Luang Prabang food tour
LUANG PRABANG FOOD TOUR - There’s something magical about Luang Prabang in the morning, when the city stirs to life - golden light catching the temple spires, and the unmistakable scent of smoky charcoal and roasting Lao coffee drifting through the air.
If you truly want to understand this once royal capital, skip the hotel breakfast and join our local foodie hosts for a four-hour deep dive into the flavours that define the city. It’s in the bustling morning markets, quiet backstreets, and generations-old eateries where Luang Prabang reveals its culinary soul.
With over 15 tastings on this moveable feast, you’ll gain a true insider’s perspective on Lao cuisine. Expect sizzling spatchcocked chicken, piquant papaya salad, smoky Lao coffee, comforting khao soy noodle soup, chilli-laced jaew bong, cooling coconut milk desserts, and many more unforgettable local bites.
Get a taste of the culture, cuisine, and community on our daily morning Luang Prabang food tour. You won’t regret it.
Dates not available? Prefer a later experience? Try our evening Luang Prabang food tour
Why this tour is awesome
Our morning tour goes beyond breakfast—it's a deep dive into Luang Prabang's culinary roots. You’ll explore a produce market, a decades-old café, family-run street stalls and local eateries tasting more than 15 different dishes. Our tours are led by passionate Luang Prabang foodie hosts who offer rich, flavour-packed introductions to Lao cuisine and culture you simply wouldn't find on your own.
Your guide
Latda is a Luang Prabang native, Laotian food veteran and guide of more than 20 years. Having grown up in the city, she knows every culinary corner - the bustling night markets, roadside street vendors and the local eateries rarely visited by tourists. What she doesn't know about Luang Prabang's food scene isn't worth knowing.
Start the morning right at an historic Luang Prabang cafe
Crispy pa tong go with strong Laotian coffee
Forget the hotel breakfast buffet, this is where the locals eat
A bowl of steamy Laotian khao soy noodles
Eat, eat, repeat
Explore Luang Prabang's bustling morning produce market
Taste unique ingredients like charcoal-grilled honeycomb
A flight of jaew chilli dips, a cornerstone of the Laos dinner table
Charcoal-grilled spatchcocked chicken with Laos papaya salad
A plate of ping gai chicken grilled over charcoal
Flipping a spatchcocked grilled chicken
Meet the local food heroes
Banh cuon, rice noodle steamed over a cloth
Rolled rice noodle with crispy shallots with cured sausage
One of the last traditional brick-oven bakers in Laos
Baguettes rising before they are cooked in the brick oven
A basket of freshly baked baguettes
End on a dessert from a vendor who's opened over 60 years ago
Includes
- Price US $45 per person
- Tastings 15+ food tastings included
- Drinks Bottled water included
- Small group tour Maximum of 8 guests (private tours or groups of 9+, please contact us)
- Start time 8.30am
- Duration Around 3.5 to 4 hours, depending on the pace of the group
- Guide Led by one of our superb Luang Prabang food hosts
- Transport Mostly a walking tour, though a tuk tuk is used for the second half of the tour
- Child Policy Around 3.5 to 4 hours, depending on the pace of the group
- Instant confirmation Book instantly on our live calendar. If your date is unavailable, please contact us
- Cancellation Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
- Language English
- Pick up / drop off Not included. Easy to find meeting point for all guests.
Dietary information
- General Advice Many streetside vendors specialise in signature menus, and may not have alternatives. It is not always possible to cater for all dietary requests at every stop
- Lactose free Lactose / dairy is used in 1-2 tastings (out of 15 total), though it can be requested without.
- Gluten intolerance Gluten is present in 2-3 smaller tastings (out of 15 total), with no alternatives available. Mild gluten intolerances won't go hungry, but soy sauce is also present in a further 2-3 tastings.
- Celiac Disease Unsuitable sorry, as there are traces of gluten in 5-6 tastings, including unavoidable soy sauce
- Beef Beef is used in 1-2 tastings (out of 15 total) with no alternatives, though the guest won't go hungry if it's their only restriction.
- Pork Pork is used in 2-3 tastings (out of 15 total) with limited alternatives, though the guest won't go hungry if it's their only restriction . Unsuitable for halal diets.
- Halal Sorry, the tour does not have halal-certified vendors on the route
- Vegetarian Meat and seafood is used in 3-4 tastings (out of 15 total) where limited alternatives are available.
- Vegan Meat, seafood and eggs are used in 4-5 tastings (out of 15 total) where limited alternatives are available.
- Pescatarian Meat is used in 2-3 tastings (out of 15 total) where limited alternatives are available.
- Seafood / Shellfish allergy Seafood based ingredients are used in 2-3 tastings (out of 15 total). They can be requested without, but traces are likely.
- Tree nut / peanut allergy Possible for mild allergies, though peanuts are used in 1-2 tastings (out of 15 total). There are no other known tree nuts.
- Severe food allergies Due to the nature of street food cooking, we can never guarantee any dish to be 100% free from allergens, as there is always the risk of traces and cross-contamination. It is unsuitable for severe allergies. Contact us: info@achefstour.com
How to book
To join our Luang Prabang food tour, use the calendar above to select your preferred date, and secure your tour with your card. For special requests, private bookings, or dietary requirements, please contact us. Safety of our customers is our first priority, so if you have any food allergies, please contact us before booking.
What to expect
This tour is designed for adventurous eaters with an interest in discovering the food locals eat. It’s mostly a walking tour, but the pace is gentle, the terrain flat and there are plenty of rest (eating) stops along the way. A tuk tuk is used for part of the journey. Join us on the best Luang Prabang food tour in the city, you won't regret it.
Meeting point
The meeting point is opposite the Pasaniyom Traditional Café along the edge of the mighty Mekong. This is within walking distance from most of Luang Prabang's old town hotels and guest houses. There will be more details on your booking voucher.Â
Cancellation Policy
Why you should book with us
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99% 5 star reviews across our tours -
Secure payments through provider Peek
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No hidden charges - all food tastings included in the price
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Authentic food experience, escape the tourist traps