Vientiane Café $

At its opening, Vientiane Café made news for being Philadelphia’s [1] only restaurant serving Laotian and Vietnamese cuisine. Today, it also serves Thai dishes, but its acclaim stands on the merits of its excellent food and great prices.

Inside the small, tastefully appointed interior, patrons enjoy beef and chicken lab, Pad Thai, soups, skewers, rolls, and well-spiced dishes.

With most entrées under $10, it has become a favorite of local students and residents, and it’s even become something of a date spot among those with a taste for exotic cuisine. The fact that it’s a BYOB [2] puts it in the very affordable category.

Vegetarians will also find plenty of choices on the menu.