Fast service and great food! Jennie helped us today and we enjoyed our first time here. The duck on the Khao Soi was really yummy :) read more

VeLa Brunch & Thai Restaurant - duck khao soi - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Jose, California

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Got the curry, a salad and mango sticky rice with my girlfriend. Place was allergen friendly and the menu was clear about gluten free foods. Everything tasted delicious and the service was really quick! read more

VeLa Brunch & Thai Restaurant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Jose, California

I finally found a good Thai restaurant that I can't wait to come back to! Everything was delicious! Each dish was beautifully executed and flavorful. The ambiance is so cute as well. VeLa is located in an odd location in DTSJ...but DO NOT I repeat DO NOT judge this restaurant based on the location. Parking can be a little tight, but we were able to find street parking during lunch time. We ordered more items but couldn't help but to dig in before letting the camera roll enjoy first. Check out this place everyone and support a small business. You will be amazed by all of the foods! read more

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We were in town for a sports tournament and found this place on yelp. The place is easy to find, plenty of street parking which is a plus. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted and asked if we had reservations, we did not, but we were seated immediately. Staff were extremely friendly and provided great service. Ambiance of the place was nice, interior and exterior clean and well kept. Flavor of the food was really good!!! The only thing that didn't make my review 5 stars is that every single protein in what we ordered was way overcooked. We ordered the tamarind shrimp, super flavorful, asparagus cooked to perfection, the shrimp was really tough though. We also ordered pad Thai and the tofu was chewy and hard. And lastly, chicken curry, the chicken was also overcooked. Which was a bummer cuz every dish was packed with good flavor. read more

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Nestled deep in Downtown San Jose, VeLa Brunch & Thai Restaurant appears to have a modest exterior with a seemingly small building and limited parking capacity. We were surprised to have quickly secured a table in their outdoor patio, only to see the brunch rush queue up at the front door upon placing our order! This place draws a crowd, and is a local Thai gem in the Downtown neighborhood. You would not assume its menu would be elaborate with brunch cocktails, breakfast options and traditional Thai items! There was so much to choose from, but I ordered the Thai Crab Rolls and the Vela Crab Omelette. All of the food was delicious, and I have to show appreciation for the good looks of the Vela Crab Omelette. However, I have to take off a star because the protein to carb ratio seemed imbalanced in this dish. For someone who doesn't eat a lot of rice, I feel I should have ordered an additional entree to have more protein. While the dish featured rather large chunks of lump crab, it felt more like a garnish because there was so much more rice in comparison. The dish was delicious regardless! Come early and consider a reservation! Parking is limited, but we found parking in the neighborhood. read more

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I came here with my family for brunch, but unfortunately I did not enjoy the food as much as I wished. We were immediately seated and inside is spacious but very cold! We had to ask them to turn off the AC! Each item we got came out about 15-30 minutes after ordering, so it did take a while. The shrimp cakes were fine, but I felt a bit too crispy. The tom yum was really salty and missing more aromatics like lemongrass. The omelette, to me, is overhyped and does not carry much flavor. VeLa is a cute fusion spot, but I do not think it is for me! read more

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Came here to celebrate a friend's birthday and was pleasantly surprised. We came for dinner on a Sunday and it wasn't too busy. We did do reservations just in case, but that wasn't necessary. There are plenty of tables indoors and it wasn't incredibly packed. The restaurant is located in downtown San Jose, and there is not a dedicated parking lot, so make sure to account time for finding street parking. We ordered a variety of food to share, and despite coming for dinner, we were able to order the crab omelette. The crab omelette, tom yum with seafood stood out. The mussels were good, but a good majority still had the shells fully closed, so I was a bit skeptical of whether they could be consumed or not. We also ordered the mango sticky rice, and it was my first time getting this dessert where the rice was HOT. It wasn't warm, it was HOT. We also brought cake from outside and the staff were very accommodating and brought out a new set of plates and utensils and a serving knife. The service here was incredibly attentive as well! read more

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My friend and I had reservations at 1PM and we got seated at the counter immediately despite there being a line of about 10 people. Definitely recommend a reservation because this place is popular. We ordered: -Matcha Thai Tea ($7). Very aesthetically pleasing, as you can see the Thai tea layer and the matcha layer on top, but a little too sweet for my taste but I usually get 25-50% sweetness for my boba. I would still get it again. -Vela Omelette (Crab or Sous-vide duck breast) ($28) 5/5 would definitely get this again. Got the duck breast and it was so tender, not dry at all and the flavor of the sauce and rice was spot on. Slightly sweet but definitely savory. -Papaya Salad ($16): 4.5/5 can't go wrong with papaya salad. This was also good but a little spicy for asking for mild. The Thai chilis are intense. I wish it had more lime though. I would still get it again. -Pad See Ew ($18.5) 3.5/5. We got it with chicken-- this dish was super flavorful but too salty. I felt like I needed to eat rice with it. I would want to try the Pad Thai next time. Also there is only street parking. read more

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Came here for brunch with some friends. We didn't have any reservations so was told we can either wait an hour or be done within the hour since they will be needing the table. We decided to dine there and be out by the hour. We ordered our drinks which were all really good. We each ordered a dish and extra one to share. First one out was one pumpkin curry which was really good except for the chicken pieces which were in the drier side. The next dish out was rhe pad see ew with crispy pork. Crispy pork was crispy and not dry and noodles were cooked nicely. The only downfall was it was overly sauced so it was salty. The other two dishes were the same, the surf and turf omelette with tom Yum sauce. The last two dishes came out 5-10 minutes apart even though it was the same dish. The dish was tasted like seafood and tomyum sauce was salty. The omelette and rice helped a little to ease the salty taste. Overall this was a cute place. Service was okay. Some of the staff were. Street parking only but we were able to find one fairly quickly. Would recommend to make a reservation if you do decide to come here because they were busy and full. read more

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Surf and turf omelette was solid -- duck and crab both perfectly cooked, but the sauce buried the crab flavor and the whole thing leaned salty. Papaya salad with crispy pork was fine, nothing special, and at $21 the portion was rough for what you get. Thai tea was too sweet for my taste, but they took it back off the bill without any fuss -- that kind of thing goes a long way. Service was genuinely great. Parking's a bit of a hassle, so budget extra time for that. Solid brunch spot, a couple menu items need tweaking, but the team clearly cares about getting it right. Ambiance was perfect for a date. read more

VeLa Brunch & Thai Restaurant - Papaya Salad - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Jose, California

This is a really cute spot tucked in San Jose downtown. I came here with my family on a Friday night and we were seated promptly. The staff was extremely attentive and nice and we got our food so fast we ordered papaya salad, duck curry, seafood medley, Thai boat noodles. We're a little small, but I appreciate that they were able to accommodate for our spice tolerance. Everything was delicious, no notes across the board for food. For the matcha Thai tea, the Thai tea and matcha were on the lighter side, more creamy side. I wish it was a little bit stronger but I'm glad it also didn't keep me up at night. For dessert, mango Panna, cotta and chocolate lava cake were amazing mango Panna cotta was actually just regular Panna cotta with mango sauce on it though, not mango flavored Panna cotta. read more

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I wasn't in the mood for Thai food, but I'm glad my buddy convinced me otherwise. Thai brunch seems to be having a moment, and this place shows why. I came in hesitant and left looking forward to my next visit. There are plenty of dishes on the menu I can't wait to try. BB read more

VeLa Brunch & Thai Restaurant - Gai Tod (Fried Chicken) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Jose, California

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This place is the real deal, best new brunch/lunch spot in SJ. They don't have a yelp waitlist, walk-in only. Street parking only, which wasn't so bad on the weekend. The tom yum omelet with duck was the best thing I've ever eaten. I love tom yum flavor, and the sauce over rice was the best thing. Who else loves a saucey rice entree? The rib dish was very tender and cooked well. It comes with a side of roti, which was flakey. I'll be back to try the tom yum omelette with crab meat and their other items! read more

VeLa Brunch & Thai Restaurant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Jose, California

Came here for a friend's birthday. Honestly, I never would have thought to come downtown for Thai food -- between the parking and the area itself, it's not somewhere I'd normally head for a meal. But the birthday girl suggested it, and I'm glad she did. First thing I noticed was the lychee mimosa, which I'd never had before. It comes with a lychee on top, super aesthetically pleasing, and the drink was yummy. We ordered the roti with curry sauce and it reminded me of the ones at Banana Island, which is a huge compliment. The roti was thin and airy, and the yellow curry was thick with that signature bright color and earthy flavor from a heavy turmeric and curry powder base, balanced with creamy coconut milk. I don't normally like calamari, but theirs was very soft and didn't need much chewing. It went really well with the seafood mayo sauce. The pad thai was also good -- they added crispy pork belly, which brought another dimension to an already complex dish with the scrambled egg, tofu, and bean sprouts. The chicken fried rice was solid with all the right Thai flavors: fish sauce, soy sauce, and a touch of sugar. I always order duck mad kee pao whenever I go to a Thai restaurant -- that fiery stir-fry with wide, chewy rice noodles, succulent roasted duck, fresh Thai basil, and crisp vegetables in a rich, savory sauce. I prefer it over pad see ew since it's heavier in flavor and spicier. Theirs delivered. The one miss for me was the crab omelette, which our waitress recommended when we asked. I didn't know what to expect. I've seen this dish on YouTube and know it's a hit in Thailand, and I think it's this restaurant's best seller -- but it ended up being my least favorite. It made me feel very full, probably the combination of rice, egg, and the heavy sauce, and the texture wasn't very complex. It came across as mushy to me. Maybe I just don't know how to appreciate it. Parking may be a problem, so plan for that. Staff was very friendly throughout. My friends got the dirty Thai tea and were jittery afterwards, haha. It was strong! read more

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Made a reservation for 10:30am on a Sunday so we were seated right away. We ordered a Thai tea, vela omelette with tom kha and duck breast, khao soi eggs Benedict, and a pad Thai. We asked for another cup so we can split the Thai tea but the waitress just made it in 2 cups for us which was really nice of her. All the food came out really quickly and at the same time. The pad Thai was very saucy that is tangy and sweet, everything you'd like in a Pad Thai. The omelette was so good as the duck breast was cooked perfectly and the tom kha really added a nice flavor to the omelette and rice. The khao soi Benedict was just a normal eggs Benedict. The hollandaise sauce just tasted like normal hollandaise sauce and couldn't really taste the khao soi. Overall a really nice brunch place with really good food. There was too much food for the 2 of us and we brought home basically another meal. read more

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Birthday brunch here was a good choice! The food: 1. Shrimp tamarind sauce - THE SAUCE IS FIRE 2. Thai crab rolls - meh, would skip 3. Kao soi crispy chicken Benedict - not bad, but would also skip 4. Vela surf & turf (crab & duck) omelet - DELICIOUS 5. Mango sticky rice - tasty, your typical dessert Would definitely return for the shrimp tamarind sauce (super flavorful and yummy with perfectly cooked shrimp) and the surf & turf omelet (just the right balance of spice without overpowering the crab and duck). I couldn't get enough and was quite disappointed that we had to share. Great options for both indoor and outdoor dining, which is a huge perk for us as we like taking our fur baby out. Service was great and I appreciated their friendliness and understanding of having dogs in their somewhat small patio. read more

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Brunch time! The duck was tender and juicy, the egg was cooked to perfection, and the tom yum sauce was rich, creamy, and full of flavor. Everything tasted even better when mixed together with the egg and rice. I usually order Thai tea, but this was my first time trying it with matcha crème on top. It was delicious! The service was friendly and fast, and we didn't have to wait long for our food. I highly recommend making a reservation in advance, especially on weekends, since several groups were already waiting in line by the time we finished our meal. read more

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One of my new favorite Thai restaurants if you're looking for more elevated Thai dishes with premium ingredients. Standouts for me were definitely the Duck Curry and the Thai Crab Rolls. The Duck was perfectly cooked and I loved the incorporation of lychee in the curry sauce which helped give it a more unique flavor vs other curries I've enjoyed before. While the Thai Crab Rolls were satisfyingly crispy with plenty of delicious filling. The beef short rib dishes were also good and I wouldn't mind getting those again. The only one I'd pass on is the Thai Sausages as it was pretty dry and lackluster. I had to incorporate it into the curry sauce in order to make it more palatable. read more

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In Thai, the word VeLa () translates to "time". It is a popular, elegant name frequently used by modern cafes, restaurants, and lifestyle brands to signify a relaxing space to "take your time" or "savor the moment" One can definitely savor the moment here... 4.5 ***** rounded up to 5 ***** for me. VeLa Brunch & Thai Restaurant is located in downtown SJ; corner off 8th and William. Not the best location IMHO. Have fun hunting for parking; there is no dedicated parking lot, street parking it is. We got lucky and found parking right across the restaurant, in the shade too! PARKING MAGNET!! Yes I is! Not the biggest of venues, but they do have a decent amount of outdoor seating. We sat outside since the weather was lovely. Da wahine is obsessed with the Boat Noodle soup. So naturally Vella popped up on her list. However, she didn't get Boat Noodle this time! That's only because she wanted some eggs for brunch / lunch, and the Omelette caught her eye. #VelaEats: Poached Eggs Benedict: ~ Khao Soi Crispy Chicken - 4.5 Brilliant! The Chicken was perfectly done; crispy, yet tender and juicy, topped off with a perfect Eggs Benedict & bacon bursting with flavor. Delish!! Of course, I selfishly want lager portions! CHEF AYLEEN'S MUST-TRY: ~ VELLA Crab Omelette - 5/5 Very very tasty. The sauce is to die for! Your taste buds will go to heaven. Chunks of crab meat, oh so satisfying...!!! DESSERT: ~ Mango Sticky Rice - 5/5 Another banger! I Don't normally see this done with purple rice. Sweet, ripe Mango deliciousness... Service was good. Food came out in a timely manner, staff checked up on us on a regular basis and refilled our water. No worries, no dramas. I'll gladly return... read more

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Khao soi crispy chicken Benedict with salad. Salad was a basic spring mix with light dressing. The chicken was perfectly cooked and stayed crispy and tender. The poached egg was a little undercooked but everything was still really good. It came on some sort of baguette, maybe ciabatta, and not an English muffin but not a big deal. It worked! Vela omelette with crab was so good. Sauce was amazing, wished there was more. If I could lick the plate without looking like a savage in public, I would. There were big chunks of crab and rice beneath the egg to soak up the sauce. I had to ask for a spoon so I could get perfect bites. Mango sticky rice might be one of favorites I've had. They use purple rice and it's not overly sweet. The mango itself was nicely ripe as well. They have boat noodle soup and Khao soi soup that I'll have to come back for another time. Table next to me ordered the massaman short rib. I typically like massaman as well and theirs looked amazing. I'm definitely coming back. Ambiance looked pretty inside but it felt a bit stuffy on a warm day so we chose to eat outside, which had plenty of shade. Dishes were pretty and lead free (yeah, I checked the bottom). Napkins were the thick high quality ones. Service was quick and attentive. read more

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Delicious choice when it comes to getting Thai-style brunch around the San Jose area! I came to VeLa on a Sunday afternoon, and it was busy but still had plenty of indoor and patio seating. The interior is cute and welcoming both in and out. This spot is located in downtown San Jose (though not near the San Pedro area), but it will still require street parking. Between my mom and me, we ordered three dishes from their brunch menu (they also offer their original dishes as well). We ordered the following: * Roti Dip: Comes with two fried rotis and your choice of yellow or green curry. We opted for yellow since my mom cannot eat spicy food. The roti itself was a bit oily for my taste, but I will say I ate it all with no complaints. It paired really well with the curry and was pretty good overall. * Thai Mussels: The mussels themselves were good; however, I wish there was a bit more complexity when it came to the broth. That said, I liked the addition of Thai basil to help round it out. * Surf and Turf Omelette: The priciest dish at $49, but since it's loaded with crab and duck and is one of their signature items, I knew we had to try it. It comes with your choice of tom yum or tom kha broth/sauce, which was super unique. I had never seen that before! I opted for the tom kha for a coconut kick. Overall, this dish was definitely delightful, and I was so glad we tried it. The broth was rich and creamy, and paired with the custard-like egg, tender duck, and fresh crab, it made for the perfect bite. I will say this isn't my favorite Thai spot, but it certainly won't disappoint when it comes to quality and hospitality. The staff was very attentive and kind. read more

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The food tastes Thai with a little fusion on their brunch type Benedict's and anything with fried chicken. I'd give their brunch food 3.5 stars, Thai food 4.5 for flavor, friendliness and service. Averages a little higher than a 4 stars in my book. Miscommunication on an order resulted in the wrong dish coming out. In hindsight the standard khao soi dish (with pork belly) was way tastier than the khao soi chicken Benedict style and the Jumbo crab on croissant. Drinks were tasty / coconut water with matcha and Arnold Palmer. Cocktails were made with care and good looking. Packed at noon. By 1pm there was lot more seating available for Sunday brunch. Solid 4+ stars. Looks very social media friendly inside. Overall nice experience. I'd go just for the Thai food next time. read more

I have been to this place twice now. :) Everything I have tired is scrumptious! I have list of food places in DTSJ that are repeat places and this one is definitely on the list. The both times I been here I ordered the Vela omelette. You can either get it with crab or duck. I always order it with the crab. What I ordered! Vela omelette with Crab A aromatic omelette marinated in a base of tom yum sauce. The photo does not only look stunningly beautiful but its burst of tangy robust flavor that melts in your mouth and makes you do a little happy dance. I can't wait to be back and try more things. read more

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Been on my list for over a year to go with a good friend, and it was a perfect brunch spot to take a friend to celebrate her engagement! Definitely recommend a reservation as there was a line out the door and the place is pretty small. I was really happy that it wasn't a brunch spot where it felt and looked aesthetic only. The food was really delicious and so good!! Only docked off a star because the drinks weren't that great but that's ok. Would definitely come back for the food! read more

We decided to check out Vela for our weekend lunch. I made reservations for Saturday at 11am. It took us a minute to find a spot since parking is just street parking, they don't have a parking lot. We had to circle around the block a few times. They're right next door to California Burrito. We arrived a few minutes late but were the first ones there. The restaurant was clean and had a modern but basic feel. We ordered.. YUM MOO KROB $18 -crispy pork mint, red onion, green onion, cilantro, chili-lime dressing. 4/5* PAD THAI W/ CHICKEN $ -noodles had a nice chewiness to it but the sauce was super sweet. 3/5* PAD SEE EW W/ PORK $ -noodles were chewy and veggie still had a nice crunchy but the sauce was on the verge of being too salty for us. 3/5* SHRIMP TAMARIND SAUCE $27.50 -tiger prawns, shallot, asparagus with tamarind. Served with jasmine rice. Tamarind sauce was sticky and delicious. Asparagus had a fresh crunch. Tiger prawns had their shell-on, so we just ended up eating most of the shell. It was on the verge of being dry though. 4/5* Loved their chili condiments available on the side. Especially since we had our toddler with us and couldn't request any food to be spicy. Our server was kinda standoffish at first but she was attentive, as well as all the other workers there. Overall pretty good meal, portions are pretty small for what you pay for. I would come back to try their brunch items and other dishes. read more

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Really solid spot for authentic Thai dishes! It's on the pricier side, but they have a lot of dishes that I love that aren't offered at many places in SJ. I went for dinner on a Saturday evening and noticed how small the place was inside, but it was really nice and well decorated! It wasn't that busy so we were seated right away. However, parking is terrible. It's street parking only and everything close by in the vicinity are neighborhoods that have a sign on every block that says no parking by permit only. We had to park maybe 3 or 4 blocks away which isn't a problem, but may be for others. As for the service, it was quick and the waiters are nice. We got the thai boat noodle, nam khao tod, and duck curry and enjoyed everything. The thai boat noodle was a bit on the thicker broth side so in comparison to other places, this ranks below other places, but otherwise it was still good. I always order Nam khao tod everywhere I can, and this didn't disappoint. It was so flavorful and crispy! For the duck curry, I haven't seen many places offer it so it's very unique and we had to try it. While the curry flavor could be stronger, it was still really good and I loved how succulent and soft the duck was. I went back for lunch with friends and got the same thing + the lao style papaya salad platter. Everything was good except for the papaya salad platter. It was very underwhelming and lackluster, a waste of money tbh so I'd skip this. We also got some drinks and they were good- we ordered. the lychee lemonade, pink milk, and matcha ube drink. I'd skip the matcha if you like a strong flavor, but the other two were really good. Overall food was good and while it is pricier for the serving sizes, it's a nice place to have dinner still. I'd go back again to try their other brunch items! It has a great brunch vibe here. read more

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This place is known for their brunch, but don't sleep on their dinner items. We ordered the catfish Mok Pla and Tom Kha with chicken. Both were delicious. The Mok Pla is very fragrant and full of flavor. Tom Kha tastes different here than I've had at other Thai restaurants. Really good! The salak lemonade was very refreshing and not overly sweet. Great service too! Servers were friendly and checked in on us occasionally, which was perfect. They weren't overly attentive but also not neglectful. Water was always topped off. There's so much on the menu that sound so good, so I'll need to come back. read more

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05/02/26 Saturday Thai Lunch at Vela! I've been wanting to try out Vela since late last year and when one of my GF tossed out the lunch recommendation for a few of us to come try, we hopped all over it. We came right at noon on a Saturday, restaurant was busy but had a couple of smaller tables and all patio seatings available. The 4 ladies + my oldest son opted to sit indoors. We ordered Ube Matcha, Matcha Thai Tea, and regular Thai tea beverages. The last 2 friends ordered cocktails that I wasn't quick enough to snap a pic of! Ha. We started off family style dining and ordered a bunch to try together... (2) roti orders - $12.50/each - Round flatbread with choice of yellow or green curry. (1) Truffle fried $13 - French fried toss with truffle oil. I missed the scented truffle oil on this but did see a truffle dust powder on the French fries. (1) Yum Moo Krob - $18 - (Thai Crispy Pork Salad) - portion was a tad small but delicious. Described as a deep-fried, crispy pork belly tossed in a spicy, sour, and slightly sweet lime-based dressing with herbs. (1) Vela omelette - $28 - I would have never thought to pair eggs, tom yum and crab but how they do it works! - Creamy tom yum sauce, mushroom on top with jumbo lump crab over an egg omelette with a cup of rice underneath. (1) Duck Curry - $32.50 - I was skeptical with lychee in red curry but went for it and it was ok. Dish is Smoked duck, pineapple, cherry tomato, basil, bell pepper, & lychee in red curry served with jasmine rice (1) Khao Soi Crispy Chicken Benedict - $24 - my son's fave. The other half of the plate was a salad. Dish described as Crispy chicken thigh, focaccia bread, red onion, & Khao Soi hollandaise sauce Our total was roughly $225. It's a good meal Predominately Street parking. Service was ok. read more

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Every dish we ordered was flavorful and delicious! Service was good, especially considering how busy the restaurant was. The space is small, clean, and cozy. There's no designated parking lot so parking is limited to street parking. read more

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Got the two most creative dishes: the Khao soi crispy chicken eggs benedict and the Tom yum omelette with jumbo lump crab and duck. Both were really good but the omelette was on another level. Id def suggest trying both but if you had to get one I'd vote the omelette. Also had a matcha Thai tea that was good as well. My only complaint is that prices are a bit high. The omelette is $39 and the eggs benedict was $24. Portion wise tho it seems instead of half portion of crab and duck it's more like a full operation so that could be why the omelette is so high. The drink prices were fair with the Thai teas at $7 and cocktails at about $14-15. Overall I def enjoyed my food and would come back if they think of more Thai brunch fusion dishes! read more

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overall 4/5 papaya salad: 4/5 very spicy and tangy! pad see ew: 3/5, sweeter than i would have liked tbh tom yum omelette: 10/5 truly if nothing else must get this!!! their thai tea is so good!! i got the matcha foam w the thai tea and it's a must order read more

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Hello. Are you looking for a unique experience in San Jose? VeLa Brunch & Restaurant has what you need! The Tom Kha was creamy and exquisite. My favorite comes down to the Vela Omelette with sous-vide duck breast. The flavors were wonderful and delicious. Lastly, the one thing you cannot leave without trying is The Khao Soi with crispy chicken. This dish has a spicy curry flavor and very crunchy chicken. Furthermore, I really enjoyed my experience and I recommend that you come here with your friends or family members during lunch or dinner. Tina's Tip: Here is my tip. Make sure to reserve early for what time you want to eat here. There might be a cutoff period between brunch, lunch, and dinner. They have different menus for brunch and dinner. read more

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Located off downtown SJ area, it's in a bit of a rundown area but that also means it's a bit easier to find parking. Came for Thai brunch and enjoyed how it wasn't super crowded or busy. Everything was delicious and I liked the fusion of Thai with traditional American dishes like their crispy chicken benedict and the real crab omelette in Thai curry sauce. We ordered the Thai Tea coffee, but pretty sure it was full tea with no coffee. Highly recommend getting all the unique dishes to try! read more

My husband and I tried VeLa Brunch & Thai for the first time, and we enjoyed the overall experience. Great vibes, hospitable staff, and excellent brunch food. We look forward to coming back and trying the more traditional Thai dishes. VeLa was located in a neighborhood, so street parking appeared to be the only option. That said, we were able to find a spot right away around 10 in the morning on a Sunday. I made a reservation for when it opened, but I think we would've been fine without one at that time. Cute restaurant! I appreciated the minimal design and decor. The realistic moon wall fixture was an eye catcher, and I liked its small outdoor patio with the mermaid fountain. The wait staff was awesome. Our server, who took our order, was very friendly and helpful in providing recommendations. Another server consistently went around to top off water glasses. Food came out in a timely manner. I ordered the surf and turf omelette, and my husband got the Khao soi fried chicken Benedict with fries. I was impressed by how big the breakfast entrees were. Well worth the cost since these were on the pricey side, especially the omelette since it came with both duck and crab. First thing my husband said when he saw the omelette was that it was a labor of love. The VeLa omelette was basically a Thai-style omurice. The thin fried egg was fluffy and delicately placed over white rice. Although the crab was good, the duck breast was the better protein by far. I would get this with the duck only for next time. The curry sauce tasted more on the peanut side, and it had a light sweetness to it. The Khao Soi fried chicken egg Benedict was fantastic. I honestly liked it better than the omelette. The fried chicken thigh was crispy and juicy. The egg was perfectly poached. I liked the khao soi hollaindaise, which was more of a Thai coconut curry flavor than peanut sauce. Even the fries bomb. I wondered if they were deep fried in fuck fat because they tasted really clean and not greasy. All-in-all both dishes were a 5 out of 5. Also do not sleep on their Thai Iced Coffee and Thai Iced Tea! So good. read more

VeLa Brunch & Thai Restaurant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Jose, California

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[Food] Takeout - VeLa Omelette ($27.50): Love this! The eggs were fluffy and moist. The tom yum sauce is delicious and loaded with plentiful of crab on top. I do wish the rice was some variation of fried rice instead of white rice. - Tom Kha Soup ($8.50): This tasted weirdly sweet and overly creamy. Definitely not a flavor I've ever tasted when I order Tom Kha. I was sad that this was a miss for me because I was really craving soup. - Calamari ($14.50): Pretty good. A light crisp batter with fresh squid. - Yum Sen Salad ($17.50): This was ok. I just wish there was more of the chili lime dressing because without the sauce, this was pretty dry. [Service] - Friendly, helpful, fast [Overall] - Would come back again and would love to try their other dishes! My fav dish from this order is the VeLa Omelette! read more

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Late review. They serve unique Thai dishes that I don't really see at other restaurants, which made this spot stand out to me. I came here for dinner and tried the Thai crab rolls (hoi jor), pad Thai with pork belly, Thai fried rice with fried chicken, duck curry, and a pink matcha. Everything was super tasty with great presentation, well-portioned, and full of flavor. The only thing I didn't enjoy as much was the matcha, it wasn't my favorite compared to others I've had. I'd definitely come back to try their brunch menu. Service was great, and there's a good amount of seating available. read more

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I recently visited Vela Thai Restaurant and had a really great experience overall. The atmosphere was cozy and welcoming, perfect for a casual dinner or even a date night. We started with a fresh coconut drink, which was refreshing and fun. For appetizers, the crispy calamari was perfectly cooked -- light, crunchy, and not greasy at all. For the main dishes, the seafood fried rice stood out. It was full of flavor and loaded with shrimp, mussels, and scallops. The crab omelette with curry sauce was rich and unique, something I don't usually order but definitely worth trying. We also had the braised short rib, which was incredibly tender and flavorful. Service was friendly and the food came out in a timely manner. Overall, everything felt fresh and well-prepared. I would definitely come back and recommend this place if you're looking for authentic Thai food in the area. read more

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Vela Brunch is a Thai spot right by SJSU. The area isn't the best and I do wish the interior felt a little nicer for a brunch place, but the food is solid. I've tried the basil pork with rice, boat noodles, and pad thai. The basil pork looks pretty plain, but the flavor is actually really strong and it hits. The pad thai is also good, super umami, but definitely on the sweet side. Service is attentive and everyone is very nice, which makes the experience better. Not a spot I'd go for brunch vibes, but would definitely come back for the food! read more

VeLa Brunch & Thai Restaurant - Basil pork, Thai Boat Noodles, Roti - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - San Jose, California

Birthday celebration for a friend. The place is located on a corner of a block. Street parking. Place is nicely decorated. We were seated promptly. Does get busy here. The food was nicely presented. And tasted just as good as they looked. The whole place is kept nice and clean including their restroom. The servers were very nice and pleasant. Good dinner. Good food. Good service. read more

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Fantastic! VeLa Brunch & Thai Restaurant lives up to their name and shines with their gentle yet robust style of Southeast Asian fusion fare. Thanks to all the Yelp praise for this newer place that pointed me the way here. We split two dishes - the VeLa Omelet (with crab), and the Pad Se Yew (chicken). I started with black coffee, which had good body, and a delicious, almost nutty flavor. The VeLa Omelet (which you may also choose with duck breast, instead of crab) is a signature dish that many have raved about. Justifiably so. A unique,somewhat sweet Tom Yum sauce atop a mound of rice, and then silky eggs, with a generous portion of lump crabmeat is highly recommended. Very shareable, too, which then allows you to try other dishes. The flavors of this dish, however, are heavenly. Next we enjoyed a delicious Pad See Ew that countered with a slightly salty and succulent taste. The peanut pieces ground this favorite of mine, which the rice noodles and greens all work together with the chicken. Well-balanced and memorable. Pretty place, comfortable, with a refreshing take on some familiar cuisine. read more

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