4 Restaurants to Try in Luang Prabang – And 1 Café

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Laos’s royal capital is often overlooked by travelers, with many people making a quick stopover after they’ve experienced the slow boat from Thailand. But as we suggest in our ‘Ultimate Guide to Luang Prabang,’ we strongly recommend spending around five days to really relax into the Laos culture.

Whilst you’re spending your days swimming in the Kuang Si Waterfalls, waking up before sunrise for the Buddhist monks’ alms offering, and strolling through some of Southeast Asia’s prettiest temples, you’re going to want to wind down the day with a good meal (and perhaps a famous Beer Lao).

Don’t fret – I’m not going to let you go hungry. In this guide, I’ll walk you through four of the best restaurants in Luang Prabang, ranging from traditional Laotian cuisine to other Asian-inspired dishes. Read through to the end of the article for one extremely noteworthy café that you won’t want to miss!

1. Taste of Ceylon

Nestled by the famous Mekong, this Sri Lankan-style restaurant not only provides you with stunning views of boats cruising down the river, but also serves a menu of vibrant, authentic dishes from aromatic curries to freshly made roti. It’s an unexpected delight in the heart of Luang Prabang.

Whether you’re a meat eater or vegetarian, Taste of Ceylon has something for everyone whilst providing a homely atmosphere, enhanced by the warm glow of fairy lights in the outdoor seating area to give you a magical dining experience under the stars.

Although Taste of Ceylon does serve traditional Laotian dishes such as a variety of fried meats with rice, the Sri Lanken dishes really are special. Even if your spice tolerance is low like mine, the staff are incredibly friendly and are happy to adapt the dish to your personal taste.

I would highly recommend trying the classic Biyani Chicken or Jaffna Lamb Curry, with a Kottu Roti Cheese on the side if you’re feeling extra hungry. Both dishes are infused with incredible flavors, which are complemented by a Beer Lao Gold (easily my favorite beer during my time in Southeast Asia).

2. Khaiphaen by Friends Kitchen

More than a restaurant, Khaiphaen by Friends Kitchen is a social enterprise that provides vocational training for marginalized youth, as well as giving them the opportunity to learn English to build their skill set. This is very much a community-driven restaurant, which can be felt the second you walk through the door.

As well as supporting a very worthy cause, you will also experience some of the best traditional Laotian food in Luang Prabang. As the portion sizes are fairly small, this place is ideal for sharing dishes, allowing you to have a taste of a variety of local specialties. Alternatively, if you’re traveling solo then there is no judgment from us if you want to eat ten dishes to yourself!

When I visited, we ordered around six dishes between a group of five and it was the perfect amount. From the menu, I recommend trying the chargrilled eggplant dip with baguette, Khaiphaen and puffed rice crackers, homemade Lao pork sausages (Luang Prabang is famous for its sausages), and Mekong River fish and coconut laksa.

Trust me, once you’ve been to Khaiphaen by Friends Kitchen you’re going to agree that this is one of the best restaurants in Luang Prabang for Laotian cuisine – and even better, everything on the menu is extremely affordable.

3. Mookata

Perhaps looking at the opposite end of the budget spectrum, Mookata is an Asian barbecue restaurant located in the middle of the main street, closely situated to Mount Phousi. If you’re after something a little fancier, Mookata is one of the more upscale restaurants in Luang Prabang.

This restaurant allows you to get a hands-on experience, by cooking your meal to your taste using the freshest meat and vegetables. With friends, it also adds a touch of entertainment while you all try and cook together.

As soon as you enter the restaurant, you are greeted by modern decor, which provides a change of scenery from the rustic, French colonial-inspired streets of Luang Prabang. You also have the option to sit in Mookata’s beautiful outdoor area, or just grab a drink from the bar which features a contemporary and minimalist design.

You have the option to enjoy an ‘all you can eat’ barbecue. This means you have the choice between a Sindat (traditional-style Laos barbecue) or a grill, as well as a choice of meats, seafood, and side dishes. I usually choose the beef fillet, pork belly, calamari and shrimp with a side of fried rice, all of which burst with flavor. From the first bite, you can really tell just how fresh everything is.

4. Mekong Cafe

Going slightly off the beaten track now, Mekong Café is a ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ restaurant on the way to Kuang Si Waterfalls, around three-quarters of the way into your journey.

Tucked away in the greenery, this charming spot offers a peaceful escape tourist crowds, in fact, you’re likely to find that you’ll be the only one there. This cafe is the perfect place to recharge before you hit the waterfalls, offering a range of delicious local dishes and refreshing drinks.

The restaurant offers seating that directly overlooks the beautiful river, allowing you to watch fishermen and other boats cruise past. As for food, the menu is basic but gives you the opportunity to try some very affordable Laotian cuisine from a family-owned and run establishment. Here is the perfect place to try that famous Luang Prabang sausage, served with rice – just be careful as these sausages do have a kick!

Special Mention: Laos Buffalo Dairy

You’re probably a little confused about why I’m suddenly talking about a buffalo farm – but please stay with me here.

On the way back from Kuang Si Waterfalls, you’ll stumble across the Laos Buffalo Dairy Farm, a social enterprise that offers Laos’s only Buffalo milk ice cream. The farm was created to find an alternative to cow’s milk, as well as employing 40 local staff members to teach them English, animal husbandry skills and provide nutritional programs for Laotian children.

As well as trying the famous ice cream, which is a lot creamier than regular ice cream, I strongly recommend trying the buffalo milk cheeseboard. Each board comes with a variety of cheeses, including feta, mozzarella, ricotta, blue cheese, as well as yogurt.

After a busy day at the waterfalls, this is a much-needed rest stop that not only provides you with one of the most unique restaurant experiences in Luang Prabang, but you’re also contributing towards a very worthy cause.

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