The only genuinely tasty things I've had here are the Thai iced tea and edo tea rolls (warm rice rolled up with ground peanuts, cilantro and peanut sauce). They save this rating from being a 2 star. So if you want a snack and to sit down and chat with friends, that's maybe it's a fine option. The rest of the food is pretty unimpressive and just seems like a very confused interpretation of Thai, Chinese, and Japanese dishes. I think the tea rolls turn out well because they're their own thing and aren't trying to be something they're not. read more

I've never had a bad meal here. Great pastas/rice dishes. Very filling. I recommend the shitake mushroom and shredded beef pasta.

Best Pad Thai EVER. Fresh Side is such a fun place to eat, I love that's BYOB, and their prices are sooo reasonable, especially on a college budget. Their pad thai is delicious. I LOVE the tea rolls, everything is so fresh. Only thing I don't love about fresh side is that their service can be a little lacking--but I still come back! read more

Yummy tea rolls that are affordable and delicious. Nice snack or light lunch. Casual and fun restaurant. I definitely recommend this place!

I really like Fresh Side. Even before moving to Amherst six years ago, I was already getting their food to go. I especially recommend their pad thai and the cellophane curry noodles. I love that they have so many vegetarian/vegan options, even if they tend to sprinkle every dish with peanuts (I don't like them). Reasonably priced, large portions. You can just share one main dish between two people and order a few tea rolls and you'll be fine. read more

I was first introduced to Fresh Side when I was a sophomore in College in 1999. Their spicy chicken tea roll is something I drool about even when I'm only thinking about it. Their nabiyaki and tofu rice is SOOOO amazing! While I was in college, I went to Freshside on a weekly basis. I graduated in 2002 and my husband and I (we met in college and this was a constant dinner date spot) LOVE this place so much that we make special trips to Amherst JUST to go here. I like it that the place moved to a larger place and although price has gone up a little bit, it's really really worth it. I tell EVERYBODY I know about this place. I just hope and pray that the owners will leave Amherst and open a restaurant in Boston. I have a friend whose friend used to work here and I pestered my friend to ask for recipes... thats how obsessed I am with the place. Now I'm gonna go and plan another trip to amherst with my husband as soon as I stop drooling. read more

I have only been here for the tea-rolls and surely they are the best. If you are not allergic to peanuts, then definitely try the peanut sauce...mmmm.... The atmosphere is very pleasant. During the summer time, they also have out-door seating. The portions may look small but they are quite filling. The Thai ice tea is also very good here. read more

I love Fresh Side; even though I noticed they raised their prices and they still have funny prices that end in $.04 rather than a whole number, the prices are still reasonable and the food is consistently good with a nice selection of healthy items served in a comfortable, yet casual atmosphere. I typically choose the Basil Tea Roll with tofu and it comes with a side of hoisin sauce. I also like the Vietnamese Tea Roll which comes with a sweet sauce. I like both of these rolls because they use cabbage and spinach as the main filler, respectively, rather than steamed rice. I also enjoy the brown rice green tea which has a hint of nuttiness from the rice and the Asian Noodle Salad which is also super as leftover the next day. I am happy to see Fresh Side thrive in its current location, but just know it can be really busy and feel understaffed on weekend nights. read more

I wasn't sure what to expect when coming here. My visit, however, ended pretty positively. The group I was with split 6 delicious tea rolls (my favorite was the teriyaki chicken). I also had a bite of my boyfriend's dish (noodles and chicken in a ginger sauce) which I also liked. He's gluten intolerant and Fresh Side really catered to him. They even have a gluten free menu available. Overall pretty yummy. read more

I go this place because of my favorite spicy chicken tea roll only for take out. I had bad experiences for dining in for few times one time my friend had pad thai with a long Grey hair in it. But then the waiter misunderstood and did not bring her new pad thai until the rest of our dish was done. But it did happen last few times. read more

We love this place. We wish they would open in Boston. This is out first choice whenever we come out from Boston. Their soups and tea rolls are creative and delicious. they take the Vietnamese spring roll to another level using it as a base to add a variety of Asian inspired fillings. And no better place to experience an assortment of loose teas. We will be back. read more

Their food is not very consistent. I had the japanese omelette fried rice once and it was amazing, then a second time and it was very mediocre. Their tea rolls are quite good, but can get repetitive. Their teas are also excellent. read more

Stopped by here for dinner because we were looking for outdoor seating. The food was very flavorful and delicious. We had soups, t-rolls, fried rice and pad thai. Everything was excellent! read more

Too many options done okay. I have had really yummy fried rice and really bad salmon lox "bagel," (which was on a baguette/ sandwich). I think the menu should be more focused on their expertise rather than offering a lot and perfecting only a few. Really liked their thai iced tea :) read more

Mediocre food across the board...the sauces are bland, the pad Thai terrible, the service slow... The only strength was its inexpensive.

I am a fan who has been back many times. The food is fresh healthy and good. Love the tea trolls, salads and noodle dishes. And I always get a ginger honey tea which always has fresh ginger in it. The prices are reasonable too which is also a big plus. read more

This is probably my favorite. Their Pad Thai noodle plate, salad, and tea rolls are great, not to mention their peanut sauce is out of this world! I would also recommend their ginger tea latte; it's sensibly priced and a great pick me up drink for any hour! They have so many other great dishes too, including their coconut curry rice-- with some of their soft tofu... YUM! read more

Curried Chicken Tea Roll is incredible. I would live off those if I could. Fresh Side is a very cute little eatery. I frequented it for the four years I was in college in the Pioneer Valley. Always had good service, great food and the prices are very reasonable. I even had them cater my graduation party, once again, fantastic food at a great cost. I would encourage everyone to check it out at least once. read more

Fresh Side will always hold a special place in my heart. The food is tasty and the service is unbeatable. The view by the window of the Amherst town center is especially charming on an Autumn evening. Their signature tea rolls are delicious; my favorite kind is the spicy chicken. The herbal teas are wonderful. Excellent choice for a first date. read more

Went to fresch sides for dinner loved it, I had a tea rolls. Cold sakee so good. Our server was nice, kind of cute ;) Had to wait a little bit but they were super busy so whatev. Wish I could go here all the time. Cool tables. read more

I've never written a yelp review, but for this place I felt I needed to. The miso soup tasted like it was from a mix and the peanut tofu was uncooked tofu with some peanut sauce on top. read more

I LOVE the food here. The tea rolls are amazing, especially the Chicken Pad Thai tea roll. The ginger tea latte is also great. Prices are very reasonable as well. The service can be slow (you might have to flag someone down to get the check) but it's definitely worth it! read more

Our server was very, very nice. I had the teriyaki chicken rice and my partner had the coconut curry. While both were edible, they tasted strikingly like frozen dinners, complete with precut chicken strips and steamed veggies. Wish I understood the hype, but glad they found what seems like a loyal, local clientele. read more

I love the food and tea at Fresh Side- every time my mom is in town, we go here because she raves about the "rice balls" (tea rolls). 4 tea rolls is the perfect size lunch, and I recommend the Thai ones with peanut sauce. The tea selection is impressive, and it comes out very hot! Well-steeped and great to share. The decor inside is dark with bold colors on the walls. There are plenty of places to sit on both sides of the restaurant, and in warmer months there are a few tables outside. It's usually on the empty side every time I've been, so there's hardly a wait for a table. The only complaint I have is with the service. Every time I've been here, the person serving has either been oddly rude or has messed up someone's order. It's frustrating. read more

Just ate here for the first time today. Food was okay. Not great but okay. As I was paying a man spraying pesticides walked out. Not only is that gross that they were spraying while they cooked but the fact that they need to spray is gross. I will never go to fresh side again. read more

Went here for dinner the other night with my girlfriend. We split a tea roll as an appetizer and for entrees I had the pork ribs while she had the steak. Everything was very well prepared. Overall, we would definitely come back especially for the tea rolls, they are exquisite! read more

The food is fresh and original and fantastic and the prices are reasonable. Ambulances good and service is really nice. A good place to stop off on the way to the cinema. And you should be going to Amherst Cinema. read more

I enjoy the food and friendly, warm feelings. That makes a meal become a "refresh" time for me. read more

Best coconut chicken bean noodle soup anywhere!

y'all gave me a completely raw egg for brunch on some store bought guac for a benedict and your fruit is old

I have been going here for years (mostly in their previous location) down the street. I adore their rolls. They are so delicate and fresh. So yummy! Their tea is great. I have only had their rolls, so I cannot speak to any of their other food items. Their new location has allowed this gem of a restaurant to expand its food menu quite a bit. Service is a little slow because all rolls are done by hand. Can get busy at lunch. Has some outdoor seating for warm weather. A great place to go before hitting the movies right around the corner. Highly recommend! read more

They have GLUTEN-FREE VEGAN PAD-THAI. Yes, you can get it and it is tasty and yes it really is gluten free. Also, although a vegan in most ways, I do eat fish and often order the shrimp pad thai which is excellent. I always get take out, so I have no complaints about the speed of service. I will say that the food is pretty much always ready when I get there to pick it up. I have had some of their other dishes over the years but now just stick with the pad thai, so I can't comment further. read more

Service: Slow. Difficult communication. Waiter served the wrong dish, and was generally out of it. Not horrid though. Food: very tasty and tasteful. Recommend the pad thai and thai tea roll. The seating arrangement was uncomfortable. Quite squishy. We might return at a less busy time. read more

I have been going to this restaurant for about a decade. It is one of my favorite restaurants, period. Their Pad Thai is very well seasoned, and some of the best I've ever tasted. I highly recommend their basil chicken pasta dish, which is a flavor experience. The rice dishes here are also not to be missed, with crunchy vegetables and just enough spice to give it a kick without being overwhelming. The tea rolls are truly special here. I've never found a restaurant that serves anything like them. They are a versatile menu item which can be ordered as an appetizer, to share, or like you would a sandwich. My friends and I like to go and order a variety of them to share along with a few main course dishes. I would also like to highlight the Miso Salad, which has delicious slices of marinated tofu and a very tasty dressing. When I'm fighting a cold, the soups here are just what the doctor ordered. And of course, they have creative cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks to wash it all down. Their teas are sweet and refreshing. There is outdoor seating for those lovely New England afternoons, and the ambiance inside has a calming vibe with oranges and greens, live plants, and natural fibers and textures. As with any restaurant in the area, occasionally the wait staff has a new college student hire who may be learning the ropes, but regardless of experience, everyone I've been served by has been super attentive and friendly. The woman who runs the restaurant is very nice, and recognizes regulars with a smile. If I could only pick one restaurant to continue going to for the rest of my life, this might be it. It boggles my mind that it doesn't have more stars on yelp. It seems like a lot of the gripes that people have are in regards to gluten free options or vegetarian options. It feels like this is a case of "valley glasses," where we have different standards here for restaurants than folks do in other places. For perspective, if one happened upon this restaurant in almost any other part of the country, one might consider it a mecca for vegetarians, vegans, or gluten free individuals. Thankfully, restaurants here often cater to folks with meat, dairy, or gluten free diets, so we expect more from a restaurant. Vegans I've known and loved have been able to eat here happily without a problem. read more

My wife has been coming here for years but this was my first time here. I tried the Edo Rice with peanut sauce and the Chicken Pad Tai tea rolls. We also ordered a side of beef fried rice to share with everyone else. The tea rolls were so good that I had to order more to go to have for lunch the next day! The fried rice had kind of a funny taste to it, like it had been microwaved / reheated a couple of times. I am not sure if that is how they heated it up or not but next time I will probably avoid the fried rice. The service was kind of lackluster. Waitress really didn't check on us at all. In fact the only time I ever saw her was when new people came to get their orders, then brought out the food. Don't expect the server to check on your table. If you just want great tea rolls, this is your place! I would have given this 3.5 stars based on lack of service and the rice. Since I can't and the tea rolls were so good, I will give them benefit of a 4 star rating from me. read more

So many things about this place piss me off. Want inattentive, inappropriately dressed waiters? You got it. Want to have some regular tap water in a greasy glass bottle? You got it. You want some water that tastes like soap after you pour it into your not properly washed glass? You got it. How about some super dry/hard chicken? mmm. Want to wait an hour for food? COME here! How does a fly in a tea roll sound? When they actually try, the food is good, but more often than not, the food just sucks and they are so unsanitary. unsanitary + bad food = never come here again! read more

Oh Fresh Side, you confound me. I have been to FS numerous times, and I'm usually very happy with the food -- the tea rolls are almost always superb, the miso soup soothing and tasty. I want them to succeed! But I recently got an udon soup with teriyaki chicken, and the chicken was not real chicken -- at least, it was not a sliced piece of chicken breast, but instead, a breast-shaped piece of spongey, chicken-nugget-esque falsehood. I've never encountered such a thing outside of a low-level fast food restaurant. So this one puzzling disappointment, which deserves a single star review, brings my 4.5 to 5 star review down to 3. Order with caution. read more

This used to be one of my favorite restaurants in Amherst. It was the first restaurant I tried, first year of college. It has fond memories for SO and I when we first started dating. I dreamt about the edo tea rolls for a month before returning for SO's college reunion. It was sadly a let down. The menu has expanded, but feels less "Asian Fusion" and more "lost, some kind of Asian". The decor is tired and worn down. The table was so sticky, I had to pull the menu off with considerable force and it made a loud smacking noise. Service was slow and lacking, we were still missing tableware and water by the time the food came. The tea rolls have considerably shrunken in size, and the flavors of the food have changed - wondering if perhaps the owner of this establishment had also changed? I do appreciate that this is still a child friendly restaurant. Tastewise, just an OK experience now. Overall, this place needs some TLC to bring it back to the fine establishment it once was. read more

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I like their food, but the service is consistently awful. Don't try to go here for a quick meal.

Having been a regular for many years now, I was put off by my most recent visit. The woman was very rude when I placed my to-go order. I asked if a roll was vegan, which I had previously been told it was not, and I was assured ot was infact vegan. So which is it? I didn't order it just to be safe. I did get miso soup which was EXTREMELY salty, even way over board for miso soup. After paying for my 20$ to-go dinner I asked for a side of peanut sauce, which is about a teaspoons worth, and I was told I had to pay for it. That is one way to rub a regular wrong. I will not go back. read more