Laos Food & Dining

Eating

Lao cuisine is very similar to its Thai neighbour's, and meals of spicy soup, sticky rice and chicken or laab are favourites with locals. Vientiane is serviced by several good French restaurants, a remnant of the country's colonial era, as are the baguettes and croissants are also widely available.

Drinking

Though tap water should be avoided, boiled water in thermos bottles is widely available, as are safe bottled mineral water and soft drinks. Beer Lao - the tasty and strong (5% alcohol) local brew - comes in either 300ml or 600ml bottles or in 2 litre jugs. The local rice whisky, Lao, Lao is a great favourite among the Lao people.

The central markets in Vientiane and Luang Prabang both offer a wide range of souvenirs, as do many of the cities' shops. However, while the majority of private shops have fixed prices, in the markets the art of bargaining still rules.