Sheela Bakery Cafe and Coffee Shop

Sheela Bakery and Coffee Shop:

Lakeside, Intersection of Manswara & Khanhare Baidan at Camping Chok

Pokhara, Nepal

This place must have become famous either from its mention in the latest Lonely Planet or because it’s a longtime fixture on the Pokhara scene. I say this because the food, atmosphere, and coffee leave a lot to be desired. Funny enough, I met a number of travelers who would frequent the Sheela Bakery & Coffee Shop on the daily. I’ll tell you right now that if you become this person, I’ll be sorely disappointed in the lack of adventure you invite into your daily routine despite being in Nepal. On top of eating a heartburn inducing microwave croissant and a moldy tasting lassie, I had to listen to the pseudo-philosophizing of other pony-tailed café guests.

One classic coffee shop dweller’s standard line—repeated no less than 5 times—was “Yeah man, you’ve got to soar with the wind” dotted with stints of “Yeah man, I’m just soaring with the wind” all the while tuning his guitar. Please. Besides, the tables were rarely wiped-down leaving sticky residue waiting for the opportunity to adhere itself to your arm hair and ample feeding grounds for the resident flies.

Pearky Beans

Pearky Beans:

Lakeside, just north of the intersection at Khahare Baidan and the Sailing Boat Ghat road

Pokhara, Nepal

Not yet mentioned in any of the guidebooks, Pearky Beans is my all-time favorite café and coffee shop on Pokhara’s lakeside strip. This super clean, breezy, mocha and cream-colored stop has a pleasant enough atmosphere that visitors want to engage one another in agreeable morning conversation and share travel tips. Even with honey instead of maple syrup, the French toast is perfect. The coffees are good enough to order multiples while browsing through magazines and books filled neatly on the in-house bookshelf.

For a truly delectable breakfast, order the Chapatti Roll, which consists of two freshly made Indian style chapatti each wrapped around perfectly scrambled eggs, sautéed onions, cheese, and fresh tomato chunks. If you are in a hurry, ordering breakfast might not be the best idea but be sure to take advantage of the to-go coffee—a rarity here in Nepal—and pastries! The owner is also the primary waiter, so you can be sure to get warm attentive service each time you go.