So so so so so good. Had the Brisket Pho and the pork belly appetizer. They could not have been friendlier and service was ultra fast. They were super accommodating of a friends vegan needs too. Total hidden gem 💎

vientiane bistro should be at the top of your list to try in philly. byob, amazing lao thai food that i haven’t been able to get anywhere else, and such kind staff? to top it off options for everything (vegan, veg, gluten free) get after it!!

I had lao food and it was good. Baan Xeo was on a little dryerside. It should be crispy on the outside and soft in the center. Bamboo soup was good. Green papaya was spicy which i love but they over pounded it. Did not try their Thai dishes but maybe next.

The food taste delicious. We had the dumplings, summer rolls, and panaeng curry and it all tasted so good! Highly recommend this place!

Great new addition to the neighborhood. BYOB.

Went in and tried a wide variety of things from the menu. Jake, the server, was very confident in recommending what to get and skip based on our preferences. The sticky tamarind wings, Laotian sausages and beef pad kee mow were the stars of the show. The grilled Cornish hen was very good as well. Only thing I would change is to get slightly bigger share plates.

Will be back to try more menu items

I tried calling them before making this review. I called 3 times no one answer. It just goes to voicemail. I order off UberEats and one of my order were their ice coffee cold. It straight up tastes and smell like alcohol. The first time, I ordered from them it never tasted like this.

What a wonderful place to eat. The menu was able to cater to an eclectic group of individuals with various dietary restrictions with ease. The staff was very friendly, too. We loved that they had games and puzzles for the kids to play while they waited for their food. A delicious way to spend our day.

It's been a banger of a time every single visit, and I don't expect that will change any time soon (or ever)!! The food is super hot fire always and the staff are all extremely friendly and informative! Can't wait for next time around 💪💪💪

I have eaten almost everywhere & almost everything...and Lao cuisine is EASILY one of the BEST in the world. Hence...one would think that with a decent size Lao community in Philly, we would have a decent number of some of the best Lao restaurants in the country (like Thip Khao in DC, Charming Elephant in Baltimore, or Sticky Rice Cafe in Knoxville). Not so much. When Vientiane Bistro is hitting, the food is very good. But every other visit, it seems like the kitchen loses its way (e.g. Sai oua comes out burned or falling apart; Duck Laab comes out without cilantro or chilies). Every Lao restaurant in the Philly area (and there are only 4) has some version of the same issue: 50% of the menu is good 50% of the time. Worth the gamble. But prepare yourself if it doesn't pay off.

Food is just ok. Seems expensive for what you get and where you get it.

vientiane bistro should be at the top of your list to try in philly. byob, amazing lao thai food that i haven’t been able to get anywhere else, and such kind staff? to top it off options for everything (vegan, veg, gluten free) get after it!!

Top notch food ,

The food taste delicious. We had the dumplings, summer rolls, and panaeng curry and it all tasted so good! Highly recommend this place!

Best restaurant and the food

Best food ever out there it is family

Is the best food outthere

All over the place. Very rude I ask for one thing they gave me what they wanted to give me. To be honest they don’t give enough food for the prices. And I saw a cook tasting food off the spoon he cooks with. Now that’s nasty they have just anyone working in kitchen no skill needed.

I tried calling them before making this review. I called 3 times no one answer. It just goes to voicemail. I order off UberEats and one of my order were their ice coffee cold. It straight up tastes and smell like alcohol. The first time, I ordered from them it never tasted like this.

Delicious!

This might be the best Thai restaurant in the city.

It's been a banger of a time every single visit, and I don't expect that will change any time soon (or ever)!! The food is super hot fire always and the staff are all extremely friendly and informative! Can't wait for next time around 💪💪💪

Been here multiple time and it’s been amazing every time take out and dine in. Sunny was a great server and had great recommendations! Also great options for vegetarian/vegan

So so so so so good. Had the Brisket Pho and the pork belly appetizer. They could not have been friendlier and service was ultra fast. They were super accommodating of a friends vegan needs too. Total hidden gem 💎

A hidden gem. Can't be missed.

The best food and the most friendly staff. I’ve enjoyed every meal that I’ve had here and have taken several people here and they’ve all loved it.

Delicious every time. The penang curry is just spectacular. .

The food was amazing. Chief very passionate and friendly. He said Kingston used to be good when he grew up, but drugs messed the area. He is determined to bring back the area by running the restaurant there. atmosphere of the restaurant is nice. Just the Kingston ave itself is sketchy. Highly recommend the restaurant but don’t go at night!

Very “hole in the wall” type of joint and never would’ve found this without looking up “Best Thai/Laotian” on PhillyEater. The chef was very smart to suggest I add a pork belly to my crab-based papaya salad— it kicks it up to excellent tasting but what crispy food add-on doesn’t?! I enjoyed this place very much as a solo diner not expecting frills and only looking for fresh and quickly made food

Amazing 😍

Love the food, had an odd experience a while ago must have new management.

i love the pad kra pao w/ minced pork. it has been on the specials menu since at least early 2024, highly recommend. i have loved everything here. as far as i can tell you cannot go wrong. great staff service and food. love it

The smell of food lures you in to the welcome atmosphere. I ate the Spicy Basil Fried Rice with Chicken as my protien. If you are on a date this is perfect if both like spicy. I wasn't expecting the portion to be so big. Very surprising gem in Kensington. Nice chunks of chicken as well. I will be sure to try the mega popular soup when I return. After eating from this place, now the only Chinese food I will be eating is General Tso"s Chicken or Shrimp. Awesome eating.

I got the lunch special. The food was great but lacking in quantity. I left hungry almost every time. The people are sweet and it’s a very nice little place. I just wish there was more food even if it was a side of white rice. $20 and Im leaving hungry. Such a shame because everything else is wonderful.

Love there food super clean and always fresh

This was fantastic! Super fresh and flavorful.

Excellent food! I enjoyed everything!

Duck Laab was phenomenal!!!

They are a little expensive but the food was great

Spicy and delicious! Try the soups, the fried rice, and the traditional laotian dishes. Staff are excellent as well.

My go-to take out spot. The food always arrives hot, and everything is always delicious. You can tell they put emphasis on good, fresh ingredients! I love their pho, but have also enjoyed their stir fries and any of the appetisers I’ve ordered. And they can make a lot of things vegan if requested! Highly recommend.

Food was soooo good a hidden gem in the city for sure will definitely be taking all my family back chicken satay was so yummy I had to get an order to go if your thinking about going here please do you wont be disappointed everything is authentic and fresh

This was amazing! We were visiting family from GA and I needed comfort food after all the American food I had for days. So many options that I have never seen at other "Laotian " restaurants. I wanted to order everything! Definitely on my list of places to return whenever we are in town.

Lovely little bistro with good Beef Pho. I haven't got anything else from the menu yet, but it's a good restaurant.

They gotta clean Kensington up this is a gem....love this place...

Delicious

Great experience and food, thanks to the staff!

I ate here for the first time today. I had the green curry salmon with sticky and jasmine rice. It was DELICIOUS!! Everything was cooked perfectly! It was soooo good. A full salmon steak and so many veggies all in a creamy green curry sauce. The staff was very friendly, kind, helpful, and knowledgeably. I will definitely be back! 🤗

I had lao food and it was good. Baan Xeo was on a little dryerside. It should be crispy on the outside and soft in the center. Bamboo soup was good. Green papaya was spicy which i love but they over pounded it. Did not try their Thai dishes but maybe next.

This is the best Thai restaurant in the city. I’ve been to most of them. Best Green Curry. I’ve ordered dishes that I’ve smelled being served to other tables-all amazing food. Enjoy this place now before it’s “discovered”

I have been meaning to try the bistro out and so happy I finally did! There was a group of 5 of us and we had a variety of different small plates and larger. The lettuce wraps were suggested to us as a good starter and was a big hit! The green curry was the perfect amount of spice and the salmon with tamarind sauce was awesome. I'm already looking forward to the next time I can go back!

Incredible food! Loved it all.

Excellent...!!!!

The food here was amazing! Everything here is super fresh, well seasoned, and great service. A hidden gem that is a great find. A new happy customer here.

Good service, great food. Will be back

The Tom Saap is bussin BUSSIN like on god fr fr. they must have put a whole lot of love bc the guy who makes it is so fineeeee, but overall great place.

Awesome food with awesome staff makes an awesome restaurant.

So tasty! Yummy pho. Best fried tofu. Good service .

I was seated at a table with my friend and the server approached us with an ill-fitting mask. She had been too lazy to open the fan section if it and employ the nose wire. She then pulled her mask OFF and leaned into us very closely and said “I need to see your vaccine cards”. I pulled mine out to show it and she had walked away! Very rude. When she returned, I showed my vaccine card but she didn’t bother to verify it against my photo identification. Weird. I then told her that her mask is on incorrectly and her pathetic excuse was that she can’t breathe . I told her that I too work in food service and I never complain about that because I wear my mask correctly, hence, I can breathe. She refused to wear her mask in a safe manner and kept touching it. Then she brought our tea by touching the mouthpieces of the tea cups. That was when we knew we were not safe eating there. It’s too bad because I had eaten there before and the other server was safe and professional. Anyhow, we went to eat across the street instead and the server wore his mask correctly and was very professional. Food was delicious too.

Great food. A hidden gem in Kensington.

*sorry, I started eating it already 😂* This is really good. I’m a picky eater but I have no complaints about this meal. I ordered angel shrimp & sweet basil salmon w white rice. I tore the shrimp up. They were nice & crispy. The sauce that came with it tastes like a mild duck sauce. I like it. I would definitely give this restaurant another go.👍🏾

OMG so delicious 😋

Had a wonderful experience and meal! We were there with a party of 13 (including 4 children). All of the staff were very friendly and understanding with the kids who wanted to roam around. The food was amazing - fresh and delicious. The curry fried rice was a highlight for the whole table. Can’t wait to order it for take out soon.

Food is seriously the best. One of my favorite places.

The mango sticky rice was awesome 👌🥭

This place is amazing. Such wonderful menu options, consistently tasty food, and excellent customer service. We've been going here for years and it never disappoints. So happy to have them in our neighborhood!

Delicious Thai food and great service

Absolutely delicious food! The Spicy Basil Fried Rice & Crispy Spring Rolls were amazing and rich with flavor, my new favorite place for one of my favorite Thai dishes.

I had gone to the location in West Philadelphia and was blown away. While the menu is the same at the Kensington location, sadly the quality is not the same. The sauce in the Lad Na dish was watery and overly salted, the Mango Sticky Rice had a bitterness to it. The other dishes ordered were the Naam Salad and papaya salad which were ok, nothing wrong there. But overall not at all cooked to the same level of flavor and quality as the location in West Philly.

Friendly chef & great food.

Ordered delivery from here last night and really enjoyed the potpourri of Laotian and Thai specialties. The roast duck with ginger sauce was absolutely terrific, with a pronounced hit of heat from the ginger, while not being totally overpowering. Summer rolls were likewise delicious. All sauces were delicious and the portions were plentiful. Only small complaint is that the veggie dumplings were kind of smushy, but with everything else being as excellent as it was, I would order from here again in a heartbeat.

What a wonderful place to eat. The menu was able to cater to an eclectic group of individuals with various dietary restrictions with ease. The staff was very friendly, too. We loved that they had games and puzzles for the kids to play while they waited for their food. A delicious way to spend our day.

Great food, cool place. Staff is very friendly and attentive. This has become my go to place for all things Thai. Highly recommend!

food Was great service friendly. With a smile love it

Excellent Vietnamese/Cambodian food, friendly staff, nice place. Weird location and subsequently odd hours but i definitely recommend. We love the pompano, sticky tamarind tofu, and spicy basil sauce on anything. So good, eat here!

If you have to try the King Soup. Delicious!!

This place is ridiculously good. Super fresh, complex authentic flavors. Hope they stick around! The Khao Poon is my favorite

Delicious pho!

Ordered mostly Laotian dishes. Different spices, earthy flavors. The Laan was excellent though very salty. The yellow curry with fish was a spicy warm kind of curry that I haven't had before; you should try it if you like Thai styled curries.

The food was good. It wasnt very busy but we did have to wait a while for our door and the service was only okay. We did have to search for a waitress a few times. They also have deliver which I like

Everything we had is so delicious, King soup, Tod Paa, Sai Gawk. I never had Laos food before, but now I am a fan. The waiter is very friendly too, taking his time to recommend food for us. Overall very good experience!

Came here for friends rehearsal dinner. Such a unique spot. The food was good. The area was very tidy. Parking can be a bit of hassle given the neighbor hood. Def. a hidden gem in not a particularly attractive area. Will def. repeat again.

Amazing food and staff

Good place good food prices ok.

I love this place so so much. It’s turning out to be my new favourite neighborhood restaurant. The food is amazing. I really recommend the tofu panang. The service is so great and I’ve been treated so well by the servers each time I come. Dinner for two comes out to be about $30 plus tip. It’s BYO so I bring a beer or two to enjoy with the meal

AMAZING! Panang curry with chicken is life changing and drunken noodles with beef and not to be missed!

All the food was so good. And the service was great as well. Definitely recommend this place.

I love Lao food and have been eating it for years....I changed my diet a bit and asked for dishes to be prepared vegetarian and man nothing lost any of it's flavor. It didn't taste any different and I didnt feel sluggish after eating 6 dishes between 2 people (we were hungry I guess) Service was super good as well. Won't be my last visit especially because I forgot to order mango sticky rice 🍨😒

Get the sticky rice and mango.

Vientiane Bistro has been a very welcome addition to our neighborhood. We have been pleased with everything we have tried on the menu - the food always tastes fresh. They also have gluten free and vegan options.

Kenneth and the other servers are always attentive and accommodating. Many folks seem to feel more comfortable ordering out, but I would highly recommend visiting. The space holds about 30 people comfortably if you would like to book a private event.

Clean, beautiful interior. Excellent service, excellent food!

This place is now one if my go-to Philly favorites. Consistently delicious via Uber eats. My boyfriend and I went in person for the first time and Kenneth, our server, was amazing. Two words: King Soup. You'll thank me later.

Amazing lunch special deal for quality food, great hidden gem in this neighborhood. The food is the real deal and a nice space to enjoy a meal with friends. Staff so friendly! Everyone should check it out.

Laotian food in East Kensington...feeling happy to have such tasty authentic food. My personal favorite is the oh so crispy and delicious naam lettuce wrap which was improved for me when Sunny procured the traditional sour sausage to add instead of ham. I first tastes this northern thai/laotian delicacy in las vegas nam khao tod..hauntedly crispy rice salad dressed in a cilantro lime peanut and chili dressing interdispersed with slivers of sour pork sausage...amazing. Sunny told me that she always requested her mom, whom she learned both the cooking and restaurant skills from, to make nam todd for every birthday celebration! I think I have finally found a version that beats Lotus of Siam!

This food was so delicious. Will be ordering again very soon.

The food was fantastic and in made much more enjoyable by the personable server. He was very accommodating. I would have given it five stars except for the fact that it was rather chilly in there. A little heat would have been nice.

The food here and at the w philly location is incredible

Just got food here for the 2nd time cuz I enjoyed it so much the first time. I was in a hurry and hadnt had a chance to call to order. They accomodated me as best they could by helping me order stuff that could be made quickly. Not an ideal way to eat but the food was ready quickly and was excellent. I work close by and am confident that whatever I get there will be good....theres a fresh clean quality to the food.

Just came back from the worst service I've ever had in a restaurant. Food was all out of order. Some things forgotten entirely, or entrees that came out too early and then were clearly reheated. All of this, and at no point did anyone apologize or make up for anything.

I’ve eaten here almost ten times already. Food is incredible and very authentic. Haven’t had a bad experience yet. Would recommend. Also it’s BYO 👌🏼

Quick friendly service and I've loved everything I've tried so far

A lot of new restaurants and shops are coming into East Kensington, but I have to say this is my favorite and will likely remain so for a long time. A bit off the beaten path, but worth it. Great authentic Thai food that is genuinely spicy upon request and a clean, comfortable newly renovated layout. Service is also stellar (thumbs up to Ken). Highly recommend. Oh, and it’s BYOB which just makes it that much better!

Come here for the food, everything else is secondary.

Food 5/5
Service 3/5
Decor 4/5
Location 1/5

Amazing place! We've been there as a group of 8 and the service was fast and the waiter super nice. The food is also very very good!

Had a nice family dinner here last night! Friendly staff & great food!! Mussels with Curry...Delicious!

Great new addition to the neighborhood. BYOB.

Went in and tried a wide variety of things from the menu. Jake, the server, was very confident in recommending what to get and skip based on our preferences. The sticky tamarind wings, Laotian sausages and beef pad kee mow were the stars of the show. The grilled Cornish hen was very good as well. Only thing I would change is to get slightly bigger share plates.

Will be back to try more menu items

Best new spot in the area, and I mean it! Great service, patient with out of town and large parties. Food is fabulous and the papaya salad was the only one in America I would deem excellent. Good prices and great food.

Authentic, excellent and fresh. This place is clean and the staff are welcoming and helpful. Prices are very reasonable and the lunch special is a bargain. They cater to vegetarian and vegans as well as die hard meat eaters. The food is perfectly spiced and they make it as mild or as spicy as you like. We have been to Vientiane and this is the real thing. Can't wait to go back.

Delicious food!