6 days in Washington DC- 10/18- 10/23/2024

Day 6- Dinner at Laos in town-10/23/2024

Laos in Town is widely considered one of the most beautiful and distinctive Southeast Asian dining experiences in Washington, and many visitors share your reaction: it feels unlike almost any Lao restaurant in the U.S.

The restaurant has been recognized by the Michelin Guide (specifically as a Michelin Recommended / Michelin Guide selection restaurant in Washington, D.C.).  The guide especially praises its authentic Lao flavors, vibrant atmosphere, and modern presentation.

We were so surprised to see how beautiful this restaurant is.  As you walk in the restaurant on the left wall is illustrated as a visual map of Lao daily life and heritage. Each object you saw carries symbolic meaning.

Pass the entrance is the bar which act as a social heart, similar to gathering spaces in Southeast Asian homes. Guests transition gradually from city street → cultural space → dining experience.

The dinning room was  elegant, energetic without feeling loud.

Hanging on the ceiling there are four large bamboo fish traps (or "fish catchers") serving as decorative elements.  These are genuine artifacts (or replicas) of traditional Laotian (and generally Southeast Asian) ingenuity. They connect the restaurant directly to the rural, riverine life that is central to Laotian culture and cuisine. Many Laotian dishes feature freshwater fish.

Our table was in one of the main dinning room, past the bar.

The menus.

Crispy rice Salad with sour pork (crispy rice, red onion, scallion, cilantro, sour pork, ginger, peanut

Grilled beef (Lao grilled New York strip with Jaew dipping sauce)

Chaophraya salad (papaya, green bean, peanut, tomato, tiny shrimps)

This dish is one of my favorite!  It is made with fried crispy rice broken into crunchy clusters, fermented sour pork, herbs, lime, chili and peanuts.

The dish is crunchy, tangy, herbal, with lots of umami flavor.

The Lao grilled beef and the papaya salad are two very popular in Laotian dishes and they were really good.

Pin Gai (grilled chicken quarter is a Laos classic dish.

The chicken is marinated in garlic, coriander root, fish sauce, and pepper, then grilled slowly for smoky and juicy meat.  It was served with cashew curry sauce that was rich, nutty, creamy, and spicy.

The chicken was served with sticky rice which is essential in Lao culture, it’s eaten by hand and used almost like bread.

Beef Sautéed with Mushroom Over Rice. This dish was just okay.

Our dinner table with most of the dishes we ordered.

For dessert we ordered Mango Pandan Sticky Rice with a creamy sauce.

I love the combination of sweet sticky rice and pandan.  A very comforting dessert.

The outdoor space at Laos in Town is a big part of why the restaurant feels so lively, especially in Washington, D.C.’s dining culture. Rows of heated outdoor tables, open sightlines to the street, where guests lingering over meals and drinks.

The outdoor seating is designed to feel social and welcoming, almost like a Southeast Asian street-side dining scene adapted for D.C. The warm lighting extending the indoor ambiance outside. At night especially, patios like this turn into small social hubs, almost an extension of the sidewalk.

Our six days in Washington, D.C. were filled with history, discovery, and wonderful experiences from beginning to end. We started the trip with a guided tour, which introduced us to many of the city’s most famous monuments and landmarks, giving us a perfect overview of the nation’s capital. Over the following days, we visited an incredible number of museums,  all free, each offering its own powerful stories, from American history and culture to art, science, and reflection.

During our stay, we also spent half a day in Virginia visiting a friend we had met during our trip to Tasmania, which made the journey feel even more personal and meaningful. We explored Georgetown, enjoying its charming streets, waterfront, and university atmosphere, and throughout the trip we dined at many excellent restaurants. The dining scene in Washington, D.C. truly impressed us, diverse, vibrant, and memorable, with each meal adding something special to our experience.

Washington, D.C. turned out to be far more than a political city; it was a place rich in culture, history, friendship, and outstanding food, making this six-day visit both inspiring and deeply enjoyable.

NEXT... Philadelphia(coming soon)

Filed under: Restaurants