Figuring out where to go while you’re still suffering from altitude sickness? What I did was to hang out at a cafe relaxing and surfing the web while waiting for recovering from the sickness.
I didn’t know any places to just sit and relax in Lhasa until my travel buddy came to my rescue. She’s been to Tibet several times in the past few years and the relaxing environment was one of the reasons why she came back so often. She led me to the first cafe in my trip which also topped my surf-and-relax list.
1. Makye Ame (瑪吉阿米)
For those who have been to Lhasa might have heard of this cafe-style restaurant. The popular Makye Ame was founded by a Tibetan journalist and actor who also had several chained restaurants in other provinces.
It was conveniently located in the center of Barkor Street by one of the corners where people circled around the Jokhang Temple (大昭寺). If you follow the direction of the pilgrims (they go clockwise around Jokhang Temple), it’s hard for you to miss this three-story building on your left side.
The atmosphere of the restaurant was elegant, relaxing and uniquely Tibetan. There were countless Tibetan decorations, some English books and a great view of the Barkor Street by the windows for your delight.
But what I found more amusing and fascinating was a tale told by my travel buddy about a love story of the sixth Dalai Lama that took place many years ago in the same building where we were sitting. The Dalai Lama who was also a talented poet left the palace one day and met a beautiful woman in this building.
Then he wrote a plethora of love poems, one of which was called “Makye Ame”.
Whether the tale was true or not, Makye Ame was a very unique place to immerse yourself in the Tibetan culture. Pairing your experience with a cup of sweet tea (Tibetan milk tea), a good book or a laptop, you’re set to enjoy a relaxing afternoon.
- Free WiFi Internet.
- Sweet Tea – RMB 20 (can be refill, must try!)
- Cafe Website | 0891-6328608
2. Love Restaurant (驴窝餐厅)
Love Restaurant was more a restaurant than a cafe and it’s nicely decorated but not in the Tibetan way. So why would I put it second on my list?
Because of the food.
The owners came from the Guangdong province and offered a variety of Cantonese style food which was something special in a place dominated by the Sichuan style cuisine. They even offer hot pot rice (or claypot rice) which I found extremely delightful to taste in the Tibetan winter.
The environment was relaxing. The staffs were friendly. And it’s only a short walk away from Barkor Street. If you want to try some good Chinese food other than the spicy Sichuan cuisine or you’re not used to the local Tibetan food, this is a good place to look at.
- Free WiFi Internet.
- Hot Pot Rice – RMB 20-30 (yummy)
- Beijing Dong Lu (short walk from Barkor Street) | 0891-6335853
3. Lhasa Hostel Cafe (秘舍咖啡餐吧)
This was the hostel where I stayed so the convenient factor was at play here. The cafe was located on the 5th floor so it’s just a few walk away from my room on the 4th floor.
Another reason was that they offered free breakfast to guests every day. So if I wanted to save a few bucks or was just too lazy to look for other things to eat, I would just go upstairs make myself at home.
Location aside, there was one thing that would definitely grab your attention when you walked in the restaurant. You could see the Potala Palace through the wall of windows and you could sit right beside the windows to enjoy the magnificent view.
I literally did this every day in my trip: bringing in my laptop, taking a sip of coffee, reading a book or simply looking through the windows marveling at how different the Palace looked at day and at night. A relaxing afternoon couldn’t get any better, could it?
- Free WiFi Internet.
- Fried Rice – RMB 10-20
- YHA China Website | 0891-6927618
4. Spinn Cafe (風轉咖啡館)
A popular hangout place for my fellow backpackers from Hong Kong and tourists from China. The store owner Pazu cycled for three months from Thailand to Tibet and finally settled in Lhasa to open this cafe.
He wrote a book in Chinese telling his experience which later became some of the most inspiring notes on traveling to Tibet among the Chinese tourist circle. I did not read his book before I went to Tibet but I certainly welcomed the inspiration when I talked to him about his experience.
The cafe was comfy and homy. You could meet travelers from around the world at night here and it’s a good spot to talk to people and gather information on where to go next.
Talking with total strangers was not alien to me and I had met travelers in many corners of the world. But travelers here seemed very eager to share their experience in strolling around Tibet and showed exceptional enthusiasm when they talked about the places they visited and the people they met. I slowly realized that Tibet might truly have this glamorous quality to attract people to come back over and over again.
- Free WiFi Internet.
- Vietnamese coffee – RMB 25
- Cafe Website | 0891-6361163
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