Budget
Cafe Anakot
Japanese, Lao and Western food, with a unique selection of smoothies, tea and fresh juices. Good choice for vegetarians. Offers book exchange, guidebooks, wi-fi and handicrafts. English speaking staff. Open 8:30am-9pm.
Savannakhet iLounge Cafe
The owner Joy has been a cook at The Dao Savanh Resort and Spa, and trained in French and Western cuisine in both Vientiane and Pakse. Lao, Thai, and Western menu. American breakfast with locally sourced sausages, burgers, stir fry, spaghetti carbonara, steak w/ peppercorn sauce, Luang Prabang style sandwiches. Free wi-fi.
Lin's Café
Local, Japanese and Western food. Original organic Lao coffee served hot or iced, fruit shakes, pastas, vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals. Free wi-fi, free tourist information. Book exchange, bicycles for rent, handicraft souvenirs, Lao cooking classes upon request. Quiet place, great service, friendly English speaking staff.
There is a wide selection of small bars and cafes upon the river front at the north end of town. For baguette with jam, scrambled eggs or pâté and roti around 5,000 kip each street vendors, head to Ratsavongseuk street.
Natalie's Kitchen
Family-run business. They speak both English and French. Offer Western-style breakfast and typical Lao food noodle soups, papaya salads, etc.. Friendly and cosy but not the best service.
'Hanarhan J' ('Vegetarian Food restaurant')
This is the only entirely vegan restaurant in town. Delicious Lao / Vietnamese food. Very busy during certain periods that even! Buddhist Lao people observe vegetarianism. No menu, every day they offer a slightly different surprise including: vegetables, tofu, mushrooms, snacks, soups and fruit/vegetable juices.
Midrange
The Lonely Planet S-E Asia guide everyone carries focuses on the southern tip of town. Unfortunately, most of the listed restaurants have disappeared. Instead, head to just north of the concentration of guesthouses and find some great restaurants with fondue or hotpot, chili-basil frog etc. 30-40,000 Kip
French Restaurant Dao Savanh
Serves both lunch and dinner meals for a reasonable price - the 3 course "Menu Dejeuner" for lunch around 65,000 kip is absolutely scrumptious, and a larger dinner menu includes entrees from 100,000-300,000 kip. The ultimate decadent dish with a hefty price is the 1kg imported fresh lobster flambéed in whiskey for 1,000,000 kip. The staff are very attentive and all the dishes are presented in an excellent manner. Possibly the epitome of fine French dining in Laos.