About Phewa Cafe
A welcoming gathering space for coffee lovers, trekkers, and Pokhara locals on the edge of Phewa Lake.
Rooted by the Quiet Waters of Phewa Lake
Phewa Cafe started with a simple belief: the gentle mornings along Phewa Lake deserve coffee that matches the scenery. Founded right in the heart of Pokhara's Lakeside neighborhood, our space began as a quiet haven for trekkers descending from the Annapurna circuit, digital nomads seeking a peaceful workbench, and local neighbours who value an honest brew made from native Nepali coffee beans.
Step onto our shaded terrace on any morning and you will catch the warm aroma of freshly cracked cardamom, rich espresso, and golden butter croissants baking in the oven. We keep things intentionally unpretentious — whether you are here to write, share stories with fellow travelers, or simply sit quietly with a hot cup as the mist lifts off the lake, our doors are always open for you.
Our Craft & Coffee Philosophy
"Growing up right here in Pokhara, I spent my childhood watching the morning mist rise off Phewa Lake against the Annapurna range. After eight years training baristas in Kathmandu, my heart kept leading me back home."
In 2019, Anish Rana opened Phewa Cafe at Barahi Chowk to share his passion for single-origin Nepali coffee. Having spent nearly a decade in Kathmandu refining roast profiles and teaching coffee extraction techniques, Anish realized that Pokhara needed an unpretentious home where coffee was treated with craft and warm hospitality.
Anish’s coffee sourcing philosophy is rooted in fairness, community, and transparency. Phewa Cafe sources Arabica beans directly from smallholder farming families in Gulmi and Ilam. Each bean is hand-selected and roasted in small batches right here in Pokhara to highlight delicate notes of citrus blossom, toasted walnut, and dark honey.
"When you sit at our terrace with a fresh pour-over or a hot spiced latte, you are tasting the soil of Nepal’s hills and the dedication of local growers," Anish says. "Whether you are resting your legs after an Annapurna trek or starting your remote workday by the water, we are honoured to welcome you to our table."
The People Behind the Cups
We are a small team of coffee lovers, bakers, and Pokhara locals committed to unpretentious warmth and quality in every cup.
Anish Rana
Founder & Head Barista
Grew up in Pokhara, trained baristas in Kathmandu for 8 years before opening Phewa Cafe in 2019 to serve honest single-origin Nepali coffee to travellers and locals.
Saraswati Thapa
Lead Baker
Saraswati wakes up at 4:30 AM every morning to roll out fresh butter croissants and bake our signature mountain cardamom cookies.
Bimal Gurung
Senior Roaster
Bimal works closely with smallholder farm cooperatives in Gulmi and Ilam, meticulously profiling each seasonal batch to extract optimum sweetness.