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West Didsbury's Nepalese institution
Four decades of Nepalese tandoori, family hospitality, and Burton Road evenings people return to again and again.
Founded by Gopal and Jhunu Dangol, The Great Kathmandu has grown through family, loyal staff, neighbours, celebrations, charity work and regulars who treat the dining room like part of their own story.
Kathmandu cooking finds a permanent home in West Didsbury.
Observer and Harden's name the restaurant Best Indian Restaurant in the UK.
Family, staff and friends supported Alzheimer's Research UK in honour of founder Jhunu Maya Dangol.
A landmark year for a family-run Manchester institution.
A living restaurant archive
Food, family, awards, charity letters, old interiors and new memories move together as one 40-year archive.
The black frontage, warm windows, and familiar corner presence make the restaurant instantly recognisable.
Momo, mixed grill, chewla, makhan chara, pillau and house specials carry the same care from table to takeaway.
Generations of the Dangol family and long-serving staff give the restaurant its unmistakable welcome.
Open-flame flavour, deep marinades and generous sharing plates that built the restaurant's reputation.
Small plates that speak directly to the restaurant's Kathmandu roots.
A celebratory dish with the family name built into it.
Opened by Gopal and Jhunu Dangol, The Great Kathmandu has welcomed generations of Manchester diners with award-winning Nepalese cooking and a dining room full of memory.
Read our story
Founded in 1986, The Great Kathmandu has been talked about far beyond Burton Road and recognised by The Observer, Harden's, the Curry Awards and The Nations Curry Awards.
Working with local, national and international charities, the restaurant has raised over £15,000 for Alzheimer's Research UK in memory of founder and mother Jhunu Maya Dangol. The team has also supported Nepal-focused projects, including water filters, shelter and school work.
The restaurant regularly works with neighbouring schools to engage pupils with Nepalese culture and cuisine.
The team helps keep Burton Road tidy, plants flowers and hanging gardens, uses biodegradable straws, and reduces waste with reusable linen and napkins.
Already known as one of Kathmandu's finest chefs, Gopal was invited to the North West to cook for a new restaurant project.
Gopal Dangol and colleagues started a milestone venture for Asian dining in the North West, bringing Nepalese food to Manchester as The Kathmandu.
After The Kathmandu ceased business, Gopal began a new family project: The Great Kathmandu Tandoori Restaurant. All six children helped build what it is today.
The Great Kathmandu won Harden's and Observer Newspapers' Best Indian Restaurant in the UK, seeing off around 35,000 establishments.
The restaurant expanded into the former Jack Beanstalk video shop, increasing kitchen and floor capacity and adding disabled toilet access and wheelchair access.
The restaurant was nominated for a House of Commons Tiffin Award for diverse cuisine and resilience.
The original restaurant section was redeveloped to create a more spacious dining area.
The family went to Nepal in 2015 to support earthquake victims and help communities facing loss, damaged homes and upheaval.
A private function room was developed with 120-inch HD projection, THX sound, private bar, toilets, conferencing capability and karaoke.
The culinary team and family secured the Curry Awards crown for Best Nepalese Restaurant in the UK.
Founder, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend Jhunu Maya Dangol passed away in 2020. Her warmth and spirit still shape the restaurant and the family around it.
New booth seating, a feature wall, updated lighting and classic signage refreshed the restaurant while honouring its heritage.
In 2024 the family, staff and friends raised money for Alzheimer's Research UK to the order of £15,000 in memory of Jhunu Maya Dangol.
In 2025 The Great Kathmandu won The Nations Curry Award for Nepalese cuisine, recognising the restaurant's authentic flavour, hospitality and standards.
2026 marks 40 years of The Great Kathmandu, celebrating four decades of family hospitality, Nepalese cooking and Burton Road memories.
Still seen greeting customers on occasion. Aside from cooking, he loves gardening.
Took over the business in 2010. A keen photographer, music producer and hiker.
Award-winning chef from Kathmandu, Nepal, and son-in-law to Gopal Dangol.
Gopal's eldest daughter, a welcoming presence who has been part of the restaurant since its beginning.
Gopal's grandson, handling reservations and seating with a creative eye.
Gopal's grandson, managing the bar and billing.
Has taken orders at The Great Kathmandu for two decades.
One of the longest-standing members of staff.
The restaurant's story has been recognised by national guides, local press, curry awards and generations of diners. This page gives that proof the same presence as the food.
2008 national recognition after decades of craft, service, and consistency.
A family and kitchen team recognised for authentic Nepalese flavour.
Modern recognition for hospitality, dining experience and high standards.
Local coverage keeps returning to the same truth: this place means something.
Charity, remembrance, school support, environmental care and local partnerships sit beside the food because they are part of the restaurant's character.
The fundraiser honoured Jhunu Maya Dangol, co-founder, mother and the warm heart of the family restaurant.
Alongside local school work, flowers, hanging gardens and reduced waste, the restaurant has supported Nepal projects for families, schools, shelter and clean water.
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"If I had a choice, it'd be my last meal on earth."
Bacon on the Beach
"A Nepalese institution that has won more awards than we can remember."
Manchester's Finest
