(November 2023)
The atmosphere is charming and I love the 7-11 sign outside. The sandwiches have a great potential because the baguettes 🥖 are baked to perfection, however, there could be more imagination put to the fillings inside. I believe every sandwich we’ve tried came with the same fillings: protein (tuna/grilled chicken/terribly dry vegan patty that should be taken off the menu), cabbage, tomatoes and ketchup/mayo. Sometimes the filling was just way too dry✌🏼The chicken nuggets were also very dry/lacking flavour but they looked homemade, so perhaps we just had bad luck or should have chosen a suzy instead.
We initially came here for the happy hour 1+1 cocktails, the staff was very nice overall and it was fun to watch the cocktails get shaken in front of you 😅 We paid around 200k LAK for 2 people on average.
Despite being disappointed by some of the food, we always finished everything and I was grateful for the good vibes this restaurant had when we visited it 🙏🏼
This is a review for both the restaurant and the cooking class: both were 5 stars
The restaurant was great, i ate here twice. Once i had the suzy for dinner which was absolutely incredible and the 2 for 1 cocktails at happy hour were very strong. Next i took a sandwich to go for my trip to muang khua and it was a great sandwich, just enough vegetables and a good amount of sauce. Prices are more expensive than other food in this town but its still affordable
Now for the cooking class: for 420000 kip i had high expectations and they were blown out of the water. The chef was super funny and spoke great english and was very knowlegable (forgot his name tho due to the four lao lao shots he gave us). We got to pick our ingredients straight from the garden while he taught us about each one and while a puppy and its mother frolicked around. We chose to make suzy and spring rolls and both turned out great, with enourmous portions as well. If you are in muang ngoi this is an absolute must do and was 100% worth the price. Thank you!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Gecko is my favourite place in Maung Ngoy. I came here every day this week. The staff are warm , friendly and accommodating. Gecko has absolutely stellar baguettes that are fresh, warm, and crispy - I recommend with butter x 2 👌👌👌👌. The chocolate cake is also to die for. Gecko also has a u-beaut cooking class where you can learn to make suzy! Kai was very kind to adjust our cooking class to make shrimp paste free suzy for my prawn allergic boyfriend.
You buy your tickets here for PhaBoom view point here.
Thank you, wonderful Gecko staff and lovely volunteer Lilly, for making my week in Muang Ngoy exceptional.
Service
Dine in
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Amazing food here. We did the cooking class and was such an awesome experience. All the produce is fresh from the garden. We choose the Suzy and will definitely be trying to recreate it back home
Meal type
Dinner
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Gecko Restaurant in Muang Ngoy is a culinary haven that seamlessly weaves together the best of local Laotian flavours, exquisite French baguettes, and superb coffee. This charming eatery stands out not only for its diverse menu but also for its commitment to culinary excellence.
The French baguettes at Gecko Restaurant are a revelation, boasting a crisp exterior and a soft, pillowy interior that transports you to the streets of Paris. The coffee, a true delight, complements the dishes perfectly with its rich aroma and robust taste.
What sets Gecko Restaurant apart is its unique offering of both local Laotian dishes and French classics, showcasing the culinary mastery of the chefs. The added bonus of culinary classes is a testament to their dedication to sharing their expertise and love for cooking.
The staff's warmth and friendliness create a relaxed atmosphere that makes dining at Gecko Restaurant a true pleasure. Nestled in the heart of Muang Nagoya, this gem is conveniently located, making it an accessible choice for both locals and tourists.
Whether you're a food enthusiast, a coffee aficionado, or simply seeking a cozy dining spot, Gecko Restaurant's harmonious blend of flavors, friendly ambiance, and culinary education make it a must-visit destination that caters to a wide array of tastes.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Fresh Spring Rolls
Food is average. Worst part is that it took us over an hour to receive two cocktails and our food (which was wrong, anyway). Ambiance is nice but definitely not worth sitting there for hours trying desperately to get a server’s attention. Rather go to somewhere quiet and small around the corner.
Food: 4
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 2
Best coffee in town! They have an Italian coffee machine, so if you are looking for a tasty coffee, this is the place to go ! Their baguette sandwiches are also very good as well as their banana bread :)
Good cocktails & nice service. I recommend you the Lao Lao cocktails, happy hour buy 1 get 1. This place is nice as well, good to chill after a nice walking day. They are using bamboo straw and natural fruits ingredients it seems.
Amazing place! Super nice family running the bussiness. The food is really good, specially the baked baggettes, the brownies and the coffee! We had breakfast here 5 days in a row.
Delicious food, kind & friendly owners. I stayed a week in Muang Ngoy and tried several places, but Gecko was one of my favourites & I ate here a lot. Their local dishes are incredibly tasty, but if you’d like some variety there’s lots of western options too. All the food is cooked fresh to order so be prepared to wait while these lovely people make your meal. They have a good cocktail menu too which makes Gecko a very sociable place to hang out in the evenings. Thank you to Kai and your team for such lovely memories from Muang Ngoy!
