Himalaya Teahouse

The Himalaya Teahouse is known to Astoria residents as a great place to read and write: it’s calm, quiet, and the waitstaff won’t rush you out. Himalaya has a huge selection of black, green and herbal teas, as well as imported beers, soft drinks and coffee. You can, if you like, sit in the cafe (which is painted a deep blue with yellow table clothes) or in the garden and sip tea all day, however, when you smell what’s cooking in the kitchen you’re going to want to order food. The menu isn’t extensive: it offers four varieties of Tibetan momos (dumplings), soups, noodles, and salads. What’s great about the food at Himalaya Teahouse is that everything is fresh. The noodles are homemade, the vegetables are crisp and everything tastes like home cooking. Not only that, the prices are reasonable: a hearty bowl of Thukpa soup will run you $6.95, and teas run about $3.50. (If that sounds like a lot, check your pockets for your Starbucks reciepts and see how much you spent on that over processed fattening Venti chai). Himalaya also sells loose tea (anything you find on the menu, you can buy in loose leaf form) for about $8, Tibetan prayer rugs and Tibetan singing bowls.

Himalaya Teahouse

31st Avenue and 34th Street, Astoria