Food and Drinks
The hotels and restaurants in Bhutan serve a decent quality meal with options of Bhutanese, Indian, Chinese and Continental cuisine. Bhutanese local food is generally good and one must definitely try some of the local specialities. Set meals for travellers tend to be on the bland side because local food is usually heavily seasoned with red or green chillies and can be quite hot. Most hotels provide meals buffet-style though for smaller groups and individuals a-la-carte option is also available. The food in hotels is often the best in town but in main towns now there are quality restaurants increasingly becoming popular and at destinations like Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Bumthang there are a number of options. All tourist hotels and restaurants have a good selection of international and Bhutanese beverages.
Food provided during tour is quite elaborate and under standard package tour, it generally consists of the following:
On Cultural Tour
BREAKFAST; Canned juice with choice of orange, mango, pineapple, apple etc, Porridge/cornflakes/cereals, Fresh fruits, Sausages/bacon, Toast, Butter and Jam, Eggs, Tea/coffee
LUNCH; Salad, Rice, 2 Non-vegetable items, 2 Vegetable items, Roti/Nan, Desert, Tea/Coffee
DINNER; Soup, Salad, Rice, Noodles, 2 Non-vegetable items, 2 Vegetable items, Desert, Tea/Coffee
EVENING TEA; Tea/Coffee, Cookies/sandwich, Biscuits/pastries
On Trek
BREAKFAST; Canned juice with choice of orange, mango, pineapple, apple etc., Porridge/cornflakes/cereals, Fresh fruits, Sausages/bacon, Eggs, Tea/Coffee
LUNCH; Vegetable cutlet/sandwich/boiled potato, Chicken roast/roast beef, Boiled eggs, Roti/Naan, Fresh fruits, Canned juice, Boiled drinking water
DINNER; Soup, Salad, Rice, Noodles, 2 Non-vegetable items, 2 Vegetable items, Desert, Tea/Coffee
EVENING TEA: Tea/Coffee, Cookies/sandwich, Biscuits
Even though the locals drink water straight from the tap, we suggest visitors drink only bottled water. On treks, we provide boiled and filtered water. A reasonable variety of both hard and soft drinks are available in hotels, restaurants and shops in most towns. Many Bhutanese enjoy drinking traditional homemade alcoholic brews made from wheat, millet or rice.
Bhutan is the only country in the world to totally ban the import and sale of all tobacco products. One can bring in a reasonable amount of cigarettes for personal consumption but will be charged an import duty of 200%. Smoking is banned in all public places including restaurants and bars.
