Nestled up a short driveway in busy Gairidhara, Noya (meaning “beauty of god” in Hebrew), is a peaceful 11-room boutique hotel set in its own courtyard. Being an original Rana house, it seems fitting that, since Rana architecture was heavily influenced by British neoclassical traditions, Noya serves traditional English afternoon tea.

 

I have personally been doing the rounds of places that provide afternoon tea. A short round, as no one in Kathmandu does this! The Hyatt used to provide afternoon tea in their lobby lounge but according to the head waiter, they stopped several years ago. Fairfield by Marriott periodically provides an afternoon tea menu, but with very Indian inspired eats. As distant from an English afternoon tea as, well, India is from England.  

 

Naturally it’s possible to buy excellent cakes and tea/ coffee in many restaurants in town. But there is something luxurious about having sandwiches, cakes and scones presented as a three-in-one meal, in a stunning setting. So Noya Hotel is filling a much needed gap in the market. And this might be the perfect thing to do over the Easter weekend!

 

Recently I talked to Santosh Bahadur Shah, the owner of Noya, to ask how his idea of creating afternoon tea in Kathmandu came about. “As a London based commodities trader, my passion for tea and coffee led me to form a UK company trading in tea and coffee,” explains Shah. Growing up in London was the main reason for him becoming involved in the afternoon tea culture—think Fortnum and Mason, and Kensington Gardens Hotel, the pinnacles of afternoon tea. “Travelling around Europe promoting Nepali tea and coffee, I also had the chance to sample a lot of afternoon teas in different countries. You could say I am a connoisseur not only of fine teas, but also of afternoon tea culture,” laughs Shah. 

 

Returning to Nepal to open Noya Hotel was the perfect opportunity to pass on his passion and fascination for tea to both those living in Kathmandu and visiting tourists. I asked if he thought Kathmandu was ready for an afternoon tea culture. “Tea growing was established in Nepal long before coffee was introduced and if you think about it, every Nepali family drinks tea in the morning and afternoon. In Darjeeling there is a culture of having scones and pastries with tea in the afternoon, so why not Kathmandu?”  

 

Buying tea directly from small plantations in Illam, Jiri, and Dhankuta, and from major tea companies, Shah offers a variety of Nepali teas as well as teas from China, Japan, Sri Lanka and Thailand. In the afternoon tea set you can chose from Japanese Matcha tea and Thai Pea tea, to Blooming tea and hand-rolled Himalayan tea. All teas are served in real antique silver teapots (imported from London), with silver plated tea strainers and the finest bone china cups.  

 

But no afternoon tea is complete without the food! Noya offers a variety of finger sandwiches, savouries, scones with jam and clotted cream, Victoria sponge, and other cakes. Your typical English afternoon tea. But again in-keeping with that fusion of cultures, Noya also offers afternoon tea Nepali style. On offer with Nepali chai is a range of savouries such as bara, chatamari and khapse, and sweets. Determined to keep away from Indian sweets, Shah sources his sweets, including barfi, jeri-swari, and gulmadi, from small family-run, traditional sweet shops in Patan, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu. Tasty, and helping to keep alive the dying tradition of Nepali sweet making! All the goodies in the English and the Nepali afternoon tea sets are served on a three-tier plate stand, a pure afternoon tea etiquette, starting with savoury on the bottom and ending with the sweetest titbits on the top. 

 

Afternoon teas are available daily by reservation only (one day prior). From Rs 2,500 per set (for 2 people). For further information, and to make reservations, see Noya on Facebook.