Upscale European dining in Luang Prabang, Laos – Blue Lagoon Restaurant Review

After trying Lao food at a few restaurants in Luang Prabang, a friend who has been here a lot of times recommended the Blue Lagoon restaurant. It has been in Luang Prabang for more than 10 years and moved to a new location about 2 years ago, down an alley of a side street and easy to miss! It’s worth asking for and seeking out, the ambiance, service and food all stand out among many very good restaurants in Luang Prabang!

The restaurant is set in the courtyard of a beautifully restored building with the traditional look of white walls and dark wood common among upscale hotels and restaurants in Luang Prabang. It is exceptionally well kept and you are surrounded by beautiful landscaping. It’s very peaceful and quiet despite being in the heart of the Old Town, so while hard to find, it certainly benefits from the location.

LAO BlueLagoon - 1The service was friendly and attentive and the English skills of the staff was above average. We were led to a nice table outside and received our menus. The Blue Lagoon offers a large variety of European cuisine, including some German and Suiss options, as well as Italian food and some Lao favorites. Some of the dishes were pretty ambitious, so I was interested to see how it would turn out. We had enjoyed some snacks at the sunset and went straight for the main course – one order of the “Zuricher Geschnetzeltes”, beef and mushrooms in a cream sauce with Roesti, a Swiss potatoe dish, as a side. And one order of pasta with chicken.
We received a taste of soup in a glass as a complimentary appetizer – a nice touch and very tasty! LAO BlueLagoon - 2The Geschnetzelte was very well done, with the sauce creamy and not overwhelming and the Roesti just right, between crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It was the winner of the evening meal. The pasta was also good, although some local spices or greens added a curious taste to it, good or not is up to individual taste…

LAO BlueLagoon - 4The staff was very attentive throughout our meal, continuing to check in on us and inquire about anything else we might need. They were respectful and, without rushing, cleared the table when it was appropriate. The Chef made the rounds at the end of the meal and personally checked in with each of the guests – a very nice and classy touch that is pretty rare in Asia!

The price was above average for Luang Prabang and very much in line with the setting, food and service offered. If you are looking for an upscale dinner in a private setting for a romantic occasion or just a nice treat, I recommend to consider the Blue Lagoon. It stood out among the restaurants I visited in Luang Prabang and I’m sure to return on a future visit!


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