Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Star Anise

    3.8 (396 reviews)
    ModerateThai, Salad, Soup
    Closed 11:30 am - 3:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

    Star Anise Photos

    STAR ANISE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Star Anise

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos - Star Anise

    The satay chicken thats swooped up as soon as it was served cause it took too long

    We waited 40 minutes for our chicken satay. The other dishes are still not made. Ambiance is quiet cause only two other tables are here.

    Corn Fritter
    Savannah R.

    I visited Star Anise on Tuesday, 10/03/23, during dinner time. I was able to try the Corn Fritter and the Chicken Pad See Ew. I loved the taste of Corn Fritter, especially when it was dipped with the cucumber sauce. The Pad See Ew was truly delectable and flavorful as well. The service was great and friendly. The inside of the restaurant was also beautiful and nicely put together. Overall, Star Anise has wonderful Thai food. I will be returning whenever I am in the area.

    Stars Sea & Drunken Wide Rice Noodles
    Gina M.

    This was a really good little spot for Thai food. The service was friendly and the food was really good. We had the crispy calamari, drunken noodles with chicken, and Star's Sea, a combination of prawn, scallops, calamari, mussels, and salmon with red curry, kaffir lime leaves, green beans, etc. The calamari could've used a teeny bit more sauce but it was cooked really well and the sauce was yummy. It had peanuts, so keep that in mind. I can't decide whether I liked the star sea or drunken noodles better, but they were both delicious. The red curry was so good, and the texture of the drunken noodles was amazing. The two of us ate it ALL because it was so good, and then we were over-full, so this is your warning! When I go back, I will probably order less, and then add dishes as needed.

    It was my first time coming to Star Anise and 3rd time eating Thai food. I came for a friend's Birthday lunch, last Friday. We got seated right away and we ordered the beef and the crispy chicken lunch specials which was very good. The soup that came with the lunch was super delicious & slightly spicy, and the perfect temperature. We ordered an appetizer of corn fritters which were the most delicious appetizer I've EVER had in any cuisine. HIGHLY suggest you order this appetizer! Service was great and the place was clean and beautiful atmosphere. I will most definitely be back. Prices very far and decent for lunch. Service was pleasant and prompt. The dishes were beautifully displayed with the food and were very appealing. This is a nice place to go if you're treating someone for lunch- upscale quality Thai and not too expensive. I had water and my friend had an Orange Thai tea that she enjoyed very much. Our server was very nice and accommodating

    Mikyla D.

    This is my favorite Thai restaurant in Livermore! The flavor is amazing, some things are hit or miss like this time I ordered the Pad See Ew & the noodles were doughy but everything else was amazing. The butternut pumpkin curry is SO good. Also the asparagus beef, and that mango sticky rice! 10/10. The prices keep going up & the amount of food isn't a lot for the price. That's the only reason I took off a star. $25 for one item-- i would expect a bigger portion so it can feed more people. It's unfortunate so I only order here like once every 6 months or so. I'd order more if it was more affordable with a bigger portion size.

    Spicy Beef

    See all

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bob K.
    108
    597
    1234

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    I'm updating my review from four to five stars since the last few times my food was so delicious. I just love going to Star Anise.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Gina M.
    471
    392
    2938

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mikyla D.
    338
    49
    39

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sam S.
    1
    36
    27

    1 year ago

    Amazing food and Sevice ! Very nice quiet ambiance.will def recommend this place for date night .

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kim C.
    23
    17
    0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Star Anise is the best Thai food in Eastern Alameda County. Always delicious and the service is always the best.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Julie J.
    29
    35
    89

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Good food good service. Cute place in Livermore. Three of us each with different dishes, 1 person is. Vegan. It was all very good

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Elnaz W.
    313
    61
    21

    2 years ago

    Love everything about this place; the food, the music, and the atmosphere! Definitely one of my favorite places now!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ed G.
    0
    35
    8

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    The food, service and ambience were fantastic. We had vermicelli and hot and sour soup.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Vikram C.
    394
    85
    54

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 10

    Star Anise Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Star Anise

    You might also consider

    OvAsians

    OvAsians

    4.5
    (245 reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $$

    When in east bay it's quite difficult to find viet food, and it's even harder to find one as…read morecharming and authentic as this one! I'd say what makes them stand out is their grilled pork. We tried out several of their pork dishes. The vermicelli, the banh mi and spring rolls and they were all awesome. you won't find quality like this even if you visit south bay. i also tried the fried rice which i'm less impressed by but i'm just not a fan of the mayo flavor i tasted. outside the quality of the food i appreciated the kind and prompt service of the workers here. the energy in the room was great as well. a little viet oasis in the heart of east bay will definitely be returning!

    Absolutely love. We…read moreneeded a new pho place nearby, and glad we walked in here. The place is clean, tidy, and welcoming. Plenty of seating and even outdoor seating for the nicer days. They offer lunch deals and dinner deals- a lot of pho places don't!! Although we opted for other things; I can't wait to try more and more items on their menu. Seafood egg noodle 5/5 - clean broth and generous on REAL seafood (real crab! Calamari! Shrimp!) Combo pho 5/5 - larger meatballs and tons of flavor Kids chicken nuggets and fries 5/5 - tbh my son wanted French fries and we wanted pho - look at this WIN WIN situation for us! He loved it! Egg rolls 5/5 - flavorful and very crispy! Avocado smoothie w boba 4/5 I just like my avo smoothies on the sweeter side but that's definitely my opinion!! Thai tea w boba 5/5 The broths were HOT. We noticed it immediately and appreciated it sooo much! Everything was cooked right. Noodles were the perfect texture for both soups. The staff and owners are incredibly nice. You will find us here often

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Grilled Beef Pho (my new favorite )
    Grilled Beef Pho (my new favorite )
    Fresh herbs

    See all

    Fresh herbs
    CA NOODLE

    CA NOODLE

    4.3
    (289 reviews)
    5.1 mi
    $$

    Came here to meet up with a friend for lunch and had a very delicious meal. I got the spicy beef…read morenoodle soup - I've gotten this dish at other places before that also market it as being spicy but it never is. At CA Noodle, you get what you ask for - you can see the rich, red chili flakes and oil floating in the broth which adds a nice kick and great flavor to the freshly made noodles. I just wish there were more chunks of beef that were included - the dish is very carb heavy. We also shared a plate of the pig ear appetizer which is soaked in a rich chili oil. If you like more of the chewy/cartilaginous type of texture, which I do, this dish is absolutely amazing. Overall, would recommend this spot if you're looking for a comfort meal.

    Stopped by CA Noodle this past Friday over my girlfriend's craving for noodle soup and we wanted to…read moretry something new. Seeing CA Noodle show up on our yelp search and it was nearby, we decided to check it out. The location is pretty convenient, located in a plaza that shares parking spaces with several other restaurants and a McDonald's. The inside only seats about 10-14 parties of 2-4, so a pretty small restaurant. They had 2 waiters staffing the entire restaurant, but the menu and ordering system is all done through a POS via QR code. The menu was quite large, offering no many choices like pot stickers, noodle soups, chow mein, and little appetizers like pig ears. We ended up ordering the pig ears, pot stickers, pork pan fried bun, and 2 noodle soups. The good: pig ears. The pig ears were cut in various sizes and the flavor was spicy. Definitely to our liking! The neutral: the pork hamburger item and pot stickers. While the bun was tasty and crispy, the mean in between was a bit dry and the taste was a bit mild and less salty. We made it better by adding pig ears with every bite lol. The pot stickers were fine but it didn't really give a crispy bottom taste and more of dry pan sear. It definitely needed sauce as the filling was a bit mild too (very consistent mild tastings after the pig ears. The bad: the soup dishes that we ordered were definitely needing a flavor bomb. While the noodles we ordered were great and had a ton of chew and the protein in the dish was plenty; the soup lacked in taste. My girlfriend had to ask for additional salt to add to taste and it made it so much better. I ate mine as intended and I wasn't as satisfied as compared to if I were to eat at ox9 or muragame. Overall, I thought our meal was about a 3.5. While we enjoyed watching the World Cup while eating our food, the taste of our food was much more desired and it didn't scratch our itch for a rich soup. Unfortunately, many of the other patrons seemed to catch on and order the chow mein instead. If we come back, it's probably what we would order next. Until next time!

    Photos
    CA NOODLE
    Spicy beef noodles
    Spicy beef noodles
    Dry lamb noodle

    See all

    Dry lamb noodle
    Sons of Liberty Alehouse

    Sons of Liberty Alehouse

    4.3
    (413 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$
    Outdoor seating
    Full bar

    Came into Sons of Liberty Alehouse and had a really great experience from start to finish. You can…read moretell right away this place is well managed and runs smoothly. Service was honestly one of the highlights--everyone was friendly, attentive, and on top of things without being overbearing. Drinks and food came out in a timely manner, everything was accurate, and we never felt like we were waiting on anything. Huge shoutout to the General Manager, Zak. It's clear he takes pride in how the restaurant is run, and it shows through the staff and overall atmosphere. It's not easy to keep a place consistent, but they definitely have it dialed in here. Between the great service, solid atmosphere, and overall experience, this is definitely a spot I'll be coming back to. Highly recommend checking it out if you're in the area

    I was excited to try this place for the first time. Welcoming tables outside and comfy seating…read moreindoors. The bar area is popular for people to grab a drink and a bite. Leather seating and small tables where you can relax and meet up with friends. Our server was friendly who checked on us periodically. Their menu has an interesting blend of choices. They even offer deviled eggs that I hear are pretty spectacular. We ordered the Thai chicken salad and fish tacos. The salad looked quite good and my friend enjoyed it very much. The tacos are on petite, single shells with a piece of fish, avocado and cabbage slaw on each. I happily ate every bite. A side salad would have enhanced this dish. I wish I had ordered an appetizer, like the deviled eggs or brussels sprouts, as it would have rounded out my lunch well and it would have been more filling. I noticed a steady flow of people coming and going. It was a relaxed atmosphere and we were not rushed out by any means. I hadn't seen my friend in person for at least a year so it was nice to sit and just chat in a calm environment. Located directly across First Street from Sauced. This place is another positive addition to downtown Livermore.

    Photos
    House-churned, seasonal, all organic ice cream
    House-churned, seasonal, all organic ice cream
    Seasonal Old Fashioned anyone?
    Seasonal Old Fashioned anyone?
    The best spirits selection around:)

    See all

    The best spirits selection around:)

    Star Anise - thai - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...