I originally wanted to go to Revel for dinner, but I realized that the menu was a bit overpriced. So I spontaneously made the decision to come to Tamarind Tree instead. I was initially doubtful about the place, because it's located next to run-down businesses in the Asian Plaza. But walking inside, I thought the interior was quite nice. I got the lemongrass grilled chicken with brown rice, which took longer, because the chefs had to boil more brown rice. However, I was pretty impressed by the food when it finally arrived to our table. The chicken wasn't that flavorful on its own, but combined with the nuom chac dipping sauce, it was the perfect pick-me-up after a long day of walking through Seattle. As an afterthought... while I was waiting impatiently for my food, I noticed when the chef finally brought the food out to the server, the server spent a food 5 minutes just inspecting my plate. He finally sent it back to the chef before bringing it out to me. God knows what even happened during that incident... but it got me a little antsy. All jokes aside, this is not a bad place to check out for Vietnamese cuisine. In the future, I'd definitely want to come back to try their infamous duck salad (per other Yelpers). read more

Tamarind Tree Restaurant - Grilled lemongrass chicken - Vietnamese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

My family and I stumbled upon this place for dinner and so glad we did! The food was great and the service was exceptional! The ambiance is nice and the complimentary tea is delicious. The lychee martini was great. Highly recommend! We will be back :) read more

It was really a beautiful evening with great company and wonderful food. The ambiance was incredible. Can't wait to return.

First time here. Food look good. but service is bad, need to improve. I want a good and comfortable meal, not the attitude of the waitress. read more

Did not meet my expectations. We ordered catfish pot, fresh roll, and bum bo hue The roll is good, I enjoy the crisp, but the roll is a bit loose. I'm disappointed with the Catfish pot and bum bo hue. They use sole instead of catfish for their catfish pot, and their bum bo hue pho is too soft and the soup does not contain seafood favor. read more

Tamarind Tree Restaurant - Vietnamese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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This place shot up very quickly to one of my preferred Viet places due to the sole fact that they can actually do the egg rolls (cha gio) correctly! The fried rice paper wrapping beats the egg roll wrapping any day, while the filling is tasty and delicious. If it was appropriate to order those alone as my meal then I would. I enjoy how at the front of their menus they have lunch and weekend specials for relatively cheaper, so it allows me to sample dishes I normally don't get. It also helps that they have a parking lot as well which makes it convenient to come back. Service is nice and quick. The clientele is a bit less Asian, so I don't feel judged terribly with my butchered Viet pronunciations of dishes. The inside is modern and clean. They even have a fireplace going on colder days! read more

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So tasty was the perfect meal after a long flight from the east coast. The cost to food ratio is so worth it. The beef I ordered was so seasoned and tender. The flavors were so rich. Recommend if you are in the area and want an affordable meal in the chinatown area read more

Tamarind Tree Restaurant - Short rib broken rice - Vietnamese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Let me just start off by saying I am not a huge vietnamese food fan. HOWEVER, Tamarind Tree is really the ONLY vietnamese restaurant I'll recommend to any of my friends. Their chicken fried rice is one of the most flavorful rice dishes I have ever had in Seattle. It's not just that the fried rice is flavored by the chicken, but it's as if they let the bed of rice sit in flavored broth to cook it. Really fantastic. And everyone I recommended the dish to were not disappointed. Their pho is flavorful; their eggrolls are perfectly crisp and again, flavorful. You really can't go wrong. The wait can get a bit long so I'd recommend calling to set a reservation beforehand. read more

This was my second time here and I can honestly say this is my favorite vietnamese cuisine spot in Seattle! My girlfriend and I came on a Monday morning. There were little to no one here and we got seated immediately. The decor of the restaurant had a cultural vibe to it. It seemed like they were trying to go for a nature-esque atmosphere. We decided to get the lemon-grass beef rolls, Tamarind crepe, and the Pho beef stew. Food: The lemon-grass beef rolls were delicious. The flavor of the lemon-grass beef complimented the vermicelli and mint leaves very well. The hoisin sauce was slightly sweet with a tangy kick! The pho beef stew was pretty good too. The soup was sweet and savory which kept me wanting more. The cuts of beef were tender and some were fatty (which I like). I decided to get egg noodles and it was very flavorful. The tamarind crepe(Banh Xeo) was by far my favorite dish! The crepe itself was sweet and crispy. It had bean sprouts, pork, and shrimp inside as well. We wrapped the crepe with lettuce and some mint leaves. We dipped it inside fish sauce and the flavor was just amazing. It is a little messy but it is totally worth it! I highly recommend this dish however, your fingers will smell like fish sauce for at least a day! Service: Our waiter was super nice and offered us tea and water right when we got seated. He checked up on us and made sure our waters were filled and if we needed anything else. He definitely went above and beyond to make sure our experience at the Tamarind Tree was fantastic. 5/5 Pros: -Affordable prices -Authentic Vietnamese cuisine -Attentive servers -Free tea Cons: -A little hard to find the entrance read more

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Surely a place that mostly locals go, as it's hidden in the back corner of a rundown plaza, with poor signage. Our Lyft driver was nice enough to circle the blocks for us a few times. Inside is elegant, and has a great date-vibe. Extensive menu with authentic Vietnamese cuisine and a full bar. The place was packed on a Sunday night, but hubby and I were seated immediately and attended to by our waiter promptly. We enjoyed our pho and stuffed escargot, which really just tastes like pork meatballs, but still yummy nonetheless. I'd return to try the other Vietnamese dishes and the spicy chili watermelon martini. read more

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We ordered 2 com dac biet for takeout. We ate the food about 10 minutes picking it up. Most of the food was actually good. HOWEVER, the chicken skewer in both plates had spoiled to the point that they were SOUR. Entirely unacceptable and gross. Expected better from a restaurant with such high reviews. read more

Food 5/5: the menu is diverse and authentically Vietnamese. All of the dishes are solid and they serve iced coffee the traditional way. Service 3/5: is generally decent, though there can be a little lag at times. Ambiance & Convenience 4/5: the restaurant is spacious with plenty of seating indoors and a patio. However, they tend to bunch people together and often restrict access to the outdoor are. The vibe is slightly upscale and fairly clean. They do not accept Amex or Discover. Parking is usually not an issue in their big lot. Value 3/5: is on the expensive side for Vietnamese cuisine, but is somewhat justified by the ambience and quality of food. read more

Tamarind Tree Restaurant - Vietnamese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Wow. I can't wait to be back. And I can't wait to bring other people with me-- it was that good. I'm already a fan of Vietnamese cuisine, and this place just reawakened my palette again for this cuisine. If you are looking for something new or something you haven't had before (if you're not Vietnamese of course), then check this place out. 7 course of beef... I'm coming for you next! read more

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Update to FIVE STARS! Tamarind tree does not disappoint as matter fact they go above and beyond my expectations! The freshest ingredients, the crispiest eggrolls, and their broth's are so savory and delicious. I do love dining here whether it's for a party of one or six or 10 they do an amazing job here. Service and ambience are excellent! read more

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Now that I've had lunch and dinner at Tamarind Tree a few times I have to up my rating from 4 to 5 stars. Their restaurant is beautiful, the food - no matter what we ordered - is super delicious and the people working there are so friendly and knowledgeable, it's a real treat. The menu and it's nearly endless choices can be overwhelming, but I can assure you that you will always get something delicious on your plate. One time I didn't know what to order, so I asked our server what he would recommend. He talked with me about my food preferences, what I had tried so far and how adventurous I am and then pointed out a few dishes. I went with his recommendation and enjoyed every bite. So if you want to take a step out of your comfort zone, just ask! He was really interested in my thoughts and if I liked the food (if I wouldn't have liked it he would have given me something else, so nice! But unnecessary​, everything was delicious.). So my recommendation for this place would be: come over, enjoy the experience and get adventurous​ with your food orders! :) read more

This is my favorite Vietnamese restaurant in seattle. Bun bo hue soup noodle is so flavorful and bahn beo is tasty as well. My ultimate favorite would be vietnamese crepe. Super crispy! read more

Hah! Just read the news, more people got sick from the food at this restaurant (11 persons? Maybe more). A few months ago, I got food poisoning from beef seven course at Tamarind Tree. I called to let them know, but they ignored me. Serious warning should be posted! read more

Well I am pleasantly surprised. This place was tucked away in a very hidden place in the middle of somewhere. If I was not told about this place by a friend I would never have come and tried this place out. I'm not sure I am the best to review a place where I don't know if the flavor is right or not but I was really surprised. The dishes were very unique and the flavors were wonderful. This is definitely a new eating experience for me. As for the pho, I really liked it no complaints here! read more

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This might be one of my favorite restaurants. It looks like a dump on the outside but it is beautiful in the inside. Actually this contrast is what makes it extremely memorable! The food itself was delicious and I was happy with the price point too! The service was great. The only thing is... you are siting super close to the table next to you. read more

I would go back just for the short ribs meal. The best short ribs I have ever had! Portions are great for entrees! Pace yourself if you want to get appetizers as well- you will most likely have left overs. My friend got the beef pho and the meat and broth was amazing! read more

I've been to Tamarind Tree many times, starting from back when I first moved to Seattle. The restaurant is among one of the few Vietnamese restaurants in Seattle that provides better ambiance (e.g. rather than the straight down hole in a wall place that you typically see in Seattle) and for friends/group gathering (for long talks/catch up over dinner/drinks). The prices are not as cheap as hole in a wall places, obviously...but the price range is still definitely reasonable by Seattle standards. The menu is huge and everyone (whether they are used to eating Vietnamese food or not) is bound to find something they like from the menu. In the past, whenever I go out for group gathering, I typically sticked to just plain rice, meat combo dish. However, ever since I came back from a trip in Vietnam, I've been craving to go to places that offer Bahn Xeo, a traditional Vietnamese street food resembling crepe that is light/bring back memories of my bike food tour on a bike along the busy vietname streets. And guess what? I was so excited I could get Bahn Xeo here at Tamarind Tree! Ever since then Bahn Xeo (~$15) has become my to-go dish at Tamarind Tree. I could order it as my own dish, or, best, as a dish to share with my eating partner. True it may not be the most authentic if you were to compare to what you could get in Vietnam...but still...it does bring back good memories/time I had back there. Plus, it's a healthy dish to have, given all the aromatic veggies that it comes with! Definitely a place to go in Seattle whenever I think of Bahn Xeo ..or a nicer place to sit down for a nice Vietnamese dinner for me from now on! :) read more

Tamarind Tree Restaurant - Duck salad - Vietnamese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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I would say this is a good spot, but its just a tad too expensive for what it is. Plus Vietnam house is literally right next door with comparable if not better taste for more value for your money. But you're paying for the ambiance and the presentation which I think if that's what you like you'd like this spot for sure. read more

I love visiting this restaurant. I got the combination this time it had pork chop, egg rolls, shrimp and chicken. Such unique flavors in this bowl! The Vietnamese coffee is really tasty. We had the fresh rolls for an appetizer. Those were really good too! Parking lot can be a little crowded. It's tucked away in the back corner. The inside is decorated really nice. This would be a good place to come with a group. Come a little early at like 11 for lunch to beat the crowds! read more

Tamarind Tree Restaurant - Vietnamese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Damn. I really felt the need to update my review after coming back a few more times. If you want pretty presentation for your food, sure, come here! But whatever I said in my previous review holds true, Tamarind Tree is NOT the place to go to for good Vietnamese food. It just doesn't taste like home. I don't get that experience that I get when eating truly good food. Every time I come back it's either a birthday, work event, or some event where I don't willingly choose to come here. The food is just so mediocre, especially for the jacked up prices. You can seriously pick any other place than this and you'd get more bang for your buck. read more

I just won't go here again. Health practices are sketchy.... The food is up and down and really... it's just too expensive for Vietnamese food. I always wonder why it's so dark... must be to hide all the dust and stuff . read more

Gotta give two stars bc my review wasn't posted when I gave them one star!!! Tbh they don't even deserve one star . I am utterly disgusted by the way their staff has treated my family upon waiting for our table. This is my first and last time visiting this discriminating restaurant. We waited approximately 10 min for our table. After we were seated, no staff asked to take our order and they literally just ignored us for almost HALF AN HOUR. We felt so mistreated as we see others that were just seated minutes ago have their order taken already. We did not feel welcome by anybody in that restaurant. After waiting for half an hour we decided to leave out of frustration. We have lost our patience and decided this restaurant is a joke and they only serve selective customers only. I do not recommend anyone to this place. You would be wasting your time! read more

The food is so tasty especially the green beans! I enjoyed all of the items we ordered. The service was good and the place is quaint and nicely decorated. read more

I absolutely loved this restaurant and still do however the last time I ate there in Jan 2023 I watched the older man working there go outside and smoke, come back in and serve food without washing his hands. Also witnessed him drop food on the floor, pick it up and put it back on the plate and serve it to the table! I was done eating and waiting for the check and was absolutely stunned. Maybe this had to do with him drinking beer the entire time I was there. They were incredibly under staffed. I never said anything. A few weeks later I read they were closed down for food borne illness and poor hygiene practices. Very disappointing. I will probably go back, hopefully they learned something. The tamarind tree rolls are the best ever!! read more

A 15" rat ran through the bar area while I was waiting for takeout. Threw the food out (shouldn't have paid in the first place, that's on me.). Called the ciry health inspectors who went out the next day. An "ongoing problem." read more

This is my favorite Vietnamese restaurant in the Seattle area! I take everyone who comes and visits here, and everyone always loves it. Solid Vietnamese food with a wide selection of dishes from their menu. There is something for everyone here. The restaurant is also beautiful and follows COVID protocol. I've ordered many things here over the years, but my favorites would have to include their eggrolls, duck noodle soup with duck salad, banh khot, and if you're having a large family dinner with 4+ people, their seven course beef. Everything is delicious! They also several unique items on their menu that I haven't seen elsewhere in a Vietnamese restaurant. Definitely give those a try if you're able. read more

I came here last night with a group of four. We had a reservation and were seated immediately. We sat outside which was amazing and they had all kinds of heated lamps/fires but came around asking about temperature to accommodate us. The food: so we ordered the 7 course beef meal, spring rolls, and pho. The spring rolls were delicious but had I thought it through... I had a 7 course beef meal coming. It's honestly such a huge portion. Three of us picked at it and still had a lot of left overs. The first and second courses were my favorite: the beef salad and the hotspot. Courses 3-6 come out on the same plate. They were all good. Course seven, in general isn't a course I like. My family makes the same soup, it's popular in my family just not my thing. The pho was fantastic! It was a super large portion and amazing! Hot tea comes out as soon as you sit and was very good. We also ordered cocktails. They were really strong, great price for the drink. However, took a very long time. I was halfway through my meal before receiving my drink (which I honestly was so busy wrapping spring rolls and things I didn't notice). Overall, this place was great. It was a fun experience and we had a good time. read more

Tamarind Tree Restaurant - 7 courses of beef: courses 3-6 - Vietnamese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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I love this place but ordered takeout egg rolls and they didn't come with Nước chấm and I am very very sad. Nước chấm completes the flavor experience and leaves the egg rolls lacking. This is really just a love letter to Nước chấm I love it so much I can drink it. read more

Came around 12:30 for brunch and ordered a variety of dishes. The meat didnt taste fresh and service was very slow. Food was overall okay.

Beautiful remodel and delicious food! Wish the menu had photos to help me understand what certain dishes were but what we did order was quite good. Loved the crepe wrapped in fresh greens - unique,crispy and tasty! They were out of some items we wanted to try so we ordered a chicken salad roll and green beans and garlic. It was good but I felt the price point to be almost double than I would expect for these particular items. Did appreciate the attentive service, outdoor seating, and the unique array of dish offerings not often seen at other vietnamese restaurants. Am intrigued to try new dishes here in the future. read more

At this point there isn't a lot to add. Tamarind Tree is one of Seattle's iconic venues on the food scene and the Go To for entertaining out of town guests or business lunches. I don't have to think about anything here. Just bring food out at will and we trust you, as long as fresh rolls are coming first. Can't forget the fresh rolls.... read more

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This place exceeded my expectations! The food taste just like my mom's home cooking. This place has my stamp of approval (born in Vietnam and grew up with Vietnamese cooking). I ordered the Bun Rieu and Banh Khot and both were so tasty! The prices are not bad at all, for the quality of food and how nice the interior is- you'd think the prices would be higher. Before I came here, I could tell this place was legit because of their menu items. Most people are familiar with Pho but there is so much more to Vietnamese food than Pho. When a viet restaurant has Bun Rieu- you know it's legit. I'm from San Diego and it's so hard to find Bun Rieu. And please, if you are eating viet food, please please don't substitute the dipping fish sauce with soy sauce! Soy sauce doesn't do it any justice and is not the way the food was intended to taste. It's so much better with fish sauce! It tastes better than it smells! read more

Tamarind Tree Restaurant - Banh Khot - Vietnamese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Rats. Went there last night for the first out of the house meal with friends. We sat in the lovely covered patio area. There's a rock wall with foliage everywhere. And there were rats everywhere. I made a comment about rats when I saw the garbage bins overflowing in the parking lot. Didn't think we'd be dining with them. Tamarind Tree is consistently good but I cannot do rats when I eat. read more

I visited Seattle recently and ate lunch here. I had the Bun Bo Hue Lunch and Dậu bắp lụi (Okra Lemongrass) with Sparkling Tamarind cocktail, all of which I enjoyed. The noodles were tasty and the servings were good sized. I hadn't tried a drink like this before and thought it was really good flavor combination with the cuisine. read more

Tamarind Tree Restaurant - Bun Bo Hue Lunch and Dậu bắp lụi (Okra Lemongrass) with Sparkling Tamarind cocktail - Vietnamese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Easily the nicest Vietnamese restaurant in the International District! I would not say that it is the best or quite as good/authentic as more hole-in-the-wall spots, but a solid choice nonetheless- and the best option depending on the occasion. I would also highly recommend Tamarind Tree to first or early Vietnamese food adopters: I understand it can be daunting to order things other than Pho for many, but they make it easy and inviting here. It is a bit unsuspecting from the outside as it is located in the back corner of a strip mall plaza. Once you're inside, however, it is actually quite nice and also boasts a great outdoor patio space (with heat lamps for the chillier days.) The food here is fresh, vibrant, and flavorful. Some of my favorites include the papaya or mango salads, the bun bo hue, or the bun bo la lot. I recommend starting with the fresh spring rolls (goi cuon) as well, their peanut sauce is great! This is a place you can easily bring a date or celebrate an occasion- the ambiance, quality, service, and plating are all up for the task. In all of my experiences, the staff has been very sweet and accommodating, which is important as you transition from a mom/pop Pho restaurant to a bit more of a sit-down experience. The prices are still quite fair, but you do pay a bit of a premium over a normal pho house. In my book, Tamarind still rates higher than Pho Bac Súp Shop for the price and quality- maybe not as 'instagrammable' but that's just hype anyway. Hope you'll give it a try. Cheers! read more

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Fabulous restaurant and attentive service. The biggest challenge was there was so much to choose from it was hard to decide. We ordered the vegetarian spring rolls and they were delectable. The vegetarian crepe my friend ordered was amazing! And the chicken Pho that I ordered was very delicious as well! I can't wait to go back! read more