We have 40 places to eat and drink in and around Vientiane.
The cafe scene in Vientiane can only be described as a phenomenon – high quality cafes have sprung up just about everywhere you turn and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say it is the best coffee and croissants you’ll find in all of Southeast Asia. If you appreciate a proper brew or enjoy surfing the internet in an air-conditioned space, you’re in the right place: the coffee is excellent, often using beans grown right in Laos, plus air-con and free WiFi are standard.
Family friendly American-style bakery
Perfectly blended shakes
Delicious and charming
Breakfast and lunch hub
Fruit shakes galore
Panini heaven
Top choice for coffee lovers
People watching riverside
All day breakfast
Crowd pleaser
Secret eatery
Boutique roastery
Lots to try
Tasty selection of Lao food
Worth the journey out of downtown
Tasty Lao and Thai
Cheap and relaxing
Popular, with a show
Best Vietnamese food
Authentic beef pho
Best Vietnamese nem nuong
Closer than Korea
Indian food fix
Cheap and cheerful Japanese
The international dining here is superb with nationals from around the globe opening up small restaurants. Vientiane has long been famous for its French food; now the Italians are giving the French some competition. The number of fantastic Italian restaurants that have opened is mind-boggling but we certainly aren’t complaining. We haven’t listed them all -- you’ll find them.
Great atmosphere
Retro casual
Splurge-worthy
One of the best
Exceptional tapas and steaks
Delicious pizza
Best burger in town
Home to the tom yum martini
Belgian beers and fries
Pasta and wood-fire pizza
Vientiane has some fantastic and memorable watering holes, from lively local beer bars on the Mekong with killer sunset views, to cosy cocktail jazz joints and sleek, sophisticated wine bars. Beer, wine and spirits in Vientiane are cheaper than in Thailand due to Thailand’s high alcohol tax, plus stiff competition here (no pun intended) means almost all upscale bars have a happy hour. With quality cocktails and decent house wine by the glass usually costing 30,000 to 60,000 kip, Vientiane is definitely the place to get your drink on, but you have to start early as a citywide curfew means most bars close at midnight.
Tokyo meet Laos
Fun funky mixology
Popular riverfront rooftop bar
Riverside cocktails
Live music and Mekong views
Catch the game at Vientiane's best sunset spot