We're always on the lookout for new Laotian restaurants near us and randomly stumbled across this one. We had never tried Saikoo before and so we ordered it--a great decision, the textural and flavor components definitely worked together. Sai Oua (Lao sausage) was a must-get for us and this one satisfied that craving. The Laab Moo was light, refreshing, and tasty. The only drawback food-wise was the Khao Poon Gai, which we found too rich. The interior was richly adorned and very vibrant. Worth trying for sure! read more

Lao Garden - Menu (1/2) as of 3/14/25 - Laotian Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Genuinely one of the worst restaurant experiences I've ever had. Food took well over an hour and it took the staff 15-20 minutes to gives us water and another 15-20 minutes to take our order. Not to mention the food was mediocre. We wanted to order dessert after our food and by the time the staff finally payed attention to us (even thought they walked past multiple times) it had been 25-30 minutes later and they then informed us the kitchen was closed, with no prior notice. Not worth your time or money, staff are negligible and rude, I would discourage everyone from coming here. read more

First time trying Lao Garden and it was delicious! Every item we ordered was on point! I will definitely be back here again! read more

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The service was great, the place is super clean and the vibe is fun. The food was next level! And they have a great nonalcoholic beer on the menu which was fantastic. Def recommend! read more

Lao Garden - I got ground pork with noodles and lettuce. Amazing - Laotian Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Authentic Laotian food! Look no further. Found this gem on a whim. Was craving Lao style cuisine early on a warm Saturday. Upon entering your eye has many places to look. The ambiance was open and inviting. There were ample, and different types of seating areas inside, as well as a large back patio, and full bar. Service was rather on point and very friendly. We had the pleasure of meeting Kanlaya (owner/chef). She took time to both introduce herself and background on the restaurant, asking us about our experience and their food (which btw was packed with amazing flavor while presented in a beautiful and inviting fashion.) It was an immensely pleasing meal, that was enhanced by the numerous touches and small details which present as well considered. The menu does not indicate if an item is GF. However, you may need to inquire for specific food allergens. We will happily return and continue working our way through the menu. read more

Lao Garden - Beef Drunken noodles - Laotian Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Disappointing experience. The food really missed the mark. The drunken noodles were a mess -- clumpy noodles, overly sweet sauce, undercooked green beans, and overcooked pork. As for the crab fried rice, it was full of shell bits and had an odd sweetness. The nam khao was the worst i've ever had. The limey taste full of huge pieces of burnt rice ... honestly felt like the food-was cooked by someone with little experience. It took a while to get the dishes & came out one at a time. The wait staff did say they were short staff, but failed to mention the chefs may not know how to cook lao food. read more

Good food and service, will def come back. Recommend the saikoo and mok catfish. Beautiful decor inside. read more

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I've been here twice and the food is amazing. My first time my friend and I just asked for the server's recommendations and it was a perfect meal! 10/10 read more

5 Stars - A Hidden Gem You've Gotta Try! My family and I discovered Lao Garden while out for lunch before dropping off our granddaughter--and WOW, what a five-star experience from start to finish! This place is an absolute gem, and it's already secured a spot on our favorites list. As soon as we walked in, we felt at ease. The vibe is clean, cozy, and welcoming, with a warm, relaxed atmosphere that just feels right. We let our server, Gia, know right away that we planned to enjoy everything family-style--her smile lit up as she said, "Perfect! That's how we do it here!" It was such a great sign that we were in the right place. We kicked things off with the Crispy Rice Balls (Nam Khao), and let me tell you... game changer! Perfectly crispy on the outside, soft and flavorful inside, topped with slices of som moo (Laotian fermented pork) and drizzled with a tangy sauce. Every bite was bursting with flavor and texture--seriously addictive! Next up, we shared the Drunken Noodles and Fried Crab Rice--both knocked it out of the park! The noodles had a bold, spicy kick with vibrant, fresh veggies, and the crab rice was packed with sweet, tender crab meat and rich seasoning. Each dish was generous, beautifully plated, and made for sharing--just like Gia said! To top it all off, we couldn't resist the Fried Bananas with Vanilla Ice Cream --a warm, crispy, sweet finish paired with cool, creamy ice cream. Simple and perfect. Oh, and get this--this was just lunch! I can only imagine how amazing dinner must be here. Between the incredible flavors, top-notch service, and the genuine hospitality (we even got a visit from the owner/chef, Kanlaya Palivan, who was as kind as she is talented), Lao Garden isn't just a meal--it's a full-on experience. Bottom line: If you're anywhere near the area, do yourself a favor and check this place out. We're already planning what to try next time--and we can't wait to be back in the neighborhood! read more

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My first experience at Lao Garden was extraordinary enough to mend what I thought was a forever-hole in my heart stemming from the loss of the space's former occupant, my beloved and oft visited Paisan (RIP, sweet friend!) Ate here with my mom and brother, and I'd pregamed my choices via a good photo stalk - I'm so glad I did. From the starters menu, Laotian sausage (Lao Sai Oua) and the omelet were both 'new to me' dishes, and they started us off with a bang. These were the stars of the night for us. From there, we did the Red curry based Khao Poon - also basing this decision on a photo - and a Beef Laarb, plus some extra sticky rice (one of the dishes came with rice and the extra order was a good call for our selections.) The Khao poon was SWOON worthy, definitely would get that again as well. The Laarb, while delicious - and, at medium spicy, appropriate to our expected heat level - didn't particularly stand out, but this could be because we were so wowed by the other dishes that it faded into a sidekick role. For the three of us, the 2 apps, one saucy option, and one dry-fried option plus the 2 total sticky rices were a perfect amount, and we'd all come in pretty ravenous after an active day. Our servers were great - warm, attentive without hovering, and shared the family origins of the place. We're planning to return soon - the crispy rice lettuce wrap section of the menu still haunts me. 10/10 (note: we're a hard family to please. We grew up with gardens bursting with produce, all cook a fair amount, and might be accused of being ingredient quality snobs as well as being technique obsessed in our own kitchens. See: family debates over the best method for a soft-boiled egg.) read more

Just had lunch there. Everything was so good. The place was great looking, open, and welcoming. The server was nice and helpful. Had my first bottle of the Laotian dark beer and it was delicious. We had the lunch special; each of us had one of the curries. They both where amazing, and the portion was just the right size. I can't wait to go to dinner there. read more

Would give ten stars if I could. Stopped in here for dinner with a friend. From the moment I walked in I was continually impressed. The ambiance, service, and food are all amazing. Service was truly top-notch, it is very apparent how much the staff cares about delivering the ultimate experience. I tried the drunken noodles with shrimp and it was so fresh and flavorful. I hope Lao Garden has all the success it deserves. I know I will definitely be back! read more

Lao Garden - Cute decor - Laotian Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Wonderful food, attentive service and very nice ambiance. I live in the neighborhood. My partner and I arrived a little after 6 pm on a Saturday evening. We were warmly greeted. The restaurant's interior is modern, spacious, light, bright and cheerful. There was plenty of seating available when we arrived, but by the time we left an hour later, every table was taken. Clearly this is a popular place. Two tables had young children, so yes this place is family friendly. The noise level is mild, so it is easy to hear your table partner. We ordered the Nam Kao, which was delicious and different from anything I've had before. We ordered other things, too, which were very tasty, I just remember the Nam Kao in particular. Our waiter was sincere, attentive and friendly. We will definitely return! read more

The food, atmosphere, and service were great. We had the Khao Poon Gai, Chili Lime Shrimp, Lao tea, and Kao Lason for dessert. Generous portions. I really loved how strong the coconut flavor was in the Khao Poon Gai. The Kao Lason, a sweet pandan jelly dessert, was one of the best desserts I've had. Definitely recommend! read more

Inedible. Just disgusting. I ordered their kaosoy to go and all it came with was a soup and cabbage and a large, hard clump of rice noodles. I had to cut my own green onions and add it in myself. I also got their beef larb and the beef was incredibly hard to chew. Honestly the nastiest meal I've ever had. Will not be coming back here. read more

Lao Garden - Laotian Near Me - Berkeley, California

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We had lunch at Lao Garden in Berkeley this afternoon. It was quiet, but the atmosphere was pretty cool since it was a bit industrial with and has an open kitchen. Service was unusually slow and we had to flag down our waitress a few times throughout our meal to refill our water container. When the dishes came out, the food was warm and not hot. We also waited a long time before the food came out and the restaurant was not too busy. Our drinks also came out after we ate about 40% of our dishes. read more

Really good food here, this is out to go. The service is amazing and the place is super cute too. Love how the chef comes and says hi, they care about their customers . GREAT flavor! read more

Amazing food, ambiance and staff!!! I couldn't find my pictures, but this is a must visit for a wonderful dinner!! The flavors are unique and the presentation is beautiful! read more

Decor is 5 stars Service is 5 stars Food is -1 star This is the worst Laotian food I've had. There is a texture in the laab salad that anyone who has ate a salad on a beach on a windy day would immediately recognize. Obviously the chef doesn't taste their menu read more

I ordered the spicy Lao-style papaya salad, which was delicious. The Mok catfish was also tasty, and the Lao spring rolls were great for those who don't like spicy food. They were fantastic! For Laotian Food in the Bay Area. read more

I went on a Monday right at lunchtime when they were opening, but their door was locked. I got back in my car to call and sure enough they said they were open. I also saw some other people try and get in and they then opened the door. The place was really lovely. The waitress I had was nice. The vibe in there seemed very slow not in a bad way just in a very mellow relaxed way. I'm not sure how to explain it. I got a noodle dish and it was very tasty. read more

Lao Garden - Drunken noodles - Laotian Near Me - Berkeley, California

Good food, great ambiance. We recommend the Khao poon. Nam Khao. Sai Oua. This is a good place and looks like it could use more business. It deserves our support! They are open for lunch as well as dinner. read more

This Laos restaurant is cute, very friendly and welcoming. The food fit my palette and I'll be back to try more dishes and to eat kasoy again!!! So good. Full of flavor this restaurant is Bussin read more

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We had the most delightful experience at Lao Garden. Upon entry the atmosphere is very welcoming with color and plants. We had wonderful recommendations from our server, Tony, as this was our first time having Lao food. The service was phenomenal as well as the food. This is a must try in the Berkeley area. read more

I never write reviews, but had to as the food at Lao garden in Berkeley today was the bomb. I had the red curry and it was soooo flavorful. The service was excellent and not overpriced. On my way out, I just had to order a takeout bag for my husband to try when i got home by ordering the chicken pineapple fried rice and spring rolls for him. He absolutely loved it and wants to go back for date night next week. Thanks for a great lunch Kanlaya. I'll be back. read more

The foods are good and the price is reasonable. The atmosphere is nice as well. We really enjoyed Thu Lith Saikoo. read more

Lao Garden - Thu Lith's Famous Saikoo - Laotian Near Me - Berkeley, California

Came here on a Saturday afternoon with my sister after two intense workouts, and we were starving. We ordered the Lao papaya salad, deep-fried fish, and kaosoy. The Lao papaya salad was absolutely delicious--I'll definitely order it again! The deep-fried fish was exactly what you'd expect: the fish was fresh, crispy, and perfectly cooked. No complaints there. However, I was highly disappointed with the kaosoy. They ran out of hofun noodles, so we opted for pho noodles instead. Regardless of the noodle type, the dish itself was incredibly bland--it tasted like water and noodles, which was not worth the $18. The broth was clear and lacked the rich, fermented bean paste flavor that kaosoy should have. They were also very skimpy with the ground pork. I regretted ordering it. For a more authentic kaosoy noodle soup, I recommend Vientiane Cafe in Oakland. Overall, this place has some hits and misses, but I'd return for the papaya salad and to try some new dishes. read more

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Everything we ate was simply delicious. Fresh and flavorful with great textures and color. Try this place! You will not be disappointed.

Food is amazingly good , with many authentic Lao dishes. And the prices are very good. We always feel that we get more than our money's worth. The atmosphere and service is also top notch. Very friendly staff. We will keep going back! read more

Delicious food and wonderful ambience! Each dish was extremely flavorful and presented beautifully! The owner - chef came to our table at the end to say 'thank you for our patience' when some dishes took a little longer to be served...Honestly, we loved relaxing there and had a leisurely delicious meal! everything felt individually prepared for us! So happy for this owner and the obvious success they are enjoying! We will definitely be back with more people so we can try additional items from the menu. Don't miss dessert... Sticky rice with mango... Even if you're full, order it and you won't be sorry! read more

Lao Garden - Coconut Mango W/ Sweet Rice - Laotian Near Me - Berkeley, California

Lao garden replaces Paisan, retaining Paisan's upscale look and feel. The food feels modern and fresh while still serving traditional Lao dishes (i.e. larb) at good price points. The wait staff were attentive and friendly. This review was during LG's soft opening, so things like the beer taps were non-functional, although they still had Lao beer and wine. Likewise some menu items were unavailable. Unlike Paisan, this restaurant is indoor only and the back patio is not open for dining. They are targeting early February for their official opening. You may do things like park your bike on the back patio. read more

They've been open about six months and I want to support this new family business! The food is yummy, the sticky rice dish is so good! The service was very friendly and warm. The inside decor is a labor of love by them and they will be doing the outside patio roof decor too. Both inside and outdoor spaces are very nice. The restaurant is good for dates. Family, or large gatherings. read more

Authentic Laos food with a warm and friendly staff! Laos food to hard to find in the Bay Area and this one is absolutely a gem! Will be coming back as often as I can. read more

I was looking so much towards Lao Garden opening, however I was so underwhelmed by the food. I am seeing a lot of great reviews, but compare this place to other thai, lao, etc. places in the area, it was deeply disappointing and not worth the price tag on dishes. I live in the neighborhood and had high hopes for this place becoming a staple for me. Hope they can uplift food and presentation. This review is not about quality of service or ambiance. read more

After reading the rave reviews on yelp I was so excited to try this place with my family. Wow what a disappointment. Every dish was beyond bland, noodles were clumped together. The curry barely had detectable flavor. The beef stew with dill was almost inedible and I love dill. Positives are that the staff is nice and they have tried hard with the decor. The cost is somewhat outrageous - we spent $130 for three people and didn't even have drinks. I left feeling sad and wishing we had spent our money elsewhere. read more

Everything thing we ate here was great. I went with a few friends during the soft opening. The service was top-notch, the serve was great with good food suggestions. read more

My friend and I came here for lunch and I have not had much Lao food before. I was pleasantly surprised! Everything we had was delicious and the service was great. It is a family owned business and everyone was so nice and friendly to us. I would highly recommend the Thu Lith's Famous Saikoo. This is not something i would typically order but they recommended it and I loved it! The Nam Khao and Sai oua lai sausage was also really good. I will be coming back and ordering these delicious dishes again. Give it a try!!! read more

Saw a post on Instagram about Lao Garden & was excited to try it out. I live in Fairfield so it was a little bit of a drive to Berkeley but I had high hopes & was looking forward to some authentic Lao cuisine. I will say the restaurant itself was very nice! I loved the interior & decor on the walls. We decided to order the Lao Iced coffee, lychee green tea, Nam Khao, Gang Nor Mai, Lao Papaya Salad, Lao sausage & of course sticky rice! We were seated very quickly & placed our order shortly after. It took a while for me to notice another table received their drinks while we did not even though we ordered before them. I kindly reminded the waiter we had not received our drinks & he immediately made them after which I appreciated. The iced coffee was really good but I didn't really like the lychee tea. It didn't have much of a lychee flavor besides the three pieces of lychee placed on top for garnish. My mom's gang nor mai arrived & we both agreed that it had a strong sour taste. I'm not sure if it was just an off day or maybe the bamboo was overpowering but I didn't like it. It also seemed like there was barely anything in her bowl (seevideo for reference). Our rice had not come yet even though we received her dish so I reminded the waiter we were waiting on the rice. By the time he came her dish was starting to get cold & he brought us jasmine rice instead of sticky rice. I tried to get his attention when he passed by but I don't think he heard me or maybe he just wasn't paying attention. So I brought the rice back & just kindly asked for the two sticky rice we had ordered. The Nam khao was good & I would give it a 7.5/10. The Lao sausage was okay & was kind of disappointed it only came with 1 sausage for $13. Nothing extraordinary as I'm used to Lao sausage handmade from a family member. I did like the jeow that was served with it. As we were finishing everything we noticed our papaya salad didn't come yet but we just continued to wait since they were getting more people in. Eventually the waiter had seen we put all our empty dishes to the side of the table & he asked if we were finished & wanted the check. My mom told him we are basically done but we didn't even receive our papaya salad. We decided that if they hadn't already started making the dish we would just like to take it off the check since it seemed like they forgot. Overall I think the dishes are just okay & pretty pricey. I do think they need more staffing to better accommodate their guests but to be fair they just opened up. I would like to give them another try in the future when they eventually their groove . I would give the experience an overall 7/10. read more

Lao Garden - Nam Khao - Laotian Near Me - Berkeley, California

I'm from Southeast Asia and this is delicious authentic food. Recently had a delicious meal here and so enjoyed it I catered a party from this amazing gem of a restaurant. Kanlaya is warm and helpful and everyone at the party raved about the food. read more

My first time eating there it was amazing delicious food very flavorful, and very authentic absolutely will be back. I love the ambience. It was very authentic and the service was amazing, I recommend Lao garden ; one of my top choices read more