This place is a solid 4 stars in my book. The flavors are delicious and mild may still be a bit spicy to those who prefer "mild". Taking one star off for the Mango sticky rice. It lacked flavor and the condense milk that drapes the rice soaked very quickly and was not enough to give it a dessert flavor. My suggestion would be to have it on the side and let customers pour it onto the rice themselves, and give it a bit more than what it comes with. Overall, super yummy

Willliam O.

The last two times we were there it was wonderful. However, for an anniversary lunch yesterday, (indigenous peoples day), we were disappointed. No lunch specials on a holiday the curt waitress told us when asking what we wanted to order. I think that could have been posted on the menues or at the front door. The place was busy and the noise was stifling...no it was NOT a cozy feeling. The fried shrimp appetizer was Overcooked, so beyond crispy. The green papaya salad was so spicy that the interesting flavors that are often the case with this item made for any other flavor to be lost. The Pra ram was its usual - Outstanding! Yes, we will return but certainly hope that this holiday outing was an exception - it was not a good experience.

Annie W.

The food at Laos Kitchen is amazing! Everything was light and fresh and the three of us devoured all of it! We ordered the Pun Khao Poon platter (lettuce wraps) with pork springrolls, pad thai with chicken, and the mango salad. The portions were very generous. The mango salad was the highlight of the meal, followed by the lettuce wraps. The dressing in the mango salad had just the right combination of sweet and tangy. We loved the addition of mint for the wraps, but I personally don't care for perilla leaves. The fish sauce accompanying the wraps was delicious and was also great over the pad thai, which was a bit on the bland side without it. Service was a bit less than perfect. When one diner asked for water, only her glass was refilled when another glass was obviously in need also; minor overlook, though. The one thing that was a bit disturbing was the noise level. It was extremely loud, so it was really difficult to hear each other talk. It didn't help that the party at the next table had a woman who cackled loudly when she laughed. It was a relief to step outside after we ate. Not sure what can be done to help with this, but it did make dining there not as pleasant as it could be. Even with this, I'd definitely return if I was in the area.

mao x.

I was excited to find a Lao/Thai restaurant in this part of the Bay and had to try it after a day at the French Market. We ordered the Lao-style beef larb with tripe, Lao-style papaya salad, sticky rice, and the yellow chicken curry with jasmine rice. The restaurant was clean, service was okay, and our food came out quickly. The portions were generous. My partner really enjoyed the yellow curry, though I found it a little sweeter than I prefer. Growing up eating Lao food, I was hoping for a bit more authenticity. The beef larb could have used more fresh herbs and bitterness, while the papaya salad lacked some of the pungent, funky flavors that make Lao papaya salad so memorable. Both dishes were good, but they felt toned down for a broader audience. Overall, it's a solid spot with flavorful food and generous portions. I'd definitely come back to try more of the menu.

Sirikanya p.

Love it love it love it!!! Love the layout and decoration not to mention how friendly the staff were. Food wise, omg to die for! We got a combination of BBQ pork with papaya salad and black sticky rice and we asked if I could add one more Lao style papaya salad into it and she said 'yes!!' Also Nam Kao Tod and beef jerky were so tasty!! Would totally recommend this place!

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.

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.

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!

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.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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.

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.

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.