South India’s Iconic Taste

Food And Drinks
Life Style
The Buzz Nepal
September 25 , 2025

The legendary MTR brings nearly 100 years of South Indian flavor to Nepal’s dining scene.

Some restaurants aren’t just places to eat—they’re cultural legends. Mavalli Tiffin Rooms (MTR) is one of them. Born in Bengaluru in 1924, MTR has spent nearly a century perfecting the art of South Indian vegetarian cuisine. It’s a brand with nearly 100 years of culinary history, a story that has traveled from Bengaluru to Dubai, Singapore, London—and now Nepal.

Its name is etched into culinary history: iconic dosas, comforting idlis, bold filter coffee—all served with the same uncompromising commitment to quality that made it a household name. Eating at MTR isn’t just about filling up—it’s about slowing down, savoring, and experiencing food the way it was meant to be. For the city’s diners, it means more than just food. It means access to a piece of South India’s cultural fabric, lovingly plated and served.

MTR is in Kathmandu. Thanks to the Le Sherpa Concept Group, which has already transformed the city’s dining scene with hotspots like Piano Piano, Nomad Hotel, La Casita de Boudhanath, and the beloved Farmer’s Market, MTR opened its Nepal doors in Kamalpokhari, opposite City Center, in August 2023.

For food lovers, this isn’t just another opening. It’s a taste of heritage.

Tradition on a Plate

Walking into MTR feels like stepping into South India’s food story. The menu reads like a love letter to the classics—each dish rooted in history, each bite carrying a century of tradition.

Rava Idli: Soft, spongy, and nutty with cashews and curry leaves. Fun fact? It was invented by MTR during World War II when rice was scarce. What started as a clever substitute became a cult classic.

Rava Masala Dosa: Crisp, golden, and stuffed with spiced potatoes, layered with pudi (that fiery chutney powder you’ll fall in love with). A street-style flavor explosion—upgraded.

Mangalore Buns: Sweet, deep-fried banana-and-yogurt pillows. Strange, addictive, and impossible to stop at one.

Mini Tiffin Combo: For the indecisive foodie. Idlis, vadas, kharabhath, kesaribhath, and a dosa—all with sambar and chutneys. Basically, South India in sampler form.

Masala Buttermilk: Yogurt, roasted cumin, mint, and spice—cooling, tangy, and palate-cleansing. The drink you didn’t know you needed.

Pure Filter Coffee: Frothy, bold, aromatic, poured the traditional way. The only correct ending to a South Indian meal.

Plain Dosa: The classic. Paper-thin, crispy outside, soft inside. Proof that simplicity is sometimes perfection.

Ragi Dosa: Made with nutrient-rich finger millet flour. Earthy, crisp, wholesome. Comfort food with a healthy twist.

A perfect blend of tradition and flavor, MTR in Kathmandu invites everyone to savor a timeless culinary journey right in the heart of the city.