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    The Dara

    4.3 (159 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 1 week ago

    Order The Dara Takeout or Delivery

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    THE DARA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy

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    Recommended Reviews - The Dara

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    Lotus Root
    Ren H.

    I'm surprised this place does not seem to get a lot of food traffic. I came with my friend for dinner and it was empty when we arrived. By the time we left, it was still empty. I did hear a lot of people get take out here instead and it does get busier over the weekend. They provide happy hour throughout the restaurant. I got a glass of their house wine and my friend got a non-alcoholic beer. We shared the Lotus Root and Giaow Pak (dumplings). The dumplings were room temperature but still good. We loved the fried lotus root which was delicious! For my main entree I got Pad Si Eew with chicken. I love that they put Chinese broccoli instead of regular broccoli. Such a great dish and my friend enjoyed his Mama with tofu dish. I also ended up getting their Mango Sticky Rice which was great. Mango was ripe and dish was just the perfect amount of sweetness. The place is pretty spacious inside with plenty of seating at the bar, long high tops, and table seating. Staff were friendly and courteous. Such a great spot for some delicious Thai food.

    Seafood wonton
    Jess L.

    Average and overall disappointing, no idea what the hype was about. Came with a group of 6 on a Saturday night. We all got different things. Some stuff was okay but presentation was poor and prices were high. See my pic of the crab pad Thai... $35 for regular pad Thai with cold crab thrown on top! Do not get this. Spring rolls were tasteless, the seafood wontons were actually good. We got a papaya salad at a 1 level spicy and it was too spicy for us to eat a lot, and I don't mind spicy! The fried lotus root was also not bad, kind of like a fried green tomato. The actual entrees were pretty meh. Pad Thai was very sweet, we also got a level 1 spicy and it wasn't spicy at all. No idea how it was the same spice level as the papaya salad. Drinks were good! Their espresso martini was tasty. Service was... odd. Not particularly friendly and there seemed to be a few miscommunications. With gratuity included, I'd expert better service than that. Overall, for the food, price, and experience, I wouldn't recommend it or return.

    papaya salad, shrimp tempura, dumplings, chicken from the happy hour menu
    Angela L.

    We went here for happy hour and it was fine. The apps definitely under deliver compared to their entrees. The dumplings were ok, the shrimp was good but too small, the papaya salad was good, and the chicken was also good but a small amount. There is street parking all around this area but can get tough at busy times. The service is very quick and this is a nice restaurant for a girls night out or a date!

    Mango Sticky Rice
    Sophie B.

    The Dara is a welcome addition to the Baltimore food scene - serving delicious Thai food and a great cocktail selection in an intimate setting perfect for date night or just catching up with friends! I've been here twice and both times I left feeling satisfied with the quality and portion of the food I ate. I had the seafood wontons both times, Thai tea martini both times, and then tried the drunken noodles once and the pad si eew once. You can select a spice level and your protein, both with a good range suitable for everyone. They also label what is gluten free, vegan, or vegetarian on the menu which I find isn't common everywhere. The reason that the Dara loses a star is in two parts. I had a really friendly waitress both times, but it did seem like they were pretty busy and the waitress was a bit stressed. Keep in mind I went on a weekday night both times and the restaurant was practically full. One of the times they forgot my martini and I didn't have a chance to ask about it until I was already eating my entree. This wasn't a big deal overall but just something to note for their team. The food does come out fast, though. The second reason is that unfortunately they have had some sort of supply issue both times I was there. The first time it was that they were out of wide noodles for the wide-noodle dishes, and the second time they were sold out of the appetizer that we wanted to try. Again, the food was still delicious but I do hope they can find their footing when it comes to staffing and supply issues, and this would be a complete five-star establishment for me.

    Crab curry
    Rumesh V.

    Hands down one of the best Thai restaurants in Baltimore. I was in the area for work and decided to catch up with friends in the evening for dinner. One of my friends recommended this place. Beautiful ambiance and the service was great. Cocktails are great as well. For entrees, I tried the softshell crab with lumps of crab in the creamy curry over a bed of purple rice. It's one of the best Thai food I have ever had. The softshell crab was nice and crispy. Lots of crab meat in the sauce as well. I am definitely coming back here to try other things.

    Maria W.

    First time here, my husband and I , and we absolutely LOVED IT! from the service to the food was delicious! The food was made with love and you could taste it in every bite, the flavors and spices were blended perfectly ! The staff were so nice and knowledgeable regarding the menu. The ambiance was so inviting , I loved the lighting and atmosphere overall. We'll definitely be back!

    Ruth D.

    I've been to The Dara three times now -- twice dining in and once for takeout -- and I can confidently say this Thai restaurant is one I'd like to return to again. It's a relaxed yet slightly elevated experience, but still feels welcoming and comfortable. I definitely recommend dining in if you can; the food quality is noticeably better. Both times I dined in, the service was excellent -- attentive, kind, and genuinely helpful with recommendations. Their cocktails are also a highlight. I've tried the Mezzu Blaze and the Jasmine Gold Rush, and I'd order both again. The Mezzu Blaze has a fun, unique twist with Banhez Mezcal, Yuzu Sake, Spicy Honey, Thai Basil, Fresh Lime Juice, and Orange Bitters. While the Jasmine Gold Rush leans more toward my usual go-to cocktail style -- smooth, balanced, and spirit forward like an old fashioned but slightly flavored with Old Forester Bourbon, Jasmine Syrup, Honey, Fresh Lime Juice, Bitters. They also have a daily happy hour from 4:30 to 6:00. I haven't made it yet, but I noticed the papaya salad is on the happy hour menu -- and that alone makes me want to go back. I assume it's the same very delicious papaya salad that i have had on the regular menu. You can choose your spice level; I went with a level 2, and it packed serious heat (even for someone who loves spicy food). My friend found it too spicy and would've gotten a spice level 1, but I thought it was perfect. It's one of those dishes I'll dream about and can't wait to have again. I do think the spice level feels different depending on what dish you got. I got a spice level three for my Pad Thai and I did not think it was a spicy...potentially because the carbs soaked up the heat? I've also had the pad thai with shrimp, which was delicious, and on my first visit I tried the Gaeng Ga-Ti Pu, one of their "extraordinary" dishes featuring Maryland jumbo lump crabmeat curry, crispy soft-shell crab, a soft-boiled egg, and butterfly pea flower rice. It was rich, flavorful, and beautifully plated -- the kind of dish that reminds you why dining out is worth it. Overall, The Dara delivers solid food, service, and an inviting atmosphere.

    Justin E.

    A pretty wonderful dining experience at The Dara. This place has an amazing aura and vibe to it, located in a beautiful building. Tried it for the first time on a busy Saturday night and got our food pretty quickly. Our drinks came out a little late for my preference but our servers were as attentive as they could be considering how busy it was. My meal was expertly prepared.

    F: Lychee Mojito and B: Tamarita.
    Kris P.

    It has been a long time since I've had authentic Thai. The experience at The Dara is a beautiful balance of service, ambience, and flavors. After reading reviews, I planned a visit after hours. Beating traffic, the dinner bustle, and walking several blocks, the ambient glows through the storefront's glass panes brought a sense of intrigue. The staff tonight were very attentive and our server was so sweet. To start, the table shared lotus root and coconut shrimp. Both delicious, I loved the pairing of apple salad, savory and tangy, with the coconut shrimp. Tamarita (tamarind margarita) is a fave according to our server and tonight's mixologist made it to perfection. Lychee is always a choice of mine and their take in a mojito was fun. Light rum and delicious balance with lychee made it refreshing. For entrees, we chose the basil rice bowl with ribeye and panang with crispy chicken. The ribeye with basil rice was 8oz. plenty and the char was a wonderdul surprise. Rice was tender and oh the basil... yum. A misunderstanding with the panang caused a minor wait but was quickly fixed. Robust in every way, the silky light coconut curry with delicious vegetables and kaffir lime was everything rich and aromatic. The crispy chicken was served on the side, it was not greasy and so flavorful. Portions are generous. So good. The Dara won me. A wonderful first visit and certainly not the last. Definitely recommend and plan ahead with parking.

    Half and half
    Angel Z.

    Food: - chicken satay: peanut sauce was good, chicken had a bad, sour aftertaste - Half and half tea: definitely tasted the Thai tea; it was good and refreshing - Pad Thai with tofu: level 1 was pretty spicy, it was flavorful but sweet - Crab fried rice: Somewhat flavorful and they ate pretty generous with the crab - Chinese broccoli: it was alright, tasted like oyster sauce - Kao soi: chicken was bland and flavorless, soup was too sweet, fried wonton was stale Service: Service was good but pretty standard Ambiance: The ambiance is nice. They play upbeat music. There's lamps on the tables. The dishware is very pretty. It would be a nice date spot.

    Mitzi T.

    Drinks and food were amazing! The restaurant gave a cute & cozy ambiance perfect for date / a girls night! Service was friendly - we were seated right away during happy hour on a Friday night

    Drinks
    Kimberly W.

    I have been to Dara several times and the food and service is always amazing!!! My favorite drink is the Thaitini. An espresso martini but with Thai tea instead. The perfect drink for me. The classics Pad Thai, drunken noodles and green curry are amazing. Check yourself if you try to up the spice level. Spicy means spicy. The portion sizes are large so great to share or save for leftovers. Mind that spice level the next day. The crab fried rice is topped with lump crab. The wontons are perfectly fried. Very crispy on the outside and full of flavor and juicy on the inside. The space is also a stunner. High ceilings and lots of wood. Be careful not to overlook this place in Fells Point. It is a winner.

    pad thai
    Chemutai S.

    Sat at the bar, very trendy moody atmosphere. Service was friendly, but had to flag the bartender a few times. Didn't get any apps because what kind of Thai restaurant does not have chive cakes? However, food came relatively quick, but I would say the fried chicken was the star. It was crispy, the sauce that it paired with was good and I enjoyed the other accompaniments. The pad thai was pretty mid for the price. Their happy hour is throughout the weekend as well... note to self. Wouldn't go out of my way to come here again, but was nice to experience. Might come back for a drink and ambience but that's about it.

    Shrimp tempura

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - The Dara

    Do they have their bar open yet? When will it be open?

    Hi Lochan! Our bar is now open and our craft cocktails menu is also available already at The Dara. Hope to see you soon! / Jeff

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Mayuree Thai Tavern

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    At first sight, I thought, "This can't be the right place." Based on my husband's usual restaurant…read moreselections, I was expecting something with a more upscale appearance. However, looks can be deceiving. We were seated in a small but clean dining area just beyond the bar. Surprisingly, the four of us had the entire restaurant to ourselves, which made for a relaxed and comfortable dining experience. The wait staff was friendly, attentive, and very helpful in answering our questions about the menu. We started with two appetizers--the fried tofu and vegetable rolls--which arrived quickly and were absolutely delicious. As someone who loves spicy food, I can confidently say this Thai restaurant did not disappoint. For our entrées, I ordered the Pad Kaprow with chicken, my daughter chose the Khao Soi, my son had the Pad Thai with shrimp, and my husband enjoyed the Massaman Beef Curry. Every dish was flavorful, beautifully prepared, and packed with authentic taste. We were genuinely blown away by both the quality of the cuisine and the exceptional service. To complement my meal, I ordered the Soulless Mule, which perfectly enhanced the bold, spicy flavors of my dish. This restaurant exceeded our expectations in every way. We will definitely be returning soon.

    Admittedly attended after seeing this restaurant pop up on my feed. Attempting to expand our date…read morenight selections and craving Thai we thought why not! I enjoyed the small quaint atmosphere as well as the time to speak with one of the owners and see a few children enjoying time hanging out in their basement level. The food was served quickly and was definitely delicious, we continue to speak about the dumplings whose filing for really enjoyed the texture of. Would definitely be back to try more menu items.

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    Kiin Imm Thai Restaurant - Rockville

    Kiin Imm Thai Restaurant - Rockville

    4.3
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    Family-owned & operated
    Established in 2018

    Thai food is very popular in my home. My daughter in law is from Thailand, so we value her expert…read moreopinion. The one restaurant we keep coming back to, time and time again is Kiin Imm Thai. The food is delicious. And the secret is out because the place was packed with people and there were people waiting outside the door. So, you know that the food is good. Tonight, we ordered beef pad see ew. That is my son's favorite and he really enjoyed it. It was really tasty and full of flavor. We also ordered shrimp fried rice and that was delicious. The jumbo shrimp make this dish a real winner. We ordered grilled pork skewers for my grandson and they were tender and full of flavor. I always order my mango sticky rice. I forgot to take a picture. It was a great dessert. It took a little longer to get our meal, but service was excellent. We really liked each of our dishes. In Thai when you want to say thank you, you say Ca Cun! So, ca cun Kiin Imm Thai! See you soon!

    The food is excellent - we tried 3 dishes: Thai boat noodle (spicy!) but not many places have it…read moreand I just love the broth- sweet and savory. Absolutely delightful. Their drunken noodles are also somewhat superior to other drunken noodles. I'm not a big fan of pork belly but my husband is and he likes it. But even his favorite was the Thai boat noodle. Service was also pretty decent. Parking was easy since it's in a plaza there's a lot of parking options (free). But the reason for lower stars is just being way too hot in the restaurant. Not sure if their AC is broken or they can't turn the AC down anymore... or they're replicating the tropical temps of Thailand... it was uncomfortable eating in the heat. They had a fan that they turned toward us but it was still really hot and my husband kept wiping his sweat off his head and I was also sweating. I still like their food, but might think about takeout vs eating in next time.

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    Burn, Baby, Burn !!!
    Burn, Baby, Burn !!!
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    Thai Meric Eatery and Bar

    Thai Meric Eatery and Bar

    4.7
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    Not usually into Thai food. My girl made me go cause she likes Thai food. Service was fantastic,…read morereally nice and informative staff. The actually restaurant area of the eatery is very cozy and almost luxurious. Best Thai food I have personally ever had, and that's something for me because usually I avoid Thai food whenever I can.

    Thai Meric is fast becoming one of our go-to choices for dining out in Frederick…read more We've now visited about 3-4 times, and the consistency of our experience here is impressive. On our last visit, a few Sunday nights ago, we popped in at dinner time on impulse and were seated immediately, though it's not a big space and it gets a lot of traffic. We walked through the little bar to the interesting and well-appointed dining room. I ordered a Singha beer and my wife got her standard Thai iced tea, very well made here. We split an appetizer of delicious crispy firecracker shrimp. She got her favorite, Pad Thai with shrimp, and I got mine, creamy green curry with chicken (I chose a 3 out of 4 on spiciness, which was close to my limit!). Both were terrific, As always, the service was efficient and polite. We haven't tried this place for carryout yet, because I think we just like sitting there so much. If you like the unique flavors of Thai food served cheerfully in a pleasant atmosphere, I think you'll like Thai Meric.

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    Bodhi Corner

    Bodhi Corner

    3.8
    (223 reviews)
    4.0 mi
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    Had a very tasty experience at Bodhi!…read more The space is quite small! There's a small waiting area at the bottom of a set of stairs and then a small dining area. There was one server working the entire restaurant (including the take out orders), so service was a little slow. The server was really doing his best, but it was a packed restaurant. Despite this, the food came out relatively quickly! The portion sizes were generous. The Bodhi Curry with salmon was fantastic! It comes with a side of rice to eat with the curry. The fried eggplant and chive dumpling appetizers were also crowd pleasers! Everyone loved their meals. There is plenty of street parking within walking distance!

    The food here is good but the service left... something to be desired…read more It's a small space, and they were quite busy when I walked in with a small group. We waited to be seated for only 15 minutes. Our waiter took our food and drink order promptly, and we let them know we were waiting on two more but they had us order since we were ready. We let them know we wanted to split the check before we ordered. Our friends arrived shortly after, but were waiting for 20 minutes before they decided to go up to the counter to place their own order as no server was coming to our table. Our waters had been empty for just as long. All of the food ordered at once came out at different times, and as a group we waited ~45 min for all of the food to come out. Our waters were still not refilled. I ordered the summer rolls with tofu, which were really refreshing and tasty with the peanut sauce. They were quite big too. Everyone had finished and we were sitting for another half hour before my friend went to the register to order dessert. Finally, when we were ready to pay our check, we waited another 30 min before we went to the register to pay as our server was not checking on us. We did see her around and she checked on other tables, but not us. They then refused to split the check, even though we had asked them to before we ate and they had confirmed that they could. Luckily Venmo makes things easy these days. On a separate occasion I ordered delivery from them, and the pad see ew with fried tofu was tasty and generous with the tofu. I think the food here is really good, but I don't think I would dine in again purely due to the service issues I experienced.

    Photos
    Inside signage
    Inside signage
    Basil Fried Rice with Crispy Pork
    Basil Fried Rice with Crispy Pork
    Pad Eggplant with tofu

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    Pad Eggplant with tofu

    The Dara - thai - Updated July 2026

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