Best Restaurants in Laos 2026

Sticky Rice (Khao Niao)

The soul of Lao cuisine, eaten at every meal. Glutinous rice steamed in a bamboo basket, formed into balls by hand, and used to scoop other dishes. Sharing from one basket is a gesture of community. The most fundamental Lao food experience.

Where to try: Every local restaurant and street stall throughout Laos

Price: $0.50-1

Larb (Laap)

Laos' national dish — minced meat (usually pork, beef, duck, or fish) mixed with toasted rice powder, lime juice, fish sauce, chili, and fresh herbs including mint and sawtooth coriander. Can be eaten cooked (suk) or raw (dip). A complex balance of flavours.

Where to try: Local restaurants and market stalls throughout Laos; Bamboo Restaurant Luang Prabang does excellent versions

Price: $2-8

Tam Mak Hoong (Papaya Salad)

Lao-style green papaya salad pounded in mortar with fermented fish paste (padek), lime, chili, and cherry tomatoes. More funky and fiery than the Thai version. A staple at every meal — Lao people eat it daily.

Where to try: Street stalls and local restaurants across Laos; roadside vendors pound it fresh to order

Price: $1-4

Khao Piak Sen (Rice Noodle Soup)

Lao comfort food — thick, slightly glutinous rice noodles in clear pork or chicken broth garnished with herbs, bean sprouts, and chili. The Lao answer to pho. Eaten for breakfast, lunch, and late at night.

Where to try: Morning noodle shops throughout Laos; best found at pre-dawn market stalls

Price: $1-3

Mok Pa (Steamed Fish in Banana Leaf)

Lao river fish fillets steamed in banana leaf with lemongrass, galangal, dill, spring onion, and chili. One of the most elegant expressions of Lao cuisine — delicate, aromatic, and complex. A centrepiece of traditional Lao meals.

Where to try: Tamarind Restaurant and quality Lao restaurants in Luang Prabang and Vientiane

Price: $8-18

Sai Oua (Lao Herbal Sausage)

Luang Prabang's famous grilled sausage packed with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and chili. More aromatic herb bomb than meat product. Sold at morning markets and grilled over charcoal at evening street stalls.

Where to try: Luang Prabang morning market and evening street stalls; Bamboo Restaurant

Price: $2-6

Or Lam (Lao Jungle Stew)

Ancient Luang Prabang stew simmered with buffalo meat or pork, aubergine, chili, and the unique sakhaan vine spice that creates a numbing sensation. Uses forest ingredients unavailable elsewhere. A truly distinctive Lao dish.

Where to try: Traditional Lao restaurants in Luang Prabang; Lao Kitchen Vientiane

Price: $5-12

Tamarind

Luang Prabang's premier restaurant for authentic Lao cuisine with tasting menus showcasing regional flavors. Five types of traditional jeow (dips) served with fresh vegetables and sticky rice. Riverside setting with knowledgeable staff explaining each dish's cultural significance.

Kingkitsarath Road, Luang Prabang

Khaiphaen

Social enterprise restaurant training disadvantaged youth while serving creative Lao cuisine. Signature riverweed (khaiphaen) features in multiple dishes. Attractive old town location with pleasant courtyard seating.

Chao Fa Ngum Road, Luang Prabang

Joma Bakery Cafe

Popular chain cafe with excellent coffee, pastries, and sandwiches. Air-conditioned refuge with reliable WiFi. Multiple locations in Luang Prabang and Vientiane. Great for breakfast or working remotely.

Chao Fa Ngum Road, Luang Prabang (multiple locations)

Luang Prabang Night Market Food Stalls

Rows of food stalls at the end of the night market offering Lao dishes for around $1-2 per plate. Buffet-style with dozens of vegetable and meat dishes. Perfect for trying variety of Lao food cheaply.

End of Sisavangvong Road Night Market, Luang Prabang

Saffron Coffee Luang Prabang

Award-winning coffee shop roasting Lao beans from Bolaven Plateau. Expert baristas, beautiful latte art, and educational approach to coffee. Cozy atmosphere with local art on walls.

Sakkaline Road, Luang Prabang

Manda de Laos

Elegant restaurant in restored French colonial house offering refined Lao cuisine in romantic garden setting. Seasonal menu features forgotten Lao recipes with modern presentation. Excellent wine list and impeccable service.

Kingkitsarath Road, Luang Prabang

Dyen Sabai Restaurant

Riverside restaurant across Nam Khan River with bamboo platform seating and river views. Famous for Lao-style BBQ and hot pot. Relaxed atmosphere perfect for sunset dining. Free ferry from old town.

Across Nam Khan River, Luang Prabang

Saffron Coffee

Specialty coffee shop in Luang Prabang roasting own beans from Bolaven Plateau. Knowledgeable baristas, excellent pour-overs and espresso. Light meals and pastries available. Relaxed atmosphere.

Sakkaline Road, Luang Prabang

Ping Gai (Grilled Chicken)

Marinated chicken grilled over charcoal on bamboo skewers, served with sticky rice and jeow sauce. The most ubiquitous Lao street food and a perfect budget meal.

Find it at: Evening market stalls throughout Laos, particularly Luang Prabang Night Market

Khao Jee (Baguette Sandwich)

French colonial legacy — baguette filled with Lao pâté, pickled vegetables, chili sauce, and fresh herbs. The Lao answer to the bánh mì. Sold from bicycle carts and morning market stalls.

Find it at: Morning market stalls in Vientiane, bicycle vendors in Luang Prabang old town

Khanom Krok (Coconut Rice Cakes)

Small coconut milk rice cakes cooked in a cast iron mould, crispy on the outside and creamy inside. Sold piping hot from street carts as a breakfast snack or afternoon treat.

Find it at: Morning market stalls and street carts in Luang Prabang and Vientiane

Nem Khao (Crispy Rice Salad)

Crispy puffed rice mixed with sour pork sausage, fermented fish, peanuts, coconut, and fresh herbs. Spectacularly complex flavour combination wrapped in a lettuce leaf. A Vientiane street food specialty.

Find it at: Khua Din Market area, Vientiane street stalls

Khao Nom (Banana Sticky Rice Parcels)

Sweet sticky rice with banana and coconut milk wrapped in banana leaf and grilled or steamed. The most popular Lao street dessert, sold from market stalls and roadside vendors.

Find it at: Morning markets and evening food stalls throughout Laos

Luang Prabang Morning Market (Talat Dara)

The most authentic and photogenic market in Laos, active from 5:30am with ethnic minority vendors selling fresh produce, jungle herbs, live animals, and prepared Lao breakfast foods. Essential cultural experience in Luang Prabang.

Hours: 5:30 AM - 11:00 AM daily

Luang Prabang Night Market Food Section

Alongside the handicraft stalls, the night market has an excellent buffet section where dozens of stalls offer self-serve Lao and Asian dishes for $2-4 per plate. Perfect for budget dinner with great atmosphere.

Hours: 6:00 PM - 10:30 PM daily

Khua Din Market, Vientiane

Large local wet market in central Vientiane with fresh seafood, meat, vegetables, and prepared foods. Less touristy than Talat Sao. Authentic window into everyday Vientiane market life with competitive prices.

Hours: 5:00 AM - 12:00 PM daily

Ban Anou Night Market, Vientiane

Popular evening street market in Vientiane's Ban Anou neighbourhood serving authentic local Lao food to a predominantly local crowd. Less tourist-facing and more genuine than the riverside night market.

Hours: 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM daily