When Sarah and Sera Gurung settled in the UK in 2004, they opened the UK’s first purely Nepalese restaurant -Yak Yeti Yak Bath – in the basement of one of the city’s grand Georgian townhouses.

Inspired by the couple’s travels and evenings spent in small Himalayan tea shops enjoying meals cooked by some of the world’s lesser-known culinary heroes, Yak Yeti Yak Bath was a place for them to share the food they loved. The unique offering was a hit with the locals, so much so that within a couple of years they moved the restaurant to a roomier basement on Pierrepont Street.

Everything is cooked by Sarah and Sera in the Yak Yeti Yak kitchen – from the handmade steamed momos (delicately spiced traditional Nepalese dumplings) to the chutneys and marinades. The main menu remains consistent throughout the year, but seasonal specials are chalked up on the board for returning diners who want to mix things up.

Staying true to Nepalese cuisine, around half of the dishes are vegetarian or vegan and include standouts such as aloo tamar: fermented bamboo shoots braised with black-eye peas, new potatoes and fresh tomato, flavoured with cumin and freshly ground aromatic spices.

Dessert is no less authentic, with the likes of Kulfi-style ice cream of dark chocolate and stem ginger bringing the meal to a close with a hint of heat.

Trencherman’s tip

Choose between conventional tables and chairs, floor-level tables with cushions, or alfresco dining in the courtyard.