Breakfast in Luang Prabang

Breakfasts are generally a practical beginning to each day, a refueling exercise before the real business of life begins. But not so in Laos, here breakfasts are worth waking early for, if only to savor the aroma of freshly baked French style croissants drifting from small cafes,  mingling with the comforting steam of noodle soup ladled out at bustling morning stalls.

Saffron-robed monks glide past you, as you sip a dark, earthy Lao coffee, reminding you that breakfast should not merely be a meal but a quiet ritual. Simple, sincere and impossibly soulful, a Lao morning rewards anyone who rises with the sun.
There are cities in the world where breakfast feels like a functional need, a hurried nod to the day. But not in the mornings in Luang Prabang. Here breakfast became a small ceremony of joy, a gentle commitment, a reminder that the simplest pleasures in life are available if only one looks out for them. One begins to understand, even before the food arrives, that here mornings are treasured with a depth of feeling,  rare in today’s world.

I was in Luang Prabang, equipped with a bicycle generously provided by my hotel, a very sensible way to travel along Sakkaline Road, because  for about two hours every morning vehicular traffic is strictly prohibited. The road was lined with cafes, each with its own character, only I chose ‘Le Banneton Cafe & French Bakery’, a popular spot well known for its strong French influence. It seemed to me, the ideal place to experience a traditional yet distinctly Luang Prabang breakfast.
Even as I waited for my food to arrive, I could see saffron robed monks moving softly through the still blue dawn while the frangipani trees dropped their perfumed flowers with unhurried dignity. Among these sanctuaries of warmth and aroma, Cafe Banneton stood out as a morning beacon, offering delectable pastries, exceptional croissants, French toasts and other traditional breakfast favorites. The atmosphere was calm, thoughtful and welcoming exactly the tone that makes this town cherished by visitors.

An authentic Parisian ambiance seemed to hang in the air, strengthened by the presence of several French expatriates standing around me, all of us greeted by the unmistakable scent of buttered croissants, the layers crafted to that perfect state, crisp enough to flake at a touch, yet soft enough to surrender and melt on the tongue. There is something undeniably French here, an inheritance of culinary artistry from the colonial era, only here it felt elevated, with quiet dignity and skill. As I sat by the window overlooking Sakkaline Road, tearing into a croissant, the morning felt perfect.
My next choice was the French toast, golden-brown, tender, lightly dusted with powdered sugar and served with honey, a perfect balance. The bakery had transformed a classic French dish into something unexpectedly refined, almost unreal in its delicacy, capturing exactly what breakfast here should represent.
Breakfast in Laos is not defined only by its dishes, but shaped by its ambiance too. The soft murmurs of guests, the rhythmic hum of bicycles outside but above all it is shaped by its people. There is a natural warmth that makes even the act of ordering a morning coffee feel like an exchange of kindness. Grown in the fertile highlands of the Bolaven Plateau, Lao coffee possesses a natural depth and richness. My first sip felt velvety, with a gentle sweetness. I chose to have it hot and it tasted exquisite, rich yet not overwhelming
The cafes along Sakkaline Road seem to carry forward an extraordinary legacy. The mellow music, the light filled interiors and the beautifully crafted wooden furniture all contribute to an atmosphere where one senses genuine pride in work. I sat, nibbled and watched schoolchildren walk past in their uniforms, bicycles gliding beside them, while the mountains formed a gentle ring around the town like quiet guardians. It was a scene that stayed with me long after I returned to India.
Laos touched my heart that morning. The croissant, the French toast and the Lao coffee at Cafe Banneton were memorable, but what stayed with me even more was the kindness of the people who served them. Their smiling faces, service delivered without a fuss, the natural courtesy with which they extended warmth to visitors, combined with the serene views of Sakkaline Road breathing into the day, all came together to create a moment that was as comforting as it was unforgettable. Breakfast that morning was not just a meal, but a gentle lesson on how to live, slowly, sincerely and with gratitude for the small pleasures that begin each day.
--Author: Priyan R Naik, a columnist and independent journalist based in Bengaluru, India. He regularly writes for Indian, Srilankan, Bangladeshi and Malaysian newspapers. Currently, he is on the Advisory Board of the Equipment Times, India’s No 1, Mining & Construction Equipment Industry magazine and is a Member of the Jury for the prestigious Yellow Dot Award.)

By Priyan R Naik
(Latest Update November 25, 2025)