The Best Places to Eat in Luang Prabang: 20 Restaurants, Cafés & Local Food You'll Love

I spent a couple of weeks in this charming town and I usually started my day at a French bakery, grabbed a delicious lunch at one of the tiny family-run restaurants and had dinner along the waterfront or at the lively night market at the end of town.

I tried so many different spots and ended up finding some favourites that I kept going back to again and again.

Whether you're travelling on a backpacker's budget or looking to celebrate with an unforgettable meal, Luang Prabang has somewhere you'll love.

After eating my way around the city, these are the restaurants, cafés, and local food spots I genuinely think are worth your time. I’ve also added a couple ones that I didn't have time to try but know come highly recommended by others so you can consider them as well.

If you’ve been reading more of my articles you know I usually take pictures of most things, including meals, but I’m sorry to say that I missed the mark here and they are nowhere to be found. However, I will try my best to describe what it was like and share my honest take on the different places I ate so you can plan your trip as best as possible.

Best Traditional Lao Restaurants in Luang Prabang

If there's one thing you should do while visiting Luang Prabang, it's try authentic northern Lao cuisine.

While you'll find plenty of international restaurants throughout town, some of my favourite meals came from restaurants serving recipes that have been passed down for generations.

My personal take is that Lao cuisine feels very similar to its neighbouring countries, but still has a very unique taste, which I absolutely loved.

Here are my favourite places to experience it.

Little Lao Culture Bar

If you only have time for one traditional Lao restaurant make it this one.

The menu is packed with dishes I’ve never heard of before, but all the ones we tried were so delicious.

This is a family run restaurant and the recipes have been handed down for generations. I personally think this was the most authentic Lao food we had while in Luang Prabang.

The interior and design of the place is more modern and comfortable, but very charming. I lost track of how many times we came back here for lunch or dinner, so it’s safe to say that I highly recommend it.

They also have a really nice bar on the second floor that kind of feels like a hidden gem. They serve up Lao inspired cocktails and the atmosphere here is really nice in the evenings.

They have the best Mango Sticky rice I've tried in Asia, just saying!

Little Lao House

This place is right next door to Little Lao Culture Bar and at first glance you might not see that they are actually two different spots.

This is a bit bigger and you can sit on the terrace outside in the evening which is really nice.

They have a different menu obviously, but still focus on fresh ingredients and really delicious Lao recipes.

Yuni Yupoun

This is one of those understated restaurants that might go under the radar, but really shouldn't.

It’s not a huge place, but the food is really, really good. The atmosphere here is also really nice and the prices are more budget friendly.

They serve a variety of Lao dishes, but also a mix of other Asian cuisine. So if you're a bigger group with different tastes, this is a great choice.

Tamarind

This one I personally didn’t try, but I keep hearing great things about it so I’m still adding it here.

It’s supposed to be a really good spot for people who haven't tried Lao food before as the menu explains everything and they have a tasting platter as well as many local dishes.

I have to say that the peaceful garden setting looks really nice, so I’ll make sure to head here on my next visit.

Manda de Laos

This is one of those places that are equally worth visiting for the food and for the views.

They serve up traditional recipes with fresh ingredients, but in a slightly more refined way. It's a bit more expensive than the spots in the city, but absolutely worth it.

It’s also located next to a charming Lilly pond which makes the whole dining experience extra charming.

If you're in Luang Prabang during high season, I highly recommend booking a table here in advance.

Khaiphaen

One of the things I love most about Khaiphaen is that your meal also support a great cause.

The restaurant trains disadvantaged young people in hospitality, giving them valuable skills while serving some of the tastiest Lao food in the city.

The menu includes many traditional favourites alongside a few creative twists, so it’s a great choice whether you're already familiar with Lao food or trying it for the first time.

Morning & Night Market

If you want a more budget friendly and very authentic meal I highly recommend heading to both the morning and night market.

I came to the morning market after the Alms Giving ceremony and it was perfect. I wandered around and had a look and there were so many stalls selling various soups and breakfast food.

In hindsight I wish I had a guide with me here to help pick out the best spots and dishes as I saw some other people did.

The night market is the same. Almost every stall sold different things and all the things we tried from simple corn to delicious stews were really great.

It’s also a super charming spot to spend the evening when the market fills up with lights and people.

Explore the morning market with a guide

The morning market is one of the most authentic places in Luang Prabang and is best explored with a guide who can show you all the best spots!

The Best Cafés & Bakeries in Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang is packed with charming and cozy cafes you can spend your time relaxing in. I didn’t have time to try nearly all, but below are some favourites of mine both for a snack and just for relaxing after temple hopping.

Le Banneton Café

If you only visit one breakfast spot in Luang Prabang, make it Le Banneton.

This charming French bakery has earned its reputation for good reason and I kept coming back here agin and again for breakfast.

After travelling Asia for a long time, it was really nice to just have a proper baguette for breakfast. And here they sell what is till my favourites from all the spots I’ve been in Asia until now. The pastries are also absolutely delicious!

Macoff Café

This was my favourite spot to sit in the evenings and watch the Mekong River while having a drink.

It’s probably equally nice in the morning because they sell really good coffee as well, I just never tried it. But I highly recommend going here after exploring the city to just grab a piece of cake or something to drink.

Saffron Café

If you want a really peaceful start to the day, this is a great spot.

It overlooks the Mekong River and feels extremely peaceful in the morning. The breakfast is simple and not my favourite, but absolutely decent. I recommend it more if you just want a peaceful spot for a coffee in the morning or during the day.

Lulalao Café

This spot is perfect for coffee lovers. They serve up a variety of more fancy coffees and some simple cheesecake that’s really good.

It has a more modern feel, but still really charming!

Take a Lao Cooking Class

If you fall in love with Lao cuisine (and I think you will), I highly recommend joining a cooking class so you can prepare the same dishes at home later on. You’ll start with a visit to the the morning market, where you'll learn about local herbs, vegetables, spices, and ingredients before preparing several traditional dishes from scratch.

Best International Food in Luang Prabang

Popolo Restaurant

There are multiple Italian restaurants in Luang Prabang, but I only managed to try one during my time here. I headed to Popolo one night I was craving pizza and I have to say it was really good. They also offer a huge variety of pastas and salads that looked equally delicious.

A couple other spots I wanted to try but never got around to was Viva Pasta and La Silapa. So if you’re staying for longer and want more Italian food, these are some spots I got recommended but never tried.

Maolin Tavern

I have to admit that I came here mostly because it’s so charming on the outside. However, the food was actually really nice as well. We tried a burger which we hadn't had in forever and it was delicious. So even though we came mostly to grab a drink I would definitely come back here and eat again.

Manolis Taco Bar

No matter where I travel I always miss Mexican food. And really good Mexican food is hard to come by in many small Asian cities, but this was actually surprisingly good. It didn't transport me back to Mexico, but you can’t really expect that either. But if you're craving some tacos, this is a great spot.

Tips for Eating in Luang Prabang

After spending time eating my way around the city, here are a few things I think are worth knowing before you go.

• Carry cash. Many smaller restaurants, cafés, and street food stalls only accept cash, so it's worth carrying enough Lao Kip for the day.
• Many restaurants close surprisingly early. If you're planning a later dinner, check the opening hours in advance.
• Reservations are worth making for restaurants like Manda de Laos and Tamarind, especially between November and March.
• Don't skip Lao coffee. Even if you're not a huge coffee drinker, Laos produces some excellent beans, and Luang Prabang has some of the best cafés in Southeast Asia.
• Be adventurous. Even if you're unfamiliar with Lao cuisine, don't be afraid to order something you've never heard of. Some of my favourite meals in Luang Prabang were dishes I'd never considered trying before arriving.

Try Bamboo weaving and cooking in this class!

Join this culture workshop where you'll make your own souvenir from bamboo and learn how to make some delicious bamboo dishes.

For a different experience join this cooking class!

Learn to make traditional Lao cuisine in the forest with help from the KHMU tribe.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best restaurant in Luang Prabang?

For traditional Lao food, I would recommend Little Lao Culture Bar. If you're celebrating a special occasion, Manda de Laos offers one of the most memorable dining experiences in the city.

Is street food safe in Luang Prabang?

Generally, yes. Choose busy stalls where food is cooked fresh to order, and you'll usually have an excellent experience. We never had any problems with food poisoning in Luang Prabang.

What food is Luang Prabang famous for?

Luang Prabang is best known for khao soi, or lam, mok pa, sticky rice, jeow bong, Lao sausage, grilled river fish, and excellent locally grown coffee. Make sure to try at least one of these dishes.

Is Luang Prabang expensive for food?

Not at all.

Street food and local restaurants are incredibly affordable, often costing just a few US dollars per meal, while even the city's finest restaurants are excellent value compared to many destinations around the world.

Plan Your Trip to Luang Prabang

Hopefully this guide has given you everything you need to plan an unforgettable trip to Luang Prabang. To make planning even easier, I've included all the resources I personally use when I travel.

Find the best hotels and compare prices on Booking.com

Compare flight prices on Skyscanner.com

Book buses, trains and ferries with 12Go

Brows the best tours on Viator here

Compare eSIM plans with Airalo here

Get travel insurance from SafetyWing here

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If you have any questions about travel in Laos, or just want to follow along as I travel the world full time, don‘t hesitate to reach out to me on social media.

I would love to connect and help out!

-Ingrid

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