Lao Garden Bangkok: Restaurant Review

Lao Garden Bangkok is one of our favorite restaurants in Bangkok, so we figured it was about time to share our full restaurant review, covering the food, quality, price and ambiance.

Bangkok is home to some amazing Thai restaurants and Lao Garden has to be one of the best. Nestled within a popular residential area, not far from On Nut BTS, this restaurant offers delicious food inspired by Lao and Thailand, as well as a local vibe in Bangkok. The staff here are friendly and patient, allowing you to change spice levels and explaining what is included in the different dishes available. After living in Bangkok for 4 years now, we find ourselves heading here at least once a month!

Lao Garden Bangkok Review

Lao Garden Bangkok Location

Situated in a bustling neighborhood, Lao Garden is tucked away on a charming side street that feels like a small oasis amid the city’s vibrant chaos. Catch the BTS to Phra Khanong or On Nut BTS; the restaurant is around a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute walk from both stations.

The area is residential, so you can expect to see plenty of locals and expats here and the Habito shopping mall is located nearby; home to some decent coffee spots and Western chains. If you are staying in this area during your stay in the city, we also recommend checking out the nearby Best Beef Restaurant; a cook-it-yourself meet spot.

Setting and Decor

Walking into Lao Garden is like stepping into a corner of Laos itself. The restaurant’s decor seamlessly combines traditional Lao elements with a modern Thai twist.

There is a warm, rustic aesthetic here, with wooden and bamboo furniture under a wooden-styled hut. Strings of fairy lights and potted plants give the space a cozy, outdoor feel, perfect for a relaxed dining experience.

Plus, the restaurant is built along one of the klongs (canals), so you can sit by the river, p

The open layout is designed to accommodate both small gatherings and large groups, making it ideal for everything from quiet dinners to lively celebrations. Evenings at Lao Garden are often accompanied by traditional Lao music, further immersing diners in the cultural experience. Despite its popularity, the restaurant maintains a calm and welcoming vibe, striking a perfect balance between lively and intimate.

The Menu at Lao Garden

The menu here is mainly Thai and Lao-inspired. There is plenty of fresh fish, chicken, and pork dishes as well as a small selection of vegetarian food too. They also have some Western dishes and sides like German pork knuckle, french fries, nuggets, burgers, and sausage. However, we don’t go here for the Western food, this place has the best Asian dishes, and here are just a few:

• Thai Green Curry: Literally the best green curry we have tried in the country! You can ask for different spice levels, they fill it with veg and meat and it is so creamy and tasty. Pair this with their Roti side and it is heaven (yes, I am a big fan of this dish).
• Tom Yum Giant River Prawns: huge prawns covered in a hot, spicy soup-like sauce; PERFECT!
• Fried Spring Rolls: These always feel like a naughty treat and make for a great starter or side to share with others.
• Stir-fried chili basil with rice: This is a staple in Thailand and tastes great at Lao Garden. You can change the spice levels to suit your taste buds and also request different meat.
• Pineapple Fried Rice with Chicken: No dish is complete without delicious rice, and at Lao Garden Bangkok, I always go for Pineapple Fried Rice. It depends on the chef, but most of the time, this gets served in half a pineapple too. I love this dish, so much so that I often order an extra one to take home for breakfast the following day!

Quality of the food

The food here is fantastic. The meat is always tender, the food is cooked to order so it arrives piping hot, and the seafood is fresh. We find the food is consistently great here and the variety of dishes at affordable prices, means you can enjoy a vast selection of food. This means there is something for everyone, and even newbies to Thai food can taste a bit of all Thai flavors.

The Staff at Lao Garden Bangkok

The Staff here are another reason to visit the restaurant. Like many places in the more residential areas of the city, the staff are friendly, patient, and wanting to help in any way they can. Not all the staff speak English fluently, but they know enough for you to be able to order in English and point to pictures. They can also recommend options too, if you aren’t sure what to try.

The Price

The prices at Lao Garden Bangkok are reasonable and fair for the value you get. Dishes aren’t as cheap as street food dishes you will find but they are considerably bigger and tastier than most. Equally, you can get some great deals at the buffets, where you may get more variety for similar prices. However, we feel that compared to other great Thai restaurants, prices here are slightly cheaper than other sit-down options.

For example, Tom Yum Tiger Prawns cost 350B which is similar to prices elsewhere, whilst a stir-fried pork and basil with rice dish costs 95B; elsewhere this would cost around 150B at a sit-down restaurant and around 40B from a street vendor.

Pros and Cons of Lao Garden Bangkok

Lao Garden is one of the best, local Thai restaurants in a residential area, but it isn’t for everyone.

Pros:

• Huge variety of Thai dishes to try
• Great quality ingredients
• Decent price for dishes
• Charming setting and atmosphere

Cons:

• Not a huge selection of Western dishes for fussy eaters
• The location is quite far from the touristy areas, so a Grab is the best way to reach the restaurant
• The setting is outdoor and although there is a breeze from the water and fans, it can be rather warm in the hot season. Plus, rain can ruin an experience.