CHITWAN: Rajan Gautam, president of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chitwan, inaugurated the Banana Cafe at Astha Chowk of Bharatpur on Wednesday. The cafe is a joint venture of banana traders Yagya Prasad Subedi 'Laxman', Meghanath Bhatta and Ramchandra Bhatt.

Commercial banana farming flourished in Chitwan since 2051 BS. The ever prosperous commercial banana farming here has given rise to various restaurants that base their food items on banana.

The newly opened Banana Cafe is spread around eight kathha land, while banana plants are grown within the cafe premises. "We serve more than 12 varieties of food items made from banana," shared Subedi. Some unique dishes at the café comprise banana pakoda, banana jeri, banana chilli, banana blossoms’ pickle, banana chips and banana lassi.

The owners of the café have invested a total eight million rupees in the café and employed 15 staff members. Other than serving banana items to the customers, the cafe also sells banana. Banana specialties at café cost between Rs 100 and Rs 150 per plate, according to Subedi.