Ban Lao beer garden and restaurant is conveniently situated in the main tourist area of Vientiane, on the Rue Francois Ngin (road). Beer Laos in the garden and cheap food is the main attraction.
Ban Laos Beer Garden
Pros
- Beer Laos
- Cheap Food
- Quiet Relaxing Garden
- Location
Cons
- Some Dishes are Poor (western mainly)
- Waitresses (normal Laos lack of attentiveness and friendliness)
Open: Daily 7am – 11pm
Price Range: Very Cheap – Budget Option
Address: Rue Francois Ngin, Vientiane, Laos
The lady owner is very friendly. Other staff (like what I experience in many Vientiane restaurants) lack attentiveness and friendliness.
Not a problem as the food, cheap beer and the garden area makes up for staff expectations not meeting good standards.
Ban Lao Garden Area
Plenty of tables and places to sit and typical rustic style of many beer gardens in south east Asia. Smoking is allowed, so you may want to avoid this place if you are not able to tolerate smoking.
Ban Lao Food & Menu
You can get an idea of the food and drink prices from the menu pictures below…..
There are western options on the menu and Laos – Thai dishes. Local cuisine is always going to win hands down at these sort of restaurants, so the best options are Laos and Thai dishes.
On this occasion that I visited I fancied something western and ordered some chips with falafel. It was nothing special, cheap enough and filled a gap in my stomach (not quite cooked to Lebanese perfection, of course).
When I have visited in the past I have ordered rice dishes that was much better than the falafel. I did mention above ‘order local cuisine’ or if ordering western, just lower your expectations.
As mentioned above, one of the main attractions here is drinking beer Laos in a garden setting. Before I quit boozing Ban Laos was a great pit stop off after leaving my passport at the Vientiane Thai embassy for a Thai visa application, before being able to check in to the hotel (2pm for most).
Note: Some tripadvisor reviewers complain about mosquitoes and the quality of western food. In regards to mosquitoes……welcome to beer gardens of south east Asia (use repellent), and western food issues arise because it’s a cheap restaurant primarily for local Thai and Laos food.
Ban Lao Worth A Visit?
Ban Lao restaurant and beer garden is just like many other beer gardens in south east Asia. Cheap beer, outdoor setting to sit, and reasonably cheap local food with an attempt to please those that want to eat western food.
Always been a great place for me to stop off at……..especially when beer was part of the plan.
