As a family of four, we eat here about once a month and it's our favorite resturaunt in Lancaster. Very kid friendly, always exceptional service, clean (my wife would know, not me), and everything on the menu is flavorful and always made with love. read more

There are moments in life when you set out in search of dinner and instead discover a small, benevolent corner of the universe. My wife, acting as both navigator and oracle, found Norbu after I asked for something within walking distance of our hotel. Four Himalayan restaurants, all within a short stroll, which felt statistically suspicious in the heart of Amish country. We chose Norbu because it had the best reviews and, more importantly, because it offered Nepalese and Bhutanese dishes, which none of us had ever tried. We are a family that tries to make it a point to say yes to the unknown. Finding it is part of the adventure. Norbu is tucked along North Christian Street, though calling it a street feels optimistic at best. It is more of a very committed alley. The restaurant sits inside an office building with a few brave parking spaces placed carefully on postage stamp sized lot out front. Had we been driving, I am certain we would have missed it and continued on, poorer for the experience. Fortunately, we were on foot and arrived intact. Inside, the place was alive at 7 PM. There were low tables with stools that suggested a more traditional way of dining, and a couple of unoccupied standard tables for those of us still learning. We took one of the latter and were seated quickly. We began with momo, a dish that seems like could quietly solve many of the world's problems if placed on the right tables. Soft, hand folded dumplings, steamed and served with a savory chutney. We ordered the "Mix It All" option, which gave us vegetable, beef, and chicken. Each had its own personality, its own quiet argument for why it should be your favorite. My older son ordered the Sweet N Sticky Tofu, which was the most familiar thing we ate all night. It tasted like a thoughtful conversation between General Tso and sesame tofu. Very good, very well executed, just less novel. I had the Pak Sha Datsi, the national dish of Bhutan, which I did not know until I read it on the menu and our server filled in the missing information with patience and enthusiasm. Norbu itself, we learned, is rooted in Himalayan traditions and a desire to share the food and culture of Nepal and Bhutan with a wider audience, which feels like a noble use of time. The dish arrived as a gently spiced stew with pork and a blend of aged and smoked cheeses. It was creamy, delicate, and somehow grew more interesting with every bite. It did not resemble anything I had eaten before, which is a rare and welcome thing as I grow ever older. My wife and younger son both ordered the Nepali Thali, a kind of edible symphony made up of curry, lentils, vegetables, chutneys, pickles, and a dessert pudding. My wife chose the fish curry, which was tender and lightly flavored. My son chose the chicken curry, which quietly became the star of the table. It had a familiar warmth, something like Indian curry, but with its own distinct voice. The accompanying mustard greens, curried potatoes, and a simple mix of green beans, corn, and carrots, were so flavorful that we found ourselves marveling at them like tourists at a natural wonder. Service was excellent. Our waitress guided us through the menu, made thoughtful suggestions, and shared a bit of the restaurant's story. By the end of the meal, we felt not just fed, but informed. Our only failure was not saving room for dessert. There was a chai flavored cashew cheesecake that sounded like it might change a person's outlook on life. We will have to return to test this theory. Norbu is the kind of place you hope to find and rarely do. It is hidden, a little hard to reach, and entirely worth the effort. Five stars, because sometimes you find something amazing and new, and that reminds you that the world is still full of good surprises. read more

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We ate here the other night and had no idea what to expect. I had the datsi with shrimp and it was amazing. We have a person who is gluten free and there were many options and everything was labeled clearly on the menu. The staff was friendly and answered any questions we had. The meal was timed well too. An overall great experience. We will be back. read more

Never a Daal Moment Family-owned Bhutanese and Nepalese restaurant located in Downtown Lancaster. For the uninitiated, this type of cuisine is similar to Indian food, that leans heavier on the daal (lentils), generally less spicy, and uses simpler cooking techniques of mostly boiling and stur-frying. And, if you're a dumpling junkie, like myself, definitely give their Momos a try! We arrived here to try their Sunday lunch buffet and were not disappointed. The Good: *Reservations for parties of five or more *Sunday Brunch Buffet 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. & $18/ea is a steal *Friendly service *Their house Chai is excellent. *If you love fruit with Brunch then man are you gonna be in for a treat! Their fresh berries were fantastic and so fresh. *Pekoras were solid and worth a go. Make sure to get some chutney to dip them in. *I don't think I tried anything that wasn't good and/or decent. The Meh: *No momos during the Buffet :( The Ugly: *Location is kinda hidden inside an office building. I'd have had a hard time finding it if we weren't with locals showing us around. Conclusion: Fantastic little HiTW spot with great service and delicious food. Next time we're having an actual meal here. read more

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We had a great time. The food and service were excellent. We will be back to try more items off the menu.

Dined here for my birthday last Saturday. I think we were so hungry that we devoured everything before we could take pictures, but everything was beyond delicious. My friend ordered the chicken samosas that were on special and the shitake mushroom dish on the Bhutanese menu. I ordered the Sag from the Bhutanese menu. For dessert, my friend had the rosewater cashew cheesecake and I had a slice of warm chocolate cake. Everything was fantastic and so flavorful. I can't wait to come back and try something new or maybe make it back on a Sunday when there is a buffet. Special thanks to our waitress Sonya (ja/ia, not sure how she spells it) who made recommendations and was so attentive. read more

Oh what a delicious food! That was my first time in a hymalaian restaurant and what a nice surprise! Very beautiful restaurant, the food is super fresh, my husband got the chicken Hymalayan Masala and I got Aloo Saag and it's perfect read more

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Next time I'm in Lancaster, I'm going back again! The food was delish - shareable portions, great flavor, fresh ingredients. The service was 10/10, they were busy but our waitress was attentive, kind, and knowledgeable. We ate outside, on their small patio (this post is long overdue), and I'm glad we did, because indoor seating I think would've been too loud to hear/talk comfortably. Decorations were beautiful. I love how the menu was split between Himalayan and Nepalese cuisine. read more

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I arrived to Norbu with an open mind, anticipating unique flavor profiles, delicious cuisine in a serene atmosphere. There were many favorable experiences offered, that I delighted in seeing. Loved the homemade preparations showcasing freshness, quality, cultural roots and simplicity. A strawberry lassi, served in a copper goblet, was super creamy, sweet/tart, cold and refreshing. Mix It All Momos, served alongside a creamy tomato sauce. A vegetable momo, with minced, raw, under seasoned veggies within, had me perplexed, wondering if this was a mistake or how it should be served. Both meat and chicken fillings were cooked, tender, mildly seasoned with a hint of fresh ginger. The accompanied creamy tomato sauce, held little flavor. I even tasted the sauce, without the momo, working my tastebuds into a frenzy, while attempting to find a distinquishable flavor component; I was perplexed, but I did notice a subtle heat. Main entree - Fish Thali. What a divine experience this was, visually. A huge metal, round serving plate, with an assortment of veg, potato, soup, chutney, rice, pickle & dessert. Per our waitress, "mix it all in," to get the total experience. Initially, I tried it all on it's own, with rice and then, I mixed every last bit. The mustard seed sauce, was so overwhelmingly bitter and oily, that it masked the flavors of the delicate fish. I found the overall flavor components, unpleasing and not complementary of one another: bitter greens, warmed curry potatoes, a smallish mash of cold curry potatoes, mildly seasoned watery lentil soup, a pungent pickle, thick, sweet fruit chutney and slightly congealed rice pudding. It was all an experience, but not for me. read more

Norbu Lancaster - Boneless Fish Thali - Himalayan/Nepalese Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Went to Norbu to celebrate my moms birthday and had a lovely time. The waitstaff were kind and patient, very willing to explain the menu. The inside was colorful and cozy, a lot of different patterns everywhere with comfortable seating. The food was really good and flavorful, I got the lamb curry thial and it was very nice. The chutney was really great. A really good place. read more

Visited this spot out of curiosity and high yelp ratings. The exotic decoration inside looks like Tibet Buddhism style, a good place to refresh yourself. It's rare to have Himalayan cousins so I ordered one based on the photo shared online. The texture of the crispy shell in that dish is special for me. For the service, the waiter is pretty welcoming. read more

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A calm corner in downtown Lancaster -- learning through flavor at Norbu. Norbu is a restaurant located in North Christian Street that shares Bhutanese and Nepalese home-style food with the city. The place feels calm and welcoming, filled with colorful decorations and quiet background music. I tried Datsi, a dish made with cheese and chili, and learned that it's cooked with yak milk, which gives it a rich and different flavor. It was spicy and creamy at the same time, something I had never tasted before. The Himalayan Masala was served with layers of warm spices that made it both sweet and comforting. The owner told me their menu was inspired by family recipes, leading to exciting flavor differ from traditional Western food . Bathing in the peaceful music and the exotic decoration of Buddhism is definitely a fresh and new experience. read more

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Wonderful! We enjoyed the Thali dinner. Stunning flavors, warm service. Will definitely be back! read more

Outstanding. I was so into the food that I honestly forgot to take any photos. Everything I had was insanely delicious. I don't recall eating a single dish that made me wish I had gotten something else from the buffet. I suppose the big winner, for me, was the shrimp in the sauce, over the bed of rice. Reckon I'll dream about that dish for the rest of my life. Really neat restaurant too. Great decorations. Felt super cozy and comfortable. Being a BYOB is a nice feature, as well. I'd probably rather eat at Norbu than almost anywhere else in Lancaster. It was that great. read more

Norbu Lancaster - outside of restaurant at night - Himalayan/Nepalese Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

First Friday of the month -- very reasonable price for Nepali buffet. - eggplant - fried rice (like biriyani) - cheesy mushroom - tofu curry - potato - onion pakora 28th birthday dinner with sister. read more

Norbu Lancaster - Himalayan/Nepalese Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Pretty good meal. Very allergy friendly as the whole menu is almost gf. Menu is clearly marked with GF, vegan and other possible allergens. The onion pakora was delicious and the sweet and sour chicken dish I got was good. Well breaded. Will be back to try more and possibly give it the 5th star read more

I was recommend Norbu by a friend and took a few with me. Non of us had been here so we got appetizers and dinners and shared all. I can't say one thing stood out because everything we had from the cold chai to the momo-paratha--sekuwa- plus bunch specials They were all FANTASTIC! Our group didn't leave anything behind DELICIOUS Highly recommended this hidden gem read more

Food was good. Friendly, relaxed atmosphere. We were helped by staff when ordering and the meals we got were all good to great. read more

A hidden gem - particularly for vegetarians. The room is comfortable and in. The menu is varied and introduces many unfamiliar flavors. The chickpea flour fried onions are spectacular. The service is helpful and attentive. read more

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Lived up to the hype--this will be added to the rotation. Clean, unique, great staff, timely service, and great food, especially for the price. I had a great shiitake dish. They also had a special Lions mane mushroom appetizer--great to see a restaurant enlocking the variety of mushrooms beyond white button. We will be back! read more

Highly recommend eating here! Even if you're unfamiliar with a lot of the menu, you cannot have a bad meal here!! The onion appetizer is my fav to keep ordering, I also love the cheesy pasta dish on the last page of the menu. The service is always top notch with great recommendations and it's such a lovely place with all the unique decor and seating. It's a must try restaurant!! read more

One of my favorite places around. So many vegan options. Plenty of options for everyone. Wonderful vibes, cozy but still plenty of seating. Absolutely wonderful staff. read more

My wife, brother and I ate here recently and we were all blown away. We didn't have a reservation, but they managed to get us a table. The staff, atmosphere and food were amazing. Quality food, cooked perfectly with care and passion. We ordered a variety of items and it was all fantastic. We can't wait to go back and tell everyone I know about our experience!! read more

Really enjoyed our evening here. Great staff, quality ingredients, and a cozy setting. Only minor drawback was the music being a touch too loud. read more

This place is amazing! The waitress was friendly and very attentive. My first time trying Nepalese food. The food is very similar to Indian food but with a more mild taste due to using less spice. We ordered the chicken thali and green mustard pakora. The pakora was so light and crunchy. I did not feel bad eating it even thought it was fried and battered. The thali was an experience. It comes with samples of different dishes and they were all so delicious. It has a good mix of pickled vegetable, lentil, potatoes, and fruit jams. We had so much fun trying all the different dishes. This place is also mostly gluten free because they use chickpeas for most of their carbs. I love the interior design of this place. It makes you feel like you teleported to Asia. Don't miss out on this wondering place! read more

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This is genuinely the best food I've ever eaten, and I'm heartbroken that I ate here while traveling and don't actually live in Lancaster because I'd eat this food a minimum of once a week. As someone with a gluten intolerance it's amazing to see a menu that's 95% gluten free. I tried the Himalayan onion rings, which were the most incredible fried onions I've ever had. They were more of a fritter than a ring, but they were mind blowingly good. For my main course I got the beef kakaru, which was very garlicky and spiced/seasoned really well. It was a super hearty and comforting meal. I also tried my partner's datsi, and this was also excellent. We also both got the spiced Himalayan milk tea, and it was so good iced! This was also my first time trying Bhutanese cuisine, and it will definitely not be my last. Incredible food, incredible service. Seriously cannot recommend this place enough and can't wait to come back. read more

Norbu Lancaster - Himalayan onion rings and milk tea! 10/10. - Himalayan/Nepalese Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

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Went to eat here for the first time since I just moved to the area. Love Lancaster city. The unique atmosphere and culture is so genuine and the food does not disappoint. Pork belly was so flavorful. We also tried the ramen. Even my leftovers were delicious!!! Truly recommend. Service was also very welcoming. Will definitely go back. Mango cheesecake is a must!!! read more

Yes yes yes. This is one difficult to find, but incredible restaurant. All of the food is so fresh and lots of vegan options. I enjoyed the sweet and sticky tofu as well as a Buffalo cauliflower appetizer. So fresh. So delicious. So need to come here more often. Did I even mention the cashew based cheesecakes?? Holy wow. read more

Norbu Lancaster - Hard to find, but worth the trip. - Himalayan/Nepalese Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

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Beautiful restaurant with authentic Nepali and Bhutanese decor. Sunday brunch buffet was very good. Some fritter appetizers as well as different curries, both meat and vegetarian. Servers were attentive. Small shared parking lot with other businesses. Sundays are probably easier to find parking than during the week. read more

I came all the way from Philadelphia to eat here again before we move. Might come again too everything was incredible again. Vegetable momos and chicken momos were perfect, I got cauliflower datsi again and it was so delicious I wanted to cry. My toddler (2 years old) loved the potato datsi and ate almost the entire thing by herself. My husband got the spicy noodle with cheese topped with chicken and that was delicious as well. 10/10 would recommend. How many times can I reasonably drive to Lancaster to eat here before I move? read more

Had the spicy noodles and cheese with chicken for lunch. The food and service were awesome! Highly recommended! read more

always a great meal at norbu. the place is super cute (your wife or girlfriend will love it) with great ambiance! the staff is super friendly and the portion sizes are huge (and come out quickly even when it's crazy busy in there). takeout is quick and easy. they even have a parking lot (if that's your thing). lots of sand gluten free items if you or someone you love dines sans gluten. read more

If this food isn't your thing, I pity your bland-ass tastebuds. Super lovely family that owns this place and not a single item on the menu I haven't ordered repeat times. Excellent service, excellent presentation, excellent decor. read more

Found this place to be delicious food, down to earth service, and charming atmosphere. Ordered a thali and chicken momo. Highly recommend both! Chef had special hot sauce, if you ask. No alcohol served. Very affordable, overall. read more

Went to Norbu on a weekday for lunch and they had an all you can eat buffet of Himalayan delights. What a great. Selection, variety, flavorful, freshly prepared, we could each sample whatever struck our fancy. Quiet, intimate setting with soft regional music in the background. The server only needed to seat us and refill drinks as we wandered up to the buffet several times. Most welcoming and enjoyable. read more

*BYOB* What a lovely addition to downtown! For a Saturday at 5:30 p.m. on a day that's not unbearable from heat and humidity, I was surprised not to see more people. We were the only dine-in table and sat on the patio. The owner was also our server and she was so nice! She provided great service, answered questions we had, was personable and chatted with us for a bit. The Wai Wai was my favorite! I love ramen (cooked or raw!)! The seasoning is made in-house (yes, I asked) and full of flavor. Mix it with rice or scoop a spoonful onto the paratha - delicious no matter what you pair it with. I will order this every time! This was my first time having paratha. It's lightly pan fried, not oily or doughy, and is sturdy enough to use as your utensil. The sauces served with the momo and aloo singara each had their own distinct flavor - bold, robust in flavor, sweet, spicy, and at least one with heat. One of the momo accidentally broke open while being steamed and she apologized and offer to remake. We declined, but appreciated the offer. (It was barely open!) I'm looking forward to my next visit! Norbu is now going to be one of my regulars! read more

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We are a vegan group from Meetup. Twelve of us showed up for a reservation. Everyone raved about the food, the waitress was excellent, and the atmosphere was delightful. I think most, if not all, of us are planning to return. The vegan chocolate peanut butter cheesecake is AMAZING! read more

An unexpected delight. Truly an ethnic foodie experience. Staff are friendly and attentive. Offered suggestions as this was our first experience with this cuisine. Highly recommend don't miss this downtown gem. read more

Gluten Free (GF), allergy-free, vegan, vegetarian heaven! My colleagues and I were thrilled to find Norbu-Lancaster after some other colleagues mentioned where their group was going to eat. Ok. I haven't had onion rings in years because GF O-rings? Meh. Not only did I have Norbu's rings with a crispy chick pea flour batter, we also ate cauliflower samosas. I had chicken fingers (also for the first time in forever) while my colleagues got to enjoy delicious vegan and vegetarian dishes. (Apologies because I've been so busy I'm behind on reviews and forgot what they had, but there will be pictures.) The surroundings were beautifully colorful, and one of the owners provided excellent, friendly service. In fact, when I asked about specific allergens in the dessert we wanted, she called her sister who made it to ask. Soooo happy I could have the peanut butter cup dairy free "cheese" cake. Oh my word!!! Silkiest, creamiest, most delicious dessert any of us had eaten in maybe ever. And it happened to be GF, dairy free, soy free, and vegan! I think this might be my first 5-star review. Norbu was marvelous. read more

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What a gem: the food, the atmosphere, & the owner and waitstaff! I thought about being selfish & keeping this place to myself, but they deserve your patronage. My 1st time trying Bhutanese/Nepalese food, so no point of comparison, but let me tell you that my partner & I left there so happy. Was staying nearby for a few nights, but would gladly make the 1+ hr drive from home to dine here again. We had the singara aloo (potato/peas filled), mixed momo, beef & chicken datsi & of course the onion rings everyone raves about. Loved it all. Nice heat to the datsi & onion ring dipping sauce, but not overpowering. Onion ring sauce was also sweet. My partner asked if they sell it by the bottle, he enjoyed it that much. There is a parking lot, but looked like only 2 spots for Norbu (others are reserved spots), but parking nearby. Only thing with my daysi is that cheese sauce was quite thin & not exactly as shown in other pictures, but hey - homemade, there will be variations & was still good. Give this local family-run spot a try. I'm confident you will not regret it. Thank you for giving us a chance to try this food, Norbu! We will most definitely return. read more

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