Out in the crappies part of ID, if ID isn't bad already for parking, etc... This place is great, generally clean and attentive services. Great Vietnamese fusion. I love the lemon grass beef spring roll, and the Vietnamese pancake. In ID, for Vietnamese food it have to be Tamarind Tree or Green Leaf. Tamarind tree edge out on the eat-ting atmosphere and nobody can just seem to beat or match Green Leaf's beef la lot! LOL read more

This place is hidden in china town, it's a diamond in the rough kind of place, from the outside its like.. what is this place, doesn't seem to nice but when you go in all of a sudden it seems like a pretty high end restaurant. The food was really great, i liked that they had so many options for vegetarians so i was able to find a lot to eat. I especially liked the tamarind spring rolls, so good! read more

I ate here a week ago with a friend for dinner and it was a great experience. Atmosphere, service, food quality and OMGGGGG that menu!!!! We were seated very quickly, and the server was very responsive and even introduced himself by name (it is a pet peeve of mine when servers do not tell me their name, especially when not wearing a name badge). I was overwhelmed looking at it, there were so many options. I ordered the egg rolls, fried rice with prawns, and a pomegranate martini, but I truly had challenges deciding. I decided to go here because my friend is always trying to take me to new places, and I had not been here before. Honestly, I had not even heard of this place until last week. read more

Tried vegetarian tamarind tree rice, it was good.. I liked tofu and mushrooms in that. I will definitely go back to try more dishes.

This place gets extra points for being pretty and having cocktails. I don't like the pho or escargot balls but everything else I had was very good. I couldn't keep track of my 7 courses of beef but I would have been happy with 3. Watch out because this place packs out but if you are starving and just need to eat good food then go to Saigon Bistro because it is in the same parking lot. read more

when my friend told me that there was vietnamese food better than pho i wanted to slap him for that blasphemous remark! after recovering from my slap he told me about Tamarind Tree and that i HAVE to go there, that pho is to viet food as mac and cheese is to american food (best analogy ever) i had no idea what to order, but lucky me, the guy who recommended the place was there to order for me! he got me this spicy pho-like soup with sausages and stuff, and my mind grapes were blown! i had no idea what it was but it was packed with flavor in every spoonful, and it definitely beat out the usual pho, i also had the opportunity to sample a few other dishes that my friends ordered, and every single one of them was delicious, i tried some banh xeo (i hope i spelled that right) and part of a chicken dish, i am definitely going back to try more things on their huge menu, especially since i can actually find the place again read more

I really have to say this is one of the best Vietnamese places in town. We started with the chicken satay over a mango salad. I almost died. It was so friggin good! I ordered the Tamarind Tree Rice for $10. It has a nice sampling of chicken, pork, and prawn over a bed of white rice. I had such amazing flavors running through my mouth they almost had to rush me to the ER after the dessert. Black sesame ice cream! The service was excellent and the price was very fair. read more

This was my first time going here and it was definitely not a great experience. I show up with my party of 10 and asked how long the wait was going to be, and decided to stay because they said it would take about 15mins. It took them an hour to seat us, but at this point we were just hungry and didn't mind too much. We ended up getting seated at a 6persons table - while there's 10 of us - and had absolutely no space to move around. We had already pre-ordered the Bo 7 Mon (7course meal) while we were waiting, and when the food came out we had no space for any of it. We had to put all of our drinks on the floor and had no room for our plates that we actually had to eat and make rolls on our hands But you know what, we didn't even mind that much at this point and wanted the last dish to go because we just felt so crammed it was getting uncomfortable. The very last dish was a beef congee and when we finally got it, I was pissed. They literally gave us a container so small that it might have held enough for two people. Keep in mind we ordered for 10 people!!! They completely ripped us off. And honestly, overall the food wasn't that great. I'm Vietnamese, I've had this many times and I can say I'm not at all impressed. read more

It's hard to avoid comparing Tamarind Tree to Green Leaf, but given the similarity in offered dishes, I can't help but wonder if we blended the food from Green Leaf with the decor of Tamarind Tree we'd get a perfect restaurant. I love the ambiance and the feel of this place, and the pork salad rolls are great, but the service is less than stellar and the sauces aren't nearly as inventive or creative as Green Leaf's. However, I do encourage newbies to Vietnamese fare to try this place out - it's accessible and very stylish. Huge menu, prices are mid-range and very fair for what you get, and the food is healthy. Large eaters will do well here, but may feel hungry and hour later. read more

Super delicious and the atmosphere here is great. I ordered the Tamarind Tree Noodle Bowl (the last item on the menu), and it came with a wide variety of toppings. My favorite part of the dish was the sugarcane- so crunchy and sweet inside. For my appetizer, I ordered the spring rolls, which came with peanut sauce and were nice. I highly, HIGHLY recommend you order the tamarind tree noodle bowl- it contains everything the dishes before are specific to, at a reasonable price. I think of it as a sampling platter that hides in the back. Most people don't even flip all the way to the back so it's sort of a hidden treasure, if you will. read more

Tamarind Tree is in my top 5 places to eat in Seattle. Everything I have eaten there is excellent so you really can't go wrong. We always get the green beans (I know it sounds weird to recommend a place based on there green beans but they compliment every meal). Yellowfish for dinner is the best I've ever had. read more

Yep I'm going back and next time I will remember the names of everything we ate. The lettuce wraps were fresh and delicious and the decor warm and inviting. A great place for friends, couples, or an intimate evening out. read more

It was girls night out- and this was where we decided to eat dinner. The place is neatly decorated with tasteful bamboo awnings and dividers - candle lights enhance the dimly lit restaurant... WE started with their cocktail menu -- we tried the: Ginger martini ,Lychee martini and Ginger Cosmo! we loved the asian flare!!! Also order the 7course beef meal-- its enough to feed an army!!! We had the papaya salad and satay too- all well prepared!!! We'll definitely be back here :-) Tum ummm read more

The first time I came here was for dinner with a friend: even though we hadn't made reservations, the wait was short (only about 15 minutes on a weekend) and we were seated in the middle of the dining table. We had a great experience and the food was delicious! I had the coconut prawns (and it was so good that it made me wish I'd branched out to a more adventurous entree, which I was sure would be just as scrumptiously prepared) and we ordered some of their house-made (I think?) coconut ice cream which was some of the most flavorful ice cream ever and melted in my mouth like a sorbet, which I prefer. The second time I visited was with a huge group of my family: we were seated on their covered deck but the experience was awful. Our waiter said it was his last day...and he must hate working at the Tamarind Tree or something because the service we received from him was horrible and he rushed through our service like he was itching to get outta there! Our orders, though complex because there were so many, were often mixed up and we were left sitting in the dark for most of our meal before he remembered to light the candles on our table just as we were finishing up. The food was good though..I would highly recommend their spring rolls as an appetizer! read more

Pros: 1. When a nearby restaurant was unexpectedly closed, they were able to seat our party of 8 right away 2. Large portions 3. Tasty cocktails 4. Food arrived quickly Cons: 1. Huge menu, too large to comprehend all of the options and oddly laid out 2. We sat ready to order for 30 min before someone came by to take our orders, even though we asked multiple times. When the person finally arrived we were rushed to place our orders even though we had questions on the menu. 3. My plate was HUGE and I could barely make a dent in the entree after sharing an app. The waitress promptly took my plate away without asking if I was finished as I was chatting with a friend. When I noticed, my barely touched plate was gone with no chance of getting a to go box. 4. We were told they could split the check how we asked (by what each couple ordered) but the check came split evenly by the total (we didn't correct bc it wasn't that much of a difference but don't tell us you can do it the way we asked and then disregard it and just do it the way you prefer) 5. Brought the aforementioned checks and made it a point to tell us several times that the tip was not included. We are 32, not 12. It is rude and condescending and we didn't order waters and the cheapest menu items. We know proper restaurant etiquette. read more

Tamarind Tree is an OK, but not great, place. I got a fairly generous pour of Crown Royal, so I'm disinclined to trash TT too aggressively. They were "out" of pickled mustard green soup. I can only presume that the recommended substitute, tamarind tree soup, was proposed because of its $15.50 tag. It wasn't particularly flavorful and the seafood was tough. As is often the case, papaya salad was sodden, though not with particular flavor. read more

Cute decor and decent ambiance. Didn't much care for the food. I ordered the coconut prawn curry and it was served extremely basic.

I'm a veggie, and their menu is awesome for us. You cannot beat their tofu spring rolls. I could eat them every day. Only complaint, there are dozens of spiders hanging out in the bathrooms. If you hate spiders, stay out of the bathroom. But, the food is amazing, so worth it. read more

Tamarind Tree is my favorite Vietnamese restaurant in town. Great menu, affordable price, and a nice terrace. Love the place!

Excellent Vietnamese food!!! The mango carrot salad with shrimp was awesome. Great fresh rolls. Noodle bowl with beef or chicken with veggies has the best flavors. It's a must do while in Seattle. read more

When this place first opened it was pretty bomb for Seattle Vietnamese food. But then they got all crazy w/ a mega menu and the taste and quality went way down... Go to Green Leaf instead. read more

Good selection but service was so so today. The first time I went here, it was amazing! We got the 9 course beef and it went beyond expectations, and the service fulfilled all my needs in the busy daytime. However, this time I went closer to closing, and the dishes were delivered at very large intervals making it awkward for our group, the appetizer came last, and when we asked for peanut sauce they have us hoisin sauce. We asked for a long time if there was another, and they kept trying to say this is peanut sauce but they can add peanuts on top. Finally they admitted this sauce has no peanuts in it, and they have no peanut sauce at all... minor but very weird interaction. The food itself was definitely new and different that any Vietnamese I tried before, lots of interesting variety, but portions were a little bit small in terms of meat vs filler. read more

More than your average Vietnamese restaurant. The Tamarind Tree experience starts as you enter with beautiful outdoor and indoor dining areas. Free parking is available and it is easily accessible by public transit. As for the menu, I've found all kinds of dishes delicious. The pho has a great homemade broth that needs no extra sauce. The vermicelli dishes are really excellent with a great fish sauce to go along -- get the combo with egg roll, you won't regret it. Never had a bad experience here, this restaurant understands good customer service and great food. Slightly more expensive than other Vietnamese restaurants in the area (e.g. Vietnam House next door), but definitely worth it if you want a good sit-down meal. read more

My favorite restaurant in Little Saigon area. The spring rolls are always on point and the seven courses of beef has been my favorite for years. read more

If you like authentic Vietnamese Food give this a try. The Atmosphere is warm friendly and good service.The Food is really good my favorite dish is the Tamarind Tree Special. If you are going to eat there you have to get there early or else you won't get a seat. Tell Tam the owner Thach Sent you! read more

Food is excellent which is why I'm giving it 4 stars. Can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Love the stuffed squid, green papaya salad, lemon chicken, bun... Appetite stirring up! HOWEVER, the service is chronically slow and inattentive. We've been patroning the Tamarind Tree for several years now and hope these guys listen to the feedback. 2 stars for the service. Oh, and the location is a bit seedy in the International District (i.e. Chinatown). My girlfriends and I were recently chased by a homeless guy who actually went up to someone and physically hit them. We were running in our high heels for high heaven. Once you're in the place, it is an oasis with hip decor. Patio seating is where you want to be if you can snag one. Be warned solo fellow women. (Long Provincial, the sister restaurant in downtown, is okay -- they can't replicate very well the same dishes at Tamarind Tree) read more

I travelled to Seattle with two friends and decided to check out this place. They have really amazing fried rice! I would definitely go again if I'm around the area. read more

This is the second time I have gone and I gotta say that the food did not disappoint. Its pretty interesting how nice this place looks inside considering where the location is. It is a complete remodel of the Little bit of Saigon location and looks nothing like it used to. I had the Bun Bo Hue(noodle soup from Hue) this time and I gotta say that there hasn't been too many places that I have enjoyed it but they made it very good. Their rice dishes also are very good as well. I would recommend calling ahead or going online to get a reservation cause they get pretty packed at lunch and from what I hear in the evening as well. read more

Our first experience with Tamarind Tree last fall was wonderful: great food in a romantic setting. Unfortunately, our second visit with friends last night was a disaster from start to finish. They had no record of our 7:30 online reservations. After waiting about 15 minutes we were seated outside. We finally got some menus and water about 30 minutes later. After waiting another 30 minutes, the waitress finally took our order. The appetizers arrived, but no wine. After another several requests, we finally got the wine. The waitress came back some time after that to "check" on our entrees. When we realized that she had neglected to ever place the order, we cancelled the entrees, paid our bill and fled sometime after 9:00. The ironic part was that the wait staff keep trying to deliver other tables' food orders to our table. We noticed that all of the other patrons were experiencing the same lack of service. One table of about 10 people walked out. Wise people. The wait staff was poorly trained and undermanaged. There are too many other great dining choices in this city and we will not be coming back. read more

Tamarind Tree is one of the most interesting places I've ever gone to eat - not just in Seattle but on the planet. It *is* Vietnamese cuisine, but not the typical pho in a plaza mall. The menu has an amazing (and overwhelming) selection of meats, fruits, and vegetables - some I have never even heard of before Tamarind Tree. It is an adventure with every excursion. I've taken quite a few friends there, and each has been impressed by how much you can sample for so little. The plates are cheap - a friend and I once ordered about 6 plates and our bill was around $30! The decor is gorgeous - I love the colors on the walls, and the colorful square ceramic plates and teacups (which they also retail) add a nice touch. It is ALWAYS crowded - I've run across enough people who were Tamarind Tree virgins, but apparently the secret is out...They don't take reservations for 2 people, so you may have to wait. The hostesses are usually harried and not super friendly, but the service is fine once you are seated. read more

Very good and comfortable to seat outside :). I love vietnamese food at here :). It look likes same as I was living in Vietnam.

I went here with the bf after basically insisting we go somewhere else since I was totally a "green leaf" girl. (those of you who know Vietnamese in Seattle get it) Anyways I caved and boy was I glad I actually let him decide. The lunch was great. We had the typical spring rolls, but they were perfectly balanced and fresh. We also had some kind of chicken sate that was complemented with a great tangy sauce. But the true deal sealer was the minced shrimp wrapped around sugar cane!!! Lucky for me he loves dessert so we got the fried banana goodness! Well worth it. And don't freak over the "weird" drinks, they are amazing, with fizzy, bubbly, goodness! This was a first for me, and now that I'm in SF I look for it at every Vietnamese restaurant I go into. And I have to say....nothing has compared yet. Another SF quandary....This place better step up to the plate and play! Lest it get schooled by that little place up North....;) read more

I've been here once on a triple date and I order the banh xeo! I have never encountered another Vietnamese restaurant that serves banh xeo and I was very excited! It was really crispy and coconut-y and overall delicious!! They give you tons of veggies to wrap your banh xeo in. The banh xeo I ordered had scallops and beansprouts in it, but there was a vegetarian option as well. Their fish sauce to dip was really unique and delicious. Their spring rolls were good too. It had a crispy like roll in the middle of spring roll which added a nice crunch to it! My friends all enjoyed their meals and I would love to come here again for that amazing banh xeo! read more

If I were forced to choose my one very favorite restaurant in Seattle, Tamarind Tree would be it. Tucked into a slightly seedy corner of the Asian Plaza in Little Saigon, this place is the unsung hero of Vietnamese food in our fair city. The ambiance and decor are fabulous, the wait-staff is very friendly and helpful, and the food is incredibly fresh. My favorite dish is the lemon grass tofu noodle bowl (not to be confused with the lemon grass tofu rice dish which is boring in comparison) which has delicately flavored and grilled tofu slices on top of rice noodles and a whole bunch of fresh herbs and veggies. One other thing not to be missed at Tamarind Tree is the Tamarind Roll. Now, Vietnamese rolls are tasty almost anywhere but Tree's addition of jicama and fried rice paper gives this roll an incredible crunch. To top it all off, the prices are incredibly reasonable for such good food and they will even accommodate large groups. read more

dont be scared that the restaurant looks like a weird cinemax set, just be excited for their really very tasty vietnamese fair. with shit tons of veg options. their veg shrimp looks like something out of Beetlejuice. AWESOME! read more

I first stumbled upon this place during its soft opening a few years ago. Since then I've returned a few times. The menu is long and full of dishes totally unique to Seattle. I always take the opportunity to try a new appetizer, unique drink, and dessert. The main flavors of SE Asian cuisine are in full force here--sweet, sour, salty and spicy. I've had stir frys, lettuce wraps, tofu dishes, beef and seafood. Very tasty. It even inspired me to learn how to make Bun Thit Nuong. The prices are *amazingly cheap.* STILL. The dining room is dark and appears classy but if they were to turn the lights up you'd see the corners on the tables are beat up and it's a bit shabby. Still, would be a good place to go on a date if you are feeling like eating adventurously. They make a good mojito. Also check out their sister restaurant Long Provincial in Downtown. Equally awesome food at equally low prices. read more

Great Vietnamese restaurant. It was one of my favorite restaurants 12 years ago when I was living in Seattle. I went there again in a recent trip to Seattle, and the quality hadn't changed a bit. Very reasonable prices too. Highly recommend their spring rolls and their papaya salad. read more

Beautifully designed restaurant tucked away from the chaos that is 12th and Jackson. The food was great and the atmosphere nice, but I think it's too much $$$ to be paying for some Vietnamese food. Guess we gotta finance that really nice washbasin in their bathroom. read more

Ordered chicken and rice dish, but the meat was grilled until it was chewy/tough; ordered the mango salad and waitress assumed I wanted shrimp and didn't ask or give me options (the shrimp by the way taste really odd); and they got the order for lime juice with condensed milk, and crushed ice wrong twice - once they brought an iced tea-type drink (when I said it was the wrong drink the waitress got an attitude and insisted its what we ordered) and the second time it had soda water and it didn't have crushed ice so I gave up. PLUS we got charged for the wrong drink that was delivered. The spring rolls were yummy and so was the noodle salad with the fried egg rolls. This was between 5:30pm to 7:30pm on a Saturday, maybe they were overwhelmed with the crowds and the waitress was just having a bad day? Regardless, it felt like a waste of money. read more

I came here yesterday with my dad! We got the tamarind lettuce wrap (forgot what it was called) and a large special pho & asked for a small one to go last minute. The food was pretty good and the wrap was really refreshing & we didn't know how to eat it so the waiter had to explain it to us LOL. At first I thought he seemed really annoyed of us but it got a lot better as the meal went on. We were in a rush so when our small pho came out, we had to get it to go and he was really accommodating even though he said that it was already out lol. On top of that he said that they were actually short some staff too. Overall a pretty nice place! read more