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Chef Tanka Sapkota celebrates 30 years since his arrival in Portugal and presents Nepalese traditions through dinners whose full proceeds will be donated to SOS Children’s Villages Portugal and Nepal. Over the course of one year, on the first Wednesday of each month, Casa Nepalesa will celebrate the flavors and aromas of traditional cuisine, alongside music and dance that transport guests directly to the Himalayan country. The first dinner is scheduled for May 6.

In 2026, chef Tanka Sapkota marks 30 years since arriving in Portugal. To celebrate these three decades, he is preparing to offer the Portuguese public an authentic journey to Nepal, showcasing the culture and gastronomy of his homeland at the traditional restaurant Casa Nepalesa in Lisbon.

Over 12 months, on the first Wednesday of each month, Casa Nepalesa will present a menu that explores the culinary traditions of various regions of Nepal—from the mountains to the plains, inevitably passing through the Himalayas—enhanced by performances of traditional dance and music, creating an authentic and unforgettable experience. Known for his work in social responsibility, Tanka Sapkota will donate 100% of the proceeds from each dinner to SOS Children’s Villages Portugal (50%) and SOS Children’s Villages Nepal (50%), supporting their work with children.

“This is a very special initiative for me, one that I embrace with great affection. Being able to share my country—its traditions, culture, flavors, and the beautiful landscapes that make Nepal such an extraordinary place—is deeply emotional,” says chef Tanka Sapkota.

“This year marks 30 years since I arrived in Portugal, a country I chose to live in, build my family, and develop projects that go far beyond restaurants. Every establishment and every award I have received reflects my commitment, my desire to grow and evolve both personally and professionally, and above all, to offer the best to each customer. As a way of thanking the support and generosity I have received in Portugal over the years, I want to share more of my roots so that the Portuguese people can also experience this rich culture,” he adds.

In an immersive journey through the Himalayan country, music and dance performed by Nepalese artists join the gastronomy to recreate a true Nepalese celebration, full of color, aromas, and contagious joy. Scheduled for 6:30 PM, the evenings begin with a welcome moment, featuring images of Nepal while guests enjoy live performances. Throughout the night, a three-course dinner is served, interspersed with performances. From starters to desserts, the dishes are based on traditional recipes—some from the chef’s hometown of Damek, in Baglung—and feature ingredients from Nepal combined with Portuguese products.

“Casa Nepalesa is a place where you can find authentic recipes and the true Nepalese spirit, but these dinners bring family recipes, my personal memories, and those of the people around me. They take me back to my homeland, to the memory of my parents, Kalawati and Jagupati, who are always with me in everything I do. That is why I also wanted to help those who help others, by donating the proceeds of these dinners to two institutions that I respect and admire for their work with children,” explains the chef.

At the end of each evening, the full value of the dinner will be donated to support Portuguese and Nepalese children, divided equally between the SOS Children’s Villages organizations in Portugal and Nepal, enabling them to continue their work.

The series of themed dinners at Casa Nepalesa begins on May 6 and runs until May 5, 2027, with a summer break. Scheduled dates are May 6, June 3, September 2, October 7, November 4, December 2, January 6, February 3, March 3, April 7, and May 5. The price per person is €50, all included.

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Originally from Nepal, chef Tanka Sapkota arrived in Portugal in 1996 after working in Germany and Italy, where he specialized in Italian cuisine. Today, he manages four renowned restaurants in Lisbon: Forno D’Oro, Come Prima, Il Mercato, and Casa Nepalesa.

Internationally recognized, he received the title of “Knight of the White Truffle” from the Order of Alba in 2019, being the only person in Portugal to hold this distinction. Alongside his culinary achievements, Tanka Sapkota has developed numerous social responsibility projects.

During the pandemic, he donated 10% of delivery revenue from his restaurants to the Food Bank and the Nepalese community in Portugal. At a time when many restaurants struggled to maintain jobs, he also created a mobile wood-fired oven and delivered more than 10,500 pizzas to families in need across Lisbon, with support from the Lisbon City Council.

He has also been actively involved in supporting communities affected by disasters, including the Pedrógão Grande wildfires, earthquakes in Italy and Nepal, and the cyclone in Mozambique.