From Lockdown Donuts to a Full Menu: The Rise of Kafe Kazi
– Food Review –
Rikesh Shrestha never took to baking, despite having a deep love for cooking. Growing up, he gravitated toward continental, oriental, and Newari cuisines, spending hours in the kitchen watching and learning from his mother and uncles. “I used to hate cooking anything that required measurements,” he recalls. But the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything. During lockdown, he found himself experimenting with baking, making donuts, carrot cakes, and brownies that earned glowing praise from his mother and brother. Those encouraging words planted the seed for The Onuts, his home-based bakery.
The venture soon grew beyond the kitchen. Together with his gym friends, Shrestha set out to open a small café centered around baked goods and coffee. The search for a space led them to a spot in Khusibun but the premises turned out to be larger than anticipated, and what began as a modest café concept evolved into a full-fledged multicuisine restaurant. Since 2024, Kafe Kazi has been serving an eclectic menu alongside its signature bakery items.
What We Tried
During our visit, we sampled the Keema Noodles, Chicken Skewer, Freddo Espresso, and Lyasi Paun Mocktail.
Buff Keema Noodles
The Keema Noodles here strike the perfect balance of spices, textures, and aromas. The noodles are thick, and the minced buff meat is generous in quantity. Spice lovers will definitely enjoy this dish, it delivers a satisfying kick that lingers on the palate. What sets it apart is the masaledar keema: unlike the milder versions typically found in noodles, this one brings a distinct Nepali touch to the Tibetan dish through a bold blend of spices. If you love heat and are looking for a fresh take on keema noodles, this is a must-try.
Rating: 4/5
Chicken Skewer
The Chicken Skewer is, without a doubt, a standout dish. The chicken is incredibly tender, almost melt-in-your-mouth with spices blended in perfect harmony. A subtle hint of lemon brightens each bite, while a light smokiness rounds out the flavor beautifully. This dish pairs perfectly with a cold beer, making it the ultimate combination for a relaxed evening out.
Rating: 5/5
Tropical Smoothie
The Tropical Smoothie delivers exactly what it promises, a refreshing, naturally sweet drink that lets the fruit do the talking. It strikes a pleasant balance, sweet but not cloying, allowing the mixed-fruit flavors to shine through cleanly. The smoothie itself is smooth, creamy, and satisfying.
What makes it stand out, however, is the presentation. Rather than blending everything together, freshly cut apple, banana, and strawberry are served as toppings, adding a fresh texture and a more natural fruit experience to each sip. The apple in particular pairs beautifully with the tropical base. Oats are folded in for added body, making the drink feel more filling and wholesome and the crispy oat topping finishes it off with a subtle crunch that elevates the whole experience.
For anyone looking for a healthy yet indulgent tropical treat, this smoothie is well worth ordering.
Rating: 4.5/5
Freddo Espresso
For coffee lovers, the Freddo Espresso is the ideal summer drink. A double shot of espresso is shaken with ice in a Boston shaker until chilled and slightly diluted, then served over ice in a rocks glass. The result is crisp, bold, and refreshing, delivering just the right caffeine hit on a warm day.
Rating: 4/5
Lyasi Paun Mocktail
Looking for something unique this summer? The Lyasi Paun Mocktail brings together nostalgic flavors and refreshing vibes in one glass. Built on a base of sweet mango paun gravy and blended with soda, pineapple juice, and ice, it is as fun as it is flavorful. Originally conceived with girls in mind, tapping into the well-known love for sweet, spicy, and tangy paun, the mocktail quickly won over the men too, after Shrestha and his friends gave it a try. A crowd-pleaser through and through.
Rating: 4.5/5
The Verdict
Whether you are planning a casual date, a get-together, or a private event, Kafe Kazi makes for an ideal setting. The space is aesthetically pleasing, and the clean, comfortable environment lets you focus on good food and good company.
What also makes Kafe Kazi worth a visit is the sheer variety on offer. The menu spans everything from breakfast options to hearty mains like pork ribs and chicken cordon bleu, ensuring there is something for every appetite. And true to its roots, the bakery selection remains a highlight featuring cheesecakes, brownies, strawberry cream rolls and of course, the donuts that started it all.
Looking ahead, Shrestha has plans to launch Kazi Events, a catering service for larger occasions in collaboration with Photo Pasal and Photo Events. “Along with that, we also plan to open small outlets serving bakery and coffee,” he adds.
