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Stopped by on a Saturday afternoon when the restaurant wasn't crowded, and we were seated right away. We ordered the Papaya Salad, Veg Spring Rolls, House Favorite Yellow Curry, Eggplant Basil, Pad Kee Mao, and White Rice. The Papaya Salad was a bit disappointing. It was overly sour and tasted more citrusy than fresh and lime-forward. The Veg Spring Rolls were fine, but nothing particularly memorable. The biggest letdown was the Yellow Curry. It lacked the rich flavor I typically expect from a Thai curry, and some of the vegetables seemed undercooked. The Eggplant Basil was also underwhelming. It lacked the distinct basil flavor that the dish is known for. Since we ordered the vegetarian version, it came loaded with a mix of other vegetables, which made it feel more like a generic vegetable stir-fry than an eggplant basil dish. The Pad Kee Mao was the standout of the meal. It had good flavor and was enjoyable, although the portion size felt a bit small for the price. Overall, the food was ok, but nothing really stood out. I've had better Thai food elsewhere, both in terms of flavor and value. While the experience wasn't bad, it wasn't memorable enough to make me want to return. For the price point, I expected more authentic flavors and better execution.
Ben Thai Cafe had a cozy and modern ambiance that made the restaurant feel inviting and comfortable. The atmosphere was nice for eating with family and gave off a warm vibe overall. The food was good, but there were a few things that kept it from being a 5-star experience. I ordered the Pad See Ew, and while the flavor was tasty, it was noticeably salty to the point where I ended up drinking about four cups of water afterward. The portions also felt somewhat small for the price. For example, the crispy calamari was $14.50 and came with only around 4-6 pieces, which felt a little underwhelming. Service was probably a 3/5 for me and my family. When we were ordering, the server's tone came across as a bit hostile, and we felt rushed both while ordering and eating. That said, the food still had good flavor and I can see why people enjoy this place. The ambiance definitely added to the experience, and with slightly better portion sizes and a more welcoming service experience, this spot could easily be even better.
Back again. Happy "Mother's Day, to all MOMs! We celebrated with mom and family with a small gathering. Ben Thai Cafe Server - Amp T, she was very quick in helping us find the best dish and drinks that would match our meal. Hot Sake Ginger Mimosa Singh a Beer Barebottle IPA Fresh Roll - Tofu Garlic Duo Jasmine Rice Pad Thai - Veggie Gra-Prao Fried Rice - Extra Spicy The deco is alway so relaxing with all the beautiful art work on the walls. You must visit.
Been here a few times since first review and have definitely found my favorites here. Their Pad Kee Mao, Ka-ree (yellow curry), and Gra Prow Fried Rice are all phenomenal! I cannot recommend this rotation enough. The thai iced tea & iced coffee are such a fun treat along with the main meal. I have a hard time resisting... The food always comes out fast once ordered and service is great! It's a small space, but have never had too much trouble with seating. Yes, they do get pretty busy/packed for dinner. An unassuming but wonderful spot!
My friend recommended this place after saying it had the best Khao Soi he's had! I thought this was really solid Thai food, but not the best that I've ever had. I would still come back though if I was ever craving some Thai food. Ben Thai Platter ($22): Everything on here was crispy and fried nicely. Nothing felt too oily at all. I really liked how there were 4 different sauces to dip the appetizers in too. Khao Soi Deluxe with Roasted Ox Tail ($26.50): The ox tail was so tender and I loved the flavor of the north. I do think it's a bit on the pricey side, but it was really tasty and the noodles were cooked well. Roasted Duck Curry ($23): The curry was good, but didn't feel super cohesive with the pineapple in it. The duck was on the leaner side and I felt like the skin wasn't as crispy as it could've been. You definitely taste the roasted flavor in the duck though. Mango + Sweet Sticky Rice ($12): Really solid dessert option! You can't go wrong with this. Drinks: They do a really nice deal where you can get 50% off non alcoholic drinks if you check in on Yelp :) I got the unsweetened Thai iced tea and it was delicious and refreshing!
There is a middle aged gent who seems to be the owner of the restaurant, and I think this individual does not put forward a good look for the restaurant as a whole. There was a delivery driver who came in asking if he could use the restroom in between the stops, and this man told him "yes, but don't make it dirty, if you make it dirty I block you" in a very rude and condescending tone. The food was ok but not amazing. Pad kee mao deviated from the authentic preparations I've had at countless other Thai establishments across the country. Not very much basil and no spicy flavor. Prawns were a little overcooked. Seemed like a very "Americanized" preparation which probably suits certain clientele but you are certainly not paying for authentic Thai food here. He also seemed to be in a huge rush to get us out the door even though he still had several open tables and no line of customers waiting. He basically came without warning as I was finishing up the meal and having a conversation with my girlfriend, slapped down the payment terminal, watched me as I was picking out tip options, and essentially grabbed the terminal out of my hand as soon as I selected a tip option. Very weird overall experience and unfortunately can't find anything worth returning for. I also can't recall anything offensive that we had done other than sit down and order food and eat peacefully and quietly. Maybe he was having a bad day, but inexcusable nonetheless...
I ordered the Pad See Ew with roasted duck, and it was absolutely amazing. Every noodle was packed with flavor, and the duck was incredibly juicy, tender, and well-seasoned. I was especially impressed that the dish arrived at my hotel still piping hot. The quality, flavor, and portion were all outstanding. Highly recommend--10/10!
We ordered take out from here and were pleasantly surprised! The khao soi was packaged extremely well for take out. Noodles/toppings separated and packaged nicely with the soup on the side. The crispy noodles remained crispy even though it was delivered 25 min later. The flavor was spot on and I loved the heat level. Would 10/10 come back here in person to eat.
Egg plant had good texture but was a little salty. The pad Thai was good but would've been better with thicker noodles and the pineapple fried rice had a little bitter ness to it. The murder wings had great texture too but had too much garlic. Mango sticky rice was good to end our dinner. But all in all. 7/10
A solid Thai place in SF! If possible I'd give it right below 4 stars. Came on a weekday night and it was pretty empty. Location is good and interior is lively. I thought each of the dishes were overall well made. Overall, my main critique is that I wish the flavors were a bit bolder. A little more salt and spice is always appreciated for those who have stronger flavor preferences. I think this was true for the pad thai and the spicy basil eggplant. The duck curry was excellent. Great flavors and well cooked. Highly recommend this dish for anyone who comes. The duck was well cooked as well, juicy and flavorful Overall wouldnt mind coming back! A good experience that caters a bit more to broader taste preferences
I got a reservation with a friend here on a weekend evening, and most of their restaurant was full. Pad See Ew: There were perfectly chewy noodles with a smoky, savory sauce. The pork was tender and well-seasoned, and the dish had a nice balance of sweetness and soy richness. Paradise Wings: These were crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. There was a strong, delicious garlicky flavor that paired well with a sligthly sweet flavor. This was generally a cozy spot with reliably tasty Thai comfort food!
Visited SF from San Jose for the day and wanted good Thai food. Unfortunately this place was just average and the quality of service was meh. It's a cute little spot, seats close together, lots of windows so you don't actually feel crowded which was great. Got seated within a few minutes of arrival and forgotten about for 10-15 minutes before a couple of waters were provided. Our order was taken and appetizers came out shortly after. Wings - was really looking forward to these and ended up disappointed because they tasted like the oil they were fried in with some garlic thrown on top. The flavor was on the surface and just fell right off the chicken. Crunchy but flavorless (except for the oil) no salt or pepper or anything. Roti came by itself , so had to add the peanut sauce. The peanut sauce saved this meal- legit the best thing we ordered. The roti was a little oily for my liking but the sauce was so good we added a second batch. Mains - pad Thai, rice and curry. The yellow curry chicken was good, average lots of veggies. Rice was with pork and unfortunately the meat was very tough I pushed most of it away. Pad Thai flavor wise was good but it just all clumped together into a ball like it was too stuck to each other. Overall nothing horrible about this place but also nothing special where I would want to come back (except for that peanut sauce). Service only improved slightly as we had food coming out timely but nothing special. And it was really loud where we were seated.
We come to this restaurant pretty often since our office is located only a few blocks away. The service is always great. The servers are friendly. The restaurant can get crowded but we often go for a late lunch so it's not full. We usually order a bunch of appetizers. The money bag filled with curry meats and veggies, the fried spring rolls with meat and veggies, the murder wings, which are a must, the paradise wings which are sweet and savory. The papaya salad, the calamari. The appetizers are all very good. My favorite are the murder wings. We ordered different entrees to share: yellow curry, pad see ew, spicy eggplants, salmon curry, pad thai, and pork palo. All the dishes are generous portions, delicious, and flavorful. We have been here over a dozen times over the years and will continue to come back.
2 months ago
OMGGG food was delicious! Khan soi with chicken satay was absolutely delicious! Mango with sticky rice was delicious, too!! Also I loved they had hot Thai black tea straight ( most of places has the iced already sweetened Thai milk tea, so I was so glad to be able to have the Thai tea straight hot!) Service - wait persons were friendly and food came pretty quick! Ambiance- spacious and very clean! They also got bar table, too:) I'd definitely go back!! read more
12 days ago
Average mid pad thai but really god pad kee mao! The pad Thai with chicken tasted really average and had a strong ketchup taste to it. Maybe that's how it's authentically made because this place seems like the real deal. It was just not it for my friend and I. Also the chicken was really dry. Would not recommend this dish. The pad kee mao with beef was so good and flavorful. Perfect wide flat noodles. I got this with level 5 spice and it still wasn't spicy enough for me. You can choose between level 1-5. I would get the pad kee mao again and not the pad Thai. The inside is very nice, dark and a vibe. The servers are also nice and check in really often LOL. My friend and I came an hour before closing time. read more
Stopped by on a Saturday afternoon when the restaurant wasn't crowded, and we were seated right away. We ordered the Papaya Salad, Veg Spring Rolls, House Favorite Yellow Curry, Eggplant Basil, Pad Kee Mao, and White Rice. The Papaya Salad was a bit disappointing. It was overly sour and tasted more citrusy than fresh and lime-forward. The Veg Spring Rolls were fine, but nothing particularly memorable. The biggest letdown was the Yellow Curry. It lacked the rich flavor I typically expect from a Thai curry, and some of the vegetables seemed undercooked. The Eggplant Basil was also underwhelming. It lacked the distinct basil flavor that the dish is known for. Since we ordered the vegetarian version, it came loaded with a mix of other vegetables, which made it feel more like a generic vegetable stir-fry than an eggplant basil dish. The Pad Kee Mao was the standout of the meal. It had good flavor and was enjoyable, although the portion size felt a bit small for the price. Overall, the food was ok, but nothing really stood out. I've had better Thai food elsewhere, both in terms of flavor and value. While the experience wasn't bad, it wasn't memorable enough to make me want to return. For the price point, I expected more authentic flavors and better execution. read more
Ben Thai Cafe had a cozy and modern ambiance that made the restaurant feel inviting and comfortable. The atmosphere was nice for eating with family and gave off a warm vibe overall. The food was good, but there were a few things that kept it from being a 5-star experience. I ordered the Pad See Ew, and while the flavor was tasty, it was noticeably salty to the point where I ended up drinking about four cups of water afterward. The portions also felt somewhat small for the price. For example, the crispy calamari was $14.50 and came with only around 4-6 pieces, which felt a little underwhelming. Service was probably a 3/5 for me and my family. When we were ordering, the server's tone came across as a bit hostile, and we felt rushed both while ordering and eating. That said, the food still had good flavor and I can see why people enjoy this place. The ambiance definitely added to the experience, and with slightly better portion sizes and a more welcoming service experience, this spot could easily be even better. read more
Back again. Happy "Mother's Day, to all MOMs! We celebrated with mom and family with a small gathering. Ben Thai Cafe Server - Amp T, she was very quick in helping us find the best dish and drinks that would match our meal. Hot Sake Ginger Mimosa Singh a Beer Barebottle IPA Fresh Roll - Tofu Garlic Duo Jasmine Rice Pad Thai - Veggie Gra-Prao Fried Rice - Extra Spicy The deco is alway so relaxing with all the beautiful art work on the walls. You must visit. read more
3 months ago
Been here a few times since first review and have definitely found my favorites here. Their Pad Kee Mao, Ka-ree (yellow curry), and Gra Prow Fried Rice are all phenomenal! I cannot recommend this rotation enough. The thai iced tea & iced coffee are such a fun treat along with the main meal. I have a hard time resisting... The food always comes out fast once ordered and service is great! It's a small space, but have never had too much trouble with seating. Yes, they do get pretty busy/packed for dinner. An unassuming but wonderful spot! read more
4 months ago
My friend recommended this place after saying it had the best Khao Soi he's had! I thought this was really solid Thai food, but not the best that I've ever had. I would still come back though if I was ever craving some Thai food. Ben Thai Platter ($22): Everything on here was crispy and fried nicely. Nothing felt too oily at all. I really liked how there were 4 different sauces to dip the appetizers in too. Khao Soi Deluxe with Roasted Ox Tail ($26.50): The ox tail was so tender and I loved the flavor of the north. I do think it's a bit on the pricey side, but it was really tasty and the noodles were cooked well. Roasted Duck Curry ($23): The curry was good, but didn't feel super cohesive with the pineapple in it. The duck was on the leaner side and I felt like the skin wasn't as crispy as it could've been. You definitely taste the roasted flavor in the duck though. Mango + Sweet Sticky Rice ($12): Really solid dessert option! You can't go wrong with this. Drinks: They do a really nice deal where you can get 50% off non alcoholic drinks if you check in on Yelp :) I got the unsweetened Thai iced tea and it was delicious and refreshing! read more
4 months ago
There is a middle aged gent who seems to be the owner of the restaurant, and I think this individual does not put forward a good look for the restaurant as a whole. There was a delivery driver who came in asking if he could use the restroom in between the stops, and this man told him "yes, but don't make it dirty, if you make it dirty I block you" in a very rude and condescending tone. The food was ok but not amazing. Pad kee mao deviated from the authentic preparations I've had at countless other Thai establishments across the country. Not very much basil and no spicy flavor. Prawns were a little overcooked. Seemed like a very "Americanized" preparation which probably suits certain clientele but you are certainly not paying for authentic Thai food here. He also seemed to be in a huge rush to get us out the door even though he still had several open tables and no line of customers waiting. He basically came without warning as I was finishing up the meal and having a conversation with my girlfriend, slapped down the payment terminal, watched me as I was picking out tip options, and essentially grabbed the terminal out of my hand as soon as I selected a tip option. Very weird overall experience and unfortunately can't find anything worth returning for. I also can't recall anything offensive that we had done other than sit down and order food and eat peacefully and quietly. Maybe he was having a bad day, but inexcusable nonetheless... read more
3 days ago
I ordered the Pad See Ew with roasted duck, and it was absolutely amazing. Every noodle was packed with flavor, and the duck was incredibly juicy, tender, and well-seasoned. I was especially impressed that the dish arrived at my hotel still piping hot. The quality, flavor, and portion were all outstanding. Highly recommend--10/10! read more
2 months ago
We ordered take out from here and were pleasantly surprised! The khao soi was packaged extremely well for take out. Noodles/toppings separated and packaged nicely with the soup on the side. The crispy noodles remained crispy even though it was delivered 25 min later. The flavor was spot on and I loved the heat level. Would 10/10 come back here in person to eat. read more
Egg plant had good texture but was a little salty. The pad Thai was good but would've been better with thicker noodles and the pineapple fried rice had a little bitter ness to it. The murder wings had great texture too but had too much garlic. Mango sticky rice was good to end our dinner. But all in all. 7/10 read more
5 months ago
A solid Thai place in SF! If possible I'd give it right below 4 stars. Came on a weekday night and it was pretty empty. Location is good and interior is lively. I thought each of the dishes were overall well made. Overall, my main critique is that I wish the flavors were a bit bolder. A little more salt and spice is always appreciated for those who have stronger flavor preferences. I think this was true for the pad thai and the spicy basil eggplant. The duck curry was excellent. Great flavors and well cooked. Highly recommend this dish for anyone who comes. The duck was well cooked as well, juicy and flavorful Overall wouldnt mind coming back! A good experience that caters a bit more to broader taste preferences read more
I got a reservation with a friend here on a weekend evening, and most of their restaurant was full. Pad See Ew: There were perfectly chewy noodles with a smoky, savory sauce. The pork was tender and well-seasoned, and the dish had a nice balance of sweetness and soy richness. Paradise Wings: These were crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. There was a strong, delicious garlicky flavor that paired well with a sligthly sweet flavor. This was generally a cozy spot with reliably tasty Thai comfort food! read more
Visited SF from San Jose for the day and wanted good Thai food. Unfortunately this place was just average and the quality of service was meh. It's a cute little spot, seats close together, lots of windows so you don't actually feel crowded which was great. Got seated within a few minutes of arrival and forgotten about for 10-15 minutes before a couple of waters were provided. Our order was taken and appetizers came out shortly after. Wings - was really looking forward to these and ended up disappointed because they tasted like the oil they were fried in with some garlic thrown on top. The flavor was on the surface and just fell right off the chicken. Crunchy but flavorless (except for the oil) no salt or pepper or anything. Roti came by itself , so had to add the peanut sauce. The peanut sauce saved this meal- legit the best thing we ordered. The roti was a little oily for my liking but the sauce was so good we added a second batch. Mains - pad Thai, rice and curry. The yellow curry chicken was good, average lots of veggies. Rice was with pork and unfortunately the meat was very tough I pushed most of it away. Pad Thai flavor wise was good but it just all clumped together into a ball like it was too stuck to each other. Overall nothing horrible about this place but also nothing special where I would want to come back (except for that peanut sauce). Service only improved slightly as we had food coming out timely but nothing special. And it was really loud where we were seated. read more
We come to this restaurant pretty often since our office is located only a few blocks away. The service is always great. The servers are friendly. The restaurant can get crowded but we often go for a late lunch so it's not full. We usually order a bunch of appetizers. The money bag filled with curry meats and veggies, the fried spring rolls with meat and veggies, the murder wings, which are a must, the paradise wings which are sweet and savory. The papaya salad, the calamari. The appetizers are all very good. My favorite are the murder wings. We ordered different entrees to share: yellow curry, pad see ew, spicy eggplants, salmon curry, pad thai, and pork palo. All the dishes are generous portions, delicious, and flavorful. We have been here over a dozen times over the years and will continue to come back. read more
6 months ago
We were craving Thai food and saw this place nearby, so we decided to check it out. We arrived right when they opened, and the service was super friendly. A kind gentleman helped us and even struck up a conversation. The ambiance was bright and clean. The food was great overall, and the khao soi was my favorite. Emperor Khao Soi - I was extremely impressed by this dish. It came with three different meat options: chicken satay, duck, and oxtail. All of them paired perfectly with the soup, and I loved the texture of the egg noodles. I can definitely see why this is their most popular item! They don't play around with their portions too, it was huge. Pad Thai - The noodles were thinner than what I'm used to, and it was slightly dry. The flavors were subtle but still excellent. Also Thai teas are a must read more
Good food, nice atmosphere, delicious food. I came on a weekday lunch with my friend and the place was pretty empty. Server was super attentive and friendly. I liked the food here. The cocktail options were good too, they've got a big bar! read more
6 months ago
Came here with 2 friends on a Saturday night. The restaurant was crowded but we were seated immediately. We shared the papaya salad to start. This might have been my favorite dish it was super fresh and tasty!! I got the ka-ree (yellow curry with chicken). It was decent but not the best yellow curry I've had. Rice does not come with the curries automatically so you will need to order it as a side. My friends got the pad kee mao with tofu and chicken. The noodles were great! I would highly recommend them. I would come back if I had the opportunity! But I would get a noodle dish instead of a curry :) read more
21 days ago
The service was very friendly . I really enjoyed my pad sew ew and the fried calamari ! On the other hand I wouldn't order the spicy wings or the fried pork again. read more
I ordered To go. The murder wings were soggy (which I kind of expected), but also the flavor wasn't that good. Thai wings are usually the best but I was definitely underwhelmed. Flavor, texture, and even a little pink/undercooked inside. I would never order these wings again. I have ordered regular Thai wings to go and they have also been so good and the highlight of my meal. This falls way way short. I also ordered the chicken pad thai. It was terrible. It was like eating noodles with a *hint of flavor. But the flavor was missing in its entirety. The whole meal was so disappointing and a complete waste of money. The portion was also so small. I would say it's about half the size you would expect. read more
7 months ago
Food was super delicious and not too greasy. I did not regret a single dish ordered! The soupy dish was wonderful (I can't remember what it was called). It was perfectly creamy, sweet, salty, and had a good mixture of textures. It also came with noodles. The pad see ew is what I order at every thai restaurant and this one was great. The service was fast. Be ready with your order. If you don't know your order, the server will leave and come back again when you're ready. Food came out at an expected time for 4 dishes. The restaurant seemed bigger on the outside than it did on the inside. It does have a nice clean and well-decorated interior! read more
7 months ago
Been here twice now and service has been top tier. The place can get extremely packed but we came here on Christmas to celebrate my birthday and it was empty. The pineapple fried rice is one of the things on the menu I will never get tired of. It's consistently good and refreshing in its on way. The satay is pretty standard in a good way. It wasn't hard or chewy. A little bit or charredness would make it better but overall, it's good. The khao soi was also good. I just wish they would serve it hotter because it became cold very fast and it doesn't tastes good when it's cold. My partner found it a bit odd to have curry that's pretty saucy and soup-like, but I thought it was fine. We also got the tropical breeze drink and it was so light and nice. Our server was Aun (I believe that's how you spell it) and he was super wholesome and kind. He was super attentive and had a great, warm smile. He gave us a free thai tea ice cream for my birthday too. I hope to encounter him again when I dine here! read more
A cozy ambience and decorated well and aesthetically in the interior. Was not too loud during our visit. Service was fast and the staff was very friendly! Great for dinners or a first date. 6/5 - Khao Soi - Star of the show! The curry soup was very savory and was perfectly complemented by all the items of the dish. 5/5 - Thai Tea - The drink has a good balance between tea and milk. Nothing too different from a regular thai tea. Would recommend it if you need a fix! 5/5 - Brownie Matcha Lava - Served warm and perfectly complemented with their vanilla ice cream. Great to share with others and aesthetic, as expected from a dessert taken from Udessert. 5/5 - Pineapple Fried Rice - Flavorful fried rice dish with themes of curry and complemented well with the onion and pineapple. I highly recommend! We got the nuts on the side but it is usually mixed in. 5/5 - Pad See Ew (Tofu) - A filling portion with both savory and umami flavors. Complemented well and with a perfect ratio of veggies with the noodles and protein. The noodles were also cooked very well and overall gave a satisfactory texture profile to the dish. 4/5 - Gra-Prow (Beef) - Tender meat served with bell peppers. Great to combine with a carb dish like noodles or rice. Nothing too spectacular with the dish though and was a bit less flavorful than other Gra-Prow dishes that I have tried. read more
Ben Thai is easily one of my go-tos for Thai! The portions are large, the food is consistently delicious, and the service is great. Everything I've tried has been flavorful and fresh, and it's one of those places you can count on whether you're dining in or ordering takeout. It's the kind of spot you keep coming back to because you know it won't disappoint. Highly recommend if you're craving solid, comforting Thai food, with big portions. read more
Summary: Strong Thai flavors, for better or worse Details: Those who've read my prior reviews probably won't be surprised by my feedback here, but while we found the portions here fairly generous, flavor wise, everything we had was on the too sweet/salty side. While the latter isn't a common issue with Thai places we hit up, the former often is, and increasingly so as my own sugar tolerance has changed. Unlike some other restaurants though, Ben Thai seemingly doesn't have the option to adjust these to your tastes: at least when I asked if it was possible to cut down on either, we were told no, though I don't remember anymore if the reason was because things were already pre-seasoned, or something else. If you have heavier tastes, this might still be a decent place to check out, if you're in the area: I'd say it's no better or worse (strength wise) than places like Farmhouse, as a comparison point. Accessibility: On the slightly smaller side, with a mix of accessible and not seating, including some booth tabletops, some bar seating, and a dining area that's elevated up a couple steps. read more
We came here on a random Wednesday for lunch and there was plenty of seating. Food came out quick, and service was great. It seemed like they get a lot of regulars here. My SO ordered the Pad Poo thinking he was trying something new and different. But it's basically a Pad Thai with crab. It was good, but just be aware that it's not that different from a Pad Thai. I had the Khao Soi, which I enjoyed a lot. A lot of places make their Khao Soi more like a curry consistency, but it's actually more like a broth here, which I appreciate and enjoy much more! My SO didn't think it could beat his favorite Khao Soi spot. Overall it was a cool place to have lunch! I love the interior decor, with the different rooms and levels. Felt very cozy! read more
I've been here twice and I'd be happy to name this as my new go to spot for casual standard Thai in SF! The khao soi, duck panang curry, and papaya salad have been my faves and consistently good across both times I've been here. Khao soi is light but decadent, and the duck is sweet and fatty. The murder wings were better the second time but wish were a little crispier. Service was friendly, even thought they get super super busy. read more
Ben Thai Cafe was an amazing experience and truly a hidden gem. It is a cute little restaurant with beautiful artwork on the walls. I'd consider this place intimate and a good spot for a date or for dinner with friends. There are also a lot of people who use DoorDash/Uber Eats in this place, so throughout the dining experience, you can see people on motorcycles picking up food. The food was amazing!!! 10/10! I would be back here hands down. Some of the best Thai food I have had! I came with a party of 4 and was able to join the waitlist before I arrived. There was no wait, and I was able to get seated pretty quickly. For food, we got the Pad Kee Mao with shrimp, the Paradise wings, BBQ Pork, Thai fried rice, and 2 of the house specials. The food came out pretty quickly and was delicious. The wings were amazing, with a nice tang and a little heat. The Pad Kee Mao (Drunken Noodles) were packed with lots of flavor. The vegetables were cooked well and were not mushy at all. Everyone really enjoyed their meal, and we all talked about coming back because the food was undeniably good. Being a Yelp Elite came with a perk: 50% off non-alcoholic drinks!! We got the ginger honey limeade. Parking is hard to come by, so you will either have to park in the lot a block away or get lucky with street parking. read more
Food Rating: 7.33 Price: 9 Ambiance/Service: 8 Overall Rating: 8.11 The restaurant is pretty small and the seating feels a bit cramped, but I loved the festive Halloween decorations! The service was fast and they brought out all the dishes super quickly. I wish they staggered the dishes a bit due to the lack of space. Murder Wings - $12 Rating (7/10) The base flavor was great, but they weren't quite spicy enough for my taste. The breading was also a little thicker than I'd prefer, which made them feel heavier. House fried rice + crab ($7) - $23.5 Rating (6/10) The rice texture was too mushy and a bit wet. I could taste the crab, but it leaned more fishy than creamy or delicate. Pad See Ew - $16.5 Rating (7/10) Was a very standard pad see ew dish. It was tasty but nothing stood out. Roasted Duck Noodle Soup - $19 Rating (7/10) This dish was great for the cold day. The soup was just slightly too gamey for my liking. The cilantro was a good compliment though. Pumpkin curry - $19.5 Rating (8/10) I really enjoyed this one! The curry was rich and flavorful, and the pumpkin was cooked beautifully. The shrimp was just a bit overdone, but overall still a great dish. Roasted Duck Curry - $21.5 Rating (9/10) YUM! I would 100% get this dish again! The curry was delicious and all the ingredients inside were well balanced! read more
9 months ago
My friend loves their weekday lunch deal and we come here pretty often. We usually come around 1 pm and it isn't that busy when we come with our parties of 3 to 4. The interior is really inviting and bright from the wall of windows. There are a good amount of options to choose from that vary from curries to different meat options. Lunch Special (BBQ Chicken, Jasmine Rice) + Prawn Rolls - The portion is pretty big and filling. The chicken is soft and I love the light curry flavor. The rice texture is nice and it's cute that they always make it into a heart shape. We always add shrimp rolls every time and it's perfectly crunchy, a break from the rest of the flavors and textures. Sometimes, I also order the BBQ Pork which is similar in portion and more of a sweet flavor. We get Thai tea sometimes as well which is creamy with good strong tea. Overall, we love coming here for their different dishes and getting a filling tasty lunch. read more
After a string of excellent food spots of SF, we were heavily disappointed when we came here for dinner. This spot seems to be loved by Yelp-ies so I am just convinced we were unlucky and literally ordered the worst items on the menu. They have drinks (we got the tropical sangria) - they tasted pretty cheap. I guess that's what you get for a drink under $15 in SF. The fresh rolls ($13.5) - I order these at almost every Thai spot I go to - and these are definitely the smallest, worst (and most expensive) I have had ever. Think - the worst parts of an iceberg lettuce head stuffed in wrappers, with a bit of shrimp. It was like chewing crunchy water. The pad see ew ($16.5) with chicken - my BF ordered this, took one bite and couldn't stomach it (said it was too fishy), but I actually thought this one was fine and inhaled the entire thing because I was starving. The food comes out quickly - almost too quickly. Looks like people rave about the Khao Soi so maybe get that if you go here. 2 stars because the staff are lovely and the interior has a cool vibe. read more
I've had Ben Thai Cafe on my list for a while and I finally got to try it. I went for an early dinner with my friend and it was her first time too. You can make a reservation or join their waitlist. We didn't have to wait though since we got there around opening. Murder wings (3.5/5): This was fried chicken wings with peppercorn and krachai. They were advertised as spicy but it really wasn't? I was a bit confused. The fry and sauce were good though. Ka-Ree curry (4/5): This is a yellow curry with potato, carrot, onion, bell pepper, and pumpkin. You get a choice of protein and we did tofu. The rice was shaped like a little heart which was a cute touch. Pad thai (4/5): You get a choice of protein and we did chicken. The rice noodles were thinner than usual but it was still good. The sauce nicely coated everything. It came with tofu and egg as well. Overall, a good lunch or dinner spot. I would probably come back and try some of their broths. Service was okay. A little slow in the beginning but not too bad. read more
Came here for a late dinner, around 8:30pm a couple weeks ago. After flying in from LA, this was our first meal in SF. The restaurant was packed, so we needed to wait a little bit for our table. The restaurant is on the smaller side but there is a bar area where you can sit as well. Once we were seated, the customer service was great. The ladies would check on us each time they walked by. Portions are pretty big, I think we over ordered too much because our little table didn't quite fit all the dishes. We ended up ordering sake, thai tea, eggplant, khao soi, pad and kee mao. Each dish was super flavorful and delicious! It felt like the dishes came straight from coming off the stove as it was piping hot and stayed hot for most of the meal. read more
29 days ago
Popped in to Ben Thai scare and unexpectedly and had a delicious meal and excellent service. The pineapple fried rice was delicious and fresh and was ready in minutes. The mango sticky rice was insane and so fresh. The ginger minors was also excellent. The staff were attentive, kind, and welcoming. I wish I lived in San Francisco so I could be a regular. read more
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More info about Ben Thai Cafe
1331 Polk St
San Francisco, CA 94109
Lower Nob Hill, Nob Hill
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(415) 771-2562
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http://benthaicafe.com
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Ask the Community - Ben Thai Cafe
Does anyone know if the peanut sauce is vegan, or does it have fish sauce in it?
Our peanut sauce doesn’t contain fish sauce. We only use peanut butter, sugar, salt and curry paste.
Which items can be made gluten-free and vegan?
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Ben Thai Cafe - thai - Updated July 2026
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