Lao Lao Bar

What is Lao Lao Bar? Located on St. Joseph Street just west of Yonge, Lao Lao Bar is an energetic celebration of Laotian food and culture from Seng Luong and Jason Jiang, the duo behind the beloved former Sabai Sabai. Housed in a historic brick building, the room features hand-painted gold-leaf pillars, custom woven textiles, and a dramatic ceiling hung with fringed jute parasol lamps. Seating spans a bustling main dining room, an energetic bar counter, a velvet-draped semi-private dining area, a subterranean private lounge, and a seasonal summer patio.

Lao Lao Bar Menu & What to Order Unlike heavier curry-focused Southeast Asian fare, the kitchen leans into the bright, herbaceous, and pungent profiles that define Laotian cuisine—heavy on lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, fresh mint, and fiery jeow chili relishes. Start with the butterfly pea flower tapioca dumplings (sakoo yat sai) stuffed with caramelized mushrooms and peanuts, alongside the crispy coconut rice salad wrap (nam khao) and grilled heavenly beef jerky. For mains, share the smoky drunken noodles or the aromatic jeow bong pineapple fried rice, accompanied by tropical house cocktails like the calamansi-spiked Lost in Lao. Vegans and vegetarians are treated exceptionally well here, with a dedicated plant-based section that recreates traditional dips and noodle dishes without fish sauce.

Know Before You Go Tables on prime dinner nights book out quickly on OpenTable, though bar stools and high tops accommodate patient walk-ins. Wellesley and Museum subway stations are both within a five-minute stroll, while Green P underground parking is available nearby on Wellesley Street West. The restaurant runs split lunch and dinner service Monday through Saturday, opening exclusively for dinner on Sundays.