Houay Xai Laos – Restaurants and Places to Eat

It is fair to say that Houay Xai is not well known for its food scene, although you can still dive into the local culture and try a mix of Lao and international dishes on a trip here.

Markets and street food

One of the best places to go in search of local bites is the morning market, where you will find towers of fresh produce including crisp fruits and vegetables brought down from the surrounding mountains. If you stick to local places like the market and street food options, then you can get a meal in Houay Xai for as little as a few dollars.

Local food

Most guesthouses in Houay Xai also have their own restaurant or cafe attached, so this is convenient if you are looking for somewhere to eat and don’t want to stray too far.

One of the most popular spots of this type in town is the Daauw Home which is also a guesthouse. This has a bar and restaurant attached and all the proceeds here for to the Mountain People of Bokeo Province. Menu items are between USD 1-5 and you can get beer and cocktails as you have dinner and look out over the Mekong. They also have a fire burning in the evenings, or you can sit out on the veranda and take in the breeze from the river.

Traditional Lao BBQ

One of the great delicacies in town is also the traditional Lao barbecue which consists of a kind of mix of Japanese shabu-shabu and Korean barbecue. When you eat Lao barbecue you get to grill the meat yourself as well as add it to a stew along with vegetables and other ingredients. Many of the best places to eat barbecue are located along the waterfront and they usually come with chicken or pork. If you want something a little different, then head Khongvab Duck BBQ where you can try some delicious grilled duck which is a delicacy in Laos.

International food

If you want to get some international plates, then the best choice is to head for the restaurant next to the Gibbon Experience Office which has a large garden and terrace that looks over the Mekong River.

Other options for some international bites include spots like Dream Bakery which is located on the main street in Houay Xai and is made up of a bakery and attached cafe. Here you can get delicious breads and pastries as well as some toothsome brownies. They also do iced coffees and milkshakes and this is a good option if you are looking for Western options for breakfast.

Another well known spot in town is the Latsuly Return which is a restaurant that looks over the wharf where the slow boat leaves for Luang Prabang. Here you will find a range of international plates as well as local bites, but most people come here for the ambiance as it is a nice place to take in the views over the rest of Houay Xai and watch the locals as they go about their business.

Bars

If you are looking for nightlife on Houay Xai then you won’t have much luck, as this is a typical Lao town with not much going on in the evenings. One good choice however is Bar How which is on the main road in town and has some good food coupled with plenty of cold Beer Lao and some tasty cocktails. If you are looking for somewhere to go at night therefore, this makes a good choice as many of the other restaurants and bars in town only usually serve beer and you will struggle to find cocktails or spirits on many menus.