Dyen Sabai Restaurant

Beautiful candlelit ambience and fantastic Lao food

Even the walk to this restaurant is an enchanting experience. Cross a bamboo bridge glowing with lights across the Mekong (5k kip entry fee - worth it). As soon as you cross the bridge you will see Dyen Sabai glowing on the left bank.

The next thing that you will notice is incredible ambience. Each table is special from the private nooks to the traditional floor seating with lantern lighting next and enchanting views of the Mekong.

The menu features Laotian cuisine, with the star being the DIY grill (a hot coal grill placed in the center of your table with your choice of meat / fish / tofu + noodles and veggies). I opted instead for the pork and bamboo stew, which came with crispy rice cakes. The real standout for me was the appetizer sampler, which came with seaweed (it’s good, trust me) paired with buffalo skin chutney (also good, try it), crispy fried pork, buffalo sausage, and eggplant dip.

During my meal, the power went out. Short of being an inconvenience, this was a beautiful gift from nature. The staff immediately covered the restaurant with hundreds of candles, continuing service through the night albeit candlelit. The site was mesmerizing, causing me to linger for an extra beer.

Don’t skip this experience while you are in Luang Prabang!