A Lakeside Spot Even the Puppy Can’t Bear to Leave 🥗

After trying all the smoky grilled meats and rich curries in Pokhara, my stomach always craved a little “freshness”—that is, until I stumbled upon Vegan Way’s wooden sign. Now, every time I walk by the lake, my feet seem magnetically drawn here: every bite bursts with the freshness of plants, the air hums with the confidence that “you can order blindly and never go wrong,” and there’s even a puppy that always curls up under the table, softening the days into something cozy. 🌊 A Healing Nook Across from the Lake: Sunlight, Greenery, and That “Never Want to Leave” Relaxation The restaurant tucks into the lakeside path; push open the door, and you’re first met with a wall of glass windows tangled in pothos, with sparkling Phewa Lake right across, sailboats drifting like white birds. Inside, light wooden tables and chairs line the space, walls covered in notes from guests: “The juice tastes like a squeezed rainbow,” “Roasted veggies are better than meat”—the joy in the words is impossible to hide. But no one wants to stay indoors—the small outdoor terrace is where it’s at. Rattan chairs, warmed by sunlight, let you gaze at mountain shadows across the lake; breezes carry lake mist, mixing with the aroma of freshly baked bread. One afternoon visit, sunlight slanted across the plate, making the avocado’s green glow brighter. An older guest beside me spooned hummus, watching the lake and humming off-key, and suddenly I thought: “This is what ‘peaceful days’ must feel like.” 🥑 Vegan Surprises: Even Meat Lovers Praise This “Plant Power” I’d thought vegan food was just “a pile of greens”—until the first bite of their avocado toast: thick-cut whole-grain bread, crispy outside and soft inside, slathered evenly with avocado mash, sprinkled with black pepper and pumpkin seeds, topped with half a runny poached egg. The second the knife pierces the yolk, orange liquid mixes with creamy avocado, coating the bread’s wheatiness—so fresh you’ll want to lick the plate clean. The roasted vegetable bowl is even better: bell peppers, eggplant, zucchini, charred at the edges, fragrant with olive oil, layered over quinoa and brown rice, tossed in tangy lemon juice. Every bite tastes like “sunshine in your mouth.” The biggest surprise? The mixed juice—a green blend of carrot, apple, and spinach, no grassy bitterness, just fruit sweetness mixed with veggie freshness, ice beads clinging to the glass. One sip on a hot day, and you’ll with delight. A meat-loving friend tagged along, planning to “just pick at it,” but polished off all the roasted mushrooms: “These taste like they’ve soaked up broth—better than bacon!” Turns out, great vegan food isn’t about “settling”—it’s about making every plant shine on the plate. 🐾 The “Little Regular” Under the Table: This Goodbye-Sending Puppy Is Too Adorable to Handle More memorable than the food is the restaurant’s yellow-and-white puppy. First visit, it curled up sleeping under our table, tail occasionally brushing my shoe, as if saying “Eat comfortably—I’m watching over you.” Halfway through the meal, it woke, stretched, and nuzzled my pants leg with its head, eyes soft as melted butter, begging for pets. When we stood to leave, it suddenly trotted ahead, paused at the door, and looked back, waiting for us to follow before trotting a few steps more—like a dedicated “little guide.” It stayed until we reached the lakeside path, then bounded back, tail wagging, as if saying “Come back tomorrow!” Now, every visit starts with a scan for its fluffy form; if it’s not there, I find myself muttering: “Where’s the puppy today?” ✨ Turning the Menu into a “Checklist” My little notebook already has checkmarks next to avocado toast, roasted vegetable bowl, spinach wrap, and banana pancake—but there’s still hummus curry, beetroot salad, and coconut yogurt bowl to try. The owner, a smiling Nepali girl, tilts her head each time I order: “Want to try something new? I recommend the roasted pumpkin.” But who needs recommendations here? “Blind orders never miss” has become an unspoken rule. Just like that puppy, curled under the table, quiet but warm—Vegan Way’s magic isn’t about flashy surprises, but the steady, gentle comfort that makes you think, “I want to come back tomorrow.” #GreatForPhotos #HiddenGemRestaurant #PokharaFood #DeliciousVegan #LakesideCafe