About Dok Mai Lao Caffe
Dok Mai Lao Caffe is rated 4.7 with 387 reviews, serving Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. The restaurant is the city's reference single Italian-cuisine destination, particularly popular with Pakse-resident expats and visiting Western travellers seeking variety beyond the Lao-Asian standard fare.
The menu is broad Italian-Mediterranean. Pasta options ($7-12), Spaghetti Carbonara, Lasagna, Penne Arrabbiata, Vegetarian Tomato Pasta. Pizza section ($8-14), Margherita, Quattro Formaggi, Capricciosa, Italian Sausage. Italian mains ($14-22), Veal Parmigiana, Italian-style chicken, Mediterranean grilled fish. The kitchen also serves a small Mediterranean section (Greek salad, hummus, falafel). A meal of two Italian classics and wine for two runs $25-40.
The room is comfortable Italian-cafe style. Forty seats across a single ground-floor open dining hall with bay windows facing the Pakse central avenue, decorative Italian-trattoria touches, low pendant lighting. Walk-ins always work; cards are accepted; the staff speak Lao and English.
What makes Dok Mai Lao the right Pakse Italian-cuisine choice is the cuisine quality, the kitchen takes Italian cooking seriously rather than providing tourist-shortcut versions. For travellers spending several days in southern Laos, an evening of properly-cooked Italian rather than another Lao curry gives the trip a useful break.
Best Occasion Fit
First dates with someone wanting non-Asian cuisine, the Italian format gives variety and the cafe atmosphere works without trying too hard. Birthdays, the multi-course Italian dinner format is properly celebratory. Team dinners with visiting expat or business colleagues, the cuisine break works for groups of four to six.
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