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.
Une découverte fabuleuse! Un trésor de quartier qui vaut le déplacement. Cuisine hyper savoureuse Une terrasse extérieure dépaysante. Je me serais cru au Laos ! Un seul mot … Osez !
En plus, juste en face du metro Charlevoix Réservation nécessaire.
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.
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!
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.
Super bonne cuisine du Laos, authentique service très attentif, des classiques type rouleaux impériaux délicieux, boulettes de porcs super aromatisées avec une sauce délicieuse nouilles de riz Kua Mee super délicates & dessert : ne passez pas à côté de la crème brûlée au pandan✨
The space was very nice & the patio was pleasant in Mid May. My first time trying Laotian cuisine so I have nothing to compare it to. The food was solidly good, but not great. Everything could have used like 15% more flavor. Nothing was bad, just a little flat. The shrimp was cooked perfectly but could have used a bit more flavor. Same with the red curry soup. The temperature needs some work too. I got a pot of hot tea that was lukewarm. My soup was lukewarm, as was my shrimp. The food came very fast & service was excellent
Such a warm & charming spot, with truly lovely staff & delicious Laotian food. The prices are more than fair. Our second visit, & definitely not our last.
