Common Grounds Cafe & Bakery — Restaurant in Vientiane Capital

This is our first stop on any trip to Vientiane...a warm, comfortable, welcoming haven, just 1/2 block north on Chao Anou Road (off the main Mekong riverside drive of Quai Fa Ngum). The clean, uncluttered interior has a selection of comfortable chairs and couches with free WIFI and multiple electrical outlets to charge your phone or laptop. Manager Eric and his staff are friendly & helpful, the food is exceptional, and the price is right. The menu is varied, with several vegetarian options - there's something for everyone!. Hands down, our favourite is the falafel platter, which is absolutely phenomenal.....even carnivores will love it! Chorizo hash and quesadillas are close seconds. We loved the juices: try either the mango or orange/ginger/apple (ask for no sugar if you don't have a Thai/Lao super-sweet tooth). There's a wide selection of hot and cold coffees and teas and the caramel machiatto was wonderful (and I'm comparing it to North American coffee houses, not the "coffee" served on Thai Railway). There's no one rushing you out when you finish eating and no push to order more food if you're using the WIFI. In fact, one day a woman was head down in her laptop when we arrived for breakfast and in the same position when we returned for dinner at 11 hours later. We were warmly greeted the first day we arrived and warmly greeted every time we walked through their doors. This is a business that doesn't mind suitcases and backpacks, that welcomes people of every age, nationality and walk of life. It's also 'kid-friendly" with a huge playground off the back of the restaurant (the nicest playground we saw in Vientiane). If you're going to Vientiane, make Common Grounds your first stop! You'll be hard-pressed to find nicer people or better quality food for your...

The first time we went here it was the only restaurant that open so early at 7am we arrived fresh from Bangkok Thailand. We ordered Burritos and Breakfast Combo with latte. Their coffee was good and service too. But breakfast combo I'm expecting sausage, eggs and toast but instead only eggs 3, small pieces over cooked bacon seemed like just heated up because of hard texture rather than crispy and just potato wedges nearly burned (I didn't take photos because I usually don't want to give reviews when it's negative as much as possible) and no coffee included or orange juice in breakfast combo. The following morning we're in a hurry and since their Burritos and coffee is good we went again to give it a second chance. This time, I ordered Chorizo husk and my boyfriend ordered Burritos as usual and two latte. When our order came I'm expecting a chorizo husk different from burrito because I'm not a fun of it. The waiter serve the same Burrito wrapped and my is the burrito that they just didn't wrapped it is literally the left over filling of the burrito they cooked. I asked the waiter is this a chorizo husk and he said yes. I didn't respond because I don't want to make a scene but I was so disappointed for the second time. I told my boyfriend I won't have my breakfast here again that I am literally crying 😭 I am a breakfast person and I want my breakfast to start it right and good with good food. Please if the menu is not available just tell the customer it's not available don't serve the same menu. Your customers are not stupid that they didn't notice the difference. There's no taste of chorizo in that unwrapped burrito fillings you served. I uploaded pictures of the burrito and the supposedly chorizo husk...

A huge win! Atmosphere, food, location, and service. Their "about" is read worthy as their ethos is commendable and something we can all support. Fast service and diverse menu. I ordered the cinnamon bun and the choco and banana smoothie. I wish you could smell the cinnamon, taste the softness of the bun and the cinnamon yumminess. The smoothie was soo freaking delicious. I got right into it- see pics. Go get yours asap. Thank me later. Reserved a star as it is a community focused venue. So lots of kids and activity. Very few power connecting points so working and studying will require flexing. Staff does well with relating to English speakers but have your translator hand. Like lots of places, you aren't serviced after you have been plated so limited service engagement if you expect full service. Reserved a ⭐ for those reasons. Otherwise super fantastic. It's...