Vientiane
It took one meal for Doi Ka Noi to become one of our favourite restaurants in Laos. With a menu that changes daily (check the restaurant's Facebook page…
Must-see restaurants in Laos
Laos
It's hard to envisage a more beautifully situated restaurant in all of Laos, as Carpe Diem is set in thatched pavilions dotted about the lower falls of…
Luang Prabang
Offering a Lao fusion menu inspired by the recipes of royal chef Phia Sing and sprinkled with some magic dust from Michelin-starred Thai chef Bongkoch …
Vientiane
The slightly dreary, semi-open-air dining room couldn't be a bigger contrast with the tart, spicy, bold flavours served inside. This long-standing…
Vientiane
Nemnueng Sihom is a long-standing, bustling restaurant that offers a fun eating experience. It specialises in nǎem néuang (Vietnamese barbecued pork…
Northern Laos
Since being damaged by a storm, Riverside has come back better than ever. In the evening its Chinese lanterns sway in the breeze on the decked terrace,…
Luang Prabang
Khaiphaen is a popular training restaurant run by NGO Friends International that operates a network of inspired venues across the region. The menu is Lao…
Luang Prabang
On the banks of the Nam Khan, mint-green Tamarind has created its very own strain of 'Mod Lao' cuisine. The à la carte menu features delicious sampling…
Vientiane
A Belgian restaurant and bar on the riverfront, Chokdee specialises in dishes from the homeland, including, of course, moules (mussels) and frites (French…
Luang Prabang
One of Luang Prabang's top destinations for fabulous Lao food. The eggplant dip and fried Mekong riverweed are as good as anywhere. Most seating is on…
Vang Vieng
The name here means 'normal', but there's lots that's unusual about this place. Chief among these is that the Korean owner is doing some of the better…
Northern Laos
Handmade woven gifts and tea are for sale at this delightful, memorable little cafe (two-thirds of the way down the main drag, on your left heading south)…
Vientiane
Ka-Tib-Khao (Rice Basket) has a reassuringly short and delicious menu of dishes, many from the country's north. Think sheets of deep-fried Mekong River…
Luang Prabang
This attractive eatery on the main drag puts a smile on your face with its colourful chairs, funky light fixtures and mural-covered wall. The hand-written…
Nong Khiaw
Run by Sebastien and Chok, this leafy riverside oasis has a great menu, with dishes like papaya salad, mango sticky rice, mok phaa (steamed fish in banana…
Savannakhet
Keep your eyes peeled for smoke from the grill and uniformed officials – two signs of a good place to eat in Laos. This tin-roofed, dirt-floored place…
Vang Vieng
Initially, we were drawn in by the Bee Gees soundtrack, and were pleased to discover that this place does some of the better foreign food in town. Let the…
Vientiane
This fresh, no-frills eatery is one of the better places in town to grab lunch, and in addition to a variety of Vietnamese dishes, does some of the best…
Central Laos
Ping Kai Napong specialises in grilled chicken, but the menu is a virtual tour of Lao cuisine, ranging from salads (the duck láhp – minced salad with…
Vientiane
This bright, contemporary-feeling place specialises in galettes (crêpes made with buckwheat flour). Pair yours with a dressed salad and a bottle of cider,…
Vientiane
Pimentón, with its open fire pit and beefy menu, is all about the meat. But to be honest, we didn't make it past the lengthy and appetising tapas menu…
Vang Vieng
A string of breakfast vendors sets up shop every morning serving basic but tasty Lao dishes, from noodles to rice porridge. One of relatively few places…
Northern Laos
Probably the friendliest vibe in town; head here to soak up sunset views on its chill-out terrace decked in low cushions and an open-pit fire, and choose…
Northern Laos
Don't be fooled by the less-than-impressive exterior, cement floor and bare walls of this hole-in-the-wall joint, for the food is terrific. Prepared fresh…
Northern Laos
With its moss-green facade, this place is the favourite in town for travellers. It offers young people from remote villages employment and has donated…
Pakse
Overlook the traffic noise – this popular restaurant has great food and service. It has some of the best Thai food in town and is a great introduction to…
Northern Laos
Don't be fooled by the modest bamboo exterior of this backstreet gem, as the tastiest Lao food in the city is served here. Friendly Souphailin creates…
Don Det & Don Khon
This cafe and salon de thé serves organic coffees and teas, as well as top-quality Lao and Western cuisine that you won't find elsewhere on the island…
Northern Laos
If you're missing standard lattes your caffeine privations are over – this place is a blessing for coffee snobs. In a spacious location with a modern…
Southern Laos
A pleasant melange of classy and casual, this riverside restaurant has a small mixed menu that covers duck láhp to chicken green curry to tuna sandwiches…
Don Det & Don Khon
Catching the breeze from the tip of the island, Little Eden's perfectly placed waterfront restaurant is one of the best spots to eat upmarket Lao and…
Pakse
The rooftop restaurant of the Pakse Hotel serves up delicious Franco-Asian cuisine and unbeatable 360-degree city views. The menu includes duck breast,…
Pakse
Delta offers a lot more than the name suggests. Owners Alan and Siriporn serve coffee from their plantation near Paksong, but also have a menu that…
Mama Lueah Guesthouse Restaurant
Don Det & Don Khon
This guesthouse restaurant serves excellent Thai cuisine along with Swiss surprises such as Zürcher geschnetzeltes (pork with creamy mushroom sauce) and a…
Luang Prabang
It's the softness of the melt-in-your-mouth pastry that keeps us coming back to our favourite bakery in Luang Prabang, which serves pain au chocolat …
Savannakhet
In these two nearly linked knots of vendors, you'll find dishes including kòw Ъęeak sèn (round rice noodles served in a broth with pieces of chicken or…
Luang Prabang
Pitching itself as a 'cantina convivial', Popolo is the brainchild of the team from the ever-popular Tangor. Set in an old, exposed-brick building along…
Luang Prabang
The beans at this hip riverfront cafe are sustainably sourced from the micro coffee plots of nearby hill tribes, while profits are reinvested in the…
Chinese Expedition Force Restaurant
Vang Vieng
We also want to know the deal behind this restaurant's enigmatic name, but for now, we'll settle for tasty food. Flip through an iPad menu of Chinese…
Luang Prabang
Atmospheric with its low-lit interior of dark woods and tangerine-coloured walls peppered with old travel posters, Tangor boasts a menu of beautifully…
