Sep Lai

Melanie

5.0

What an amazing experience! At first I wasn't sure what to eat since I don't like fish sauce, but then I found out they can make most of the dishes without it upon request! Many of the dishes can be made vegan as well. The terasse is cozy & magical, & the food is so fresh & flavourful! This has quickly become one of my favourite restaurants. Highly recommend! ❤?

Nancy

5.0

A very cool terasse, delightful service, very good flavourful dishes fun for sharing. Loved it.

Jeanne

5.0

Was blown away by the food. Simple, thought through, attention to detail, great portions. Flavours were outstanding!

Ángel

2.0

The food looked really good & was beautifully presented, but unfortunately it was lacking flavour. We tried several dishes & they were all quite bland, with very little spice or seasoning. The service was friendly & the atmosphere was nice, but I wouldn't come back for the food. Hopefully they can improve the flavours because the presentation was promising.

Garra

3.0

Honestly I really want to like it so badly, I even went second time & ordered completely different dishes. But everything is great except the food. It's overly salty, we had to rinse the vegetables in order to be able to eat it.

The flavour is flat, we tasted more of the fish paste & saltiness than the mix of flavours that were described in the menu. Perhaps that's how Lao food is like & we might have the wrong expectation.

Unfortunately would not recommend this restaurant for food flavour.

Carina

5.0

Fantastic! Everything was fresh, flavourful, & perfect for a large group. Friendly & attentive service with a beautiful terrasse.

Zachary

5.0

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.

T.

5.0

Incredible food, so fresh & flavourful. There is something for everyone there, & I would know because I bring everyone.

Tora

5.0

It was such a lovely evening! The patio has a good atmosphere & the staff were so charming.
The food was amazing, delicate flavours & very tasty.
Thank you! We will definitely be return costumers!
BTW- the pandan crème brûlée was perfect!!

Heather

5.0

Will definitely be back! Cozy place, fresh & full of flavour dishes!