Tamnak Lao Restaurant, across the road from Villa Santi Hotel, also offers good cooking classes that also include a visit to the local Phosy Market.

 

The main differences to Bamboo Tree Cooking Classes are that Tamnak Lao’s are run by men not women (so perhaps not as chatty) and Tamnak Lao offers has more opportunities for hands on preparation, whereas Bamboo Tree does much of the work for you.

Bamboo Tree also has the lovely riverside tables to enjoy your meal afterwards, whereas Tamnak Lao’s tables are in a lane way.

But the Tamarind Restaurant also runs classes that are well worth considering. Tamarind has a particular interest in passing on Lao cuisine wisdom (and also the best sticky rice dessert ever).

Tamarind’s classes fill quickly so book early.

 

Villa Saykham is good value for a guest house stay at $30-35 US per night approx. (Book via hotel website)

It has a good location near the night markets (which is where everyone generally ends up at night) and it is very close to good restaurants like Cafe Toui and the new friends International restaurant Khaiphaen, as well as the Mekong riverfront and Xiang Muane area. Room B1 is a good pick on the ground floor, nearest to the outdoor eating area.

However, possibly a room upstairs would be more private and quieter.

Breakfast is eggs, baguette, fruit, juice and coffee and is included in the price.

Trip advisor reviews

Villa Champa is well priced and located near the  to the start of night market with some good restauants like Cafe Toui and the new  Friends International restaurant Xiaphen close by as well  the Mekong River for sunsets.

It doesn’t have a kitchen, but just across the road is a pretty cafe to sit outside and eat breakfast.

Rooms range from $US20 to $US56 a night and upstairs rooms have balconies.

Room 104 is a small $20US Room

 

Pack Luck Villa is a guest house with plenty of charm.

Located in a quiet but still central spot near the Mekong River, just down from Villa Santi, it faces Le Elepahnt French Restaurnat, a temple, a cultural centre.

The better rooms cost $65 which includes a continental breakfast.

Room 3 upstairs is  an  attractively decorated double and possibly the pick of rooms with it’s balcony overlooking the street.

  

There are also two other double rooms downstairs.

 

The Apsara  is a lovely boutique hotel, that is well worth considering.

The standard downstairs rooms (about $US90) include the three in a separate building from the restaurant and reception (11, 12, 14) .

Room 11 is on the corner and has a window

Room 12 has no window except the front opening glass doors, and Room 14 has a right side wall window. They have a nice wide balcony on the street that faces the river.

 

Two more standard downstairs rooms are located next to the restuarant and have more rom, but might be a little noisier.
 

The superior rooms upstairs above the restarurant are nice, with more room and privacy but smaller hotter balconies including room 3 and Room 1 Upstairs.

Room 1 (Superior)

Superior (double) have lots more room but a smaller balcony for about $130 US (Agoda).

Breakfast is not buffet, but is still nice and is served either indoors or riverside.

Well run by a European couple. Price includes breakfast and an airport transfer for superior rooms. It is not far from Villa Santi, perhaps a 5 min walk.

The restaurant is also particularly nice, with good, though pricier food.
It’s also next door to the Tamarind Restaurant which is also lovely and offers good cooking lessons.

The night market runs 4-10pm every night in front of the palace and is a great place to spend the evening/s in Luang Prabang.

Not only does it sell a wide range of souvenirs, handicrafts and potiential gifts to take home, there’s food stalls selling steamed coconut cakes….

steamed dumplings……

chocolate and banana crepes…….

and a whole alley (down near the post office/baguette and fruit shake stalls) of buffets selling a plate of food for about $2 AUS.

Some stalls will heat your food in a pan. Go here early when it’s not so busy and the food is freshly cooked.

Phosy Market is Luang Prabang’s main market for locals.

A short tuk tuk ride from the centre of town, it’s well worth a visit especially to enjoy the fresh produce section and is often included in cooking classes. Tamarind Restaurant sells an inexpensive ‘What’ at the Market?’ booklet that’s worth investing in.

It’s also a good spot to explore Luang Prabang’s specialty foods….

….buffalo skin for boiling and dipping or adding to stews and  fried mushroom and bamboo shoots, coconut biscuits, sweet chilli dip

 

fermented fish sauce

 

 

 

 

 

Along the road that runs next to the Nam Khan River, is a run of bars that also serve a mix of Asian and Western food.

The Hive Bar

Lao Lao Garden

But for a bit more class and a better view, keep walking to Utopia.

 

And more expensive, but more upmarket are the Ikon Club…

and well located Tangor..

But if it’s just tea or coffee you’re looking for, consider L’Estranger Books and Tea

Le Banneton Cafe

or Cafe Ban Vat Sene.