This is forreal a hidden gem. Literally in the most random residential area with not much around it. And it's located inside a cute little building that they made feel so homey inside. It was super easy to make a reservation and my friend and I got seated right away. Their menu has so many tasty things on it, the only thing I regretted was not coming with more people so we could try more things. My friend and I shared the mushroom pastries, the whole fried fish, and the shrimp fat fried rice. Everything was SO delicious. The fish was fried to perfection! Additionally, their mocktails sounded better than their cocktails and it was nice to take a (small) break from alcohol. I will definitely be back!! read more

Payakk - Shrimp fat fried rice - Thai Near Me - Oakland, California

By far one of the best meals I've had recently. Such inventive food, prepared perfectly, with an incredible sweet and attentive staff. We went on a Friday while they had DJs spinning, and the space is just so cute and fun. We got the shrimp toast, eggplant, and calamari, plus the corn dessert. Everything was delicious, but I had serious envy watching everyone else's plates come out. NEED to come back and try one of the giant prawn dishes. read more

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Came to try out Payakk for my birthday dinner with my partner. The dining room was beautifully designed, and the music was lovely. The servers were amazing and seemed to enjoy their work environment, which, as a person who used to work in restaurants, is always a plus for me. My main issue with the experience was that, for the price point, the food was missing the mark. We ordered the fried mushroom balls, and the pastry was dense and undercooked towards the center. The ribeye dish we ordered came out overcooked and inconsistent. My partner ordered a mushroom noodle dish, and the tofu was barely warm when they dropped it at the table. This isn't to say that the food wasn't tasty or completely unenjoyable -the food was very flavorful and unique. However, most of what we received felt like it had potential to be much better than it was, and for a meal well over $200, I would appreciate more attention to detail/finesse. Overall, we enjoyed the experience of dining here but probably won't be back anytime soon. read more

Oh wow! This is definitely one of the coolest restaurants I've encountered in a bit. My evening at Payakk was nothing short of magical. Don't be like me. I Arrived 15 minutes late for the reservation and these folks are strict! Immediately got removed from the list but luckily the table was still available. Whew! But i respect it. This place had people waiting outside for tables. Glad I made it in nick of time! The drinks were great! I had the Love is the drug. So delicious and refreshing! Food was fantastic! My personal favorites were the rockfish in a tamarind sauce and pork fried rice. Both were mega delicious! The green beans and mushroom were excellent too. I loved the mushrooms. So simple but so yum. A great side for the meal. Great little night over at Payakk! I understand why it's so popular. The food is great, the music is so good, and the vibes are awesome! I'll definitely visit again. read more

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Had a delightful meal at Payakk for my anniversary! I would recommend this place for a nice dinner date. The restaurant is unsuspecting in the Montclair Hills, but once you step in, you're transported to Thailand. I loved the ambiance; low lighting, jazzy music, lots of fun stuff on the walls. We ordered a bottle of their Chenin Blanc and shared the mushroom puffs (8/10) to start. They were flavorful, but definitely needed the cucumber salad with it as it was slightly dry. Followed that appetizer up with the recommended Pad Thai (10/10) which was delicious and packed with seafood. The Chilean seabass curry (10/10) was just as tasty, and the fish was cooked perfectly. We ended with the Kar Lo Jee, which was a rice cake mochi with mangoes and sesame mango ice cream. Hit the spot! I saw a lot of reviews complaining about the service here and was a little worried, but the wait staff was lovely and appreciative of our patience -- it's not bad service, it's a problem with being understaffed. Enjoyed my meal here and would love to return for a different menu! read more

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When you step inside Payakk, the decor makes you feel as if you've been transported to Thailand. We had a reservation on Thursday 8/13/2026 and we were seated right away. The drink menu had a nice selection of wine, cocktails, beers, mocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks. I had the Thai ice tea lemonade, which was a unique combo of tea and citrus flavors. My mom got a mocktail that I don't remember the name but it was lime flavored. We shared the shrimp toast, pad Thai, and mushrooms & green beans. The bread was nicely toasted and the shrimp was flavorful. Unlike most versions of pad Thai, Payakk's version comes with crab and tiger prawns. One of the best I've had. The veggies were cooked well, especially the mushrooms. Though the food was five stars, the service was a little erratic. We were served the green beans and mushrooms first, which we asked to be served after our drinks with the pad Thai. When our server brought out those dishes after the drinks, he said the bartender was backed up. Although the servers were friendly, they seemed disorganized (and possibly understaffed). Despite the hiccups, I would come back for sure. read more

Payakk - Pad Thai with shrimp & crab, green beans & mushrooms, and shrimp toast - Thai Near Me - Oakland, California

My friend and I came here for dinner and were seated promptly. The inside of the restaurant is very lively and we both enjoyed the ambiance. We ordered drinks while we perused the menu and ended up ordering the same drink, which was ok for me, but my friend absolutely hated hers! To the restaurant's credit, they kindly offered to take it off the bill. Things we got: *Shrimp toast - this was delicious *Duck lamb choux - this was so flavorful! I loved it, but it was one choux *Seafood pad Thai - this was delicious and had a good chunk of seafood *Shrimp fried rice - this was my favorite and again, delicious. I will say that it did feel a bit on the pricey side for two, albeit large, mains, two small starters and two drinks. But the food itself was really good. One last thing, there were a few small things with regards to the service. Overall, they were very nice and attentive, but there were a couple of small moments that were a bit off. For instance, the waiter told us that it was last call for food/dessert, brought us a dessert menu and then disappeared until it was time to tell us that they were closing up. We didn't want dessert, so it was fine, but just small things that could use a bit of rounding out. That said, for the most part, they were rather nice and attentive. read more

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Absolutely one of the best dining experiences I've had all year. The inside is inspired by Bangkok listening lounges providing such an incredible ambiance. Combined with the creative and delicious food, Payakk feels so beautifully intentional and from the heart. Only problem we faced was how to narrow down our choices from this menu to a reasonable amount for 2! Their portion sizes are small to normal, working great for family style sharing. In the end 1 app, 2 mains and 2 dessert was the perfect amount for us. Standouts for me were our two mains, the crab curry vermicelli and fried pork fried rice. Genius to pair a creamy coconut curry with noodles. And they really nailed the balance of hearty, from the fried pork, and fresh, from the fish sauce, cucumber and lettuce accompaniment. I anticipate many more visits in my future and feel so blessed to have such an authentic and unique spot join the already amazing Oakland food scene. read more

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Wow! No idea how this place is so highly rated. We were so excited to try this spot and it unfortunately completely missed the mark. The food was absolutely flavorless. We tried to come out for a weekend treat and wish we had eaten at home. We walked in and sat at the bar, which we do not mind at all but supposedly it was because of existing reservations but many seats were empty the entire time. I don't fault them for that as they don't know how long we are going to stay etc. It doesn't affect their star rating but really don't recommend just for (lack of) taste alone. I recommend going somewhere else if you want actually good Thai food! read more

Payakk - Fried tofu - Thai Near Me - Oakland, California

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Wow Payakk! So glad I've been introduced to this gem of a restaurant. A friend and I got dinner here after being heavily influence on IG. The service was excellent and attentive. The menu is well-crafted, felt very intentional - in a way not to overwhelm the mind or ordering process. The dining space is beautiful, alive and green, the tables and lighting were intimate without being too dark. The food was delicious; I particularly loved the chicken wings marinated in fish sauce, (like I haven't had a better version ever). The Sea Bass with dipping sauce was buttery, light, breathtakingly delicious and brimming with flavor. I am not a fan of noodles (especially the rice variations), so the pink noodles left much to be desired IMO. I enjoyed the seafood it was cooked with and Noodle people may love it. I will absolutely revisit! read more

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Payakk is such a gorgeous and fun new restaurant. The chefs goal is elevate Thai classics. I went with my friend and we loved the aesthetic. So many cool objects, art, murals and plants. It was stunning. The service was good, they were attentive and recommended dishes. We ordered: Fish Sauce Fried Chicken Wings (Crispy, golden-brown wings marinated in premium fish sauce). They were crispy, juicy and had an amazing sauce on them. The meat fell off the bone. Grilled Sea Bass with Fermented Fish Dip (GF) (Succulent grilled sea bass served with a bold and spicy fermented fish dipping sauce). This fish was so buttery, perfectly cooked and the sauce was incredible. Spicy and so savory. I would go back for this fish alone. The fish was cooked in banana leaves which I think helped keep it very moist. Stir-Fried Pink Noodles (GF) (Rice noodles stir-fried in rich Yentafo sauce, infused with aromatic red yeast rice (Angkak) served with squid, shrimp and fresh vegetables. This was our least favorite dish simply because compared to the other dishes it lacked flavor. It was fresh and beautiful just not as appealing as the other dishes to us. Green Bean & Mushroom Stir-fry (Crunchy green beans sautéed with earthy mushrooms in a light savory garlic sauce). These veggies were soooooo good. Perfectly cooked and the sauce was very umami. I could have drank the sauce. We really loved this place. The vibes, the food, and the whole experience. We will definitely be back. read more

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Not your average Thai spot! This place is so cool and the food is amazing! I love Thai food but this place has their own twist on dishes which made it feel a bit more elevated in flavor. The ambiance is very chic, it feels like your aunties house. The flavors of the food are also very aromatic, spices, and herbaceous. If you love Thai food and want to try something a little more upscale, try this spot out! read more

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First time here. This hidden gem is a vibe, especially for a date night or hanging out with friends. We did not have a reservation, but the staff was very accommodating and found seats for all four of us at the bar. The place stays busy, and the bar area is constantly moving with drinks and food coming out. The restaurant is clean, stylish, and has a great atmosphere. The prices reflect the neighborhood it's located in, but the portions are generous. We ended up boxing up leftovers to take home. I highly recommend the Pad Thai. It comes topped with crab, shrimp, and grilled prawns, and it was absolutely delicious. I'd definitely come back. Next time I'd like to try some of the cocktails. The drinks I saw on other tables looked pretty impressive. Tips: Make a reservation if you're planning a date night. I would not recommend sitting at the bar for a date since it can get pretty busy and noisy. Cleanliness: 10/10 Service: 10/10 Flavors: 8/10 Portion: 10/10 Coming back? Yes read more

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Wow, what a find! Once again, Yelp came to our rescue when we needed to find somewhere to eat immediately and didn't know of any decent places in the neighborhood. Once we had decided on Thai food, we went to Payakk. We ordered two main dishes and one appetizer. Looking at the trendy décor and other guests, I was expecting small portions and unusual flavor combinations. Boy, was I wrong! Even the two of us (two adults with a medium appetite and one ravenous six year old) had to take home leftovers. The pork jawls with fried rice stood out to me. My daughter devoured almost all of the meat and most of the rice. That's as good as it gets! The place itself is really interesting and cool. I definitely want to come back for a date night to enjoy the food, music and cocktails. read more

Payakk - Thai Near Me - Oakland, California

This place was so cute! Loved how they decorated the place. The waiter was really helpful with helping us choose our dishes. Almost everything tasted great but the steak was a little over cooked. Not sure about the choice and taste of the thin noodles here. My cocktail tasted sweet and refreshing. read more

Payakk - Thai Near Me - Oakland, California

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Ambiance and staff were both great here and it was pretty easy to get a reservation off Open Table. It was also pretty easy to find some street parking nearby. However, that itself is not enough to make a restaurant great. While the concepts for all the dishes are great - everything was lacking in flavor for us while we visited which was disappointing, especially given the price. It could've just been an off-day for the kitchen but nothing really hit the mark for us and in the end my friends and I wished we had gone somewhere else. read more

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This has been on my list of places to try for a while now and finally gave it a try. Unfortunately it did not live up to the expectations. We ordered 3 different vegetarian dishes and every one was very bland. We asked for some chili paste which did help a bit, but as it was a dry seasoning it didn't mix well with the food, so you either got flaming hot spice or nothing at all. The service was great and we tried some drinks as well, these do not factor into negative review. The location is also very nicely decorated and welcoming. Just wish there was more to the dishes. read more

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Came to celebrate vday!!! We originally had a 7pm reservation but swapped to 5 since we were not doing the prix fixe menu. When we arrived, there was already a few tables sat and by 6pm, the tiny restaurant was filled. Payakk is such a cute, neighborhood spot that is tucked in the Oakland hills. The ambiance is eccentric with it's pop of color walls and decor -- I loved it! Since it was our first time here, we opted for the pad thai, rib eye, mushroom puffs, and coconut rice with fish. Rib eye: delicious, cooked perfectly, and paired wonderfully with the sauce on the side Pad thai: not your normal pad thai, comes with head-on shrimp and crab meat. Yummy, but wished it was a tad bit more flavorful Mushroom puff: the star of the show! The filling is flavored perfectly with a flaky crust. The sauce on the side also complimented it so well with it's touch of sourness Coconut rich with fish: tasted great when you had it with the fish. Nothing special. Service was good, very friendly! Perfect spot for a date night or girl's night read more

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First time visiting this restaurant and it did not disappoint. It's a cute little building on the outside. We walked in and was greeted by the host. He asked if we had a reservations and we did not, however was still accommodating and sat us at the bar. Sitting at the bar was probably one of my favorite spots to sit. We were able to see our drinks be made, and was immersed in the vinyl and Great music. The food did not disappoint. We got the fish which I definitely recommend with the side of sticky rice and a steak with the prawn fried rice! The food was amazing and we are super excited to visit again! read more

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Solid Thai food. I wanted a bit more spice personally but it's delicious. The plates are modernized but still with Thai flavor. read more

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Made a reservation for Monday evening. It wasn't crowded. What a gem! Food was absolutely delicious. Got the sea bass curry, rib eye noodles, and wai wai pad mushroom. They even had a bookshelf of children's books that my toddler enjoyed during dinner. Will definitely be back! read more

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Exceptional food, great service, uniquely charming ambiance. I'd go as far as having a special date here, great with friends, family, but definitely charming all around. Food is great to share, dessert is fantastic. Overall an insanely slept on restaurant. It's a hidden gem in Oakland tucked away in the hills. The chef is incredible. Best Thai food I've had in the US. read more

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3.5/5. Really cute restaurant with great vibes and a really creative menu. Would recommend to visit once but probably wouldn't be back. We had the duck larb (a cold pastry but with really vibrant and bright flavors 4.5/5 for flavor but serving size was a little small), the crab appetizer over a ginger paste (okay but not phenomenal 3.5/5), the fried hodu tofu custard (nice crispy texture but the sauce could use some spice, fell a little flat 3/5), and the pad Thai (this was okay but needed more limes or savory elements to balance the sweetness 3.5/5). This was a nice experience but probably wouldn't visit a second time. 3 appetizers, 1 main, 1 cocktail, and 1 beer came out to about $150. read more

The ambience and decor of the space was so hip, I felt severely underdressed. It's a cozy spot with ~10 two-tops, a couple of four-tops and one large table in the back that sits 8. It was empty when we showed up for our 5pm reservation. Food came out super fast. By the time we left at 5:45, only one other table was dining. As all reservations for the rest of the night was gone, I assume it's going to be hopping by 6pm. The beef stew curry was tasty. The meat was tender and flavourful. But be warned, it has a bit of a kick. So if your kiddo is not ready for spicy yet, order something else. The pad Thai was not your typical noodle dish. This was super fancy!! Topped with a soft shell crab, there were crab meat and shrimp. They plated it with a drizzle of coconut milk on the plate's edge. Was super tasty and flavourful. read more

Payakk - Beef curry with a side of jasmine rice (yes, they charge you for rice) - Thai Near Me - Oakland, California

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(2 Stars) The food was tasty and creative overall. The ribeye, however, was disappointing for the price. Several pieces had a significant amount of gristle, making them difficult to enjoy. The pieces without gristle were genuinely delicious, but the inconsistency didn't justify the cost. The ambiance is one of the restaurant's strengths--welcoming, hip, and cozy, making it a great setting for a dinner date. Our waitstaff was very kind and clearly trying their best, but the service felt inexperienced, almost as if it was their first hospitality job. The biggest issue was how rushed the entire meal felt. We ordered a starter and two entrées to share, yet everything arrived at the same time. By the time we finished what was supposed to be our starter, both entrées had gone cold. Pacing is a huge part of the dining experience, especially at this price point. When I asked our server what spirits were used in their cocktails, his response was, "We only have one of each spirit." That's completely fine--there's nothing wrong with having a curated back bar. However, if you're only carrying one vodka, one gin, one tequila, etc., your service staff should know what those bottles are without having to walk to the bar and bring each one back to the table. I appreciated that he was trying to help, but for the prices you're paying here, I'd expect a more polished level of service. Lastly, if you're going to enforce a 48-hour cancellation policy with a fee for guests who cancel late, I think it's fair to expect a dining experience and level of service that reflects those standards. I'd be willing to give this place one more try because there were definitely things we enjoyed. Hopefully, next time the pacing and overall service are a much better reflection of the restaurant's potential. read more

Food here was delicious, although priced for the neighborhood for sure. Really enjoyed the pork jowl fried rice, Pad Thai, and Nam Tok in particular. Great vibe inside with some really cool art on the walls, and love the circular windows on the side of the building as well. Would have been 5 stars but we were very abruptly told we essentially had 5 minutes to wrap up our meal, pay, and leave the table less than 1.5 hours after our reservation time, for another party's upcoming reservation. For a table of 6 with 2 small kids that we were managing throughout the meal, this was quite unexpected and we didn't even get a chance to try dessert, which we'd been excited for. The reservation confirmation specifically mentions that the table is reserved for 2.5 hours for parties of 6, and we weren't told of the upcoming reservation when we arrived, so this was a really unpleasant end to what was otherwise a great meal. read more

Payakk - Squid and creamy salted egg - yummy little bites - Thai Near Me - Oakland, California

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Food, service and ambiance were all great! We shared the ribeye and vermicelli, delicious and cooked perfectly. The green beans and shiitake amazing and the fried cod! Everything had such great flavors and everything was fresh. And the mango mochi for dessert which we shared but I could've eaten one by myself! Highly recommend! Will be spreading the word as I want them to do great! We got there at 5:30 and it quickly filled up which I was happy to see. read more

A charming neighborhood restaurant with a cozy, home-style ambiance and a full bar that perfectly complements the experience. The food was absolutely outstanding--its creativity and bold flavors truly set it apart from other Thai restaurants. Each dish was beautifully presented, with a level of detail that felt worthy of Michelin recognition. Every plate had a unique and distinctive flavor that left us genuinely impressed. Chef Tobb did an incredible job, and you can clearly taste the passion and care put into every dish. The presentation alone was stunning, but the flavors elevated the experience even further. To top it all off, the service was excellent. Our servers were warm, attentive, friendly and consistently checked in to make sure everything was perfect. I'll definitely be coming back with friends and family to explore more of the menu--especially since they offer new specials every month. Highly recommended for delicious food and a wonderful experience!!! read more

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the food here is excellent. The best Thai. Old fashioned recipes, excellent ingredients all cooked with love you can taste. Chef Tobb is a kitchen goddess read more

Awesome Thai place with a twist both from flavor palette & unique esthetics inside the restaurant. We enjoyed our dinner & Chef visited each table to thank guests. Nice touch! Servers were friendly. Must try in Oakland! read more

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We've been to this chic, modern Thai restaurant more than once, and it's usually a wonderful experience. The decor is gorgeous--lots of plants and a fresh, stylish vibe. Our first visit was great; the food was delicious and well-prepared. We came back for Valentine's Day, but unfortunately, that night was a bit off. Some dishes, especially the meat, were too chewy, and I actually had some GI discomfort after the meal, which is unusual for me with Thai food. I suspect it might have been the Valentine's Day rush or the preset menu stretching the kitchen. Still, I know they can do better, given our prior visit. I'd return on a regular night to enjoy that lovely atmosphere again read more

Payakk - Thai Near Me - Oakland, California

Tried Payakk for the first time and really enjoyed it! The decor is cozy and very inviting. The location is a bit random, but there's plenty of street parking. We were promptly seated, and the staff was very friendly throughout our meal. The food was AMAZING --the pad thai was to die for, and the mushroom puffs were super flaky and delicious. I'd come back for those two dishes alone. We also had the grilled green beans, which were yummy as well. My only disappointment was that they don't offer cocktails! If they did (especially something fun and cute to match the vibe!), I'd definitely stop in more often for an after-work meal/drink. They do have a small wine selection, which is nice, but if they had cocktails this restaurant would be a '5' for me. Overall, a cozy spot with great food and service--I'll definitely be back! read more

My husband, friends and I LOVED it here. Great ambiance, and they had a very tasty menu. It was all so delicious and the branzino was bonkers. We ate it so fast because it was amazing! We also really loved the service, our waiter was really kind and even brought out a baby safe plate for our friend's baby. We hope to become regulars! read more

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We started out for Japanese this past Sunday evening. We pass by here every day and changed our mind and decided to try Payakk. Noise level is nearly over the top, and that alone does not make for a comfortable dining experience. I thought the menu was very limited. I don't know if I missed some choices, but some of what I see in their photos and reviews weren't there. We had fried chicken and sirloin steak and mushroom balls to start out. Both main courses were tasty but nothing special. I had to cut the rice with my knife. Mushroom balls rather dry. I did not know that the courses were basically a la carte. Nothing along with it. We were anxious to leave and went to pay the bill and was told that cash was not accepted. That is all I had. I convinced them of that and reluctantly they took my $100. Not an overall good experience. I should have stuck with Japanese. read more

I had the most wonderful experience dining at Payakk. Walking inside is magical, the ambiance is truly next level. The decor and feel inside reminds me of a l of some places I've eaten at in Thailand. Everything we got was absolutely delicious, the pad Thai and duck choux stood out. Service was great, staff are very kind. My brother and I sat in silence after finishing our meal because neither of us could find the words for how good it all was. It's hard to find restaurants where you can feel this type of passion and heart poured into everything. I cannot wait to come back and try everything on the menu. Thank you Payakk, and thank you chef Tobb. read more

What a wonderful hidden gem in the Oakland Hills! The ambiance, the service, the food...outstanding!!! Highly recommend!!!

I was excited to see a new restaurant opening up in the sleepier side of Montclair. I went there for a Thursday night dinner. I was impressed with the decor. It has hipster retro vibes - indoor plants, retro posters, turntable and LPs. The menu was interesting for a Thai restaurant. Items not usually seen at other Thai places. The prices were typical for higher end Thai cuisine. $$ is about right. It's not as expensive as Daughter Thai in the Village. We ordered 2 apps and a main. From the menu description I was expecting decent portions. My gripe was the size of the apps. The food was good but I wish there was more. The main Picanha dish was decent sized at $45 but I wish the accompanying rice was not super spicy. A menu warning would be good. Overall I would try the restaurant again when they get their liquor license and try other dishes. read more

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The flavors were a bit flat. The cocktails were too sweet, we expected more sophistication on both fronts from the Chronicle piece. But the atmosphere was lively and the music was great. read more

It's rare to find a restaurant that stays consistently exceptional visit after visit. We've visited Payakk four times, once each month they've been open, and it has always been spot-on. Having traveled to Thailand multiple times and dined at many restaurants there, Payakk has become my gold standard for Thai cuisine. This is not your standard-fare Thai restaurant. The menu changes monthly with creative and unique offerings. What truly sets them apart is Chef Tobb, who puts her heart and soul into every dish. Her level of sophistication, balance, and execution is incredible. Every plate feels intentional, refined, and beautifully presented, and the complexity of her sauces is remarkable. Additionally, Ting provides warm, attentive hospitality that makes you feel genuinely welcome every time. The attention to detail and the elevated approach to traditional flavors make them truly exceptional. Even if you think you've had great Thai food before, Payakk will raise the bar. read more

Delicious authentic northern Thai food (the menu changes occasionally, but they keep some customer favorites). Very friendly service in a lovely restaurant. Lots of plants and a mellow 50's-60's soundtrack, though the servers did change that around a bit. We got shrimp and crab dumplings to start, which were ok, but not faves. THEN, we had whole branzino, which was phenomenally good. We've had it both times we've been to Payakk, and both times it was fresh and fabulous. Also got Wai wai Pad see ew Ribeye, which was great. So much ribeye! The noodles were thin, and seasoned perfectly, and the grilled sliced ribeye was perfect. Would definitely do both of those dishes again. Drinks - we just got a Thai iced tea and a lemonade Thai iced tea. Also very good. Happy to have this restaurant nearby and will keep going for dinner. read more

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