Sabaidee! Welcome to Sep Lai! We serve traditional Laotian food using many local ingredients to create unique and authentic dishes. As is the norm in Laos, all our dishes are made to be shared! Although you may find similarities with other Southeast Asian dishes such as Thai or Vietnamese dishes, Lao cuisine is a distinct cuisine with its own complex and exciting flavors. Full of fresh herbs, raw vegetables, flavorful meats and always accompanied by a basket of sticky rice, we are proud to share this cuisine with everyone, including vegans, vegetarians and those sensitive to gluten! We hope that the dishes of our parents and grandparents will inspire you with the same comfort and joy as they do us, and that you will exclaim: "Sep lai! It was delicious!"
Details
Our Specialties
Spring rolls, Imperial rolls, Khao Poon soup, Papaya salad, Laap, Som Pak, Lao burger & Winter melon noodle soup.
Sep Lai is a charming and highly regarded neighbourhood spot in the Point Saint-Charles area, celebrated for its authentic and flavourful Laotian cuisine. Guests frequently highlight the fresh, well-presented dishes, with particular praise for the tasting menu, spring rolls, various soups, and the pandan crème brûlée. The restaurant offers a warm, cozy atmosphere, further enhanced by a beautiful and popular outdoor terrace that provides a pleasant setting for dining. As a bring-your-own-wine establishment, it is considered a great value, and the friendly, attentive service often contributes to a successful shared-dining experience. While some diners have noted occasional inconsistencies with seasoning or pacing during busy times, the restaurant remains a go-to destination for many who appreciate its unique culinary offerings and welcoming environment.
As a vegetarian, I hadn't been able to try much Laotian cuisine before, but Sep Lai had SO many choices for me. We tried several sharing plates & all were delicious. The vegan meatballs were the best I've ever had & my partner (not vegetarian) said they tasted better than meat. I highly recommend this place!
Nous avons adoré notre expérience chez Sep Lai! Nous avons choisi le menu dégustation & nous n'avons absolument pas été déçus. Chaque plat était frais, coloré, savoureux & magnifiquement présenté. Les saveurs étaient au rendez-vous du début à la fin. La cour arrière est magnifique 🌱.
Mention spéciale aux desserts : mon fils a tellement aimé la crème brûlée qu'il en a même commandé une deuxième!
Le service était chaleureux & attentionné, & toute la famille a passé un excellent moment. Nous reviendrons avec plaisi
Nous avons fait remarquer à la serveuse que les portions de riz étaient insuffisantes, & elle s'est énervée. En résumé, le service laisse à désirer, les portions sont petites & le goût est tout à fait moyen, sans plus. La salade est fraîche. Les prix sont excessifs compte tenu de la qualité & de la quantité.
If you are looking for an incredible introduction to authentic Laotian cuisine in Montreal, the family-style tasting menu at Sep Lai in Pointe-Saint-Charles is an absolute steal at $54 a person. The pacing splits the meal into beautifully balanced stages, prioritizing fresh herbs, bright acids, & complex textures over standard takeout tropes.
Fried Rolls with Vegetables: Crisply fried wrappers with a savory vegetable filling, made even better by the signature, tangy Dao sauce. A good start to a great meal ahead.
Broth Khao Poon: A standout comfort bowl. The red curry & coconut milk broth manages to be incredibly rich & aromatic without feeling heavy. So much flavour bringing us back to our Tom yums we got in Thailand.
?
Tam Mak Houng (Papaya Salad): Bracingly vibrant, funky, & packing a sharp, spicy punch. It cuts beautifully through the richer items on the table.
The Chicken Laap: A beautiful execution of the national dish of Laos. It is incredibly fresh, finely minced, & heavily perfumed with fresh Laotian Herbs. So freaking good & light!
Nem Khao (Crispy Rice with Pork Sausages): A textures-driven masterpiece. The crunch of the seasoned rice mixed with the savory, sour pork sausage creates the ultimate bite.
Sai Oua Balls: Perfectly spiced lemongrass porkballs. The herbal notes shine through, especially when dunked in the accompanying jeow som (a sour, spicy dipping sauce). One of the favourite of the meal.
Ping Kai: Simple but flawlessly executed grilled chicken skewers. They arrive juicy, smoky from the grill, & are served with a savory jeow for dipping.
We also got the giant shrimp Mok PA! So delicious, perfectly cooked & tender & accompanied with that herbaceous sauce!
The Verdict: For $54, this is easily one of the best-valued tasting menus in the city. Because Sep Lai is a cozy, intimate spot, the food feels deeply personal & home-cooked, offering a massive variety of bold Southeast Asian flavors without breaking the bank.
The food was delicious!!! No notes. Everything we had was great. & the staff was so sweet! They gave me two desserts for my birthday on the house. They also gave us an umbrella when we left because it was raining hard. So thoughtful & kind. The place is also so cute!!
Delicious food, friendly staff. Tons of gluten free options. The sharing platter is highly recommended you get to try a bit of everything. The patio is super nice with sturdy tables & much bigger than you would expect. They are only open for a few hours each day so I suggest you reserve.
