Basil Thai Restaurant & Bar

Top tier Thai food with surprising portion given its price. Highly recommend panang short ribs curry from shared plate. Would’ve been perfect if there was great service as well.

Gave 4 star rating for the food as the rolls were mid. The Drunken noodles were really yummy

I lived in Southeast Asia for 10 years so I am very, very picky about Thai food. This place tastes like a restaurant in Thailand. We ordered the chicken laarb and pork neck extra spicy, and it was properly spicy! The staff are cute, the environment feels like you're in Bangkok (down to the details like steel soup spoons), and the food was excellent. Fresh herbs, spices, fish sauce, and everything. I love that they did not dampen the flavor. So glad to have found this place!

Hands down. The. Best. Thai. In. SF. That’s right, I said it. Despite tons of options for Southeast Asian food in the city, Basil still takes the top spot for best Thai food I’ve had in the three years here. The Panang Curry with braised short rib is absolutely everything. Without a doubt, order this dish. The velvety coconut curry sauce coats incredibly tender, high quality pieces of beef. We literally almost licked the plate, it was that good! The pad thai was a great second plate, though I do wish the shrimp came tail-free (just a personal preference). We enjoyed all of the cocktails, with my personal favorite being the BKK Negroni. All-in-all, we were extremely happy with everything we had! The one drawback is that the service, though warm and friendly, just frankly seems green. Despite several tables still open, the service was spotty and slow — we had drinks forgotten and entrees arrive sporadically between one another. The entire dining experience took about 45 mins longer than it needed to, but the saving grace was that the food was freaking phenomenal. The staff wasn’t rude or anything — quite the opposite — but really needs to tighten up their ship to take this from four stars to a home run 5 outta 5.

This is a cool, aesthetic spot to get Thai food downtown. They have all the classic dishes and a fun list of cocktails, although I didn’t try the drinks when I visited. I got the crab fried rice and was very satisfied with the food. Prices are on the higher end, but that’s to be expected given the location. The service couldn’t have been better. The waiter was attentive, and the food didn’t take too long to arrive. The only somewhat annoying thing was the menu listed the entrées with super generic names like “pan-fried fat rice noodle…” first followed by the Thai name like pad see ew, pad Thai, etc. This made the menu confusing to read, especially given the dim lighting. Considering SF’s diverse clientele and the ubiquity of Thai cuisine in California, I feel like the majority of people are familiar with the Thai names, so it’s unnecessary to westernize them, which only results in making the menu less customer-friendly.

An exceptional Thai dining experience in San Francisco! This restaurant offers the convenience of reservations, ensuring prompt seating upon arrival. While metered street parking might be challenging during peak hours, visiting during the evening proved hassle-free, with complimentary parking available. Upon entering, the restaurant had a few vacant tables, yet the ambiance remained vibrant and inviting. Our meal consisted of the following dishes: Pad Se-Ew - A personal favorite, the Pad Se-Ew here was truly outstanding! Bursting with flavor, it struck the perfect balance without being overly salty. I opted for pork, but any protein would pair well with this classic dish. Gaeng Gari - A must-have for me at any Thai eatery, their yellow curry was utterly delectable! Served with half a chicken, some bones may be present, so exercise caution while savoring the dish. I wholeheartedly recommend this establishment and eagerly anticipate my return!

My friend and I went to Basil Thai Restaurant and Bar for SF restaurant week, and it struck a positive chord with its nice ambiance and friendly service. The restaurant itself has a contemporary feel, with sleek décor and a lively atmosphere. Our server was attentive and prompt, making sure our water glasses were always full and answering any questions we had about the extensive menu. Speaking of the menu, it's a Thai food lover's dream! They offer a wide array of dishes, from classic noodle and fried rice options to soups, salads, rice plates, and enticing snacks. Their Restaurant Week deal for $45 included a three-course meal and a drink. And that's what we tried. They also had happy hour going on when we were there, so we ordered some snacks and drinks on the side - $10 cocktails, $6 snacks, $5 beer, and $9 house wine. Here's a breakdown of some of the dishes we tried: Steamed Pork & Crab Dumplings: While the filling was flavorful, the dough was a bit thick and undercooked at first. We mentioned this to the staff, and they kindly offered to cook them a bit longer. The second attempt was better, but the dough was still a tad thicker than ideal. Thai Aguachile: This dish was a refreshing take on ceviche. Shrimp, scallops, and squid were bathed in a zesty lime marinade and served with crispy sesame rice crackers. It was a perfect light and flavorful starter. BBQ Pork Ribs: The ribs were not your typical fall-off-the-bone ribs but they were cooked well. The accompanying green papaya and carrot slaw provided a nice crunch, while the smoked tomato relish added a touch of smokiness that balanced the sweetness of the ribs. Pan-Roasted Japanese Scallops: These perfectly cooked scallops were bathed in a savory Thai XO sauce and accompanied by tempura green beans. It was delicious and beautifully presented dish. Sweet Mango & Coconut Cream Sticky Rice: This classic Thai dessert did not disappoint. The sticky rice was perfectly cooked, and the sweetness of the mango paired beautifully with the creamy coconut sauce. Thai Iced Tea: A refreshing and classic beverage to complement the meal. We also tried a few other dishes that were not on the Restaurant Week menu but were definitely worth it: Indian Flat Bread & Curry: This dish offered a delightful surprise – crispy flatbread paired with a flavorful and savory vegetable curry. Corn Fritters, Cucumber Salad 'Kao Pode Tod': These crispy fritters were a delightful textural contrast to the cool and refreshing cucumber salad. Overall, Basil Thai offers a modern take on classic Thai dishes with a focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients. While the undercooked dumplings were a minor misstep, the friendly service, extensive menu, and delicious food make it a great choice for a fun and flavorful dining experience. Especially with the Restaurant Week deal, it's a great opportunity to try a variety of their offerings at a good value.

Really solid Thai food. The papaya salad was crisp, fresh and perfectly acidic and spicy. Pad Thai was excellent—just enough sauce without any sogginess. Lived the vegetable curry too. Everything was very tasty. Staff was friendly and accommodated our stroller. Great restaurant.