This place is one our favorite restaurants in Madison. The servers are long-tenured staff and very attentive, we went often enough that they started remembered our favorite orders, which was nice. The tarkari and dal are fantastic especially, and they have rotating sets of tarkari they make so you can get a slightly different spin on the same dish depending on when you go. If you're a big spice nut you might find it under spiced compared to certain indian restaurants (I'm not aware of any other Nepalese) in the area, but its still quite flavorful. I've had over a dozen different things at this place, and they're pretty much all great. The one thing I might not recommend is the momo, mostly just because its a small serving size unless you're just looking for a snack. read more

Honestly one of my favorites! A Madison favorite. I don't know anyone who has ever had a less than outstanding food and relaxing experience. A must go. Service is excellent! read more

We really enjoyed the spices and trying a different country's food. The service was quick and it was a quiet little place.

I visited Madison for a week, and I can already say this is my favorite restaurant in the area. The menu is quite diverse, and there are many vegetarian/ vegan and even gluten free options. The food has a great balance of flavors. I ordered a delicious (vegan) okra dish. I also liked the dal that came with my entree. There are many options to try! It's a small, cozy place with outside seating as an option. It definitely has a home-like vibe. The restaurant staff I met were all friendly. The individual who brought our food that night was very knowledgeable about the menu, gave us some great recommendations for entrees, and was also genuinely kind. Some of the menu options are higher priced, but I believe it to be worth it overall. A great little place that in my short visit was very memorable. I do hope we cross paths again some day. read more

Himal Chuli - View from the outside seating. - Himalayan/Nepalese Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

See all

Excellent authentic Nepali food with quality ingredients. Loved that the restaurant was handed down by the grandma to the son. Very friendly owner and staff. They even gave us complimentary extra desert. Just a wonderful place to eat. read more

Himal Chuli - Ras malai made with ricotta cheese , pistachio and honey drizzle on top . - Himalayan/Nepalese Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

I dream about their momos with tomato achar and their bhutti salad!

This place is so cute! Quaint and on state street, i missed it every time until my friend decided he wanted to try it. Nom nom nom-- here's what we got: Himals combination platter: a little taste of everything from their dumpling, flat bread, curry for the day, and samosas! I would recommend this as they say in their menu as an appetizer. It's a great sampling and super flavorful. Chicken sikar: you get your choice of jasmine or brown rice or bread. You can't go wrong with any of it, and his chicken was moist and well seasoned. It was a mix of regular stewed chicken but not as mushy and even more flavorful. It came with a lentil soup and while I don't really like beans this soup was really quite good! Overall the service was good, comprehensive with the menu and very nice. I would be back with some of vegetarian friends because it is a good place for everyone to try something new and get some good food! Happy eating read more

Tasty Nepali dishes. Love this tiny restaurant on State St. As a non vegetarian, I enjoy the many vegetarian dishes offered. Dal soup and no mos are not to be missed. When the weathered nice, sit outside and enjoy the people watching. Cash only, be prepared! read more

absolutley DELISH people were nice dal was SCRUMPTIOUS highly recommend stacks up to food in nyc if you are visiting and want some delish asian cuisine i highly highly reccomend read more

Himal Chuli - samosas were YUM so good will think about them for days - Himalayan/Nepalese Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Why don't I eat here once a week?? Thumps is a vegan, peanut filling in a dumpling, in a spicy soup, whole wheat roti, and Himal Chuli's vegan dessert. Perfect heaven. read more

Himal Chuli - Tuk - pa or thukpa with vegan Momocha - Himalayan/Nepalese Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

See all

Review based on one visit at 5:15 pm on a Thursday. Empty at first but by 6pm half of the ten tables were occupied. Nothing fancy, which is fine with me. Seated by a friendly server who helped me figure out the menu and what to order. Had the Chicken Sikar (dark/white meat chicken with rice and vegetables). Dish was nicely cooked, very flavorful, and included a cup of lentil (dal) soup. Enjoyed my dinner and was happy with the quality and quantity of the meal. Only negative is that I felt the price ($18) was a bit high given the simple, inexpensive ingredients. Final bill, with a bottle of beer, was $22 before tip. However, overall good food and a good experience. Would return and recommend. read more

Fabulous Nepali food in outdoor seating--I had a veggie combo plate while my dining companion had chicken. Filling and delicious!

Plentiful and truly amazing vegan options. Items on the menu are clearly labeled, and questions are received with a knowledgeable response. Great service and staff is always kind. The decor is beautiful and unique. So glad that this place exists! read more

Himal Chuli - Rice and Tarkari, comes with Dal as well. :-) - Himalayan/Nepalese Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Let me just start by saying this is a cash only restaurant. I don't have any problems with that, but it's good to know before you get there. It's a fairly small restaurant on State Street with both indoor and outdoor seating. The food is Nepalese/Himalayan. There is a large number of vegetarian options and a smaller number of meat options. Prices are not bad, but portion sizes are slightly smaller than you might expect. Our waiter was friendly and helpful. The service was fine. Our group of three tried the Himal Combination Platter which includes: two momochas, one samosa, roti and a cup of dal. We also had the Chicken Sikar which was chicken w/spices, garlic, and onion; and Katahar Kabob which is green jackfruit with spices and sauteed with onion, tomatoes, and cilantro. All of the dishes were very mild; the spices very low-key. I didn't really enjoy the jackfruit as I found the texture a cross between eggplant and tofu but I did like the opportunity to try it. I've been to Himal Chuli several times in the past years. All my experiences have been similar. I enjoy the opportunity to try a food I'm not particularly familiar with, but I just don't think it has much flavor. If you are looking for something different this is a good place to try, but it's not one of my favorites. read more

My second time here. It's a great place for vegetarians and vegans who want to try something different for a date. Compared to the usual American fare, the food is more bland but that's a good thing. I ordered the Hyala (soup) which has lots of veggies plus some bison. I thought I wouldn't be fulfilled since it was a light dish but after eating it, my whole body felt wonderful! Like I ate something that was very good and nourishing for my body. I didn't feel that lethargy that usually sets in after chowing down some greasy American fare. It was refreshing. Anyway, it's 4 stars because the dishes still felt overpriced. I'd come here again though rarely. Recommendations: Order the Nepali Chiya (tea) for sure. If you're a meat lover, try the lamb sikar. Very flavorful. read more

See all

Haven't been here in a while but have pleasant memories of eating dinners here many moons ago. Glad to see the business still going strong! Authentic Nepali flavors and attentive service is what I remember. Thanks for introducing me to the mountains cuisine :). read more

Love the combo platter. Service is always great. Local family restaurant that is Fresh and delicious. It's no frills but don't let that detour you. I would eat here everyday if I could. My favorite restaurant in Madison. read more

Still great food, especially if you're vegetarian and looking for more than the usual veg dishes. But the big news is that Himal Chuli now takes credit cards -- it's no longer cash-only. If you are on State Street and hungry, it's among the best. (And with the recent closing of Kabul, it very well maybe the best food option on State St.) read more

Food is consistently good. Service excellent. Good vegetarian options. Small place but clean.

Point to note: It's cash only. My friends would think I'm the weird one. I seem to be the one amongst them who like this the most. I really do! It's one of those places where both indoor and outdoor seating appeal to me. It's cosy indoors, with the light fragrance of food coming from the kitchen. Who can resist sitting outside overlooking state st? Combination platter is a good way to start if you're there for the first time. It has a little of everything: 2 momochas (dumplings), 1 samosa, roti and a cup of dal. Dal is nicely spiced and served warm. Roti is fresh and goes well with the refreshing yoghurt dip. Meat lovers: chicken sikar and lamb sikar are nice options. Recommend going for dinner. They have the same menu for lunch so price wise it's expensive relatively for lunch considering most places on state st offers lunch specials. Service is slow, usually one or two waiter takes care of everything. I visit when I'm not in any particular hurry so it's ok. But come prepared. read more

Maybe I'm too critical, but for two entrees, including tip (and waters) for $35, I feel like I should leave feeling full. It's not like it's a fancy joint... We took my son and there was no kid's menu. And while the flavors were delicious, I didn't expect to leave feeling like we should definitely get dessert somewhere, and a big one at that. I'm vegetarian and there were lots of options. I guess I picked the wrong server recommendation with a broth base... Delicious, yes. Overpriced for the amount of food? Totally. I'd have rated much higher if my portion size was 30% or more... just sayin'. read more

The dal. The dal. The dal. I lived in Kathmandu, Nepal for months. I have yet to find good dal in the states. Today I found it. Not only did I find amazing dal but the people here are so friendly. Great atmosphere. Great customer service. Fantastic food that brings me back to Nepal. Get your eat on! read more

Himal Chuli - Himalayan/Nepalese Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Here is the breakdown. The food was absolutely DELICIOUS. I craved it again the minute I got home from dinner. The reasons I am not giving it was because out waitress was appalling. The place is a hole in the wall. There were probably 6 tables inside and maybe 6 very small tables outside. Our waitress was swamped with a full house when we arrived so we didn't mind that it took her a long time to give us menus and water. After people started clearing out and we were one of one two tables dining inside we would have to all three stare her down to try and ask for more water. Which she wouldn't even look at us and just blast by. We would have to shout to get her attention. The first time she returned with the whole pitcher and just said "Here. I will give you the whole thing." Which filled the 3 small cups once. So we had to again shout at her after she would walk past us twice without acknowledging us. Lastly, the bill comes and we ask her to split it since we all only have cards. She then informs us that it is cash-only. We were trying to figure out what to do, she points us in the direction of an ATM and storms off rolling her eyes. There is no sign anywhere that says they do no accept cards. My friends' sister had to run home and grab a check. With all that being said, I would still probably return even though there food is kind of pricey. read more

Himal Chuli - Chili Chicken with white jasmine rice. This was also served with a cup of Dal. You can get Roti instead of rice. Yum yum yum. - Himalayan/Nepalese Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

After a hard day at work, my friends and I decided to visit Himal Chuli as a treat for passing all of our exams. Since one of my friends had been here before and thought it was good, we took his recommendation and went here for our celebratory feast. Walking into the restaurant, the first thing I noticed was how small it was. It was a bit hard to get to my seat without getting in the way of the other diners enjoying their meals. However, I sort of liked the cozy environment after getting settled in. It definitely made things more intimate. The ceiling is painted beautifully and all the decorations make it feel like you're in another country. Being my first time getting Himalayan/Nepalese food, I was a bit lost while looking at the menu. So, naturally, I went on Yelp to see what people thought was good. Since I like dumplings in general, I settled on the recommendation of one Yelper and got the Momocha (a steamed, peanut flavored dumpling). When my food arrived, I was quite excited to dive in. The presentation of the dumplings was exquisite and really made my mouth water. I took my first bite after rolling the dumpling around in the sauce they provided, and I was a little disappointed. The dough of the dumpling was watery tasting and the peanut-flavored filling was not very flavorful. I loved the sauce though! Perhaps it would have tasted better with the sauce on the inside or if the dumplings were pan-seared. They come in either 6 or 8 pieces, but get 8 if you're hungry because they're not all that filling. My friends and I shared our food with each other and, after trying what they ordered, I think I may have gotten the wrong dish. Their food was very flavorful and delicious in comparison with mine. I'm going to give this restaurant another shot and visit again sometime in the future. When I do, I'll update my review accordingly. read more

Himal Chuli - Momocha - Himalayan/Nepalese Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

One of my favorite places in Madison. My wife loves their momos (chicken) and I love the chicken sikar and lentil soup. A little pricey but worth it. Everything there is mostly subtle and blended with flavors but if you like spicy, you'll love their spicy sauce they serve in a tiny bowl. The other thing that I love is their chili chicken. It's totally different than what I supposed it would be, it's a cold dish which is damn spicy for which you won't need that spicy sauce. Definitely go for this place. read more

Great food and great service! Love all the vegetarian options. Awesome prices for the amount of food you get. Will be back!

Oh yes! Clean, honnest, yummy home-cooked food! Lots of vegetarian options. We really enjoyed it. Thank you so much. read more

Himal Chuli - Roti, Chef's Choice Tarkari And Dal - Himalayan/Nepalese Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

First time trying the Nepalian cuisine and it was a success. On a cold night a soup from this restaurant will definitely make you feel better! I tried one of the authentic plates they have; vegetables with rice. The spices in the plate were super good, I honestly did not expect to like it but I ended up loving it. Super affordable, and the place is pretty small located on state street. Recommended :) read more

Himal Chuli - Himalayan/Nepalese Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

See all

Very cute restaurant with beautiful ambiance! It's a very small place so it was little difficult to get a seat. I loved their decor . Their food is delish! Perfect Nepalese taste. They have a lot of dishes in their menu which is perfect for vegetarians and vegans. Their items on the menu is very similar to the Indian dishes but with less spice. I also felt the quantity was a little less for their price. I had to order two dishes to fill my tummy . The taste is yumm too . Only if they could increase their portions size ! read more

Yum....I dream of this restaurant when not in Madison. I eat there every time I return. From the moment I walk throught he door, I smell curries and feel transported. In the summer, I enjoy sitting on the streest-side terrace sipping minted water and in the winter, I enjoy warming up with a hot chai tea. I like everything on the menu and have never been disappointed. The momos, momochas and takaris are favorites. I love the dahl and the naan. There are two takaris to choose from each day. Last time I shared sample platters with a friend so that we could have a bit of everything. I will dream of momo until next time... read more

My first time at a a Nepalese restaurant. Who knew you it would be in Wisconsin! A nice little restaurant on the main street, with friendly servers and great food! The portions are on the small to medium size, so my only real complaint would be that they should give a little bit more food to even out with the not so cheap prices, or give the small (normal- keep it as is) size portions and lower the prices. Prices are more for a tableclothy mood light restaurant, This place is more of a sit down/take out style (although it is a restaurant not a dive) Other than that, the food was great!. There are many vegan/veggy dishes to choose from as well as meat dishes. My friends were very happy with what they chose, considering none of us have eaten this before. The way I would describe the cuisine would be a mix of Indian and Japanese/Chinese. The boys had the curry dishes, which reminded me of Chinese food curry or Caribbean curry. The girls had the vegan dishes, mine was amazing. I don't know what they put on my asparagus but it was seasoned to perfection. The dumpling appetizer (I forget the name of it) was pretty good as well. I was surprised when it came with a tomato sauce! If your in Madison, check this place out. read more

See all

Had a wonderful dinner here with a friend. However, it is such a small restaurant and the tables are really packed in there so we were forced to sit directly in front of the door. I was very cold my entire meal and had to put my coat back on because of the continuous draft of cold air that was blowing on me. So overall i felt a bit claustrophobic. Perhaps I'll just stick to ordering takeout from this restaurant from now on. read more

See all

Perfection! Delicious food, quality ingredients, and amazing service. The dal and the lamb are out of this world, and they even homemake the mango lhassi. I already know I'll be back often! read more

Service was so so. Potions small. And over priced. But it was yummy. So 3 stars. (this review is independent and no one paid me for it unlike the "scam squad" read more

The steamed peanut dumplings are excellent. I should have ordered them and nothing else, I don't care for the spice mixture that Himal Chuli uses on many of their dishes. I ordered a vegetable stew called Khichadi that includes tomatoes, peas and other flavorful vegetables, but the overwhelming taste of cumin, turmeric and cilantro displeased me. I've had really tasty Himalayan food in a different city where they used very different spices and had very different menu offerings. I guess there are different cuisines in the Himalayas and not all of them are to my liking. The decor in this restaurant is hideous, and the service was weird too, so I know some people must love their food, or this restaurant wouldn't exist. The lady that I assume is the owner seems really sweet and I could see her attracting a following. read more

Best Nepal restaurant,looks like a family business, very freshly made. We ordered tarkari half and half, which came with rice and dhal. Other dish was kichidi, everything very tasty and not spicy. Even though we enjoy spicy, taste and authenticity won over us read more

Amazing! Of all of the places in downtown, I'm glad I chose this place. Super friendly staff (this is the Midwest, after all) and a cozy ambience makes this a place worth returning to many times over. My meal was delicious and fast. Worth a trip if you are curious read more

Himal Chuli is a home-like spot for refreshing and tasty Nepali and Tibetan food. It's a small cosy family owned restaurant on the always bustling State street. It has a very warm and fuzzy decor, nothing too over the top eye-catching. People are here for one reason, food. We came for a Sat light lunch before heading to the overture for a show. It was busier than I would expect. They have a relatively small group of staff, however, service was prompt and friendly. We tried two soups, which one is supposed to be very spicy with various veggies, like carrots, cabbage and broccoli with momos. The other one is a thicker lentil base soup. The choice of either roti and rice was given which we picked over of each. If I had to describe their food, it's got a very clean flavor, very refreshing, it's food that you think you can eat everyday. There have a wide selections of food, which I would like to come back and try. One must try is their spiced coffee and chai. Best I have had in town! read more

yes, I crave this food when I visit my alma mater in madison, wisconsin. For a city of its size, Madison has a diverse food experience and what I contribute my love for ethnic food. I love the dal, roti, and choice of tarkari of the day. I also love their momos! I have to admit that I have not eaten one meat dish. This place is very small and probably has only about 7 tables... The food sometimes takes awhile, but it always arrives hot and clearly homemade. read more

Madison is an amazing town for a foodie- just walking down State Street I found a huge variety of cuisines. I had heard about this place from a friend, and Yelped it to see if there were any particular dishes to try since I've never had Nepali food. In the end I just asked the waitress to describe the most traditional foods and took her advice. The service was excellent. It's a very small place, and it wasn't too busy when I got there, just before noon, but it filled up quickly. It has a nice atmosphere. I had the chicken sikar: stewed meat and vegetables, very good. Tarkari as a side- a sort of vegetable stew, also good. Roti flatbread, and daal (lentil soup?) also came with the meal. I had chai to drink, which was very flavorful; have had it before, but this was better. They were almost out of dessert but gave me half an order of lal mohan, a sweetened rice ball. A bit out of my way, but I'll try to go back. read more