As autumn settles over Copenhagen and the evenings grow darker, families back home in Nepal are preparing for the two brightest celebrations of the year: Dashain and Tihar. These festivals are all about togetherness, gratitude and, of course, food that has been passed down through generations. At Maiya Nepali Kitchen on Amager, we carry those same family recipes with us, so you can taste a little of the festival spirit right here in the city.
What Dashain and Tihar Mean to Nepali Families
Dashain is the longest and most anticipated festival in Nepal, a time when relatives travel across the country to gather under one roof. Elders bless the younger generation, kitchens run from morning to night, and the table becomes the heart of every home. A few weeks later comes Tihar, the festival of lights, when homes glow with oil lamps and marigold garlands, and sweet treats are shared with neighbours and loved ones.
For those of us far from Nepal, these festivals can feel bittersweet. That is part of why we opened a Nepali restaurant on Amager: to give our guests, whether homesick Nepalis or curious Danes, a warm place to feel that sense of celebration and belonging.
Traditional Autumn Dishes to Enjoy at Maiya
Festival cooking in Nepal is generous and hearty, built around dishes meant to be shared. While every family has its own touches, several classics appear on tables across the country during Dashain and Tihar. Many of these are part of our everyday menu, cooked the way our family has always made them.
- Thali sets that bring together rice, lentils, curry, vegetables and pickles on one plate, echoing the abundant festival spread.
- Momo dumplings, always a favourite when relatives gather, folded by hand and served with our house achar.
- Sel roti, the ring-shaped sweet rice bread that is a signature of both festivals.
- Slow-cooked meat curries, the kind of rich, comforting dishes families look forward to all year.
You can browse everything we serve on our menu and put together your own festive plate. If you have never tried Nepali celebration food before, a thali is a lovely way to sample several flavours in one sitting.
The Flavours Behind the Festival
What makes Dashain and Tihar food so special is not one single ingredient but the way everything comes together. Warming spices, freshly ground masalas, tangy fermented pickles and slow-simmered lentils create the kind of meal that feels like a hug. It is comfort food in the truest sense, made to be eaten slowly among people you love.
At Maiya, we cook in that same home-kitchen tradition. Nothing is rushed, and nothing is watered down for convenience. When you eat with us, you taste the recipes exactly as they have been prepared in our family for years, right here in our kitchen on Hรธjdevej.
Celebrating the Season on Amager
You do not need a plane ticket to Kathmandu to feel the warmth of festival season. Whether you are Nepali and missing the flavours of home, or simply want to discover what makes momo in Copenhagen so beloved, our table is open to you. Gather a few friends, order a spread to share, and let the evening stretch out the way a good festival meal should.
If you are planning something bigger, perhaps a Dashain gathering with your own family and friends, we also offer a private party hall for events. It is a wonderful way to bring people together around Nepali food during the celebration season. And when you would rather stay cosy at home on a dark autumn evening, you can order from us on Wolt.
Come Taste the Festival Spirit
We are open Tuesday through Sunday from 16:00 to 22:00, and closed on Mondays. As festival season approaches, we would love to welcome you to our corner of Amager for a meal made with real Nepali heart. Book a table on our reservation page or call us on +45 21 95 92 92, and let us share the flavours of Dashain and Tihar with you.
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