Sherpa House first opened its doors to the public in the spring of 2009, with a vision to provide a unique experience that blends authentic food with rich cultural heritage. Specializing in Nepalese, Sherpa, Tibetan, and Indian cuisine, Sherpa House invites you to savor the flavors of the Himalayas while immersing yourself in the traditions of the Sherpa people. The décor of the restaurant is a true representation of a traditional Sherpa home in the Solu Khumbu district of Nepal, meticulously modeled after the real houses found in the mountains.
Every detail of the restaurant’s interior design tells a story. Artifacts have been placed in their traditional locations within the house, which features a family living room, a shrine room, a gallery room, a courtyard patio, and an enchanting landscaped garden. Many of the plants surrounding the Sherpa House mimic the Himalayan vegetation native to Sherpa villages. The artifacts themselves, imported directly from the home of owner Lhakpa Sherpa in Syangma village, bring an authentic touch that transports you to the heart of Nepal.
Today, Sherpa House has grown into one of the largest Nepalese Sherpa restaurants in North America, proudly showcasing the unique cultural heritage of Nepal and the Himalayan lifestyle. It has also become a popular gathering place for second-generation Nepalese and Sherpas born in the United States, offering them a sense of connection to their roots and culture. Over the years, we’ve continuously enhanced the customer experience by adding new features, such as a water-powered prayer wheel, a stupa, Mani scriptures, and other cultural highlights.
In addition to dining, Sherpa House also hosts special events at its backyard event center, creating even more opportunities to celebrate Nepalese culture. As you enjoy your meal, take your time to explore the wonders of the Himalayas by observing the intricate architecture and cultural displays throughout the restaurant. At Sherpa House, we are dedicated to improving our service, quality, and value, ensuring every visit is memorable and enriching.
The Sherpa House Garden is a serene sanctuary filled with native plants that evoke the beauty of Sherpa villages in Nepal. It features a diverse array of shrubs, seasonal trees, fruit trees, flowers, and exotic plants such as rhododendrons, bamboo, and mountain ferns, each thoughtfully labeled with its species name and description. Designed to bloom across all seasons, the garden reaches its peak vibrancy in summer, showcasing a dazzling display of colors. Cultivated over many years despite Colorado's short growing season, this magnificent space reflects the skill and dedication of Sherpa Landscaping. Enhanced by a state-of-the-art drip irrigation system and nutrient-rich soils, the garden provides visitors with a tranquil, immersive, and educational experience.
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The interior décor of the Sherpa House restaurant is a heartfelt representation of a traditional Sherpa home from the Solukhumbu region of Nepal. The centerpiece is a cozy family living room, complete with a fireplace situated in the middle of the space, surrounded by benches lining the walls. These multifunctional benches serve as beds for guests, study areas for children, or sleeping spaces for family members, reflecting the resourceful design of Sherpa homes. True to tradition, the living room, kitchen, and sleeping areas are combined into one intimate, cozy space, fostering closer bonds among family members. In a typical Sherpa house, the remaining sections are thoughtfully allocated for storage, a shrine, and even space for cattle. This authentic design brings the warmth and simplicity of Sherpa life to the heart of the restaurant, offering visitors a glimpse into the unique lifestyle of the Himalayan region.
A dedicated shrine room is a vital part of every Sherpa house, reflecting the profound spiritual connection of the Sherpa people to Tibetan Buddhism. This sacred space plays a central role in daily life and traditions. Each morning at the Sherpa House, the Yenjang ritual is performed after cleaning and organizing the home. A family member takes turns offering clean water in seven bowls at the shrine, placed before the Buddha to wish for the happiness and well-being of all sentient beings. In the afternoon, this water is respectfully poured onto flowers or plants, symbolizing the cycle of life. The house is then purified by burning incense and walking through and around it, dispelling negative thoughts and deeds while inviting positive energy and karma for the day. Only after these rituals are complete do family members partake in food or drinks. By offering this ritual at the Sherpa House restaurant each morning, we honor our traditions and maintain a spiritual connection with our ancestors..
The Sherpa House patio is a testament to years of dedication and gradual transformation. When we first began, the patio was a small, overgrown space with shrubs and trees. Over the years, we expanded it little by little, adding more tables and carefully incorporating additional plants. The original large trees were preserved and thoughtfully pruned to provide maximum shade, creating a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. Today, the patio is a spacious oasis filled with vibrant flowers, lush greenery, fluttering prayer flags, and a collection of cultural artifacts that transport visitors to the heart of Kathmandu. Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and popular restaurant patios in the area, it offers an enchanting outdoor dining experience steeped in nature and Sherpa culture.
This room is designed to replicate the interior of a traditional Buddhist monastery, featuring a harmonious color palette and intricate artwork. The walls are adorned with the Eight Auspicious Signs, meticulously painted by a skilled Tibetan artist. These sacred symbols include The Precious Parasol, The White Conch Shell, The Two Golden Fish, The Eternal Knot, The Treasure Vase, The Victory Banner, The Lotus Flower, and The Dharma Wheel. Each sign carries profound spiritual significance, and their presence makes the room inherently auspicious. Elevated above the patio space, this serene room offers a sense of tranquility and reverence, further enhanced by a water-powered prayer wheel positioned just outside the window, creating a harmonious connection between the sacred space and the natural surroundings.
The Sherpa House bar is a stunning tribute to the Lumding Valley of Solukhumbu, Nepal, where owner Lhakpa Sherpa grew up surrounded by yaks and the majestic Himalayas. The bar's design captures the essence of his childhood memories, transporting visitors to the high-altitude summer pastures where yaks once roamed freely. Dominating the space is a breathtaking mural of the Lumding Himal, meticulously painted to replicate a panoramic photo Lhakpa took of the valley. The mural includes a rock wall from a yak hut, the only remnant of his family's home after 20 years. Behind the beer taps, a "butter hole" nods to the traditional storage space for yak butter before it was sent to market. For Lhakpa, this valley holds profound spiritual meaning, and recreating it on the bar's walls allows him to keep his connection to home alive and stave off homesickness while sharing a piece of his heritage with guests.
The prayer wheel holds deep spiritual significance in the lives of the Sherpa people of the Himalayas. Found along trails and in the courtyards of monasteries, these copper cylinders are meticulously handcrafted by traditional sculptors from Kathmandu. Spinning a prayer wheel clockwise with a gentle rhythm is believed to generate good karma, cleanse negative karma, and embody the recitation of sacred texts. This Prayer wheel contains trillions of sacred mantras, and the act of spinning it, accompanied by the soothing chime of its bell, provides a profound sense of peace and focus. Walking mindfully and always to the left of the prayer wheel further enhances the meditative experience, allowing individuals to connect deeply with their inner selves and the spiritual essence of the Himalayas.
The Enlightenment Stupa holds a sacred place in the Sherpa community, often standing at the heart of their villages as a symbol of Buddha’s wisdom and spiritual harmony. It is a place where locals gather in a meditative state, walking clockwise around it slowly and mindfully, connecting with its profound energy. The stupa is filled with sacred mantras and essential elements of the earth, embodying a deep spiritual essence. This particular stupa was built in memory of Nima Sherpa, a beloved family member and long-time Sherpa House employee who passed away in 2024. Created to honor his life and help him on his path to enlightenment, the stupa was blessed by revered monks, ensuring its sacred purpose. It stands not only as a tribute to Nima but also as a source of spiritual inspiration for all who visit.
Handcrafted Mani stone slabs are an integral part of Sherpa culture, found along Himalayan passes, within villages, and near monasteries. These stone carvings, etched with the sacred mantra "Om Mani Padme Hung," are not only expressions of faith but also symbols of peace and compassion, wishing for all sentient beings to be free from suffering. Passed down through generations, the creation and placement of these Mani stones connect the Sherpa community to their ancestors, honoring their legacy and traditions. Walking slowly and clockwise around these sacred stones is a meditative practice, a way to pay respect, and a moment to reflect on the interconnectedness of life. This particular Mani stone is dedicated to the memory of Nima Sherpa, a cherished family member who passed away young, serving as both a tribute to his life and a lasting connection to the spiritual and cultural roots of the Sherpa people.
The Mani Chhungur, or water-powered prayer wheel, is vital to Sherpa's life and culture, symbolizing peace and harmony. These copper cylinders, filled with trillions of sacred mantras, are spun by the flow of water, a process believed to imbue the water with immense power and blessings. Wherever this blessed water flows, it brings spiritual grace to all it touches, including the beings living in the water. Found throughout the mountain valleys of Nepal, Mani Chhungur prayer wheels serve as a reminder of the deep connection between nature and spirituality. This particular Mani Chhungur is dedicated to the memory of Mr. Pasang Lakpa Sherpa, an elder family member and co-founder of the Sherpa House, who passed away in 2024. It stands as a tribute to his strong spirit and a guiding symbol to help him reach nirvana. Blessed by revered monks, it is a sacred homage to his life and legacy, ensuring his presence is forever felt within the community.
Buddhist sacred mantras are often engraved on trailside boulders throughout the Himalayas, symbolizing permanence and the spiritual path. These sacred stones serve as reminders of mindfulness and reverence, and it is customary to walk on the left side as a mark of respect. This particular Mani boulder was found after years of searching and was brought from Buena Vista, Colorado to Golden, where it was carefully placed by crane. Engraved with the powerful mantra "Om Ah Hum Vajra Guru Padma Siddhi Hum," it invokes the blessings of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), a revered figure in Tibetan Buddhism. This mantra is a prayer for spiritual wisdom, realization, and the blessings of enlightened beings. The boulder stands as a testament to the dedication and reverence for spiritual growth, carrying the wisdom of the ages across continents and generations.
The Sherpa House Souvenir Shop brings the vibrant spirit of Nepal to you, offering authentic Nepali handicrafts imported directly from Nepal. From colorful prayer flags to intricate incense and a wide variety of garments, every item carries the essence of Nepali culture. Stepping into the shop feels like wandering through the bustling streets of Kathmandu, with its lively selection of exciting and exotic souvenirs that transport you to the heart of the Himalayas. Whether you're looking for a meaningful gift or a unique keepsake, the shop is filled with treasures that bring a piece of Nepal's rich heritage to your home.
When you visit the Sherpa House, please take a moment to admire these special rocks that took many years to find. The owner, Lhakpa Sherpa, spent seven years searching for a stone that resembled Mount Everest, and in 2017, he finally discovered the perfect match in a friend's backyard wall. The stone, a single piece of red moss rock, had broken very little and resembled the majestic mountain. Lhakpa showed interest in purchasing it, and in a generous act, his friend donated the Mount Everest Boulder to Sherpa House. Crane carefully placed the stone, and the camps and climbing routes to the summit are labeled on it, making it a true piece of Mount Everest. We are incredibly fortunate to have this rare boulder as part of Sherpa House, a symbol of both the mountain and the enduring spirit of the Sherpa community.
The Sherpa House Event Center is a vibrant and exciting venue, perfect for summertime gatherings. Our beautifully landscaped yard can host up to 150 guests, offering a spacious and scenic setting for all kinds of events. With a stage designed for performances, it's an ideal location for weddings, graduations, birthdays, and other special occasions. Whether planning a grand celebration or a more intimate gathering, our event center provides the perfect backdrop. Be sure to check out the space while visiting Sherpa House—we'd love to help make your event memorable.
Sherpa House is proud to support the community charity initiative Hike for Help, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to assisting struggling communities in Nepal. Over the years, Hike for Help has organized volunteer trips to Nepal, where participants work on projects that have a lasting impact on local communities. Through hiking and travel, volunteers help build trails, schools, public restrooms, and distribute supplies to low-income families. The organization also arranges annual trips to Nepal, offering a unique opportunity for adventure while making a meaningful difference. If you're interested in combining your love for travel with giving back, check out the Hike for Help website for details on the next available trip..
Sherpa Landscaping is the backbone of Sherpa House restaurant, with its roots tracing back to 2005. As the team gained valuable experience working on various landscaping projects, they became more confident in handling larger undertakings, including the challenges of running a restaurant. During the winter months, when landscaping work in Denver slows down due to the cold, the team needed a way to stay together and continue supporting one another. After several years of struggling to find jobs during the off-season, the idea for Sherpa House was born in 2009. Living together in a small apartment with fellow Sherpa friends and family, the bond among the team grew stronger, and the need for a winter business became clear. With a shared vision, the Sherpa Landscaping team was instrumental in transforming the concept into reality. Today, the team has completed 90% of the restaurant’s construction, landscaping, and other challenging projects, demonstrating their dedication and hard work. The success of Sherpa House is a testament to the strength and unity of the Sherpa Landscaping crew.
Sherpa House restaurant and cultural center
1518 washington ave
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