Must-see restaurants in 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…

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…

Nemnueng Sihom is a long-standing, bustling restaurant that offers a fun eating experience. It specialises in nǎem néuang (Vietnamese barbecued pork…

A Belgian restaurant and bar on the riverfront, Chokdee specialises in dishes from the homeland, including, of course, moules (mussels) and frites (French…

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…

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…

This bright, contemporary-feeling place specialises in galettes (crêpes made with buckwheat flour). Pair yours with a dressed salad and a bottle of cider,…

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…

Dumplings, zakuski (small dishes eaten with vodka), pickled herring, blinis and caviar – peeps, Russian food is really tasty. And even if you don't agree…

An upscale-ish place serving a hefty, but not too large, menu of Lao dishes. Choose from salads, soups, grilled dishes and more, including daily specials,…

This ramshackle restaurant draws locals for the combination of deep-fried chicken (the owner allegedly 'borrowed' the recipe from the other KFC), Lao…

One of the best-loved coffee shops in Vientiane, Naked specialises in home-grown Lao coffee and selected gourmet imports from places as diverse as…

This is a good place to sample kòw Ъęeak sèn, thick rice- and tapioca-flour noodles served in a slightly viscous broth with crispy deep-fried pork belly…

Setting up on a small street every evening, this atmospheric open-air market dishes up Lao food, from grilled meats to chilli-based dips with vegetables…

With high glass ceilings and a minimalist design, this sleek cafe is like a giant fishbowl marooned in a leafy oasis next to Wat Si Muang. Paris-trained…

Alchemising an eclectic gastronomic landscape of snails and scrambled eggs, sea-bream fillet, beef tenderloin, rack of lamb and rosemary, plus to-die-for…

Cheap and tidy, this busy family-run restaurant features tasty must-have dishes like nǎem kòw (crispy balls of deep-fried rice and sour pork sausage…

Noy's is a homely, colourful juice bar with Chinese paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling. Stop in to pick up a few of your 'five a day' or decimate…

It's air-con cool in this family-friendly cafe. Sofas to read on, a cold-selection counter boasting wraps, quesadillas, falafel, salads and homemade…

Lacklustre name aside, this Korean-run place is great for sampling what is currently the most popular foreign cuisine in Southeast Asia. Most locals go…