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!"
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 Laotian spot where sharing plates and aromatic notes of citronella, coriander and ginger set a travel inspired mood, especially on the cozy back terrace. Dishes like khao poon, nem khao, laap and a fragrant coconut curry showcase fresh ingredients, generous portions and good value, with many noting the option to bring your own wine adds to the relaxed vibe. The atmosphere is warm and unpretentious, with friendly service that suits dinners, dates and groups alike, and the terrace is a favourite in nicer weather. Occasional comments mention saltier preparations or slower service when busy, but the overall experience is consistently praised for tasty, well balanced flavors and a welcoming neighbourhood feel that invites return.
We were really looking forward to trying Sep Lai for authentic Lao food, but unfortunately, it was a huge disappointment. Every dish we ordered was dominated by an overwhelming artificial lime flavor that tasted anything but authentic.
The sai oua (Lao sausage) was far too salty, & both the papaya salad & mango salad were nearly inedible. The nem khao & laab gai (chicken) didn't fare any better. In fact, we barely finished the dishes we ordered - which says a lot.
When a place advertises as authentic, you expect freshness & balance, but this was the opposite. I do not recommend Sep Lai & will not be back.
Aug 24, 2025
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Great neighborhood treasure ...creative, delicious Laotian cuisine. Dinner last night was so good I thanked the chef. Everything she prepared was delicious & fresh, with great combinations of flavors. The tapioca & taro pudding with coconut cream & black sesame seeds is one of the best desserts I've ever had. Charming terrace out back in the summer.
Superb spot! Cute courtyard for summer night dinning! Fresh ingredients, great flavours & a fantastic tasting menu! Humble spresentation from a humble chef! BYOW as well is an added bonus. A must try…You'll be back!
Food is spectacular & great sized portions! So tasty!! Our table tried about 8 different things & i can't even tell you which was the best because they were all 10/10!!
The coconut red curry soup is so unbelievably delicious & hearty & the crispy chicken wings are so fresh & flavourful & huge!!
The sticky rice even being as simple as it is was so delicious!
💯 will be back & often!
Can't wait to sit on the patio in the back!!!
I came with a group so we decided to order many dishes to share among us. The Laap is a fresh herb salad. The French shallots are so pungent, they overpower the taste of the herbs. So I preferred the papaya salad which was sweeter. The vegan meatballs taste & feel like real meat! They bring you a container of crushed peanuts to add on your dishes if you need. My mistake is I didn't asked if the Pina colada was vegan. It came with whipped cream on top. During summer, dining at the terrasse is a must! However, it was a bit incommodating when somebody smoking was passing by, since the terrace is in the backyard of the restaurant.
Delicious fresh food, beautiful peaceful back patio. I found service to be a bit lacking in terms of warmth & attention but overall our experience was wonderful.
An absolute gem of a find. Food was extremely fresh & savoursul, service was friendly & quick & prices were estreemly reasonable! Great experience A-Z!
I keep coming back here & bringing family & friends because it's cozy,the food is fresh, delicious & reasonably priced, service is informal & friendly. It's always been a positive experience. Sep Lai, you have such a good thing going! Keep it up.
Terri
Great food made fresh, if you want alcohol you have to take your own though. They will provide a wine bucket with ice & open your bottles for you. Intimate & friendly place
Absolutely wonderful experience, the food was so fresh & flavourful, the outdoor patio was so whimsical & private & the service was perfect! One of Montreal's best kept secrets!
We came to Sep Lai as a group of 15 people, & we had a blast! Our waitress Sophie was incredibly sweet & attentive, the food was very delicious & tasted fresh. We were on the terrace, & it was beautifully decorated. We had a wonderful & unforgettable evening.
Some suggestions:
The food did take a little while to come, it would be great to reduce the waiting time between dishes.
It was a little bit windy when we visited, an outdoor heater would maybe be a good addition on chillier days. However, they did offer blankets for guests who were starting to get cold which was very nice!
