Tamarind – Luang Prabang, Laos

Tamarind is different from other restaurants; don't miss it. It's only small, but has a nice vibe and they present and explain their delicious food in an entertaining manner. Never seen a menu so interesting and informative! Were so impressed we took their cooking class, which is held in the most beautiful location about fifteen minutes ride into the countryside. Have to say it was one of the highlights of our Lao trip. We were driven there via the market, and all in all, had the best day. Joy, the chef and teacher has a wicked sense of humour and really crams a lot of information into the class. You don't need dinner that night!

Tamarind, located at the end of the Luang Prabang “peninsula” by Wat Nong in the old quarter specializes in very authentic Laotian food.  It is run by an Australian woman and her local partner and has excellent a la carte lunches and sample platters allowing you to get a diverse taste of real, local food (this is harder to do than you would imagine in Laos).  The food is excellent and the beer is cold.  They are currently only open for lunch but Tamarind also hosts special, book in advance meals that include a visit to the local market and preparation ranging from the authentic to the bizarre (with grubs and larvae, etc.).  Carolyn who runs the place is very nice and very informative and actually helped us decide to forgo the Plain of Jars and instead go on the Vat Phou River trip (see the blog for details of that great time.)  They also have a lot of local gourmet items that you can purchase and are working on a cookbook (10/06).  If you are in Luang Prabang, do yourself a favor and go eat here!