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    Jo's Modern Thai

    4.3 (528 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndThai, Bars, Noodles
    Closed 12:00 pm - 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated a few days ago

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    JO'S MODERN THAI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual
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    Recommended Reviews - Jo's Modern Thai

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    The check had a Yelp button :)
    Gina G.

    Jo's Modern Thai..finally was able to try this spot during Oakland Restaurant Week! They started executing a trial period of being open for lunch for restaurant week and we were able to swing by during those specific hours for the lunch menu. With the special, they offered some of their favorite dishes for $15 a pop. We started with the Thai Caesar Salad (not on the restaurant week menu), ordered a few Singhas (they also offer Thai Micheladas too!), and then moved onto the Northern Thai Curry Noodles (Khao Soi), and the Thai Green Curry. We also ordered two sides of rice to compliment the curry sauces. Wowee, what a spread. I will say, when I was in Thailand the Khao Soi was a spicier dish for me, so much so I was served milk at the table (haha), and the dish was equally as spicy in Oakland..in all the best ways. The Thai Green Curry also had a spice level to it too. My dad had been fighting a cold and his smell/tastebuds were positively awakened. The flavors were excellent ~ I'm not sure if Jo's is known for their fried chicken, but it seems special. This spot is elevated and feels also very contemporary. The restaurant is clean and modern, and they also have a nice cocktail bar. My guess is reservations may be needed for dinner, so this was truly a cool moment to get a sneak peek of what lunch could look like. Would love to come back and try more from the menu. Service was excellent and everyone made us feel very welcome. I'll let my pictures/videos speak for themselves :) Leave a few additional minutes to find parking in the Laurel District.

    branzino
    Adrienne H.

    Ive been wanting to try jo's for a while. I was had reservations but sat at the bar for drink. The drink was really good but I forgot the name I also had their thai tea which was good. I sat in their back patio. The service was great. The ambiance was nice as well. I ordered the crab fried rice which was so good. I also had the branzino and honestly i was disappointed. For dessert I tried the sweet blue sticky rice with mango sorbet now that itself is come again for. it was so different and absolutely amazing. I want to come back and give them another try trying other dishes.

    Inside
    Allie G.

    We visited Jo's Modern Thai around noon on a Saturday, and got seated right away. They are on Yelp Waitlist though, so I assume they get busier for dinner. The interior had simple, modern decor with a neon monkey sign towards the back. For drinks, I ordered the Ginger Lime Soda, which was very sweet but still tasty. There was only one guy working the whole front of house and he looked a bit stressed as the host/bartender/server. He was really nice though and proactively comped my soda since he thought it took too long. For food, my partner and I shared the Brisket Drunken Noodles and Beef Kra Pao. The Drunken Noodles rocked my world! They were so flavorful, the spice level was perfect, and the brisket went so well with the dish. I'll be dreaming of those for a while! The Beef Kra Pao, however, was not my favorite. The meat had good flavor but the pieces were just so fatty and chewy, it was hard to eat. Portion sizes were slightly smaller than your typical Thai restaurant. Would return to try out their dinner menu!

    Huge bar
    Heather D.

    Showed up again for Oakland Restaurant Week. I still love the staff but things were a little off this last visit. We ordered the oysters as an appetizer and before we had even got to the second oyster one of the entrees hit the table - that is one of my main pet peeves. We decided to try some items that appeared to be newer on the menu and went for the Crab Curry Linguini which was uni unctuous at it's very best. The Crying Tiger Steak was not such a hit, it was flavored well but the meat was pretty chewy and it really is pretty much just a steak with nothing else. I hope this was a one off because I have been loving this place up to now.

    Brussel sprouts bowl
    Danessa L.

    Came to Jo's because of Restaurant Week as their special offer and menu made me wanna come in. Portions are generous, and my server Frank managed the whole dining room itself. There's a cute bar inside where you can buy a shirt too. I'd go back to try more on the menu.

    Brussel sprouts
    Angela W.

    Looks like I have a new favorite Thai spot! EVERYTHING was excellent! The fried branzino was Thai dipping sauce was absolutely fantastic. The Brussel sprouts had the perfect spicy kick to them, the brisket drunken noodles were delicious and the crab curry linguini was incredible. Everything was flavored to perfection and we finished off with the blue ride pudding with mango sorbet. Our server, Frank, was SO sweet! He did not disappoint with the recommendations and was super attentive! The place is small, perfect for a date night! The drink menu was extensive as well! I ordered the Laurel punch which was made with tea infused tequila... AMAZING. I had two. I will definitely be coming back! Love having such great spots in Oakland!!!

    Drunken noodle with beef brisket. Can't even think of this as Thai food despite a few Thai basils
    Lena H.

    My friend and I came here for my birthday dinner as the reviews are great and I am looking for a great Thai restaurant. We made a reservation for 2 and promptly seated. The service was pretty good/attentive. It was also very nice that they gave the mango dessert for free for the birthday girl. Nice gesture. The interior is nice. We ordered the crispy catfish salad, the drunken noodle, and the chicken green curry. The 3 stars is for the foods only. It is not the authentic Thai from this restaurant in my opinion. 1) The crispy catfish salad is overly sour with way too much citrus and overpowering. The catfish is so finely chopped and fried that it tasted nothing like fish at all, and it looked and tasted like fried panko. I wonder if the person making the salad even taste it before it is served! It is a huge disappointment. 2) The drunken noodle is sautéed ramen noodle with beef brisket (American style beef brisket that you'd normally get from the bbq restaurant). This is really nothing like Thai despite a few Thai basils was on the plate and there are some green peppercorns). 3) The chicken green curry is fine and I like the strong coconut flavor balanced with the curry. The curry could be a bit thicker. The cocktail is very light and I felt like I paid $16 for a glass of lemonade. Overall I am not impressed with the food taste at all as I have had much better Thai foods at other restaurants that taste better. It is below my expectations as I was excited to try this place based on the reviews. Service is great but I wish I could have better tasted foods here.

    Beef tarte
    Donraporn P.

    Food is ..... The kanom krok tasted a bit unusual and didn't quite come together as a cohesive fusion dish. There was a strong rancid smell, like old cooking oil on Crunchy catfish Salad. The beef tartare tasted strangely sweet, which didn't seem right. Me and boyfriend also had mild diarrhea shortly after meal. I had intentionally chosen your restaurant to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday, but unfortunately the overall experience was disappointing -- even more than I had expected. Both the quality of the food and the level of attentiveness from the staff did not meet our expectations.

    Chicken curry
    SK G.

    Five of us went there to celebrate a birthday. Our first time. They moved us to the outdoor patio which was very perfect on a nice evening. There was a birthday card at the table from the restaurant- nice touch! We ordered a number of cocktails and different dishes. The papaya salad was the only disappointment. Too much liquid and unlike the traditional version the papaya was not beaten/crushed so it didn't absorb the flavors. The other dishes were great, but nothing was like memorable! The service was good. Will try again.

    Mango sticky rice pudding - the granola gives it a nice texture!
    Molly G.

    There are plenty of Thai spots in the East Bay, but honestly, a lot of them tend to just be average in my experience, so I didn't come in expecting much. But I was really pleasantly surprised. The food was excellent! We got the papaya salad, party wings, drunken noodles, crab fried rice, massaman curry, crying tiger beef, and mango sticky rice pudding for dessert. There wasn't a single bad dish - I'd honestly recommend all of them. The massaman curry actually ended up being my favorite, which surprised me since it's vegan. Portions were great for sharing too. We came as a group of six and were able to split everything and try multiple bites of each dish. I also appreciated that the chef personally brought out our dessert and asked how everything was. He seemed super friendly (so were the staff) and let us know that the menu will be changing later this year, and to come back to try their new items. Definitely a spot I'd recommend and would love to come back to try different dishes.

    Lobster Pad Thai
    Scott L.

    Modern take on traditional Thai mainstays. JMT is located in the Laurel District of Oakland with metered parking on MacArthur and residential parking in the side streets. Pricing is a little higher than traditional Thai as you sort of have a fusion of East and West in the food they serve. The restaurant is cozy, bright and comfortable, seating less than 50 people?!?. Service is professional, attentive, and not obtrusive. Dishes serve two easily, thus a starter, a main or two, a side, and a dessert would suffice. Vegan and Gluten Free items are available and noted. For starters we had: - Jo's Famous Party Wings & Drumettes, which were seven pieces of crispy chicken with two dips and a sprinkling of fried garlic. A good start. - Green Papaya and Fruit Salad, that was good enough for four people. Pepper flakes on the side for additional spiciness. Moving to Mains, we had: - Lobster Pad Thai, composed of a single lobster tail and pad Thai noodles. A little pricey but you don't see this combo in other Thai restaurants. Remember Fusion! - Beef Brisket Drunken Noodles, which had slices of smoky brisket, Q'd from an Alameda third party that we had not heard of. Love this dish more than the Lobster Pad Thai as the smokiness of the brisket went perfect with the sweet and savory noodles. - Side of Eggplant which was good but small and a bowl of Butterfly Pea Sticky Rice which is purple and sticky. Overall - tasty food with a slightly different approach, very good service, and nice ambiance. It's a little pricier than traditional Thai and parking can be a challenge.

    They have a very limited menu, and even from that, some dishes are often unavailable. I'd recommend calling ahead if you're going for something specific. Vegetarian options are quite limited as well. The place itself is small and very basic--nothing wrong with it, just a regular spot. If you're simply looking to grab dinner, this works. But if you're expecting a vibe, lively atmosphere, or a place to celebrate something special, I'd probably look elsewhere. That said, we genuinely liked most of the food, and this rating reflects my personal take as a foodie. Food ratings: * Drunken Noodles: 6/10 * Wings: 8/10 * Papaya Salad: 10/10 * Massaman Curry: 6/10 * Chicken Curry: 8/10 * Mango Pudding: 7/10 Service: 8/10 Overall, a decent food-focused stop--just manage expectations around menu availability and ambiance.

    Drunken noodle
    Ryan F.

    The food was delicious. So much flavor! Our servers were detailed and answered all our questions, and also made thoughtful recommendations. The chef himself even came out to serve us the dessert. The decor was indeed modern, and the bathroom was also very stylish and clean. We'll be back when they update the menu in the fall.

    Dressed Miyagi oysters

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    1 month ago

    Excellent!! Food, service and cocktails all excellent. Will make it my regular spot, it's literally so close to my home. Yum

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    Anytime I have ever tried to call in an order, or an adjustment to an order, I am put on hold and then disconnected. Really disappointing.

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    Page 1 of 14

    Ask the Community - Jo's Modern Thai

    Can a negative Covid test be used in place of vaccination to dine in?

    if it’s a test within the last 3 days then yes.

    Can you get takeout?

    visit our webpage Josmodernthai.com… Read more

    Are dogs allowed on the patio?

    No, only service dogs.

    What type of cooking & frying oil is used? Canola, soybean, rice etc?

    Good question, We using rice bran oil.

    Do they have heat lamps on the patio?

    Yes they do!!! And if one is not enough, just ask for more!

    Do they offer vegetarian versions of any dishes? Looks like only one vegetarian option on the menu.

    View All 10 Questions

    Town Tavern - Black Manhatten

    Town Tavern

    4.3(197 reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$

    I stopped by here for happy hour and had a really pleasant experience! They offer $10 classic…read morecocktails and discounts on appetizers like chips and salsa and guac, French fries, nachos, and other bites. I ordered a classic martini with a twist, it wasn't my favorite drink ever but it was made well, just not my usual. After that I ordered a classic margarita which was super good and came with a black salt rim and dehydrated lime. The margarita was super tasty and both drinks were made right away! For food, I ordered the chips and salsa and guac. The guac was very good, it tasted fresh and was a good size portion. The salsa was really good, it was chipotle tasting but had a lime tanginess to it that was unique and refreshing. They were generous with the portion of chips and the chips were thick and crispy and seasoned well with just a little bit of salt. I also ordered the impossible taquitos which came with guac, sour cream, and salsa on top. The presentation was beautiful and the food came out fast but the taste was a bit weird, it wasn't bad but it just tasted like burger meat in a taquito. I really appreciate that they offered a meat alternative but wish it tasted better, like maybe use potatoes instead of fake meat, or use fake chorizo over a burger seasoning. It would also be nice if there was a vegan version not just a vegetarian version. Despite my critiques of the food, I have no critiques for the service and atmosphere! My server was phenomenal and attentive and checked in often! I had a great experience and look forward to coming back but would definitely be more eager to come back if they updated with more vegan options!

    Favorite place to grab a drink on the island!…read more I love grabbing a spot by the windows to people watch while sipping on a well made cocktail. If you want to grab a bite, my go-to is the sliders with tater tots.

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    Town Tavern - Toki, hazy IPA, Basil gimlet.

    Toki, hazy IPA, Basil gimlet.

    Town Tavern - Nachos

    Nachos

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    The Barbary

    The Barbary

    4.3(44 reviews)
    3.0 miGrand Lake, Lower Hills
    $$

    Barbary Bar - Chill Vibes & Great Energy…read more This bar has such a great atmosphere! Whether you choose to sit inside or enjoy the beautifully set-up outdoor area, the vibe is always relaxed and inviting. Everyone here is super friendly and welcoming, making it a great spot to grab a drink, unwind, and enjoy some good conversation. Pro tip: Have dinner at one of the local restaurants nearby, then stroll back to Barbary for a nightcap (or two). It's the perfect way to wrap up a great evening.

    The Barbary is a beautiful bar. Everything from the lighting, signage, themes and drinks embody…read moreoriginality and uniqueness. Bartender Nick couldn't have been a better host. He gave great recommendations on the different drinks, and also was a fun person to chat with. If you have a sweet tooth like me, you'll love the Coconut Mojito which was creamy, rich, and a perfect 5/5 cocktail. You can also find pleasure in with the Black Tot Grog which was the perfect blend of pineapple, rum and charcoal, and also carried a black esthetic with a pirate flag for an added touch. With this being located near the Grand Lake area, this is a great spot to hang out at right after a film at the nearby theatre or if you just finished up a meal at one of the neighboring restaurants. My experience here couldn't have been better and I look forward to coming back sometime soon. 5/5.

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    The Barbary
    The Barbary - Ships wheel

    Ships wheel

    The Barbary - Back end looking to the front

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    Back end looking to the front

    Jo's Modern Thai - thai - Updated May 2026

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