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    Laos Kitchen

    4.6 (373 reviews)
    ModerateLaotian, Thai
    Closed 11:00 am - 2:30 pm, 4:30 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Laos Kitchen Photos

    LAOS KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Intimate
    Classy
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - Laos Kitchen

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    Thai eggplant in the Pun Khao Poon special plate
    Wendy A.

    A very popular place. I chose the special plate called Pun Khao Poon--or was so much fun to make my own lettuce wraps! It included ingredients I've not had before (always a thrill!) including fresh coriander herbs and green-striped skinned Thai eggplant. Also included were delicately-flavored julienned ginger, vermicelli noodles. I also chose grilled salmon. The ambiance was lovely. There were about a half dozen 1-foot spongy squares on the ceiling that usually serve as sound dampeners. I'd recommend a few more to help with the sound level. The light fixtures are lovely--see photos. The patrons are very friendly and will make pleasant comments. Service was pleasant and attentive.

    Storefront
    Dave M.

    I was looking for local Thai food to find a new "go to" locally, and came across this Laos food spot - named Laos. I felt compelled to stop in and try lunch. San Rafael 4th street has a lot to offer - and it's worth checking these spots out. The storefront is inviting and the inside of the restaurant is clean and well organized and appointed. The wine and beer list has few choices - and I would encourage a little more local variety to make it inviting to a wine lover like myself. I was efficiently approached by wait staff and felt welcomed I ordered Pad Woon Sen, which I've never before tried. The food came quickly - a beautiful dish of thin noodles and mushrooms with onions and celery adorned with steak. I finished my plate. Perfect lunch portion. Attentive service. The taste of quality ingredients and pride in their efforts. I will add this to my go-to spots in San Rafael!

    Arlo T.

    My friend and I were looking for a place to eat after getting some Matcha. She decided on this place because we were looking into Lao or Thai food. So we ended up here. We parked a block away and just walked there. We were greeted as soon as we got in and received water. They menu was curated and easy to read. We ended up getting something simple because we had to be somewhere. We ended up getting some Pad See Ew and Pad thai. It was hella refreshing and good. I would come here again.

    Combo lunch plate - 1/2 beef, 1/2 chicken, sticky rice, papaya salad
    Ambar C.

    A downtown San Rafael gem that deserves more attention! Laos Kitchen sits right on 4th Street in the heart of downtown San Rafael, and it's one of those places that feels like a delightful discovery. It's the kind of spot you want to keep coming back to. The atmosphere strikes a nice balance: casual and welcoming, with enough space to accommodate groups without losing that cozy, neighborhood feel. There's a steady stream of diners, but it never feels rushed or overcrowded. The staff is genuinely friendly and attentive, happy to guide you through the menu without hovering. Speaking of the menu, there's plenty to choose from. The curry puffs (think Laotian-style samosas) are an absolute must. They're crispy, flavorful, and the perfect way to start your meal. The grill plates are equally impressive, with well-seasoned meats and generous portions that leave you satisfied but not overstuffed. Parking is surprisingly easy for downtown with plenty of street spots nearby, and a couple of garages within walking distance. The meters shut off at 6pm, so dinner here is especially convenient. Whether you're looking for a casual dinner with friends or a relaxed meal after exploring downtown, Laos Kitchen delivers. Honestly, exactly the kind of approachable, quality spot San Rafael needs more of. I'll definitely be back for the curry puffs, the grill plates, or maybe something new.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

    Pad Kee Mao - Drunken Noodles
    Tiffany K.

    Fantastic Thai/Lao restaurant on 4th street in downtown San Rafael. Loved the abundance of live orchids and tropical plants inside as well as the decor. It was a busy evening so the only seats we were offered were sharing a table with what looked like a first date (awkward) or sitting along the from window facing outwards. Choosing the latter, we would have occasional eye contact with everyone that happened to be walking by. That proved to make for an entertaining dining experience. We ordered the Spicy Green Beans with tofu ($16) described as deep-fried green beans sauteed with garlic, chili paste, basil, lime leaves, and bell peppers. OMG I loved this dish. The beans had just the right amount of crunch to them and the tofu had a sautéed exterior while soft inside. Also had the Pad Kee Mao, aka Drunken Noodles, ($16) with chicken. The rice noodles were not soggy in the least and chicken was tender. Saw two young men get into their car and while making eye contact, one of them started twerking right in front of me. We both had a good laugh. I would've invited the young gentleman to join me inside for a drink but daughter would have been horrified. Sadly I removed a star because my pet peeve is when establishments add tip on top of the taxed amount, it should be on top of the food amount. Why would I pay tip on top of a tax? Although the small print on the bill says that the tip amount is based off the food and taxed amount, if you don't read it you wouldn't know.

    Love the interior lighting.
    Ma L.

    The food was okay, not exceptional. Service was good. Ambience was beautiful and very relaxing . One menu stated their Tom Yum has pineapple (really?!?) in it while another menu didn't mention "pineapple" in the Tom Yum's description. I specifically told the waitress NOT to put pineapple in the Tom Yum we ordered. Was served with Tom Yum; lo and behold - there were pineapple bits in it! Had to ask the waitress to bring us the right Tom Yum we ordered.

    Food L.

    I recently visited this Loas Kitchen and overall had a pleasant experience. The food was flavorful and tasted freshly prepared, with authentic Thai spices. Every dish arrived hot and perfectly presented. The service was attentive and friendly, making us feel welcome. The staff checked in regularly without being intrusive. However, the only downside was the noticeable smell upon entering the restaurant. It wasn't unpleasant enough to ruin the meal but was strong and a little distracting. Once seated, the atmosphere felt cozy and comfortable. Prices were reasonable for the quality of food and service provided.

    Papaya salad
    Paweena L.

    My mom wanted to take her friends for lunch. They ended up choosing Laos Kitchen again for the second time. What is good about this place ? Let me tell you! The food is Amazing with authentic Thai-Laos style. Also they have one Vietnamese dish as well. We are all neighbor in Southeast Asia. As they bring all culture in their cuisine , so it easy choice to come here and can taste them all. The services were amazing. The waitress/waiter were so helpful and friendly. We definitely will be back there again soon.

    Mango w/ Sticky Rice
    Thien-Kim B.

    Nam Khao Todd was phenomenal, tangy slightly acidic and crunchy rice and pork flavor explosion. Pairs perfectly inside a lettuce taco-- I'm still thinking about this dish. Mango sticky rice was super good as well! The mangoes they use are at peak ripeness and super sweet. I also took a bite of two other dishes: Pad See Ew-- Very solid and comforting to eat. Yum Woon Sen-- flavorful noodle salad dish! Lovely decor was well. We were a large party so we had about a 15 minute wait for a table to accommodate us. Our waitress was very knowledgeable about their dishes and they were so kind. The Laos food here so good!

    Nam khao
    Timothy N.

    Growing up on Lao and Thai food, it's hard for my family and I to find a restaurant that we feel is worth the time. However, Laos Kitchen gets our food right and they do it so well. Yes, the menu is pricier than other Thai and Lao restaurants but the quality, taste, and portion is top tier. Not to mention the service is really good and the staff are very attentive. Out of everything I've tried, my favorites are the nam khao and the Lao sausage. Special shout out to the side of purple sticky rice that is so tasty and steamed to perfection.

    Drunken Noodle
    Carlos F.

    One of my regular places to eat in the Bay Area. What more could I say. If you're dining on or near 4th, this is the one I would recommend.

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    3 years ago

    All around a very wonderful place with very tasty food, good service, and a fairly good ambience.

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    3 years ago

    Everything we've tried has been delicious. Adding to our regular rotation. Service is excellent as well.

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    3 years ago

    Amazing food and service! The waitress was super helpful and provided some great suggestions.

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    3 years ago

    Stumbled on this place on way to Sonoma. Delicious food, great service and lovely decor...would come again if near!

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    2 years ago

    Loved their food. The waitstaff was friendly and warm. I'll return for more deliciousness soon.

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    3 years ago

    Outstanding food, service, portions and price. I wholly recommend this restaurant and love that you're in Marin!

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    3 years ago

    So good. Gluten Free options too!!!! My whole family loves the food, and with two picky eaters that is a steep challenge.

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    2 years ago

    So yummy and good service. I really love the basil chicken lettuce wraps it's so so good every time

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    2 years ago

    Friendly staff and super quick and attentive service thank you everyone!! Food is always good when we go. Thank you!!

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    Very friendly service, delicious/authentic food, reasonable prices…read more I like the lamps inside too - it's a vibe! I came with two friends on Saturday night for dinner around 7. They were able to accommodate us, walk-in, but it was poppin'! Everyone loved their food. Standouts were papaya salad, egg rolls, nam khao, drunken noodles. Wish I could eat more lol to try more but portions were great too. Gotta come back and try more of the menu! I have nothing bad to say besides there's only one bathroom stall per gender. Highly recommend if you're in the area craving Lao/Thai food.

    Khao Piek 3/10 - no taste of ginger or chicken broth, missing a lot of flavor, pretty bland. The…read morechicken was dry and overcooked but the noodles were great. Pad see ew pork 8.5/10 - delicious flavor but would prefer more char on the noodles. Green curry chicken 9/10 - great, Chicken wasn't overcooked, flavor was great. Thicker than I've usually had it Sakoo 10/10 - first time having it and it's delicious. Tasted like a Vietnamese bun bowl in one bite. Sticky rice 10/10 - small portion was big enough for 2, perfect stickiness & cooked perfectly. Overall, this might be my go to Thai restaurant. Pros the portions are great & worth the price point, the food is delicious to the point I'm gonna have to try everything on the menu & I'm the type that usually sticks to the same dish when I like it. Servers are attentive for how busy they are, great alcohol options. Cons - very loud, you cannot hear each other at your own table, food comes out dish by dish & can take a span of almost 30 mins for all food to come out. Got my sticky rice like 10 mins after my curry. It's hot in there & very busy so it's def hard to get the server's attn. Sitting by the door also sucks bc they're so busy so the door is always opening & there's not much space for folks to wait so they're kinda standing by you waiting lol. Not a romantic spot per se but can be if you can block out all the noise and ppl

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    Lao Garden - Thu Lith's Famous Saikoo: Steamed tapioca balls w/ ground pork, sweet radishes, shallots ($25)

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    4.5(137 reviews)
    15.0 miWest Berkeley

    Excellent food and service. Very friendly staff. Food is clean and fresh. All the dishes we had…read morewere great, both times we went. Lao cuisine is similar to Thai, but better! They use less sugar, which allows other flavors to come forward, while also being healthier. Definitely going to be a regualr spot for us.

    So blown away. My fiance and I tried this place on a whim after signing up for the InKind app at my…read moresister in law's suggestion. We decided to try this place craving something new, and we weren't disappointed. It wasn't busy around 6pm, but the vibes were really cute inside. I love the patio area they have. Would be perfect for a group meet up on a nice day. We ordered the pork sausage to start, the saikoo which according to my fiance is a must for laotian food, the yellow curry, and the crab fried rice. Everything was genuinely amazing. Here are my rankings below: Sausage: 8.5/10 Crab Fried Rice: (with the fish sauce) 9.5/10 Saikoo: (with the fish sauce) 9.5/10 Yellow Curry: 9/10 Would definitely order everything again. It's not quite thai, but thai with a twist I'd say. Bit on the pricey side, but everything was so fresh and you can see where the chefs are making everything, so you know you're getting quality. And the portions honestly made it really worth it. Such a great place! Will 100% be back.

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    This area of Hercules is a hidden gem no doubt. Tucked away in a shopping center, there are so many…read moregood eats including Thai Lao. It's so aesthetically pleasing inside (see pics and video). The owner was there when we entered, and we were able to chat about Thailand and the Lao culture. So friendly and welcoming! Service was quick, efficient, and portions were ample for the lunch specials. We ordered chicken satay to start (comes with a nice helping of peanut sauce and cucumber salad), a pad Thai for the table with tofu, and a few lunch plates including the yellow curry, pad krapow, and spicy eggplant. Everything was packed full of flavor, and they bring a spice/sauce tray out to the table if you need to bring your dish up a notch. The lunch special comes also with a 2-piece appetizer like potstickers, egg rolls, and curry puffs which I thought was a nice touch. Plenty of shopping center adjacent (and free) parking, and wallet friendly. They serve Thai/Laos beer, wine, and a nice dessert menu. Would love to come back and try the Lao's menu including the papaya salad and larb.

    This was my first time trying Laos cuisine. I truly wish I could remember the name!…read more Service was great. Granted I was the only one in there. I told him it was my first time there and had no idea what to get. He explained the dishes and I ordered a noodle dish. Tasty! Super hot (temperature!) and very fresh. I enjoyed it. The decor was a delight!

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    Vientian Cafe - Lad Nah...

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    Enjoying authentic Laotian food at Vientiane Cafe. Living in the Bay Area has its perks & this is…read moreone of them. This cafe seems to be mostly women operated from the waitress' & chef & preparation crew. I appreciate the nicely decorated & remolded interior. This setting gives a nice warm & inviting atmosphere. Appetizer: #6 Sai Ooa(1 Lao sausage) $5.50- grilled pork, garlic,onion,lemongrass,Thai chili & lemon leaves. By popular consensus we orders this & we were not disappointed. Although to me it felt like it was fried not grilled, nonetheless still addictively delicious. #9 Nam Khao $14.95 deep fried rice bits w/mixed gd.pork,coconut,gd , fermented pork, cilantro, gd.onion in a special sauce then they serve it w/a basket full of lettuce leaves & cilant Orders: -Mok Pa $9 (steamed fish)-catfish nugget, lemongrass, dill,onion,garlic,egg,kaffir leaves w/Lao sauce cooked in a leaf. This dish is easily eaten w/a spoon bc it is very soft & scoopable. I thought this paired better w/the lettuce leaf & cilantro. This was a very aromatic lemongrass & kaffir leaf infused dish. I really enjoyed it. Dessert: -Fried Banana w/Ice Cream $7.50- the perfectly fried banana without a mushy interior was addictively delicious & to balance the warmth of the banana you can dip it in vanilla ice cream. Absolutely worth the treat! Look forward to returning to a clean, modern, family run restaurant in Oakland. With so many new dishes I've never seen, it was hard to choose

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