Their food is really good and the service can't be beat. I go there a lot. The ambience is okay by me

Visited Dara for a date night because I have been bragging to my boyfriend about how good it is. I am obsessed with the food, the service, and how nice the staff is. I have only visited twice, but every time I have come into this establishment I have been treated with such care and consideration. Not to mention, the food is always 10 out of 10. I think the only thing on the menu I wasn't a huge fan of was the mango sticky rice, but that's just me because it was super sweet. That doesn't reflect on the restaurant itself, just my personal taste buds. I ordered the pad thai this last time, and it was so good, especially because I ordered the fried chicken to go on top. I will definitely be coming back when my best friends are in town so they can experience the delicious food here. read more

One of the best Thai spots in the city. Several visits, always consistent. Surely recommended read more

The Dara - Drunken Noodle - Thai Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

*incredibly flavorful dishes, nice location, and friendly staff Wow!! I am always a fan of Thai food, so I was very excited to try this place. The location is in Fells Point, and when you walk in the dim lighting really sets a classy ambience. The restaurant is a little on the smaller side (I'm not sure if the upstairs is open for seating?). My friend and I got the papaya salad to share, basil fried rice for him, and drunken noodles for me. All I can say is WOW--both the main dishes were incredibly flavorful. This is the Thai food I have always been looking for! The presentation is also gorgeous. The only small gripe I have is that the noodle to vegetable/meat ratio was a little low. I would've preferred more noodles to soak up the sauce! The level 2 was also VERY spicy, so beware. But you can modify the spice levels ahead of time if you want something different! The papaya salad was light and refreshing, perfect for the warmer weather. Overall, an elevated dining experience at a reasonable price point! I will become a regular, I'm sure. read more

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Delicious cocktails and great food. The dumplings are perfect . The pad see ew is my favorite though. Servers have great recommendations so just ask! The vibe is perfect for girls night or date night! read more

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I've been to The Dara a few times since they opened (once during their opening week!) and have really enjoyed the ambiance and the authentic flavors of the food. I did not realize they were able to make the Kao Soi vegetarian with tofu so i ordered it this time and literally did not talk for 5 minutes as i devoured the food. The fresh crispy veggies like onions and the crunchy noodles soaked in the soupy base and soft noodles were perfect! The tofu was soaked in all the flavors as well. This is a MUST have on a cold winter day! The Thai tea espresso martini was STRONG!!!! Everything came out so quickly for it being super packed on a Friday night! The space is so beautiful and perfect for everything from a date night to a girls night! read more

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How does this restaurant get good ratings on Yelp? Our experience was shockingly bad on all fronts. It started with the host telling me to "step aside please" just after I told him I was a walk in asking for a table for two. He wasn't doing crowd control because I wasn't in anyone's way, and there were plenty of seats at the bar so he could have more appropriately said "you can seat yourself at the bar ma'm". Management please take note this was 6:30 pm on Saturday March 14. Husband and I found bar seating on our own and I had an excellent a Rubus Gin Kiss cocktail recommended by the very nice bartender. After waiting 1/2 hour for a table they gave us one right next to the door that had been empty all along. We waited for service that did not come, finally a harried waitress came and asked if we had menus which she gave us and came back a minute later before we had time to decide. She disappeared and nobody came back. Finally another person showed up took our order (and finally gave us water!)- when food came it was mediocre to lousy. Fried lotus root appetizer was raw and greasy but ok flavor. I had pad see ew that was literally in a lake of oil (!!) that I had to pour off, with mushy noodles (lousy), my husband had drunken noodles that were greasy but with decent flavor. Nobody refilled our waters, nobody checked in on us. Finally, I ordered a second drink directly from the kind bartender since we were close to the bar. We also asked the bartender to take our check since we were completely ignored by staff. Verdict: this place sucks, and I have never given a one star review on Yelp. Chaotic, rude host, neglectful service and food that was highly disappointing so I recommend to those who want good food and service, and not a bad experience at a fashionable tourist trap, to stay away. read more

A Fells Point gem. The inside is perfectly lit for a late night Thai dinner and drinks. Service was attentive and gave great recommendations. The cocktail menu had a great selection of drinks available and they were also able to make us a lychee martini. The menu itself was just a delight because I got a chance to try food that I normally wouldn't order. To start we had the beef nam tok which is a beef salad with a kick of spice. For dinner, we split the garlic prawn, which may I just say the broth alone could've carried the entire dish, but every aspect of that entrée was amazing. The prawn paired deliciously with the coconut broth. The five colors vegetables also came with a delicious broth and were cooked to perfection. This is the perfect spot to get dinner with friends, cocktails or go on a date. I can't wait to be back! read more

The Dara - beef nam tok - Thai Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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The Dara is my go to Thai place in Baltimore because not only does it offer delicious cuisines, it's also vibey. We essentially order the same thing each time we go. Thai Teani (10/10) - it's the Thai Tea version of a creamy espresso martini. Coconut shrimp (10/10) - they have the perfect crisp and flavor, but it's not just the shrimp. It's the base which is an apple salad that really steals the show. The dressing is made in house and it's light yet packed with flavor. It will make your taste buds jump. Drunken noodles (vegetables) (10/10) - you can choose whatever protein and spice level you desire I prefer the veggies. The sauce is packed with flavor and everything is freshly made. Pad Thai (vegetables) (10/10) - similar to the drunken noodles you can pick your protein and spice level. Super fresh and flavorful. This was my friend's dish and it was so good she doubled back the next day and got it for take-out. Mango sticky rice (9/10) - this was my first time trying mango sticky rice. I enjoyed. I think I wasn't anticipating how sweet it was. Which is strictly preference. It was very tasty though. read more

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Thai food is one of my absolute favorite cuisines, so I was excited to try a new place! The Dara delivered with flavorful noodles, dreamy curry, and beautiful interior! Highly recommend for a night out Kanom Jeeb Pu--dumplings, loved the dumpling sauce (which I think is a great indicator of restaurant quality) Lotus Root--fried to perfection, almost like a water chestnut texture with a sweet and sour esq dipping sauce Matsaman Curry--I ordered fried chicken on this and it was sooooo tasty. They really know how to do a light fry. Next time I will ask for the chicken on the side instead of in the curry to maintain the crispiness for longer Pad Si Eew--one veggie and one chicken, both delicious Heat Warning: The level 1 (out of 5) was still spicy for me! In the curry it was perfect, but the noodles... I think I need level 0 next time. For drinks we got a surprisingly refreshing tamarita (a tamarind margarita) and a very good mezcal drink that we can't remember the name of. Our waiter was awesome and open about his food opinion, which I am very thankful for! read more

The Dara - Matsaman Curry - Thai Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Food: Ordered kao soi and a drink (Jasmine gold rush) Kao Soi was ok. I wouldn't say it's bad and wouldnt say it was amazing, but you come for the vibe more than how outstanding the food is. The drink was really well balanced and I really liked it. Service: Excellent service. Servers were quick and professional Value for money: Kao soi was overpriced. It's what you expect at a more upscale place. Nothing outlandish though. read more

The Dara - Jasmine Gold Rush - Thai Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Really enjoyed my lunch here! Their Green Curry was very hearty and filling, and the Lotus Root was perfectly crisp. Clean and cozy vibes. read more

The Dara - Green Curry with Chicken - Thai Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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This restaurant was amazing. I have always liked the atmosphere in this building. It has old brick walls inside and comfortable lighting. The staff are very friendly and efficient. The food was very good and can be super spicy or not spicy at all depending upon your preference. Good variety on the menu. I recommend the seafood dumplings to start. We were pleased with everything we ordered. read more

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I was truly disappointed by this restaurant. I was craving Thai for dinner, and after MANY great reviews, my husband, a fellow foodie advised that I try the Dara. We placed a to-go order, as I really wanted to stay inside my home and enjoy my dinner. Upon driving to pick up our food, we saw how beautiful the restaurant was, and I had actually planned on scheduling to come visit in person and get the full experience of what the Dara had to offer. As soon as I got home and was ready to eat (I had ordered a fried rice with chicken), I was immediately disappointed. The rice looked so mushy, and it looked like overall it was a rush work. I decided to still taste it as we drove to and fro, as well as paid for it. Immediately once I ate it, it was super mushy as I initially expected, and there was little to no taste of seasoning. I was truly disappointed because the aesthetics the venue gave versus the food I had were two different things. We ended up calling the restaurant, and they were friendly and kind as we spoke to them about the disappointment we faced with the food. They gave us a refund and sincere apologized. Overall, I wouldn't pick up a to-go order, but definitely appreciated the friendliness of the staff so I may try to go in person and try the restaurant again. read more

The Dara - Thai fried rice - Thai Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Living in Chicago with access to incredible Thai food, I was skeptical but the dara blew us away!!!!! I could list so many dishes that we enjoyed and will be thinking about well after this meal. We will absolutely be running back here and also hoping they do take out as well. You can tell some of the service staff are on the newer side but they are so pleasant and lovely. Very jealous of those in the neighborhood! read more

** DATE night**The restaurant is very nice, great atmosphere. Good service, a few hiccups; we did have to call our waitress a few times to get her attention. An item that we ordered never came but was removed from the bill. We asked for another drink and was given the bill instead, the waitress wasn't paying attn. to our request. Everyone was kind however. The food and drinks were really good. The pricing was reasonable. I enjoyed the Dara and would return. I would also go back to hang out at the bar with friends. It was early evening and the restaurant was somewhat empty but I didn't mind. The parking was my biggest issue. It is street or garage parking. The garage is about a block and a half away from the restaurant ( its called Union something or other) on the other side of the street. The garage is pricey depending on how long you'll be in the area; I paid 17.00 for 3 hrs. The issue was the parking app. though. You have to pay online upon exiting your vehicle; I struggled a bit with the app. however I am not the most tech savvy person‍. I would say download the app prior to going. The area is really pretty and near the water, great for a pre or post dinner stroll or both! . The visit was worth the garage experience read more

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Just a great place to eat a steaming bowl of soup on a cold night. Excellent service and wonderful environment. The cocktails wet also very well made, we will be regulars here. read more

My friends have been raving about this neighborhood gem for a long time so I was very excited to finally come and try the food. The place preserves the lovely ambiance of its predecessor restaurant, but now serves comforting Thai cuisine at a reasonable price. I've heard the spice level can be variable (read: spicer than expected at times), so we opted to have our food mild this day which was completely mild... in retrospect could have probably added a bit of heat. I got the Pad Thai which was reasonably good but I think next time I'd like to try the pad see ew which my friend had and looked more flavorful. I've also heard great things about the curry so would love to come back for that too. Service was friendly and it was so nice to see the servers recognize neighborhood regulars! Street parking as expected in Fells. read more

The Dara - pad thai - Thai Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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We got the pork belly moo kam waan as an appetizer that was pretty good, the lime dressing that came with was delicious! For my entree, I got the chicken pad thai which was definitely some of the best that I've had in Baltimore! My friend got the drunken noodle and she also really enjoyed it. The ambiance of the restaurant is pretty cute, it's a dimly lit, date night kind of vibe. The main issue I had was with service. We were immediately seated when coming in on a Saturday night, but then it took over 15 minutes to get waters. Then another 15 minutes to take our order. Over the next 45 minutes, we were brought out the wrong dishes twice. They then brought out our appetizer, then about two minutes later we were given entrees. However, while we were eating, the server said he had given my friend the wrong entree and tried switching it twice, but it was correct initially. We weren't checked on at all by our waitress, however the owner did notice toward the end that there was an issue going on so at the end he made sure to check on us and gave us a discount on our food. Overall, I was really excited to try this place and the food was great, but the service really brought the experience down. I would love to go back again and give it another try though. read more

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Delicious food!! Would highly recommend checking this place out. Initially was a little skeptical if this would just be a restaurant with hip decor and mediocre food but no - it has outstanding food and an awesome ambience. Critiques about the service I think are legitimate. We came in Thursday night and the restaurant was not full but the waitress was slow to come take our orders. At least 15-20 min since we were seated. We came with a big group of five guys so we ordered a ton of dishes to share. We ordered level three spice which was spicier for some dishes than other but I think will keep people satisfied. We got: Coconut shrimp appetizer. Excellent. Comes with a nice apple carrot onion slaw which had a great dressing to accompany the shrimp Beef Nam tok - the best dish according to one member of our party. The Thai herbs in this salad with the dressing were mind blowing. Amazing flavor combination I haven't had before at Thai restaurants around the country pad Thai (decent, but nothing outstanding, level 3 spicy may be too hot for those who can't handle a hot at Buffalo Wild Wings) Crab fried rice. Excellent!! Great soft fried egg on top, a little bit of the "kiss of fire" taste, and big lumps of crab meat. Level 3 spice was not bad on this one. About a mild level for BWW drunken noodle. Excellent. Would order this over the pad Thai. Flavorful. Spicy!! At least the equivalent of hot at BWW Green curry also delicious. Might be a small portion if this is all one person is ordering Basil fried rice. Good but not as good as the crab fried rice. Kao soi chicken. Great dish. Flavorful coconut curry broth with tender chicken. Prawn Tom kha - great flavor. Huge prawns. Broth is rich flavorful and refreshing with the lemon grass. Definitely recommend Desserts were also solid (but small). Fried banana and mango sticky rice Our highlights were prawn Tom kha, beef Nam tok, crab fried rice, chicken Kao soi, drunken noodle, coconut shrimp. Pad Thai and basil fried rice were good but didn't blow me away like the others. Overall highly recommend this place. I'll definitely come back. Hopefully the service is not as slow in the future/when it's busy read more

The Dara - Thai Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Foods are so good. We had Pork and Crab Meat dumplings for appetizer. The crab fried rice is 10/10, MUST TRY !!! We also ordered Gaeng Ga-ti Pu which was also awesome, and nice presentation. My husband also had the Prawn Tom Kha which has a very unique taste. He asked for spicy level of 5 and that boosted up the rich savory flavor profile of the dish. Staffs are very friendly, attentive and approachable. We went on a Friday evening for dinner, the place has soft lightning, a bit crowded but we had a good time with a little Thai tini. read more

Dara has been open for a few weeks now, and we decided to check it out for an early dinner a week or two ago! I'm glad we did. The menu is great - we really struggled to order because there was so much we wanted! It has the dishes you love and expect (Pad Si Eew, Drunken Noodles, Panang Curry...) and dishes that are a little more rare on Thai menus in the US (whole crispy fried fish, stuffed squid, fried chicken...). (I'd love to go back with a group so we can try and share more dishes!) We ultimately chose the lotus root appetizer, the plah tuna, and the Gaeng Ga-Ti Pu. The lotus root appetizer is simple (just crispy fried sliced lotus root with a sweet chili sauce) but delicious - so well fried! The Plah tuna is kind of a play on tuna tartare and laab (super delicious and flavorful and fresh and light and a little spicy). The Gaeng Ga-Ti Pu is a lump crabmeat curry with a crispy softshell crab - such a great dish, too. The service was great. The space is nice, too - comfortable, casual. Overall, it was a great dinner. I'd be happy to return and try more dishes from their great menu! read more

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Service was quick and courteous. I ordered the Pad Thai, which was so delicious that although I was planning on leftovers, it didn't happen. I also got the mango sticky rice. However, I got it to-go so it wasn't as nice as I'm sure it would have been if I was in-person. I will definitely return when I'm in town! read more

The food was standard. Nothing out of the ordinary but service left much to be desired. Our appetizers and entrees arrived before the cocktails arrived and our server seemed frazzled, didn't come once to ask us for more drinks. And of course since it was a party of six, 20% gratuity was automatically added. Overall, standard experience, nothing extraordinary. read more

The service ambiance and food are AMAZING! This place is so underrated imo. I 10/10 recommend coming here! My friend got the pad Thai which she said was also some of the best she's had! I can't wait to go back!! read more

The Dara in Baltimore is a hidden gem that exceeded all my expectations! From the moment I walked in, the service was exceptional. We ordered the fried seafood wontons, lotus root as appetizers. I had the green curry, and roti and my friend had the hatyai fried chicken. Every dish was bursting with flavor and perfectly cooked. The fried seafood wontons were a delightful start, and the hatyai fried chicken was crispy and seasoned to perfection. The green curry was rich and creamy, but lacked some depth. I would get something else if I were to revisit, but the roti was the perfect accompaniment. I highly recommend The Dara for anyone looking for a delicious and memorable dining experience in Baltimore. read more

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The Dara has taken over the Res Star Tavern... that is still the main star in case you are looking for "the Dara" signage... we almost walked past it looking for the sign. The interior is beautiful and filled with tall pillars and cathedral like high ceilings... there is a warmth to the place that has to be experienced. The food is immaculate with subtle and delicate flavors that the most astute palate will appreciate. The fried lotus is the perfect example... perfectly fried and the texture of the lotus' crunch and the delicate sweetness is the lingering finish. Ask for the red chili peppers and drizzle the sweet/tangy sauce over it. You'll appreciate the burn. The pad Thai is delicious and we got the fried pork belly. I think the cut we got was a bit fatty and it wasn't our favorite. But I absolutely loved the crispy fried chicken thigh with my Thai fried rice. I can definitely reorder and eat this everyday. We can't wait to come back to try every dish! If you are in the Baltimore downtown area... make your way before it blows up and you can't get seating. read more

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Chicken satay and Panang curry w/shrimp were great. I believe the drink menu could use a revamp. This place has more of a casual appeal. Service was adequate. read more

I had such high hopes for this place food wise - I love the ambiance (this is the former Red Star) and there are still remnants of the old decor including the star outside. I did go on a Tuesday night, and I honestly think there was only one server there. So the service was slow albeit friendly. We ordered the fried lotus root - one of my favorite things to eat and unique menu item but it was undercooked. We also got the mushroom appetizer. The level of cook was confusing on this dish, as in everything was very raw and there was celery in it. The seafood Tom yum was overpriced and was average. I will be giving it another go for their curry and fried rice. Updated review: I went back on a weekend, still slow but I learned it's BOYB until they get their liquor license. The service was so nice, they brought out a bucket with ice to chill our wine. Also their Pad Thai - while not perfect was still the best in the area. read more

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RUN don't walk to this new Thai spot in Fells Point! The Dara quietly opened in the old Red Star Tavern location and Fells is better off for it. I've been eagerly awaiting their opening and I went in for a weeknight dinner this week. I was fortunate that Jeff, one of the owners, happened to be working that night and was able to give me recommendations and run through the whole menu! I had the lotus root as an appetizer which was delicious and had a lovely texture. Our group ordered the seafood tom yum soup, and two entrees from the "extraordinary dishes" section of the menu. True to the description, all three dishes were truly extraordinary and great portions. They have the usual fan favorite Thai dishes but also unique recipes more commonly found in the southern region of Thailand. I can't wait to try the rest of the menu! Prices ranges from $15-35. They don't have their liquor license yet, but are operating as a BYOB for now which suited our group very well. The decor is still largely that of the Red Star Tavern but I'm eager to see how they infuse their character into this restaurant. For now I'm just so happy they are here, hopefully to stay! read more

The Dara - Thai Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Really good, flavor is perfect if you dont like spicy food. But hope they can make it a little spicy next time. But overall i love this pork belly read more

The Dara - pork belly moo kam waan - Thai Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Great elevated Thai restaurant with fun drinks! Great space to spend time with friends. Spice levels very high!! Be warned

So many memories in this space. We ordered the kanon Jeeb Pu (crab and minced pork dumplings with crispy garlic) to start. A++ great flavor and interesting texture. Loved it. Entrees were Crab Fried Rice and Chicken Pad Thai - both great. Also ordered a side of the Pad Chinese Broccoli. I'd skip this side next time, given we ordered so much food! read more

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Great food and a wonderful setting! We found this place while in fells point for fleet week and i am happy that we did. Would love to come back the next time i am here! read more

The Dara - Papaya Salad, matsaman curry, basil fried rice - Thai Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Two visits. Two great experiences. Food is great, with sophisticated menu choices. Service is great. The owner is actively involved in overseeing and helping the staff. Applause!!! I will be back read more

We came here on a double date in the evening. We had a reservation but we still had to wait a while for our seating. So much so, that the kitchen closed before we could try dessert. The food was very good, but it wasn't the best experience. read more

Visited the Dara for the first time for dinner. The restaurant is beautiful and ambiance was very relaxing. It wasn't crowded for a week night dinner. The service was prompt. Ordered the chicken sateh and matsaman curry. I can handle some spice but always think I can handle more than I can. So I kept the curry at level 1 and maybe could have had a 2. Both were delicious. Didn't have drinks this time, but would go again. Didn't get a picture of the curry. read more

The Dara - Chicken sateh - Thai Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

If you're near Fells Point and looking for good Thai food, then go to Dara! We came here on a Monday night to celebrate our friend's birthday and we were not disappointed. The restaurant was not busy, spacious seating inside, and high ceilings. Be aware the food can be spicy depending on the heat level you choose. You can choose how spicy you want it from level 1-5, 5 being the spiciest. We chose 3, I thought it was just right (I love spicy food), but my friends thought it was a little too spicy so you might want to go lower if you can't take the heat. Our server, Rainbow was super nice, very helpful and accommodating. Thank you Rainbow for being our server. The surrounding area was also nice, it's a short walk to the pier, cafes nearby if you want coffee and dessert. Parking wasn't a challenge, but it could be on a busy weekend. You'll drive over cobblestones to get to the restaurant; it felt like we were stepping on a little bit of history. read more

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Great Thai restaurant in Fells! I had never seen a dish like the gaeng ga-ti pu before which felt like a great tribute to Maryland on the menu. The curry was flavorful and the soft shell crab was delicious. Be conservative on the spice level, the other dish we got was just a 3 on their scale and we had a tough time finishing it with pretty good spice tolerance. Cocktails are also delicious! Atmosphere feels luxe and service is good. read more

The Dara - gaeng ga-ti pu - Thai Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

The space is beautiful and the staff extremely welcoming, though it was surprising to see it nearly empty on a Thursday evening. The Dara excels at simple dishes, the Chinese broccoli stood out and showed real care from the kitchen. I had hoped for more creative options, but the menu leans toward traditional Thai fare. read more