The canteen operating for members of the House of Representatives at the Federal Parliament building has suspended its services.
Speaking at Monday’s House meeting, Rastriya Swatantra Party lawmaker Khagendra Sunar said that the canteen serving parliamentarians was expensive.
A few days ago, while the parliament session was underway, an audio clip leaked in which a lawmaker was heard saying, "Let's go have tea."
Referring to the audio, Sunar said in the meeting, “Where should we go for tea, Mr Speaker? Who owns this five-star hotel set up outside in the veranda? Who brought this hotel here?”
He raised the issue in Parliament, saying that even a cup of black tea cost as much as Rs 100.
“Black tea costs Rs 100, milk tea Rs 200, momo Rs 300, and chowmein Rs 400,” Sunar said in the meeting. “Are current lawmakers in a financial position to pay 500 rupees for bread?"
The canteen suspended its services the very next day after Sunar made these remarks. However, the prices at the canteen are not actually as high as those claimed by the lawmaker.
The canteen is operated by Kathmandu’s well-known five-star Soaltee Hotel. However, the hotel did not win the contract to operate the canteen through the latest tender process.
A tender for operating the parliamentary canteen was called in July 2025. Soaltee Hotel also participated in the bidding, but Landmark Hotel won the tender. After operating the canteen for a year, however, Landmark withdrew.
Soaltee Hotel, which had participated in that tender, was awarded the contract to operate the canteens at the Parliament Secretariat and Parliament building from July 17. According to the Parliament Secretariat, Soaltee was awarded the contract on the condition that it would sell food at the same prices offered by Landmark.
Before Landmark won the contract, Hyatt Hotel had operated the canteen at the Parliament Secretariat. After Hyatt withdrew, Soaltee Hotel had shown interest in operating the canteen at the Parliament building.
The black tea that Sunar said costs Rs 100 is actually priced at Rs 25 at the canteen.
The milk tea that Sunar said costs Rs 200 is priced at Rs 60.
Sunar said that momo costs Rs 300, but according to the menu, chicken momo costs Rs 200. Vegetarian momo is not available at the canteen.
Sunar said that chowmein costs Rs 400. However, according to the menu, vegetarian chowmein costs Rs 150, while non-vegetarian chowmein costs Rs 200.
The canteen also prepares a special dish each day. On Monday, the day Sunar raised the issue of prices in Parliament, sel roti set was available as a snack for Rs 160. An aloo jeera and roti set costs Rs 150.
Soaltee Hotel has also added another cafe in the Parliament building’s veranda. It serves bakery items and coffee prepared by machine using roasted coffee beans.
A single-shot Americano costs Rs 100, while a double shot costs Rs 150.
A cappuccino costs Rs 150, while a milkshake costs Rs 100. A single-shot espresso costs Rs 100 and a double shot costs Rs 150.
Soaltee also offers several cake items at the cafe.
A fruit-and-nut mixed cupcake costs Rs 220. A Swedish cinnamon spiral roll costs Rs 290.
A crispy-layer croissant also costs Rs 290. A kati roll with chicken and egg costs Rs 390, while a mushroom kati roll costs Rs 350. A double grilled sandwich costs Rs 350.
