Went downtown to have dinner elsewhere and the wait was too long. Decided to pop in here instead and glad we did.

All the plates were so good down to the shrimp chips they bring for an app.
The servings are generous and we were all stuffed after dinner.
Sadly didn't have space for dessert but the menu looked so good.
Setting is dark, warm, and inviting. Would absolutely recommend coming here and we will be back.

Food was great, service was amazing! We sat at the bar and was served by an older gentleman who was super sweet and very attentive. He even sent us over a free dessert which was delicious! The Tom Khem was very flavorful and as authentic as you can get in this area! Definitely recommend adding this place to your list of must try’s in downtown Raleigh.

Was super excited to try this spot out since it’s been on my list forever but it was disappointing. Better luck finding good food at your local strip mall. Curry was below average, didn’t come out hot- veggies were overcooked and mushy and it only came with two or three bite size pieces of chicken. Rice was also not fresh and the edges of the bowl were stale/crunchy. Service took forever and not a knock on the server (it was a busy Wednesday lunch rush?) but another waiter had to come by to give us basic cutlery that he didn’t bring with meals. And he had forgotten to write down the two appetizers which we had to remind him of once our food came. He brought us a complimentary summer rolls app and it was super soggy and the noodles were literally wet inside. My friends ordered the basil stir fry which was ok and the pad Thai which really soggy and lacking flavor. The Lao coffee was basically water and sugar with an instant coffee after taste. I don’t know what all the hype is about here.

I tried this restaurant in the 3rd week of august when I visited Raleigh on a huge recommendation by one of my friends 😊. It was a nice restaurant with lovely atmosphere. Two people ordered 1 portion of poke belly soup ,Mandarin Amphones and a portion of crispy rice lettuce wraps and it was enough for three people.

We came in a little after opening at 5pm and asked to sit at the bar since there weren't tables open. There was an endless supply of some type of shrimp crackers.
We started with the Autumn Kair cocktail, and it was delicious and rich. We had the salmon laab ceviche with the shrimp crackers - my friend enjoyed it, but I could only enjoy it with some chili oil. I had the chicken curry entrée, and my friend had the chicken fried rice entrée. I was disappointed in my curry - it was way too watery and had no depth of flavor. There were more pieces of potatoes and carrots than chicken. Just didn't seem worth $25. My friend's fried rice was so tasty and made me wish I'd gotten that instead. Friend also had the Roselle Freezy and said it was nice. Decor and ambience were relaxing. Bartender was great. Server was exceptional and attentive. If it was just the food, I would have rated 3, but service and atmosphere took it up a notch. Overall, for almost $150 (minus tip), I don't think I'd bring myself here again.

I’ve been hearing about the highly acclaimed Laotian restaurant in downtown Raleigh, Bida Manda, for years. I finally stopped in for lunch at the counter - and it did not disappoint!

I’ve been searching for a great Green Papaya Salad ever since I left Delray Beach (and Eathai), and now I’ve finally I found it.

Fresh, bright, acidic, with sweetness from good cherry tomatoes and crunch from peanuts. It was offered as Mild, Medium, or Hot… I love me some heat, but the server suggested I start with Medium. Indeed, it was plenty hot, just right for me.

The Coconut Curry & Crispy Pork Belly Soup was also excellent… a few of the pork belly pieces were perhaps just a bit too chewy, maybe fat not rendered enough, but that’s a nitpick. My server at the bar / counter for lunch was prompt and friendly.

Swipe to check out the Photos please!

📸 Green Papaya Salad – Hand-Julienned Unripe Papaya, Tomatoes, Peanuts, House-Made Tamarind Dressing, and Sticky Rice. Fresh Thai Chili, to Heat Preference.

📸 Crispy Pork Belly Soup - Coconut Curry Broth with Lime Leaf, Julienned Vegetables, Peanuts, Eggs, Fresh Herbs, Rice Noodles, and Crispy Pork Belly.

📸 Interior, bar/counter area.

📸 Interior dining area.

📸 Exterior of @bidamanda

Definitely recommended!

Im Thai and the food was sooo authentic and delicious. My boyfriend and I shared BIDA SOMPHENG'S SALMON LAAB CEVICHE; I was delighted with how it tasted. For the entré, my boyfriend had pork crispy belly soup and I had duck laab (as I said that I’m Thai so I had laab before, they served duck laab cold here which might’ve been lao style, I have no idea) and yes, the service was on point as well!

Bida Manda was some of the best food I’ve ever had! The chicken wings are the crispiest! The trout was also amazing! Loved the complementary shrimp chips and palate cleanser as well! Mackenzie was some of the best service I have received ever. I only documented a star for atmosphere because we sat by a cold draft and it was fairly dark. Only thing I would recommend is maybe offer a hot wet towel to clean hands after eating spicy, fried foods with hands. Will be back many more times to come! Thank you, Mackenzie and Bida Manda!

If you're in the mood for authentic Laotian flavors, this restaurant is an absolute gem. The broths are rich and aromatic, perfectly balanced, with the kind of warmth that makes you feel right at home. Whether you opt for the classic pho or one of their specialty noodle dishes, each bowl is filled with tender meats, fresh herbs, and just the right amount of heat to keep your taste buds intrigued.

One standout dish is the crispy pork belly soup, which is simply next-level. The pork belly is perfectly crispy on the outside, while staying juicy and tender on the inside, and it melds wonderfully with the rich coconut curry broth. Every bite is a perfect contrast of textures, and it pairs so well with the deep, savory flavors of the soup.

Overall, the restaurant shines with its incredible broths and expertly cooked dishes. Whether you're a pho enthusiast or a lover of flavorful soups, this spot is sure to satisfy. Don’t miss the crispy pork belly or the coconut curry broth — they’re unforgettable.

sitting at the bar right now after eating the most delicious coconut curry of my life. the service is great, the beer lao is epic, and the atmosphere is beautiful. i love bida manda !!!!

My new FAV place! The coconut curry soup is perfection Service was above and beyond! Thanks for a great dinner.

Consistently excellent, well-seasoned, authentic food!! And always incredibly delicious!

The food was okay. Their most expensive item, which was the sea bass, was so lazily seasoned with dill I was shocked. The other foods are fine. Nothing to write home about. The ambiance was nice for a special occasion and they had fresh flowers and a candles.

Came in for the first time and the food, service and ambience is outstanding. Gwen is an exceptional server and made the experience 10x better. The salmon and basil rice are delicious

This place wasn’t as good as it used to be. The tofu and shrimp on my herb salad was really good as were the pepper and ceviche appetizers. But both of our friends who got the noodle soup said the noodles were overdone and three of the dishes, including the noodle soups came out several minutes before me and my husband‘s dishes. The kitchen and the service were definitely off last night.

Decent south east asian flavours. Questionable price tags. Good service.

Food was amazing, atmosphere was off the charts and the service was outstanding, we went here for my daughters birthday and it was a wonderful!!

Don't think we ordered well. My Chinese and Singaporean friends didn't rate high either.

Was super excited to try this spot out since it’s been on my list forever but it was disappointing. Better luck finding good food at your local strip mall. Curry was below average, didn’t come out hot- veggies were overcooked and mushy and it only came with two or three bite size pieces of chicken. Rice was also not fresh and the edges of the bowl were stale/crunchy. Service took forever and not a knock on the server (it was a busy Wednesday lunch rush?) but another waiter had to come by to give us basic cutlery that he didn’t bring with meals. And he had forgotten to write down the two appetizers which we had to remind him of once our food came. He brought us a complimentary summer rolls app and it was super soggy and the noodles were literally wet inside. My friends ordered the basil stir fry which was ok and the pad Thai which really soggy and lacking flavor. The Lao coffee was basically water and sugar with an instant coffee after taste. I don’t know what all the hype is about here.

This place was incredible and I can’t wait to go again!

Food was great, service was amazing! We sat at the bar and was served by an older gentleman who was super sweet and very attentive. He even sent us over a free dessert which was delicious! The Tom Khem was very flavorful and as authentic as you can get in this area! Definitely recommend adding this place to your list of must try’s in downtown Raleigh.

The pork belly and pork were overcooked but the rice and sauce were delicious. And our server was super sweet and attentive

Food was probably the best I’ve eaten at a restaurant in a while

I had heard great things about this place. Never been, but wife had been years ago and raved about it. The service is great and the waitress was attentive to my dairy allergy. Nice atmosphere. Most of the food we ordered was very disappointing. Crispy rice wraps were heavy and were not aromatic—but comforting. I had a herb salad with fried pork belly. The pork was old/tough/dry-really unsure if it was poor prep or had been sitting in a walk in for a week or so. Components were just ok—but overall neither aromatic or especially distinctive. Noodles mushy. Wife’s KHAO POON GAI was absolutely inedible. Old old OLD tasteless broth and mealy chicken; squishy overcooked rice noodles. No flavor except mustiness. I We each tried a couple of bites and are hoping we dont get sick.

Experience was excellent. Food was fantastic. Servers are knowledgeable and very pleasant. Would reccomend for a date or group.

연어요리는 잊을수 없는 최고의 맛이였음.

My goodness, get the risotta crepe, I want it added to my last meal options, it's fantastic.

All the food was delicious, the service was attentive and kind, tea was nice and hot, overall, highly recommend

Hit or miss place because of service or food depending on night. Overall thoughts: The shrimp pad thai was one of the lesser tasting things Ive tried. The batter on all the tofu dishes it’s chewy and kind of slimy instead of crispy. Spoke over the phone with someone and they were super kind and accommodating but then when we get there service is lackluster and slow.

Authentic food

Gwen is the best waiter here!! She was so kind and recommended the best plates. I got the pork neck papaya salad (HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!!!!!!!) also got the fried rolls, the jerky and my husband got the seafood curry, all 10/10 but pork neck is 12/10, Gwen was 15/10!!

I have been there a few times before and it was exceptionally good. I went last week and had a disastrous meal, called Tom Khem, which contains pork belly and pork short ribs. It came and all the meat was raw and inedible. Rib meat should fall off The bone and these i couldn't even cut it off the bone. The waiter, who was nice, wasn't real attentive and by time he came around everyone finished their meals. They did take it off my bill but I did go unfed so got a little cranky and did not enjoy the evening.

At first they brought me the wrong meal (pork belly soup)and it was delicious but they snatched it away and gave me the correct meal, which was awful. I may go again as many places make mistakes but that was bad.

The food was good but uneven. Pad Thai was really not great, while fried rice, ban mih and papaya salad were tasty but not extraordinary. The sticky rice was great. It was also nice to be able to drink Beer Lao after living in Laos for a few years! But the service was incredibly slow, our waiter got our order wrong and would disappear for long periods of time, and we waited more than 30 minutes for our food (at lunch time, and it wasn't that busy). I'll give it another try but I was hoping for more given the prices.

McKenzie was our server and she did a great job taking care of our large group. Definitely recommend coming to this place!

Everything here was excellent!! We were in town for the night and couldn’t have chosen a better spot to eat. Our server, Jarrett, was incredibly kind and friendly and knew the menu well; he definitely made the experience what it was, and the food was delicious! We will definitely return next time we’re in town. Thank you!

Every meal was excellent!

The fried rice and soup were amazing. The appetizer probably wasn’t worth the price but overall really good!

From Brenda, Gwen, Holly, and Nentar (I may be spelling this name incorrectly), the staff is amazing, along with the food. Definitely recommend this venue!

Excellent service, wonderful food.
Best spring rolls ever 🍜🍱🥟

Bida Manda was some of the best food I’ve ever had! The chicken wings are the crispiest! The trout was also amazing! Loved the complementary shrimp chips and palate cleanser as well! Mackenzie was some of the best service I have received ever. I only documented a star for atmosphere because we sat by a cold draft and it was fairly dark. Only thing I would recommend is maybe offer a hot wet towel to clean hands after eating spicy, fried foods with hands. Will be back many more times to come! Thank you, Mackenzie and Bida Manda!

I’ve been hearing about the highly acclaimed Laotian restaurant in downtown Raleigh, Bida Manda, for years. I finally stopped in for lunch at the counter - and it did not disappoint!

I’ve been searching for a great Green Papaya Salad ever since I left Delray Beach (and Eathai), and now I’ve finally I found it.

Fresh, bright, acidic, with sweetness from good cherry tomatoes and crunch from peanuts. It was offered as Mild, Medium, or Hot… I love me some heat, but the server suggested I start with Medium. Indeed, it was plenty hot, just right for me.

The Coconut Curry & Crispy Pork Belly Soup was also excellent… a few of the pork belly pieces were perhaps just a bit too chewy, maybe fat not rendered enough, but that’s a nitpick. My server at the bar / counter for lunch was prompt and friendly.

Swipe to check out the Photos please!

📸 Green Papaya Salad – Hand-Julienned Unripe Papaya, Tomatoes, Peanuts, House-Made Tamarind Dressing, and Sticky Rice. Fresh Thai Chili, to Heat Preference.

📸 Crispy Pork Belly Soup - Coconut Curry Broth with Lime Leaf, Julienned Vegetables, Peanuts, Eggs, Fresh Herbs, Rice Noodles, and Crispy Pork Belly.

📸 Interior, bar/counter area.

📸 Interior dining area.

📸 Exterior of @bidamanda

Definitely recommended!

Food always delicious. Service outstanding. One of my favorite places to eat out in Raleigh!

We came in a little after opening at 5pm and asked to sit at the bar since there weren't tables open. There was an endless supply of some type of shrimp crackers.
We started with the Autumn Kair cocktail, and it was delicious and rich. We had the salmon laab ceviche with the shrimp crackers - my friend enjoyed it, but I could only enjoy it with some chili oil. I had the chicken curry entrée, and my friend had the chicken fried rice entrée. I was disappointed in my curry - it was way too watery and had no depth of flavor. There were more pieces of potatoes and carrots than chicken. Just didn't seem worth $25. My friend's fried rice was so tasty and made me wish I'd gotten that instead. Friend also had the Roselle Freezy and said it was nice. Decor and ambience were relaxing. Bartender was great. Server was exceptional and attentive. If it was just the food, I would have rated 3, but service and atmosphere took it up a notch. Overall, for almost $150 (minus tip), I don't think I'd bring myself here again.

Every time everything is perfect.

Creative, flavorful and refreshing dishes. Friendly and accommodating staff. Inviting and calm atmosphere. My husband and I enjoyed the complimentary shrimp chips, then had 1 generous app (lettuce wraps, summer rolls) and 1 delightful (chili rub salmon and basil shrimp stirfry) entree apiece alongside cocktails bursting with tropical flavor. Not cheap, but well worth the money spent. We brought leftovers home to enjoy. A wonderful dining experience. We can't wait to return.

Food was absolutely phenomenal, got the crispy pork belly soup and the pad Lao. Both were impossible to put down.

Staff were awesome, friendly, personable and the service was well timed.

Overall a great experience.

An experience that goes down in history! As the food was remarkable, flavorful, and so well cooked that with each bite you just wanted more! Brenda was a great hostess who carried herself with a high level of professionalism and was beyond well mannered. Then we got blessed with a great waitress named Gwen that came with a great energy and vibe. She also provided amazing recommendations and extraordinary service. Thank you very much Bida Manda and staff.

P.S Not to mention Meckenzie who recommended our whole meal the night before.

Everything is beyond delicious here. We devoured the Crispy Pork Belly Soup, lettuce wraps, crispy spring rolls, and fish. We topped off the dinner with expresso cheesecake that was freshly made and hand delivered from the baker. The wait staff and management took great care of us! This, by far, is one of my all-time favs 😍

Extremely overrated. The food was a huge disappointment. Had the MANDA AMPHONE'S CURRY which was just a bowl of mainly white potato, some small pieces of pumpkin, one or two pieces of some kind of vegetable and about two green beans. Not much curry sauce. Large bowl of rice but the sauce ran out quickly so couldn't even eat that. Could of used more vegetables (it was meatless). It was basically a meal of potato and rice. For nearly $19 I was definitely taken to the cleaners. It wasn't worth half that amount. The spring rolls were $14 and basically a very small portion. I can not recommend this restaurant based on my experience. Never again. I’d rate this negative 10 and request a refund if I could as it was that awful.

Went downtown to have dinner elsewhere and the wait was too long. Decided to pop in here instead and glad we did.

All the plates were so good down to the shrimp chips they bring for an app.
The servings are generous and we were all stuffed after dinner.
Sadly didn't have space for dessert but the menu looked so good.
Setting is dark, warm, and inviting. Would absolutely recommend coming here and we will be back.

Fresh flavors and amazing staff

Fantastic meal and drinks! Loved the crispy pork belly soup and the Nutty Negroni

Potentially best restaurant experience I've ever had in my life. Food was amazing. Yiri went above and beyond in uncountable ways. Drinks were impeccable. Zero complaints. Actual perfection. You absolutely need to try this place.

Favorite restaurant in Raleigh

The most delicious aromatic, dynamic, and flavorful dishes. Creative and well balanced cocktails. Gorgeous atmosphere. My favorite place in Raleigh to eat out. Love the crispy rice lettuce wraps and papaya salad with duck. ✨

Omg , this place is so good ! I ordered takeout and got the chicken pad Thai ! I am in LOVE !!! 🙂 it’s so much food ! Very good customer service and beautiful place !! Thank you for this amazing experience

Great Asian fusion, but service was poor.

Some traditional Lao dishes and some inventive Lao fusion. All delicious.

Sam was wonderful. His recommendations exceeded our expectations and his service and attentiveness made us feel welcomed and taken care of

Holy moly! This food was so good. Can’t go wrong here

Bida Manda is amazing. I go there regularly and it’s always a good experience. They have a lot of gluten free options and the menu is well marked for gluten.

Tons of gluten free - our server Gwen was wonderful. We tried the crispy wings, salmon, chicken pad Thai and the purple coconut rice for dessert. Everything was fantastic! Can’t wait for our next trip!

The habanero sauce goes with everything! Put a generous spoonful into the pho or spread onto the sandwich, makes everything heavenly 👍

Amazing 10/10

$25-$30 noodle soup that comes out with soggy noodles and digusting meatballs that taste like blue cheese. The red curry soup noodles are also overdone and has some disgusting herb that tasted like a bar of soap. I love cilantro so it was not like that, it’s 100x more soapy.

This place must’ve been reviewed by people without taste buds. I can get great Pho for only $13. In no universe should mediocre Pho cost almost $30.

Great food and nice service.

Went alone on Tuesday at 730pm. Restaurant was mostly empty, but they weren’t happy to have me. Eventually they offered me a table with red cheap chair at the back of the room. Wow! I declined and asked for a table in the middle as most were empty. Eventually we settled for a 2 seater table in the middle of room. Great food though. I think I will stick to take out and avoid the humiliation of being alone.

Bida Manda has found its way into the 7 or 8 restaurants that make up my Raleigh top 5 restaurants. The service has always been friendly and attentive. The restaurant is clean and has a nice aesthetic that transports you out of Raleigh during your stay. The bar has good imagination with some delicious interpretations of classic cocktails. Even if the only thing you are looking for is a drink you’ll be happy stopping in here but then you’d be missing out on some truly amazing food. Where to begin? The chicken wings should be in consideration for Raleigh’s best fried chicken. Crispy juicy yummy even before you add one of three sauces available for dipping. The crispy vegetable spring rolls, made to order, come out crunchy fresh without being greasy and the dipping sauce is sweet with just a touch of heat and funk and are the best spring rolls I’ve had in years. The Crispy Rice Lettuce Wraps, I get it, nothing sounds great in that name. They are so good. Great texture, great flavor, perfect for sharing. Take a chance on these and you won’t be disappointed. The Crispy Pork Belly Soup, specifically the coconut curry broth of the soup is next level, rich hearty salty up there with the best noodle broths I’ve had and the serving is huge. I split mine when I got it and still didn’t finish half after sharing an appetizer. The fried rice is delicious and the Green Papaya Salad with the Crispy Dill and Lemongrass Trout is one of my favorite dishes I’ve had anywhere. It’s spicy, almost too spicy, but all of the different textures and flavors come together perfectly. So so good. I’ve also tried the Pad Thai and the Manda Curry, both were just okay for me and I probably wouldn’t order either again when I can order the other dishes I mentioned. Can’t wait to get back into here.

Previous review follows:
This review is based on a very small sample of what the menu offers but every bite and every sip I had, sitting by myself at the bar, was amazing. The HAZELNUT MANHATTAN made with “Bourbon, frangelico, cardamaro, and black walnut bitters” was served in a coup glass that was aggressively frozen so the first sip was a little slushy. Simply delicious. It reminded of not too sweet butterscotch. The best Manhattan variation I’ve ever had. There are several drinks on the menu I want to try but the Manhattan was so good I just ordered another one for my second (last) drink. I also ordered the SAO NOY’S CRISPY SPRING ROLLS
“Filled with local herbs, vermicelli noodles, vegetables, ground pork, and served with our house-made caramelized sweet chili sauce with peanuts” for an appetizer. They are crispy salty with a complex mix of flavors and not a bit greasy, these are a next level spring roll. Loved them. Finally for dinner I had the GREEN PAPAYA SALAD “made with hand-julienned unripe papaya, tomatoes, peanuts, our house-made tamarind dressing, and sticky rice. Fresh Thai Chili is added to your heat preference. With the Crispy Dill and Lemongrass Trout added”. The bartender asked if I liked spicy food and I told him I do but also that I wanted to be cautious. He said the medium spice was a 7 out of 10 and recommended that based on the fact I like spice. He also added a side of chili paste in case I needed more heat. I did not need more heat. If anything it was a bit more spicy than I would have wanted but that didn’t stop me from stuffing myself. Every part of this dish is delicious. The papaya is finely julienned and dressed with every surface covered but not a ml more so the salad is not soggy. The trout might be the best trout I’ve ever eaten. Lightly breaded with crispy breading and skin. The flesh is heavily seasoned amazingly moist and flaky. A masterclass of fresh water fish. I will be back to Bida Manda at my earliest opportunity and I will try some of the other items on the menu. Based on my first experience here this is one of my top 5 restaurants in Raleigh and on par with the best Asian food I’ve had anywhere.
(I cut and pasted the restaurant’s dish descriptions into this review and placed those excerpts inside quotation marks)

I love coming here. The food is quite authentic and the cocktails are great.

Had a great meal a few nights ago. We ordered a couple of appetisers, the Pad Thai, and the chilli salmon. Other dishes on the menu looked 😋 but we were only 2 people. It was a bit pricey compared to other Thai restaurants, but it was worth it.

Absolutely loved our lunch here! The atmosphere was charming, the food was beautiful and service was great!!

The food was absolutely incredible! Loved the ambiance as well. A special shoutout to our server Gwen who particularly made our night!

Visited with some friends in town and had an excellent experience! As a vegetarian finding flavorful Asian food can be difficult and this place hit it out of the park! The lettuce wraps and fried rice were delicious!

Best Laos food ever. Get the pork belly soup, you won’t regret it. We were sad it was so much food we couldn’t finish it, but that’s a good problem to have.

Im Thai and the food was sooo authentic and delicious. My boyfriend and I shared BIDA SOMPHENG'S SALMON LAAB CEVICHE; I was delighted with how it tasted. For the entré, my boyfriend had pork crispy belly soup and I had duck laab (as I said that I’m Thai so I had laab before, they served duck laab cold here which might’ve been lao style, I have no idea) and yes, the service was on point as well!

Great Authentic Thai food

My husband and I recently went here for a late lunch. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable and was able to answer our menu questions. The food was absolutely delicious. I had Manda's Herb Salad which had loads of fresh herbs that included mint, cilantro, etc. along with lettuce, a small bit of noodles, vegetable spring rolls halves, peanuts, tofu, and eggplant. It came with a house-made sweet chili sauce that just elevated the salad to the next level. You have a choice of protein and I added the grilled pork belly. But, you can make it vegetarian as well. My husband had the Cashew Chicken stir-fry which came with mushrooms green vegetables and jasmine rice. He said it was one of the best stir-fry meals he's had in some time. The atmosphere is a bit dark, but doesn't really detract from the experience. We will not hesitate to enjoy another meal here soon.

I tried this restaurant in the 3rd week of august when I visited Raleigh on a huge recommendation by one of my friends 😊. It was a nice restaurant with lovely atmosphere. Two people ordered 1 portion of poke belly soup ,Mandarin Amphones and a portion of crispy rice lettuce wraps and it was enough for three people.

This place is truly so special. The crispy pork belly soup is incredibly delicious, but so is everything else that we have tried on the menu. Our server, Mackenzie, was so kind, and she went above and beyond to ensure we had a favorable dining experience. We will definitely be coming back!

Great portions and very delicious salads!

Such a lovely place! Stunning interior, delicious dishes and amazing service. Makenzie did a great job and made us feel comfortable every second of our dinner experience!

The place was amazing and so was our server! He was patient with us as we asked many questions and he gave us recommendations on drinks and food. The drink I loved the most was the Mekong Sunrise! The food had so much flavor and just the right amount of spice. The setting was a bit dark in there but the atmosphere was lovely! I definitely recommend this place if you are looking to try some pretty authentic Laotian food!

Bida Manda is a place of great contradiction. It is a beautiful space and on a Saturday night it was 60% full of beautiful people. Some of the staff were a bit all over the place and unfocused. Some were excellent covering for those that were not. I was here to try the Crispy Pork Belly Curry Soup, as even thinking those words makes me drool.

I thought I’d try a starter and spoke to the young lady who wasn’t running the bar, but seemed to do all the work behind it, and everywhere else too. Either the summer rolls or the Crispy Chicken Wings was my ask of her? And she suggested the chicken wings. I decided to have it with the curry side sauce. The chicken wings were indeed crispy. And hotter than if they’d just been dug up from Hell. Wow…. How something gets that temp and stays that hot is beyond me. However, they were actually rather bland in flavor. And did I mention they were hot, hot, hot. And sadly the side curry sauce is not something I’d order again. Oh, and it was a huge portion. Definitely a shareable appetizer.

Next up then the Crispy Pork Belly Soup. First impressions. Again, the bowl it was served in was huge. Closer to a small bucket rather a “Pho Bowl”. And the broth was delicious. Complex, flavorful, rich, creamy, and yummy, yum, yummy. The soup bowl is also packed deep in well cooked noodles and some shredded vegetables. But there my excitement ended. The serving of crispy pork belly, was 5 rather measly slices of somewhat less than perfectly crisp pork belly. This was a disappointment. I was hoping this would be a 6 outta 5 star bowl of deliciousness, and the broth, noodles, peanuts, and veggies were. The pork belly this dish is named for was sadly not.

I had a couple of their lighter beers, rather than wines or cocktails. The Soe and the Pilsner were both perfect to pair with the broth. Overall a 4.3 outta 5. A tiny bit of attention to detail could easily have made it a five. But it wasn’t.

Loved every single thing here. Atmosphere was retro industrial mixed outdoors and, french and Asian, in short welcoming, balanced, modern yet primitive. The staff were fantastic, especially our server. I asked the server questions and she gave not only insightful but also personally honest answers - not the typical week blah blah blah is a great seller. Instead, I really like this with this and that with that. Then would go into why, which is exactly what info I'm looking for if I ask a server their personal opinion. She was knowledgeable about everything on the menu. Then I learned she started in a different role learning the food the moved into a serving position - great choice, she was amazing (think her name was Hannah???).

The food, O-M-G, I've not had Laotian food since I moved from San Diego, and I forgot how amazing it is. I let the server pick for me, I simply named 4 dishes that sounded most interesting and that I couldn't get elsewhere and said surprise me. She did and it (my meal) did as well. The Crispy Pork Belly soup, silky short a little spice played against fresh bright herbs - hit all the flavor profiles. My only complaint is the meal was so good I couldn't fit any dessert and the desserts looked amazing, vibrant flavors of both SE Asia and French colonial combined. I wish I could've had self restraint to try one of each dessert...

If I come back to Raleigh, this is a must!

This place is neat! I’m definitely going back!

Great date night spot with delicious vegetarian and vegan options.

The food was incredibly fresh and flavorful.
Great service too

What an amazing food here. It’s been so many years we are in the Raleigh area but never knew about this place.

Must try food. Make sure you reserve a table ahead of time as walk-in’s are so tough if you’re going in the evening or weekends.

My first time and I loved everything ❤️

Crispy Pork Belly Soup! I was thrown off when it said "peanuts" but they're crushed (not whole) and just adds a nice texture to the broth. Very good option to try.

the food was delicious and the service was amazing and it had a classic interior design

Previous reviews had mentioned that this restaurant had great vegetarian/vegan options but it actually does not. The only vegan thing in the menu is a dessert item. The dishes that have to be adapted aren't that good.

My husband surprised me with an experience at Bida Manda for my birthday. At first, there were no reservations available when he tried to book, but they called with an opening. Holly, our server, was INCREDIBLE! She was friendly, welcoming, and honest in her suggestions. We love this Laotian restaurant and will visit again very soon! ❤️

A wonderful spot downtown. The crisp pork belly soup here is a genuine favorite; I find myself thinking of it every time I pass by the restaurant. Even on a busy Friday night I was able to find a spot at the bar and enjoy a meal in a reasonable timeframe. The staff was attentive, my drink never empty, and the soup a delight. Definitely a worthy spot for a flavorful meal.

Wonderful food, started with the Crispy chicken wings and was impressed with the crunchiness of them as well as their sauce selection. Had the pork belly soup and it was delicious. Love the food, atmosphere and service here.

Got a few cocktails and the Salmon for dinner. It was amazing. Super nice atmosphere, food was good, and very nice tasting cocktails. Good service as well.

Pork belly soup was 👍👍👍👍👍

We’ve always enjoyed this place but today for a birthday lunch we had the most perfect service from a delightful server, Alican. She totally made our day and we cannot wait to come back.

Never experienced Laotian food before.
Atmosphere is comfy, relaxed, warm and inviting.
Staff is off the charts! Friendly but not over friendly. Courteous, professional and knowledgeable.
The food, back to the food! Folks, Im getting goose bumps just thinking about the food. Flavors are deep and rich.
Definitely a place I want to visit again!

Arrived at 6:30 PM on a Tuesday and learned that without a reservation there were no tables available until 9:30. Experience says that’s a good sign. Found spots at the bar. Bartender a little hard to understand but super friendly. Wife got a Strawberry Crush, and I got a Spicy Khiew. No idea what that means but it was great, even better than the ingredients sounded. We shared crispy rice lettuce wraps, which were awesome. Way above any I’ve had before. My supper was the papaya salad with crispy dill and lemongrass trout. Wife had the vegetable saffron crepe. The server gave us both advice on eating, which maybe was really a heads up to slow way down and savor. We didn’t bother to try each other’s food. Seemed best to stick with our own, which we each thought was amazing.

Bida Manda is a hit every time. Food is fantastic. Service is great and I believe it is the most beautiful restaurant in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Can not speak highly enough! Gwen provided absolutely the be service and have received in a long time! She treated us amazing on our anniversary. The food is delicious and will not disappoint. Much visit and I promise you will return!

Hands down my new favorite restaurant downtown. Can’t believe it took me so long to try this place. Can’t wait to visit again.

The service was excellent, but the table was sticky. Everything was either overly sweet or overly salty, not much nuance or interesting depth of flavors. Really nothing innovative. However, the fish was cooked perfectly! Prices were high and the dishes were not on par with the expense.

Yum! Loved their seafood salad, hope to return soon and try that pork belly soup :)

Fabulous!

This was our fourth visit to this awesome restaurant. Today we shared some light dishes sitting at the bar for lunch. As always the sausage starter was fantastic, so was the papaya salad, chicken wings with three sauces, Lao Banh Mi with pho broth and a sticky rice pudding. All top quality.
Definitely worth a visit.

I had the most awesome dining experience here with my daughter.

Good food and good service.

Excellent all around. Our server Gwen was amazing and very attentive. Had the cashew stir fry and basil stir fry - both had really great flavors. Loved the vibe of the space as well. Will be back!

I love this place. The food was delicious though a tad salty and I love salt! I need to give them the benefit of doubt here because it could have just been the day or my taste buds. Service and vibes were authentic and cozy. Great place for a date get together for gourmet food. Although my food experience wasn't perfect, the flavors and options were diverse enough that I would recommend to friends and go again myself. Definitely a "must go" restaurant and don't hesitate to check them out. Just ask them to hold the salt.

I love this place so much. Delicious Laotian food that reminds me of my trip to Laos. Like curry as well as lemongrass sausage was the star of the show. Highly recommend trying the lemongrass sausage for an incredibly scrumptious appetizer that will exceed any expectations. The Thai iced tea was tasty as well but next time I would ask for 50% of the sweetness.

While the food tasted wonderful, the price on some items was high.
Appetizers:
Summer rolls where $17 ($7 too much).
Crispy rolls where also $17 ($9 too much for what I got - 3 VERY thin and sliced in half the long way).
Ginger Chicken was well valued.

Consistently great!

Loved the flavors, presentation, creativity and atmosphere. Thanks for a great culinary experience! Was a wonderful place to make memories with my family!

We had a large party of 20 people. Food was amazing and I would say the best Thai food I have had in a long time. Please book reservations in advance and study the menu before you go. It’s a great menu.

Not many Laotian eateries out there so this does stand out. The food was good but I wouldnt call it outstanding. The duck unfortunately was a little too salty. We loved the shrimp chips and the macaroons as desert were good too.

Table service was well managed overall.

I would like to point out the enormous price increase of food here since 4 years ago. Even if you were to take inflation into account. There is no justification for cocktails to go from $9 to $16 in such a short time.

Another bad experience was with the front desk staff, who while accommodating of our schedule change, were rather blunt in telling us that we had till 7PM before the next reservation showed up. This was never mentioned when we made the reservation in the first place.

This was bizarre and off putting but thankfully the manager came up and he did soothe things over. Funny thing, that group of 10 never showed up by the time we left a little after 7:15.

Protip to the owners: Tell your front desk to show some tact.

We did not have a reservation but we were able to be seated at the bar. Our server/bartender John, did a fantastic job making us feel welcome, taking our order and suggesting a beer to go with the wings. The food was delicious and the vibe was relaxing.

Laotian cuisine isn't easy to find. Close to Thailand food. Very impressive food, Curry, crispy pork belly, pad thai, are all super good. Creamy and fragrant. Highly recommended.

I wish I had taken pictures but overall I loved it! Me and my partner ate there yesterday. Our waitress, Gwen A, was wonderful. She made the experience 10 times better than expected! I had the pork belly soup. It was like a hug in your mouth, good! Had wings for the start, and the dessert was great, too!! So all in all, for first-time experience, it was fantastic to eat there. I would love to go again! ❤️❤️❤️☺️(p.s I did get one Pic)

We ordered lavender haze and berry old-fashioned cocktails. Both are great.They gave shrimp chips for every table, and they are so good. For entrees, we had sweet chili salmon and Basil fried rice with shrimp. They are good, and both came with jasmine rice. Service and ambiance were great.

Makenzie was amazing! She was very attentive and so kind to us! Highly recommend 😊

Yesterday, my daughter and I drove 3.5 hours from Asheville to an event in Raleigh. We had reservations for 1:45 but due to a couple of accidents on the road, we were unable to make it. We decided to cut it close and show up to the restaurant at 5 when it reopened because we had heard nothing but great things! We sat at the bar, knew what we wanted to order and quickly paid for our meal. We only had about 30 minutes to eat before we needed to be at our event but since we had heard such amazing things, we couldn’t leave Raleigh without trying Bida Monda’s. Because we were in a hurry, I mentioned to the host and bar tender that we had earlier reservations but due to traffic we weren’t able to make it but insisted on going to the restaurant anyway!

The staff was so quick and accommodating. The kind manager heard our story about driving from so far and about not making the reservation that he brought us the pork belly soup to try on the house and it was delicious! My daughter and I ordered the Anaheim stuffed peppers and curry to share and both were amazing. I asked if we could quickly pack up our food because we needed to be at an event and the manager was so kind to gift us the purple mango sticky rice on the house. Though we didn’t get to taste it fresh, we later got home and devoured it!

I’m not sure I’ve ever been treated so hospitable, kind and accommodating at any restaurant I’ve ever eaten in the world. It was by far the best experience we’ve ever had and the food was incredibly amazing. We’ll definitely be visiting again when we’re back in town. We can’t recommend Bida Monda’s enough. It’s a must if you’re in Raleigh!

Awesome restaurant, I have several food intolerances and the staff was very accommodating and had the food changed as needed. Cocktails were amazing as well!

Porky belly was small and tough

This meal was supernaturally good, seriously out of this world good, we talked about it so much. Was here for our 25th anniversary and so glad we did. Get the lettuce wrapped sticky rice. Gwen was terrific.

Absolutely loved the food and atmosphere. Posting a pic of my dish which was the saffron and turmeric crepe with veggies.

I had a high expectation about this place.. but the food didn’t quite meet my expectation.
I enjoyed crispy fried rice though.
But their fried wings were way too hard to bite.. and their pork belly soup… had gamey pork smell. I’m really sensitive with gamey smell of pork when they are not fresh. I was looking forward to the pork belly soup because of all these high ratings but if you can only enjoy fresh pork.. You might not enjoy this dish. Hopefully it was just the day that I visited them. But the service and the interior were pretty nice.

If I could give this restaurant a six I would. We had the pork belly soup and pumpkin curry and the flavors were perfect. All the appetizers were delicious.

We have been here before and I cannot say anymore the quality of food is.good. Except for the appetizer and drink and everything else was not great. Normally I would not get give negative review but given the fact that this place is easily double the price of other places I feel obligated to do so

Truly Exquisite restaurant. Bursting with flavor and freshness. Sarah was above & beyond in professionalism & hospitality

Bida Manda is the perfect for every single meal! We had the Tom Khem and Stir-Fried Cashew Ginger Chicken, and both were PHENOMENAL and so filling! So glad we celebrated here and cannot wait to be back!! Our server Gwen treated us like dear old friends. It's rare to visit a restaurant and feel like you've been here your whole life. It felt like I was surrounded by family and friends when I was actually in a room full of strangers. 10/10, will be here again!

I decided to order from this eatery last night and was blown away by the pad Thai. The mixture of flavor, vegetables and chicken blended in a way I didn't know I needed. I will be back even if I have to pay ahead on the phone. The associate that answered the phone was professional, kind, patient and willing to take my order even during busy hours. I love supporting any restaurant that still answers their phone with humans on the other side.

UPDATE-Bida Manda took care of me. You got a long time customer.

Honestly the best restaurant experience I've ever had. Food is priced fairly and delicious, our waiters McKenzie and Yuri were fantastic, and the restaurant interior as a whole was perfect. Cocktails are great as well.

I’ve lived in Asia and this is some of the best fried rice I’ve ever had

Awesome food and waitress.

The food was so so so good and service was top notch. Came here to visit, so if I ever come back this will definitely be the spot I go to!

I absolutely love this place! Sam gave us the best service, he was so personable! The food was amazing, I’ll definitely be back!

It was amazing the pork belly soup is the best ever 🤤 the server/ bar tender Erin was great 👍 I give this place a ten star rating

Great food, service and ambiance. You must try their lettuce wraps.

Delicious dishes and friendly service.

THANK YOU GWEN!!! This was an absolute experience.

Attention all foodies this is a must eat!!!
Ask for Gwen when you come in she gave a great run down on the menu.
For out appetizers we had the YUM TALAY she did explain if your a seafood lover you will enjoy this and we absolutely did. This was served chilled and full of endless flavor we took it up notch and elevated the dish with a nice crunch from the fish chips that came to the table. I had the lucky dragon it was strong and smooth couldn’t ask for a better drink. For our entrees we ordered the sea bass mom and I had the papaya salad with trout a medium spice level and both dishes we great if you don’t like spicy go mild medium has some kick and for my heat lovers you can enjoy this even hotter.

Again ask for GWEN. She knows the menu well enough to tend to any tables palate

Ordered sausage as appetizer n curry for the entree… both tastes great and give u new experience about foods..

肋条和五花肉不错，量大味美。Pho差点意思。

Fantastic food and atmosphere! The services was fantastic, the drinks and food were expertly made!

The Thai speaking staff were particularly friendly and wonderful. Highly recommend the experience

Absolutely fantastic! Such a gem, and I wish there was something like this where I lived! The space is beautiful, warm, and inviting. They have amazing drinks and just incredible food - we had the lettuce wraps with crispy rice, the pork belly soup, and papaya salad and each one was just spectacular! I cannot speak highly enough of just how delicious everything was. I ate my fill and then some more because I couldn't bear to let it go to waste! This is a must-go if you're in Raleigh!

This food is so good, I’m still sitting in the restaurant while writing this review. We ordered 4 different dinner dishes and every single one was great portion and absolutely delicious. All of the staff is extremely kind. Highly recommend this place.

Bida Panda came highly recommend by several people after we moved to the Raleigh area. We have been multiple times and are always greeted warmly with superior service. The staff has an innate attention to detail and anticipates your every need. Highly recommend!

I heard about this place from a good friend of mine, and was not disappointed. The food was unbelievable and service was excellent. I had the Pad Thai shrimp and it was delicious. My friend had the Pad Lao and she loved it.

Highly recommend and will go again. 10 out of 10!

The pork belly soup is amazing, we had the sausage appetizer which was also really good. We were able to get a table for six with walk-in though I hear that's rare. Everybody's dishes looked amazing and smelled great. And everyone was talking about the taste after dinner.

Always looking for a reason to go back

Didn't blow my mind... something is wrong when the best thing you've had is the cocktail and a spicy salad! My son did say the crispy pork soup was worth a shout ....Sister concern bhavana outshines hands down...

I came here with high expectations, so I feel a bit disappointed; the food was mediocre, in my opinion. Papaya salad is my favorite food, and I know what authentic flavor tastes like. It came with grilled pork neck that was supposed to be tender, but this one wasn’t. Both of them were just okay; they didn’t meet my standards. The crispy pork belly soup was okay; I like the pork belly part, but there was nothing special about the curry. One thing that I liked was the crispy rice lettuce wraps; those were pretty good. I might go back and try something different that might be more tasty. Anyway, it has a good atmosphere and decor

Delicious food & great service! Our waitress, McKenzie, and the ladies up front were all very nice!!