Vela Cafe and Restaurant — Restaurant in Vientiane Province

We came until 3 times but the 3rd time we just had the chance to try their food but worthy. The 1st one we came around 11:30 am but full of people, they said they didnt get new guests bc they were busy to serve breakfast for available guests (Westerners they get up late so lunch means breakfast 😀). The next time is 12:30 pm so we were too hungry but they closed soon (although their time in the morning until 2 pm😞). The 3rd time we arrived in dinner time nearly 6pm but must wait during 15’ seeing they were arranging inside. Few guests waited for them like us at that time. Funny that guests must wait for restaurant and their slow vibe like Laos style, not too rush.

Lets check their food. We waited bc we knew that this is a famous and long time restaurant means that their food is not too bad. We want to check them out.

Clean and clear tables indoor and outdoor. Fruit arrangement inside look very attractive means smoothie is a must try. There were about 7 guests but we waited again to have food ;))). Our table had pad Laos style (not pad Thai), Ock (chicken) and Piew Wan (fish). Pad Laos is yummy, a bit different than Thai one for sure. Piew Wan is a perfect mix between sour, salty and sweet but look like Chinese dish I tried before so nothing too new for me (tasty though). Favourite is Ock very delicious until last spoon not only from taste but also from good combination between meat n vegetables 😋😋😋. Mixed fruit n mango smoothie are their highlights too. Then, we were disappointed about mango sticky rice bc rice is seperated not too sticky n connected and btw looks very bad appearance on dish. Please dont order this one 🙏. Finally, again, worth waiting for them. 9/10 about food 7/10 about service. Tasty food, traditional Laotian cuisine, good price and many years of consistency in quality. Must try restaurant in Vang Vieng established since 2006 but must be patient. P/S: they have Western and Laotian food. Logical easy clear menu with suggestion and picture...

Cafe Vela: Worth the Hype?

This is one of the most popular restaurants in town—but is it really worth it?

Every evening, a long line forms outside this place. We arrived at 5:40 PM and were the second group in line, so we managed to get a table when it opened (a little late, but hey, it’s Laos!) at 6:15. Even then, we still had to wait another 40 minutes for our food, which felt excessive. I wouldn’t have wanted to be one of the later tables in line—I can only imagine how long their wait ended up being!

if a restaurant is this popular, you’d think they’d hire more kitchen staff to keep up. Waiting 40 minutes after ordering is already a stretch, but in Laos, long waits seem to be the norm rather than the exception. You either get used to it—or plan ahead.

But was the food worth the wait? Well… the tofu larb? I’d definitely skip it next time. It was dry, bland, and honestly just boring—not to mention overpriced for what it was.

The two other dishes, though, were a different story. Good portion sizes, super flavorful, and the broth was incredible—rich, creamy, and packed with great vegetables. Price-wise, it’s a bit more than your typical “plastic chair” local spots, but still reasonable for what you get.

Final Verdict? Decent food, but personally, I’d rather go somewhere that doesn’t keep you...

I ate here both nights for dinner. First time was so tasty I had to do it again.

The staff was excellent! Extremely kind and accommodating. My second night it was full inside and only option was outdoors or back room. I chose the back room because I don’t like to eat outdoors because of insects.

When I chose my seat in the back room an older man tuned on the fans and then the AirCon. We chatted and he told me he was the owner. He offered for me to go back to main dining area after it cleared it so I didn’t have to eat alone (solo traveler). I told him he was in the back eating alone, so I was good there. He had decent English and engaged with me conversation after he ate.

My food arrived and was just as amazing the second night! Literally the best Thai food I’ve had since I left Thailand 3 months ago.

Fair prices. Free Wi-Fi. Good atmosphere and excellent...