Freak Street (Jhhonchen Tole)

If you were to go back in time and walk down Freak Street (Jhhonchen Tole or Jochen Tole) in the early 1970s, you’d find yourself surrounded by cheap hostels, New Age enlightenment shops, cafes and hordes of the hippies who gave the stretch of road its nickname. While the flower children have moved on since Freak Street’s heyday, the area remains a popular alternative to Thamel for dining and accommodation.

If you find yourself near Kathmandu’s Durbar Square, take the short walk to Freak Street for lunch or dinner at one of the quiet cafes, including a Ganesh restaurant or the tiny cake shop named Snowman. Everything from dining and hotels, to shops selling knick-knacks and bohemian attire tend to be cheaper here than in the more popular Thamel, making it worth a stop even if you’re not staying here.
Please note that parts of Freak Street suffered damages in the earthquakes and subsequent aftershocks in Nepal in late April and early May 2015. Authorities have said they will do all they can to restore historic and cultural sites in Nepal and are assessing the extent of damages.