Nepali culture is very similar to the cultures of neighbouring Tibet and India. There are similarities in clothing, language and food. A typical Nepali meal is dal-bhat  (boiled lentils served with rice, vegetables and spicy relish). This is consumed twice daily, once in the morning and again after sunset. Between these main meals, snacks such as chiura (beaten rice) and tea are consumed. Meat, eggs, and fish are considered a treat. In the mountainous region the staple diet is based on wheat, maize, millet and potatoes. Millet-based alcoholic drinks known as tongba and other cereal based alcohol are popular, including chang and the distilled rakshi.

Traditional Nepali folklore retains a strong influence in society and its stories are widely acted out in dance and music. The culture of different ethnic groups is rich in their own ways. The Newari culture is the original and most distinguished culture of Kathmandu. Most of the festivals observed in the country are Newari. The Newar community enjoys its own special cuisine and the Newar people are well known for masked dance that tell stories of the gods and heroes. The associated music is percussion-based, sometimes with flutes or shawm accompanying the intense, nasal vocal lines. The sarangi, a four-stringed, hand-carved instrument is usually played by wandering minstrels.

Popular musical styles are a variety of pop, religious and folk music, among other styles. A recent exponent of Nepali pop music is Pradip Neupane, who now resides near London. Since the sixties, Nepali rock or rock music, sung to Nepali lyrics, has become popular among youth. Also catching on quickly is Nepali rap and Nepali reggae which has blossomed with the advent of the music video industry. There are also many Heavy Metal bands. Musical genres from Tibet and India have had a strong influence on traditional Nepali music. Women, even of the musician castes, are less likely than men to play music, except in specific situations such as traditional all-female wedding parties.

Television was only introduced to Nepal in the 1980s. Currently there are ten television broadcasting channels in Nepali. Also many other networks, particularly those that originate in India, are available via satellite dishes, although lack of electrification makes this difficult. Radio is still widely listened to throughout the kingdom; as of 2000, there were twelve radio stations, and in 2006-07 number grew to 56+ Radio stations. Among them most are local FM radio stations, heard in limited range of this hilly nation. The Nepali year Bikram Samwat begins in mid-April and is divided into twelve months. Saturday is the official weekly day of rest. Main holidays Dashain in autumn (October), and Tihar late autumn (November).

Most marriages are arranged, and divorce is rare. Polygamy is banned by law; relatively isolated tribes in the north, such as the Dolpo, practise polyandry.

Most houses in rural Nepal are made up of a tight bamboo framework with mud and cow-dung walls. These dwellings remain cool in summers and retain warmth in the winter. Dwellings at higher altitudes are mostly timber-based.