Everest Cafe manager Chakra Bahadur Thapa is originally from Nepal, and also manages the neighbouring Indian food outlet Sanggam.
Queries and suggestions from customers prompted Mr Bahadur Thapa to open an eatery with an emphasis on the cuisine of his homeland.
"A large number of the travellers who visit Queenstown have also been to Nepal.
"And many locals are curious about Nepal because of their interest in tramping and mountaineering.
"When people heard I am from Nepal, they often ask where they can find Nepalese food around here," he said.
The cafe, at the food court in the O'Connell's shopping centre, offers a selection of traditional Nepalese dishes.
Some - like fried rice and noodle dishes - might look like Chinese or Indian favourites, but the Nepalese chefs said they are made from distinct Nepalese recipes.
To supplement the Nepalese dishes, the cafe also offers a range of cooked breakfasts, "English style", along with burgers and toasted sandwiches.
Freshly made juices round out the selection.
"We are hoping the customers will take to our Nepalese food but, at the same time, we need the business to be viable, so I added the breakfast menu, which I think is a good supplement to the food available locally," Mr Bahadur Thapa said.
