Le Patio Cafe in Luang Prabang

By: Nicole Long – Laos country director 

Where:

Le Patio Café in Traditional Arts and Ethnology Museum

Luang Prabang, Laos

What I ordered:

-Fresh Hibiscus Juice

-Ethnic Feast Set Menu:

Hmong Pork Belly and Leafy Green Stew

Akha Meat Balls

Tai Lue Fried Rice

Tai Lue “Soup Pak” Vegetables

Kmhmu Mushroom Stew

Tai Dam Pork and Fermented Bean Dip

Sticky or Steamed Rice

Coffee

This month for a restaurant review I decided to try out Le Patio Café. It must seem surprising that after living in a small place for the last three years that I haven’t tried every restaurant in town. There still are a few I have yet to experience and hopefully I will be experiencing them all with you!

Not only is it shocking that I haven’t tried every place in town, but that I haven’t tried Le Patio Café. The restaurant is located on the patio of the building that houses the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Museum.  This restaurant is not only connected to my favorite museum in town that my dear friends founded and run, but it is also one of the only places in town to get ethnic minority food.

The quaint and airy restaurant is located on top of a hill near the town center, offering good views.  The colonial French built the building in the 1920’s, and it actually used to be the old French Magistrate’s house.  You don’t have to pay the museum admission to go to Le Patio, but I recommend spending the few bucks on it anyways (totally worth it)! If you don’t have the opportunity to do the tour you can still go into the shop and do some last minute shopping for souvenirs. By buying from TAEC you will not only be supporting this non-profit museum, but the ethnic tribes who have made the handicrafts.

Since I hadn’t eaten there before I went for the set menu of the Ethnic Feast. Please note that this is NOT for a single person!  It is more than enough for two (maybe even three).  The dishes were similar to a lot of traditional Lao food that I have already eaten, but with an ethnic twist. The food was authentic, simple and tasty. Like many of the restaurants in town that are catered for foreigners it was hesitant on the spices. I like my food spicy so that was the only thing I felt was lacking from my meal.  My favorite dish was the Hmong Pork Belly with Leafy Greens. I know, it sounds a little scary, but it is actually not. It is stewed pork with mustard greens. I felt like I was back at home in the south eating collard greens with pork!  I also loved the meatballs and fried rice. The rest of the menu was good as well, nothing I didn’t like.

Beyond the ethnic food menu, they also have some great French sandwiches like the brie and bacon or the olive and feta cream sandwich (my lunch mate’s choices). I am happy to have finally gone and am 100% certain I will be going back for lunch soon, but I will think twice about ordering the feast for one!