Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Dara

    4.2 (157 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, 4:30 PM - 10:00 PM

    Order The Dara Takeout or Delivery

    The Dara Photos

    Business Info

    THE DARA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - The Dara

    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

    Seafood wonton
    Jess L.

    Average and overall disappointing, no idea what the hype was about. Came with a group of 6 on a Saturday night. We all got different things. Some stuff was okay but presentation was poor and prices were high. See my pic of the crab pad Thai... $35 for regular pad Thai with cold crab thrown on top! Do not get this. Spring rolls were tasteless, the seafood wontons were actually good. We got a papaya salad at a 1 level spicy and it was too spicy for us to eat a lot, and I don't mind spicy! The fried lotus root was also not bad, kind of like a fried green tomato. The actual entrees were pretty meh. Pad Thai was very sweet, we also got a level 1 spicy and it wasn't spicy at all. No idea how it was the same spice level as the papaya salad. Drinks were good! Their espresso martini was tasty. Service was... odd. Not particularly friendly and there seemed to be a few miscommunications. With gratuity included, I'd expert better service than that. Overall, for the food, price, and experience, I wouldn't recommend it or return.

    Crab curry
    Rumesh V.

    Hands down one of the best Thai restaurants in Baltimore. I was in the area for work and decided to catch up with friends in the evening for dinner. One of my friends recommended this place. Beautiful ambiance and the service was great. Cocktails are great as well. For entrees, I tried the softshell crab with lumps of crab in the creamy curry over a bed of purple rice. It's one of the best Thai food I have ever had. The softshell crab was nice and crispy. Lots of crab meat in the sauce as well. I am definitely coming back here to try other things.

    Justin E.

    A pretty wonderful dining experience at The Dara. This place has an amazing aura and vibe to it, located in a beautiful building. Tried it for the first time on a busy Saturday night and got our food pretty quickly. Our drinks came out a little late for my preference but our servers were as attentive as they could be considering how busy it was. My meal was expertly prepared.

    Mango Sticky Rice
    Sophie B.

    The Dara is a welcome addition to the Baltimore food scene - serving delicious Thai food and a great cocktail selection in an intimate setting perfect for date night or just catching up with friends! I've been here twice and both times I left feeling satisfied with the quality and portion of the food I ate. I had the seafood wontons both times, Thai tea martini both times, and then tried the drunken noodles once and the pad si eew once. You can select a spice level and your protein, both with a good range suitable for everyone. They also label what is gluten free, vegan, or vegetarian on the menu which I find isn't common everywhere. The reason that the Dara loses a star is in two parts. I had a really friendly waitress both times, but it did seem like they were pretty busy and the waitress was a bit stressed. Keep in mind I went on a weekday night both times and the restaurant was practically full. One of the times they forgot my martini and I didn't have a chance to ask about it until I was already eating my entree. This wasn't a big deal overall but just something to note for their team. The food does come out fast, though. The second reason is that unfortunately they have had some sort of supply issue both times I was there. The first time it was that they were out of wide noodles for the wide-noodle dishes, and the second time they were sold out of the appetizer that we wanted to try. Again, the food was still delicious but I do hope they can find their footing when it comes to staffing and supply issues, and this would be a complete five-star establishment for me.

    Maria W.

    First time here, my husband and I , and we absolutely LOVED IT! from the service to the food was delicious! The food was made with love and you could taste it in every bite, the flavors and spices were blended perfectly ! The staff were so nice and knowledgeable regarding the menu. The ambiance was so inviting , I loved the lighting and atmosphere overall. We'll definitely be back!

    Mitzi T.

    Drinks and food were amazing! The restaurant gave a cute & cozy ambiance perfect for date / a girls night! Service was friendly - we were seated right away during happy hour on a Friday night

    Ruth D.

    I've been to The Dara three times now -- twice dining in and once for takeout -- and I can confidently say this Thai restaurant is one I'd like to return to again. It's a relaxed yet slightly elevated experience, but still feels welcoming and comfortable. I definitely recommend dining in if you can; the food quality is noticeably better. Both times I dined in, the service was excellent -- attentive, kind, and genuinely helpful with recommendations. Their cocktails are also a highlight. I've tried the Mezzu Blaze and the Jasmine Gold Rush, and I'd order both again. The Mezzu Blaze has a fun, unique twist with Banhez Mezcal, Yuzu Sake, Spicy Honey, Thai Basil, Fresh Lime Juice, and Orange Bitters. While the Jasmine Gold Rush leans more toward my usual go-to cocktail style -- smooth, balanced, and spirit forward like an old fashioned but slightly flavored with Old Forester Bourbon, Jasmine Syrup, Honey, Fresh Lime Juice, Bitters. They also have a daily happy hour from 4:30 to 6:00. I haven't made it yet, but I noticed the papaya salad is on the happy hour menu -- and that alone makes me want to go back. I assume it's the same very delicious papaya salad that i have had on the regular menu. You can choose your spice level; I went with a level 2, and it packed serious heat (even for someone who loves spicy food). My friend found it too spicy and would've gotten a spice level 1, but I thought it was perfect. It's one of those dishes I'll dream about and can't wait to have again. I do think the spice level feels different depending on what dish you got. I got a spice level three for my Pad Thai and I did not think it was a spicy...potentially because the carbs soaked up the heat? I've also had the pad thai with shrimp, which was delicious, and on my first visit I tried the Gaeng Ga-Ti Pu, one of their "extraordinary" dishes featuring Maryland jumbo lump crabmeat curry, crispy soft-shell crab, a soft-boiled egg, and butterfly pea flower rice. It was rich, flavorful, and beautifully plated -- the kind of dish that reminds you why dining out is worth it. Overall, The Dara delivers solid food, service, and an inviting atmosphere.

    F: Lychee Mojito and B: Tamarita.
    Kris P.

    It has been a long time since I've had authentic Thai. The experience at The Dara is a beautiful balance of service, ambience, and flavors. After reading reviews, I planned a visit after hours. Beating traffic, the dinner bustle, and walking several blocks, the ambient glows through the storefront's glass panes brought a sense of intrigue. The staff tonight were very attentive and our server was so sweet. To start, the table shared lotus root and coconut shrimp. Both delicious, I loved the pairing of apple salad, savory and tangy, with the coconut shrimp. Tamarita (tamarind margarita) is a fave according to our server and tonight's mixologist made it to perfection. Lychee is always a choice of mine and their take in a mojito was fun. Light rum and delicious balance with lychee made it refreshing. For entrees, we chose the basil rice bowl with ribeye and panang with crispy chicken. The ribeye with basil rice was 8oz. plenty and the char was a wonderdul surprise. Rice was tender and oh the basil... yum. A misunderstanding with the panang caused a minor wait but was quickly fixed. Robust in every way, the silky light coconut curry with delicious vegetables and kaffir lime was everything rich and aromatic. The crispy chicken was served on the side, it was not greasy and so flavorful. Portions are generous. So good. The Dara won me. A wonderful first visit and certainly not the last. Definitely recommend and plan ahead with parking.

    Half and half
    Angel Z.

    Food: - chicken satay: peanut sauce was good, chicken had a bad, sour aftertaste - Half and half tea: definitely tasted the Thai tea; it was good and refreshing - Pad Thai with tofu: level 1 was pretty spicy, it was flavorful but sweet - Crab fried rice: Somewhat flavorful and they ate pretty generous with the crab - Chinese broccoli: it was alright, tasted like oyster sauce - Kao soi: chicken was bland and flavorless, soup was too sweet, fried wonton was stale Service: Service was good but pretty standard Ambiance: The ambiance is nice. They play upbeat music. There's lamps on the tables. The dishware is very pretty. It would be a nice date spot.

    Shrimp tempura
    LaTeri M.

    This was a nice spot to have a good birthday dinner for a friend or a nice date night. There was plenty of street parking which was great but the garage is not too far. The service was good. My cava was flat and they replaced it quickly. The food was good but know your spice level ir your mouth will burn... lol

    Drinks
    Kimberly W.

    I have been to Dara several times and the food and service is always amazing!!! My favorite drink is the Thaitini. An espresso martini but with Thai tea instead. The perfect drink for me. The classics Pad Thai, drunken noodles and green curry are amazing. Check yourself if you try to up the spice level. Spicy means spicy. The portion sizes are large so great to share or save for leftovers. Mind that spice level the next day. The crab fried rice is topped with lump crab. The wontons are perfectly fried. Very crispy on the outside and full of flavor and juicy on the inside. The space is also a stunner. High ceilings and lots of wood. Be careful not to overlook this place in Fells Point. It is a winner.

    Jay D.

    We came here with some friends on a double date and really enjoyed it! The vibes are great, with the dim lighting, the wooden interior, and the high ceilings. The staff are really friendly and the service is good. I enjoyed the food although I thought the portions were slightly small. I thought the lychee mojito was just ok too, but my hubby and his friend liked their drinks and the cocktail list looks like it has a good selection. I was surprised by the location, you wouldn't necessarily know it was there unless you were looking, as it's tucked around a corner from fells but I thought that hidden-ness added to the ambiance. Overall we'll definitely be back!

    pad thai
    Chemutai S.

    Sat at the bar, very trendy moody atmosphere. Service was friendly, but had to flag the bartender a few times. Didn't get any apps because what kind of Thai restaurant does not have chive cakes? However, food came relatively quick, but I would say the fried chicken was the star. It was crispy, the sauce that it paired with was good and I enjoyed the other accompaniments. The pad thai was pretty mid for the price. Their happy hour is throughout the weekend as well... note to self. Wouldn't go out of my way to come here again, but was nice to experience. Might come back for a drink and ambience but that's about it.

    See all

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Thank you Sarah, we hope to see you again soon!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of B C.
    0
    9
    0

    11 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    We are honored with your kind words! Please come back soon ;)

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    the most mediocre thai food we've ever had. for all the hype this place wAs bland, expensive and overall just unexciting

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jon S.
    1
    18
    34

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jeff W.

    Jeff W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Thank you Cortney! We hope you dine with us again soon :)

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Thank you Travis! We are happy the prawns hit the spot :)

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Thank you Sophia! See you again soon :)

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jeff W.

    Jeff W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Thank you Claire! We are glad you enjoyed your meal :)

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    The food was delicious, service was prompt, and ambiance was pleasant. Very nice decor and mood in the restaurant. Will come again!

    Business owner information

    Photo of Contact D.

    Contact D.

    Thank you Peter!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 3 of 4

    Ask the Community - The Dara

    Do they have their bar open yet? When will it be open?

    Hi Lochan! Our bar is now open and our craft cocktails menu is also available already at The Dara. Hope to see you soon! / Jeff

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Be More Thai Restaurant - Panang curry with tofu

    Be More Thai Restaurant

    4.4(152 reviews)
    1.3 miFederal Hill
    $$

    This restaurant had a very authentic Thai theme, the decorations brought back memories, the food…read morewas amazing, very clean restaurant, amazing service, staff was so friendly smiles that would brighten a cloudy day, my kid loved the fried chicken. I love the spicy beef and the wife enjoyed the pad Thai. You cannot go wrong with this place, definitely coming back again.

    Came here after a day at the Maryland science center. It's a short walk away, so I was super…read moreexcited to visit a place I previously enjoyed. We entered shortly after 4 PM, which is when they open. There was no one downstairs when we entered, so we walked upstairs. When we walked upstairs, we asked the man at the bar if we could be seated because there was no one downstairs. He looked a bit flustered at first, but still ended up seating us in the same spot. I sat before near the window, which is exactly what I wanted. He immediately brought us ice, water and menus. He pointed to the specials on the menu, and gave us some time to look. We were the only people in the restaurant. Within a few minutes, he came and took our orders. Then, we waited.... For like 25 or so minutes... for the appetizer. And honestly, when they brought the duck rolls out, I was super disappointed. These were not the duck rolls I remember. These were tiny, underfilled, mostly full of the wrapper themselves, and lacking flavor. Additionally, when I placed my initial order, I asked for all of the condiments/sauces to be brought out. I asked the server again when the rolls came out, and he didn't bring them out until I asked a third time when the entrées came out. When the entrées did come out (ga tiem and crab fried rice), they left a lot to be desired. Ga tiem: bland. And to make it so bad, the vegetables served with it, were not cooked in the sauce as they normally are. They were served on the side and we're not cooked all the way. I can't really eat broccoli, so I swapped it for green beans, but I could pretty much snap the green beans in half because they were still so undercooked. Crabmeat fried rice: the fact that they cut up like three full scallion stems, barely cooked them, and tucked them under/at the base of the rice is crazy. They weren't even cooked long enough to release flavor. Also, to be in Baltimore, the amount of crab was a little embarrassing. Definitely should have been more. Overall, the rice wasn't very flavorful. Thai tea: good! Not too sweet, not too milky. You want to know what really made me mad? I asked for soy sauce, and they brought those super cheap packages that just look like black water that the cheap Chinese restaurants provide you when you get carry out. Those packets literally taste like nothing. I have been to very few Asian restaurants in my life that provide that type of soy sauce, especially when you dine in. It doesn't taste like soy sauce at all. I was incredibly disappointed. And considering the fact that I had to ask for these sauces three times, I was even more disappointed. We spent about $62 on the items above. Would I say I got my moneys worth? No would I say that I enjoyed this visit as much as I enjoyed the last? Absolutely not.

    Photos
    Be More Thai Restaurant - Cute. Mom-n-pop Thai.

    Cute. Mom-n-pop Thai.

    Be More Thai Restaurant - Chicken Satay

    Chicken Satay

    Be More Thai Restaurant - Lamb Massaman.

    See all

    Lamb Massaman.

    Bai Kao Thai - Crispy shrimp

    Bai Kao Thai

    4.7(68 reviews)
    39.0 mi

    I'm usually not someone to like Thai but I really enjoyed this restaurant!…read more The fresh spring rolls were indeed very fresh and yummy! I liked the sauce- it was interesting. The fried spring rolls were super! And good the sauce was too. The Thai and lychee and Thai tea are spectacular. The best Thai tea I've had perhaps. Veggie dumplings are also SPECTACULAR!!! Red curry panang was Super good and coconut flavored . It was a bit too strong and rich for me but definitely good. Shrimp black pepper was good! Pad Thai with tofu so good!!! The peanut hint was delicious and the noodles had a perfect texture Pad kaprow was pretty good and a little spicy. The drunk noodle was ok. Not crazy about the noodle texture but the chicken on its own is ok. The combo of the noodle chicken and veggie isn't bad but I'm not crazy about it because of the noodles. The beef is a bit too chewy and I'm not crazy about the taste (bland). All in all the main dishes were very good and so were the apps!

    What a hidden gem, our colleagues told us about this restaurant so we had to try it out. Be careful…read moreon your drive because Deers can jump in the road. The restaurant had a nice selection of Thai cuisine. We ordered the wonton soup and the dumplings, pork and chicken, both were flavorful and fresh. I ordered the pad kapow with fried tofu and chicken medium spice. Everything was cooked perfectly and very nice flavors. My fiancé got the chicken with mushrooms and ginger. I think the ginger for him was a little too strong. We'll have to find him something next time the staff was very friendly. They've been open about a year and a half. We definitely will return

    Photos
    Bai Kao Thai - 6.27.24

    6.27.24

    Bai Kao Thai - Crispy fish fillet salad bowl

    Crispy fish fillet salad bowl

    Bai Kao Thai - 6.27.24

    See all

    6.27.24

    Bodhi Federal Hill - Drunken noodles

    Bodhi Federal Hill

    4.4(285 reviews)
    1.3 miSBIC
    $$

    If you're looking for a great Thai spot, Bodhi is truly 10/10. I have been searching for a Thai…read morerestaurant that really hits the spot for years, and I can honestly say I finally found it. From the moment you walk in, you can tell it's a place people love. great energy, great food, and great staff who make you feel welcomed. We went on a Saturday night and it was packed, which is always a good sign. It was a bit loud, but nothing unbearable or uncomfortable ... you could still enjoy your meal and conversation. The atmosphere felt lively and fun. I ordered the Thai fried rice extra spicy and my goodness, it was incredible. The flavor was rich, perfectly seasoned, and the spice level was exactly what I wanted. You can tell the food is made with care and authenticity. I also ordered the pomegranate martini and it was absolutely amazing. It had the perfect balance of sweet without being overwhelming, especially if you're someone who doesn't love super strong drinks. It was refreshing and paired really well with the meal. Overall, Bodhi is definitely a spot I'll keep coming back to. Great food, great staff, and a great overall experience.

    My sister in-law is from Thailand and she is a great cook, this might be the best Thai restaurant I…read morehave ever been too. Spring rolls were made fresh that day and were full of crunch and flavor. My wife got the chicken Pad veggies, simple but cooked to perfection. I had the duck curry, it is most likely the best curry I have had as well. The atmosphere was great, smaller but intimate, service was also great. If I'm back in Baltimore it's a must revisit.

    Photos
    Bodhi Federal Hill - Seating

    Seating

    Bodhi Federal Hill - Drunken soft wide rice-noodles, red peppers and onions, with added cremini button-mushrooms and long skinny enoki or beech mushrooms

    Drunken soft wide rice-noodles, red peppers and onions, with added cremini button-mushrooms and long skinny enoki or beech mushrooms

    Bodhi Federal Hill

    See all

    The Dara - thai - Updated May 2026

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