Lao Café
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Quick info
About Lao Café
Lao Café is a Laotian restaurant on Chandos Pl in London, open daily. The menu is mainly Lao food with a few Thai dishes alongside, which gives diners a way to try dishes that may be new to them. Grilled pork neck with spicy dressing, known on the menu as Nam tok kor moo, comes as a salad-style plate. Spicy pork rib soup, listed as Tom zaap gadook moo, covers the soup course. The setting is a compact contemporary cafe, so the format is a small room rather than a large dining hall. Coconut sorbet is on the dessert side of the menu.
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention papaya salad, grilled pork neck, spicy pork rib soup and sticky rice.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention papaya salad, grilled pork neck, spicy pork rib soup and sticky rice.
Customer Review Summary
Papaya salad is the dish reviewers raise most, called excellent in the Lao style and one of the best a New York visitor has had, though another finds it merely alright. Close behind are the grilled pork neck with spicy dressing, the spicy pork rib soup, and sticky banana leaf rice, all described as flavourful and authentic. Others mention the mushroom curry and coconut sorbet. Several diners who know Lao or Thai food say it tastes like home, and one calls the Thai slaw the closest to Thailand. The room is described as small, crowded, a little rugged and noisy for conversation, with a good vibe. Reviewers note that big flavours and a medium spice level that delivers a real kick may not suit everyone, and one says there are few vegetarian options. Service splits: some praise friendly, knowledgeable staff, while one says the staff were not very friendly and another says not to expect great service. One reviewer found the indoor seating extremely hot in summer.
Customer Review Summary
Papaya salad is the dish reviewers raise most, called excellent in the Lao style and one of the best a New York visitor has had, though another finds it merely alright. Close behind are the grilled pork neck with spicy dressing, the spicy pork rib soup, and sticky banana leaf rice, all described as flavourful and authentic. Others mention the mushroom curry and coconut sorbet. Several diners who know Lao or Thai food say it tastes like home, and one calls the Thai slaw the closest to Thailand. The room is described as small, crowded, a little rugged and noisy for conversation, with a good vibe. Reviewers note that big flavours and a medium spice level that delivers a real kick may not suit everyone, and one says there are few vegetarian options. Service splits: some praise friendly, knowledgeable staff, while one says the staff were not very friendly and another says not to expect great service. One reviewer found the indoor seating extremely hot in summer.
Featured reviews
- Forever young
“You can enjoy Lao food here at a very affordable price, and the menu also includes some Thai dishes. The food is good for the price, but I wouldn’t recommend visiting during the summer because the indoor seating gets extremely hot. Also, the staff were not very friendly, which made the overall experience less enjoyable.”
- WIll
“The food was absolutely delicious and tasted truly authentic from Thailand. The service was amazing, and all the staff were so friendly and welcoming. A special compliment to Nam Tan for her excellent service. We will definitely be back again!”
- hannah SHEN
“Grilled pork neck is really good. So is the sticky banana leaf rice. Papaya salad is alright. It’s a crowded small cafe, so could be a bit noisy for conversation, but vibe is good.”
- Dan
“As someone from Central California who's eaten a ton of Lao food over the years, I can say without hesitation that Lao Cafe is excellent.The meats are all perfectly cooked—tender, juicy, and full of flavor—while the seasoning is beautifully balanced. Nothing feels heavy or one-note. I especially appreciate that their “medium” spice level actually delivers a solid kick (exactly how I like it), so if you’re sensitive to heat, you might want to start with mild or ask them to dial it back.Highly recommended if you’re craving authentic, high-quality Lao food.”
- Elena R
“Outstanding food experience. The papaya salad Lao style was excellent, the mushroom curry was also very good, and the coconut sorbet was delicious! Highly recommended for food although perhaps do not expect great service.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Good to know
“Funky contemporary cafe for a traditional menu of unfamiliar Laotian dishes.”
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible seating · Wheelchair-accessible car park
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
Location
Restaurants near Lao Café
- Nando's Covent Garden4.34,6260 mi£10–20Vegan optionsVegetarian optionsWheelchair accessible
peri peri grilled chicken, garlic peri-peri sauce, peri chips
- The Port House4.61,7750.1 mi£20–70Outdoor seatingVegan optionsVegetarian options
manchego burger, arroz negro, cod croquettes
- 0.1 mi£15–30Vegan optionsVegetarian optionsGood for kids
calamari, lamb meatballs, courgette fritters
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lao Café | 4.62,433 | — | — | papaya salad, grilled pork neck, spicy pork rib soup |
| Nando's Covent GardenVegan options · Vegetarian options · Wheelchair accessible | 4.34,626 | 0 mi | £10–20 | peri peri grilled chicken, garlic peri-peri sauce, peri chips |
| The Port HouseOutdoor seating · Vegan options · Vegetarian options | 4.61,775 | 0.1 mi | £20–70 | manchego burger, arroz negro, cod croquettes |
| The Real Greek - St. Martin's LaneVegan options · Vegetarian options · Good for kids | 4.42,477 | 0.1 mi | £15–30 | calamari, lamb meatballs, courgette fritters |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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