House of Fruit Shakes — Restaurant in Vientiane Capital

Hands down this place was the highlight of our time in Vientiane! We were only in the city for three days but ended up eating here at least six times. The (eponymous) shakes and the food are not only incredibly delicious but also super affordable. The vibe is super laid-back and makes you want to linger — whether it’s just for a quick shake or to hang out a bit longer.

SHAKES & JUICES were by far the best we had anywhere in Laos. No added sugar, no condensed milk, no canned ingredients – just pure, natural fruit and a big dose of love in the preparation. Here’s just one example: Nui, the owner, doesn’t just throw the passionfruit into the blender with the rest. She blends all the other fruits first, then gently spoons in the passionfruit at the end. That way, the little black seeds stay intact – and when you sip it, it’s like drinking natural bubble tea. Brilliant!

Speaking of brilliant… I’ll probably be dreaming about her coconut coffee shake for the rest of my life. ;)

The SANDWICHES were also the best we had in Laos – crusty bread, packed with tasty fillings and a delicious sauce. We also tried several other dishes on the menu and loved every single one. Nui is very accommodating when it comes to dietary needs or preferences – just let her know.

What truly sets this place apart, though, is the person behind it. Nui is one of the kindest and most genuine people we met on our trip – and she clearly has a soft spot for backpackers! She carefully selects every ingredient herself, and you can see the fresh fruit displayed right at the entrance – she takes what she needs for each order straight to the kitchen in the back.

She genuinely loves creating healthy, tasty food and is always learning and refining her recipes. You can feel that passion in everything she does – whether you’re watching her work or just chatting with her.

• Bottom line

Had eaten here before and the food and shakes were good and cheap, but the last time was a bit of a shocker. Starting with the cleanliness - when I sat down at the table they cleared the dishes but didn't wipe the table down, leaving smears of food from the previous customers. When I got my food I found a small dark object that resembled mouse droppings - the owner responded by saying "it's our local spices!" and stuck her finger into my plate and put the thing right in her mouth! I was stunned but decided to give them the benefit of the doubt and ate my meal...and ended up with the runs. Hygiene is an issue all over Laos but if they want to keep their customers they should do...

Little place with great owner and great juices. No sugar, not too much ice, very tasty because the owner goes to the market every morning to choose ripe fruits. This is the place to go where you'll have the best healthy smoothies and juices. The price is good too as you can see on the menu, it's cheaper than other more modern places. There is no wifi here and it's sometimes noisy with the road just next to it, but the quality and prices are great and worth stopping by. Many people make smoothies in Laos but very few knows how to make a great one without any...