Honest Guide to Vientiane: Where to Stay, Eat, Drink & Relax in Laos

I’ve been three times now – once after a month tearing through Vietnam, again on a quick visa run from Thailand, and most recently just a few weeks ago (February 2026). Each visit has left me thinking the exact same thing: this place is quietly winning me over. It’s not flashy. It’s not overwhelming like some bigger Southeast Asian capitals. And it definitely isn’t trying to copy Bangkok. Vientiane is just… chilled. Slowly growing. Stupidly cheap. And still packed with enough cold Beer Lao and random little bars to keep a drinking man happy for weeks on end. The people are very kind, relaxed and easy going too — it adds to that proper laid-back feel. I’ll be back. No question.

Don’t get me wrong – it’s not perfect. The food can still feel painfully plain if you’re not into sticky rice and mystery herbs. The heat will melt your face off on bad days. And the tuk-tuk drivers still haven’t nailed the concept of “actually knowing where anything is.” ATMs are well dodgy too — some work, some don’t, some might take your card, and others are painfully slow. Be careful with them. But after three trips, Vientiane feels like a proper breath of fresh (humid) air compared to the more intense pace you find in other parts of the region. Wide streets, a relaxed rhythm that actually matches the Lao pace, and a capital city that doesn’t make you want to bolt for the airport after three days. Pleasantly surprised doesn’t even cover it anymore — I’m properly sold.

Lao Beer is easily the best lager in Asia in my opinion — the classic lager is top notch, cold and crisp, and goes down dangerously easy. But they also do a very good IPA and a decent stout that are definitely worth trying if you see them. You’ll spot Beer Lao (and its various versions) everywhere in Vientiane, and you’ll be thankful every time.

The night markets along the Mekong are still brilliant for cold beers, grilled meats, and proper people-watching as the sun sets over the river.

Food-wise, it’s honest and cheap, but it won’t blow your mind like the fiery street food scenes in Vietnam or Thailand. I’ve had great lab (laap) and sticky rice when it hits right, but some spots still land a bit plain on the Western palate.

Here’s the no-bullshit breakdown after three visits:

 

ACCOMODATION

Sengdara Hotel (5/5)

• Laos, Vientiane, Soupanouvong Road Ban Syhom

Stayed here for about 3 weeks, without any bother or incidence. I don’t know why it has got such low reviews as for me it was a pretty good place to stay. Perfect location, within walking distance of the city and to a lot of good bars and restaurants, very friendly and helpful staff, and the room was more than comfortable.

The bed was very comfy and smelt lovely. The en-suite bathroom and shower were good, the shower hot immediately when turned on….

The Wi-Fi was a bit shaky but as someone who works online, I managed to do my work….

Overall, very much recommended for a stay in Vientiane. So close to the town and also very affordable. If I am back, I’m checking in here again.

Trip type: Holiday

Travel group: Solo

Rooms: 5 Service: 5 Location: 5

Hotel highlights: Quiet, Great value

 

Ban Saylomleng Residence (4/5)

• Ban Sikhay Thong Neua Hom 15, Laos

Nice little hotel off the beaten track and very close to the airport.

Extremely friendly lady to welcome me to the hotel, nice and chatty and very kind……

Room was an en-suite, with a good shower and bathroom, and I was also able to do some cooking as there was a kettle, plates and cutlery, a microwave and fridge in the room. But also have the opportunity to use the hotel’s account online delivery service and get food delivered to the hotel, which was handy.

Bed was comfy and my stay here was overall very pleasant. Can relax outside and have a beer with fellow travellers and enjoy the midday sun, in a very relaxed and cozy atmosphere.

The man of the house, also very friendly, was kind enough to drive me to the airport for a small nominal fee……which was great. Wi-Fi was decent too

The only negative was my window couldn’t close properly, an old wooden window, and so a few nights I did get eaten alive by mosquitos….

 

PLACES TO EAT AND CAFES 

Phakhao Lao Restaurant (1/5)

• XJ73+XH6, Vientiane, Laos

Ordered from the set menu, got the Pa Kao set.

Service was ok, nice atmosphere in the place.

Food was rank though, absolute horse shit. Every dish was just wrong. Stir fry was too fruity, the chicken soup dish was bland, the “lab” chicken and rice were cheap meat cuts, diced, and full of fat, the pork was inedible, and the stickie rice didn’t work with any of the dishes…….the beer was fine though, ha ha.

Embarrassingly bad. See that they have a main course of crickets and frog legs on the menu….. says it all really……

Served slop……avoid!

 

Common Grounds Cafe & Bakery (5/5)

• Chao Anou Road, Vientiane, Laos

Came here three times for early morning breakfast.

Lovely place to sit down, have a good rest before your day starts, in peace and enjoy some good breakfast and a nice cup of tea.

Good service, fast and efficient, and with a smile

Food all good, and very affordable.

Lovely little place.

Orchid Guesthouse (3/5) 

• XJ73+CQ2, Vientiane, Laos

Don’t know about the guesthouse, but the food was alright.

Had beef and chicken dishes and some tofu, washed down with lots of beer. Food was fine, could be better, more to nibble at as we chatted and drank, not very filling as we were both still hungry despite ordering three dishes, but it was ok……

Good atmosphere in the restaurant. Funny to see owners mug on the menu…….bit strange, but that’s the Chinese for you. ha

Waiting staff were very young, didn’t look over 18 and in any case were a bit ditsy and slow……albeit friendly.

Good for a sit down…..food could be better….but all in all ok

Service: 2 Location: 4

Roadhouse BBQ & Grill (4/5)

• Vientiane, Laos

Just in for a quick beer and a rest.  Service was friendly.

Beer nice and cold.  Room well cool on the hot day it was.

 

Texas Chicken Thatluang (4/5)

• XJGM+72G 01000, Rue 23 Singha, Vientiane, Laos

Burger was so so, bit boring…….but the staff were very kind and tried their best to help me get some directions back into town…….very kind and helpful…..

 

Joma Bakery Cafe That Luang (4/5)

• Nongbone Road, 1 Nongbone 1 Rd, Vientiane, Laos

Nice quant little place on corner of street, good vibes inside, nice and cool place to sit down have something to drink and relax.

Service fast and polite Had some lemon iced tea!

 

Lavender Café (5/5) 

• PD Fa Ngum Road Vientiane, Laos

Nice café – restaurant hidden away off the main drag.

Friendly service and good food.

Food was well tasty and very affordable……

Nice quiet setting, busy but quiet all the same…..

Very decent place for a rest and some good food.

 

HONGKANG RESTAURANT (1/5)

• XJ74+45V, Vientiane 01600, Laos

STAY AWAY

Ordered a dish that didn’t arrive, ordered chicken wings, got three cancerous looking ones……..ok we drank some good beer…… but the owners wife/sister was beside us and when she took a break from face timing her foreign boyfriend for all to see, she came over to our table and attacked us…….for the temerity of asking where the dish we ordered was!!! A crazy woman.

Normally I’d go A-wall here but with a trip to Thailand scheduled I just let her blow off her steam, obviously her white friend is not providing enough dollars so she has to vent off somehow….

Amazing anger shown by a very unhappy and sad woman…….. and as for the man who took or orders……I wonder where he disappeared to!

A restaurant run by people on temporary release from an asylum….

 

NIGHT TIME ACTIVITIES 

The Office Bar & Tapas (5/5)

• 001, 006-5 Sihom Rd, Vientiane 01000, Laos

A real treasure in Vientiane……great craic to be had here, especially if Nai is around…….the owner who is very entertaining, and also has some biting wit and humour.

Spent a good few hours here, day went to night and back again…… all good fun……a must visit when in town.

 

Samlo Pub (5/5)

• XJ83+9RG, Rue Setthathilath, Vientiane, Laos

Late night dive, rough and ready and just how I like it Arrived here knowing full well it was a late night bar……and on a 3 day lash it was exactly what I wanted……

Good seat at the bar, beer Lao (decent lager) on the flow, the odd whiskey, and good chats all around.

Pool was going on when I arrived, and boy some of the ladies playing were kicking the ass of the foreign guys…….

Bar staff were not the brightest tool in the shed, but at least they kept pouring and I kept drinking…….. didn’t leave until around 4 in the morning, and onto the next place……

AND PLACES TO SEE

Wat Chan (4/5)

• XJ73+J58, Vientiane, Laos

Nice little temple area, still working Buddhist temple, free to wander in and walk around and take a few photos…..very relaxed

At night it doubles up as a busy car park, which is kind of funny, but there you go…

 

 

Statue of Chao Anouvong (3/5) 

• XJ65+49W, Mekong Shore Boardwalk,, Vientiane 01600, Laos

Some old King, revered in Laos, looking outwards to the Mekong and to Thailand, perhaps that is significant, and away from the park.

Not really worth having a look to be honest.

But around the statue there a lot of cute figurines, which is interesting.

At night with the market this place is totally transformed, at day time, its very empty and quiet.

 

COPE Visitor Centre (4/5)

• Boulevard Khou Vieng, Vientiane, Laos

Very interesting small museum and educational centre dedicated to informing the public and visitors about America’s little known bombing campaign of Laos during the Vietnam war.

Very informative and very eye opening….

Lady at front desk was very friendly and kind enough to fill me in on some of the history behind the bombings and how people even today, after all those years, still get maimed and lose limbs due to stepping on unexploded bombs.

Gift shop where you can buy some art and t shirts, etc. that contribute to their fund in helping the centre and people with disabilities.

Worth a look.

Wat That Khao (4/5)

• XJ38+QXV, Vientiane, Laos

Sleeping Buddha, nice and tranquil area, not over run with foreigners, when I was walking around I was the only foreigner there.

Shaded areas nearby where one can sit down and take it all in.

Worth a look.

Wat That Phoun (5/5)

• XJ99+56P, Vientiane, Laos

Very nice place to visit…….very quiet and relaxing, lots of shade under the midday sun to take a nice break and take it all in.

Quite a lot to see, a good few temples and statues knocking about…. and the best thing for me was that there was virtually no one around……on a Saturday too, which was great.

Well maintained and clean pathways.

Definitely worth a look.

 

Statue of King Saysettha (3/5)

• XJGP+H6V, Vientiane, Laos

The statue of venerated past King of the nation of Laos.

Interesting enough to see but alas not much else

Lao National Museum (1/5)

• 328 13, Vientiane, Laos

Closed on the weekend. What a joke

Visited on: Weekend

AND THE REST

Tony Paris Coiffure Haircut (5/5) 

• Khun Bu Lom Rd, Vientiane, Laos

Popped in for a haircut……..met Tony who showed me around and was very friendly and chatty.

Got the haircut and was very pleased with the job…..

Tony is great……

Haisok Dry Cleaner (5/5) 

• 88 Rue Setthathilath, Vientiane, Laos

Did the business no flaffling around. Good stuff

Phongsavanh ATM (1/5)

• XJ73+G83, Vientiane, Laos

Chancing faith with these ATMs in Vientiane….

The wait is excruciating. Thought it took my ATM. Not trust worthy

VIDEOS 

Visiting Vientiane, Laos. Pleasantly Surprised (ThisDrinkingLife Travel Guide)

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