Laos Food 3
Luang Prabang

"Reviews of the Laotian food
and where to have a good time
in Luang Prabang"

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Laos food 3: Photo courtesy of Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott

Last updated on Feb 03, 2012
All information below is subject to change

In this article you`ll find:



When I last visited Luang Prabang in November 2007, I got a very good first impression of the Laotian food, and the nightlife!

There's so much delicious and cheap cuisine to choose from, and it will never bore you :-)

In this article I will tell you about the food I tried in Luang Prabang, and places where you can grab a drink and have a good time.

The most interesting Laotian dish I ate was "Lok Lak."

Now here are the restaurants, bars and food I tried in Luang Prabang -- my favorite place in Laos!

Enjoy!

Laos Food 3:
Thao Teng & Nang Lea Vegetarians


laos food laotian food cheap street food buffet luang prabang backpacking tips asia
Laos food 3: Buffet
-- photo courtesy of Lyndel M.
The food in Luang Prabang is awesome! And can be very cheap! Here's the cheapest place I found:

In the evening, there's a popular food stall on Th Sisavangvong (if coming from Th Sakkarin direction, you have to pass the Royal Palace Museum). You can't miss the long queues!

Here you can get:

  • Mouth-running vegetarian buffet = 5000 Kip

  • Spring roll = 2000 kip

  • Water = 2000 kip

  • Beer Lao = 9000 Kip

It was ALWAYS crowded every time I had my dinner there, and not many seats to be found, but the food was remarkable! And the stall reminded me of Mongolian/Chinese restaurants: Pick the vegetables and noodles you want, then they heat it up for you.

For other cheap places to eat in Luang Prabang, head for the night market. Try the grilled meat, curries, chicken (10 000 kip), sticky rice (5000 kip). Otherwise, during the day you'll find food vendors selling decent baguettes (10 000 kip) and shakes (5000 kip).

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Laos Food 3:
Riverside Restaurants

You should go to the Mekong River and find open-air restaurants along the river. They serve some of the most delicious fish dishes I`ve ever eaten, and you get to sit by the river.

Grilled fish plus sticky rice is definitely my favorite!

L'Etranger Books & Tea

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Laos food 3: First floor L'Etranger

If coming from Th Sisavangvong, you have to go around Phousy Mountain to get to this cozy book cafe!

L Etranger opened in 2001, and is just cozy and comfortable. Here you can borrow a book while being served fresh juices or smoothies, and you can also buy, sell or trade books. I tried the tea lassi and Chai tea -- and loved it!

Prices at L'Etranger:

Most tea drinks (Twinings): 15 000 kip

Herbal drinks: 12 000 kip

Celestial herbal drinks: 15 000 kip (blueberry, peppermint, peach passion, wild berry etc)

In the evenings, you can watch a movie while relaxing on a big floor pillow. They have the movie nights upstairs. Get here early though, it can get crowded. The last time I saw a movie here was around 7:00 p.m. and they played "Sin City."

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Laos food 3: Second floor L'Etranger - CHILL!

Where: Th Chao Sisuphon

Opening hours: 7:00 am - 10:00 pm (Monday-Saturday), 10.00am-10.00pm (Sundays)

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Scandinavian Bakery

Scandinavian Bakery was the first European bakery in Laos when it opened in 1994.

Small, but a nice place to have your breakfast, pizza or burger!

If you`re a sugar monster, try chocolate-filled croissants, cheese/chocolate croissants, brownies, cinnamon cake or ginger snaps! The coffee here was great as well.

For travelers coming from Scandinavia, they have "snus" ( tobacco in tiny bags; resembling tea bags). A dream come true for a Scandinavian who has run out of it ;-)

Since March 2009 the brand "Pioner Snuff" is sold at Scandinavian Bakery. It's produced in Laos and based on local Lao tobacco. It cost 55 000 kip per box.

Where: Sisavangvong road

Website: Laos food 3: Scandinavian Bakery

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Luang Prabang Cafeé Life and Nightlife

Hive Bar

Most people coming here want to sit outside Hive Bar. I can see why -- they have placed soft couches and chairs in a small garden with candles and lights, and they have Happy Hours.

You can sip a cocktail or Beer Lao while listening to hip-hop or electronic music.

Where: Th Chao Sisuphon

Relaxing, Volleyballing and Bowling


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At Utopia
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Utopia at night
Utopia - a nice place to chill during the day, and party at night - is tucked away on Kingkitsarath Road, a couple of minutes walk from the Night Market.

It also offers yoga and Thai Chi morning classes and volleyball fun.

Reader's update Feb 01, 2012: "You should mention Utopia. That place is gorgeous.

Especially chilling there during the day and it was thee place to be at night to hang out and play volleyball before heading off to bowling."

Believe it or not, many travelers and locals get together at a bowling place located 10 minutes (with Tuk-Tuk or taxi) outside center of town!

The beers flood and the atmosphere is alright. It's a perfect place to hang out with fellow travelers!

There are seven bowling lanes, and you have to come here early to play a round with bowling, as the waiting line grows fast!

We arrived here around 11:30 p.m. and it was packed!

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You're done reading Laos food 3: Luang Prabang, where do you want to go next?

Back to Luang Prabang Laos main page?

Are you heading south? Click here to read about Vang Vieng.

Heard about the beautiful Bolaven Plateau? Go here to read about Pakse and the Bolaven Plateau.

Return from Laos food 3: Luang Prabang to Backpacking Tips Asia Homepage.





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