Where to Eat in Luang Prabang

Aimed primarily at tourists, the Night Market sets up each evening along a few blocks of Thanon Sisavangvong. Lining both sides of the street, with a section down the middle, stalls offer a plethora of souvenirs, from cotton shopping bags and handicrafts to silk scarves, brightly colored lamps, and silver jewelry. There are also food stalls on the side streets, offering a place to refuel between purchases. Even if you’re not in the mood to buy anything, strolling up and down the market aisles is a pleasant, interesting way to pass an evening.

Known for its “Laotian Family Cuisine,” this restaurant also has beautiful decor and an unforgettable setting that draws couples looking for a romantic meal. The interior, with its tall timber columns and exposed-brick walls, has the intimacy of a private home, but the pièce de résistance is the set of lotus ponds, surrounded by several tables. Manda de Laos is busiest at night, when the small lights around the ponds turn the space into an otherworldly dining destination, and guests settle in for signature dishes like wok-fried buffalo and grilled fish with lemongrass and herbs.

The morning market in Luang Prabang is bursting at the seams with culinary curious - some you may indeed want to put in your mouth, and others, well - others you’ll need to see for yourself. Luang Prabang is the busiest tourist destination in Laos, but early in the morning, the market is generally void of foreign faces, making it a perfect place to meet the locals, dine on Lao food, and watch the people as they wander. Grab yourself a frosty bevy and a slice of blood sausage and check it out.