Coffee drinks in Nepal are a cultural phenomenon. Nepal has experienced a boom in its coffee culture, which has progressed from humble house brews to high-end café cultures. From the city streets of Kathmandu to the peaceful alleyways of Pokhara and Lalitpur, coffeehouses are branching out, serving traditional and specialty drinks that suit the changing palates of Nepali youth and globetrotting travelers alike.
Not only did that increase the variety of international coffee drinks, but it also inspired the innovative fusion of local flavors into global trends.
In this blog, we will explore the top 10 coffee trends of Nepal in detail.
10 popular coffee drinks in Nepal (2026 Trends)
Coffee preferences in Nepal have also evolved over the past few years. Even though traditional tea remains immensely popular, youth and café-culture consumers are finding an amazing variety of coffee drinks, ranging from long-tried combinations of espresso to novel, locally-typed drinks.
Below are 10 of the most popular and trending coffee beverages that you will find in Nepal in 2025:
1. Organic Nepali coffee
Nepali organic coffees have become sought for their cup alongside their sustainable farming. Produced in mid-hill administrative districts such as Gulmi, Ilam, and Sindhupalchok, coffee beans are hand-picked and processed naturally without chemical adulteration, providing for a clean, earthy profile.
With a smooth body, fruit taste, and medium acidity, Nepali organic coffee has become unique at specialty coffee houses. The history of coffee in Nepal dates back to the 1930s when the first coffee plant was introduced in the Gulmi district, laying the foundation for what is now a growing and sustainable industry. Consumers nowadays have become equally aware and need coffee that supports these rural coffee producers as well as the sustainable practices.
2. Classic espresso-based drinks
Espresso-based beverages such as single shots, doppio, and Americanos are ubiquitous in Nepali cafes. Their rich, intense flavor is a draw for purists looking for a simple caffeine boost.
Preparation of the espresso has also improved lately due to the existence of schools of barista and improved equipment. These are also the foundation of other favorite drinks like cappuccinos and lattes, and are the core trend of Nepal’s coffee revolution.
3. Cappuccino
Cappuccinos have remained perennially popular among Nepali coffee lovers. It is the ideal combination of espresso, steamed milk, and foam that forms an ultimately rich but equally matched beverage for all-day occasions.
Many of the cities’ cafes around Kathmandu and Pokhara now enhances their cappuccinos with cocoa powder or cinnamon. Soft milk foam also provides a medium for creating latte art, providing the coffee with a visual appeal that will appeal to the generation of Instagram enthusiasts.
4. Iced coffee / Cold brew
With longer summer days and warmer months, iced coffee and cold brews are becoming the refreshing staples. Iced coffee is an ice-serve caffeine punch, but cold brew is a mild, less acidic taste that is brewed by steeping for an extended duration.
Coffee shops throughout Nepal now try out options of citrus cold brew or iced lattes topped with cream. These are most popular amongst the youth for colder and more energizing beverages on day excursions or office sessions.
5. Latte
Lattes rank high among the favorite drinks of old-timers and newcomers alike. It is a single or double shot of espresso blended with plenty of steamed milk to create a creamy, smooth taste.
Why lattes are special is that they’re very customizable, the cafes typically have vanilla, caramel, or hazelnut. Lattes have also become social beverages, typically ordered as part of study dates or catch-ups at hip cafes.
Also Read 👉: Easy Tips That Will Make Your Latte Art Flourish
6. Affogato
Affogato is a luxurious dessert-drink combination that is quickly becoming popular in Nepal. Affogato is a shot of hot espresso that is put into a scoop of vanilla ice cream, combining hot and cold into one rich cup.
This beverage is best consumed, particularly in high-end restaurants and cafes, where it is served as a dessert after meals. Affogato is addictive and unforgettable due to the contrast of sweet ice cream and bitter espresso.
7. Dalgona Coffee
A lockdown sensation on the internet during the height of the COVID-19 lockdowns, Dalgona coffee has since become a staple in Nepali cafes. Whipping instant coffee, sugar, and hot water to foam consistency, it’s served over cold or hot milk for a rich, two-colored appearance.
The flavor and texture of dalgona coffee remain intriguing to coffee enthusiasts who want something classy but simple. Cocoa or matcha powder is added by most indigenous coffee shops to modernize the drink.
8. Himalayan Salt Coffee
Inspired by Himalayan butter tea, this beverage gives a geographical spin to the classic espresso. Pink Himalayan salt is added to the coffee, sometimes accompanied by butter or cream, for an out-of-this-world taste.
It’s flavorful, meaty, and very refreshing, the perfect cup for colder climates. While still an exotic commodity, however, Himalayan salt coffee is drawing an eager buyer segment of experimental coffeehouse consumers.
9. Spiced Masala Coffee
Spice masala coffee is a mixture of the warmth of spices of South Asia and the robustness of the brewed coffee. This is a recipe that steeps cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg with milk and coffee to produce a warm, spicy beverage.
Ideal for pre-dawn winter mornings or summer monsoon afternoons, the drink combines the taste of masala chai and strong filter coffee. It is becoming fashionable in home-run cafes and home-bred retail stores that wish to blend tradition and contemporary style.
10. Mocha Coffee
Mocha is perfect for coffee lovers who want to taste the flavor of coffee but with a little bit of chocolate. It consists of mixing espresso, hot chocolate, steamed milk, whipped cream, and a sprinkling of cocoa, which is typically on top.
Its highest popularity is achieved during late-day occasions since it is brought to complement an after-dessert-like coffee taste. There are also flavored varieties, for instance, white chocolate mocha and mint mocha, for the purpose of gratifying the sweet-toothed.
Why is coffee becoming so popular in Nepal?
Since the lifestyle of Nepal is rapidly modernizing, so is the taste for drinks. What was once a luxury, coffee, is now a daily activity among most Nepalis, particularly the youth.
Here’s why coffee has emerged as a favorite:
- Growing cafe culture: Trendy, cozy coffee shops are thriving in the cities of Pokhara and Kathmandu because youth activities, social functions, and cultural events are organized here.
- Availability of high-quality local coffee: With increased cultivation of organic and specialty-grade beans in regions like Ilam and Gulmi, Nepali consumers now have access to fresher and more flavorful homegrown coffee.
- Rise in remote work and freelancing: Coffee shops have transformed into modern workspaces, providing free Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and a productive ambiance for digital nomads and freelancers.
- Changing lifestyle of youth: For Nepali youth, coffee drinking is a habit as much as a lifestyle expression, linked to modern identity, class, and urbanity.
- Rise of local baristas and coffee training: Organizations like Galaxy Training Institute are creating exceptional baristas who are raising the standards of coffee service and building unique coffee experiences.
- Tourism and global influence: International tourist arrivals and global world influences have compelled Nepali coffeehouses to embrace globally themed beverages, using overseas coffeehouse culture in a Nepali setting.
Conclusion
From classic tastes to international trends, these top 10 most popular coffee drinks in Nepal show just how far Nepal’s coffee has progressed. Whether you’re a latte lover, a cold brew enthusiast, or someone seeking bold local innovations like Himalayan salt coffee, Nepal’s coffee scene in 2025 is rich, diverse, and deeply exciting.
So the next time you step into a Nepali café, go beyond your regular order, explore something new and immerse yourself in the evolving world of Nepali coffee.
Interested in turning your passion for coffee into a profession? Join Galaxy Training Institute’s professional barista training program and gain the skills you need to master the art of coffee, from bean to brew.
👉 Enroll Today and become part of Nepal’s growing coffee revolution!