Eat and meet

Muang Khua

The only traveller-restaurant in Muang Khua really catering to tourist tastes at all hours is the restaurant on the balcony of the Nam Ou Guesthouse. The setting is terrific, with a view up and down the river, of the mountains on the other side, and the activity on the port below. Only the rubbish that has been dumped on the riverbanks mars the view. The menu is quite extensive: fried rice and noodles, stir-fries and traditional dishes. Unfortunately, what can actually be served depends on available ingredients, but they do a good job with what they have.

The other main option in town is the Sernnaly Hotel which mainly caters to guests, but will happily arrange a meal for others if you give them advanced notice. The range of dishes is quite large and we were especially impressed with the Chinese dishes. Prices range from 10,000 kip to 40,000 kip. The welcome here is a little stilted and cold, but don't let that deter you if you are after a good meal.

In the hot season, a small stall just up from the Nam Ou Guesthouse sells delicious icecream.