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 widely appreciated as a cozy, welcoming gem in the neighborhood, celebrated for its authentic and flavorful Laotian cuisine. Many guests enjoy the intimate atmosphere and the beautiful backyard terrace, which provides a perfect setting for sharing a variety of fresh, well-presented dishes. The tasting menu is frequently highlighted as a fantastic way to explore the diverse textures and bold, aromatic spices of the food, with popular items including the Khao Poon soup, crispy Nem Khao, and the pandan crème brûlée. While experiences with service speeds and dish seasoning can vary, many diners value the thoughtful, friendly staff and the convenience of the bring-your-own-wine policy, making it a popular destination for casual gatherings and group events.
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.
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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.
Cozy little spot with décor that perfectly fits its intimate vibe. The menu is simple but appealing, we tried the chicken brochette, pork boulette, papaya salad, rice salad, & fried chicken skin. Everything was tasty, but unfortunately almost all dishes were a bit too salty.
It's a charming place, especially for a date night or a quiet evening with someone special. Probably less ideal for bigger groups due to the space. Overall, a good experience & worth a visit if you're looking for a cozy night out.
Cozy atmosphere, cute decor & decent favors but not too unique savours to the dishes. Certain dishes were too salty, some simple flavours meals not too authentic to Laos. Small portions for the price.
Service was the most disappointing. One host ( pardon my description but she was white) was very welcoming & accommodating to combine both parties of 4 into one table. The other waitress was really unhappy, unwelcoming & unwilling to provide us with advice on what is best to order, if you asked for any napkins no response but will go & get it, she wont introduced us to special dishes like curry or ask us if we want drinks. Had to get another the other waitress to complete the order. She was not friendly plus at the end we recognize in front of her one uncooked prawn in our curry. They didn't give us another dish nor apologize for their mistake. We paid $ 450 for our meal but quite unhappy with the service mist disappointing coming to visit from Toronto That would be unacceptable to the Toronto standards even Montreal. If only the service was better the experience would not have been such disappointment. Love trying different culture food & willing to pay for great restaurant but must say service was not to the standard.
My friend & I meet monthly to catch up on life, & this time we chose a cozy Laotian restaurant in Montreal-& what a treat it was! The menu is affordably priced, which made it easy (& fun) for us to try nearly everything: all the entrées & almost all the hot dishes. Each plate was beautifully presented & bursting with flavor-there's something uniquely comforting about Laotian cuisine that sets it apart from other Southeast Asian fare. It felt almost homemade, in the best way possible.
We sat at a tiny two-person table by the window with elegant high chairs-cozy, charming, & perfect for a long, relaxed dinner. & yes, we took our time! The bring-your-own-wine policy was a bonus, & the place had a really friendly, happy atmosphere. Everyone-from the staff to the guests-seemed genuinely glad to be there.
Pro tip: Make a reservation! The restaurant may look small at first glance, but there's a whole second section in the back. Still, if you're a party of two or three, I highly recommend asking for a seat in the front section-it's where the charm really shines, in my opinion.
I'd go back in a heartbeat. Honestly, not a single complaint from start to finish.
A delight! Each dish was intensely flavourful & satisfying. Favourites: laab, boulettes de porc, muu heng mao, greens, & pandan crème brûlée. Kind, attentive service. Cozy ambiance - we sat at the counter looking out at the snowy street. Highly recommend!!
Amazing find! Cozy & lovely place popular amongst locals, for gathering & chill & enjoy special Laotian cuisine that's very well done & seasoned!! Perfect place & great staff! The meatballs are impressive, jerk & rolls too!!
