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    Bua Luang

    3.8 (358 reviews)
    ModerateThai, Asian Fusion
    Open 11:30 am - 2:30 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

    Order Bua Luang Takeout or Delivery

    Bua Luang Photos

    Business Info

    BUA LUANG ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Bua Luang

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    Pra Ram with grilled chicken & prawn rolls w/dipping sauce

    Our first time having lunch here, with a recommendation from a 'friend'. I had the Pra Ram with chicken lunch with crispy fried shrimp rolls with dipping sauce. My lunch buddy had another lunch dish, that looked scrumptious and a lil' spicy. With both were served a mini crisp lettuce with a smidge of corn salad that was served cold, it was a refreshing start the meal. Wanda and the other server checked in on us from time to time. As we caught up with another and totally enjoyed the Thai lunch. We were amongst other diners as we admired the art pieces among us. We'll be back to engage with other items on the menu. Bonus: off street parking, 90 minutes. Also, there's plenty of local shops to browse upon.

    Mango + Sticky Rice
    C L.

    Such a lovely little spot in Albany! Was looking for a nice bite after a beach day and I couldn't have picked better. Outdoor parklette was spacious and comfy, the service was very nice, and the food was delish! They brought my dog a dog bowl of ice water, and we chatted about dogs and how much love (and mischief) they bring to your life I got one of the specials and the chicken melted off the bone into a delectable curry sauce with crispy egg noodles. I also had to get the mango + sticky rice and it did NOT disappoint! Highly recommend this spot, an absolute gem.

    Pad Thai with Chicken
    Kyra K.

    I've lived in the neighborhood my entire life but never tried Bua Luang! Each time I've passed by it's been jamming so I was excited to try this spot for a girl's night out. The restaurant is simple and modest with indoor and outdoor seating. The interior has natural elements with a calming environment surrounded by Thai decor. The workers are all kind and constantly check in while dishes come out promptly. Whenever I go to a Thai restaurant I order Pad Thai as a basic standard dish. Their Pad Thai with Chicken was everything you look for in Pad Thai--sweet, savory, and slightly nutty. I liked how it also came with tofu! My friend enjoyed her Duck Noodle Soup. For the price, portions were plentiful and a take-out box was needed for both myself and my friend. Bua Luang is a popular destination in Albany for Thai cuisine. Find them off Solano Ave. with street and neighborhood parking. I wouldn't mind coming back to try their other dishes!

    Inside dining area
    Donovan H.

    I am quite passionate about Thai food since much of it is delicious. However, since much of their food is on the spicier side, I tend not to eat a lot of it. Which takes me to the city of Albany where I had the opportunity in trying out "Bua Luang". Located in the heart of downtown Albany directly on Solano Ave and just a couple blocks east of San Pablo Ave, this place has been dishing out delicious South Asian Thai food dating way back to 1990. Which means locals and residents of surrounding areas have eaten here at least one time or another. As far as their menu goes, this place is fairly standard with a wide variety of Thai offerings. This includes noodles, curry dishes, seafood specialties, soups, fried rice, and salads. I came here with my significant other during the evening of Saturday 4/20/2024 at around 8:00pm. Luckily they were open until 9:00pm which gave us ample time to dine-in, order, and enjoy our food. As far as the interior layout, this place has a very classic cozy feel to it with wooden accents and unique Thai-inspired displays throughout. It isn't the biggest place but still enough to accommodate at least 30 customers. They do have a very nice wooden outdoor deck (which I am guessing was built during the pandemic) to enjoy the more comfortable days and evenings. The hours are also quite generous as they are open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:30am-2:30pm (for lunch) and 5:00-9:00pm (for dinner) while they are closed for business on Monday. Once seated, we were given two iced water. I knew exactly what I wanted prior to coming here and that was none other than one of their main signature dishes, their "Panang Beef". This dish used thick red 'Panang' curry with tender beef, lime leaves, ground peanuts, bell peppers, sweet basil, and coconut milk while served with broccoli. My lady went with their "Pad See-Ewe" (with chicken) which is pan-fried rice noodles with traditional broccoli, Chinese broccoli, carrots, eggs and bean sauce. We also opted for a side of Jasmine rice and I chose their Thai Iced tea as my beverage of choice. Both of our dishes arrived in roughly 10 minutes and everything was piping hot. As for my beef dish, it has the perfect amount of sweet and spicy with a distinctive and noticeable coconut/curry flavor to it. Even though I am not the biggest fan of spicy food, I could tolerate this. I sampled some of her Pad See-Ewe and this was cooked to perfection as there was a very generous serving of chicken inside. Overall, its safe to say that the food in general was above average and delicious. Not jaw dropping amazing but a smart choice if you're looking for a family-owned Thai restaurant in the East Bay. All in all, "Bua Luang" was the perfect comfort food for our Saturday evening. And if you can't dine-in or even pickup your order, they offer online ordering & delivery through all the major food apps; DoorDash, Grubhub, Uber Eats, and Postmates. As for the restaurant itself, the service that our female waitress provided was excellent as she made sure our waters were filled up and that everything tasted delicious. The atmosphere, ambiance, price, and most importantly, the food was good. My rating for Bua Luang, an above average four stars.

    Ambiance
    Anna W.

    I love the food, service, and ambiance here. The pumpkin curry is my favorite. Pad Thai, drunken noodles, eggplant, chicken satay, everything is good. No complaints.

    Meang Kum
    Esther H.

    My husband saw Miang Kham on the menu and said, "We have to eat here. I never see this on restaurant menus because it's not very popular." It was delightfully refreshing and I could've eaten many more! We also ordered Tom Yum & Tod Mun and they were as expected (tasty). Even though we tend to eat at 'weird' hours where we might be the only patrons dining outside, I'm happy this spot was open and the food was definitely fresh.

    Cashew chicken & tom yum soup lunch combo
    Alice L.

    Best bang for the buck is the lunch combo. Ordered the cashew chicken & tom yum soup. Food is flavorful, fresh & no skimping on the ingredients. The menu is quite extensive & service was attentive. Was a bit skeptical about the green tea since the description had watermelon & rose in it, but surprisingly, it was the right flavor combo without any specific one overpowering it; multiple refills were enjoyed.

    Solano Stroll today
    Kris B.

    My friends and I came here on Solano Stroll afternoon and they almost turned us away. We didn't know they were closing early due to Solano Stroll but luckily they let us in! We had a delicious meal of pumpkin curry, shrimp pad thai and tofu satay. I was so great to catch up with old friends. This place is as amazing as we remember.

    Gaeng Hung Lay - 4 stars. The most interesting/unique dish. Sun takeout 2023-03-19

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    Best Thai I have ever had. I love their seafood combo and their fried banana with coconut ice cream.

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    Page 1 of 9

    Ask the Community - Bua Luang

    Do they have any online lunch specials?

    Yes, we have. Please visit our website at bualuangalbany.com for lunch combination menu.

    View All 2 Questions

    310 Eatery - The "Detour" 405 Traffic Jam Burger!

    310 Eatery

    4.6(1.2k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Flavors, textures and character…read more Thank you for a great lunch experience. The owner's service was wonderful and made it all that more welcoming. Tip: get the Tamarind seasoned fries. Fun added twist to the seasoning.

    We decided to give this place another try after having a bad experience with their takeout 5 years…read moreago - it was during the pandemic so we figured maybe by now they'd found their footing. Unfortunately the food was just as bad and overpriced as the first time, I really don't understand how this place is so well reviewed. We both ordered 310 Burgers, one on the regular brioche bun and one on a lettuce wrap. The lettuce wrap came in two steamed, wilted pieces of iceberg, while the brioche bun was untoasted, foamy-textured and soggy. Both medium burgers had the consistency of boiled meatballs. The bacon jam was decent, but the overall experience was wildly unappetizing. We also both got plain fries, which were somehow greasy and dry at the same time, and instantly turned stale as they cooled down. We really hoped for this place because it's conveniently located, and all the other decent burger spots nearby have closed, but sadly we won't be giving 310 Eatery a third try.

    Photos
    310 Eatery - The "Detour" Tokyo Po'Boy Sandwich!

    The "Detour" Tokyo Po'Boy Sandwich!

    310 Eatery - Mothers Day 2022 could easily look like this again - Accepting RSVPs by phone, text or email at 310eatery@gmail.com. Open by 10A Sun, May 8

    Mothers Day 2022 could easily look like this again - Accepting RSVPs by phone, text or email at 310eatery@gmail.com. Open by 10A Sun, May 8

    310 Eatery - Larger groups find The 310's space highly amenable at Brunch time or any time-One of Yelp's Top 100 Places to Eat, in America - call to RSVP

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    Larger groups find The 310's space highly amenable at Brunch time or any time-One of Yelp's Top 100 Places to Eat, in America - call to RSVP

    One House Bistro - Braised Short Rib (THE STAR!)

    One House Bistro

    4.5(351 reviews)
    19.3 mi
    $$

    i love the presentation and the vibe of the place! the service was great. overall, food was good!read more

    5* Food 5* Service 5*…read moreAmbiance I want to return and try every single item on their menu! From the moment you walk through the doors, you are instantly made to feel joyfully welcomed. Just stepping in lifts your spirit and creates joy. The thoughtful decor and beautiful design immediately stand out, creating a special atmosphere, even if you are simply meeting friends for lunch on a weekday. I never expected to find such a stunning restaurant tucked into a shopping strip in the heart of San Ramon. One Hour Bistro is truly a delightfull find. The same attention to detail reflected in the decor is also evident in the quality of the ingredients and the incredible flavors of each dish. Crystal glasses in a Thai restaurant? YES! They also offer mocktails which I wish I had time to try and savor. I ordered the Kao Soi Braised Short Ribs, and it was absolutely stunning; beautifully presented, generously portioned, and deeply comforting. The rich broth, tender bone-in ribs, and flavorful noodles made every bite memorable. I couldn't even finish the entire dish because I wanted to savore it slowly. The Pad See Ew was a silky, heavenly treat. The rice noodles were succulent, the vegetables were fresh, and everything was coated in a rich, flavorful sauce. If your driving through San Ramon, this is a MUST try. If you live in the area, lucky you!

    Photos
    One House Bistro - Made in House Customized Cake

    Made in House Customized Cake

    One House Bistro - Avocado Eggrolls

    Avocado Eggrolls

    One House Bistro - Espresso Martini

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    Espresso Martini

    Kitchen Story - Chicken and waffles, very good.  Waffles so sweet, syrup was unnecessary.

    Kitchen Story

    4.0(1.4k reviews)
    4.2 miNorth Oakland
    $$

    Living down the block for years this is the first time I've been to kitchen story. The weekends…read morewhen I would drive by seems like there's always a lot of people here so I made a reservation reservations online and you have the option to choose if you want to sit outside inside or upstairs. I reserved for three to sit in the main dining room. The next day we arrived right on time for our reservation and still had to wait about 10-15 minutes and was asked if we could sit outside and then we were seated upstairs. I was a little bummed we didn't get to sit in the lower dining room like I booked on our reservations. It was still cute upstairs and good company always makes brunch even better. The servers were quick and helpful. I wanted something light so I just ordered the chicken and waffle bites. My husband got French toast and a side of chicken and my friend got a main entrée of a sandwich with some fries and a little soup. All of the food that came out looked amazing even at other people's tables. For brunch, the price is a little pricey, but I would like to come back to try other entrées when I'm more hungry. We asked one of our servers if he had a light as I brought a little candle to celebrate my friend's birthday, and as he lit it, he also decided to join in with us as we sang happy birthday, which I thought was really sweet. He did not have to do. He even got other tables around us to sing happy birthday as well. It felt like a special moment for my friend, which was a nice surprise. I did really appreciate this part and look forward to coming back.

    We visited Kitchen Story for a spontaneous Mother's Day brunch. I will say this is a popular brunch…read morespot, so be prepared for a bit of a wait. We arrived shortly after 10am and our wait was just under 30 minutes. The restaurant is cozy (on the smaller side) but has an interesting layout. There's seating both indoors, outside, and upstairs. You may have to squeeze by a few tables to make your way to the restroom. Customer service was friendly and attentive. Pricing for food & drinks was a bit high. Our total for 2 entrees and 2 drinks was $60 before tip. We ordered two drinks (orange juice and an iced mocha) which were provided promptly. The orange juice was a little too sour and my mom had to add some sugar to improve the taste. The iced mocha was good, not too sweet. One thing to note the wait for our food took much longer than expected, and it may have been due to how busy it was. My mom opted to order the salmon yuzu benedict and I got an egg plate (scrambled eggs) with a side green salad. My mom mentioned the potatoes lacking salt but she enjoyed the salmon benedict. I thought the scrambled eggs were good, but slightly bland & needed salt and pepper. The side green salad was alright, but the vinaigrette had a bitter aftertaste. Overall, the meal was pretty good and timing wasn't the best. I'd likely return for brunch on a non-peak day. Definitely recommend joining the yelp waitlist prior to arriving if you can!

    Photos
    Kitchen Story
    Kitchen Story - Mascarpone Stuffed Deep Fried French Toast the outside was more crunchy than expected. Was a bit tough to chew.

    Mascarpone Stuffed Deep Fried French Toast the outside was more crunchy than expected. Was a bit tough to chew.

    Kitchen Story - Korean FC & Waffles Breakfast

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    Korean FC & Waffles Breakfast

    Vanessa's Bistro - Chicken lettuce wraps, so good!

    Vanessa's Bistro

    4.1(550 reviews)
    0.8 miBerkeley Hills
    $$

    Update: I tried two more items last night: Duck confit bao and Clay pot. Both were very good. The…read morebao were soft, flavorful and had a nice combination of duck and (enoki?) mushrooms among other things. The clay pot rice was great! The delicious crispy bottom of the pot rice, delectable chicken and shrimp in a delicious sauce. My only complaint would be that there wasn't enough bok choy, I love bok choy! I can't believe Vanessa's has been around for 20 years, and I just tried it for the first time. I recently moved back to Albany, right off Solano, from North Berkeley, and decided to try all the restaurants I haven't yet tried. In a word, fabulous. The food, vibe, and staff are all amazing. I was there on a Wednesday night (Wine Wednesday, 1/2 off bottles of wine), by myself, about 45 minutes before closing. It was a slow night, with about 6 people at the bar and maybe 2 or 3 other active tables in the dining area. They have a wonderful vibe in there; every member of the staff was über-friendly, accommodating, and patient. I ordered a house-made lemonade, which the bartender brought to me himself with a big smile as I perused the menu. I purposely ordered extra food since my entire kitchen was still in boxes, and I only had access to my new microwave. I had mentioned to my server that I had just moved, and during my meal, Vi (co-owner and daughter of THE Vanessa) came to introduce herself and welcome me to the neighborhood, a very nice gesture, and one that brought me back with friends two nights later, with Vi remembering my name. Anyway, on to the food. French onion soup; nice, was it the best FOS I've had? No, but still solid. The crouton was more like a slice of baguette. Salt & Pepper Calamari; really good! An amazingly light and crispy batter encased calamari strips, loaded with flavor, super tender, delicious dipping sauce, and a very large portion for a "small plate". Vanessa's Spicy Sautéed Lemongrass with garlic, onions & green beans topped with roasted peanuts: I chose chicken for my protein. Again, the meat was extremely tender, the dish very flavorful, much more lemongrass-forward than at other restaurants, which I loved. The staff and Vi kept insisting I take my time and not to worry about the 8:30 closing time. People were still lingering in the bar area, and I did as I was told, relaxed, and enjoyed my meal (thoroughly). Bottom line, I loved it and plan on being a regular fixture :)

    I read the good reviews of this place so I was eager to see what all the fuss was about. I was…read moredisappointed by the whole experience. 1. The service was poor and the food was "meh." This was 6 pm on a Tuesday, so not that busy. 2. My friend ordered a filet mignon- medium well - it came back rare. We even had a discussion about it with the waiter. The waiter forgot about us after dropping off the food, so it took a very long time to get his attention and get the order corrected. 3. I ordered a lychee cocktail and it tasted like dirty water! It was terrible so I returned in and got a margarita instead. That too, was very sub par and made me immediately sleepy. This usually means they use really low-quality alcohol and ingredients. 4. I ordered Pad Thai- how can that go wrong? Well it did. It just had no flavor and was rather bland. I've never had bland Pad Thai, but now I can cross that off my bucket list. I actually had to ask for soy sauce to give it some kind of flavor, and still it was meh. In conclusion: Vanessa's Bistro and I will never cross paths again. I prefer to spend my hard-earned money elsewhere.

    Photos
    Vanessa's Bistro
    Vanessa's Bistro - Chartreuse!!! Green label

    Chartreuse!!! Green label

    Vanessa's Bistro - Chicken lettuce wraps!!!

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    Chicken lettuce wraps!!!

    The Hangout - Berries Lover Toast

    The Hangout

    4.5(1.3k reviews)
    12.8 mi
    $$

    The vibe is half cozy neighborhood brunch spot, half happy little buzz of everyone having a really…read moregood morning :) It somehow feels lively and relaxed at the same time, and the staff always seem genuinely happy, friendly, and kind. That energy makes the whole place even better. The potato wedges deserve their own fan club! There is some kind of magic wizardry happening there. Crispy on the outside, fluffy like mashed potatoes on the inside, and so ridiculously good you'll probably start guarding your plate lol!! :P My favorite is the Hangout omelette. It always hits! And the French toast is dangerously good too, soft in the middle, golden on the edges, and exactly the kind of breakfast that disappears way too fast. And do not leave without ordering the ube espresso or the dirty matcha espresso. Trust me. Both are absolutely worth it! Honestly, this is one of those places that just makes you happy :D So, so good!!!!

    Came here on a Friday right before noon and it was packed. We got seated at the bar…read more Got a California burger and chicken & waffle. Both were quite big portion. Chicken was piping hot and very crispy. Burger was decent. Loved the fries. When we left at 12:35, there were less people inside! So maybe people like to do brunch on fridays? Overall, the dishes here seem bigger than the one in Walnut Creek but I didn't order the same dishes so I can't compare . And they didn't raise price in 2 yrs so it's good. I would come back if in the area.

    Photos
    The Hangout - Crowded dining area.

    Crowded dining area.

    The Hangout - Crab Benedict

    Crab Benedict

    The Hangout - Pad kra pow

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    Pad kra pow

    Bua Luang - thai - Updated May 2026

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