Best Restaurants in Luang Prabang, Laos

Savor the flavors of Luang Prabang, one bite at a time

We may earn a commission from purchases made through some affiliate links on this website

Luang Prabang is a gentle, laid back town with a food scene to match. Traditional Laotian cuisine is full of heart and soul, mirroring the landscape of the country. Steamed fish, banana leaves and fresh, wild herbs come from the rivers and jungles and mountains that surround you. In Luang Prabang, the cultural heart of Laos, you’ll find restaurants that immerse you in the flavours of this underrated country.

Tamarind Restaurant

Perhaps one of the most beloved restaurants in Luang Prabang, Tamarind has been serving up traditional Laotian cuisine since 2005. Family run with heart and soul, you’ll dine on the shores of the Nam Khan river, which meanders slowly past the open veranda. Everyone comes here for the sharing platter – a feast of local specialties including sai oua (Laos sausage with herbs), khai pene (dried river vegetable snacks) all dipped into jeaw bong (a famous Laotian spicy chilli dip). Don’t miss the stuffed lemongrass with chicken, kaffir lime and coriander, served with a heavenly lime-peanut dipping sauce. If you can’t get enough of the food here, they also offer some of the best cooking classes in town.

Manda de Laos

Arguably the prettiest restaurant in town, you’ll dine al fresco next to a lotus pond, surrounded by towering palm trees, fuchsia wildflowers and twinkling fairy lights. But it’s not style over substance at Manda de Laos, and the food is just as breathtaking as the setting. Their menu is an immersive dive into the heart of Laos cuisine, and it’s the tasting menus that everyone raves about. Our favourite was the Nam Kang Menu, an 11 course experience that leads you through the signature dishes of the country. You’ll dine on banana blossom salad, buffalo lao lao, steamed fish in spices and banana leaves, washed down with a cold Beer Lao and finished with a decadent coconut creme brulee. A must-visit before you leave Luang Prabang. Booking is essential.

Dyen Sabai

You’ll reach Dyen Sabai via a handmade bamboo bridge, or a free shuttle boat if the river is too high. With seating spread on different levels of a traditional Laotian house, this is where you come to dine on traditional Laos BBQ and soak in the picturesque riverside atmosphere. A pot of hot charcoal smoulders away on your table, as you cook your own BBQ surrounded by overflowing baskets of meats, veggies and fresh garden herbs. Make sure you try the buffalo, and get an extra side of fried eggplant and sauce – you’ll thank us later.

L’Elephant

While Laos gained independence from France back in 1953, there are still echoes of its colonial past throughout the country, including a smattering of excellent French restaurants. Located on the main street in the heart of Luang Prabang, L’Elephant is a grand, imposing sight, with an impressive menu to match. Here, local Laos ingredients are used to create classic French dishes, like Mekong fish stew with mustard sauce and buttered vegetables. The atmosphere is buzzing yet refined, and this spot is an institution in Luang Prabang. Come here when you’ve one too many laabs, where you can unwind and watch the streets of Luang Prabang come to life, pinot noir in hand.

Secret Pizza

Located a little out of town, here you’ll find the best pizza in Luang Prabang. Cooked fresh in wood-fired ovens, this is thin, crispy pizza as though it’s straight out of Italy. Dine al-fresco on natural wooden tables, beneath fruit trees and glowing lanterns. The atmosphere is always buzzing, as Secret Pizza are only open two days a week. Choose from your favourite salami or margarita pizzas, or for the adventurous, we recommend trying the Pizza Secret, chef’s imagination!

Things to Do