Popolo Restaurant

The ingredients of the pizza margarita are good -not homemade- but the execution unfortunately not so good. The pizza is baked in a gas stone oven through a flame from the top of the oven. The heat is from above while the bottom of stone is not hot enough for a consistent and equal baking process. As a result, the pizza is either overcooked, i.e. burned, or undercooked.

After we got the burned pizza, we asked the friendly French owner, then he directly offered to cook a new pizza. However, he said that the burned (black dough) was normal and he “has seen it in Italy” himself. Well, we don’t like burned. Then the new pizza came and it was this time unfortunately undercooked: the tomato sauce from the can and mozzarella was not hot, while the dough was a bit chewy. I recognize the taste of tomato sauce straight from the can without heating it, not per se bad. The owner warned us in advance about this might happen. We felt burdened to complain again, so we ate it. When we looked around at other pizza’s, we saw a few burned and some good (?) or undercooked, there was no consistency. Again, the ingredients are good but the execution not.

The staff/owner is friendly, the interior is beautiful and the vibe is good, so if you find this more important than a good cooked pizza, than this is the place for you. If you primarily go here for the pizza, I wouldn’t recommend it. The drinks are overpriced, e.g. 55.000kip for a 1.5 liter pitcher of beer. And the price of the pizza margarita is 50.000 according to the menu, but when we got the bill it was 55.000kip, maybe an error in the registering “system”?

This is a 1-time experience, so we maybe have to give it...

The ambiance is worth the visit, creating a charming and inviting atmosphere that sets the stage for an unforgettable dining experience.

One of the key highlights is the popularity of this restaurant in the evenings. It's no surprise, as the demand for reservations speaks volumes about its reputation. I highly recommend making a reservation online before heading there, especially during peak hours, as the place fills up quickly.

Now, let's talk about the star of the show – the pizza. We ordered the La Raclette and it was amazing. Popolo serves some of the best Italian pizza I've ever tasted. The flavors are authentic, the crust is perfectly crispy, and the toppings are fresh and generous. Each bite is a journey to Italy, and it's evident that the chefs are masters of their craft.

Despite the overall excellence, I must note that the tiramisu did not quite live up to the high standard set by the pizzas. While it wasn't bad, it lacked the exceptional quality that the rest of the menu offers. It was less sweet than expected and didn't leave a lasting impression.

Nevertheless, the outstanding pizzas and the delightful ambiance make Popolo a must-visit spot in Luang Prabang. The attentive staff adds to the positive experience, ensuring that your time here is not just a meal but a...

Advertised as open but closed. This was both online and on the sign outside. Also the wait staff that we met was impolite and we could hear here clicking her teeth as she walked away from us after we shared our disappointment about the timing not being as advertised. She generally just seemed not to be bothered about customer service. Not a good way to greet first time customers.

Edit: I am not changing this review. The response is exactly what I expected from this restaurant based on my experience: just as dismissive but now adding personal attacks to a potential customer giving their feedback online. It summarises my experience very well.

Just adding a point of clarity: I perceived the restaurant to be closed because that is what we were told. If that is misleading, then what the staff told us was misleading. Out of fairness, I have tried to remove the 1 star food label and it was only put in the first place because I did not know it could be left blank. It should now be just a 1-star on service, which is more than applicable in this case.

I feel even better leaving this review seeing that the response from the restaurant has confirmed my feelings by engaging in insulting guests. Sounds like a great way to...