This is a great restaurant, but you will need to make a reservation. The lettuce wraps are fantastic along with the weird chip-like things they bring you. read more

Was down in Cary for work and this place was recommended to us. So great! service was great and food came fast! we had the vegetable pad thai, pho, and curry.. all were amazing. the spring rolls as an appetizer were great too! will definitely be back! read more

Amazing food, amazing service amazing atmosphere! Simply a must for anyone looking for great evening out!

Awesome place. Great food/service. Uncomfortable chairs.

This restaurant is heavenly, from the time you enter until the time the food reaches the table! Everything was wonderful, the service the food everything!! We had the pork belly soup, green papaya salad with the flat iron stake & the sweet chili salmon. This was our first time in and it most definitely will not be our last, thank you so much for giving us a wonderful experience on a sat night ! read more

My experience at Bida Manda was outstanding. We had exceptional service at the bar where we grabbed a cocktail while waiting for our table. The hostess who sat us took extra time to tell us about an event in town and recommend some local museums, writing the details down for us. Our server was patient and friendly, and the flow of our meal was great. We had the crispy rice lettuce wraps for an app (amazing), I had the crepes with shrimp and he had the papaya salad with dill trout (spicy on the side- a thoughtful recommendation by the equally sweet and informative woman who filled our waters and gave suggestions on the menu). The food was delicious, perfectly seasoned, and came out piping hot. Our entire experience was exceptional and we can't wait to go back. read more

I sat at the bar for a little while during the Hopscotch festival, and went back a week later to try some entrees. I'm glad I did! First of all, this place is gorgeous. When you walk in you'll see the walls covered in wooden branches. It kind of makes it feel like a hut. There is also some artwork, and right up front is a photo of a pair of pleasant folks greeting you. The aroma is fantastic, and I started to think about what flavors I was going to taste. Service was friendly and I found it at the right speed for our party. Not rushing, but we were relaxed. I've had the Pho, as well as the Tom Yum and the Crispy Rice lettuce wraps. The friends we went with had the Spring rolls and the papaya salad, which they said were fantastic. I found the Tom Yum exactly as it should be, and the Pho broth was great. Overall there are plenty of things I'd like to try more of, so I'll be returning. read more

Amazing dining experience! When I say experience, I mean that Bida Manda is not just about eating food. It is about enjoying the culinary culture of a region rich in history in a lively and warm atmosphere. We went on a Friday night with a group of 7. We made reservations and were seated promptly a few minutes before the actual reservation time. The waiter was friendly and knowledgeable, and was able to offer suggestions. Service was fast and accurate. Aside from ordering 3 appetizers, and 3 desserts, the 7 of us each ordered a different entree from the menu and passed them around for everyone to try. I love Laotian/Southeast Asian food, and was delighted to enjoy each dish I tried. The dinner allowed me to get a sampling of nearly every dish on the menu, and my expecations were met or exceeded in each one. Even for those in the group not familiar with the cuisine were able to find several dishes that they enjoyed. The taste and freshness of each dish matched the beautiful presentation. Dishes that really stood out were the stuffed peppers, crispy rice lettuce wraps, and spring roll appetizers, the pork belly soup, basil beef, and Amphone's curry. The trio and tempura banana desserts were delightful. I would definitely recommend this place to those who are familiar to the cuisine and those who have never experienced it, as the menu has a nice variety of choices. Also check out the bar for some great fancy cocktails at prices that are the lowest I've seen in downtown Raleigh. read more

Excellent food, service, and environment. One of the only Laotian restaurants in the US. Has earned its place as one of the excellent far east Asian restaurants in the Triangle. We eat at restaurants very frequently and Bida Manda is a must visit. Highly recommend. read more

Many, many thumbs up for Bida Manda! After months of saying 'we should check out that new Laotian place....', my husband and I finally made a reservation and went. We were not disappointed! We arrived a bit early for our reservation (good thing we had one, because the place filled up just after we got there) and were greeted and seated promptly. Every aspect of our visit was terrific. The food was fantastic. The steamed catfish was delicious with unexpected combinations of flavors. The basil stir-fry with tofu was flavorful and spicy, but not overwhelmingly so, with crisp, fresh vegetables. The coconut custard, tamarind cobbler, and mango sorbet in the dessert trio were novel (to me) takes on dessert standards, and the light, fresh, citrus-y flavors perfectly complemented the savory meal. The cocktails were unique, and we ordered several. Our service was great, and the owner was very friendly. The decor and atmosphere were lovely (I really want red wallpaper and a chandelier in my bathroom now, too). My recommendation - go to Bida Manda, you won't regret it! read more

My wife and I went here on a whim, and weren't disappointed. While a little pricey, the food is creative and delicious. The staff were very pleasant and helpful. Will go back here for sure! read more

This is a must-try experience. The mango salad with roast duck breast was superb. Ask for server Julia--she can explain every detail of the exotic menu. Wine list ain't bad either. read more

Went there for the first time tonight. My wife and I have never eaten Laotian food before and we were very impressed. My wife had the green papaya salad with duck. It came with a little side of sticky rice that you actually used as a utensil. The owner came buy and was excited that my wife was using the rice the right way. I had a few bites of hers and it was very tasty. I ordered the crispy pork belly soup. The waitress kinda talked me into it after going over the menu. I loved it. I was more then I could eat. Probably didn't help that we had two servings of shrimp chips. You have to have the chives on them. The service was great and fast. We can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu. read more

GLUTEN FREE! The crispy pork belly soup is the best thing I've ever eaten. I couldn't stop smiling while eating and couldn't stop wishing I had more when it was gone. My friend got the chicken curry and it was good as well. The stuffed anaheim pepper was pretty good (the sauce is sweet spicy so prepare yourself) and the shrimp chips were yummy too. read more

One of the best dinners I've had. The flavors were intense and the spices were well balanced. The duck larb was surprising and wonderful. The waitress was friendly and attentive. Can't wait to go back! read more

This is a fabulous restaurant. The service, food, and drinks are all wonderful. Gluten-free items were marked on the menu, which is much appreciated. Everything I've tried has been pretty spicy, but the servers ask you what spice-level you want. It's a great place for a date or a dinner with a group of friends. read more

Cannot wait to go back! They squeezed us in, the owner welcomed us, and our sweet waitress made genuine conversation and made recommendations with great insight. She knew the menu well, and by the end of the night, we felt like we were regulars. What a great experience! And that's not even considering the food (which was absolutely amaze-balls, by the way). Seriously, can I live here?? read more

I hated this place, went for an anniversary dinner, texture of the rice in the lettuce wraps was very unappealing, way chewier than it should be traditionally, crispy pork belly soup was dishwater tasteless, pork was not crispy, fat not rendered. Had the whole fish, poorly seasoned and rice/vegetable accompaniments were oh so bland. People love this place, I don't get it, especially not for a $100 tab/meal for 2. read more

Had a decent meal - good and not so good. I wouldn't call anything bad, but given all the restaurant choices we have, I wouldn't hurry back either. Crispy rice lettuce wrap appetizer was a little odd as expected. I bit crispy, but also a bit gummy. Dip for it had nice flavor, but given the overall odd texture and the price ($8.90!), I wouldn't order again. The chicken curry had great flavor, but was loaded with giant chunks of carrots and potatoes. Not just strange, but really stretches the value. The best thing we had was the Pad Thai with shrimp. Beautiful and great flavor. Server was friendly and attentive. Had a dirty glass, though. When tea is $3 - Yes, $3 - Might want to check the glassware before serving. Overall, mediocre. read more

Went to Bida Manda for Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week. For the $30 prix fixe menu, I got a nice fresh cool summer roll appetizer, green papaya salad with shrimp entree, and French macaroon for dessert. My dining companion had a crispy rice lettuce wrap app, fried whole fish entree, and the same dessert. Also had a couple cocktails. The food was delicious, seasonal, and seemed very authentic. Wonderful fresh flavors, nice blends of spice and sweet and tangy. The cocktails were pretty good. Had a Dad's Gibson (basically a martini, as far as I could tell), some kind of bourbon peach drink, and a strawberry-rye sour. The strawberry rye was probably the most impressive, with a beautiful whipped egg white topping and a nice balance of sour and sweet. The decor of the restaurant was really nice - bamboo and artwork on the walls was classy. The waitstaff was pleasant and helped answer a couple questions I had about the menu. One knock is that the portion sizes for my meal were a little small. I definitely value quality over quantity, but the summer roll was six small slices and the papaya salad was nestled in a single cabbage leaf. On the other hand, the whole fried fish was enormous - almost enough for two people to split, if you're not VERY hungry. I guess it's my fault for picking the items that I did. But on top of that, I think if I had just ordered off the menu, it might have come to about $30 or maybe even less... So I guess whether the prix fixe menu is a good value or not depends on what you order. Since I was trying to stick to a vegetarian diet, I passed on the more pricey meat dishes. Bottom line: It was very good food, and I will probably come back here, but I also have a lot of other restaurants around Raleigh that I want to try. It wasn't so incredible that I'm going to keep it at the top of my list. read more

Probably one of the best restaurants I've tried in Raleigh. I'd never tried Laotian cuisine before but it's a perfect blend of Thai, Cambodian, and Vietnamese flavors. read more

Excellent food, drinks, and service. We were a table of 20 people with different dietary restrictions (vegetarian, gluten free, etc), so I called the restaurant ahead of time to set up a "family style" menu. The owner was a pleasure to work with and he gave me good advice on which appetizers and entrees to select given our dual desires to try traditional food while meeting others dietary needs. If you are a meat eater, I highly recommend the lemongrass sausage, ginger pork spareribs, and the papaya salad with duck. The vegetarian pumpkin curry and lettuce wraps were also delicious. Personally, I would skip the pad thai. It was high quality but not extraordinary compared to the other dishes. The waitstaff was friendly, knowledgable and accommodating. I typically joke with friends that service in Raleigh is nice but incompetent. Not in this case. Our waiter was efficient and professional. My only issue with the restaurant was the noise. It was difficult to hear people sitting more than one seat away from you. Overall, a wonderful and unique experience in the Triangle. read more

Bida Manda serves the most delicious, fresh food - one of my favorite dinner spots in Raleigh. Recommend the summer rolls and lettuce wrap for appetizer, papaya salad for entree, and any of their cocktails. Service and environment are great. read more

Have been reading the reviews but could never get a reservation. (that would fit our time) Snagged one last night for my husband's birthday. I was worried about the traffic which was as usual very bad, and called and was told "don't worry, come on in." Then, the "pearly gates" (40E) opened up and we made it with 2 minutes to spare. phew.. From the moment we walked in .. a very amazing experience. It was everything I wanted and more for my "husband's night" out. Thank you Bida Manda! We will be back. Harry, you are a fantastic waiter! Very knowledgeable, patient and you made our night even better. Some other restaurants .. could learn from you. I am still dreaming about the food... everything was perfection.! read more

Finally a great restaurant not afraid to use spices! Thank you thank you thank you delicious food, great ambiance, what a lot of fun! Casey our waiter was excellent too & the rest of the staff Super - friendly :) read more

One main thing to note: Their laotian rice is TO DIE FOR. I don't know what the dish/appetizer is that is just the rice (I think you can order the rice on its' own), but the chicken wraps have the rice, as does the whole stuffed fish, and I cannot get enough. It's deep fried with lime, coconut, and other equally delicious ingredients... SO good. Also, GREAT cocktails, fun vibe, sometimes hard to get a reservation, but definitely worth a visit for unique Asian fusion eats. Love this place. read more

Love this place, nothing is left to the imagination. As if I had actually been out of the country or at least at some hip place in Brooklyn! Can't beat the flavors, fusion, facilities or repeat value - bring friends from out of town, and blow their minds that little old Raleigh has such complex and diverse food! read more

Fantastic Restaurant! The bar had a great mix of cocktails that were delicious and expertly crafted. I had the crispy rice lettuce wrap which was delicious through and through, I could have had two servings as my main entree and been happy with that. For an entree I had the Pork Ribs which literally fell off the bone and were the perfect combination of sweet and savory. I had no idea what I was getting myself into at first, but I went with my gut deciding to eat here and I am glad I did. Great experience, Professionally ran with passion and love for food and drink. read more

Excellent food and service. I have been a few times now and every time I have visited I am delighted I went there. This is really one of the best restaurants in Raleigh even if it causes you to order and then eat so much you can't move for the rest of the evening... read more

Great food and great service! Try the pork belly soup. It was very hearty, filling, and unique. Our server Patricia was very knowledgeable about the food, and she was also very friendly. read more

We arrived at about 6:30 on a Saturday night with no reservation. The hostess took our information, including a phone number, and gave us an estimate for how long it would be until a table opened up and said they would call us. I like this system, it beats the heck out of being leashed with a short range pager or worse, being made to hang out in front. We went to the pub a couple doors down and had a pint while we waited. The phone call came right on time and we were seated at a table with ample space and some tasteful decoration. If I had to register a complaint, it's that the chairs were a little bit close around the back and it made them a bit uncomfortable. I sat forward in my chair so my elbows wouldn't knock against the frame. We ordered the Tom Kha Kai, the caramelized ginger ribs, and the duck larb, as well as lao iced coffees. The server asked us how spicy we'd like the larb, and we ordered "spicy". He asked "Lao spicy?" and added that "Lao spice is a level above Thai spicy". We went with Lao spicy. For a cocktail I ordered an old fashioned, they make theirs with a lemon peel and a basil leaf. It was refreshing and an interesting take on the cocktail, though the basil was overwhelmed by the orange. The soup arrived first, with two spoons but no additional bowl, so we had to carefully carry our spoon across the table. Next time we will make sure to ask for two bowls. It was well balanced and had the velvety coconut milk texture that sets a good tom kha apart, as well as a few different types of tomatoes which did not leach into the soup and provided a nice juicy bite here and there. The mushrooms were delicate and silky and there were no chunks of galangal, which I enjoyed as I find the woody character of the root to be disruptive to such a smooth soup. Next were the ribs, which had a good smoky base accenting the ginger flavor of the sauce. The ribs pulled loose from the meat with a little effort, as they should. Meat falling off the bone is not only a sign of an overcooked rib, it's also dancing with disaster should you be wearing, say, a white shirt. A few sprigs of asparagus garnished this dish as well as the larb, and it was cooked to the firm side of al dente. The larb was last. We ordered it with the "traditional" addition of pork skin, chicken livers, and chicken gizzards on the side as my wife has strong feelings about liver, and I added them to my portion of the dish along with a squeeze of lime. Lao spicy is no joke. While quite hot, I was not ever in pain though I did sweat a bit. I recommend going with "Thai" spice or less because the heat does disrupt the nuance of the dish, which was one of the best larbs I've had the pleasure of tasting. Rather than the ground meat that is usually used, they start with thinly sliced meat which is seared, then mixed with the rest of the ingredients. I found their use of mint leaves to be especially skillful. When our waiter (whose name I unfortunately missed) came to clear our plates, we had a good discussion of the characteristics of the food. I was glad to see that the staff is so excited and knowledgeable about the food served. After exchanging thoughts on the pros and cons of a spicy larb, he brought by a drink of coconut milk, simple syrup, and soda water which cleared away the last embers in my mouth like a miracle. Overall, Bida Manda has good atmosphere, attentive and knowledgeable service, and thoughtful, interesting, well portioned, and excellently executed dishes. Five stars for all this, despite the minor hiccups detailed above. read more

I'm 100% Laotian and Bida Manda is absolutely my favorite place to eat because it reminds me so much of home. I was honestly skeptical and thought this would be a knock-off/generic, Thai place that had a few "Laotian dishes", and I was definitely wrong! When our server asked if we had Laotian food, I promptly let her know I'm Laotian, in hopes that would signal I was taking this experience seriously. With that we ordered: crispy rice lettuce wraps, mok pa (fish steamed in coconut milk, herbs and wrapped in a banana leaf), thom khem (caramelized pork ribs) and the Thai Tea cocktail. I was a little taken aback when our order of the crispy rice lettuce wraps arrived, there wasn't crumbled pork like it's traditionally done. I asked our server why and she informed me it was a vegetarian rendition, OK no problem, it was tasty regardless. Next thing you know she returned with traditional Laotian sausage as an apology! Now that is what I call great service!! To add to her great service, our server gave us a complimentary purple sticky rice dessert for our anniversary dinner! Overall, I felt like I was transported back home! Bida Manda is one of the very few Laotian restaurants that does a wonderful job at modernizing the food and decor without it being too "Asian fusion" and kitchy. If I'm ever homesick, I will definitely return! read more

This is one of my favorite restaurants! The food is amazing and the waitstaff is wonderful. I went for my birthday and they brought out a wonderful plate of very good desserts. Good place to go on a date or with friends and family. The lettuce wraps are out of this world! read more

Came here for appetizers and drinks. Beautiful restaurant! Everyone loved their drinks and the spring rolls were amazing!!!!!!

Sat at the bar, and it was a very nice space with a very accommodating bartender. I had a beer (good) and a surprisingly large portion of carmelized ginger ribs. It was a lot of ribs! Like 8 or 9 bones, in addition to the rice and asparagus. The glaze was excellent -- a flavor like I've not experienced on ribs before. But the ribs, frankly, were a little tough. Definitely not of the fall-off-the-bone variety. But everything I watched getting hustled out around me looked very tasty, and I wish I had the opportunity to explore the menu in greater depth. read more

Very scarcely do I experience a dining venture like this. The staff, food and environment is S+ tier. I could not recommend this place enough. Maybe a little pricey but worth it in every facet. If you get a chance, try this place out, you will not be disappointed l. read more

I was looking for a great place to purchase a gift certificate for a friend who is a foodie. I stopped in and had lunch (had to test it out first). It was DELICIOUS! The crispy rice appetizer was amazing (and alot of food), I got that with a salad and couldn't finish. There was alot of curry on the menu, which is not my favorite but still a few good options. The staff was very friendly, great atmosphere. I am have heard it gets very busy for dinner. Very good food and service. read more

This place is the jam. Great staff. DELISH food. Fabulous drinks and ambiance. It's often incredibly busy and packed, so walk-ins for dinner aren't usually feasible. Plan on making a reservation and you'll be golden. Get the lettuce wraps! read more

One of our favorite restaurants in Raleigh and probably all the places we have been to. The food has a big variety and is delicious. They have the best customer service. This little detail touches us so much: they always provide a small cup of a drink to customers to refresh their mouths after the meal;we had iced-coffee with our lunch dishes; while everyone else was getting iced-coffee after their meals that day, we got iced-tea with a nice explanation--they thought we might want something different. read more

So... I had the pork belly soup. It's essentially a Tom Kha, with pork belly instead of mushroom for umami. It's good, but Raleigh must not have a lot of thai joints. It's a coconut milk lemongrass soup. Not sure how that makes it 5 stars. 4 stars. Delicious, but too expensive for what it is. So you have fancy cocktails... Neat. read more