Nong Khiaw Laos – Best Restaurants and Places to Eat

Nong Khiaw has a surprisingly good food scene, so whatever you are looking for here, you should be able to find a mix of different influences. There are a wide number of Laotian restaurants, as you would expect, where you can try the local delicacies, but you will also find a few Indian restaurants as well as some international eateries which are often attached to the local guesthouses and hotels.

Breakfast

If you want to start the day the right way in Nong Khiaw then head for Delilah’s which is one the main street in town and is known as a popular breakfast location. Here you will find a wide selection of breakfast items such as breads, pastries and cereal and the cafe is known for using local ingredients without additives of MSG. They also have free Wi-Fi available.

Western and International Food

For something a little different in Nong Khiaw try Deen Restaurant which is an Indian restaurant by the main bridge on the western side of the river. The chefs are part of the Indian community in Laos and you will find toothsome curries served here and this is a good spot if you are looking for vegetarian options. Expect to pay around USD 1 for vegetable dishes and USD 2 for meat based plates. Another good Indian option is Chennai Restaurant which serves up curries from both north and south India and has a range of vegetarian and meat based options for around USD 2 – 5.

Across from Deen Restaurant is Mackana which is a popular spot and has Laotian and Western bites available. Perhaps surprisingly they are known for their large German breakfasts which were passed on by German friends of the owner, and you can also get tasty sandwiches here. They also have a good range of drinks such as coffees and teas.

Local Food

If you want to try some local plates then you might want to visit Morning Dew Restaurant which is close to the main bridge and has Lao dishes as well as freshly made baguettes and sandwiches. They also serve delicious Lao coffee and Lao beer.

Another good Lao option is Noy Many which is also close to the bridge and has beautiful views over the nearby limestone karsts. There is a large menu here of Lao classics such as the national dish which is called laap. This is basically minced meat in a kind of salad made from chopped herbs, spices and chillies, and you can also get another Lao specialty here called sticky rice which is served with mango and best eaten with your hands.

Also a good option if you want Lao dishes is Namlin Restaurant which offers delicious laap and an excellent range of freshly squeezed juices. It is located on the way back from the caves on the outskirts of Nong Khiaw so this is a great choice if you want to grab a drink and some food after your hike.

Drinking Spots

Nong Khiaw is not well known for its nightlife scene but you can still get some drinks in the evenings if you know where to look. One spot is Hive Bar which is made up of a small outside terrace with some nice views and you can try local cocktails here made with fresh herbs. They also have a happy hour from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm.

Another choice similar to Hive Bar is Q Bar which has cocktails, wine and beer on the menu and also serves food and snacks. They also do a delicious traditional Lao barbecue set and have a happy hour from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm.