Coffee in Luang Prabang is taken very seriously, and you can trace that back many decades to when French colonists introduced a very European-style cafe culture.
While many shops around town have that historic feel, you can tell the local population has added their own personal touch to it. This, in turn, has created a vibrant coffee scene where you’ll find espresso-based pours and the more traditional café lao served side by side in most shops.
Add in the love of French pastries, and you have a town with the perfect “lounge culture.”
Most cafes use Laotian-grown Arabica beans from the Bolaven Plateau that tend to have bolder flavors. If you’ve travelled through Vietnam, you’ll notice a stark difference in your average coffee, since Robusta beans are more common there. Both countries love preparing their drinks with condensed milk and ice, though.
In this guide, I’ll share a collection of Luang Prabang cafes that I think are worth visiting. As you’ll see, I aimed to provide a broader scope of shops throughout the historic center. It would have been easy to mention a bunch of aesthetically pleasing places that fit the French colonial theme, but I tried to branch out to introduce some more unique, lesser-visited Luang Prabang cafes.
I also added a few more at the end that I think are worth mentioning for those traveling longer-term in Luang Prabang.
These are some of the best cafes in Luang Prabang, Laos.
LAM LAM Coffee
I’ll start with one of my favorite coffee shops in Luang Prabang, LAM LAM Coffee.
It’s up there on my list for a few reasons, but the main draw here is the atmospheric rooftop patio overlooking the Nam Khan River.
I really enjoyed sipping on a cup of coffee with this particular view, as it feels hidden from the hustle and bustle of the sometimes chaotic Luang Prabang streets.
They also roast their own beans, so the coffee is top-notch, even if it lacks the modern flair of other places around town. The menu is simple, with all the traditional pours and plenty of food options. I didn’t eat here, but the Laotian dishes did look pretty good.
Originally, this was a street-side stall that specialized in moka pot coffee, but has since grown into an actual building with machine pours. I think they might still do moka pot coffee on request.
With that in mind, the more conventional coffees are their bread and butter. Anything more unique will be something added more recently to the menu.
Overall, it’s a lovely, rustic wooden cafe at the eastern foot of Luang Prabang’s Phousi Hill.
Opening Hours | Every day from 7 am to 9 pm.
Work-Friendly | Yes, the wi-fi isn’t bad, and it’s a pretty calm, relaxing atmosphere.
Location (maps) | Below Phousi Hill on Kingkitsarath Road.
Comma Coffee
Just around the corner from LAM LAM Coffee, you’ll find even more peace and comfort at Comma Coffee.
This was an easy add to my list, since it’s one of the best Luang Prabang cafes for anyone who needs to get some work done. That’s because there is a huge room in the back that is essentially a quiet space on par with a library.
This area has tons of natural light, air-conditioning, strong wi-fi, and an uncrowded layout. There’s also a ton of books in there for anyone looking to relax and read.
You’ll also have no problem escaping the rain in there during the wet season.
You’ll also find plenty of outdoor seating in the courtyard, plus some extra tables out front when it’s busy. All of this is in a nice renovated space that mixes modern aesthetics with some salvaged parts.
The food here is just okay, but the coffee is easily one of the best I had in Luang Prabang. While there are larger drink menus around town, this one is quite varied, with all the typical machine pours plus some more unique tropical iced coffee drinks.
They also have a large selection of local Lao coffee beans you can purchase, along with some other handicraft items for sale.
Opening Hours | Every day from 8 am to 5 pm.
Work-Friendly | Yes. The wi-fi is good, the room out back is large and quiet, and you can come here on rainy days.
Location (maps) | Around the corner from LAM LAM Coffee, next to Zaori Cafe.
The Lemon Café
The Lemon Café is a small, incredibly cozy-feeling coffee shop that has a really old-school feel about it.
It reminds me a lot of how the cafes were run on my first visit many years ago. By this I mean that modern craftsmanship is mixed with a simple, unpretentious atmosphere. The menu is handwritten on a piece of paper, the ingredients are fresh, and the vibes are retro.
The menu has a mix of normal coffee pours and specialty ones that focus on fresh fruit juices mixed with coffee. Things are served beautifully, and the care and passion are felt in every drink.
Of course, there’s also a lemon section to the menu with everything from juice to cake to tea. Beer is also available, along with a few food items like waffles and sandwiches. I’m unsure if the menu changes depending on the season, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it matches what ingredients are fresh at the time.
Overall, I’d consider it one of the most underrated cafes in Luang Prabang.
Opening Hours | Every day from 9 am to 6 pm.
Work-Friendly | Sort of; it’s a small place, but it does have wi-fi and a relaxing vibe.
Location (maps) | Across from Wat Nong Sikhounmuang on Kounxoau Road.
Mineral Coffee
On my most recent visit to Luang Prabang, I stayed just around the corner from Mineral Coffee. I’m not sure if I would’ve ended up here if I hadn’t. But I’m glad I did, because it had one of the better coffees in town
There is something that brought back memories of Australia, and that probably has something to do with the baristas being trained by an Australian coffee institute. Or, maybe it was the flat white on the menu!
Anyways, the coffee is delicious, the shop is very modern-feeling, and the prices are on the cheaper side for Luang Prabang. Being a bit outside of the historic center is probably the reason for that.
They also have some really good croissants and pastries for any of you who like something sweet with your caffeine.
The shop is on the same street as the Luang Prabang Bus Shuttle Station, so if you plan on taking public transport to the Kuang Si Waterfalls or the train station, it’s a nice place to stop in while waiting.
Opening Hours | Every day from 7 am to 7 pm.
Work-Friendly | Yes, they have Wi-Fi, and there is enough seating. I also saw people there on their laptops.
Location (maps) | On the corner of Phu Vao Road and Manomai Road.
Coffee Express
In terms of a relaxing atmosphere, it’s hard to beat Coffee Express. This is an open-air venue that has seating partly under a wooden shop and partly outside next to a small pond.
It’s quite lovely, and in all likelihood, you’ll have a family of ducks waddling around the pond and between the waterfront seats. Oh, and the coffee isn’t half bad either.
They do most of the Western-style pours, plus a few more Laotian-feeling drinks like an Americano coconut and a latte coconut. And for the hot days, you could opt for an espresso tonic.
Teas and smoothies are also on the menu, plus decent pastries and quick bites. Although I didn’t have one, the sandwiches looked nice. They aren’t your typical banh mi, but more European, with French baguettes and salami as an option.
The shop is open late, which is rare for Luang Prabang, so you can trade in a coffee for a beer at sunset if you’d like.
Opening Hours | 7 am to 10:30 pm.
Work-Friendly | Only if you don’t mind working outdoors.
Location (maps) | On Kitsalat Road, a couple of blocks away from the Old Town and night market.
Big Tree Cafe
Luang Prabang is filled with easy-going cafes that sit along the riverfront road.
While plenty are worth mentioning, as you’ll see later on in the article, Big Tree Cafe was a standout. There are a few things that differentiate it from others: the unique artistic expression and some genuinely decent Korean food.
The artistry you can see bits and pieces of throughout the ground floor, but the second floor is where the Big Tree Cafe houses a photo gallery showcasing some amazing stills of rural life in Laotian ethnic minority villages. I’m not sure if the exhibition was permanent or not, but either way the floor seems to be meant for different arts, which I find to be really amazing!
That, along with some nice views and a strong cup of coffee, isn’t a bad way to spend a morning. If you do end up wanting food, I suggest going for one of the Korean dishes over the Loa and more Westernized dishes.
They serve a lot of the staples like kimbap, kimchi fried rice, and tteokbokki. But the favorites amongst them seem to be the stews. They have doenjang-jjigae (fermented soybean paste) and kimchi, and they come with a half dozen or so sides.
Opening Hours | Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 8 pm, closed Sundays
Work-Friendly | Yes, solid wi-fi and a nice, calm atmosphere near the river.
Location (maps) | On Khem Khong Street along the riverside.
The Tamper Coffee Pop-up Store
I should probably have put an asterisk on the heading for The Tamper Coffee Pop-up Store, as this is a Vientiane-based roastery that had a pop-up store when I visited. So, in all likelihood, by the time you read this, the one in Luang Prabang is closed down. However, when you’re there, it’s worth seeing if it’s either back or they’ve opened a new one in town.
The reason why? This was hands down the best coffee experience I had in Luang Prabang.
It was housed in a picturesque abandoned two-story shop, with an art gallery on the top floor and several informational coffee displays throughout the interior. The upstairs gallery was really wonderful, with dozens of local artists’ pieces ranging from classic paintings to modern expressionism.
I’d also put this cafe down as a specialty coffee roastery, as you get your choice of bean acidity, strength, and region. They also do almost every type of pour, including espresso machine drinks, cold brew, Aeropress, and even some more unique filter methods.
And if that feels overwhelming, the baristas are happy to help you choose something that suits your style. If Luang Prabang is your first stop in Laos and you manage to make it down to Vientiane without trying The Tamper Coffee, make sure to check them out.
Opening Hours | N/A
Work-Friendly | No, the pop-up shop had no wi-fi available.
Location (maps) | On Phayameungchan Rd across from the 3 Nagas Hotel Luang Prabang.
Rabitory Cafe
This nice cafe doesn’t really match the aesthetic of many of these other places. Instead of the artsy colonial cafe feel, you have a place that seems like it would be in a cute anime.
The outside has old-school plastic yellow seats that mimic a bus stop, and the “mascot” is a Japanese-style bunny. And while the coffee isn’t half bad, there are a few other reasons to mention this cafe.
First, they have some unique iced coffees and drinks. They are on the sweeter side, but it was great to see, as a lot of the drinks reminded me of cafes in Thailand.
Next, there’s decent food here, with a large chicken-based menu with reasonable prices. They also do specialty ice creams, with some distinctive flavors. Some of those include Thai tea, green tea, passionfruit, and lychee yogurt.
Lastly, there are about a dozen board games here that you can use as you like. I’m a huge fan of just relaxing with a drink and people-watching from a cafe, but now and then, it’s nice to play some games with friends.
Opening Hours | Tuesday to Sunday, 8 am to 8 pm, closed on Mondays.
Work-Friendly | Yes, it tends to stay quiet.
Location (maps) | Across from Luang Prabang Museum Inn & Travel.
Indigo Cafe
Indigo Cafe sits at the bottom of the multi-storey Indigo House Hotel. It’s possibly the easiest building to recognize, as it sits across the street from the night market and is stark white with deep indigo blue trim.
The reason it makes my list is that it has some of the best pastries in town, which tend to be the perfect complement to any coffee. In fact, the table they bring out for the evening market is always crowded.
I often grabbed a croissant or pastry to have the next morning, and I was never disappointed, even with the slightly higher prices. The desserts and drinks aren’t bad either, and the indigo theme they have going on is pretty iconic.
With that being said, it’s quite busy, which means wait times can be long if you’re dining in. If you’re an evening coffee drinker, though, there aren’t many places that beat it. The upstairs patio is perfect for sunset, and the coffee is one of the better ones in town.
Opening Hours | Every day from 6:30 am to 10 pm
Work-Friendly | Yes, it has solid wi-fi, but can get quite crowded during peak restaurant hours.
Location (maps) | On the corner at the beginning of the Luang Prabang Night Market.
SOME MORE CAFE OPTIONS FOR THE COFFEE LOVER
With how often shops open and close in Luang Prabang, I thought I’d mention a few more cafes worth visiting. These were all in the running for the list above, but for one reason or another didn’t quite make it.
Expect decent coffee and cute aesthetics, since most of these are in the historic part of Luang Prabang.
Zaori Cafe Luang Prabang | This is Comma Coffee’s next-door neighbor, and it’s almost as cozy. The milk-based coffees are great, and they have a nice menu of teas and matcha. It’s also one of the better brunch places around, especially if you like avocado or banana breakfast dishes.
Riverfront Cafes | Cafes that run along the river are some of the most relaxing places to be if you want to kill a few hours. A few that stand out are Saffron Coffee, DaDa Cafe, and Mademoiselle Ny Café. Saffron is pretty typical, with Western-style food options and good coffee. DaDa Cafe was sort of an institution in Luang Prabang, and I’d mention it in the main list if it weren’t for the fact that it might be shut down now. Mademoiselle Ny Café is very simple and sits just above the water with excellent views of the Mekong River below.
Joma Bakery Café | A cafe/bakery chain that has a few locations in Luang Prabang as well as Vientiane. Don’t be fooled; this won’t be like a typical large chain you’re used to. But it has been around a while and puts out okay coffee, good Western-style dishes, and decent pastries.
Café Laolu | A classic Lao slow bar that does really nice pressed coffee. It’s conveniently located about halfway through where the morning market takes place, plus they have a decent breakfast set menu. You can also purchase beans here, which for someone like me who travels with an AeroPress, is a huge bonus.
LuLaLao Coffee | The minimalistic, stylish cafe is a perfect pitstop if you’re temple hopping, since it sits almost directly between the Wat Sensoukharam and Wat Xiengthong, two of the more popular wats in old town. They have nice specialty beans, and it feels influenced by the modern Japanese aesthetic.
Sabai Cafe | A small hole-in-the-wall cafe next to the entrance of Wat Xiengthong. They serve a really solid iced latte, and it’s an ideal spot for those looking for a quick takeaway coffee while wandering the historic old town.
