Our History

In the mid-1980s, Thamel was a world of its own. Tucked inside Kathmandu, it was already buzzing with life, but in a different way than it is today. There were no loud horns or fast-moving crowds. The streets were quieter, filled with music that drifted out of small cafés and guesthouses. It was a colorful place where travelers stopped for weeks, artists shared stories with strangers, and the rhythm of life felt a little slower. Thamel had heart. It had soul. And it had space for something new.

In 1986, inside this calm but vibrant part of the city, Pumpernickel Bakery was born.

The idea came from far away. Our founder had spent time in Europe, where he noticed something simple but meaningful. People sat down for their meals. They made time for breakfast. They talked while sipping their coffee and shared fresh bread over morning conversations. Eating wasn’t just about filling the stomach. It brought a sense of togetherness, warmth, and calm.

In Nepal at the time, bread was not part of daily life. Most homes made chapatis or rotis. Bread, especially the kind baked with care and time, was unfamiliar. But the founder believed in what he had seen. He believed that Nepal, too, could come to enjoy the same feeling—a slow, wholesome start to the day, with food that brought people closer.

So he returned home and opened a small bakery in the middle of Thamel. It was just one floor then, with a garden out front and the aroma of fresh loaves coming from the oven. The early customers were mostly tourists. They understood the bread. They had eaten it before and welcomed the familiar taste. They smiled when they saw familiar recipes slices of multigrain bread lined up behind the counter. Slowly, others began to visit too. Locals who were curious. Locals who wanted to try something new. And eventually, locals who kept coming back.

From the very beginning, the bakery was about more than the food. It was about the feeling. A space where people could sit, pause, and enjoy something that had been made with intention.

Over the years, Pumpernickel changed. The garden made way for new rooms. One floor became two, then three, and now four. The menu grew too. Along with our wide variety of breads, we added pastries, breakfast platters, and dining options that stayed true to our roots. But through every change, we made sure to keep the same heart.

This bakery has always been run by our family. It has passed down through generations, and each generation has added its own touch while holding on to what matters most. We still wake up early to bake. We still test recipes until they feel just right. And we still believe that good bread can make a person feel whole.

Now, both tourists and locals know the name. People who once came as travelers now return with their families. Some of our oldest customers bring their children, who have grown up with the scent of cinnamon and fresh dough in the air. The faces may change, but the feeling remains.

Thamel has changed too. It is faster now. Brighter. Louder. But Pumpernickel still offers a quiet corner. A place to slow down. A place to stay.

We want every bite to carry that same intention our founder believed in. Not rushed, not loud, but thoughtful. We believe in slow bakes. We believe in steady mornings. We believe that food made with care can shape a day and a life.

This is our story. It began in a garden, grew through time, and continues every day in the heart of Thamel.

You are always welcome here.