I've reviewed close to a thousand restaurants on Yelp over the years. Of those, maybe two or three dozen of them have been in a league of their own, ones that stand out as en experience never to be forgotten, where the food is simply next level, elevated to a realm that's rarely equalled. Our meal at Herb was such an experience. It was unbelievable. I've had "Thai food" from many restaurants - I use the scare quotes because, in a way, I feel like most of the others were watered down or Americanized, but this seems much more authentic. Having said that, I've never been to Thailand, so I don't have a true reference, but this was at once, familiar in terms of flavors and ingredients, but totally different from other Thai meals I've had. The menu changes often, so you'll have to check the latest when you're there (and you really need to go), but I'm confident that everything they make will be phenomenal. One can order a la carte, or get a 3, 5, or 6 course tasting meal, with or without wine pairings. I chose the five course, because I just couldn't decide. I also tasted a bit from fellow diners' plates. I did not partake of any wine, opting for a nice pot of green tea. Here's what I found: Spicy tofu and rice salad: Featuring delicate, small cubed tofu, this dish had a spicy dressing and a great crunch, a wonderful start to a great meal. Crispy fuzzy prawns: Two large head off prawns were fried and wrapped in a unique noodle "structure" (see picture) and very lightly garnished, it was a great contrast in textures. Hot and sour soup with shrimp: I asked for this off of the a la carte menu, and was rewarded with an incredibly fragrant and spicy soup, poured tableside. It was a flavor explosion in the bowl, and I could have eaten two bowls of it. If there was even the slightest knock, the mushrooms (I believe they were the beech variety) were a little firm for the rest of the dish. Still, a complete knockout. Award winning curry with chicken: The main event, this dish was designed to appeal to all of the senses. It was garnished with a beautiful edible flower, a dill sprig, and radish slices, and contained a perfect marriage of basil, two different squashes, carrots, chicken, a vibrant yellow curry broth, and sliced red peppers, accented with delicate pea tendrils. Like the other dishes this evening, it was spicy, yet still approachable and not "too much". I could not find a single flaw in this dish. Sweet sticky rice with ripe mango: A very simple dish to finish off the meal, it was just sweet, sliced mango with a small portion of sweet sticky rice and a small edible flower, it left the diner with a pleasant sweetness on the palate, but not trying to overpower the dishes that came before it. Bottom line, I've had very few meals that were of this quality and flavor. It was wonderful, and worthy of all of the accolades given by some of my other fellow Yelpers. Well, well worth a visit. read more

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Herb is such an interesting find in Chicago, especially if you enjoy Thai food and want to explore something beyond the usual curries and noodles! We tried their $59 plant-based tasting menu, and I loved how each course brought something different to the table. The experience started with betel leaves, followed by dishes like green papaya salad, spicy tofu salad, and a turmeric mushroom soup. The mushroom soup was easily one of my favorites -- tangy, slightly sweet, comforting, and beautifully balanced. We also tried their award-winning curry with tofu and spicy bean curd with herbs and vegetables. I appreciated the variety of flavors and textures throughout the meal. We wrapped things up with mango sticky rice and lemongrass-ginger tea. What stood out was how thoughtfully the menu showcased plant-based Thai cooking without making it feel like a compromise. Definitely an experience worth considering if you're vegetarian or simply enjoy exploring different flavors! read more

We ate here on a Sunday evening after taking our youngest daughter to college nearby. Chef Patty was fantastic. She gave us so much attention and really looked after our family. We eat family style and had about everything on the menu. Everything was beautiful presented, fresh and tasty. Highly recommended. read more

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Expensive but excellent Thai food; great friendly service; beautiful space; ample street parking. Reservations are recommended, especially on the weekend. read more

We recently hosted a birthday celebration for a group of 13 at The Herb, and it was a wonderful experience. The hospitality was remarkably warm and attentive, handling our large table. Every dish served was absolutely delicious, vibrant, and thoughtfully crafted--everyone in our party was thrilled with their meal. The passion and love in the cooking really shine through. Highly recommended for both special group gatherings and intimate dinners! Thank you Patty and all the best. read more

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Food is great, but service is slow. Had a 630 reservation and food didn't start showing up until 8. Ended up finally leaving at about 930. Don't go if you have any sort of a schedule to meet. read more

This was one of the best dining experiences we've ever had! They recommended the family style tasting menu and we got to try each dish on the menu! Chef Patti personally came out to explain each dish and the food was prepared with so much care. She was kind enough to keep the restaurant open for us to finish our meal and there was plenty of food for our entire party of 10! We can't wait to come back again! read more

We love this place. What a find! The betel leaves, the soup, every course is a delicious surprise. The care of preparation is evident and the flavors are amazing. read more

We came here for what was supposed to be a celebratory dinner. We'd come before a few years back and had a lovely time. This time we were not so lucky. The food was okay but the service was terrible. It took 3.5 hours to get all our food, the staff was overwhelmed and rude and the chef should be deeply ashamed: the food was lukewarm, the portions were tiny, food came in a crazy order and was often wrong. Our celebration was ruined. Shameful. No apology, no attempt to make it right. The chef was nowhere to be seen when it was time to pay. What a terrible way to treat people who are trusting you and paying you to make their night special. If this had been a new restaurant that would be understandable, but after looking at other reviews they've been pulling this nonsense for years. We will never come back. read more

Food was wonderful we did their chef special which is $98 per person. We did not end up ordering a drink since there was only one server and they were very busy. The food did come out on the slower end pace wise. They were very busy and it got very loud when there were bigger groups. The servers did their best to manage the large amounts of people with not many servers/staff. I think with what they had they did their best and were sure to let us know that food would come soon or in a few minutes. We really appreciated that they still checked up on us when really busy. I would have liked for them to explain the dishes a bit more. The first dish we got was the betal leaves which they explained and the rest of the dishes were just brought to us. The food overall was a good experience that would be nice to spruce up from the typical dinners. I'm unsure if I would go again personally but it was a good experience. I would recommend the mango sticky rice dessert dish and the chive dumplings which are appetizers. read more

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This was our first visit to the herb restaurant. It is featured in the Michelin guide as offering the best Thai food in Chicago. While it is not traditional Thai cuisine, the food was fantastic. The chef was very attentive, ensuring that my wife's gluten-free meal was indeed gluten-free. The restaurant has a spa-like atmosphere. The music was softly played jazz, rather than the typical Asian tunes found in Thai restaurants. The decor was impeccable, as were the bathrooms. It was clear that the ownership takes great pride in and pays attention to the details of this establishment. The restaurant is quite pricey, but it's worth it. I highly recommend it. read more

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This was my first time here. I was in the city visiting family and they chose Herb for dinner. Chef Patty was friendly and informative. She explained the menu and made recommendations on dishes to share. The food and service were amazing! The crispy fizzy prawns, chicken curry, chive dumplings a d tenderloin were standouts. Mango and stick rice for dessert was the perfect amount of sweet to end the meal. If I lived in Chicago this would be a regular spot for my husband and me! read more

The fresh organic herbs and delicious entrees.. are always of the best well prepared Thai food. There is no comparison with other restaurant.. the best in the country! read more

You walk in this place and it has spa music playing. The energy is very calming and relaxing. We did the five course menu. I started with the Betal Leaves and the Chive Dumplings. Both were mouthwatering. The dumplings I could eat like ten of them. They were that good. Then they came out with the Turmeric Trio Mushroom soup. The soup was delicious. After my entree came out. I got the Famous Coconut Curry with Veggies. This had a little spice to it. The rice helped even out the heat. I really enjoyed it. Then they came out with the dessert of Mango Sticky rice. This was also yummy. Would have rated 4+ stars but I took off a star, because they charge you an automatic 30% service charge and the service level was not justified. It also is BYOB and they charge $10 per bottle. The food itself was excellent but adding on an excessive 30% service charge left a bad taste. Keep in mind when dining here. read more

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One of the best restaurants I've been to in Chicago and at a good value for the volume of food you get. Every bite of every dish was full of intense flavor. The staff were very friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. The restaurant was smartly decorated and the perfect ambience for a date. I had the five course menu ordering: Betal Leaves Chive Dumplings Turmeric Trio Mushroom Soup Coconut Curry with Chicken Mango and Sticky Rice All the dishes were phenomenal. I highly recommend Herb for a good value and truly outstanding food and service. Location is in a safe area with plenty of street parking, public transport, or ride share / taxi are easy to get. read more

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Amazing food, great service. We always bring our family or friends here when they visit Chicago. Everyone is always impressed. Best thai food in town! read more

Herb - We've been here a few times. The food is unique and excellent. The owner and chef is very sweet and welcoming. You have to try this place! - Thai Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A cute, cozy little upscale Thai place in Edgewater neighborhood with a couple tasting menus including a plant based one. The plant based menu is interesting though the flavors were not always balanced (Thai cuisine strives for a 'sweet, sour, salt, spice, bitterness' balance). e.g. the frizzy tofu had good textural contrast but the sauce was too sweet and a bit one note. Dishes in general could have been a bit more 'chili' forward. The turmeric soup by far was the highlight among the appetizers with good flavor balance though with just a hint of background heat. Among the entrees, the curry was a bit more successful compared to the stir fry. Plating was cute/whimsical with (edible?) flowers on most of them. At $98 per person, the portions were generous and filling. Beverage options were limited. I do hope they will attempt bolder flavors on future menu revisions (on the plant based menu). Service started out a bit chaotic but settled into a better rhythm with the chef/owner checking in on us and explaining their ethos. Overall, this is an interesting special occasion spot with good service and decent modern Thai flavors. read more

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I seldom leave reviews but Herb is really outstanding. Every bite was delicious and the service was great. Can't wait to come back!

I love this place! I've been here twice and it is always a wonderful experience. Make reservations in advance. I love the crispy prawn appetizer. I'm also pescatarian so be sure to lead with any dietary restrictions since it's a seasonal prix fixe menu. Also, be sure to say hi to Chef Patty and she will tell you the backstory behind her dishes! HERB does not disappoint! read more

Endearing, even just on a takeout order. Mushroom Soup - 4/5. Light, creamy. Well balanced. Mango Sticky Rice - 4.5/5. Fresh mango, sweet rice. Bit clumpy but very effective. Coconut Curry - 3.5/5. Decent flavor but quite spicy. read more

Just Wow! My wife and I walked past this place and decided to try it! The owner came out and talked through the menu with us and about our likes and dislikes and was extremely friendly. We opted for the 5 course meal and I have listed the photos below. The flavors are amazing! This is an experience just as much as it is dinning and priced according. I highly recommend trying! read more

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Amazing experience at Herb! Chef Patty was friendly and talked to us about each dish. We got the plant-based 'Chef's special' tasting menu and everything was fresh and unique. Real stand outs were the mushroom turmeric soup and betel leaves, as well as the mango sticky rice dessert. Classy atmosphere and delicious food with attentive service. Definitely recommend ! read more

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This place has amazing Thai food, the owner is super talented with her creativity in serving authentic dishes.

This was my fourth time at Herb. The first three visits were sublime. Excellent. Tonight was the first disappointment, especially since this was where we chose to spend our anniversary dinner. The food was still delicious, but the menu options were severely limited--we got the 5-course, but there was only one non-plant-based entree option. (The other they were out of; and we had an early reservation, the place was not packed.) The first clue that this was an "off-night" was that the paper menus at the table were crumpled and water-stained. Then they brought us our water--2 plastic bottles of Ice Mountain (?!). And the wait staff seemed either very green, but/or definitely...out of it. (Ahem.) Only one dessert "choice"--the standard Mango sticky rice. Good, but nowhere near as exciting as what we've had before, and all the menu said was that the dessert was "chef's whim--you'll be surprised." (I sort of was, but not pleasantly so.) Again the food was still beautifully plated and tasted great, but the experience, especially for our anniversary and $180.00 was disappointing. Third time was a charm, but this fourth has me wondering if I'll ever come back. Disappointing. I know places have their off-nights. It just stinks we had to experience one, especially on a special occasion. read more

Food is okay, they seem to rely heavily on presentation and not focus enough on flavor. All plates come with 2-3 edible flowers for great colorful presentation but honestly don't really have any substance to them. I made a reservation yet it seemed like they weren't prepared for us, we arrived on time and had to wait 10 min to get sat. Another table was sat after us and they were getting faster service and food than we were. My husband and I both worked in the restaurant industry when we were younger and try to overlook understaffing issues that lead to slow or inattentive service, but that service would have barely deserved a 10% tip honestly. Overall, not enough value for the price in my opinion. read more

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The food was good but like many other reviewers, I was not okay with the timing. We ordered a very expensive meal to go for 5 pm online 4 days in advance, arrived at 5:05 and were told it would take "18 minutes," got it it 5:45, then got a call from the owner 5 minutes later saying it was ready. Clearly, they made it once we arrived and jarred their memory. The chef/owner is very nice but after 9 years I would suggest bringing in someone who knows how to operate a restaurant as far as online sales, reservations, and service. read more

Unique healthy thai food that will make your taste buds sing. Personable service. The chef graciously engaged with guests.

Went for a birthday. Great, excellent food, but poor service. We did the $75 pre fixe menu option. Every single item of food was amazing. Ambiance of the place was small, cozy, warm feel. What wasn't amazing was waiting 30 minutes in between each food item, as well as waiting 1 hour for dessert and another 30 minutes for the bill. Great place to try, but perhaps they were understaffed on the night we went. read more

One of my absolute favorite restaurants or Thai food. Small, cozy, very clean , great food. Not traditional family style. This is a step above read more

The service was superb. The owner was very nice to us specially since I was running late again to my reservation. The food was very beautiful and elegant I did not even want to eat it. The price is right since the restaurant is very clean and neat. They also have very nice soft relaxing music playing in the background. The only thing I did not like a the fact that we were not told that most of the dishes were spicy . I was glad I did not bring my grand daughter to eat because it would have not been appropriate. The food was very delicious I did not have any complaints. I tasted most of the menu since our party order different plates. We received complementary sticky rice with mango slices sprinkle with black and white sesame seeds yummy . For those that like to enjoy a drink or two you can brink your own wine . read more

Herb - Fish soup very delicious - Thai Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The food is delicious and the service is great. Everything was perfect! I recommend the prawn appetizer and the coconut mushroom soup!

Excellent food! Excellent service! Highly recommend! I did the tasting menu and enjoyed every one of the courses.

This restaurant is truly amazing. From the curtsey given by the wait staff to the presentation of the extremely delicious food. This is truly fine Thai dining. Chef Patty outdoes herself. I highly recommend you visit. read more

Herb - Fizzy Shrimp - Thai Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Just wow! The owner Patty won Guy's Grocery Games and is a delight. Right now, you have the option of two fixed menus--one plant based and one not. I opted for plant based and had the bethel leaves, spicy tofu salad, mushroom soup, Thai coconut curry with veggies, and mango and sticky rice for dessert. The bethel leaves were a treat and super unique. Spicy tofu salad wasn't my taste but objectively good. I tried my friend's prawns and they were amazing so definitely get that appetizer. The soup was incredible. They pour the broth in front of you and the flavors are to die for. The curry was perfect as well, with perfectly cooked veggies. The mango and sticky rice surprised me and it was a perfect and light way to end the meal. The presentation is flawless. Price isn't bad for what you get, and I had leftovers! Probably the best Thai in Chicago. read more

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This may now be one of my favorite restaurants ever. This upscale Thai restaurant is out of this world. The owner (as seen on Guys Grocery Games) is so gracious and meticulous about every dish she sends out of the kitchen. And the service, spot on! They are only open Thursday-Saturday. Please make a point to treat yourself to this little gem! Also, byob! Does it get any better? read more

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A wonderful evening, start to finish! The dining room is beautiful and elegant . The food was really great. The betel leaf appetizer is bursting with flavor. And the turmeric mushroom soup is light but rich, with a really creative combination of herbs and vegetables. The pork tenderloin is nicely flavored as well . Desserts were tasty too. The entire staff is stellar. The owner definitely has a passion for her work, and is so kind and friendly. She personally visits east table and thoroughly explains the menu. Definitely will be back! read more

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This upscale Thai restaurant is a lovely step up from your traditional take out. With the staff's genuine appreciation of Thai culture and history, you feel like you are experiencing something more significant than just a meal. We were greeted by the manager who was so excited to tell us about Herb. The server was just as enthusiastic and fun to listen to as she boasted about all of their specials. I recommend the tasting menu -- I got the 3 course which included a soup, salad, and entree. Each dish was bold with flavor. Their menu is seasonal and you could tell the produce was fresh. The mushroom soup was the most memorable -- hot and creamy coconut milk is poured over the mushrooms in front of you. When I mentioned how good it was, the wait staff explained it had won awards in the city. I'm not surprised. The other courses were just as fresh and flavorful. The menu itself is vegetarian and pescatarian friendly. And they are BYOB. The best part was the food, but the staff was a close second -- since it was our first time eating there, they brought us a dessert sampling! And they send texts with updates on their menus and their chef's progress in different food competitions. It's a lovely place. read more

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We were a group of 16 people who are follow all whole food plant based no oil dietary lifestyle. I worked with Chef Patty to finalize a customized menu and she was so easy to work with. Chef Patty cooked up a very nice 4 course meal which was not only super delicious, but presented very beautiful and everything was plant based and prepared with no oil . Thank you Chef Patty for all the effort you put into cooking and serving up some delicious food. read more

When I first passed by this restaurant the first thing that came to mind was pretentious. And then I went for my first dining experience. Wow. I have not had Thai food as good as at Herb. I actually went back again the following week. The food was just as good if not better than the first time. The chef does things with the flavours that you may experience at high-end restaurants. However, you don't get high-end prices. One big surprise was a lamb dish. Lamb is not one of the meats you find common in Thai dishes and I swear Greeks could learn from how they prepare this lamb dish. Love the atmosphere. Love the service. And I can't say enough about how much I love their take on Thai food. read more

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This is a little known gem. We were greeted and attended by Chef Patty who is a delight! The food was wonderful -- delicious and beautifully presented. Different flavors come forward in each dish. The plants and simple decor match the food -- a bit subtle, natural, and nourishing. read more