Drinking and Dining: 

Do you think it is safe to eat freely in Nepal?
In general, yes. But, it's always good to take sensible precautions in order to avoid any health problems. No matter how tempting, and it can get very tempting after a long trek, avoid drinking any other water than bottled water. If you have to drink non-bottled water, purify it with iodine or chlorine tablets (available readily in most drug stores in Kathmandu). Asking for bottled water in restaurants is always a best idea. But you know we always prefer to recommend you to drink boiled or treated water in regards to protect our environment especially around the trekking areas.

Do not eat roadside food that is exposed in the open air. Avoid buying and eating raw and unpeeled fruit and vegetables. Other than that, it is fine to have boiled, fried or properly packaged food items.

What dietary expectations should I have during my trip to Nepal?
The staple food of Nepalese people is "daal, bhaat, tarkari" (lentil soup, curried vegetables with rice). Tarkari or curried vegetables can be bit spicy, hot and oily to people who are not used to eating spicy, hot and oily food. To avoid any stomach problems or diarrhea in Nepal we suggest any foreigners to stick with their normal spice less food. Daal and Bhaat are not spicy, so go ahead and taste them. For tarkari, I feel you should gradually try it in very less amount. Another thing that one should be aware of while arriving in Nepal is Drinking Water. Drink only bottled mineral water unless you are sure that the water is boiled and filtered. But we prefer to recommend you to drink boiled or treated water because it helps to protect our environment.

In Kathmandu and Pokhara, you can also find plenty of restaurants that offer International Cuisine such as Italian, Chinese, Thai, Mexican, Indian and so on. In Kathmandu, you should try Newari cuisine: the Newars (original inhabitants of Kathmandu Valley) have a very rich history of culinary art. Another food that you shouldn't miss to eat in Nepal is "MOMO". Momo can be both vegetarian and non-vegetarian types. Unless you are a veg person, I would recommend you to taste Non-veg Momos. You can find this food in any Nepalese restaurants and I would like you to discover this new food by your own during your visit to Nepal. However, besides these primary tourist hubs, you may not have much in terms of dietary choice. Trekkers will probably end up eating "daal, Bhaat, Tarkari" (lentil soup, curried vegetables with rice) for every major meal.

Since Nepal is a Hindu Kingdom, beef is strictly prohibited among both the Hindus and Buddhist. Hence it is little bit difficult to find restaurants that offer beef.

For drinking, Nepal produces over half a dozen of larger and light beers. Dark beer is available. An amazing variety of other hard liquor such as rum, whiskey, gin, vodka etc. is also produced in Nepal. Imported liquors are available at exorbitant prices. You will also come across a few types of Nepalese home brewed alcohol called "raksi" or available along your trekking routes. Bottled water is available everywhere, and should be the only water you drink. Coke, Pepsi and other major international brand name sodas are also available.  

I am a vegetarian
In this regards there is no problem to have vegetarian food any where in Nepal. There are many vegetarian restaurants. And even if you drop into normal restaurants, you can easily get vegetarian food. Just for your information, Vegetarian in Nepal means non-consumption of both meat and egg. Milk and other animal product are allowed.