Vientiane and the northwest - The Rough Guide to Laos - page 122

Hugely popular, especially with business crowds, and it's not unusual for all the tables to be
full, even at lunchtime. Bookings advised. Mon-Sat 11am-9pm.
Noodle House Heng Boun Rd 021 265000; map . Cool, air-conditioned noodle bar run by
the folks behind Khop Chai Deu , open at lunchtime only. The noodle-packed menu includes
everything from spaghetti to pad Thai, with mains for around 25,000K. Daily noon-3pm.
WESTERN
Chokdee Café Fa Ngum Rd chokdeecafe.com ; map . A statue of Tintin points travellers
and expats into this sociable Belgian bar/restaurant. The drinks list features dozens of strong
imported beers (from 40,000K) and on Friday and Saturday evenings, moules (cooked in loc-
al or Belgian beer) are added to the extensive menu. Mon 4.30-11pm, Tues-Sun 8am-11pm.
LaBelleEpoque 6 Pangkham Rd, in the Settha Palace Hotel; map . The classiest act in town,
serving French and Lao food (mains from 130,000K) in an elegant dining room. There is
nowhere else in Vientiane even remotely like this. Even if you don't dine here, you can have
a drink at the bar and soak up the colonial atmosphere. Daily 6.30-10.30pm.
La Terrasse Nokeo Koummane Rd, near Wat Mixai 021 218550; map . This place fills
its tables by offering outstanding steaks (around 90,000K), pizzas, Mexican food and salads
at prices lower than most of the other Western joints. Seating is in a covered courtyard or chic
bar/dining area. Highly recommended. Mon-Sat 11am-2pm & 6-10pm.
Le Provençal Pangkham Rd, facing Nam Phou; map . Cosy little French place tucked away
on the northern side of the fountain. The wood-fired pizza is first rate, and there's a good
selection of wine available by the carafe or bottle. Steaks cost around 90,000K. Daily
11.30am-2pm & 6-10pm.
Noy's Fruit Heaven Heng Boun Rd 030 996 0913; map . Need a fresh fruit fix? This re-
laxed smoothie bar makes great shakes for 15,000K, blending in plenty of sweet coconuts
and bananas. Also does decent Western breakfasts. Daily 7am-7pm.
Ray's Grille 17/1 Sihom Rd, west of the petrol station 020 5896 6866; map . There isn't
a proper sign outside this no-frills American burger joint, so keep your eyes peeled for the
little whiteboard, which has the menu scrawled on it. The house special - a whopping philly
cheese steak dripping with gooey cheddar (39,000K) - has tourists and expats coming back
for multiple visits. Daily except Sat 11.30am-2pm & 6-9pm.
Swedish Pizza & Baking House Chao Anou Rd 021 254041; map . Vientiane's best
Scandinavian bakery, with pastries and sweet treats, plus a selection of main courses. High
on the menu is the most famous Swedish dish of all: meatballs with lingonberries and mashed
potatoes (35,000K). There's another branch on the road to That Luang. Daily 7am-9pm.
ViaVia Opposite V Hotel on Nokeo Koummane Rd 020 7749 2776; map . Hugely popular
with tourists, Via Via manages to pull off decent Lao dishes alongside its selection of western