CENTRAL CAFE

One of the most popular cafes in town, Central Cafe is known for their many menu experimentation – triumphant ones at that. From ratatouille, teriyaki beef sandwiches, christmas meals to local Bhutanese meal sets, Central Cafe has done it all and now it’s their breakfast menu that’s getting our attention: Aioli Bread Platter at Central Café Nu 160. Italian olive bread glazed with garlic butter served with grilled tomato and your choice of egg (scrambled or sunnyside) Central Café’s Aioli Bread platter is the current favorite. The mild toast with aioli tastes delicious with a slight flavor of garlic that lingers on your tongue. The side salad with balsamic dressing is delectable. Cafe opens at 10 AM. Closed on Sundays.

THIJA CAFE

There aren’t a good number of places that open early in Thimphu. So, if you’re looking for a “breakfast spot” that doesn’t spill into early lunch then Thija is the place to go. Open from 8 am in the morning, try the Deli breakfast Multi grain toast Nu 250 : A platter of healthy multi grain toast with two eggs of your choice and ham is what makes it on your breakfast plate. Balanced with salami roasted country potato that’s crispy and tasty, Deli breakfast makes for an appetizing meal. Opens at 8 Am. Open Everyday.

PADAY’S BISTRO

Located above the Memorial Chorten, try the Sunday Brunch Special at Paday’s Bistro at Nu 240. Whether you like your egg scrambled, cheesy scrambled or with mushroom, the Sunday brunch special at Paday’s bistro has it all. Light, yet rich in flavor, swift yet satisfying the omelette specials make a classic delicious breakfast on a lazy Sunday. Add to that  a wonderful free flow of coffee and juice!

UNCLE TOBY’S KITCHEN

If you’re tired of exploring the restaurants in town, try a place a little away from town. Enjoy a short ride before you get to Uncle Toby’s kitchen at the Xpress Fitness Gym. We love the Hungryman Special at Uncle Toby’s Kitchen Nu 400. If you are wacko for waffles, Uncle Toby’s Hungryman Special is going to be a treat. Waffles served with honey and butter, eggs (of your choice), sausages and good coffee and (that’s not all) added to the set is bowl of oatmeal porridge with honey, cinnamon and milk: a delicious heavy breakfast that might just tempt you to go back to sleep.