Being a foodie myself, every time I hear a new restaurant is open in town, a visit there is mandatory. Food for me is not only about how it tastes but also about the feelings it entices, and I have always been someone who’s preferred to be in a tranquil place sharing food with people I love. If you are like me then Doko Deli at Jhamsikhel is the ideal environment to be. This place is bound to leave an impression on you, if you are the type who admires the aesthetics of eating in a familial environment. 

Doko Del might look like your average nearby restaurant from afar but once you visit there, be prepared to have some delicious multi-cuisine surprises. The restaurant has ample space for their guests with a bar, comfortable coffee tables, sofas, dining tables and chairs and rooms to accommodate family gatherings and small events. It also provides outdoor and indoor spaces that suits your preference. Beautifully executed wall paintings hung on the walls and the flowers and plants adds the right amount of elegance to the place. With a separate happy hour menu (12 PM to 5 PM) for offices, I was impressed by their generosity for providing meals at such a bargain for employees at office hours. The food and drinks are available to them at literally half the price as compared to what you pay at other restaurants for lunch and it tastes delicious as well. Established just four months ago, I was quite impressed by the number of customers it attracted. The place was packed and I was about to discover why. 

First of all, their menu is quite versatile, nothing like I’ve seen before. We were greeted with such happy faces and the service staff communicated in such a polite manner, making sure we got what was required. I felt at ease just being there. The service was very fast and all of my orders arrived at once. I was so overwhelmed, everything looked so mouth-watering that I couldn’t decide what to eat first. With much thought, I decided to dive into their Chicken Tikka which I must say was so beautifully executed, hanging on a skewer, that I had to take a picture first. The boneless chicken was marinated with a hint of malai sauce or tikka sauce, grilled in a tandoor and had a lovely charred flavor. I loved how it was cleverly paired with a delicate mint sauce that wonderfully complemented the meat. 

With less enthusiasm, I tasted their Chicken Biryani. I should mention that I was a bit hesitant while ordering it because I am not a huge fan of Chicken Biryani, especially the raita that comes with it. But to my surprise, it exceeded my expectations.  The biryani came in a unique looking wooden tray that looked like a table with a single flame candle lit below to continuously keep it warm. I adored how light it felt, and not too oily. But was definitely belly-filling. The raita came off as the biggest surprise with such enticing flavor that didn’t overpower the burnt and garlicky flavor of the basmati rice which was perfectly seasoned. I am just happy I finally found a place to fulfil my occasional biryani cravings. 


Saving the best for the last, I got to relish their lip-smacking BBQ Chicken Sandwich. My eyes kept admiring how distinct and delicious it looked. It had a burst of flavors, drenched in BBQ Sauce, served smartly with fresh buns that had a subtle crunch. Layered with garden-fresh lettuce, tomato, avocado, crisp onion and BBQ aioli, I’d give the orgasmically-delicious sandwich a 10 out of 10. I prefer sandwiches that are succulent, and they exactly delivered what I was hoping to taste. I must give credit to the chef for being so ingredient focused. It was the ideal balance of flavor, texture and artistry. 

I almost forgot to mention their variety of drinks on the menu. I ended up ordering three (not guilty) drinks.  Their special Doko Punch infused with cinnamon, lemon, honey and cloves looked deceptively simple but tasted tantalizingly good, ideal for your cold winter days or your bad stuffed nose days. Their mint lemonade was refreshing and reminded me that the good old summer days are just around the corner. But my favorite has to be the Rainbow Mocktail filled with flavors of orange juice, grenadine syrup, blue curacao and lime, masterfully executing the appearance of a rainbow. It was pleasant, bubbly and not too sweet for which I’d give a plus point. 

Not to brag, but by the time I was done, I’d already started planning my next visit. The place is in sync with my version of the modern family gathering place and the live music on occasional nights just gives another reason to visit this place more often.