The food was tasty. The decor and design of the space is gorgeous. We both got cocktails, "Fighting Tiger" and "This Side of NOMA", and there were yummy! Our favorite dish was the Northern Noodle. It had just enough heat. Our server, Nick, was very helpful and gave awesome suggestions. Be warned the you have to scan for the menu! read more

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Food was so tasty! Tried a few of the appetizers and everything was so delicious. Chive Cake and Seen Hang were probably my favorite items, chicken curry was also delicious. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the items on the menu! Servers were very sweet and the ambiance was great. Will definitely be back soon. read more

Laos In Town - Laotian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I can see why Laos in Town has been on the Michelin guide for years now (since 2020). Everyone here is very professional and friendly. Plus, it's a well thought out layout with ample indoor and outdoor seating, and the food is very good. My friend and I came in on a weeknight. We each got cocktails and decided to share entrées. My cocktail choice was the midnight treasure, which I thought was very well, balanced, and beautifully displayed with the gold-tipped accoutrement. The butterfly pea flower lended a lovely purple to the cocktail coloring, making it even more aesthetically pleasing. The Suki was my favorite entrée. I love glass noodles and everything about it from the calamari to the broth was exquisite. Would come back just for this! read more

Laos In Town - Midnight treasure cocktail - Laotian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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One of my favorite Laotian restaurants in D.C. that has a comfy interior and some delicious food. I highly recommend the Suki, a glass noodle seafood dish, and their Coconut Pandan cake for dessert. They have quite an extensive menu and be warned that some of the food is quite spicy (marked by PHET on the menu). read more

This is a very overdue review. I dined here multiple times at this point, but the most recent with photos was during the summer restaurant week. Laos in Town had three different menu tiers. We opted for one at each level to try a bit of everything and we were not disappointed. Everything was carefully curated and yummy all around. Fresh ingredients and everything paired so well together. It's a great place to have a nice outdoor meal during the warmer seasons, but it's beautiful inside and the service is exceptional here. You will always come out of here delighted with whatever you choose from the menu - I really enjoy my visits each time! read more

I have been coming here for years, as I live super close, and the service, food, and drinks are always top tier! For drinks, I love the Capitalita (a slightly spicy margarita) and the Banana Lagoon. The Capitalita is a perfect balance of smokey, tart, and a bit of spice. Im not usually big on banana flavored items, but the Banana Lagoon is very refreshing for those who like sweet drinks. Ive had a few of their appetizers, as well, and my favorite are the Calamalao and the Seen Hang. The Calamalao (calamari) is perfectly crispy, always comes out fresh, and has just the right amount of spice. The Seen Hang (dried beef) is flavorful and pairs perfectly with the Sriracha sauce that comes with it. While Im looking forward to trying more of their entrees, so far, Ive been a big fan of the Ping Gai (chicken with peanut curry and rice) and the Khao Yum Gai Tod (crispy chicken with red onions and cilantro and a side of rice). The chicken in the Ping Gai literally fell off the bone. And the curry is absolutely delicious. It *does* require a bit of assembly (it came in an aluminum platter for takeout with everything separated), it was so worth it. The chicken in the Khao Yum Gai Tod is sooo flavorful. There is a bit of tartness to it (assuredly lime?), and its super crispy. The onions and cilantro are a nice complement to it. I do find it to be pretty spicy as someone who can primarily handle "Americanized spicy," but those who are big on spicy foods likely find it to be closer to a medium heat. You also cant go wrong with any of their desserts. I've often come here *just* for a cocktail and dessert. Their cakes are fluffy and light, and they have many options. Outside of the food, the interior is really gorgeous. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, and its a very chill environment with some greenery and open space. The service is also consistently friendly and quick. Im never waiting long, and bartenders, servers, and hostesses have always been very friendly and helpful. I highly recommend Laos in Town! read more

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Cute place serving great food. Walked in as a solo diner on a random Friday afternoon at 2p and was easily seated at the bar. Started with the chive cake, which came recommended by the staff and I can see why! Pillowy soft mochi-textured bites - I think I could have just had these! I had the work fried noodles, which were tasty flat noodles with a mix it yourself element to it, which is my only negative- I think it's because you can titrate the spiciness, which I do appreciate, but there's nothing like stirring it in the wok itself to make sure all the noodles are adequately coated and full of that wok fried flavor..nonetheless, really enjoyed my meal here and the staff were great. read more

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Wow I am blown away with the dinner I had this evening! From the warm welcome, to the attention to detail for every dish to the elevated yet cozy ambiance makes this a must go spot in DC. This was my first time trying Laotian food and I am an immediate fan. For drinks I tried the painted lady - very refreshing and smooth. For appetizers we tried the crab cake, crispy rice salad, chive cakes and a bean curd wrap with sweet chili sauce. Our server, Pak, is such a sweetheart and gave us all the recommendations breaking down every dish for us. The lamb curry is an absolute must!! Melts right off the bone and the curry is so flavorful. Also so blown away by the pla tong na - their fried rockfish - cooked to perfection with so many fresh flavors to balance. Desserts paired with their tea was such a great way to finish the meal. Their mango sticky rice was so different from what i've had anywhere else with the added mango puree! And their array of cheesecakes, macarons, tres leches, and chocolate cake is so beautiful and tasty. I am so excited to come back to the city and experience this meal again! This was hands down one of my favorite meals here. read more

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A local colleague suggested I try Laos in Town while in DC, and it hit the spot for a late lunch! Pak took very good care of me, making sure I had the right amount of food, and bringing lots of water after a warm trek to the restaurant. I ordered the pork-herb sausage starter and the crispy rice salad. Both were generous servings, and delicious. I also had a Marigold mocktail and it was also lovely in looks and taste. Definitely worth a try for good food and service in a beautiful space. A short walk from the NoMa metro. read more

Laos In Town - Marigold mocktail - Laotian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I love Laotian food!! The drink menu is amazing. And SAM! Our girl SAM! She's the goat! Drinks are great! Amazing craft cocktails! All the food has been amazing. I really love the chive cake, the chicken fried rice was so good!! The pork was some of the most tender juicy pork I've had. The rock fish! I mean we loved everything we had. And let me just mention this again: cocktails and SAM! I am so glad I was able to introduce my friends to Laotian food for the first time!! This would definitely the best place to do that. The restaurant is also beautifully decorated and looks super upscale, with an amazing bar. I would def add this to my list of favorite restaurants! read more

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I ordered two different curry noodle dishes and also ordered rice with fried chicken. However, instead of rice with fried chicken, a fried rice chicken dish arrived at my table. Not a huge issue, but it was a confusing start to the meal. The staff were pleasant and courteous, so no complaints there. However, when a restaurant charges premium prices, customers naturally expect the food to match that level. As someone who has enjoyed many curry noodle dishes over the years, I have to say this was unfortunately the most expensive and least enjoyable version I've tried. The curry tasted as though it came from a ready-made mix, and the dishes were served only slightly warmer than room temperature. Curry noodles should be comforting and steaming hot; these were neither. Sadly, I couldn't finish them. Perhaps the restaurant is catering to a crowd looking for an upscale international dining experience, but for me the flavors lacked authenticity. It felt more like food designed to impress people who want to say they've tried international cuisine than food made for people who truly love and appreciate it. The presentation may impress, but the flavors simply did not deliver. One final surprise came with the bill. The restaurant automatically added a 20% service charge, which is certainly its choice. However, the bill also included a separate line for gratuity, creating an awkward moment where diners may wonder whether an additional tip is expected on top of the already-added service charge. Between the premium prices, the service charge, and the gratuity line, I felt like I was paying for a three-course meal and an accounting class. I genuinely wanted to enjoy the meal, and I don't mind paying higher prices when the quality justifies it. Unfortunately, this time the food didn't live up to the bill. Between the lukewarm curry, the mix-up with my order, and the extra math lesson at the end of the meal, the most memorable thing about the evening was not the food itself. The restaurant is called "Laos in Town." After this experience, I couldn't help but think: "Laos in Town? More like Vientiane City Girls in Town--stylish, expensive, and not much time spent in the kitchen. I wish the restaurant success, but for diners looking for authentic curry noodles and good value, there are many better options available. read more

What a gorgeous restaurant - beautifully decorated with an ambience that speaks of trendy and hip! we visited the spot over Memorial Day weekend, for Monday morning, brunch (which is their lunch menu) . Their extensive menu includes both a regular menu as well as a vegan one. Recommendations - vegan spring rolls, tofu & vegetable curry - and for the more adventurous ones in the group, how about the snake head Ask for Pak - she was our server - attentive, professional and courteous! The restrooms are clean and there is street parking if you choose to drive! Enjoy Laos in Town - and have a taste of Asia! read more

Laos In Town - Snake head in noodle curry - Laotian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Our experiences at Laos in Town have been good! They haven't like knocked our socks off, but the food is solid. This time I really enjoyed the soup appetizer and the Suki Phet. The soup was tangy and delicious, and I loved the crispy squid and glass noodles in my main dish. My husband thought his dish was pretty good but needed a little more spice or flavor. We've been here a couple times, and we'll likely be back. It's definitely worth checking out. Their outside seating area is nice with all the string lights and trees. The service was friendly! read more

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If you're craving for excellent vegan or vegetarian dishes, Laos in Town delivers every time. I wouldn't suggest their meat dishes since I've often found it either overcooked and chewy. My favorite here is their chive cake - it has some of the most complex savory flavors I've had in a long time. read more

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We came here to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday and made a reservation, clearly noting that it was for his birthday. We arrived on time (about 10 minutes early), were checked in, and then waited over 30 minutes past our reservation before being seated. The most disappointing part came at the end of the meal. Our check was brought out with no acknowledgment of his birthday at all, while the staff celebrated three other birthday tables around us during our dinner. It was incredibly awkward and honestly embarrassing because it made it seem like I hadn't put any effort into making his birthday feel special, despite specifically notifying the restaurant in advance. If you ask guests to note special occasions when making a reservation, it's disappointing when that information is completely overlooked...... read more

A Disappointing Last Lunch in DC For my final lunch in DC, I wanted to try something a little less well-known and outside my comfort zone. When I spotted this Thai spot a close drive to union station, I figured, why not? We ordered some their classic dishes, including: *Wok noodles *Grilled whole Branzino (served with rice noodles, lettuce, and sauces) *Calamari *Century Pearl mocktail (a surprising highlight) * Calamalao (coffee drink) Unfortunately, the experience went downhill quickly. My food was accidentally dropped by the waiter before reaching my table, so they had to remake part of my dish. Then, when I received extra lettuce, it was dirty--which completely ruined my appetite. When I pointed this out, the waiter questioned whether it was actually dirty, which made the situation even worse. The Branzino itself was grilled nicely, but with everything else going wrong, I couldn't fully enjoy it. The calamari was a complete miss, tasting off, so we didn't even finish it. The Saving Grace: The mocktail The Century Pearl mocktail was probably the only real highlight of the meal. It was a unique fusion, herbaceous, and not overly sweet--a nice contrast to the rest of the experience. Final Thoughts While the restaurant itself is beautiful with great outdoor seating and a cute interior, the sanitary issues and lackluster food left a bad impression. Given how many amazing meals I had in DC, this one was definitely the weakest. Would I go back? Probably not. The atmosphere is nice, but the experience left much to be desired. read more

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Great ambiance and pleasant service. Menu is somewhat limited. Plenty of vegetarian tofu options. Fried rice was very good. Wok noodles with chicken had a nice mild taste but would've liked the noodles to be more charred. read more

Laos In Town - Wok noodles with chicken - Laotian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We made reservations for Thursday at 2pm which wasn't really necessary because the remnants of the lunch crowd were leaving around them. The inside is very spacious and charming. We ordered a couple of small plates and an entree to share. I had high expectations since it's a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant and I was not disappointed. The herbal sausage and papaya are both good but the Pla Tona Na is a must order in my opinion. The presentation was beautiful and the fish was perfectly cooked with a delicious sweet and slightly spicy sauce. The cocktails were good and the desserts even better! I would absolutely come here again!! read more

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04/2024 First time trying Laotian food. Saw how highly rated and reviewed this place was and had to try it. Ordered the calamalao (fried calamari), the grilled pork shoulder and the crispy chicken rice. The food was amazing!! Good service and the ambiance was great. The only downside is that 20% gratuity is automatically added to all checks (we were a party of 2). Otherwise, highly recommended! read more

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summary: started off really strong. The cocktails were very tasty, the food was solid, but then when dessert happened, it was a rather disappointing sequence. Service was kind from the get go. Very pleasant atmosphere and an overall fancy-ish vibe. The cocktails are unique, tasty, and well balanced. This is definitely one of the restaurants where spicy really means spicy, so just be forewarned. All the food tasted pretty good. I was a big fan of the Northern Noodle dish. Great flavor. When it came time for dessert, we had a little one that wanted to pick something out of their pastry fridge. He opted for a slice of the strawberry cake. We were about to eat some when we noticed a pretty clear mold spore growing on the back of the slice. Which was very offputting for us. We let the server know and their response to this was to try and give us another slice of the strawberry cake (from the same fridge). Not sure how that logic checks out of why we would want to try eating another one after our experience. We weren't expecting anything massive as a result, but it was a bit of a head-scratching moment for us when our bill came out and all they did was not charge us for the dessert we sent back. It didn't even really feel like they were that apologetic about our experience. I don't know that I would try it again after our experience, but at the very least, I would probably ere on the side of caution when it comes to the pastry fridge desserts. read more

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My oh my, this place was spectacular. A group of people that are down to share plates is the perfect squad for this spot. I went with three people and the four dishes we tried were all delicious with a satisfying spice level in each. The waitress was very attentive at filling waters (critical with all the hot peppers!) and very helpful when we had questions. If you've never been here or tried Laotian food, like myself, it's a must visit. I'm already thinking about when I'll go back! read more

Laos In Town - Rockfish - Laotian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Amazing! First time having Laotian food and it was great. Service was great and super cool restaurant. Highly highly recommend read more

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Stopped by Laos in town for lunch one day. It was beautiful weather and I was able to get a seat outside. The restaurant sits on the corner of a busy street so good place to people watch as well. I got the suki and enjoyed it for the most part. On the menu it listed Napa cabbage in my dish, no problem with that. The dish had lettuce in it as well which I didn't enjoy. The dish was served warm and hot lettuce was gross and added no value to the dish. Luckily there wasn't much in there and I could pick it out. Everything else was pretty good overall and I was quite full. read more

Laos In Town - Suki - Laotian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We were really excited about a fully separate vegan menu at this beautiful restaurant. It was busy so definitely recommend reservations. We tried several items (asking for less spicy when possible due to my dad's preference): Chive cake - delicious and great texture Poh pia (spring rolls) - crispy and nicely flavored Crispy rice salad - we enjoyed the flavor but didn't love the texture and lack of protein Mango salad - super tasty and fresh Tofu curry - savory and sweet due to coconut milk, really good Tofu wok noodle - great texture of noodles; reminded us of Chinese ho fun Khao yun tofu tod- this one was extremely sour with strong lime flavor and not much else, felt unbalanced, would not order again The location was beautiful and the prices were pretty reasonable, we would love to come back and try some other vegan dishes read more

Good place for Laotian food! Walked in on a Sunday afternoon with a group of four and food was quick. We shared three appetizers and two mains. We had the seen hang, moo ke min, and crispy rice salad as our appetizers. The seen hang had a nice sweet and spicy sauce to dip, the moo ke min was crunchy with a nice spiced sauce, and the crispy rice salad was wonderfully crispy and well flavored. For the mains, we shared the lamb curry and the khao mun gai tod. The lamp curry was creamy and cooling, with the lamb falling apart from the bone. The khao min gai tod had a wonderful texture from the crispy chicken and was well flavored with onions. Service was quick and fast, and the place itself looked very well decorated and modern. read more

Laos In Town - crispy rice salad (top), moo ke min (right), seen hang (bottom left) - Laotian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This is a great place! Close to my hotel the Marriott, was a great walk. The food was good and the service was even better. Nick our server was so kind and attentive. I also like the decor. Will be back the next time I'm in DC! read more

Laos In Town - Spring fried rice - Laotian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The service alone would have been 5 stars, but the food and drinks were not good. For drinks I ordered a mojito and my friend ordered a sidecar, neither of which tasted like it had alcohol in it. The crab cake and noodles I ordered were a smooth 4/10 and I likely will not be visiting again. The ambiance was nice, but the cameras were strange. This small restaurant has at least 8 cameras, which made the dining experience uncomfortable and we discovered more. read more

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We were very happy with our most recent meal here. One switch from the past is that I ordered a banana lagoon cocktail. It has a base of tequila. It was very tasty--& pretty! We also ordered the mango salad but asked that it not be hot. It was excellent & a great complement to the fried rockfish that we had as our main course. read more

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Love the vibe here! Food is unique and flavorful. Martin the great was an amazing server. Can't wait to come back and try more things from the menu! read more

Summary: Still serving great food, and still a solid 5 stars. Food: Excellent food! Had a business dinner and ordered the pork shoulder appetizer and the Neua Neua- a stir fried beef and mushroom medley served with a side order of rice (note this would be better if the beef and mushrooms were served on a bed of rice). Great food! Drinks: Small but quality craft beer selection available on draft Service: very good service Overall cleanliness: excellent Restroom cleanliness: Average (gripe- no hand towels, only hand dryers) Ambiance: classy, quirky Asian Overall value: Decent value for the quality Misc: 20% tip is automatically added to the bill. It's easy to miss and then double tip. read more

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This restaurant is in my neighborhood and I'm sad this is the first time I've visited! Won't be my last! The service is warm, friendly and very professional. Sam suggested dishes as well as a moctkail, which ended up being the perfect balance to the spicy dishes I ordered. I ordered the Crispy Rice Salad as an appetizer, which was big and very shareable. I had the Suki as my entree. Both were spicy and good. I liked the Suki a little more than the salad. The Lemongrass Fizz Mocktail was the perfect balance to the spice of the dishes. I'll definitely be back! read more

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Love this spot! Been here a few times now and have loved the experience each time. Came here with my boyfriend on a Friday afternoon and was seated right away. Started off with the Moo Ke-Min, which is a marinated crispy pork belly. Super crispy and very flavorful. The chili garlic sauce was fantastic. For our mains we ordered the Chicken Curry and the Suki, which has glass noodles and seafood. The Chicken Curry was great and had a nice little kick to it. Of the two my favorite was the Suki. The mix of seafoods was delicious and this dish also had a little spice too. Pak was an amazing server and so sweet! Amazing spot, definitely recommend coming! read more

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The space blends eclectic design elements--like ceiling-hung fish traps and birch accents with an open kitchen that keeps the focus on the cooking. Takeout is popular, but the dining room and patio are inviting, and service was attentive without being pushy. The lamb curry was the standout: fall-apart tender, richly spiced, and beautifully executed. The calamalao is my favorite that I never pass up. And the dalgona coffee was another treat, its silky foam giving just enough sweetness without overpowering. This neighborhood eatery is a gem for locals and visitors! read more

The server was nice and SAID all the right things, but... When we were seated, we were told to scan the menu. What if I didn't have my phone? After we ordered, my husband got his dish within 5 minutes. I, however, had to wait about 15 minutes for mine. The server came by twice with the same excuse. If it was going to take longer for my food, I should have been informed. The food was mediocre and I had lost my appetite. The restaurant, while it "looks good" at first, with closer inspection, there were holes in the seating bench, and a smudge on my water glass. We will NEVER return. read more

Great dining experience here at Laos in Town. Thank you, Myria, for making my dinner an enjoyable one. I ordered the Kang Gai soup (delicious) and the Neua Neua. The beef in the Neua Neua was very nice and flavorful, although the emphasis of the dish is definitely the mushrooms. The Thai Iced Tea is one of the best I've had in a long time, not overly sweet. Decided to dine outside and it's an absolute vibe! read more

Braved the snow to get here. We really enjoyed the Lao pho! Just the dish to warm your whole body. Noticed that there aren't any photos of this menu item so adding it. Service was on point. The restaurant itself is super cozy, beautifully appointed restrooms. Highly recommend! read more

Laos In Town - Lao Pho - Laotian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Had some great noodles here! The restaurant is a very fun kind of upscale. Everyone in my group enjoyed their food.

This place is absolutely beautiful! The ambiance created by the decor, lighting and general set up makes for a great start to a dining experience. The service was also good, they appear to take a team approach as we had more than one server come to our table. They do a good job at clearing plates and refilling water. We never had to ask. They do include an automatic 20 percent service charge which I'm generally not a fan of. While I love tipping, I should be at liberty to choose how much I tip. The food was wonderfully plated, giving a very elevated culinary vibe, despite the relaxed atmosphere. The crab cake is light and delicate, but tasting with minimal filler. The main dish I had was filling but wasn't as flavorful as I hoped. There was a kick of spice there for sure! I'm sorry I can't remember the name. The desert, light, airy , minimal sweetness but a nice cool treat at the end of a savory dinner. In sum, I like this place and will be back! read more

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Exceptional food & service. A large space but well designed & with great plant usage & great flow. Server was very knowledgeable.

We stopped by Laos in Town for a quick lunch. Ambiance was great. We were able to grab a seat without waiting and our waitress was very friendly. We expressed our time constraint due to work and the restaurant was able to provide fast service. We shared the suki, orm and crab cake. I didn't like the crab cake at all. It did not taste like it had any crab in it, I suggest skipping it. The suki was flavorful and had a kick to it but a little salty for me. The orm was also spicy but not as flavorful as the suki. Overall an experience was decent but might try other dishes if I come back. read more

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