I actually produced happy tears after taking my first few bites. I rate this whole place a million out of ten x ten! Sweetest staff, homey vibe where I didn't really care to leave and then the just whole feeling. So so good. read more

I don't even know what to say except it was a party in my mouth. Flavors, textures, smells, everything was on point and at the pinnacle of ability. Eat here!!! read more

This place jumped the shark. It's heyday was 2022-2024, but the place is nosediving and fast. They dropped the portion sizes, raised the prices, and have stopped caring about ambiance. I'm talking sticky floors, families of flies in your food to the point where you need to move the table. It's a bummer because there is definitely an authentic feel to the place; the food doesn't feel Americanized, but these days, I don't feel quite Americanized either. Maybe it's me. read more

Visited with a group of six. We mostly shared items and almost everything was amazing. Nothing was bad. I am not a shy eater. The weirder and more interesting the better. I once went to New York for a food tour to eat Izakaya, Yemeni, Dim Sum & Filipino meals. With that, I will say the turmeric coconut curry (Gang Muu Yang) at Pestle Rock was an epiphany. One of the 5 best meals I have eaten in my life. Just incredible. read more

My experience at Pestle Rock can mainly be described as yummy yummy food in my tummy! To be honest, this review is really about one dish - the Kao Soi with chicken (curry with rice noodles). The flavor of the creamy curry with coconut and fried noodles on top gave it a really nice, homey touch. I couldn't stop slurping the curry and it was hard to stop myself from licking the plate afterwards. We also tried the Me Ka Ti noodles, which was still good, but if I were to note anything about it, I think the vermicelli style noodles were a bit too thin/ delicate for the bolder flavors of dish. Besides the tasty Thai food, the staff was friendly and the atmosphere and the twinkling, colorful lights on the ceiling made for a nice experience. I'd definitely come back (4 out of 5 stars all around)! read more

Pestle Rock - Kao Soi - Thai Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Amazing drinks and food. The drinks were yummy and strong, I loved the mojito. The food was so flavorful. The pork curry was sweet and thick and creamy. The Kao soi was savory and rich. I loved the crispy noodles on top and pickled vegetables on the side, everything just paired together very well. The steak appetizer was also a win- very tender and the house sauce was tangy. I wished things could be spicier but our server told us they don't adjust. They do give you some additional dried peppers, chili oil, and pickled peppers on the side if you ask though. The pickled peppers were super spicy so be careful if you do add them on! read more

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Really good Thai restaurant located in Ballard!! Their food and drinks are really good and something new to try if you don't wanna stick to your pad Thai orders read more

Pestle Rock - Thai Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Went there for a Wednesday night and was able to get served quickly. The server was really nice and didn't rush us from ordering food. The restaurant is cute and decorative. The restaurant is dimly lit. They also hang these Christmas lights over the ceiling. We ordered Larb for appetizers, Guam tiow tom yum and special pork sparerib curry for entrees. Food came out really fast. I would say within 10mins. Larb with chicken is a bit spicy (2 chilies) for me but it's still very flavorful and refreshing. Guay tiow tom yum (2chilies-not too bad) is a rice noodle soup. The broth is a perfect balance of the tangy lime and a subtle kick of chili heat. I really enjoyed it. There's a weird taste of the rice noodles (when eating by itself)...the special pork spareribs curry were tender and juicy. The bone fell off quite easily. But, I wish they gave more curry sauce. The rice is a bit dry. read more

Pestle Rock - The Larb - Thai Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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My favorite Thai place for northern Thai cuisine. I've been coming here for 10 years and the quality has always been amazing, food consistently good, service is friendly. read more

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Never had Isarn Thai food before and was happy to try this spot! Food: -Kao Soi ($16) - yellow chicken curry noodle. Creamy and flavorful. -Ba Mee Hang Muuton ($16) - five spice pork belly on egg noodles. Noodles had a nice sweetness to them and the pork belly pieces (3) were very lean. Was surprised how light on protein these dishes were, the noodles are soft and yummy though. Drinks: -Strawberry and Lychee Mojito ($13) -Mai Tai ($13) Drinks were beautiful but SUPER SWEET, be sure to give them a mix since all the alcohol is at the top. My friend thought it was extremely spicy while I thought it was barely spicy so it's spice level dependent. Staff is attentive and friendly, loved the casual but trendy interior with string lights. read more

Pestle Rock - Ba Mee Hang Muutoon ($16) - Thai Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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My friends and I were visiting and were craving Asian food and we found this place. My favorite dish of the three that I tried was the pad ka na. Parking was difficult to find when we went. Our server promptly came over to take our orders. read more

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I absolutely love pestle rock! They specialize in Isan thai cuisine which is a region in Northern Thailand so you won't find your typical Thai food here which is unique to me since I'm typically used to your normal pad Thai, kee mow, kra pao, Tom yum etc dishes I try something new every time I come here and it's a hit every time I go. The flavors are pungent which makes it so delicious. If you like umami and fish sauce, you'll love these dishes. The restaurant also has cute vibes inside and the staff is super friendly. This post is from the two times I've been here so some of the dishes might not be on the menu anymore but I really loved these two dishes the most: 1. Bah mee hang: wide egg noodle tossed with green onions, cilantro, peanuts with stewed pork belly + choy sum 2. Goong ob woonsen: This was a special I wish they would bring back! It's a bean noodle with shrimp,pork belly and other aromatics!! read more

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We have been meaning to try this place for months. Lots of good recommendations and hype saying its one of the best Thai place in town. I was extremely disappointed. Usually when I think of Thai food, I want multidimensional taste, a well defined flavor profile, and sharp unique tastes. I did not get that here. The papaya salad was pretty standard and the rest of the dishes I tried was very one dimensional. The stock tasted slightly watered down and did not contain the richness or umami I come to expect from Thai food. The issue I think is that there is a lot of sharp flavors and that might trick people into thinking it is a good flavor profile. Also, the fried chicken was... very lacking. It tasted over fried and very dry. The sauce was sticky and felt like it was reheated? But could just have been a very dry space that evaporated quickly. For me and my palate the place seemed over hyped and slightly over priced for the type of food that you are getting. read more

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Friendly, yummy and oddly easy to get a table. I had the Peek Gai Tod, Thai Chicken Wings- scrumptious, plump, and tasty (slight spice but not hot at all, just right!(I know sibjec. Says deep fried but my experience was they were more like broiled - didn't taste fried! Menu had an icon that says it's a staff favorite. Cocktail - had the Tamarind Margarita - strong serving, not shy with their pours! Solid drink - I always want to love Tamarind the flavor but it's just "ok". Not the drink's fault. Nice presentation. Ambience is homey-festive: they have wooden booths and tables with all-year multi-colored string lighting. read more

Pestle Rock - Thai Chicken Wings - Thai Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Recently just disappointed with so many restaurants in Seattle. But this place rocks. Feels authentic. Not Americanized Thai. Interesting dishes. Food taste is on point. And super attentive service. A rarity these days. We just came back for 2nd time and is a 50 min drive from our house. Can't go wrong. read more

Can't afford to go to North Thailand/Laos for dinner? We'll GO TO PESTLE ROCK! This spot is legit and has the most authentic food I've found on this continent. Dishes are on point! Flavors are on point! Spice level is on point! Favorite dish you ask!? Guay Tiow Tom Yum With a beer to cool the fiiiiire! read more

Pestle Rock - Guay Tiow Tom Yum - Thai Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Delicious Thai food that hit the spot! The ambiance was nice with the holiday lights and the service was perfect! The food came out so quickly! We were stuffed with 2 plates of food! read more

Food was amazing - really authentic Thai flavor and dishes you won't find everywhere. Also their cocktails are so fun and creative, you can't really go wrong with any. Everything we ordered was pretty spicy but in a good way and totally tolerable. Kao soi is a crowd pleaser - coconut curry is so creamy and flavorful. I really enjoyed the papaya salad - some of the best I have had. Just so fresh and refreshing. Sausage is really good too. Definitely worth a try! read more

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Thai food is pretty strong in the Seattle area - and this place further distinguishes itself from the rest. Offering Isan style (northern Thai), the food here goes beyond the typical Pad Thai, curry, etc. Definitely be prepared for the spice - food here is a lot spicier than other places, but the spices really set this place apart from many others. We went here as a party of 4 on a Sunday dinner, and it was fairly packed but we were seated at the last available table. We ordered Sai Ua, Kao Soi, Yum Larb Isan, and Ba Mee Hang Muutoon to share family style. Sai Ua - the sausage is well spiced, a great way to whet your appetite for the food to come. While good, I still prefer the Laotian style sausage of Taurus Ox a bit more. Kao Soi - one of the more popular dishes on the menu. The curry is not as spicy as the other dishes, and the noodles and the crunchy noodles make this a hearty dish. It came with chicken, which is not anything special, but it makes the dish a bit more complete. Yum Larb Isan - we got this with chicken and it was very refreshing. A bit tangy, but overloaded with the Southeast spices such as lemongrass as well as mint, basil, etc, my favorite types of spices. This is probably the most spicy dish that we got, even though 3 of the 4 dishes were level 2 spice - but the lime did take off the heat a bit. Ba Mee Hang Muutoon - the tossed noodles are very flavorful and quite addicting. There were only 3 pieces of pork belly but each piece did not have a lot of fat yet it is still very tender and flavorful. I would definitely be down to come back to try other dish highlights, as we can only order so much before being too full. Dishes can be on the smaller portion but they are all hearty. It has been a while since we paid less than $20 per person for a meal of this quality! read more

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We had such a great experience at Pestle Rock! We tried 8 dishes and 2 desserts and loved every single one. They were all so flavorful and unique - many of the dishes I had never heard of before! My favorites were the Tom Yum Talay and the Muu Sa Wann. The place itself was also very clean and had a great ambiance. The owner was so kind and clearly cares a lot about every customer and about every item on the menu. Would recommend this place to anyone!! read more

Pestle Rock - Thai Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The best Thai food I've ever had, plus a great vibe. You cannot go wrong here. The food is authentic and homemade and the service is incredible. A must stop. read more

I was very pleasantly surprised by this restaurant! It's a small spot that's a bit hidden so you might pass it or assume it doesn't have much to offer but don't be fooled. The food here was AMAZING and I can't wait to try more items. We had the nam tok which is grilled beef with a few spices and herbs. It seems so simple but it was so incredibly flavorful and tender. I could eat it all day!! We also ordered the Gai Phad Prick Gang which was a perfect stirfry and had great spice. The service here is wonderful as well, they are very attentive and welcoming. I can't wait to come back ASAP. read more

Pestle Rock - Thai Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Pestle Rock's dishes are all packed with flavor! I have been a couple times because it is in walking distance of my place and I never leave disappointed. I've had a wide variety of their dishes but my favorites would have to include the be mee hang muutoon (great if you like pork) and the kao soi. The dishes have lots of spice and generally feel like a comforting meal. I've always had a good experience with service and haven't had to wait too long for a seat. Decor at this place is very homey and I love all the handwritten signs and lights! Definitely a place to check out if you are in Ballard. read more

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It was our first time visiting Seattle, so my cousin took my boyfriend and I to try one of her favorite Thai restaurants and I can definitely see why. The food was delicious and flavorful and unlike other Thai foods I've had in the past. We came right when they opened and got seated quickly, but I did notice that the restaurant got filled up super quickly soon after. Interior was spacious and clean and decorated with colorful lights. Service was quick too! We got our food soon after ordering. My cousin chose four dishes for the table--yum larb isan, kao soi, mee ka ti, and tua phad kapee. The minced pork in the yum larb isan was spicy and sour due to the chilies and lime, respectively, and the red onion, mint, and basil really amplified its flavors. Eaten over a lettuce leaf, it was deliciously refreshing. Another vegetable dish, the tua phad kapee, was incredibly savory due to shrimp paste and rendered pork belly--perfect over hot, white rice. My only complaint is that the green beans could have been cooked a bit longer since they were still too hard. I cannot decide a favorite between the kao soi or the mee ka ti. The kao soi was so creamy and savory, which was balanced by crispy egg noodles. The mee ka ti reminded me of pad thai but with thinner noodles and is creamier because of the coconut milk. Honestly, one of my favorite meals from the Seattle trip. I highly recommend Thai-food lovers to try this spot out and savor different flavors that Thai cuisine has to offer. read more

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I had dinner at Pestle Rock last night. The service was good and food, overall, was fine. I got the fish curry, which was a special for $23. I was rather put off to receive a platter of about 4 oz of cod with rice and sauce but nothing else - no vegetables or anything else, which frankly seems like a bit of a ripoff. I know that food costs and labor costs are high but c'mon, a few vegetables wouldn't have added that much more to the restaurant's costs. read more

A hidden gem of a Thai spot in the heart of Ballard! They have super unique, regional foods that are super different from the usual run of the mill Thai spots. The inside of the restaurant is SO cute and decorated with a ton of lights. It was easy to get a table for 5 on a Saturday evening. I've also gotten takeout from here, and that's a super quick and easy process to order from their website as well. My absolutely favorite was the Khao Soi -- seriously a must-have! I loved that they had a vegetarian option since it's traditionally a chicken dish. The noodles were perfectly chewy and the curry-broth is flavorful without being overly spicy. Also wanted to call out my favorite dessert, which was the sticky rice and ice read more

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We walk by this restaurant often and we thought we'd give it a try. We went on a Friday night and luckily they still had a couple of open tables. Their indoor strung up lights made it warm and inviting. Based on fellow Yelper's recommendations we ordered the Kai Soi. We also ordered the crab fried rice and Gai Yaang (barbecue chicken). The Gai Yaang was cooked perfectly and the chicken was tender. The accommodating sauces added extra flavors to the chicken. We thought the crab fried rice was good, but the highlight of the meal was the Kai Soi. The curry had the right amount of spice and it didn't overwhelm our palette. The noodles were crispy on the top, while the rest of the noodles were soaked in the curry. After we ate all the noodles we spooned the curry over the fried rice! The curry was so good that we asked the server if we could take the remainder home in a takeaway container! This is now one of our go to places for Thai food! read more

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The food here is PACKED with flavor! If you haven't ever tried Larb, you must try their Yum Larb Isam. I got this dish with Draper Valley Chicken. There is quite a melody of flavors with the savory chicken, minty-oniony-basily-limey flavor. It's sweet, salty and sour all combined! So great. My friend got the Panang Salmon which they enjoyed. They were happy to see a curry with fish! Also, have you seen the inside of this place? Very cool. Stop by the next time you're in Ballard! read more

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TLDR: not your typical Thai food. Amazing dishes. Affordable. Great for a nice hangout spot with friends. Went with a party of 3. Not our first time here! Got the khao soi which is a chicken curry dish with crispy noodles. It is super savory with a mild spice. The noodles were nice and crispy and the chicken was juicy. Thai tea: a darn good and affordable Thai tea clearly made with freshly brewed tea. Overall pestle Rock has great is a great restaurant that anyone visiting (or any local) should be sure to visit. read more

Pestle Rock - Kao Soi and Thai Iced Tea - Thai Near Me - Seattle, Washington

SO DELICIOUS. Packed with tons of flavor and spice. A different style of Thai food from "Isan". I will never get tired of their food. I always get the chicken larb with two orders of sticky rice! Just the right amount of pepper, cilantro, and onions. I'm generally super picky about my larb and like it with lots of vegetables. This is perfect. You haven't had good Thai food until you've tried this! Also, their sticky rice desserts are scrumptious!! I always get the banana flavored one and the amount of sweetness just melts in your mouth wanting you to go back for more. Food is a bit pricey and the portions are smaller but it's worth it!! One of the best Thai restaurants I have EVER had. read more

Pestle Rock - Photos at their pretty decorated restaurant. - Thai Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Hands down best Thai food in Seattle! Ingredients are always fresh, and spices hand ground. The khao soi is consistently superb. In the summer, I love the yum khao tod with its perfect crunch and lime zest. The mee ka tee is also delicious, especially with tofu instead of chicken. read more

Holy Kao Soi! Thai food lovers NEED to make a stop here. We were hiking and made the trek over to Ballard (over 40 min by public transportation) to check this place out. In case I have to reiterate, you must order the Kao Soi! You get both soft and fried noodles with great pieces of chicken in a yummy curry sauce. We loved the sauce so much, we took our 2nd dish and drowned it in the Kao Soi curry sauce. Service was great. Our hostess even refilled our water bottle and gave us some great recommendations for hiking. One of the Thai restaurants that I have been to and I will come back again when visiting Seattle! read more

Pestle Rock - Thai Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Great food, service, and ambiance. Food - unique Northern Thai cuisine. I went there with my partner and we ordered the Neua Yaang (grilled beef), khao soi, and meing plaa. The dishes were aesthetically plated and very tasty. The Neua Yaang is an easy appetizer to share and enjoy--it's just beautifully marinated beef. I thought the khao soi was very unique. It wasn't my style of dish, but my partner loved it. The meing plaa was very good--it's definitely more of a salad than a hefty entree. The flavor profile is similar to papaya salad (fresh pungent herbs with fish sauce and lime juice). We also ended up getting the roti for dessert. Personally, I prefer savory roti (Indonesian style), but this was also wonderful--I only wished for more. Service - the hostess/waitress moved very quickly and also checked back-in to make sure we liked our food. She was very friendly and helpful. Ambience - I liked the lighting. It was definitely moonlighting, but there was still enough light for me to easily read the menu. Overall decorations were artsy industrial, while having intimate acoustics so you can easily hear your table-mates. Cocktails/drinks: they have a fun twist on traditional cocktails. I got the tamarind margarita and that was pretty tasty. Overall, it served us well as a good casual date night restaurant with unique and well-priced food and drinks. read more

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Terrific food. We ordered vegan versions of two of their dishes, and both came piping hot, fresh, and delicious. I keep thinking about the flavorful, slightly sweet, peanut coconut sauce with fresh Thai basil and crunchy veggies. There was plenty of tofu (see photo) in my dish. Efficient server (one woman was handling 8 occupied tables). Playful decor (colored string lights strung overhead). read more

Pestle Rock - Vegan version of one of the curries - Thai Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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We walked in to this restaurant a few minutes before they were supposed to open, and found a warm and welcome reception. We ordered the Muu Yang (grilled pork), a tasty appetizer and perfect palate cleanser from the mellowly spiced and nicely sweet som tum (papaya salad) and delicious and happily spicy khao gang karee (beef curry). All three complimented each other and made for a beautiful meal. Also, best alcoholic coffee I may have ever tasted in the Pestle Rock coffee, not overly sweet. Well done!! read more

If you're looking for delicious, authentic Thai food, look no further! This restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating and there was no wait when I went at around 1pm on a Sunday. Great service as well! The staff was very friendly and attentive. I got the kao soi which was filled with flavor and the crispy noodles on top were a very nice touch. my friend got the ba mee hang muutoon which was also super tasty. Will definitely be coming back here! read more

Pestle Rock - Kao Soi - Thai Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Phenomenal!! My wife and I visited early on a Tuesday evening. Both tables outside were taken and we were the only ones sitting in side. However, it started getting busier as time creeped into the evening. We ordered the Kai Soi Curry and the Mee Ka Ti stir-fry. Both dishes were excellent! I truly think this is the best Aidan Thai Cuisine I have ever had. I got a Mai Thai for a drink and it was also delicious!! For dessert we ordered the mango sticky rice and it did not disappoint! YUM! We can't wait to go again. I'm drooling just thinking about it. read more

Pestle Rock - Thai Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Oh my gracious!! I dream about their noodle soup. It's soooooooo good. But I have to say spice on the side or it will burn my face off. read more

Pestle Rock - Guay Tiow Tom Yum Noodle - Thai Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Pestle Rock is an absolute gem! The flavors are bold, authentic, and beautifully balanced--exactly what you'd hope for in Thai cuisine.

Came here with friends for late weekend lunch. The place was only 50% occupied so we got seated right away. My friend said their portion was relatively small so we each ordered one entree and one bite (appetizer) then shared everything. Most dishes were delicious. My favorites were the MEE KA TI (Stir-fried Thai rice noodle with chicken and egg) and the SOM TUM (green papaya salad). I also liked the noodle and the choy sum in the BA MEE HANG MUUTOON (pork stewed w/ wide egg noodle, choy sum). However, the chunks of stewed pork tasted weird. My least favorite was the MUU YAANG (GRILLED PORK) - bland, uncharacteristic. Service was good, price was reasonable (~$32/person for 6 dishes/3 people). read more

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