• 4
• So-called vegan set menu is great, but NOT VEGAN

First off, L'Eléphant Vert is a lovely place and their wholesome "ethno-botanical" menu is a very welcome addition to the Luang Prabang dining landscape. We very much enjoyed our three meals there and were thrilled by the flavors, colors, and textures. Clearly, the chefs know their way around the kitchen. Unfortunately, the chefs apparently do not understand the meaning of "vegan." Their so-called "vegan" set menus are advertised as containing "no animal products," but during our February 2015 visit there were at least three items on these set menus that contained animal products (namely honey and bee pollen). We have written to the owners to advise them that the meaning of "vegan" (or "végétalien" in French) is "not consuming or using any animal products nor anything tested on animals" and thus a vegan diet is strictly comprised of plants and minerals. So, hopefully they will change the menu in the future, but we suggest other vegans keep raising this point to make sure they take notice. On our three visits, we asked our waiters to have our dishes made without any honey or bee pollen, and they kindly agreed once they understood (which took a little work at first). The food was inventive and consistently delicious the use of organic and local produce is much appreciated. Bottom line: L'Eléphant Vert does great food in a pleasant atmosphere, but vegans should not trust the "vegan" declarations on the menu and should take special care to make sure there is no honey or bee pollen in the food you order. Based on experience we would recommend speaking to one of the senior wait staff, as not everyone here understands English (or French) well enough for this purpose. Free WiFi (expires after one hour).