First visit here, and the experience was good. It was recommended by my step-daughter, and we came by for an early dinner right when they opened. Parking is available on the side, or you can usually find street parking nearby. I really liked the industrial atmosphere, especially the swings, but we ended up sitting closer to the bar area. Our server was super nice, and the service was quick throughout the meal. FOOD REVIEW Sabai Platter - 3/5 Not bad for shareable during happy hour, but some of the items were just okay. Pad Thai - 4/5 The flavors and spice level were balanced really well. Pla Muk Tod (Calamari) - 4/5 Good overall, but I wasn't a big fan of the dipping sauce. Pik Gai Tod (Wings) - 4/5 Flavorful and really good. Moo Sam Chan (Fried Pork Belly) - 4/5 Tasty and flavorful, though a little over-sauced for my preference. DRINK REVIEW Thai Tea - 5/5 Refreshing and enjoyable. Thai Mojito - 5/5 Really good and refreshing as well. Overall, good food, great drinks, and friendly service. read more

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I'll just tell you if you have a party or large group, just go ANYWHERE else but here. I should've known better because we came here for a 8 person bday party a couple of years ago and it was horrendous. We had to chase down waiters to order anything, everything didn't come out the same time, and zero hospitality. Fast forward now to last week. A group of 9 of us come in for our wedding weekend and they thought we had 8 people not 9. They try to seat us on the swinging seats which can't even fit our 8 people. NOT ONCE did they try to help us, move us, offer to do ANYTHING. They literally stared at us not saying a word. We asked if we could have two tables, no. Have a stool to add, no. Wait for a larger table outside, no. Just absolutely the worst hospitality or lack there of I have ever had. This place has had issues with staff for years. Unfortunately it's now costing them consistent customers as we are not the only ones this has happened to. We ended up leaving and going to another Thai restaurant. If you want to be ignored and stared at with dead fish eyes this is the place for you. read more

I had a decent experience overall--food, drinks, service, and ambiance were all fine. So why the 1 star? Because of a serious issue with my bill. I noticed a discrepancy between the amount on my receipt and what was actually charged to my card. It may have only been a small difference, but that's not acceptable under any circumstance. A dollar here or there adds up, and it raises real concerns when it appears to be a pattern. I had intentionally left a cash tip to ensure it went directly to my server, not through the business. Fortunately, I kept my receipt after hearing about similar situations happening before. When my statement came in, the charge didn't match. I called the restaurant to resolve the issue, and the floor manager said someone from management or accounting would follow up. Over a week later, I never received a call. I ended up disputing the charge with my bank. What should have been a nice Friday night dinner ended on a frustrating note. Unfortunately, that's what made the experience memorable--and not in a good way. read more

Great food. I loved the fun drinks and the yummy Pad See Ew. Service was a little slow getting started, but once we said something they were extremely sweet. Food came out fast, but drinks took a little while read more

Absolutely 10/10. Every bite I ordered at Sabai was delicious. My group got taro, papaya salad, cauliflower and more. For my entree, a mixed veggie pad se ew. The portion was impressive. I truthfully was so full from the appetizers that I could only take a few bites but am so excited to finish my meal later. For some notes: make a reservation for weekend nights. It was busy & you will enjoy your time in between courses. The service for drinks was a bit slow. Another thing to note: certain tables are on swinging benches. If you -- like me -- have a tendency to get motion sick, opt for a regular table. read more

Sabai - Mixed vegetable Pad Se Ew - Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I came to Sabai with my family on the recommendation of many folks in Richmond. Overall, I thought it was solid, but it didn't blow me away. My family and I were able to snag walk in availability on a weekend, since we went pretty early around 5:30 PM. When we got there, we were maybe one of two or three parties seated in the restaurant. Despite this, the service was pretty slow. Between the four of us, we ordered the pad Thai, drunken noodles, one of the curries, and the fried rice. Overall, the pad thai and drunken noodles were delicious, though the portion of the protein was somewhat skimpy. The fried rice was just so so, and the curry was deemed to be too sweet. To be honest, we found it just frustrating how long it took for the food to come out, despite it not being particularly busy when we were there. The decor inside is really cute, and I would be willing to give this place to try again, but nothing to write home about. read more

My friend and I went to Sabai for the first time and loved it! It was highly recommended to us by some friends when we were looking for a Thai restaurant to go to and now I see why. It's kind of a hidden gem in Scott's Addition. It has a tropical vibe from the outside and inside it has really fun and unique wooden seating arrangements. She loved her order of Chicken Pad Thai and I looked my order of Mak Muang Hin Maktan. It was so flavorful and fresh! The servings were generous but we were hungry enough to get all of our food. If you love Thai food, this is definitely a place to go asap! read more

Sabai - Mak Muang Hin Maktan - Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Wow! I am in love. I got an early reservation for 4 PM so they had just opened but the aesthetic of this place was everything. Our server was so sweet very helpful. She checked inappropriately. And the food not only did it come out quick, but it tasted absolutely delicious like wow I will definitely be back. read more

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When we arrived, it was pretty crowded inside. We were not able to get a table, but we were able to sit at the bar immediately and order food. After ordering, we waited for quite a bit before our food came out, however the taste of the food more than made up for the wait. We ordered the pad thai and massaman curry. The portions were pretty large and fair for the pricing. There was a good amount of spice for both dishes and both were very flavorful. Definitely would recommend this place if you are ever in the area! read more

Sabai - Gang Massaman - Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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I'd been wanting to try Sabai for the longest, but every time I tried there was always a long wait. Finally got to check it out with no wait on a Sat night surprisingly. Alessandra was our server/bartender and she was so nice. Everything I had was good. Some of the portions are pretty big, so bring an appetite or someone to share with. read more

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Had a tasty late dinner a couple weeks ago. Sat at the bar where Shelby provided excellent service. Food came fast, had the Thai basil chicken. Wasn't too crowded around 10 on a Saturday. Only reason I gave 4 instead of 5 start is because they got rid of all of their plants! Was a solid urban jungle type of vibe and is now so cold in there. Minimal to no decor. read more

Sabai - Thai basil chicken - Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Excellent Thai food in a modern industrial funky restaurant. Excellent bar with very creative drinks. We had a great time and it wasn't too loud. read more

Sabai - Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Edgy vibe, good food, large portions. We came on a Monday at 6. A few tables were taken. By the time we left the place was full, including a visit from the RVA mayor. Service was friendly and relaxed. The food was on point. The 4 of us ordered "shareables" - the portions were huge! The larb gai was pungent and moist, with crisp vegetables for texture. The cauliflower and calamari tempura were fried perfectly, with excellent dipping sauces. The papaya salad was crisp and fresh, but the dressing overwhelmed the taste of the produce. For entrees we tried a noodle dish, beef stew, ginger pork belly and fried rice. All excellent except for the fried rice, which was mostly rice with little flavor. Overall, we were very pleased with our meals and will visit again to try some of their curries. read more

I've been to this place before, even during busier times, and never experienced anything like this. This visit was honestly disappointing. My friend and I waited at the host stand for about 10 minutes while multiple staff members walked past us without acknowledging us. It was especially frustrating because my friend was wearing a knee brace and just needed somewhere to sit for a moment. When she finally sat down to relieve pressure on her knee, we were approached by a staff member (a heavy-set bald man) who spoke to us in a rude and dismissive tone. Only after we explained the situation did he mention that the seats were reserved. The issue wasn't the seating--it was the lack of basic courtesy and communication. A simple "someone will be with you shortly" or offering us an alternative place to sit, like the bar, would have completely changed the experience. Unfortunately, this interaction left a bad impression and didn't reflect the level of service I've experienced here before. read more

Came here for dinner after a coworker recommended this place. There is a small parking lot next to it so that was convenient. Neua Dad Deo -the beef was tender and flavorful. The spicy chili lime sauce was very good and made the beef feel a little less heavy. Satay Gai - the chicken surprisingly was very tender. The peanut sauce was a lot stickier and sweeter than I was used to but it was still very good. It also came with chili fish sauce that was spicy and tangy. Pad Kee Mao - the pad kee mao was more saucy than what I've had at other places. It was also more sweet. I didn't really taste any spice. This dish was my least favorite. Kao Pad Ki Maew with pork belly - the pork belly was very good. I didn't really have any expectations since I haven't had this dish at other Thai spots, but this was very good. Mango sticky rice - the mango wasn't ripe but I didn't mind because I like my mangos tart too. The sticky rice was very very sweet so we only had a few bites. Overall, we definitely liked the appetizers more than the entrees and dessert. It's a great spot to come if you wanna order a variety of appetizers and make it more of a tapas style dinner. read more

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The outside gives authenticity and inside is beautiful. The tables with the swings as seats would give me great anxiety if I had more than one beverage. The staff was helpful and at 5pm it was nit packed even though it is their happy hour. I ordered takeout for someone else. While I waited, I decided to try one of their Happy Hour specials. They have seasonal or classic daiquiris. This season's flavor is passion fruit. It is refreshing and delicious. I only had one, but trust me, I wanted another. I will definitely be back for food and more Hapoy Hour treats. The order of food was for their Red Curry with chicken (Gang Dang with Chicken). I was told that it was AWESOME. read more

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Came here for lunch with a friend and we got the Kalam Tod (tempura cauliflower), Som Tum (papaya salad), Pad Kee Mao (drunken noods), and the Koa Pad Sapparot (pineapple fried rice). To drink - I got the passion fruit daquiri on HH special. Quality/taste: Everything was delicious!! My favorites were the tempura cauliflower and the Pad Kee Mao. The tempura had great seasoning to it and it had 2 different sauces that came with it and it was a great compliment to the dish. The Pad Kee Mao had great flavor and spice. The sauce was not too overpowering. I got the level 3 spice (which was a level above their normal spice level) and it wasn't super spicy but definitely had a nice kick to it. I LOVED that the portions were so big while not compromising the quality of the dish. The drinks were tasty and strong - we enjoyed them very much!! Service: My only complaint about my visit was the experience with the host. I came in and was confused on where the host was because the host stand wasn't immediately at the entrance so I waited at the only stand I saw to the right and the host almost ignored me standing there. I asked for a 4 top table but wasn't given it since my party was only a size of 2. Which is understandable I guess, but the restaurant was mostly empty at the time so I was hoping they would have just given it to me. He sat me at a dirty table, and I didn't say anything but then he came back immediately to wipe the table down right after I sat down. On the other hand, the server was very attentive and friendly. She was easy to talk to and order with. She made us feel comfortable the whole time. Environment: Clean inside. Spacious seating/dining area. A bit dark inside though but it was during lunch time so it was okay. They had nice decor around the restaurant and it was nice to look at. Price: Very reasonably priced. We happened to be there during happy hour (3-6pm) unintentionaly and took advantage of the deals! The HH specials were definitely good. $3 off apps and the drinks were no more than $5! The drinks were strong for $5!! Highly recommend! Definitely get the tempura cauliflower and the pad kee mao. I recommend going during HH (its everyday from 3-6pm, including weekends) for the best deals! read more

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This place was SO cute. I didn't even know it existed until a friend recommended it. The food was really good! We opted to eat outside because the inside was crowded which meant it would more than likely be a little loud. The downside to eating outside was that this summer there were SO many ants. They decided they wanted to have dinner at the same table as us. We ended up moving inside and the staff had no problem helping us move all of the items we ordered. I would have rather stayed outside due to the noise level, but we got to sit by the window which was close enough to being outdoors. I will have to visit again with a larger party so I can sit at the bench swing table. read more

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We were looking for something different for a birthday dinner, but we want to hang out on the couch so we did take away. Maybe that didn't fairly represent the food and his best environment. We had the pork belly curry that we're not sure we would call a curry had a nice taste, but had no spice and didn't seem to be really a curry, left to desire. We quite liked the chicken large and we think that was probably the best dish of the night. It was bright and had good flavor. It was quite yummy. The satay came with no sauce. We will give it another try because maybe take away is not the best of environment , but we were not overly impressed. read more

Sabai - Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Overall a great experience! This was a nice, hidden spot my husband and I fell upon in RVA. Upon entrance, we had the option to sit at the enclosed patio or the wall bar, and we chose the patio. It was a little chilly when we went out there (it was a little after 5pm, so it was starting to get darker out) but decided to stick it out with our jackets. Atmosphere was chill - seemed like a good, versatile spot for people to come as they are, come a little dressed up for a cocktail night out, or even come for a date. Our waitress was solid and food + drinks came out promptly. We had the khanom jeeb, pad kee mao with pork belly, and then mango sticky rice for dessert. All three dishes came together to make a very satisfying and satiating meal. The pad kee mao had a nice level of spice to it as well (in their spice ranking, it'd be at a 2-star level). Pricing was fair for the most part! My only slight, personal complaint was that the khanom jeeb portion was a little smaller than expected for the price, but the flavor/ overall taste was great. Would recommend to others and would visit again when we're back in RVA! read more

Sabai - Mango sticky rice - would highly recommend you get this as your dessert! - Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Make sure to get the curry if you come here! We had a large group of eight people so took advantage of being able to sit on the swinging benches and the table that comes with it. We were there on a Saturday afternoon and it was steady, but we could still hear one another and the music was not too loud. We were greeted right away and the service was amazing, everyone was so nice and super helpful when we had questions about the menu because of some of the groups' dietary restrictions. I would absolutely come here again, but only for their curry dishes. Normally, noodles are the best on the menu, but both their pad thai and their pad see ew were average and it was their red and yellow curries that really stood out. The drinks were average from what our friends said and we cannot comment on that directly. read more

I've been craving Sabai every day since I first tried it! The Pad Kee Mao is my absolute favorite and I am sure I will have it every time I visit. Such a win! read more

Food is always delish. The service is truly great and the styling of the restaurant unique with the "floating" table and benches. I'm a lighter at drinks, so if you like me shy away from ordering a mixed drink. Flavor was awesome, but I felt it right away. Their outdoor seating is awesome also, and an unexpected extension of the restaurant. Truly nicely done with their exotic decor. My opinion, best Thai food around! read more

I got take out so can't speak to the service. The food is good, but not the best. The pad thai was too sweet (yes, this dish is normally sweet, but it was more than usual. I think a few more pieces of lime would've helped by adding some acidity). The panang curry was the best I've had since moving back to VA. Reason for 2 stars is there was a bone in my pad thai (pictured) so that was disappointing. read more

Sabai - Bone that was in pad thai - Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

They had a table for us when everything else was booked on a Friday night. Interior is cool although the music was pretty hard to hear over. Pad Thai wasn't the best I've had but it scratched the itch. read more

If you want a positive experience, you could do far better for Thai in Richmond as far as food goes. It's a beautiful restaurant, but the staff ruin the experience. Service was an embarrassment. We had a *visibly* disabled diner in the party, and because they were out of 2-tops, they insisted we either sit at the bar, outside in the heat, or at a glorified "shelf." The entire time we were eating, there were 5 vacant tables (but because they were four-tops, nobody got to use them). This was during prime dinner hours where a better restaurant would be experiencing a rush. They stayed empty for well over an hour. So, be prepared for arbitrary seating rules, an embarrassing excuse for hospitality, and food that's just *okay.* read more

Sabai - Really busy "dinner rush" y'all had there. Would have been a shame if one of your tables was actually used, eh? - Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

We got lost and could not find the entrance to this place! The door is actually like an old warehouse door. We ended up accidentally walking in behind their service desk via another door since we could not find the entrance. A cheap Thai place in Richmond! Well every restaurant is cheap compared to what there is in Charlottesville. With entrees coming out to $12-$18, I would say this is a spectacular price. Quality of food is good as well. I also got the Thai tea which was super sweet and I had to water it down with lots of water. The place is dimly lit with random decorations across the wall. Good kinda cheap date night spot. We got the lettuce wrap, a soup, and noodles with the thai tea and spent $60 total. read more

I loved this place ! It's a cute Thai restaurant ! with a hidden little lounge as well! Great vibes, Amazing Food, & good drinks . 100/100 on my Shrimp Thai noodles . WILL be coming back soon read more

Sabai - Pina Colada - Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Sabai has always been my favorite Thai in Richmond. Today, the food was amazing as always but we had a service issue. Our server was incredibly kind and attentive. We ordered happy hour wine, which the server told us included all wines they serve. We got our check back and they charged us full price, which is $12 rather than the $5. We brought this to her attention and she came back a few minutes teary eyed, offering to Venmo us the difference. Honest mistake as a server-- I've worked in the industry before and the management should have 100% given us the happy hour price, as that's what was advertised to us. I am very disappointed with the management and the way they treated the server for her mistake, as she was obviously very upset about it. I don't think I can return to sabai again after seeing the way they treat their staff. read more

Sabai - Spring rolls - Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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This little slice of tropical paradise is conveniently located across the street from the Science museum (it even has some dedicated PARKING!) and serves up incredible Thai eats and cocktails . You can even choose a table with benches that swing if you're feeling particularly adventurous and non-tippy. I had a coquito (think creamy coconut mojito), which was absolute . The small bites were eaten so fast I barely had time to snap photos but my personal favorites were the KHANOM JEEB (Steamed dumplings with pork, chicken, shrimp,& mixed vegetables served with dumpling sauce), the SII KRONG MU (Wok-fried baby back ribs tossed in honey-garlic sauce), and the PLA MUK TOD (Tempura calamari with Thai chilies & garlic served with sweet chili sauce). Also worth mentioning is the green curry which is absolutely incredible . Pro tip: if you don't want alcohol, opt for a Thai - black tea topped with half & half. read more

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My friend and I went here before something at the broadberry and its was pretty dead at first but then it got busier. the food sizes are MASSIVE it's such a big portion. The servers seem very hippie and like they don't care but our server was very attentive and super nice. I got the pad tai and a Pina colada and I still dream of it. It was soooooo good!! I highly recommend and I WOULD AND WILL eat here again. read more

Their pad kee mao (drunken noddles) w/ pork belly was yummy! Their lychee martini drink was smooth and delicious!

We made a 4:00pm reservation and this was when they first open up, so no one was really there but the aesthetic is so cute! I've been here a few different times and it usually is busyyyy as the day goes on. The do have an outdoor space that I'd recommend during the warmer months ! The food is yummy and I love the Thai Tea! read more

Great restaurant located on Broad St, conveniently close to The Broadberry. The place is pretty dark and cozy...great for date night or hanging out w friends. Your papa and food came out pretty promptly, and were very tasty. There is a full bar, so order your own or go with the drinks menu. Definitely will come back! read more

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We booked a table for 10 for a birthday party and they gave us a table for 6. When we asked why, the host told us that they didn't expect all of us to come(!); later they told us that they had not expected some of us to be "larger" people (and that therefore it was our fault that we couldn't sit together). They finally seated four of us in an entirely different room. It took them 45 minutes before they took a drinks order. The waitperson never asked if we wanted a second round. I would also note that the air conditioning wasn't working on a 95 degree day. But really, between the total screwup on a booked table, an unwillingness to find a solution, and FAT SHAMING of an ordinary group of people there to celebrate a birthday, I think I'll never, ever return. read more

Service was good and we were seated quickly. The food was okay. Their Pad Thai is a little sweeter than I usually like. Their crab fried rice was just okay. They did tell us they were understaffed in the kitchen so that may have something to do with it. I admittedly don't have another recent visit to compare the food to. I really wanted to try their cocktails and got to try their Mai Tai, Suffering Ba$tard, and Pain Killer. Their Pain Killer was pretty good but their Mai Tai wasn't sweet enough. I tell you what though, they didn't skimp on the liquor. read more

Service and atmosphere here was great! We came in a little bit late and there was no rush, either. The decorations and atmosphere was nice although a bit dark! I got Pad see ew but it was not how i was really expecting my pad see ew to be, it was more on the glossier side! I think if I came back I would just order something else though read more

Sabai - Pad Se Ew - Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

So my second visit to Sabai was still good but certainly not as good as the first time. I decided to go with the Pad Thai (an all time favorite of mine). The dish had a burnt taste, also verified by my boyfriend. It was close to closing so I didn't want to complain or send the dish back but once I ate the left overs the next day, I regretted not ordering something else. My boyfriends dish was AMAZING! Wish I could remember the name. But the servers at Sabai know the menu so well, so if you show them a photo they'll know the dish. I still recommend Sabai 100% and can't wait to continue visiting and trying different things on their menu! read more

Sabai - Can't remember the name of this dish - Bars Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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In town for the weekend and stumbled upon this hidden gem. It was pretty busy when we first arrived around 8pm, but emptied out towards the end of our meal. Cute, cozy vibes and yummy Thai food for the win. Staff was attentive and friendly. read more

The food at Sabai was very good. I'd order and recommend takeout for that reason, but I don't see myself dining in again. Here's why: First, seating was crammed--we were in a two top along the front window, and both my and my wife's seatbacks were touching our neighbors' making it awkward and challenging to get into our seats. Not a comfortable or inviting way to start a date night. The worst part of the meal, however, was our service. I am not sure if our server was new or just not suited for this job, but she was hardly ever on the floor and almost never came by our table. This is a small restaurant with small sections. At most, she had a 4-5 table section. So there's not really any excuse for not actively circulating through your section and checking on your guests at a reasonable cadence. The server was also very unknowledgeable about the menu when we asked basic questions. I won't list the specific issues, but you have to know your menu. The dining experience hit rock bottom when we ordered another round of drinks as our entrees were coming out. My beer came out quickly, but it took 20 minutes for my wife's cocktail to arrive. By that time, I had finished my meal and my beer, and my wife was nearly finished with her meal. At one point, because the server hadn't been by our table in over 15 minutes, I walked up to the bar and politely asked the bartender if a cocktail had been rung in for our table. She pointed at the ticket on her bar mat, which I saw had been fired 15 minutes earlier, and rudely said "I'm starting on it now." When the server brought the drink to our table 5 minutes later, we asked for the drink to be taken off of our tab because she had wanted to enjoy that drink with her meal--she didn't need to drink for the sake of drinking. This request was first met with defensiveness and a couple of excuses. The server later came back and simply said "it's been taken off." No apology or anything like that. The manager didn't come by to check on us or apologize. There was no attempt to win us back over, which is a shame, because there are easy moves that servers and managers can make that go a long way. Maybe it was a busy, stressful night that we couldn't see from front of house, but from our seats, it appears that this restaurant has no service standard, doesn't care, and has an attitude, and it seems to be trickling down from weak management to the servers and bartender. read more