We came on Valentines Day and loved it! The portions seemed a little small considering the price but they make up for it for how fresh and thoughtfully prepared it is. The tarkari was so well spiced, it tasted as if it had been stewing for hours. My boyfriend loved the jackfruit dish as well. The service was friendly and we left feeling very nourished. Only downfall was that it's busy, but you can't blame the restaurant for that! read more

Himal Chuli has good food. However, they also gave me food poisoning. Years later, I was dragged back in there. While the follow-up trip did not give me food poisoning, it did give my friend (the one who made me go there) food poisoning. I could only say "told ya so." So...yeah. Even though the food was technically tasty, I think I'll stick to other places that didn't make me feel like I was dying afterwards. read more

I have a Nepalese food fixation going on! And apparently folks in Madison also do - I was delighted therefore to have to choose between 3 listed Nepalese/Tibetan restaurants all within a stone's throw from each other. Given time allowed me to try just one, I went by the book i.e the hotel restaurant guide..which we validated with trusted sources i.e our hotel shuttle driver :)...who incidentally also provided the local scoop on the Dalai Lama influence which explained how a relatively rare cuisine appeared rather mainstream in Madison. With all that careful planning leading up to the trip to Himal Chuli, I was nervous about being disappointed ( and disappointing my folks who were Nepalese neophytes). Thankfully Himal Chuli served up food that was every bit as good as I'd hoped it would be -- along with plenty of doses of learning about Nepalese cuisine! We selected a cauliflower based tarkari which was great but our favorite was an okra-potato combination - loved it so much that I've even googled the recipe and tried a repeat version at home -- something I rarely do! I was surprised that the food was a bit bland, but somehow it tasted delicious! The sweet carrot dessert was a perfect ending to a near perfect lunch. Himal Chuli is one of those small, unassuming, simple places that serves up real good food - it brought back some good memories of college town living and has spurred a serious Nepalese food quest! read more

I felt this place was a little overrated. Being something of a fan of Nepalese food, I found this place over-vegetarian and under-spiced, and the service was a bit slow. Still, it's a nice alternative to the beer-and-brats fare of the Great North. read more

I think people give this place 4 or 5 stars because they WANT to like it, and want to feel worldly and cosmopolitan. My primary complaint with this place is that it is far too expensive for what it is. I ordered one of the chicken entrees, at $14.95, and it tasted fine- nothing special though, and I was still hungry after devouring it. So hungry that I went and had two slices at Ian's. It was just one chicken breast with some sauce and a small patch of rice. It also came with a small bowl of soup, which was flavorless. This is not a fancy place- it's basically a cafeteria, which is fine by me, but why the fine dining prices and small portions? I'm amazed that people in Madison are willing to pay these prices for such small portions. I should say, also, that I very rarely leave a restaurant still hungry, so it's not like I have a super sized appetite. read more

I actually started eating here during a challenge that cute girl issued me. Upon saying that I'd try anything once, she countered with trying to be a vegetarian. That lasted a week and I'll never do it again. But during that, I found this place. Not an easy task is it's almost a hole in the wall and will blend into the State Street image. The majority of their menu is meatless. And even back as my meat-craving self, I still love the food here. I try to make a few trips here every year while the farmers' market is in full swing on the square. This is a great place for a unique ethnic dining experience. The type of place that Madison is known for. read more

Luckily, we went to dinner here on a beautiful night so we were able to eat outside. Even though they were short staffed for servers, our meal came out hot and fast. The food was delicious and fresh. The vegetarian menu had more entrées than the meat menu so we all order a vegetarian meal. They were so authentic and tasty. It was also fun people watching on a Saturday evening on state street! read more

Samosas and momos! OMG! Beautifully balanced flavors, excellent service. A small place, but the food is prepared with care and attention to detail. I would eat there again in a heart beat! read more

Mediocre. Was not that impressed with the Dahl, tarkari, and bread option. All the flavors kind of tasted the same.

Spectacular service, and authentic food, will definitely be back. The roti has caraway, which was unexpected but delicious. Try the buff, tarkari, and dal. The momo was excellent as well, but the best part was the patient and friendly service for our four picky children. read more

Madison's best kept secret. Every day they have a new takari which is a blend of veggies and a Nepalese spice blend. It is offered with white or brown rice, and dal which is a very unique and flavorful lentil style soup. It's very small so go early for dinner to get seating. During the summer there is outdoor seating on state which is a fun perk. Fair warning, it is cash only! read more

I dream about this place... Everytime I visit Madison I go back and everytime I am more than satisfied. Even on the menu it says their food is made with love and good energy! I always order the sampler platter thingy because I loves the samosas! read more

The staff is always friendly and helpful with choices and questions. I should branch out and try other options but I am a huge fan of Roti, Takari and Dal. The Takari changes daily, the special one other, but you can get half and half. The have a very good menu options, Vegetarian and non Vegetarian choices as well. I have been here a few times and definitely enjoy the experience every time. read more

One of the oldest restaurants on state. Place is a hole in the wall not fancy whatsoever but that's what I love!

The food was very bland had no taste whatsoever. Worst food I had in my life. Also they didn't send me rice. pretty bombed to eat the food after a long day. i will never return to them. read more

The food here is really delicious but way overpriced. I could stand the high prices if the portions were big, but they're not - in fact, they're tiny. And I'm not one of those people who demand outsized American-style portions large enough to feed three people either. But $13.95 for what appears to be a half-order size of a dish made up of tofu and vegetables, really? Did you know tofu is cheap? I used to live in NYC where I would get equally good Himalayan food (see Cafe Himalaya in the East Village) that was half as cheap with portions twice as big. Did I mention this was in overpriced New York City!!! I think Himal Chuli would see much more traffic if they changed up their business model a bit--more food with cheaper prices. This is a college town, after all. read more

The food was SMALL portioned and EXPENSIVE and tasteless! 1 beer and my child portioned meal was nearly $22.00. Waited a long time for our meal and even longer for a beer. I wouldn't go back again. read more

Himal Chuli - Small, tasteless and expensive - Himalayan/Nepalese Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Tried A jackfruit dish named khattar kabab. Mindblowing is what i can say.. being accustomed to indian food, i found it out to b very less spicy. If you want you can ask for spicy sauce , and you should b good to go.. one advice to the management, plz make d place a little more cleaner and you will rock !!! read more

Nice birthday surprise from the wife!!! Went with family and had a double date and tried a lot of different food. All of it was incredible. If you're in the mood for some heat they can give you a side to add and it's pretty hot but...what taste!!!! Will go again read more

**BE SURE TO BRING CASH.** I want every review here to say that at the top because it is integral for your enjoyment of this restaurant. The food stands on its own, certainly, but I'd hate to see someone who had a good meal knock the place down a star because they realized too late that it was a cash-only joint. Let me kick this off by saying that the food here is so incredibly healthy - each dish has a variety of different vegetables and deft use of spice. But don't worry about burning your tongue out of your skull; unless it specifically says so on the menu, don't be afraid of foods being too hot. For anyone trying out the place for the first time and wanting a "safe" option, you can't go wrong with the rice, tarkari, and dal. You get a healthy portion of one of the two tarkaris (a.k.a. veggie stir fries) of the day, some perfectly-cooked brown rice, and a bowl of a lentil-and-bean soup flavored with cumin seeds and cilantro. Ask for half of each flavor of tarkari for the ultimate Himal Chuli sampler platter. Other favorites include: -Katahar Kabob - don't be scared away by a jackfruit-based entree; it has the texture of artichoke hearts and such rich depth of flavor that I would eat a bucket of this if I could. -Momos and momochas - their two varieties of dumpling are both flavorful and quite tasty, although the price is pretty steep at $1.50-2.00 per dumpling. A great way to try these dumplings is in my next recommendation... -Tuk-Pa - a spicy vegetarian soup with clear broth, fresh veggies, and your choice of dumpling - I recommend getting one of each. If you're freezing after a day shoveling out your car from the ridiculous Madisonian snowfalls, this is one dish that will warm you up from the inside out. -Dahi Bada and Himal Salad - a perfect combination for a summer meal on a sweltering day, this is a great pair of dishes. The salad is crisp and fresh with a citrusy dressing and the Dahi Bada reminds me of a lighter, non-fried falafel that comes swimming in a yogurt sauce flavored with sweet tamarind and a complex mix of spices. Dunking your roti from the salad into that yogurt sauce is just... agh. I can't even find the words for it. Just try this combo. Do it. -Gajar Halauwa - sweet carrot desserts that are heavenly and perfectly-portioned. The non-vegetarian entrees, while good, have not given me the same "wow" feeling as the vegetarian options. I've tried at least one of each of the chicken, lamb, and bison offerings, and I keep going back to the non-meat items. Maybe it's that the meat weighs down an otherwise light and healthy-feeling meal, I don't know. I just think, for the price, you're better served trying out a meatless option for a meal. In case it wasn't clear, I really love this place. I moved out of Madison a few years ago and realized that this is one of the restaurants I miss the most. You won't regret giving Himal Chuli a try. read more

Small restaurant. Intimate, you'll be rubbing elbows with other diners. Lunchtime during the week fills up quickly. I've been coming here since I was in school over 20 years ago. It's a large menu but I almost always go with the special listed on the table. Nepali cuisine. The way I describe it to friends that are trying it for a first time is that it is similar to Indian food but a little less spicy. Some meat dishes. Many vegetarian options. I'm not vegetarian and I don't even notice that the dish I'm eating may not have meat. read more

Food was amazing with flavor. Came out fast n hot. Great menu choices. Sergio our server was busy but efficient. Restaurant is small but charming. Great atmosphere with free smells. Would go back to try any of the menu items. read more

Himal Chuli is a vegetarian paradise About two pages of the menu are vegetarian items, while just over half of a page is for meat eaters. That being said, when my date tried to order one of the meat items, they said they were all out. If you feel that you must have real meat in your meal, Himal Chuli is not for you. The restaurant itself is small, and the look is nothing too impressive. The food was wonderful, although overpriced. The roti is the best bread I've ever had at a restaurant, so be sure to get some. You won't regret it. All of the food was full of flavor and all different spices. Serving sizes were fairly large, also Note: Himal Chuli is CASH ONLY so that they can "keep their prices low" (which isn't working) read more

So good I went back three times in one night.... First time was to eat, based on server recommendations that were spot on. But I didnt realize it was cash only. So I left my book about Tesla as collateral while I went to an ATM. Two ATMs later I returned to pay, and left without a receipt (which I needed for business expense) and the book. It was quite comical by the third time in, butbthey were patient with me. The coffee is excellent... Very good Momocha, as was the jackfruit dish Katahar Kabob. Excellent service and clean bathrooms. All around great experience. read more

It's so incredibly good, healthy and warming, it's hard to imagine how their food (or almost any) could be better. I think every visit here I've gotten the daal tarkari and roti combo, anticipating the surprises of the tarkari of the day. Just had the bhanta today and like all the others, the spices and flavors feel like they're 9 layers deep. That said, this is very simple, clean, and above all nourishing food. read more

The other Nepalese restaurants in town fuse too much Indian cuisine in their menus to reach a broader base, but Himal Chuli is as authentic as it gets. If you want to see what real Nepalese food is like, this is where you want to go. I recommend the Roti (flat bread), Tarkari (vegetables) and Dal (lentil soup) read more

Small cozy place on State Street. Tried several different dishes and all were very good.

Very solid food (no, not literally!). They have plenty of great vegetarian options. Most of the dishes come in a stew form. Service is also quite good. My one complaint is the serving sizes. They'e okay, but not nearly as large as other similar restaurants in the area. All in all, pretty good. read more

OUTSTANDING! The best restaurant in Madison. Everything is fresh and homemade with love. I have been coming here for years. The atmosphere is unpretentious and the food deeply satisfying. When I need to satisfy my soul, I always go to Himal Chuli! read more

This is food from the heart, made with love and kindness--great service, as well! Thank you so much!

Himal Chuli was my first experience with Nepali food, and I loved it then. I've since tried much more Nepali food, and realize that Himal Chuli isn't the best out there, and is a little bit blander than I tend to like. Still, the food is very tasty, and it's an excellent place to be a vegetarian. Plus, the prices are rock-bottom (or were, when I was there-- it's been a few years). Good, cheap food? That is the way to Melody's heart. You betcha. read more

They were out of Yak so I had the lamb stew. Very pleasant. S.U. had the cauliflower stew, also very pleasant. Another place just down State St. is run by the same family and seems a bit more carnocentric. Service was nice, cash only. I might check out the other spot before I return but in toto, dinner was quite nice and pleasant and I would recommend it. read more

Disclaimer: I worked here '95-'98 I love Himal Chuli. Bishnu and Jamuna has been making some of the best food in the world (to me) "with love" for many years. They would always tell me that was why it was so good - because she cooked "with love" ;) I have noticed their proces have risen dramatically, but that will not keep me from eating there when I am in town. It is hard to say what the "best" menu item is, because everything is sooooo incredibly good. A few of my favorites are the daal (yellow lentil soup), daily takari (vegetarian stew) and roti (yoghurt leavened flatbread), the chicken or tofu polungo (lightly breaded chicken with a tomato based sauce containing spinach and mushrooms), the momo/momcha (dumplings), chicken sikar (fall-off-the-bone chicken and sauce), beef buff (beef with cumin/coriander, sauted with broccoli)... and really I dont think there is a single thing I dont like on the menu! Get some golub jamun and a lasi for desert ;) read more

Expensive, slow, and the food wasn't even that great. I'm the type of person that likes everything, but if I'm going to dish out a bunch of money, I want something to rave about, not rant about. I'm not sure what was up with the waitress either, she was pretty cold. She walked past my empty water glass twice, staring at my table. So, when she walked by with the pitcher, I thought I was going to get a refill. Nope. She went to another table and didn't bother to stop at mine. Just kept walking past. read more

This is good food that leaves also leaves you feeling nourished, but not weighed down. Talked with owners son once, apparently it's one of not many places on state street that are still left from the 70s. The daal, in particular shouldn't be missed. The peanut dumplings, kali takari, and the fragrant asparagus dish they have in the spring are worth trying too. read more

INCREDIBLE!!! Wow- after spending time IN NEPAL - cities, to villages, mountain tops to valleys, I did NOT expect amazing, authentic food- but I got that and BETTER. This place is the BEST Nepalese I've had anywhere in the world- who would have thought- in Madison, WI. That the Nepalese food is BETTER than the finest restaurants and base camp cooks in the kingdom can provide? Well- it's that good- seriously! Go now, eat, and smile! NAMASTE! read more

This is a lovely restaurant with very delicately and subtly seasoned food. Tibetan food to me seems a lighter and more understated, but yet more flavorful Indian food. The setting here is unpretentious, and can I say, somewhat spiritual. I love this restaurant and eat here every time I visit Madison. read more

I love me some ethnic vegetarian fare, but considering portion size and price, this place didn't rock my world. The spices and flavor of the stewed vegetables were really delicious and the wheat roti was dense and hot. I got one samosa which wasn't that good - liked the filling - did not like the dough, but the sauce it came with was pungent and yummy. Despite the nice authentic flavors here, to get one samosa, and one small veggie dish for $12 just doesn't cut it for me. I will continue to search for the best cheap eats I can find. read more

It was surprising to me how little food I got for what I paid, and what I received wasn't amazing. I had the combination platter, with momochas, a samosa, a cup of dal and roti. I didn't really like the momochas, and they also seemed to fuse with the bottom of the take-out box, ripping apart when I tried to pry them up. Surely they could package takeout better than this. The samosa was okay, but I've had better. The spices in the dal tasted odd--I wasn't really a fan. I also had a salad, with dressing that I really didn't like at all. For the price, I shouldn't have gone to bed hungry after that meal, but I did. There are better vegetarian options in Madison. read more

Really pricey for really unimpressive food. I ordered delivery, I don't know if the dining experience is different at the restaurant... but the quality of the food I received was poor. Samosas are $9 for two pieces! Most places they are around $2-$4. They were soggy and not flavorful. My entree was not as it was described on the GrubHub description. I'm really disappointed. read more