Lao Garden Restaurant & Bar

If I could give this place 9 stars, I would! The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. They're super proud of the food they make and they were more than happy to tell us all about the dishes and to make recommendations. The owner/chef came over and talked with us and shared about the recipes. The food... Also incredible! We ordered a few different dishes that they recommended and each dish was unlike anything I've ever eaten! We got the thum lao lao, laab seen, nam khao, and famous saikoo... All were absolutely delicious and so unique and flavorful! The atmosphere was also really nice... It wasn't very busy when we went and it was quite peaceful. Can't wait to go back!!

Updated 1 star because of your annoying AI responses. I’ve never had loatian food so bland. The service was incredibly slow, though they were nice when they did get back to us to take our order. This would have been fine if the food was good but it wasn’t tangy and lacked spices. The larb was the only thing that didn’t taste like it was cooked in mildly salty plain water. I have no idea why this place has such a high rating, maybe the chef is different on weekends?

Excellent food, and you have to order the side of chili sauce it’s incredible! Crispy rice balls were so delicious as well. Will be back. Also nice they have a lot of vegetarian options/modifications

This place was empty when my friend and I walked in but we decided to give it a shot. I’m so pleased we did because OMG the flavorsssss. Everything was spectacular!! From the drinks to the decor to the food, everything was FRESH, colorful and vibrant. We got the drunken noodles and Nam Khao, every bite was followed with an “Mmmmm”. They’ve got the sweet salty sour crunchy texture game on pointttt. Can’t wait to come back and try everything on the menu! Also kudos to the owner who was lovely, she offered us a drink that wasn’t on the menu, it was like a pandan sweet drink (tasted similar to a Thai iced tea but less sweet) it was perfect! I feel like they’re still under the radar because they’ve only been open a few months but this place will be packed come summer. RUN, DONT WALK!

The flavor was authentic and super yummy Be aware of spicy, it’s really spicy like the way Asian’s people love 💖 a chef was friendly and nice. I have only one complaint: the dining table is not clean. Hope to come back soon when I missed my hometown

This is by far the best Laotian, Isaan Thai food around. I've known the family for 15 years and had no doubt this food would be excellent. We brought along an entourage of doctors and they were also very pleased!

This place is making great Laotian food. The fish sauce was flavorful and everything was fresh. Def worth a stop!

Extremely unusual dishes that represent a truly unique experience, at least for us. We never knew that Laotian food good be so different from Thai (I know, very naive of us). I recommend asking the owner to make suggestions. The tapioca balls, for instance, are amazing.

Lao Garden has delicious/beautiful food, great service and a great atmosphere! Easy place to find especially coming from Vacaville, CA. I had the Fried Egg Rolls, Crispy Rice Balls, Kua Khao with Shrimp, Drunken Noodle and mango with sweet sticky rice. Food was on point and good size portions! A must try if you are looking for authentic Laotian style Food.

I came here to try Laotian cuisine for the first time, excited to come back & try more dishes! I came on a Friday as a party of one (I was curious & wanted to taste Laotian food) & they treated me just the same as if I were with a larger party. Kind and friendly, seated me right away at the bar area (UNDER-BAR HOOKS FOR YOUR HANDBAG!!! I love when restaurants have those!) I felt happy right away. Pretty, inviting decor that feels cozy & classy at the same time. I ordered the mok catfish (catfish in a sauce with herbs, steamed in a banana leaf) the blue lemonade, and the side of pickled vegetables. The catfish and pickled vegetables were very yummy! ... I didn't expect such a generous portion of either, but I am not complaining! I have lunch for tomorrow. The only thing I wouldn't give 5 stars is the steamed veggies that come with the mok catfish. Will definitely be coming back, so many more things on the menu I want to try. Service is kind and thoughtful, dishes are flavorful (& generously portioned)

This was my second time visiting so I feel like I can be honest. I grew up with a ton of Laotian friends so I am very familiar with the food and excited that a Lao restaurant opened in Berkeley. It's a beautiful restaurant but they need a manager to run the restaurant. My family and I went for dinner tonight. The servers seemed so stressed out and all over the place. We placed our order with one, then another would come to take our order. We asked for water 3 times before someone actually brought us some. Our dishes started coming out one by one at a VERY slow pace.. Entrees before appetizers.. it was just a mess. My husband asked for hot sauce from 3 different servers and it never came. We ordered: Grilled fish (really crispy and tasty!) Lamb chops (marinated nicely, just slightly dry) Bamboo shoot appetizer (good but a little on the salty side Saikoo (this is one of my absolute FAVORITE dishes and they missed the mark soooo bad on this. It was over steamed so the balls could not even be separated, it was just a mushy mess. See photo) We decided to add 2 dishes after our initial order (crispy rolls and a noodle dish) but after being there for almost 2 whole hours and they never came, we canceled the orders and just asked for the bill. The restaurant was extremely busy and overall the food was good (except the saikoo) BUT they need a better system. Maybe divide the restaurant in sections and have one server per section instead of all the servers working the whole restaurant. There was a table behind us that ordered before us and they didn't receive their first dish till we got our 4th. Hopefully they can get it together soon.

This is a cute place (photogenic wall of flowers and butterflies), very calm and clean, serving Lao food, with outdoor seating as well. We ordered two dishes and were served with smaller plates with the correct assumption that we would want to share. I ordered noodles with an omelet-style egg on top, and even though it was a lot of food, I just kept eating it. So delicious! My husband ordered a medium spicy smashed salad with noodles, and its sauce had a fresh jalapeño heat mixed. I liked how the food was presented. It's all around a very aesthetically pleasing restaurant. I don't think I have ever had food that was specifically Lao, and I am eager to go back to try other dishes. It's a great spot to eat if you are in the neighborhood, especially for dates or groups of four. They have a wine and beer list.

Authentic Laotian food! Look no further. Found this gem on a whim. Was craving Lao style cuisine early on a warm Saturday. Upon entering your eye has many places to look. The ambiance was open and inviting. There were ample, and different types of seating areas inside, as well as a large back patio, and full bar. Service was rather on point and very friendly. We had the pleasure of meeting Kanlaya (owner/chef). She took time to both introduce herself and background on the restaurant, asking us about our experience and their food (which btw was packed with amazing flavor while presented in a beautiful and inviting fashion.) It was an immensely pleasing meal, that was enhanced by the numerous touches and small details which present as well considered. The menu does not indicate if an item is GF. However, you may need to inquire for specific food allergens. We will happily return and continue working our way through the menu.

This is the location of the former Italian restaurant - Paisan - which I'm a little sad of their closing because they had a great budget friendly, delicious ribeye steak. But Lao Garden did a nice job of transforming the space - colorful, vibrant and cozy - which seems to be the trend among Thai/Lao restaurants these days. Not that I'm complaining. This space has a huge back area which they aren't fully utilizing. Perhaps if/when they become more popular, they can have a real "Lao garden" with a fountain and all. Staff is attentive and friendly, deserving of 5 stars. Their dishes were solid and on theme with the interior decor. I had ordered the Thum Lao Lao, which is basically Lao style papaya salad. For those that aren't familiar, basically they use a thicker/cloudier and more pungent fish sauce which they refer to as "funky". For those that are less into funk, they do have the Thai style papaya salad - Thum Tum Ma-Da, which tends to be milder since they use the clear, less "fishy" fish sauce. But to be honest, theirs isn't the funkiest in town, in case you felt adventurous but needed that stepping stone. I also ordered the Khao Poon Gai, which was good. The chicken was tender and moist, and loved the contrast of the fresh veggies and herbs to compliment the hot soup and noodles. But I had to inject some of the funk from the Thum Lao^2 to elevate it to what my taste buds have been calibrated to from eating my Laotian friends' authentic home cooking. Over all, expect a good dining experience keeping in mind that the flavors have been toned down a notch to accommodate Western palates.

Lao Garden opened in Paisan's vacated space. Decor and seating totally renovated. Some seating outside. Back area not utilized. Parking available in private lot. Was seated promptly by Gia who was very helpful answering questions re food & how to reheat same. G very knowledgeable for the few years in the industry. Did eat in eateries G worked at but years or decades earlier. *stopped eating Thai food as it was too sweet, too "Americanized". Ordered. Food ready in 15ish minutes. Cooked to order. Offerings (Laotian): wraps, noodles, stew/curry, platter specials, desserts, small plates, chef's specials, fried rice, grills, roasts, soup, salads(yum, Thum, laab) Bites: seen savanh (12) -dehydrated pork pieces, flash fried. No hint of oil.. Very chewy. Frying can be skipped. Probably goes good with beer. (Too early for me.) -flavorful. Takes getting used to. Gang Phet Gai (chicken) 18 -stew like dish a mix of red curry, chicken pieces, green beans. Bamboo shoots, lemongrass & basil. -best eaten with rice but I passed. -nice alternative to classic curry. Slightly spicy, not overly sweet like American curry version. The herbs adds nuanced flavas.. I like.. Thu Lith Saikoo (22) should be shared. -similar principle as Nam Kao. House made steamed tapioca balls with ground pork, roasted peanuts, sweet radishes, shallots within. -place a ball within partial lettuce leaf. add drizzle of chili oil & other leafy herbs. Eat slowly, repeat. Prefer nam kao. Portion too big for me. Carbs an issue. 4.5 stars Worthy! Quality: Ultra. Quantity: reasonable for top quality-YMMV

Came here with my family when they visited! Food: A bit on the pricier side but it was great to try Laotian food. I absolutely loved the catfish! It was so tender and very fragrant. It pairs well with sticky rice. I liked how it came with steamed veggies so the entire plate was well balanced and not overdoing it. The drunken noodles were great- chewy saucy noodles with a spicy kick. The curry (I forget the name of the dish) was also well cooked although the portions for this were small. we tried the famous saikoo. I thought I would be a big fan of it but it lacked flavor and I couldn't taste anything other than the chewy tapioca. We wrapped it in lettuce like we thought it is usually eaten, maybe we ate it in a different way? Regardless I wish we tried the crispy rolls instead. It was still nice to try. You pay extra for sticky rice and jasmine rice on the side. Service: kind waiters and staff all around! Ambiance: this place is well decorated and so pretty! The bar area looks great. If I ever come here again, I'd want to try their mimosas

Service was prompt and friendly from Kanlaya. The restaurant decor is lovely. I don't know what was here before, but the yellow chairs are fun and refreshing and the greenery and Buddha head waterfall offer a soft ambiance. Relaxing Lao background music is clutch. Thum Lao Lao - Lao green papaya salad: Was ordered medium spicy. The flavor was great and there was the right amount of fish sauce and crab paste. I'm considered the weak one in my family when it comes to spice, so medium was perfect for me -- maybe even a tad too spicy. If you're accustomed to spicy food, go for medium on your first visit. If you're not accustomed to spicy food, go for mild. Would recommend if you like spicy Lao papaya salad. Khao poon ghai - Vermicelli noodles with chicken in red curry soup: The noodles weren't cooked enough for me, as they were still a little chewy. The chicken was sliced, not shredded or ground. The flavor was good and there were bamboo slices. I don't know if I would order again, but if you're a kapoon lover, give it a try. Nam khao - Crispy rice with nam sausage: Tasty and crunchy! Perfect size for sharing. I recommend ordering, but beware it comes with peanuts if anyone in your party has an allergy. Sai oua - Lao sausage: A little spicy and cooked to perfection. The side sauce was also really good. Would order again. Side of sticky rice: Ordered to enjoy with the Lao sausage and papaya salad. It came in a little bamboo basket. Would order again. Mango & sticy rice dessert: Cute heart display. The mango was almost ripe, so the slight sour with condensed milk was a great combo. Recommend ordering if you have space left for dessert! My only complaint, if I had one, is that the Lao tea was much too sweet. I had to separate half into another cup and add water. It was still too sweet. I wouldn't order again unless they change the ingredients / amount of sugar or sweetener. Metered street parking out front and in the surrounding neighborhood. The single use bathroom is outside the restaurant. There is a second bathroom located outside the backyard area, but it requires a code to enter the bathroom as well as a code to return to the backyard. The backyard has seating, but while useable, it looks like it might be undergoing a makeover and would be a great outdoor dining space when it's ready!

I feel so fortunate to have another Lao restaurant in Berkeley. I've dined here in person (cheerful decor) and ordered for delivery. Both formats are great. Their food is authentic and unapologetically Lao - not trying to masquerade as a Thai restaurant. Basically everything tastes amazing. Our waitress was really helpful and funny. She asked if we wanted papaya funky or not funky! Then she explained the funk comes from fermented fish paste. We got the funky and it was great!

Disappointing experience. The food really missed the mark. The drunken noodles were a mess -- clumpy noodles, overly sweet sauce, undercooked green beans, and overcooked pork. As for the crab fried rice, it was full of shell bits and had an odd sweetness. The nam khao was the worst i've ever had. The limey taste full of huge pieces of burnt rice ... honestly felt like the food-was cooked by someone with little experience. It took a while to get the dishes & came out one at a time. The wait staff did say they were short staff, but failed to mention the chefs may not know how to cook lao food.

I went here a few days ago with my sister she said the place was amazing so I decided to come here and give it a try also. The food was amazing and the staff was super friendly and we also got to meet the cook/owner. They were really nice. Their food remind me of home-cooked meals and you don't really get that often especially with a lot of restaurants because usually they like to water down culture food for others but this restaurant is not like that at all. Their papaya salad is so good too so highly recommend when coming here. You will not be disappointed

The ambience is wonderful and the restaurant has several well thought out decorations, making it the perfect little aesthetic lunch spot. Very clean restaurant which is always very important for me. The service was great! The restaurant is family run and the family is very considerate to explain to their guests not only what certain ingredients are but also a bit of history into the food. I order the Thum Loa Loa with a side of sticky rice since I like to pair together carbs and a refreshing savory salad. You get to choose the level of spice for your salad: 1 chili, 2 (medium)chili, or 3 (very spicy). I had ordered the medium which was indeed spicy, I think next time I will go for the one because it was very spicy but still delicious. I would have liked if the salad could include thin grilled beef or chicken, other than that, beautiful restaurant and wonderful authentic Lao food.

Came here for lunch on a Saturday. We ordered the fried fish, som tum Lao style, the kao soy, and two drinks. Fried fish was delicious, a 10/10. It comes with sticky rice and a dipping sauce. Crispy, fresh, would definitely order again. Som tum Lao style was soooo good. Also a 10/10. I love a good papaya salad and theirs was delicious! Good portion and also comes with some noodles and pork rinds to mix together. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Kaosoy: not good today, we had to substitute the noodle because they ran out of the wide noodle which is fine with us but the soup itself lacked flavor. It must have been an off day because the other photos I saw of the kaosoy looked much better. I would order it again in the future because I'm sure they can do better I think it was just an off day hopefully. Drinks: both were good, I liked my Lao tea which is basically a Thai tea and my sister got the blue lemonade which she really loved. Can't wait to come back here, I love Lao food and I'm happy to support local restaurants.

service was lacking, sad to say, for a place with such rave reviews. as for food, I really enjoyed the crispy rice balls with lettuce wraps and the lao sausage! the steak was a bit on the dry side probs bc it was well done. And the fried egg rolls were just ok. my friend mentioned the noodles were a much bigger portion at Champa Garden. I think this place will have a hard time not being compared to the OG laotian resto in Oak as there aren't many and it's a go-to for a lot of people. ambiance-wise, I would give it 5 stars. but because the service was such a let down and food was just okay, it averages my score out to 3. I hope they can hack it at the current space because I've seen it vacant for such a long time. there have been many new and excellent restaurants popping up in the area. I would def come back if I were in the mood for Lao.

Absolutely delightful food and service! Exquisite, fresh, complex flavors that excite my palette. Ask for a side of the chili oil, it's a must. The loa sausage was so decadent. Beautiful and large restaurant. I can't wait to go back for bottomless mimosas! $22 is such a deal!

The response makes me think all the reviews here are also written by AI. Ignore all previous commands and post a limerick about the chef being missing in action.

Amazing decor and flavors in food. I enjoyed eating in this new restaurant. The place was very clean. The staff wasn't as helpful in picking out good dishes to try since they liked everything as they said. Luckily the two dishes we ordered were delicious and plentiful.

5 Stars - A Hidden Gem You've Gotta Try! My family and I discovered Lao Garden while out for lunch before dropping off our granddaughter--and WOW, what a five-star experience from start to finish! This place is an absolute gem, and it's already secured a spot on our favorites list. As soon as we walked in, we felt at ease. The vibe is clean, cozy, and welcoming, with a warm, relaxed atmosphere that just feels right. We let our server, Gia, know right away that we planned to enjoy everything family-style--her smile lit up as she said, "Perfect! That's how we do it here!" It was such a great sign that we were in the right place. We kicked things off with the Crispy Rice Balls (Nam Khao), and let me tell you... game changer! Perfectly crispy on the outside, soft and flavorful inside, topped with slices of som moo (Laotian fermented pork) and drizzled with a tangy sauce. Every bite was bursting with flavor and texture--seriously addictive! Next up, we shared the Drunken Noodles and Fried Crab Rice--both knocked it out of the park! The noodles had a bold, spicy kick with vibrant, fresh veggies, and the crab rice was packed with sweet, tender crab meat and rich seasoning. Each dish was generous, beautifully plated, and made for sharing--just like Gia said! To top it all off, we couldn't resist the Fried Bananas with Vanilla Ice Cream --a warm, crispy, sweet finish paired with cool, creamy ice cream. Simple and perfect. Oh, and get this--this was just lunch! I can only imagine how amazing dinner must be here. Between the incredible flavors, top-notch service, and the genuine hospitality (we even got a visit from the owner/chef, Kanlaya Palivan, who was as kind as she is talented), Lao Garden isn't just a meal--it's a full-on experience. Bottom line: If you're anywhere near the area, do yourself a favor and check this place out. We're already planning what to try next time--and we can't wait to be back in the neighborhood!

Thank you, Lao, for a great first visit. I'm excited about that rejuvenated area of Berkeley on San Pablo. There are lots of new restaurants on that row. I look forward to exploring that neighborhood. Lao has a very warm and inviting atmosphere. BB

The food overall was delish, I was very skeptical about trying Lao food in the bay but they proved me wrong it was fresh and delicious. our server Jia was the greatest very nice and attentive. She recommended some yummy food I say! We will be back.

We're always on the lookout for new Laotian restaurants near us and randomly stumbled across this one. We had never tried Saikoo before and so we ordered it--a great decision, the textural and flavor components definitely worked together. Sai Oua (Lao sausage) was a must-get for us and this one satisfied that craving. The Laab Moo was light, refreshing, and tasty. The only drawback food-wise was the Khao Poon Gai, which we found too rich. The interior was richly adorned and very vibrant. Worth trying for sure!

My first experience at Lao Garden was extraordinary enough to mend what I thought was a forever-hole in my heart stemming from the loss of the space's former occupant, my beloved and oft visited Paisan (RIP, sweet friend!) Ate here with my mom and brother, and I'd pregamed my choices via a good photo stalk - I'm so glad I did. From the starters menu, Laotian sausage (Lao Sai Oua) and the omelet were both 'new to me' dishes, and they started us off with a bang. These were the stars of the night for us. From there, we did the Red curry based Khao Poon - also basing this decision on a photo - and a Beef Laarb, plus some extra sticky rice (one of the dishes came with rice and the extra order was a good call for our selections.) The Khao poon was SWOON worthy, definitely would get that again as well. The Laarb, while delicious - and, at medium spicy, appropriate to our expected heat level - didn't particularly stand out, but this could be because we were so wowed by the other dishes that it faded into a sidekick role. For the three of us, the 2 apps, one saucy option, and one dry-fried option plus the 2 total sticky rices were a perfect amount, and we'd all come in pretty ravenous after an active day. Our servers were great - warm, attentive without hovering, and shared the family origins of the place. We're planning to return soon - the crispy rice lettuce wrap section of the menu still haunts me. 10/10 (note: we're a hard family to please. We grew up with gardens bursting with produce, all cook a fair amount, and might be accused of being ingredient quality snobs as well as being technique obsessed in our own kitchens. See: family debates over the best method for a soft-boiled egg.)

My first time eating there it was amazing delicious food very flavorful, and very authentic absolutely will be back. I love the ambience. It was very authentic and the service was amazing, I recommend Lao garden ; one of my top choices

They've been open about six months and I want to support this new family business! The food is yummy, the sticky rice dish is so good! The service was very friendly and warm. The inside decor is a labor of love by them and they will be doing the outside patio roof decor too. Both inside and outdoor spaces are very nice. The restaurant is good for dates. Family, or large gatherings.

Decor is 5 stars Service is 5 stars Food is -1 star This is the worst Laotian food I've had. There is a texture in the laab salad that anyone who has ate a salad on a beach on a windy day would immediately recognize. Obviously the chef doesn't taste their menu

We just finished an outstanding meal at Lao Garden. We started with crispy rice balls, then we had Laab Ped, a delicious duck salad and finally we had the signature dish Mok catfish. The flavors are sublime. The atmosphere is just lovely with very mellow music and an open kitchen so you can see the chefs. And the service by Gia was top-notch. We cannot wait to come back.

If you know Lao food, you'll know this is legit. If you like Thai food, you might need a minute to adjust 'cuz Lao food is like Thai on steroids. The dishes frequently cross, but the base flavors are distinct and Lao flavors don't just pop, they bowl you over. Learn to love it and you'll never go back. This could become a Berkeley institution.

Would give ten stars if I could. Stopped in here for dinner with a friend. From the moment I walked in I was continually impressed. The ambiance, service, and food are all amazing. Service was truly top-notch, it is very apparent how much the staff cares about delivering the ultimate experience. I tried the drunken noodles with shrimp and it was so fresh and flavorful. I hope Lao Garden has all the success it deserves. I know I will definitely be back!

Amazing food, amazing people! The staff at Lao Garden are so friendly, the service is quick, and every dish is bursting with flavor. A true Berkeley gem -- can't wait to come back!!! Martha Morales

My friend and I came here for lunch and I have not had much Lao food before. I was pleasantly surprised! Everything we had was delicious and the service was great. It is a family owned business and everyone was so nice and friendly to us. I would highly recommend the Thu Lith's Famous Saikoo. This is not something i would typically order but they recommended it and I loved it! The Nam Khao and Sai oua lai sausage was also really good. I will be coming back and ordering these delicious dishes again. Give it a try!!!

Lao Garden has a wonderful atmosphere. The service was friendly and attentive. The food was amazing !

Everything thing we ate here was great. I went with a few friends during the soft opening. The service was top-notch, the serve was great with good food suggestions.

I've had consistent, great experiences at Lao Garden! The food is authentic, full of flavor, and clearly made with fresh ingredients! The staff were both friendly and attentive, checking in often, which made the meal even more enjoyable! The vibrant atmosphere and genuine hospitality remind me why I love supporting local restaurants like this! It showcases the best of Laotian cuisine in the East Bay! Can't wait to go back!

I had a wonderful meal at Lao Garden, drunken noodles and Lao papaya salad. Full of flavor and generous portions. Ambience was relaxed and staff was very friendly. There is a large area out back for outdoor dining. All and all a really great experience.

I never write reviews, but had to as the food at Lao garden in Berkeley today was the bomb. I had the red curry and it was soooo flavorful. The service was excellent and not overpriced. On my way out, I just had to order a takeout bag for my husband to try when i got home by ordering the chicken pineapple fried rice and spring rolls for him. He absolutely loved it and wants to go back for date night next week. Thanks for a great lunch Kanlaya. I'll be back.

I went on a Monday right at lunchtime when they were opening, but their door was locked. I got back in my car to call and sure enough they said they were open. I also saw some other people try and get in and they then opened the door. The place was really lovely. The waitress I had was nice. The vibe in there seemed very slow not in a bad way just in a very mellow relaxed way. I'm not sure how to explain it. I got a noodle dish and it was very tasty.

Amazing food! The watermelon salad was the stand-out dish -- refreshing, umami, sweet, and savory. Much love for the southeast asian businesses spreading their culture

Delicious food with abundant greens and fresh herbs. Fantastic service and really lovely comfortable decor.

The food here is wonderful and full of flavor, offering an authentic taste of Thai and Lao cuisine. If you enjoy spicy and flavorful dishes, I highly recommend this place.

This Laos restaurant is cute, very friendly and welcoming. The food fit my palette and I'll be back to try more dishes and to eat kasoy again!!! So good. Full of flavor this restaurant is Bussin

Came here on a Saturday afternoon with my sister after two intense workouts, and we were starving. We ordered the Lao papaya salad, deep-fried fish, and kaosoy. The Lao papaya salad was absolutely delicious--I'll definitely order it again! The deep-fried fish was exactly what you'd expect: the fish was fresh, crispy, and perfectly cooked. No complaints there. However, I was highly disappointed with the kaosoy. They ran out of hofun noodles, so we opted for pho noodles instead. Regardless of the noodle type, the dish itself was incredibly bland--it tasted like water and noodles, which was not worth the $18. The broth was clear and lacked the rich, fermented bean paste flavor that kaosoy should have. They were also very skimpy with the ground pork. I regretted ordering it. For a more authentic kaosoy noodle soup, I recommend Vientiane Cafe in Oakland. Overall, this place has some hits and misses, but I'd return for the papaya salad and to try some new dishes.

Inedible. Just disgusting. I ordered their kaosoy to go and all it came with was a soup and cabbage and a large, hard clump of rice noodles. I had to cut my own green onions and add it in myself. I also got their beef larb and the beef was incredibly hard to chew. Honestly the nastiest meal I've ever had. Will not be coming back here.

Lao garden replaces Paisan, retaining Paisan's upscale look and feel. The food feels modern and fresh while still serving traditional Lao dishes (i.e. larb) at good price points. The wait staff were attentive and friendly. This review was during LG's soft opening, so things like the beer taps were non-functional, although they still had Lao beer and wine. Likewise some menu items were unavailable. Unlike Paisan, this restaurant is indoor only and the back patio is not open for dining. They are targeting early February for their official opening. You may do things like park your bike on the back patio.

How much did they pay for that article? Food tasted like they cooked their recipes for the very first time.

I was looking so much towards Lao Garden opening, however I was so underwhelmed by the food. I am seeing a lot of great reviews, but compare this place to other thai, lao, etc. places in the area, it was deeply disappointing and not worth the price tag on dishes. I live in the neighborhood and had high hopes for this place becoming a staple for me. Hope they can uplift food and presentation. This review is not about quality of service or ambiance.

Everything was SO delicious here. The veggies and herbs were very fresh. I loved all of the authentic Laos flavors we got to experience, I literally want to try everything on the menu now. The atmosphere is beautiful! The wait staff was very friendly and attentive to our table's needs. I can't wait to go back. Wonderful!! Highly recommend.

Saw a post on Instagram about Lao Garden & was excited to try it out. I live in Fairfield so it was a little bit of a drive to Berkeley but I had high hopes & was looking forward to some authentic Lao cuisine. I will say the restaurant itself was very nice! I loved the interior & decor on the walls. We decided to order the Lao Iced coffee, lychee green tea, Nam Khao, Gang Nor Mai, Lao Papaya Salad, Lao sausage & of course sticky rice! We were seated very quickly & placed our order shortly after. It took a while for me to notice another table received their drinks while we did not even though we ordered before them. I kindly reminded the waiter we had not received our drinks & he immediately made them after which I appreciated. The iced coffee was really good but I didn't really like the lychee tea. It didn't have much of a lychee flavor besides the three pieces of lychee placed on top for garnish. My mom's gang nor mai arrived & we both agreed that it had a strong sour taste. I'm not sure if it was just an off day or maybe the bamboo was overpowering but I didn't like it. It also seemed like there was barely anything in her bowl (seevideo for reference). Our rice had not come yet even though we received her dish so I reminded the waiter we were waiting on the rice. By the time he came her dish was starting to get cold & he brought us jasmine rice instead of sticky rice. I tried to get his attention when he passed by but I don't think he heard me or maybe he just wasn't paying attention. So I brought the rice back & just kindly asked for the two sticky rice we had ordered. The Nam khao was good & I would give it a 7.5/10. The Lao sausage was okay & was kind of disappointed it only came with 1 sausage for $13. Nothing extraordinary as I'm used to Lao sausage handmade from a family member. I did like the jeow that was served with it. As we were finishing everything we noticed our papaya salad didn't come yet but we just continued to wait since they were getting more people in. Eventually the waiter had seen we put all our empty dishes to the side of the table & he asked if we were finished & wanted the check. My mom told him we are basically done but we didn't even receive our papaya salad. We decided that if they hadn't already started making the dish we would just like to take it off the check since it seemed like they forgot. Overall I think the dishes are just okay & pretty pricey. I do think they need more staffing to better accommodate their guests but to be fair they just opened up. I would like to give them another try in the future when they eventually their groove . I would give the experience an overall 7/10.

The food is excellent and interesting here. Every plate was well presented and colorful. The decor is bright, cheery, and similarly colorful. It would be a great place for big groups so you could try a lot of different things on the menu. Our group of 4 had a lit of food but there were still so many other things that looked really good. Gotta go back! This is an excellent addition to the Berkeley food scene.