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Praaw is my favorite Thai restaurant in the East Bay! They never fail to serve consistently delicious food! I have tried pretty much everything from the menu and each item has such a unique flavor and makes you feel right at home. The service is also top tier! They are very attentive and made sure everything came out on time and if we ever needed anything, they would grab it in an instant! Lastly, the ambiance of this establishment is so different and unique than other thai restaurants I have visited in the past! The antiques and vintage art places throughout the restaurant give off this speakeasy type of vibe but also feels so homey and welcoming at the same time. Safe to say, I will visit Praaw time and time again!
Berkeley is brimming with choice of good thai restaurants. Praaw offers an elevated dining experience and successfully stands apart from the crowd. The ambiance feels elevated without being unapproachable, service is quick, and while prices are a hair high I think it's worth the price. Tao Huu My first time ever having this dish and I was delighted. Crispy deep-fried tofu with an almost cloud-like interior. The tamarind sauce was delicious and paired excellently. Green Curry Ribeye A well-cooked ribeye swimming in rich green curry is guaranteed to taste good. The accompanying brussel sprouts and eggplant were an excellent touch and really made the meal feel complete. Pad Thai Good, but not as impressive as the other dishes. It lacked the smoky flavor I expect from a good pad thai. Dok Jok Beautifully presented and lovely to eat. The contrast between the crisp flower cookie and ice cream is electric.
Praaw Thai is a newer Thai spot in Northwest Berkeley with an elegant, low-lit ambiance and vintage-inspired decor! We came for Sunday lunch and there was little to no wait. We ordered the crab fried rice ($26) and ribeye green curry ($26). The crab fried rice was pretty good! The rice was flavorful with a subtle crab flavor, and I especially liked how thin and soft the omelette was. The ribeye green curry was definitely the star of the show for us though. It wasn't too spicy, thankfully, and the curry was really flavorful and aromatic without being too rich. I also loved the contrast between the crispy brussels sprouts and soft eggplant. The ribeye itself was super juicy, although it was just a little tough. Overall, Praaw Thai is a very solid Thai spot in Berkeley and definitely one of my top three Thai spots in the area. I loved the elegant atmosphere and vintage decor, and they also have live music on some days, which adds to the experience. There's mostly street parking available nearby. I'd definitely come back for the ribeye green curry!
Fantastic Thai food restaurant with custom plates and intriguing retro posters. The food is really good here, service was good as well. We really liked the wide variety of options and unique twist on the more common options, like pad thai and papaya salad. Will come again when in the area.
Love the taste and the vibe of Praaw Thai! We skipped the usual chicken pad thai because they had much more interesting things on the menu! We started off with Homemade Gui Chai, which were crispy chives cake. The chive tast was strong and the sweet sauce that it came with was perfectly matched. We got the Kao Soi (currybwith egg noodle) and the Mama Pad Kee Mao Beef (beef stir fried noodle). The kao soi came with a huge thing of chicken, which was fantastic! I enjoyed the flavors and wish the curry came stronger. The Mama Pad Kee Mao Beef was delicious and packed some strong tastes. We finished off with their Pandan Ice Cream. Highly recommended. They have some crispy flour thing on top which tasted great when crushed into the ice cream. At the bottom were some tapioca. Great dessert to end the night. Overall, highly recommend checking this place out!
Had the chance to go to Praaw Thai on a Thursday night. This place does not disappoint! It was busy and parking is limited. The interior is fantastic. I went during peak dinner so I was seated at the bar. The food came reasonably on time and it was enjoyable! Will be back.
Yummy, pretty, hits the spot!!! The chili (which yoi have to ask for) tasted very yummy like home made and thick. I would definitely come back! Came a bit before closing and they were nice bough to wait a bit for us. Very nice place and well decorated.
Beautiful Thai spot in Berkeley serving a large variety of dish options! This spot is located in Northeast Berkeley, and there is only street parking. The inside of the restaurant is super chic, with beautiful decor and a relaxed yet posh ambiance. We got the Ribeye Green Curry and Nookie's Ka-ree Koong, which were both really good. The Ribeye Green Curry was delicious! The curry was on the thinner side but tasted really fresh and had good, subtle coconut and spicy notes. I loved the steak, eggplants, Brussels sprouts, and bamboo shoots in the curry, which elevated the dish to another level. The Ka-ree Koong's curry was egg-based and very rich, comforting, and flavorful! It was the perfect curry to top off their jasmine rice. The shrimp were really big, but flavor-wise, they were nothing extraordinary. Despite that, I think the curry portion really makes it a standout dish. Service was great, with our waiter constantly checking in with us and making sure we were having the best experience at the restaurant. Overall, it's a beautiful spot! I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a slightly more upscale Thai spot in the area.
The Vibe: Soulful, eclectic, and very intentional. It feels like a boutique dining experience rather than just another Thai spot. It's street parking so make sure to go a bit early to find a spot. The Standouts: Tom Yum Soup and Tiger Prawns. The flavors are deep and "soulful," exactly as advertised on TikTok. Next time we want to try the dessert! It looked epic but we were so full. Elite Tips: The "Thai Soul Food" tag is trending for a reason. Make a reservation, as the space is curated and fills up fast.
Ribeye green curry is a must. The curry is on the thinner side, flavor was absolutely exquisite. The steak was perfectly juicy and not dry at all. Veggies included eggplant, brussels sprouts, and bamboo shoots, which I thought was quite a refreshing take on the typical green curry. Pad see ew was standard. Portion sizes are fairly average and could be more generous. You can't leave without trying their dessert--warm sticky rice and pandan ice cream topped with a crunchy fried cookie MMM. I thought service was okay and could have been slightly more attentive, but great meal overall.
The vibe at Praaw Thai is dark and retro, and the menu features authentic specialty dishes not commonly found in most Thai restaurants. We started with Gui Chai, four homemade crispy chive and rice flour cakes, served with a spicy soy vinaigrette; and Plah Goong, a salad of grilled shrimp in a lemongrass chili dressing, accompanied by Thai herbs and crispy shallots. Their signature dish was called Nookie's Ka-Ree Koong--whole, head-on tiger prawns sautéed in a creamy egg curry sauce, along with red pepper, scallions, onion, and celery. My favorite part was the flavorful prawn heads, and the egg curry sauce paired nicely with Jasmine rice on the side. Finally, we had two noodle dishes--Mama Pad Kee Mao Beef was made of Mama instant noodles stir-fried with beef, tomato, onion, basil, red pepper, and green peppercorns in a spicy garlic sauce (though the dish wasn't particularly spicy); and Kao Soi 13, an egg noodle soup in a coconut curry broth, topped with a beautifully caramelized grilled chicken leg. Overall, the food here was beautifully presented and delicious, and everything came at a good value with generous portions!
The interior of this restaurant is beautiful and all the designs feel so intentional. I ordered the Papaya salad, khao soi, and the pad Thai with tiger prawns. Everything was delicious. After traveling to Thailand I can definitely say this place definitely stays true to the cuisine. I can't complain. High recommend this place for anyone looking for authentic thai food! Service was good also!
Interesting thai food and beautiful aesthetics Dishes (ranked by my fav) 1) Ribeye green curry: I'm not a steak person but this was sooo good and the steak was juicy 2) green onion fried cake 3) Nookie's ka-ree Koong: prawn curry Logistics: -accepts cc -can make reservation -free, street parking
10 months ago
Decided to check out this spot after hearing some good things about it, but it ended up not being great thai food for my partner and I. We showed up at 6:30pm, the vibe is great, cozy lighting, great music playing, definitely an aesthetically pleasing restaurant. We waited about five minutes, a staff asked if we had a reservation and we stated that we did not, but got seated immediately. Upon being seated, water and menus were provided. We spent a few minutes going over the menu and decided to get the Tau Huu (Fried Tofu w/ Tamarind Sauce), Papaya Salad (w/ grilled prawns *extra $3*), Sea Bass Yellow Curry, and Kanah Numman Hoy Beef (Broccoli Beef). All items we've ordered were with medium spicy (if you've had thai spicy before keep in mind it can get very hot so we opted for medium). The appetizers came out shortly, Papaya salad: upon taking a bite of the papaya salad I noticed that it was incredibly sweet and lacked other flavors such as heat (from chili and garlic) there was no saltiness (lack of fish sauce) nor was there any tartness (limes). I was a little disappointed that there were no prawns within the dish when we ordered but it was not a big deal. Tau Huu: this was personally my favorite dish out of everything (possibly I am biased for fried tofu). The tamarind sauce was okay but had the same issue as the papaya salad, it was too sweet, it lacked umami, heat, and tartness. Ten minutes later our mains arrived at our table. Sea Bass Yellow Curry: plating looks amazing and taking the first bite, I noticed the curry is sweet, too sweet for a curry. The sea bass was nicely seared and had a crispy skin, but it was definitely overcooked. The brussels added a nice texture to the dish, and there were mashed potatoes which I found a bit odd but complimented the curry. I had high hopes for the curry, but again it lacked many aspects of the flavors normally in a yellow curry, it was just overall too sweet. Kanah Numman Hoy Beef: this is really a chinese broccoli beef, but the meat lacked any flavor, and broccoli is broccoli. This dish is just standard, not that impressive. In the end, the pricing was alright, but for the price (we paid $90 with tip) I expected the food to be better than what was served. Everything was too sweet or lacked in flavor overall. I thought about getting dessert specifically the Praaw Toast, but decided not to. Overall would I come back? Maybe. Would I recommend this place? Sure give it a shot as my opinion may differs from everyone. read more
2 months ago
Wow!! This place has some amazing food! Everything we had was delicious and our server was very attentive for our dinner! The inside looks so cool and definitely recommend this place for good Thai food. read more
Everything we ordered was so good--thoughtful, legit Thai flavors that didn't feel watered down at all. The Pad Thai (tofu) was perfectly balanced and not oily, the Tum Strawberry was bright, refreshing, and surprisingly addictive, and the Thai crab fried rice was comforting, fragrant, and generously filled with crab. The ribeye green curry was the standout: incredibly tender ribeye in a rich, aromatic green curry with just the right amount of heat. If this is what they're serving during a soft opening, I'm definitely coming back for more. Highly recommend. read more
2 months ago
2 months ago
The food and staff were incredibly welcoming! The food was so hearty and comforting and incredibly delicious! The dessert really wowed me with not just its taste but its presentation! The yellow curry with chicken wasso good aswell! read more
2 months ago
10 months ago
Dinner at Praaw Thai was fantastic. This is not your typical Thai restaurant -- they offer unique dishes you won't find at other Thai spots in the Bay Area, with flavors that feel truly authentic and inspired by Thailand. We loved Yum strawberry (refreshing and perfectly balanced), the Guichay (crispy outside, soft inside), and the Khao Soi with chicken, which tasted just like Northern Thailand. The green curry with ribeye was rich, fragrant, and not overly sweet. Dessert was a highlight (dessert lover!): DokJok sweet sticky rice with pandan ice cream and a crispy Thai flower -- such a creative and delicious combination. The atmosphere is cozy and stylish with warm lighting and brick walls, and service was friendly and attentive. Highly recommend if you're looking for Thai food that goes beyond the usual menu. read more
8 months ago
I drive past this place every day and I've been wanting to try it for a while, but never got around to it until today only to realize that they completely rebranded and are Praaw Thai now! My husband and I shared the kao soi and the green curry with ribeye. The steak was so tender and paired perfectly with the savory curry-this was our favorite dish. The broth of the kao soi was so flavorful and the pickled mustard greens cut nicely through the rich broth. The chicken leg that came with the kao soi was surprisingly dry for dark meat so that was a bit disappointing but would order it again just for the broth and noodles. Both items were the perfect mild spice level. It's definitely a bit on the pricier side ($75 after tax and tip) but let's be real, all food is getting so expensive these days so it may just be a product of the times. I do think that the price was worth it for the high-quality food good portion sizes, cute ambience and attentive service. This is a great date night spot and we will definitely be back! read more
6 months ago
Loved the food and ambiance at Praaw Thai! There is a small lot in the back but plenty of street parking available. Food came out fast and the flavors were fresh and vibrant! We ordered the Gui Chai (crispy chive cake), Yem Neur(a tasty beef salad), Ribeye green curry(a must!), Crab fried rice and Mama Pad Kee Mao Beef. The crab fried rice came with a spicy thai sauce that was so delicious! We even asked our server if they plan to sell it in a jar to-go lol. I came with two of my girl friends and we shared a bottle of wine (which i thought was a great option!) We were all stuffed by the end of dinner. Already planning a trip to come back to show my husband this local gem! read more
7 months ago
Cute vibe, vintage decor. Staffs are attentive and super friendly. Dumplings (appetizer) were yummy and bouncing in my mouth! Crab fried rice is highly recommended, drizzling some chilly sauce on top of the fried rice is also the best complementary pairing. read more
6 months ago
Loved everything about this place! Atmosphere was great, music was great, service was great and the food was awesome. Super friendly wait staff. Every table was full and a little bit of a wait so we weren't the only ones enjoy enjoying it. read more
Business owner information
Nook M.
Thank you so much Jessica! We’re so happy you enjoyed the atmosphere,…
6 months ago
Very cute interior and delicious food! Staff were attentive throughout as well. Visited for lunch on a Saturday at around noon and were first in the restaurant. No wait. Ordered the Gui Chai, Kao Pad Mun Puu, MP Pad Thai, and Ribeye Green Curry. Gui Chai came out piping hot with a crisp interior and soft, slightly mochi like texture. Served with a sauce that adds a bit of sweetness. Super tasty and haven't seen similar on other menus before. Kao Pad Mun Puu was topped with a soft and fluffy egg that paired well with the soy sauce forward fried rice. Come with a good amount of crab on top. No lumps of meat, so the crab almost disappears into the rice, instead adding a subtle seafood sweetness. I found it delicious but if you're specifically looking for a crab forward experience this might not be it. Also comes with an amazing green seafood sauce that adds a punch of garlic, fish sauce, and spice. We were excited for the MP Pad Thai but were sadly disappointed by this one. Mainly due to the shrimp being sort of tough from being overcooked, and the shrimp heads were pretty intense in ocean flavor. Leaning in a not good way. Otherwise, the pad thai is less of that red sweet and tangy tamarind situation we have come to expect. I didn't mind that and the noodles had a good bounce to them. I appreciate that the bean sprouts came as a pile to the side, as someone who dislikes raw bean sprouts. After seeing several other Yelp reviews mention the Ribeye green curry as a must order, we went for this too. It did not disappoint with plenty of veggies (eggplant, crispy Brussels, bamboo) and tender ribeye. The curry is more watery than you might be used to. Make sure to order rice to soak all that up. Sad it doesn't already come with it. Also leans on the sweeter side but I liked that balance here. So many more options. Would be back! read more
Business owner information
Nook M.
Thank you so much, Crystal, for taking the time to leave such a…
3 months ago
We went to Praaw Thai for dinner as a family with two kids. The menu had something for everyone-familiar favourites like Chicken Satay and Pad Thai for the kids, but also some standout special dishes. We enjoyed all the food. The Shrimp and Chicken dumplings were really nice since you usually find them at Thai spots and our family loves dumplings in general. My husband and I enjoyed the fried tofu with tangy tamarind sauce. The Green Curry rib eye stood out - loved the soft eggplant and fried Brussels sprouts in this dish! The Crab Thai Rice made the meal feel like we are in the streets of Thailand. For dessert, we enjoyed the combination of Pandan ice cream with the crispy crown and bed of sticky rice. Overall decor and customer service were great! They have a live DJ on Friday nights and a cute oldschool jukebox too! read more
10 months ago
Business owner information
Nook M.
Thank you so much, Will! We’re glad you enjoyed the flavors, spice…
7 months ago
The food portions are generous and satisfying, and the taste is decent. The customer service is friendly and attentive, which adds to the overall experience. The place also has a clean and welcoming vibe, making it a comfortable spot to dine. read more
Business owner information
Nook M.
Thank you, Aklesh. We’re happy to hear you enjoyed the portions,…
10 months ago
Sea bass yellow curry incredible. The Cassava addition is very smart and works great. Ribeye green curry delicious. Great service. Intentional curation of the menu and a great date night spot. Ambiance is a blend of modern and vintage Thai imagery and aesthetic. I will be definitely be back !! read more
5 months ago
Business owner information
Nook M.
Thank you so much, Ric! We’re honored to hear this was the best Thai…
10 months ago
Business owner information
Nook M.
Thank you so much, Andrew! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the Pad Thai,…
10 months ago
Absolutely insane meal. Ribeye green curry, sea bass yellow curry, and cucumber salad were all 12/10. The cook on the ribeye and sea bass were PERFECT. The sea bass came with a cassava mash *CHEF'S KISS* No notes. They also have a lot of dishes that you don't often see on Thai restaurants' menus that I need to come back to try. Praaw has a gorgeous, well thought out interior. We went for lunch but I think the vibes will be even better during nighttime. The owners are super sweet and service was great. read more
11 months ago
Absolutely incredible AUTHENTIC Thai food! This place tastes exactly like home. Real, authentic Thai flavors with that special "mom-style cooking" that you can't find anywhere else in the Bay. I ordered the Gui Chai and they have BOTH versions crispy and steamed. Both are amazing! The crispy one is perfectly golden and crunchy, and the steamed one is soft, chewy, and full of flavor. Truly hard to find real Gui Chai made like this. The Nookie Karee Koog blew me away sweet-forward, fragrant, and so flavorful even after you finish the bite. Exactly how it tastes in Thailand. And the Pad Thai OMG. The aroma reminded me of the street-style Pad Thai in Thailand cooked over charcoal. So nostalgic and authentic! Everything here tastes like it was cooked with love, real ingredients, and true Thai technique. One of the BEST Thai meals I've had in the US. Highly recommended read more
2 months ago
1 year ago
If you're looking for a sophisticated restaurant with delicious food, and friendly staff. This is the perfect spot to spend time with your loved ones. read more
3 months ago
9 months ago
Stopped by for lunch on a Sunday and was seated right away with plenty of tables open. Ordered the chives cake appetizer, crab fried rice, and the rib eye green curry and everything was amazing 10/10! One of the best thai spots I've tried in the bay and definitely on par with the very popular place in SF minus the crazy wait. Also enjoyed the retro decor and cozy interior with ambient music. Definitely recommend if you're looking for good Thai food with great ambience!! read more
10 months ago
Amazing unique Thai food all house made . My favorite was the ribeye green curry. The dessert was a mix of sticky rice and ice cream read more
7 months ago
6 months ago
My new favorite Thai spot! The food is soooo delicious, the staff are so warm and friendly, and the ambiance is so nice. We ordered Emily's dumplings, kai satay, crab fried rice, ribeye green curry, and their dok jok dessert. My personal favorite was the ribeye green curry; it came with deliciously cooked ribeye steak, brussel sprouts, eggplant, and bamboo shoots. The thai tea is also a must-try! I will definitely come again read more
1 year ago
I absolutely love this place! The food here tastes just like home. I'm Thai, and it's really hard to find Thai food in the U.S. that reminds me of what I grew up eating -- but this restaurant nailed it. I ordered Nookie's Ka-ree Koong, which is my favorite dish, and it was perfect: flavorful, authentic, and comforting. The atmosphere here is another thing I love the most. It's cozy, warm, and feels so inviting I've been looking for a Thai restaurant with this kind of vibe for so long. The staff were also super friendly and welcoming. Highly recommend this place to anyone who wants to taste real Thai flavors and enjoy a genuine, relaxing dining experience! read more
1 year ago
Amazing authentic Thai food! The flavor are delicious and super flavorful. I would come back again. Definitely a must try! They updated new menu every 3 months. read more
11 months ago
Love the vibe here, super chill spot. The flavors are bold and delicious. I got the Pad Thai, a classic, but their sauce is perfectly balanced and the shrimp are huge. Also obsessed with the green curry ribeye, the meat is so tender and pairs perfectly with the curry. One of the best Thai spots I've tried read more
11 months ago
11 months ago
New thai spot that just opened up! Cozy ambiance and service was friendly and quick. Parking was not bad either with our party of 5 finding street parking or spots in the nearby lot upon arrival (lot is quite small though, only 5 or so spots). All items were delicious with great portions for the price. You have to try the Homemade Gui Chai! We were expecting something akin to the fried green onion pancakes you typically see, but these were like fried cakes that were crunchy on the outside and packed densely with soft chives on the inside. Did not feel too oily either. Will be my regular Thai spot if I'm ever in the area again! read more
1 year ago
This restaurant is beautifully decorated, with a classic atmosphere. The food is delicious. I will definitely come back. read more
4 months ago
Business owner information
Nook M.
Thank you, Hernan! We’re so glad you enjoyed your meal. Our beer…
5 months ago
10 months ago
11 months ago
Business owner information
Nook M.
Thank you, Claire, for sharing your experience. We’re happy to hear…
More info about Praaw Thai
1277-1279 Gilman St.
Berkeley, CA 94706
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(510) 529-4144
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http://praawthai.com
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Ask the Community - Praaw Thai
What are the normal lunch hours? The hours on Yelp originally said 11:30 am-3:00 pm Fri-Sun. I came a couple weeks ago on a Sun and they were closed. Now the hours on Yelp…
Last Sunday (12/21/25) Last Sunday, we had to close unexpectedly for essential kitchen maintenance. We apologize for any inconvenience and truly appreciate your understanding.…
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