# Coffee in Nepal: From Gulmi Farms to Kathmandu Cafés

_Published 4 June 2026_

Nepal is better known for tea, but its hill farmers grow good arabica coffee, and Kathmandu has a lively café scene.

**Quick answer:** According to local history, coffee came to Nepal in **1938**, when a hermit named **Hira Giri** planted seeds from Burma in **Gulmi** district. Farming spread after the government distributed seeds in **1968**. Today, mainly **arabica** is grown in mid-hill districts such as **Gulmi, Palpa, Arghakhanchi, Syangja, Kaski, Lalitpur, Kavre and Sindhupalchok**, much of it on small farms.

## Where it grows

Coffee grows in the middle hills, roughly 800–1,600 m, often shaded and farmed without chemicals. Production is small compared with big coffee nations, which makes Nepali coffee something of a specialty.

## Where to drink it

- Specialty cafés in Thamel, Jhamsikhel and Lazimpat in Kathmandu.
- Lakeside cafés in Pokhara.
- Farm visits in the hills, on request.

## Bring some home

Bags of Nepali beans make a light souvenir. See [shopping in Nepal](/blog/shopping-in-nepal-souvenir-guide).

## On treks

Instant coffee is standard in teahouses; real coffee is available in Namche and some Annapurna villages. Many trekkers carry their own instant sachets.

Prefer tea? See [Nepali tea](/blog/nepali-tea-guide).

## Frequently asked questions
### Does Nepal grow coffee?
Yes, mainly arabica in the middle hills.

### When did coffee come to Nepal?
By local tradition, in 1938 in Gulmi.

### Where is coffee grown in Nepal?
Gulmi, Palpa, Arghakhanchi, Syangja, Kaski, Lalitpur and other hill districts.

### Can I get good coffee on treks?
In Namche and some larger villages; elsewhere it is mostly instant.


Web page: https://himalayanhiking.com/blog/coffee-in-nepal