Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Jo's Modern Thai

    4.3 (541 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndThai, Cocktail Bars, Noodles
    Closed 12:00 pm - 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM

    Waitlist - Jo's Modern Thai

    Waitlist closed

    The restaurant is not taking waitlist parties right now

    Jo's Modern Thai Reservations

    Order Jo's Modern Thai Takeout or Delivery

    Jo's Modern Thai Photos

    JO'S MODERN THAI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy
    Classy

    More like Jo's Modern Thai

    Recommended Reviews - Jo's Modern Thai

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Michelle N.

    Jo's Modern Thai is definitely a new favorite. The restaurant has a clean, retro/modern island dining vibe, combined with subtle Thai decor. Our server was attentive, genuinely warm, and welcoming. We went for lunch and there was no wait, but dinner reservations were highly recommended. We ordered the Shrimp Pad Thai ($27), and the Garlic Chile Fried Catfish ($20). Both dishes were incredibly flavorful and delicious. The Shrimp Pad Thai was spot on for authentic pad Thai flavor. The shrimp were big and plump, and with a squeeze of the lime wedge juice over the top and a sprinkle of peanuts and chile flakes, made this dish so satisfying and delicious. The Pad Thai was fantastic, but my favorite was the Garlic Chile Fried Catfish! It was truly astounding . The rice, vegetables, and tasty pieces of perfectly cooked battered catfish were all brought together with a super flavorful garlicky coating. The passion that the chefs put into creating the flavors also shines through in the beautiful plating and presentation. Overall, I was highly impressed with Jo's Modern Thai, and I can't wait to make reservations to try out their dinner menu!

    Drunken noodles with beef brisket
    Nina Z.

    Saw this place listed on Oakland Restaurant Week and the SO was intrigued by the modern twist on Thai food, so we decided to book a reservation. We were able to make reservations online for the patio the day of. Loved the tropical, vibrant vibes and the shaded outdoor patio area. For $45 per person, we got to choose one starter, one entree, and a dessert to share, so of course we chose all five dishes listed. For appetizers, we had the catfish salad and coconut cakes with ceviche. The crunchy catfish salad was citrusy and had a nice mix of textures. Wasn't too sure about the combination of coconut and ceviche, but enjoyed the coconut cake base. For entrees, we had the masumman curry and drunken noodles. Both were good, but the masumman curry stood out in flavorful, which surprised us because it was completely vegetarian. Lastly - but not least - we had the mango blue sticky rice to share, which was the perfect way to end the evening. Would definitely order again. The tartness of mango, pandan flavored rice crispies, sweetness of mango sorbet, and warmth and subtle sweetness of sticky rice provided contrast but worked well together. Service was friendly but a bit disorganized. They delivered two dishes that weren't ours to our table on two separate occasions. Would just recommend the staff being a bit more organized and knowing which tables to deliver dishes to. Would be happy to come back for that masumman curry and mango sticky rice along with their full menu items.

    The check had a Yelp button :)
    Gina G.

    Jo's Modern Thai..finally was able to try this spot during Oakland Restaurant Week! They started executing a trial period of being open for lunch for restaurant week and we were able to swing by during those specific hours for the lunch menu. With the special, they offered some of their favorite dishes for $15 a pop. We started with the Thai Caesar Salad (not on the restaurant week menu), ordered a few Singhas (they also offer Thai Micheladas too!), and then moved onto the Northern Thai Curry Noodles (Khao Soi), and the Thai Green Curry. We also ordered two sides of rice to compliment the curry sauces. Wowee, what a spread. I will say, when I was in Thailand the Khao Soi was a spicier dish for me, so much so I was served milk at the table (haha), and the dish was equally as spicy in Oakland..in all the best ways. The Thai Green Curry also had a spice level to it too. My dad had been fighting a cold and his smell/tastebuds were positively awakened. The flavors were excellent ~ I'm not sure if Jo's is known for their fried chicken, but it seems special. This spot is elevated and feels also very contemporary. The restaurant is clean and modern, and they also have a nice cocktail bar. My guess is reservations may be needed for dinner, so this was truly a cool moment to get a sneak peek of what lunch could look like. Would love to come back and try more from the menu. Service was excellent and everyone made us feel very welcome. I'll let my pictures/videos speak for themselves :) Leave a few additional minutes to find parking in the Laurel District.

    Crunchy Catfish Salad (GF)
    Camila Y.

    Went here during Oakland restaurant week and got to try multiple different items! The catfish salad was really good in flavor and I enjoyed it, but it was a bit on the saltier side. Drunken noodles were also good but spicy. Staff is friendly and had a nice vibe inside with a small bar. However the whole space isn't very big so would recommend reserving ahead of time if you have a large group. There is only street parking right jn front so can be hard to find parking during busy hours.

    Inside
    Allie G.

    We visited Jo's Modern Thai around noon on a Saturday, and got seated right away. They are on Yelp Waitlist though, so I assume they get busier for dinner. The interior had simple, modern decor with a neon monkey sign towards the back. For drinks, I ordered the Ginger Lime Soda, which was very sweet but still tasty. There was only one guy working the whole front of house and he looked a bit stressed as the host/bartender/server. He was really nice though and proactively comped my soda since he thought it took too long. For food, my partner and I shared the Brisket Drunken Noodles and Beef Kra Pao. The Drunken Noodles rocked my world! They were so flavorful, the spice level was perfect, and the brisket went so well with the dish. I'll be dreaming of those for a while! The Beef Kra Pao, however, was not my favorite. The meat had good flavor but the pieces were just so fatty and chewy, it was hard to eat. Portion sizes were slightly smaller than your typical Thai restaurant. Would return to try out their dinner menu!

    Lychee or Love It
    Shawna E.

    On a scale on 1 to 5 with 5 being the best, overall I give it a 3.5. While I liked some things & the ambiance was nice, I don't think I'd go back unfortunately Lychee cocktail - I give it a 4. Very tasty, I just like a little more alcohol in mine. It could also be that I prefer Grey Goose but this came with Kettle One (no substitutions). Recommend. Wings - 5 all the way. Fried nice & crispy but were still moist inside, great flavor, not salty, lime zest was a great addition & the sauce was good as well. A little overpriced for only 5 wings, but worth every penny. Highly recommend. Lobster Pad Thai - 3. Lobster was cooked perfectly but dish tasted sweeter than I'd like for pad Thai. I also didn't like that it was basically deconstructed & not all tossed together. Crab Fried Rice - 2. Way too much soy sauce, that's all we could taste. My friend thought it could use more crab meat but I felt like I had crab in every bite. Maybe the Dungeness Crab Fried rice has a lot more crab meat. Service - 5 for sure. Jacob was our server & he was excellent. He made recommendations upon request, checked on us often, made sure we had everything we needed.

    branzino
    Adrienne H.

    Ive been wanting to try jo's for a while. I was had reservations but sat at the bar for drink. The drink was really good but I forgot the name I also had their thai tea which was good. I sat in their back patio. The service was great. The ambiance was nice as well. I ordered the crab fried rice which was so good. I also had the branzino and honestly i was disappointed. For dessert I tried the sweet blue sticky rice with mango sorbet now that itself is come again for. it was so different and absolutely amazing. I want to come back and give them another try trying other dishes.

    Drunken noodle with beef brisket. Can't even think of this as Thai food despite a few Thai basils
    Lena H.

    My friend and I came here for my birthday dinner as the reviews are great and I am looking for a great Thai restaurant. We made a reservation for 2 and promptly seated. The service was pretty good/attentive. It was also very nice that they gave the mango dessert for free for the birthday girl. Nice gesture. The interior is nice. We ordered the crispy catfish salad, the drunken noodle, and the chicken green curry. The 3 stars is for the foods only. It is not the authentic Thai from this restaurant in my opinion. 1) The crispy catfish salad is overly sour with way too much citrus and overpowering. The catfish is so finely chopped and fried that it tasted nothing like fish at all, and it looked and tasted like fried panko. I wonder if the person making the salad even taste it before it is served! It is a huge disappointment. 2) The drunken noodle is sautéed ramen noodle with beef brisket (American style beef brisket that you'd normally get from the bbq restaurant). This is really nothing like Thai despite a few Thai basils was on the plate and there are some green peppercorns). 3) The chicken green curry is fine and I like the strong coconut flavor balanced with the curry. The curry could be a bit thicker. The cocktail is very light and I felt like I paid $16 for a glass of lemonade. Overall I am not impressed with the food taste at all as I have had much better Thai foods at other restaurants that taste better. It is below my expectations as I was excited to try this place based on the reviews. Service is great but I wish I could have better tasted foods here.

    Huge bar
    Heather D.

    Showed up again for Oakland Restaurant Week. I still love the staff but things were a little off this last visit. We ordered the oysters as an appetizer and before we had even got to the second oyster one of the entrees hit the table - that is one of my main pet peeves. We decided to try some items that appeared to be newer on the menu and went for the Crab Curry Linguini which was uni unctuous at it's very best. The Crying Tiger Steak was not such a hit, it was flavored well but the meat was pretty chewy and it really is pretty much just a steak with nothing else. I hope this was a one off because I have been loving this place up to now.

    Brussel sprouts bowl
    Danessa L.

    Came to Jo's because of Restaurant Week as their special offer and menu made me wanna come in. Portions are generous, and my server Frank managed the whole dining room itself. There's a cute bar inside where you can buy a shirt too. I'd go back to try more on the menu.

    Brussel sprouts
    Angela W.

    Looks like I have a new favorite Thai spot! EVERYTHING was excellent! The fried branzino was Thai dipping sauce was absolutely fantastic. The Brussel sprouts had the perfect spicy kick to them, the brisket drunken noodles were delicious and the crab curry linguini was incredible. Everything was flavored to perfection and we finished off with the blue ride pudding with mango sorbet. Our server, Frank, was SO sweet! He did not disappoint with the recommendations and was super attentive! The place is small, perfect for a date night! The drink menu was extensive as well! I ordered the Laurel punch which was made with tea infused tequila... AMAZING. I had two. I will definitely be coming back! Love having such great spots in Oakland!!!

    Denise F.

    Well my friend went and placed a order. There was no customer in the restaurant She was confuse with sticky rice and the mango rice. When she realized she order the wrong rice. Kai told Her she could get what she thought She order. I went in and spoke Kai she didn't seem Like She was customer friendly she wanted to be right she wanted to prove her point Instead of be understanding doing Something as a one time courtesy and wanting the experience of a customer coming back or telling Someone's to come to the establishment because it superb customer service The last time me and my family were please And we spent over $200 and I would Love to come back but because of Kai I may have to think about it. When me and my family came in we had a great experience of Dealing with Frank. He was friendly accommodating. I hope Kai remembers in order for a customer to come back they need to JA w a great experience.

    Chicken curry
    SK G.

    Five of us went there to celebrate a birthday. Our first time. They moved us to the outdoor patio which was very perfect on a nice evening. There was a birthday card at the table from the restaurant- nice touch! We ordered a number of cocktails and different dishes. The papaya salad was the only disappointment. Too much liquid and unlike the traditional version the papaya was not beaten/crushed so it didn't absorb the flavors. The other dishes were great, but nothing was like memorable! The service was good. Will try again.

    Mango sticky rice pudding - the granola gives it a nice texture!

    See all

    24 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Rod N.
    12
    84
    40

    28 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kiki M.
    0
    33
    37

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of TC W.
    0
    34
    1

    6 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 3
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 3
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kao S.

    Kao S.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jenny T.
    1244
    1205
    4221

    5 months ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 3
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bee F.
    43
    154
    83

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 2
    Love this 4
    Oh no 1

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of S L.
    0
    171
    499

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kim M.
    0
    10
    0

    29 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tina A.
    316
    1218
    1792

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Cindy Y.
    152
    22
    24

    8 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Cris G.
    164
    15
    2

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    Page 1 of 14

    Ask the Community - Jo's Modern Thai

    Can a negative Covid test be used in place of vaccination to dine in?

    if it’s a test within the last 3 days then yes.

    Can you get takeout?

    visit our webpage Josmodernthai.com… 

    Are dogs allowed on the patio?

    No, only service dogs.

    What type of cooking & frying oil is used? Canola, soybean, rice etc?

    Good question, We using rice bran oil.

    Do they have heat lamps on the patio?

    Yes they do!!! And if one is not enough, just ask for more!

    Do they offer vegetarian versions of any dishes? Looks like only one vegetarian option on the menu.

    View All 10 Questions

    The Barbary

    The Barbary

    4.3(44 reviews)
    3.0 miGrand Lake, Lower Hills
    $$

    Barbary Bar - Chill Vibes & Great Energy…read more This bar has such a great atmosphere! Whether you choose to sit inside or enjoy the beautifully set-up outdoor area, the vibe is always relaxed and inviting. Everyone here is super friendly and welcoming, making it a great spot to grab a drink, unwind, and enjoy some good conversation. Pro tip: Have dinner at one of the local restaurants nearby, then stroll back to Barbary for a nightcap (or two). It's the perfect way to wrap up a great evening.

    The Barbary is a beautiful bar. Everything from the lighting, signage, themes and drinks embody…read moreoriginality and uniqueness. Bartender Nick couldn't have been a better host. He gave great recommendations on the different drinks, and also was a fun person to chat with. If you have a sweet tooth like me, you'll love the Coconut Mojito which was creamy, rich, and a perfect 5/5 cocktail. You can also find pleasure in with the Black Tot Grog which was the perfect blend of pineapple, rum and charcoal, and also carried a black esthetic with a pirate flag for an added touch. With this being located near the Grand Lake area, this is a great spot to hang out at right after a film at the nearby theatre or if you just finished up a meal at one of the neighboring restaurants. My experience here couldn't have been better and I look forward to coming back sometime soon. 5/5.

    Photos
    The Barbary
    The Barbary - Ships wheel

    Ships wheel

    The Barbary - Back end looking to the front

    See all

    Back end looking to the front

    Bardo Lounge & Supper Club - Drinks, burger and shrimp and grits

    Bardo Lounge & Supper Club

    4.4(339 reviews)
    2.8 miLakeshore, Lower Hills
    $$$

    Beautiful Dinner Over at Bardo! It had all the vibes I needed for a Saturday night…read more First off, I love the Lakeshore area! Bardo is nestled amongst the shops and fun on that street. Walked in and was greeted by the cool and lovely hostess. After a few taps on her ipad, I was directed to my seat. I was sat on a beautiful blue sofa, SO COZY! I loved it. I definitely felt like I was having dinner over at my buddies house. So fun! For drink, I got the In my room. I love a mezcal drink! This was the grown and sexy drink of my dreams. Complete with a gigantic ice cube. For food, I grabbed the Butter Beans and corn bread! This was so yummy and cozy. Very reminiscent of my aunt's cooking. So delicious! The Chicken Liver and Jam was absolutely amazing! I am totally coming back and ordering this again. This was so delicious, whipped, and I loved the pairing of this with the jam. So unconventional, but oh so good! I love me a caesar salad and this one was perfect. Crisp lettuce, quail eggs, tomato, and the perfect amount if dressing. I always love adding something fresh to my meal. This was spectacular! Lovely night at Bardo! The service was great, the food was awesome, and the ambiance was to die for. I will definitely be back, sitting at the bar, and eating another helping of this yummy food.

    We had reservations so we were immediately seated upon arrival which set the stage for an excellent…read moreexperience. We started off with a mocktail and beer. I ordered two different mocktails both of which were really tasty. For our appetizer we had the vegetarian deviled eggs that were seasoned to perfection and quite delicious. For dinner we ordered the sole and pork chop entrees. The sole was succulent with layers of flavor in every bite. The pork chop was so tender and juicy. The pairing of sides was perfection. The Host was accommodating and friendly. Service was exceptional. Everyone kept checking on us which was nice. There's off street parking available within a block and the entrance is accessible. The atmosphere is casually chic, warm, and inviting. We most definitely will be returning in the near future and highly recommend this esteemed.

    Photos
    Bardo Lounge & Supper Club - The bar

    The bar

    Bardo Lounge & Supper Club - Mushroom Bolognese

    Mushroom Bolognese

    Bardo Lounge & Supper Club - Ribeye.

    See all

    Ribeye.

    Almond & Oak - Shrimp & Grits w/ shrimp gravy, scallions, poached eggs ($21) + Chive Scrambled Eggs w/ applewood-smoked bacon, potatoes ($19)

    Almond & Oak

    4.4(439 reviews)
    3.0 miGrand Lake, Lower Hills
    $$

    I really enjoyed the few times I've brunched here. The food and cocktails are consistently…read moredelicious. Today, we were able to book a 10:30AM reservation spur of the moment and Almond & Oak once again did not disappoint. My friend and I ordered two drinks: the Aviator and a Bloody Mary which were both cheers worthy. For our meals my friend had the soft scramble eggs with roasted potatoes and avocado and I ordered the NY steak sandwich. We shared the baked French toast with macerated strawberries. All our brunch items were incredibly yummy. My steak was cooked mid-rear tender and seasoned perfectly. The soft scramble was more on the medium side and would've been perfect if it was "glistening" more. Our server was efficient and checked on us once. I would definitely come back for brunch again!

    Came here for brunch with a friend on a Sunday at 1:30! It looked busy but luckily they could take…read moreus walking in. We chose patio seating. We first chose to come here because they had Bloody Marys on the menu and we were craving them! The service was friendly all throughout. My friend ordered the eggs benedict and I got the hot honey fried chicken sandwich. I think hot honey is having quite the moment lol but I think I would have preferred the sandwich without it! It was really drippy and sticky with a lot of honey oozing on the plate - I would be much happier to order it crispy and dry without honey if that's an option. My friend enjoyed her eggs benedict. They also had a good beer and wine menu and my friend ordered a sour beer. Overall I had a really nice time here, it's a good vibe, friendly service, good Bloody Mary and good food! Excited to come back and try more dishes and maybe sit on the inside to scope out the indoor vibe lol. Oh patio had some sun creeping in so that was a bit not ideal but overall was totally fine.

    Photos
    Almond & Oak
    Almond & Oak - Baked strawberry rhubarb French toast

    Baked strawberry rhubarb French toast

    Almond & Oak - Eggs Benedict

    See all

    Eggs Benedict

    Town Tavern - Black Manhatten

    Town Tavern

    4.3(201 reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$

    Our go-to cocktail spot in Alameda. We've been here many times now, and it never disappoints. Great…read moredrinks, good service, and a chill, comfortable atmosphere. My favorite part is their collection thoughtful, balanced, complex drinks. If you want a variety of delectable old fashioneds with different spirits -- you're in luck! ---- Drinks ---- The cocktails are the main reason we keep coming back! Old Fashioned menu. They actually have several varieties and I've really appreciated how they use a different spirit for each! I won't review every single one, but you can't go wrong based on what flavor profile you want. They're all relatively sophisticated, balanced, spirit-forward, and consistently well made. The rest of the cocktail menu is equally thoughtful. Complex, creative, and well executed without trying too hard or going over the top with flavors or presentation. The food is delicious as well although we're usually just here for drinks before/after a meal. More small bites than full meals, but everything we've had has been tasty and pairs well with the drinks. We really enjoyed the empanadas; great flavor and execution. ---- Environment ---- Warm, cozy, and stylish -- but not pretentious or obnoxious. Music volume is always at a level where you can actually have a conversation, which I really appreciate! It does get busy, especially on weekends, but it's never been extreme. We've been seated immediately or only with a short wait most times. ---- Service ---- Friendly, welcoming, and attentive! Always had good experiences with the staff even when busy. Most of them have good recommendations. ---- Tips ---- Make a reservation if you can! Walk-ins are definitely possible, though you may end up sharing a larger communal table. We've done it before and honestly didn't mind. The bathroom can occasionally have a bit of a wait. ---- Overall ---- Love this place. It's become our go-to spot whenever we're in the mood for great cocktails and a relaxed evening and want a reliable experience. One of my favorite cocktail bars in Alameda.

    This spot has very good cocktails. This time I tried Georgia on my Mind, it has cognac and peach…read moreliqueur. My friend has the chicken sliders with fries. Good choice. Server was helpful and attentive. Cheers!

    Photos
    Town Tavern - Toki, hazy IPA, Basil gimlet.

    Toki, hazy IPA, Basil gimlet.

    Town Tavern - Nachos

    Nachos

    Town Tavern - Pick your specials

    See all

    Pick your specials

    Jo's Modern Thai - thai - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...