Luang Prabang guide · Where to eat
Places to eat in Luang Prabang, with what to order and how comfortable each is for families and older travellers.
Updated
Lao food is built around sticky rice, fresh herbs, grilled meats and river fish, with fermented fish sauce and padaek (a fermented fish paste) in many dishes. Local specialities in the guides include or lam, a mild herbal stew usually made with pork, and Luang Prabang-style khao soi. Almost every traditional dish contains meat, fish or fish sauce, so strict vegetarians, Jain travellers and vegans should expect to ask clearly and repeat the request.
In practice, the easiest meals for Indian vegetarians are the vegetarian stalls at the night market food alley (one stall is labelled vegetarian and another vegan, according to Wikivoyage, with a note on hygiene), fried rice or noodles cooked without egg or fish sauce on request, fruit, and Indian restaurants. We found one Indian-run restaurant, Nisha, that a travel guide describes as strong on vegetarian and vegan dishes, though it also serves halal meat, so it is not pure veg. We did not find a verified pure vegetarian or Jain restaurant in Luang Prabang, and have tagged none. Ask your hotel in advance for meals with no meat, fish, fish sauce or egg, and carry dry snacks for day trips.
Menus and kitchens change. If you follow a strict diet or have an allergy, confirm with the restaurant before you order.
Ban Choumkhong, beside the National Museum, old town
A garden restaurant in Ban Choumkhong near the National Museum, serving modern European dishes with Lao flavours and an insect menu, named by three guides.
Sisavangvong Road, the main street, old town
A colourful, budget-friendly main-street eatery in Luang Prabang known for generous portions and vegetarian options such as veggie burgers, named by Laos Travel and Backpackers Wanderlust.
Ban Phan Luang, near Wat Phan Luang, across the Nam Khan
A restaurant across the Nam Khan from the old town near Wat Phan Luang, serving Lao-style fondue-barbecue and seasonal mango with sticky rice.
Chao Fa Ngum Road, next to the post office, end of the night market
An air-conditioned bakery cafe near the post office at the end of the night market, serving pastries, breads, ice cream, breakfast and coffee.
Corner of Inthasome and Sisavangvong Road, southwest end of the night market
A street stall at the corner of Inthasome and Sisavangvong roads, at the southwest end of the night market, serving Luang Prabang-style khao soi.
Ban Wat Nong, a corner of the old town
A French-Lao restaurant in the Wat Nong corner of the old town, listed by Insight Guides with a daytime tea salon and daily specials that include vegetarian meals.
Phu Si Road, old town
A garden restaurant on Phu Si Road serving self-cook Lao barbecue and laap dishes, with an unusual vegetarian laap noted by Insight Guides.
Ban That Luang, 10 Norrassan Road, behind the main street near the Night Market
A Lao family-recipe restaurant behind the main street near the Night Market, with tasting menus and an eight-course vegetarian menu, named by En Primeur Club and CityNomads.
Luang Prabang old town area; confirm the address on a map app
An Indian restaurant in Luang Prabang described by a travel guide as serving Tamil dishes, with strong vegetarian and vegan choices and halal meat.
Ban Nasamphanh, Street 3, off Highway 13, outside downtown
A wood-fired pizza place on the edge of Luang Prabang, outside the downtown core, that opens only on Tuesday and Friday evenings and is named by four separate guides.
Ban Wat Sene, on the Nam Khan river, old town
A Lao restaurant on the Nam Khan river in Ban Wat Sene that serves introductory Lao meals and also runs cooking classes with a Lao chef.
Sakkarine Road, Ban Wat Saen
A Lao restaurant on Sakkarine Road in Ban Wat Saen that cooks dishes fresh to order and runs a cooking school.
Kingkitsarath Road 10, Nam Khan side of Mount Phou Si
A Belgian restaurant and bar on Kingkitsarath Road, known for lasagna, stews and curries, and recommended to vegetarians by Wikivoyage.
Sakkaline Road, near Wat Xieng Thong
A simple noodle shop on Sakkaline Road near Wat Xieng Thong serving pork noodle soup with chewy tapioca noodles, named by Laos Travel and En Primeur Club.
