I will never ever stop recommending this place. I came for my birthday and I am so happy. 10 out of 10 experience and the food was fantastic. The service was excellent. The music was a vibe and it is so beautiful in this place. Also, if you have any gluten allergies, this is the place for you. The menu is clear about what is gluten-free, what is spicy, and what is vegan. I literally feel like I can eat this food every single day. There was one thing that we both didn't really like, but I will say that doesn't mean that it was nasty or anything. It just wasn't for us. Starters: Crab cake - small but mighty! Mien Hmong - it was so good. We wanted more, but we knew there was more food coming. LIT salad (we really did not like it and they were kind enough to take it back and make us the salad below, which was fantastic) Chaophraya salad - fantastic give me 15 of them Mains: Ping seen - the beef was so tender, and it was perfect with the dipping sauce and the sticky rice! Pla tong na - THE SHOWSTOPPER! this will forever be my favorite thing on the menu however, maybe I need to try more things but it is just so good. There is no way on this earth that I will go to Laos in town and not order this. It is so delicious. Dessert: Khao neaw mak muang - this was perfect. I had never had pandan sticky rice and it was so good. They saying happy birthday to me and brought me a piece of cheesecake. It was so sweet. The staff is excellent. If you are looking for a great experience with amazing food and ambience, I suggest you make it to Laos in town. read more

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

A pleasant lunch experience! Met with an old friend and shared the calamari. I got the curry chicken with a ginger beer and he got the crispy chicken and lemonade. The dishes were served like pieces of art! Presentation was wonderful! No pictures this time, sorry! I was impressed with the decor and the layout of the place. I am sure this place can get lively in the evening for dinner. It was a great atmosphere with music that wasn't too loud and the staff were very friendly and attentive. The only thing I missed was their dessert. I would definitely return. read more

Absolutely lovely restaurant that was in walking distance from my hotel! I wanted to try something different while in DC and decided to check out Laos in Town. I ordered a mocktail, calamari, sticky rice, and seen hang (dried beef), and a lychee shaved ice! The calamari was a little spicy, and the beef was salty before eating it with rice. The flavors were still phenomenal! I'll try it again for sure and order an entree! Also, service was amazing. I sat at the bar. Both ladies that I was able to interact with were excellent. read more

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Laos in Town was probably the best meal I had during my month in DC. The Winter Restaurant Week deal for dinner was awesome: really appreciated the plethora of vegan options and portion sizes. I got the: - Laab hed (mixed mushroom salad, crunchy enoki mushroom, rice cracker): So many different types of mushrooms, perfectly seasoned with a citrusy punch. - Vientiane silk (seasoned rice noodle, soy bean seasoning tofu, cucumber): Definitely was not expecting the dish I got based on the menu description haha, but it was super tasty! The tofu was custard-like, the noodles perfectly textured, the cucumber refreshing. The sauce on the tofu was a tiny bit on the salty side. - Maan Kuany (banana cake, vegan salted caramel ice cream, tuille cookie): Such a good dessert, everything went really well together. I loved the strong banana flavor and texture of the banana cake; the ice cream was perfectly sweet and cool. We walked past a case of beautiful cake slices, and knew that we had to get some. The cakes were fluffy and airy. - Coconut pandan sponge cake: The pandan flavor was so strong, and I loved the additional texture from the coconut topping. Super light dessert. - Cylon tea sponge cake: Again, the tea flavor really popped, and the chocolate chips provided a nice contrast. Ambiance is beautiful, very elegant. Service was fast and friendly. A quick walk from the NoMa metro station. 10/10 would recommend! read more

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Love the interior decor of Laos in Town. Had a reservation. Service was excellent. Automatic 20% gratuity if large party. Drinks: - thai tea was just the right sweetness - mango juice (refreshing but cup was filled with so much ice) Should've looked at yelp pics before ordering the crab cake. Didn't realize most of the plate was kale salad. Crab cake was good, but portion size not worth it. Would try once but not order again. Highlight of the meal was the Northern Noodle (similar to Thai dish khao soi); super savory & delicious. Not crazy about the Ping Seen dish. Rib eye was tough too chew; overall just ok. Dessert: khao niao mak muang (pandan sticky rice & mango) - so full but shared with another person! Great dinner experience; would recommend. read more

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Beautiful outdoor seating area, great food and cocktails, reasonably priced! I've never had Laotian food before but already knew I would love it because nothing Southeast Asian taste bad. Whatever you do, get the rock fish dish. The presentation was as good as the taste. Our two appetizers (grilled pork shoulder and mieng mhong) were also phenomenal. The soft crab dish was a no for me. BUT everything else was so good that I didn't even care. read more

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Got to sit on the patio and perfect weather. Our server was very friendly and attentive. We loved the crispy chive cakes and the sauce that cake with it. The spring rolls were also great and not too oily. There's a wide selection of mocktails and mine was made with lychee and tasted very refreshing. My entree was a beef and mushroom stir fry with rice. The meat was cooked well and I enjoy the savory sauce. My partner had the tofu orm and liked how the tofu was cooked but noted the soup is quite spicy. I had a little of the broth and agreed it is flavorful but very spicy. I will definitely come back again to try more items. read more

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The place was clean, not too crowded, and the staff were really friendly. I also liked that they take Apple Pay, small thing, but super convenient when youre out and about. The chive cake was actually the surprise favorite for me. It was really good, especially with the sauce. The beef was a little overcooked in my opinion, but still tasted good overall. Definitely a spot worth trying. read more

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Pretty good service. Our waitress was super cool and dealt with my friends' high maintenance in a professional manner and laughed at his jokes. I really loved the Suki, I asked for more chili paste and it was really good. The papaya salad wasn't spicy at all. Also, they don't give you any chopsticks, just forks. There is only street parking so make sure you have a good 10 min if you made a reservation. read more

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I came in with a large group and we ordered several dishes, everything I tried was amazing. The chicken fried rice and curry were stand out dishes. There is a large outdoor seating space, which is lovely and service was attentive. This is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. read more

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Love the atmosphere. Such a beautiful place! Staff was very welcoming. Wonderful service. I like that they have outdoor seating options. Food: Phở - it was ok and broth was too sweet for us Herb sausage - it was good Chicken fried rice- my hubby really like it. It was good for me. read more

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We came here after an arts and craft studio nearby. We were quickly seated, although service was slightly slow. It may have been a busy day though and we did come slightly after the usual lunch times. We were seated close to other people though we could hear each other well. We ended up sharing a bunch of items, including the chicken curry, tofu and noodles. Everything was very good and unique. I particularly loved the noodles and curry. For anyone who is looking to come here, definitely do to try some unique foods. read more

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Some of the best calamari I have ever had in my life! The added peppers, onions, and sauce provides a unique taste compared to the usual fried calamari. The portion sizes are also huge and filling. If I did not have my friend to split my order with, I would have for sure taken a portion home for later. The service was prompt and caring. The waiter provided some great recommendations. The wok noodles were flavorful and the suki, my friend was thoroughly impressed by! The food is for sure a 10/10. The ambiance is a little upscale with intriguing decor. Be aware that a 20% fee is added to all checks, so additional tipping is optional. Laos in town will be seeing me again for sure. read more

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Lovely place, you don't expect to have the opportunity to try authentic Laotian food everyday in the US but you can do so in DC, this restaurant is featured on Michelin's list for 5-6 straight years, and there is so much indoor/outdoor seating that we didn't need to make a reservation ahead of time or wait for a long time before getting seated even for a Saturday dinner. The Laotian food tastes very similar to Thai cuisine. The dishes are beautifully presented and rife with flavors. Although my favorite part, also unique to Laotian cuisine, is the sticky rice. I just love the texture of it and especially if you make a rice ball with it, and dip it into the chicken curry soup to soak up the flavor, it tastes just amazing! Overall food: 8.5/10 Ambience: 8.5/10 Overall: 8.5/10 read more

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I have never had Laotian food so decided to try it my first night visiting Washington DC. The place has a great location and beautifully decorated. The vibe was so welcoming from the outside tables all the way to the inside decor, including the bathrooms. We came in on a Monday night and it was kind of busy, but we got seated fast and our waiter promptly greeted us. We ordered Jazmin Tea and a Cocktail called Banana Lagoon, very refreshing with the touch of mint. For food we ordered the Rockfish and Duck dish. We decided not to order appetizers because each dish looked quite big. What an amazing explosion of flavors. Duck was super tender and perfectly paired with a Thai Basil Salad. My husband's Fish was extremely delicious and tasty and nicely deocorated. Everything was perfect! read more

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Living right down the street, Laos in Town has been on my list for quite some time, so I was excited to finally give it a try! I opted for takeout and ordered the Suki, a flavorful glass noodle dish with shrimp, Napa cabbage, watercress, and crispy squid tossed in a chili sesame sauce. It was absolutely packed with flavor! I especially appreciated that the calamari was packaged separately so it stayed crispy instead of getting soggy during the trip home. The portion size was satisfying, though a bit smaller than what I'm accustomed to receiving from most Thai restaurants. One thing I absolutely loved was the number of gluten-free options available. As someone with a gluten allergy, it's always refreshing to find an Asian restaurant that offers so many dishes I can safely enjoy. My only hiccup was that I requested utensils and napkins with my order, but unfortunately neither made it into the bag. Since I was planning to eat on the go, that was a little inconvenient. While I didn't dine in this visit, the restaurant itself looked inviting. The outdoor patio is especially cute with its hanging lights and cozy atmosphere. It seems like the perfect spot for a casual dinner on a nice evening, and I already know I'll be back to enjoy my next meal outside. If you're looking for flavorful Lao cuisine with plenty of gluten-free choices, Laos in Town is definitely worth checking out! read more

Phenomenal all around! Came here for lunch and loved the decor, great service, and array of options and flavors! They have a nice outdoor patio and spacious indoors with their Michelin recognitions subtly displayed and Laotian designs. Service was quick and friendly with great recommendations. The food was well-priced, well portioned, and full of flavors for different palates. The mango salad was a great mix of sweet and spicy and the pork shoulder is a must. Looking forward to coming back for more and to try their cocktails! read more

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

This was my first time trying Laotian cuisine, and it was amazing! I went for dinner with my cousin, and the food and vibe did not disappoint. Starting with our appetizer, we ordered the crispy chive cake, and I highly recommend trying it. It was perfectly crispy and paired wonderfully with the dipping sauce. I ordered the Century Pearl mocktail, which complemented my meal nicely. It features a refreshing blend of lychee, clove, ginger, and lemon flavors. Then, I chose the Pad Puu, a soft-shell crab served with yellow curry. The crab was crispy, and the rich, flavorful curry brought everything together beautifully. The Cylon Tea Sponge Cake was sooo good that we had to order another cylon tea slice and the strawberry cheesecake slices of to go! While the food was fantastic, our server was a bit heavy-handed throughout the meal. The water pitcher and a few other items were placed down quite hard, which came across as abrupt. The service wasn't bad overall, but a gentler approach would have made the experience more enjoyable. Overall, it was a great dining experience, and I look forward to coming back to try more dishes. read more

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The best Asian food in general and especially the best of the best Lao food in the US. I have tried so many Lao restaurants in CA and other states I have visited, but this restaurant is the best. The service is 5 stars, their staff is super nice and very professional. The atmosphere is very friendly but also elegant. Their food is 10/10. read more

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Laotian dining experience in Northeast DC. Walkable from Union Station or NOMA. I drove, and LUCKED out on finding parking - as someone was leaving. Parking is hard to come by, at least close to the venue We started out with Calamalao (Calamari) which was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Good. Especially the dipping sauce - wish I had this right now! I had the Wok Noodle, which was satisfying. I ended up taking most home with me. Flavorful My friend had the King of Mekong. This was good too. Piled high with flavorful sauce and nuts I also had the HOT Dalgona Coffee. This was okay. The Bathroom was GORGEOUS. Like a peaceful spa lol read more

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Second favorite Laotian restaurant in DC, but only because number one is untouchable lol. I usually come here with my partner and they have great vegetarian options. We got vegetarian spring rolls, flat noodles pad see ew, and larb this time around, and they were all great. I love the larb in particular as it has really great sour, spice, and salty flavors all packed into diy lettuce wraps. Service was also great as they have specific menus for vegetarians, and were able to accommodate all our dietary restrictions. read more

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Very cute vibe. The lemongrass drink was wonderful and so cute. My favorite was the curry chicken, although, I wish there was more sauce/curry, as that was the best part. The aged steak was also very tasty. Calamari was so-so. I also enjoyed the pandan coconut cake. Very unique flavors. read more

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The spice and curry flavors here are incredibly strong and well-balanced. We had the Northern Noodles and Chicken Curry, both tasted similar, lol. The Crispy Calamari was Fresh, crunchy, and tossed with plenty of herbs and onions. The grilled beef was salty and stiff, it wasn't my favorite of the three. The Atmosphere & Service The restaurant has a great, modern atmosphere--clean lines, warm wood tones, and a buzzy vibe that feels upscale yet welcoming. One thing to note is that the dishes didn't come with serving spoons, if it's not an oversight, then definitely not meant for sharing. It's always a plus when a restaurant pays attention to the details: the bathroom is spotless, which always speaks well of the overall management. read more

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

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Nice and clean restaurant with friendly staff. Their fried rice with pork was really good, so much flavor that work so well together and the cilantro just adds a good fresh taste. My co worker got same with chicken and loved that. The beef strips were ok, a little dry and not much flavor. Only issue is that it's a little expensive. But the food is legit. read more

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

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Easy to get to from NoMa Gallaudet station. I came years ago and sat in the outdoor seating but this time we sat inside (a friends reunion). They were very accommodating and helpful- offering to take a photo of us while we struggled with a groupie photo after dinner. Great interior- trendy on the inside. Food was pretty good. I really liked the khao poon pla- just salivated thinking about it. And the northern noodles missed the mark a little for me- I'm not a big fan of the garnish placed on the rim of the dish- I like to have it all mixed in (but I know it's a personal preference). The wagyu dish was alright. So by far the khao poon pla was the star and the supporting actors were alright. Definitely would return for the star!!! Restrooms were very nice and clean. Would return read more

Laos In Town - Khao Poon Pla - so good!!!! - Laotian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The food was tasty but a bit too uniform for me (I'm from a city that keeps flavors subtle to preserve their original taste). I had the Khao Poon Pla and Northern Noodles. Both were fine but not memorable--I felt the sauce either leaned sour or spicy rather than balanced and complex, and the noodles could have had more texture to bring out the flavors. I'd like to try their rice or seafood dishes to see if they're better. For ambiance and service, the space is bright and stylish, and the staff were friendly. read more

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

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Fancy Laotian restaurant but the tables are placed quite close together. We had a reservation and the restaurant wasn't full at the time but they placed us next to another party. I would prefer if they spaced people put. I was excited to try this restaurant however one dish was good while the other was disappointing. I had the fried red snapper which was delicious. My partner had the khao poon pla (fish curry). It tasted watery and was not spicy at all despite the spice warning. Not as rich and full bodied as I expected. It has a strong lemongrass flavor. Not a fan. read more

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

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Good Lao cuisine in a more upscale setting with creative cocktails and and a separate vegan menu. Sit outside weather permitting Service might be a hit or a miss as our server wasn't the greatest. And at the end, when we asked about their homemade cake flavors, he said "Oh I don't know them but you go inside and check them yourself". The highlight of a handful of instances from the service that night. We also read that you'll feel like you'll be rushed when it hit an hour before closing time. This is true folks. Not the place for a leisurely dinner if you don't think you'll be out there by 9p. Lastly, a 20% service charge is baked into the bill. As people who'vd worked in the same job before, we tend to tip pretty generously anyway but this was not the night for it. Overall good food and decor that's unfortunately overshadowed by the service. Worth trying once but better to try other Lao spots in DC otherwise. read more

The service was terrible and extremely inattentive. I had to leave my chair to order a drink, get a fork, etc. The bar was right behind us, but even after saying excuse me multiple times no one offered help. The food was delicious. I ordered the curry chicken and the taste was phenomenal. I wish the chicken curry had a little bit more noddles with the dish, but otherwise perfect. read more

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Fantastic food and service. Place can get busy, so reserve or go to the bar. Food was amazing. Ambiance is flawless. Service was superb and friendly. read more

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Gorgeous location, amazing wait staff, and delicious food make a great dining experience at this restaurant. Have a great vegan menu, too! Would have loved a plant-based pastry, too, but this place was great! read more

Updated review! My previous review was years ago and for a take-out experience so a new POV is warranted. I came with a large group on a busy Saturday evening - we had a reservation and everyone enjoyed themselves. Service was consistent throughout. Our server, Mark was great. Even with the large group, splitting checks was not an issue. Parking around here is tricky. I lucked out this time and found a spot across the street near Indigo. I'm not usually a gin drinker but I enjoyed the "painted lady," a gin based cocktail. It was light on the gin but it was a well made drink. I'd recommend it. Most of the appetizers I was unable to eat, but several folks got the calamari and said it was really good. I got the grilled beef for my entree, which came with a salad, sticky rice and a really good sauce on the side (I had to ask for more). It might not look much food but it was very filling. I'm glad I came back! I would visit again. I loved the decor and vibe! I see why this place has been Michelin rated for the last several years. Add them to your list. You won't be disappointed. read more

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Laos in Town is the PERFECT name! LAOS is definitely in town and I am in LOVE! Already a fan of Thai food, it was described as being similar but I must say they're is a difference and while I love them both this experience was beyond what my flavor palette could have expected, in the best way! Not only were the flavors there, you could literally feel how passionate the chef was and how much love and attention was put into each dish! I had the pleasure of experiences Laos in Town with my business partner and I must say we were more than satisfied with our Dinner! The space is beautifully decorated! Theresa art on the walls and even a market that sells spices and the soap in the bath room. The dining area was so spacious! They also had the oversized windows open so there was a lot of fresh air and natural light! The service was amazing! Literally everyone I encountered was kind and helpful, from the the bartenders to the waitstaff to the managers! They checked on us throughout our time there and always made sure to give us details about each dish and drink we ordered. Here are a few things that really stood out: - Mee Krob: The Mee Krob was SO tasty and flavorful! The texture combination created some kind of party in my mouth LOL! The crunch from the noodle and the fresh taste of the pomelo works together in the best way! 10/10! - Wild Ocean: OMG! OMG! There were lobster, there were shrimp, there were mussels, calamari, and spicy but savory basil and lemongrass sauce. Everything was fresh and cooked to perfection! One of my favorite dishes of the day! - Luang Prabang Chicken: This was some of the most succulent grilled chicken I've ever had! The herb marinade paired perfectly with the light charr on the chicken brining in an authentic taste! In addition to the seasoned green beans everything was covered in a roasted rice dressing that put this dish from 9/10 to 50/10! It was a DELICIOUS combination of foods! Lychee Granitas: This was a semi frozen crystalline texture lychee vegan jelly... It was a VERY interesting texture (I did NOT like the texture) BUT the flavor was great! I'm LOVE lychee so I was torn. I would give it 8/10 only because of the texture! My overall experience was one of a kind! I loved how nice everyone was! Everyone genuinely seemed authentically happy. I enjoyed the energy and on top of that the food was phenomenal! It was first time trying authentic Laos cuisine and I'm in LOVE! I will definitely visit again very very soon! Thank you LAOS in Town for an AMAZING experience! read more

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It is a very unique place in terms of food offering and one of the rare cuisines you can try. 1. Reservation: absolutely necessary 2. Food: 4 stars Quite spicy for the most part, but very authentic dish. 3. Drinks: delicious 4. Service: excellent 5. Parking: quite difficult around the restaurant. Better to just uber here. read more

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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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Great ambiance and good vibes! Unfortunately I was not too impressed by the food. Grilled pork shoulder 5/5: great dish with great flavor. Not dry at all. Favorite dish! Calamari 4/5: great flavor in the calamari with veggies to go with it. Grilled beef 2/5: beef was too dry especially in comparison to the pork shoulder. Glass noodle dish 2/5: too sour of a flavor profile for my taste buds. Crispy rice salad 2/5: not refreshing as I expected it to be with the lettuce wrap. Very forgettable. I would come back to get the pork shoulder kebab and try new dishes on the menu but overall the food was just ok on average. read more

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Tonight we had the most terrible customer experience ever. We had a reservation at 6:30 and were told that we needed to wait because they were at capacity. There's a table with a reserved sign on it that has been empty for the 20 mins we have been waiting. Not sure why our table didn't get a reserved sign. It's 94 degrees outside and we aren't willing to sit out in that so we are stuck in no man's land waiting for these people to get to their act together. They said they would bring a patio table in for us and it's been sitting inside not set up for 15 mins. Asked to speak with a manager and they will not bring one over. If I didn't have out of town guests who wanted to eat here, I would leave. read more

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

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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

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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