Tasty, varied, and very affordable, great specialties include the local baguettes, a legacy of the French that are sold around town (great with strong - often sweet and iced - Lao coffee, another French legacy). Sticky rice is a staple, and top dishes include larb, a spicy mixture of marinated meat or fish that is sometimes raw (ceviche style) and served with herbs, greens, and the spicy green papaya salad som tam. You can find much of this served by street vendors as well as in the restaurants along the Mekong riverside; one particularly good pick for a fusion of French and Lao is the upmarket L'Elephant Restaurant.

Read more in Tripatini contributor Active Travel Asia's post The Top 10 Allures of Luang Prabang, Laos.