Lao Lao Bar

Even with a reservation, we waited about 10 minutes to be seated because of the line at the entrance, so I’d recommend arriving early. It’s a popular spot—the vibes are great! Despite being busy, service was attentive. However, it does get quite loud (so it’s not the best place for conversation), and it’s fairly dark—I even saw a few tables using their phone flashlights to read the menu. As for food, my friend had the Beef Massaman Curry and enjoyed it. I myself – continued to order the Banana Leaf Steamed Fish (for the third time). It’s consistently tasty but I do personally prefer my dishes served hotter in temperature. We also tried two appetizers: taro rolls and tapioca dumplings, both unique and tasty. I could do without the lettuce that came with the tapioca dumplings though.

I really wanted to like Laolao Bar, but overall it was disappointing. The prices are extremely high for what you get — we spent $188 for two people, and the portions were surprisingly small. For comparison, a normal Vietnamese or Thai meal usually costs just a little over $100 for two people, and the portions are much bigger. The dishes here looked nice, but the value simply wasn’t there. The service was actually good and the staff were friendly, but it still didn’t make up for the portion-size and price imbalance. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t return based on this experience.

We visited for dinner and arrived a bit early for our reservation. Despite several empty tables, the staff made us wait outside for about 15 minutes, which felt unnecessarily rigid. The cocktails, however, were the highlight. Their signature drinks are outstanding; each one with a distinct and memorable flavor. We tried them all, and Claw & Order and Cheers! were our favorites. The food was good, but not exceptional. My friends, who are familiar with the cuisine, said the dishes were authentic, similar to what their families cook at home. The restaurant presents these comfort foods with flair, but the upscale plating comes with a premium price tag. The atmosphere was less impressive. The space is dimly lit and overwhelmingly loud, with noise from both the crowd and the booming music. The DJ setup felt excessive; was it really necessary? The volume made conversation nearly impossible; even shouting across the table didn’t help. This isn’t the place for a relaxed dinner with friends, a family gathering, or a romantic date. There are far better options nearby in the downtown core for those occasions. All things considered, this isn’t a place I’d put at the top of my list to visit again any time soon.

Everything was delicious and authentic. The tapioca balls seemed like an odd menu item, but ended up as quite a surprising highlight. Papaya salad was spicy even at mild! But the seasoning and flavours were done right. Curry was extremely rich and flavourful and came with adequate rice. Chicken was tender - flavours are similar to that of Vietnamese grilled chicken. They did an amazing job of accommodating our request for serving a birthday cake. We much appreciate the effort in receiving a cake delivery, storing it properly, and serving it seamlessly.

Went here yesterday and had a wonderful experience! The ambience was lovely, and the service was excellent. Their cocktails are incredible, easily some of the best I’ve had in the city. For food, we tried the tapioca dumplings, which was such an interesting and tasty surprise, and the pork skewers were tender and perfectly cooked. Definitely coming back again! Highly recommend booking a reservation if you plan to go. We were lucky to walk in and get a spot.

Food I initially ordered the Drunken Noodles, which were tasty but quite spicy due to the peppercorns. The heat was a bit much for my sensitive taste buds, but the staff kindly let me switch to Nam Khao instead. It was exactly what I expected and lived up to the dish’s reputation. I have had Nam Khao many times before, and this version did it justice with all the flavors balanced perfectly. Service The service was excellent. They exchanged my dish without any fuss and were completely understanding, which I really appreciated. The staff checked in on us throughout the meal and were attentive without being intrusive. I genuinely enjoyed the friendly and professional service. Ambiance The restaurant had beautiful mood lighting, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. It can get quite loud when busy, and the small tables make conversation a bit challenging, so I would recommend visiting at a quieter time. I loved the thoughtful decor and the inclusion of Lao cultural items, which added a nice touch and made the space feel special. Overall, the combination of flavorful food, attentive service, and charming decor makes this a spot I would gladly return to.

Overall like a 7/10, pretty good flavours but always felt like it was slightly lacking. For example, things marked spicy didn't have a kick. The braided beef stew was the best but the egg was hard boiled (vs soft). Glass noodles were sour dominant and could have used more balance. Tapioca dumplings were pretty and fairly yummy but again slightly muted in flavour. The space is beautiful but everything is a bit small- such as the tables, and the straws (see photo of the Thai tea cocktail). In general it was good not amazing, prettier than it was yummy, but still an enjoyable meal.

I finally had the opportunity to try this restaurant after walking past it almost every day. We were very pleased with the food, it seemed authentic and tasted delicious. We ordered the pineapple fried rice and the drunken noodles, which I was happy when they allowed me to remove the basil, since I know that's a key component of the flavour profile. I was also amazed by the atmosphere upon walking in; it felt like the perfect blend of modern and traditional. I did think it was a bit dim for our usual liking, but it also really contributed to a more luxurious atmosphere. It was quite loud, so it isn't ideal for full-on conversations if you don't want to strain your voice. Our server was super nice and made fun conversation with us, which made my experience even more enjoyable. Overall, I had a wonderful experience dining here and I would definitely come back to try their bar.

Wow. I came here in the summer and was blown away at how good it was. Even for a weeknight, this place was packed and exploding out the door. There were younger crowds for sure but the staff and menu is super approachable for everyone. They also have a back room near the washrooms if you want a less bar-like vibe. We tried a variety of the apps and entrees. Definitely won't find combos and such unique dishes anywhere else. The curry flavours were well developed and the pineapple fried rice (which is usually a gimmick, let's admit) did not disappoint. My only beef is that it can be a bit loud lol.

Lao Lao Bar, while boasting an impressive international-level service and ambience, unfortunately falls short in delivering authentic cuisine. The food is disappointingly westernized, which is a significant letdown for those seeking genuine cultural flavors. It's disheartening to see a place that could be a beacon of cultural representation instead opting to dilute its culinary heritage. Authenticity in food is crucial, especially when it comes to representing a specific culture. Despite the high standards of service and a pleasant atmosphere, these factors do not excuse the whitewashing of the menu. It's a sad reality that such potential is overshadowed by a lack of commitment to true cultural authenticity.

I came on a Saturday night and the place was very busy. Be sure to reserve in advance otherwise you may not get a seat. Ambience The restaurant was nicely decorated and had dim lightning. I was seated more in a corner so had a bit of privacy from everyone, which was nice. Food The pork skewers and tapioca dumplings were both somewhat bland, which I didn't expect given that these were highly recommended by the servers and other internet reviews. In terms of the Lao sausage, it had a unique flavour to it. I not sure how to describe it; I would recommend trying it just to try, but I would also have been down to try something else on the menu as well. I found the sticky rice to be like regular rice with just a tinge of stickiness. And although the dish says it's spicy, the sausage itself is not, but the salad was spicy (note: I have a very low spice tolerance so others may not find it to be spicy at all). Service The service was a bit slow. I think this was because they did not have that much staff on the floor, which was not ideal on a very busy night. Our server was kind in explaining the menu and everything though. Overall, it was an okay mea but not a place I would necessarily come back to again.

We went as a big group of 8 with reservation. The seatting was great, we got a big table and we shared all the dishes. We got about 2 appetizers 6 mains and 2 desserts to share. The decor and ambiance was a nice dim lit atmosphere with south east Asian emphasis. Food was great, the steamed fish in banana leaf really stood out to be delicious. The curry dishes were good but not amazing. The tapioca dumpling had an interesting texture with savory sweet fillings. I did find that the dishes were a bit small in portion but we also shared with a big group. I would suggest ordering one main per person with apps.

Ambiance is nice and trendy. Our server was really nice and attentive. The food was just ok. The best dish was the tapioca dumplings. I could eat 10 plates of those. The move meat salad (we picked shrimp) was just ok it did take me back to Thailand. The Lap BBQ chicken was a bit salty but tasted good. The portion of noodles was tiny, which worked out ok for us because we ordered a lot of food, but definitely out of proportion for the fish. The wings were big and meaty. It tasted good but nothing knock out.

Had a reservation but they only had bar seats. Came from after work and there was no spot to put my backpack and tote bags. First time I came they mentioned reservation only. The food took soooo long to arrive. Maybe 20-30 mins to get the main after our 1 app arrived. I think they waited for both mains to be ready at the same time because 1 main (chicken lemongrass) was cold. Like room temperature, while the other main (pad ke mao) was hot. The pad ke mao was good but very oily. Some cheaper places elsewhere. Portion for both mains was small. Definitely need to order at least 1 main and 1 app per person. We Ordered 2 apps, 2 main, and then ate a 2nd dinner elsewhere lol. Our fav items were the pork skewers, lemongrass bbq chicken, tapioca dumplings.

Bold flavours and a vibey interior keeps Lao Lao popular with guests. Got here close to opening time so didn't have to deal with the long lines. We had: - Tapioca Dumplings: The star of the meal. The mushroom radish peanut stuffing was a blast of flavour, and the dumpling covering was properly plump and gummy. - Steamed Fish: Beautiful presented as wrapped in banana leaf. The steamed fish was delicate in texture but strong in spice. The spice though was delightful - full of different herbs versus just being hot for hot sake. The sticky rice on the side was a good counterbalance to the heat. - Beef Massaman Curry: Beef was super tender, though would have wanted more of it. Curry wasn't thick and a bit soupier than I like, but still was tasty. - Coconut Sorbet with Rice Crisp: The coconut icecream was average and would have liked a bit more pineapple taste. But the drizzle and rice crisp gave this dessert an added boost. Service was efficient, kitchen was relatively quick, prices were as prices are these days. Can see why this spot is so popular: Lao Lao Bar is set up for you to enjoy a night of good food and company.

I will give 3.75/5. The dishes we ordered are tasty but seasoned similarly (maybe my palate not as strong) yet nicely. I would say you can expect a similar service and food quality from other well-known southeast Asian restaurants in the GTA area. However, what makes Lao Lao Bar stands out is the ambiance. Huge fan of the lighting, making it a perfect place to initiate conversations.

Can't get enough , keeps me coming back! The food the flavours the ambiance . Drunken Noodles are a must, so is the pineapple fried rice. The skewers for appetizers are perfect and so juicy, they have pork and chicken options. Beef salad gives you the balance you need. Additionally the Thai milk tea is heavenly, and the guava juice is for the less sugary option. For dessert the mango sticky rice is a naturally sweet choice. Lastly, the service is very warm and welcoming and all the team are all knowledgeable.

TOO EXPENSIVE! And small portions! That aside, service was great and food was delicious - not sure if it's worth the hefty $$$ (20$ for apps, and at least 30$ for a small main). Great decor as well My favourite dish of the night was the Laotian sausage. I really don't have anything else to say considering the hefty price of this place and in this economy ... it's not sustainable

... I don't know. There's little that I enjoy more than trying new cuisines, but I don't really recall any of the variety of dishes we ordered leaving an impression. And not from a flavour perspective - everything was fine - but more in terms of menu construction? The items felt less like "mains" than a variety of sides, perhaps.

We found this recommendation on Air Canada magazine of all places. We never had Laotian food before. It's seems similar to Thai and Burmese food. This place was a modern bar with snazzy decor inside and a few small tables outside where we sat with our dog. They were not allowed to put two tables together. Thus, 3 of us was scrunched but it was bearable since we ordered mostly appetizers and 2 mains. As for the food, it was mostly delicious. Here are my reviews: - tapioca dumplings 5/5 our favorite, steamed with lettuce to wrap - taro roll 5/5 fried with dipping sauce - papaya salad 5/5 flavor is slightly different from Thai papaya salads. Perfect spicyness and sourness. - fried papaya 4/5 we didn't order this. So they just gave it to us. It's like tempura. I couldn't taste the papaya. The dipping sauce was nice. - steamed fish in banana leaf - 3.5/5 my least favorite. I just tasted the dill but very little red curry and salt. The vermicelli didn't really go with it and was soggy. - bbq sausage - 4/5 came with a tiny cucumber salad which paired well with the sausage Service was excellent. We had at least 3-4 different servers come by to check on us since we could be easily forgotten. Overall, I would give this place 4.5.

I've never been to Laos, but thanks to Lao Lao Bar in Toronto, I got a delicious glimpse into the country's vibrant cuisine! Located in a cozy nook of the city, this spot has quickly become one of my favourite places for a mini-escape--no passport required. Fun fact: Hollywood star Michelle Yeoh loves this place too, so if it's good enough for a Bond girl, it's definitely good enough for me! Stepping inside, you're greeted with an ambiance that fuses Eastern Asian charm with modern flair. Think sleek wood, soft lighting, and a vibe that whispers, "Relax, you're on a mini-vacation." It's the perfect spot to duck out of work for an hour or two, or to impress friends with your (suddenly) worldly dining choices. Now, onto the main event--the food! Lao Lao Bar's menu boasts an impressive 40 items, and with a little guidance from our fantastic server Myleen, we navigated our way through the local favourites. Heads up, reservations are recommended, though they do accommodate walk-ins. Just don't be surprised if you have to give up your table for the next eager food adventurer! Here's what we indulged in: Tapioca Dumplings: These blue butterfly pea-infused dumplings are stuffed with caramelized shiitake mushrooms, preserved radish, chopped peanuts, fresh herbs, fried shallots, and a hint of chili. Wrapped in lettuce leaves, they were a burst of flavor in every bite. Tasty, tasty indeed! Satay Chicken: Marinated in turmeric and coconut milk, this dish comes with a generous serving of house-made peanut sauce and cucumber-shallot vinaigrette. The chicken was tender and the peanut sauce--let's just say I could drink it by the gallon. Expected, but in the best way possible. Green Curry Fish: This dish featured spicy green chili curry with fresh Thai basil, pea eggplants, and young coconut meat. The basa fish was soft and perfectly paired with the curry's refreshing kick--ideal for a match with white rice. Overall, our experience at Lao Lao Bar was delightful. Will we be back? In a heartbeat. And who knows, maybe next time we'll run into Michelle Yeoh!

My foodie colleague picked Lao Lao Bar for a team dinner, and our entire team was thrilled with her choice! None of us had eaten Laotian food before, so we weren't exactly sure what to expect, but it didn't take long for us to agree that this was one of our favourite places in the city! We ordered a number of plates to share: taro rolls, tapioca dumplings, drunken noodles, Panang curry, BBQ pork skewers, and satay chicken. All of them were fantastic and full of flavour, however, I'd say the taro rolls and tapioca dumplings were the most unique. Most of us had Thai milk tea to drink, and we also shared two desserts: mango sticky rice, and coconut sorbet with Nam Van. I'd love to go back to Lao Lao Bar again, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for an authentic Lao experience in Toronto!

We visited on a weekday and had made a reservation for four at the bar two days prior, the only spot available for an earlier seating time. The restaurant was mainly packed when we arrived. The drink selection was impressive, with two unique mocktail options alongside various alcoholic beverages. We ordered drunken noodles, sausage, tapioca dumplings, fried chicken wings, BBQ chicken, and papaya fritters for four people. Every single dish was flavorful and delicious! The side of the chilli sauce was also so good! My favourites are drunken noodles and papaya fritters. There were enough dishes for us, and we left full. The service was exceptional, and everything arrived quickly. I am definitely coming back here again to try their other dishes! Accessibility: automated button to open the door outside; washroom is upstairs. It is difficult to find street parking depending on the day and time. Nearby subway stations.

Waited too long on this posting. We winged it with hope of getting seating on a Sunday. Was told it's an hour wait, which sucked. Afyer 15 minutes, the hostess said she was going to risk it and seat us but had to be done in an hour. It wasn't hard to be in and out because we knew what we wanted. Food and drinks came out quickly. This allowed us to relax and enjoy the meal. The BBQ chicken was our favorite. Sauce was delicious. Long story short, make reservation.

This is a hot spot to dine. If you like spicy foods you need to try this place out. The decor was modern and chic, lighting was dim and you get the bar like feeling the moment you walk in, with a romantic and intimate feeling. Many young professionals come here to dine and relax with their friends and coworkers. Not quite kid friendly in terms of food options, but if your kids can handle spices, definitely bring them here to try. The service was good, it was busy and packed when I came here, so the server had a lot on their hands. Appetizers came first, then main courses were served in a paced manner. If you enjoy curry on the sweeter side with a hit of hotness, the beef massaman curry was really nice. This dish is served with a bowl of jasmine rice. The banana leaf fish was served with sticky rice on the side, this bundle of fish was salty, and cramped together with clear vermicelli noodles, definitely have to eat together in 1 bite with the sticky rice to cut down on the salt. It also had spiciness to it. The tapioca dumplings reminded me of the taste of fresh rolls at a Vietnamese restaurant, they were very good. You eat them with lettuce, cilantro, mint and peanuts. The satay skewers were definitely a good hit, well rounded flavours with each bite. Green papaya fritters had such a nice crunch to them. They paired well with the dipping sauce that was sweet and salty. Beef jerky was a bit chewy, it came with a sauce. This one was a mild spicy. Drunken noodles, choice of chicken or shrimp. This dish had flavour, medium spicy and salty as well. The noodles were cut in thick pieces (hand cut noodles), different for every bite. Banana fritters were crunchy and slightly sweet, but not too sweet, it came with a side of pandan dipping sauce with added a nice kick of flavour that pairs well with banana. Mango sticky rice with coconut, I'm not a big fan of this one because after dinner and eating more sticky rice seemed like a meal on its own. Although the mangos were really good in this dessert, so fresh and sweet. Ice cream! It is homemade with interesting bits of fruit on the bottom. I enjoyed this one, different than any ice cream I have tried.

Authentic Laos food. Everything was delicious. We arrived at 5:15 pm on a Saturday and it was quiet. By the time we left at around 6 pm it was busy. So try to get reservation on Open Table before hand. Will be back to try other dishes next time.

I came here for dinner with some coworkers to celebrate . The restaurant at first glance looked pretty small, but they have a room further in the back. The rooms are on the dark side, but they are atmospherically illuminated by the light fixtures. We got a couple of dishes to share and decided to get the green papaya fritters, Lao sausage (sai kok), Lao bbq chicken (ping gai), pork skewer (moo ping), beef massaman curry , beef salad (ping sin nam tok), and drunken noodles (pad kee mao). The Lao sausage (sai kok)was very flavorful and had nice hints of lemongrass. It comes with sticky rice and mango salad. The Lao bbq chicken (ping gai)was pretty good also. It was not dry and you could really taste the mixture of lemongrass and galangal. Pork skewers (moo ping) were tender and were accompanied by a delicious dipping sauce. For me, the beef massaman curry was just ok. Flavour was there, but I prefer my beef to be a little more tender. Drunken noodles (pad kee mao) were a highlight for me, but I also have a personal preference for flat rice noodles. They had a nice texture, and were not soggy or undercooked. I didn't really eat the beef salad (ping sin nam tok) since I don't usually eat rare beef, but my coworkers really enjoyed it, and it's quite a large portion Another standout for me were the green papaya fritters. They had a nice crunch to them and had a nice balance of sweet and sour from the papaya and the tamarind. Servers were nice and polite, and helpful with recommendations. I would come back again.

We came here for a birthday dinner and everything was fantastic! We were seated as a group in a large table off to the side of the entrance. I thought this was a great seating arrangement and the ambiance was great. The food was also super tasty! All of the dishes were good frankly. I really enjoyed having a mix of dishes and being able to taste the different flavour profiles. We had the skewers, tapioca dumplings, beef jerky, chicken, papaya salad, ling pai, drunken noodles, penang curry, massaman curry, and pandan coconut ice cream for dessert. We were very full by the end of our meal! Despite being busy, service was great and attentive. The cocktails were also very good - the tum jok especially was really unique and flavourful.

Lao Lao Bar, located along St. Joseph St. near Yonge, is the destination for Lao food. From the owners of Sabai Sabai, the space and restaurant transforms you to Laos. The menu is designed to be shared (if you want!) where dishes are categorized into smaller vs. larger plates; they also have an extensive list of vegetarian/plant-based dishes as well as many of the dishes can be made vegetarian depending on the type of protein you select. The restaurant is quite big where they can accommodate larger parties if need be. Reservations are recommended as the restaurant does get busy. Washrooms are not accessible though as you do need to navigate a set of stairs. I visited Lao Lao Bar recently with a group of 4 on a Sat night. We made reservations before, as there was a wait for people who did not. As expected, the restaurant was busy and lively on a weekend. The main dining area can get quite loud from everyone talking. Service throughout our meal was great and we never felt rushed. Food wise, we ordered the following dishes to share: - Green papaya fritters (thinly grated, battered green papaya, watercress, carrots w/ a tamarind chili sauce) - Tapioca dumplings (blue butterfly pea infused tapioca dumplings stuffed with caramelized shiitake mushrooms, preserved radish, chopped peanuts, fresh herbs, fried shallots, and chili) - Satay chicken (marinated chicken, turmeric and coconut milk, with house made peanut sauce and cucumber shallot vinaigrette) - Lao sausage (pork belly sausage seasoned with lemongrass, galangal, makrut lime leaf, shallot, jeow bong chili paste, and sticky rice) - Jeow bong pineapple fried rice (with caramelized Lao chili paste, pineapple, and seasonable vegetables) - Drunken noodles with chicken (fresh handcut rice noodles, fried with soy sauce, thai basil, green peppercorn, mixed vegetables, and eggs) - Lao BBQ chicken (crispy BBQ chicken thigh marinated with fresh lemongrass, galangal, and chili with Lao noodle salad) - Mango sticky rice The food was delicious where we enjoyed all the dishes we ordered! The tapioca dumplings were definitely unique where you can eat it like a lettuce wrap. The green papaya fritters felt light and airy despite being fried and the tamarind chili sauce tied the dish together. The drunken noodles were cooked well as the sauce coated each noodle perfectly. The proteins we ordered were well executed and the lao sausage was a unique blend of spices (especially the lemongrass!). Lastly, don't miss out on the mango sticky rice for dessert. Overall, great vibes, food, and space. Great dishes designed to be shared in a cozy and lively space. Definitely do check Lao Lao Bar out if you want to try something different in the city!

The ethnic diversity of the Toronto food scene continues to impress. Lao food anyone? - Yes, dishes are Westernized to differing degrees. - Yes, there are cross over dishes with those of Thailand, India, and Vietnam. Who cares! Great tasting food served in a high energy, outright fun ambiance with welcoming hospitality. Who doesn't like blue balls of tapioca goodness epically when they are filled with a mixture of sautéed shitake mushrooms and preserved radish and garnished with peanuts, and crispy fried shallots. Take a ball and garnishes, wrap it in a lettuce leaf with some mint and hot chili and devour. Simple flavor, textural fun. The green papaya fritters equally fun. Take shaved green papaya and carrot, batter coat and deep fry crisp. A dip in a tart but spicy tamarind chili sauce with hints of fish sauce, again, simple but fun food. Do get a green papaya salad. Lots of heat backing up the fermented goodness of crab paste and fish sauce. Pork cracklings, the perfect garnish. No complaints on the plump, well cooked skewers of chicken satay with its spicy peanut sauce or the very well flavored Lao sausage bursting with lemongrass and galangal flavors. The accompanying chili sauce really brings out the sweetness of the pork. Finally the laap with ground pork. Outstanding. The inclusion of makrut lime leafs and banana blossoms along with the backbone of lemongrass, galangal, and shallots make for one tasty salad. Tip: Ask your server about rightsizing dishes or multi orders to fit your groups size. Surprisingly good mixology program and well chosen wine program that is able to stand up to the big flavors and spice of the food. Different in all the right ways. Highly recommended.

Ordered on uber Expensive like similar thai laos places Fresh ingredients and good portions in general ( but for the meat or shrimp, like most thai place though) Good flavors but some lacked the stingy, enhancing touch compared to some other experience One or two dishes i got in fact tasted better cold the next day... weird Ok but not making it onto my regular list for thai

This was definitely first time trying Laotian food and it was super yummy! It is family style and we were a table of 4 adults eager to have dinner. The space progressively got more packed as the night went on, and the seating is extremely tight. There are bigger L shaped tables for larger groups but expect to sit in a fashion where you have to slide between other patrons. Off memory, we ordered the spring rolls, satay chicken skewers to share, pineapple fried rice, the tapioca dumplings, drunken noodles, green papaya fritters all to share. Food was tasty but portions were on the smaller side. I'd never had laotian food before but there are definitely influences from across SE Asia present. For dessert we ordered the mango sticky rice, which was good except the mangoes were overripe and our slices were on the verge of soon to unservable, and we sent it back. The waitress asked us if we wanted another one after the kitchen staff cut into a different mango and we said yes. Tasty & I've always wanted to make this dish but never found the time (or mangoes ripe enough when I have the craving) Food for thought: it would be nicer if they didn't squish so many tables together, especially in the centre aisle; perhaps I'm getting old but I found the lighting SO DIM. Amex accepted.

The food was amazing and incredibly flavourful. It was my first time trying Laotian cuisine. I was expecting it to be nearly identical to Thai food, but I was pleasantly surprised to taste novel / distinct flavour combinations. Here's what we ordered as a group of 4: - Thai Iced Tea (not pictured) - classic, strong Thai tea flavours, a tad on the sweet side, and a little small for $8, but refreshing and delicious nonetheless - Tapioca Dumplings - so delicious & unique! Loved the different textures and the subtly sweet, umami, fragrant (herb-y), and nutty combination. - Taro Rolls - also very unique! Never had fried taro before. The dipping sauce was delicious, with a slight kick. - Satay Chicken - delicious and juicy, strong peanut flavour - BBQ Pork Skewers - one of my favourite dishes of the night; grilled to perfection - Jungle Curry - the lemongrass flavour was surprising to me! I enjoyed the strong fragrance, but I can see how this could be a hit or a miss depending on your palate. - Drunken Noodles - also one of my favourite dishes of the night; sweet, savoury, and addictively good - mm I love me some spice - Mango Sticky Rice x2 - classic - Coconut Ice Cream Parfait x2 (forget what it was called) - the ice cream/sorbet? was really refreshing, a great palate cleanser. Recommend if you like coconut. We finished everything, no leftovers, but all sufficiently full and satisfied. The portions are smaller due to their tapas-like nature. Not exactly cheap in price, but reasonable for the quality, ambiance, and overall experience. The vibe / interior is great. Definitely one of the trendier spots. It's the kind of place you go to socialize with friends and share/try a variety of dishes/pretty drinks, while taking your time. Our server was awesome, super attentive, and thoughtful. She topped up our waters promptly, but didn't give us a hard time for staying a while (nearly 3 hours). All in all, highly recommend a visit if you want to treat your taste buds and have a fun time!

Huuuuge fan of this place! Everything we ordered was amazing. Very fresh, not too heavy, not too light. Our top dishes were: - tapioca dumplings - beef salad - crispy rice salad Highly recommend you get at least the dumplings! Service was great as well. The location is much bigger than expected. They had more than 1 level of seating. Recommend making a reservation as well. Absolutely will return.

I love seeing Lao restaurants! We walked in not knowing that we needed reservations, but lucky enough we got there right when they opened and managed to get a table for 4! Nam khao- 7/10 they added crispy rice to it. It was a nice crunch Mango salad- 8/10 was expecting a more authentic version but to our surprise it was super refreshing! Sausage- 6/10 needs more fat it was too lean for my liking Pork skewers - 8/10 was good with the sauce jeow som and sticky rice Sakoo- tapioca balls was super flavorful! Big balls! Sticky rice - portions was small Service was exceptional!

I would eat here every night if I lived closer. Haha. The food is INCREDIBLE and so are the cocktails! The ambiance is lovely as well. We had an amazing bartender who made our drinks and took our order and did everything else possible too. I literally still think about the food and drool....

Heard many good things about Lao Lao Bar because it's the brainchild of the Sabai Sabai founders. Was super excited to check it out but was let down. Don't get me wrong... the space is beautiful and the servers are friendly and attentive. It's just the food. Ordered ping gai (Lao BBQ chicken) and a cocktail. Friend ordered sakoo yat sai (tapioca dumplings) + a drink. Was a bit surprised when the food was brought to our table. The signature plate is $25 and consisted of one chicken thigh, 2-3 small bites of lao noodles and 2 bites of mango salad. Everything tasted very average and it was nothing to write home about. The drink was okay but not my favourite. (The one I originally wanted to order was unavailable). My friend was also unimpressed with the dumplings and felt her drink was mediocre. We finished our food and just sat there thinking... "ummmm, that's it?" LOL BTW, am pretty sure some will call me 'cheap' upon reading this review. I know there is inflation and the cost of goods has skyrocketed, but nearly $60 all-in (tax and tip) for a meal like this is hefty. I've also been to Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and other parts of SEA so have experienced this type of cuisine before. It's just not worth the $$$ for ambiance. That's my 2 cents.

I honestly never heard of this place and it's close to where I work! I came here to celebrate a friend's birthday and well leading up to the day I was salivating over the menu. Everything sounded so yummy! The first impression walking into the restaurant was the decor. It's beautiful. The upper area is very busy. The host was so friendly! Actually everyone we met who worked there were incredibly friendly and kind and you know they really love where they work! That alone deserved 5 stars! We like to order a lot of apps so we tried the papaya fritters, spring rolls and satay chicken. Everything came out together, was hot and just delicious! For our mains both my friends had the banana leaf steamed fish and I got the drunken noodles. We like to share and try each others dishes. The steam fish was a burst of flavour. The fish was so tender and just melted in your mouth. The drunken noodles were equally delicious. Spicy but not too spicy, plentiful shrimp. Worth a try! By the time we got to dessert I was seriously full but made room for dessert and we shared the fried bananas with coconut ice cream....i stuffed every bite into me. It was too yummy to resist. The bananas were fried nicely the coating crunchy and the coconut ice cream was a nice balance. The ice cream I'm assuming is made in house there were shredded coconut in it which was spectacular! Great end of an amazing meal and dining experience. I have to go back and try a few other dishes I was drooling over! Overall a wonderful experience. My only negative comment is the prices for drinks. $30 for 9oz wine??? That's ridiculous I didn't knock them on the rating scale but just know one or two drinks here is going to cost you!

Finally got to try Lao Lao Bar! This has been on my radar for a while, especially being a Lao spot which is hard to find in the city. My party had a reservation and was guided to a back seating area which was quieter than the front of the restaurant. Our server was really nice and provided suggestions for what to order. We had two people with dietary restrictions, but our server was understanding and able to advise if a dish could be modified to accommodate our allergies. What we got: - Lao BBQ chicken (Ping Gai) - Jeow Bong Pineapple Fried Rice w/ Shrimp - Banana Leaf Steamed Fish w/ sticky rice Final Thoughts: The space is beautifully decorated and the vibes are perfect for date night or catching up with friends. The food was good and I'd definitely return. My favourite was probably the Lao BBQ Chicken which also came with a mango salad and a small portion of noodles.

Fantastic service and food! The tapioca dumplings are a must try - the combination of the fillings and lettuce wraps + fresh herbs work really well together.

My first, but definitely not last Laotian food experience! Lao Lao Bar has a beautiful interior and delicious food that's reminiscent of Thai - more savoury and herbaceous, less sweet. I really enjoyed the Drunken Noodles, Chicken Satay, and Thai Milk Tea. The Laotian Sausage and Pandan Ice Cream were okay, and I could have lived without the Tapioca Dumplings, though. Can't wait to come back to give some of the other dishes a try!

Dined here for the first time on a Wednesday night. I booked a table for 2 at 5pm via OpenTable. We arrived on time and were promptly seated. We were told that there was a reservation coming at 6:30pm. Indeed the restaurant filled up by 6pm. Even though we were given a window to dine, we didn't feel rushed. Food was well paced. And our small water glasses were refilled regularly without us asking - which was perfect because their food is mostly spicy. Pay attention to items on the menu marked with an asterisk which indicates the dish is served spicy! And even dishes NOT marked with the asterisk may contain chilli garnish or in the sauce served on the side. For our meal, we went with a few of our server's recommendations: Tapioca Dumpling, Green Papaya Fritters, and the Lao BBQ Chicken. Everything was delicious and flavour-packed! The highlights for me was the dumpling (sweet and savoury, with great textures) and the chicken (incredibly tender and juicy, and with the right amount of char and smokiness). The chicken dish also comes with a little serving of papaya salad and cold noodles - making it a delightfully well rounded dish with different textures and flavours all on one plate. The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated, erasing all signs of the previous bar restaurant that used to be in that unit. The dining rooms are large, but do make a reservation because they fill up fast.

My friend and I are always on the hunt for good Southeast Asian eats and we stumbled upon this restaurant. Going in without a reservation, we were lucky to have gotten there early, 5:30, for the dinner. We were promptly seated and picked the Tapioca Dumplings as well as the jungle curry chicken. Both dishes were rich in flavour and absolutely delicious. The dumplings had a great texture and plenty of filling. The curry was a smooth, velvety texture that coats your mouth with amazing flavour. Never had pea eggplant before so that was an interesting experience. Overall amazing, will definitely return.

This is a great restaurant! We first tried Lao food in Seattle this year and couldn't wait to try it again here in Toronto. We started with the Papaya fritters, which were a delightful alternative to vegetable tempura. The flavors were fantastic, and it was a unique dish that I hadn't tried before. We also ordered a noodle dish that was absolutely perfect. The only slight disappointment was the lack of mocktails on the menu, but that seems to be a common issue in many restaurants in the city. One thing to note is that Lao Lao is a popular place, so making reservations in advance is highly recommended. I can't wait to come back the next time I'm in Toronto.

Loud, busy and from the line up, popular. Most of the dishes we tried were delicious and flavourful. The curries and the taro root were our favourites. At the time, they didn't have dessert. I think that would have been good to feel like we had finished our meal. The place is huge. When you walk towards the washrooms which are clean and on the second floor, you'll notice the second half of this place.

A girls night out brought us out to this gem of a place. Usually super busy, we were glad to grab an early table on a weekday for drinks and dinner. I had the Tum Jok! cocktail (gin, celery, basil, simply syrup) which was fresh and light to start. We shared the tapioca dumplings as an appetizer, which was wonderfully unexpected. Both sweet and savory, the little dumplings are stuffed with mushrooms and veggies but the tapioca shell is sweet and chewy. Wrapped in lettuce and herbs, it is a wonderful start to the meal. For mains, I got the pork laap. Again, the flavors were amazing. Both fresh and savory, the lemongrass and mint stood out but was balanced by the beef. Wrap it in some lettuce with some of the sticky rice and they are the perfect bite. The service was great and the ambience is lovely. I loved that they served some new dishes I've never tried before. My favorite meal of the week!

My friend recommended coming here and it did not dissapoint! Located off Yonge St this place is a must go! We ordered the deep fried papaya salad which was a fritter made up of papaya, watercress and carrots. For my main I got the Lao bbq chicken (ping gai) a popular dish in laos, fragrant, flavorful and delicious. It had hints of spice, heat and a bit tangy. The Cucumbers gave the dish a refreshing taste, the boiled noodles and mango salad was tasty and a nice touch to the dish. Overall esthetically pleasing to the eye. Service was amazing, our serve was super friendly, made sure we always had water in our glasses and a quality check as our dishes arrived throughout the night. Ambiance was nice but a bit too loud for conversations as it was a bit difficult to hear each other through the various conversations around us and the loud music.

Great food, great service, great atmosphere. The taste was surprisingly good - I enjoyed the taste here more than Pai.

Hyped up Latotian food on Yonge Street. Good food on tiny tables. Check in was a lengthy wait but service was very friendly overall. Decor is modern and chic.

Wow. What a great experience from start to finish. I made a reservation at the bar as we were walking there on a Sat night for 5:30. It does fill up closer to 6pm. I had seen the photos on Yelp so I knew the appys were "big". We ordered the tapioca dumplings, papaya fritters, spring rolls, and the chicken that same with noodle salad. I would say the springs rolls were the most forgettable- you can skip these altogether. The tapioca dumplings and the papaya fritters were A++. I've never had something like the dumplings before. Even my white bf liked them and he usually doesn't like mushrooms- the filling doesn't taste like shitake. The chicken was good too but I actually used the tamarind sauce from the papaya fritters for the chicken as I liked it more than the sauce it came with. The noodles with the chicken was basically a Lao version of pad Thai but with soy sauce instead. Definitely coming back to try more goodies.

I got the fried rice with chicken which was extremely flavourful and the laotian flavours really shine through. It had a fantastic smokiness likely contributed by the chili paste the rice was cooked in. I also had a bite of the massaman curry which had a nice kick with extremely tender pieces of beef. The fresh rolls were a refreshing appetizer as well!

LaoLao Bar was my favorite dinner during my week in Toronto. There were so many plant based options while not sacrificing on any of the dishes. The tapioca dumplings were my favorite - the flavors! The texture! It was so fun, and I haven't eaten any dish like it. The papaya fritters were similar to tempura, I loved it! Really shook up how I traditionally see papaya served, aka as a papaya salad. Last was the jungle curry which, though absolutely delicious, could have served with some added tofu. All in all a super fun restaurant!

I recently visited Lao Lao Bar in Toronto, and I must say it was a fantastic experience from start to finish! This new bar has an incredible setting, exuding a vibrant and fun atmosphere that instantly sets the mood for a great night out. The food at here is a delightful fusion of flavors, and I couldn't resist trying some of their unique dishes. The tapioca dumplings were an absolute highlight for me. They were not only beautifully presented but also packed with flavors that were both intriguing and delicious. It's rare to find such an innovative take on dumplings, and they certainly nailed it! In addition to the dumplings, I also had the drunken noodle and Lao BBQ chicken. Let me tell you, they were bursting with flavor! The noodles had just the right amount of kick, and the chicken was perfectly grilled and succulent. Each dish showcased the expertise and creativity. Despite visiting on a Wednesday evening, the place was bustling and was really busy. However, even with a busy crowd, the staff remained attentive, friendly, and accommodating. They were quick to offer suggestions, answer questions, and ensure a seamless dining experience. Highly recommend making a reservation in advance! The bill for the three items and no drinks came to around $80 after tax and tips.

3.5 The former spot of The Wickson, the owners of the now closed Sabai Sabai have opened up here, with a slight change to their previous restaurant. Sabai Sabai had a mix of Thai and Laos dishes, whereas Lao Lao is Laotian dishes only. Went on a Sunday evening, and it was already packed. Definitely make a reservation. The seating is a bit tight, tables are too close together, but I guess more tables equals more money. We had a few dishes to share - our server recommended the Tapioca & shiitake mushroom dumplings. A unique combination that I've never heard of, but our server indicated they were surprisingly different from what she had ever eaten. She was definitely right. The mushroom flavour is not intense, and it's got a soft chewy texture. It comes with lettuce and mint and peanuts so you can make a wrap out of them It was definitely interesting, but I can't say I'd order them again. Nothing bad about them, but nothing I must order either, glad I tried them though. Papaya salad was tart, slightly spicy, but I think could have used a touch more acid. The grilled chicken wings. Now, if you've ever been to Sabai Sabai and had the chicken wings...you KNOW what I am talking about. They are probably one of my favourite wings from a restaurant. So we were excited to see them here. Sadly they just didn't have that same flavour...that spark of joy, that crispy coating, that Unami flavour. They were good...but if you've had Sabai's...you'll know they just aren't the same. Curry Fish - this was probably my favourite. Fish was well cooked, the broth was flavourful and spicy. It comes with a bowl of rice. Overalll a fun and enjoyable dining experience, I'd probably one again to check out some of their other dishes!

First time here and it was an amazing experience! It was a vibe inside and the food was delicious! The server and hostess were both really friendly and welcoming. We tried a few a few different dishes: - Tapioca dumplings - Drunken noodles - Lao bbq chicken - Duck Salad - Stir fried veggies The chicken takes 35-40 mins to make so make sure you order that first but def worth the wait! It was cooked perfectly, so flavourful and moist. The duck salad was probably my favourite. I loved the lemongrass flavour in it. The tapioca dumplings are very unique and I've never had anything like it. I love the bouncy texture of the tapioca. Also, love that the drunken noodles were the thick kind so it soaks up all the flavour! Also got the Thai milk tea which was so good! Food was delicious and def recommend this place

Heard that the Owners from Sabai Sabai owned this place too, and I MISSS SABAI SABAI SO MUCH of course I had to visit!! Anyways I had to try the Ping Gai, I'm a sucker for BBQ chicken & from what I remembered at Sabai Sabai, their BBQ chicken was my fav BBQ dish ever! Tbh, this SLAPS - I was immediately obsessed. Possibly better than Queen Mother I have to say We also had the Mok Gai, which is the Lao Chicken Stew. It comes with sticky rice on the side and it's such a nice complement honestly even without the rice, it was perfection on its own! I cannot wait to come back here & try the other dishes! How exciting be sure to make a reso, they're getting busy and BOOKED Food: 9/10 Service: 8.5/10 Ambiance: 9/10

Food was perfect for cold weather. Service was great and the ambiance was moody and intimate. This was my first time having Lao food and I loved it! The blue savour tapioca balls had interesting ingredients but they surprisingly went really well together! Would love to come back again in the future!