Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Empty Bowl Gourmet Noodle Bar in Santa Barbara

4.4 (199) 38 W Victoria St #109, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States

Categories

Thai restaurant

Location on the map

Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California, US

Phone: +1 805-335-2426
Site: http://emptybowlnoodle.com/

Opening hours

Monday:11 AM–9 PM
Tuesday:11 AM–9 PM
Wednesday:11 AM–9 PM
Thursday:11 AM–9 PM
Friday:11 AM–9 PM
Saturday:11 AM–9 PM
Sunday:11 AM–9 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.4

199 Reviews for Empty Bowl Gourmet Noodle Bar 2024:

Review №1

2023-10-08 15:00:11

Spring rolls too cold, but the sauce was good. I did not like the beef soup since the Broth too dark, and beef smell too strong. Staffs are friendly. Seating at the bar and being inside the open market felt great.

Review №2

2023-08-15 00:54:13

Really stellar takes on Thai food with great service!Located in the Santa Barbara Public Marketplace, this is incredibly convenient in that it’s surrounded by so many other choices. This spot truly stands out and seems to be one of the more popular choices at the market, and rightfully so!Even for a take-out oriented spot, service was great. Efficient in speed and clearly considerate in their supply of side toppings and sauces. The Pad See Ew was really great - addicting texture to the flat rice noodles and, though the chicken was somewhat dry, the flavors were bold and mouthwatering. Thai Tea was surprisingly really great - I’m used to it being too sweet but this was really nicely balanced!Worth stopping by if you’re at the Marketplace and looking for some great Thai food!

Review №3

2023-10-29 06:00:30

Showed up on a Wednesday night with no reservations and no plan, and was able to sit at the counter with a 5 minute wait! The noodles and sauces are quite good. We got the weekly special for Wednesday, which is Pad See Ew. Also got Khao Soi with chicken. Both were quite good!!! I particular like the Pad See Ew. Both came out quickly and fun to people-watch in the area, as well as watch the commotion in the kitchen. We left full and happy!

Review №4

2023-08-08 19:33:30

I’ve never wished I could revoke a tip as badly as after eating here. Service is slow, food is unremarkable, portion sizes are small, and the prices are insane. I wish I could highlight how small these take out boxes were..The two “Summer Rolls” on the left were $13 and were labeled “to share”. Right.The chicken pancit on the right was $17 and was greasy, boring, and loaded with cheap vegetables like broccoli stalks, bean sprouts, and carrot. I didn’t mind their vegetables, but that’s almost all that was beneath the surface layers of the noodles. Kids and loads of bean sprouts.Lastly, the girl at the counter for lunch today couldn’t have cared less about her job. She was scowling at people as they ordered and giving everyone attitude.We are 100% never eating here again.

Review №5

2023-03-31 04:16:31

Best Asian noodle soup in Santa Barbara. Khao Soi is mind bendingly good. I’m a frequent repeat enjoyer. Bangkok Street cleared my allergy clogged head while satisfying my hungry stomach. Best to sit at bar but takeout is excellent as well. Once we enjoyed take out in the Public Market bar with fresh craft beer.

Review №6

2018-04-19 18:09:19

Good food. Prices are a little on the pricey side for a soup. Soup was flavorful. The only thing I would change from the soup is to have them cut the chicken breast into slices because they put a whole piece of boneless chicken breast in the soup and it becomes difficult to hold with chopsticks. Dont dare to drop that piece of chicken in your soup. It will splash all over your shirt. I gave this place five stars because customer service was great. Food was fresh. Chicken moist. Very clean place and the ambiance is nice. Very nicely decorated. I will be back.

Review №7

2018-11-11 19:16:57

I give 4.5 star overall and again i am a Thai gourmet. The noodles are and soups are a little expensive, ranging 14 to 15 dollars. But the food quality is great and the amount served is plenty.We ordered Pad Thai and Bangkok street noodles. They were really nice and yummy. The bar servers were also nice.I strongly recommend this place for SB visitors.

Review №8

2023-09-19 00:57:49

This is the best place in town for Pad Thai. It doesnt get any better. The public market is great! You can can all types of food hear if you are craving Thai, but your friend wants a falafel. Its great. The vibe of the PM is awesome too. You can always get some Roris for dessert as well. Empty Bowl food is very tasty. If youre getting the Pad Thai, be sure to get extra meat and extra sauce. That will push the price point over $20, which is a little steep, but its the only way to go to do it right. Theres plenty of seating inside and out. There is also free parking below the PM itself, many people dont know about that. Just take an elevator up and there you go. The PM is conveniently located at the corner of victoria and chapala. I definitely recommend. Its a for sure bright spot of Santa Barbara.

Review №9

2022-07-18 17:43:11

This place is located in the middle of the Santa Barbara Public Market. Like all of the places in the Public Market you can take your food and eat at the market’s tables, but they also offer a limited number of seats right at the noodle bar. If you’re lucky enough to score a seat there, your food will be served in real bowls with real utensils. We weren’t so lucky and had to eat ours out of the to-go containers.My husband ordered the Long Tail Boat Noodle and I had the Larb Lettuce Tacos. He wasn’t too impressed with the broth in his dish, thought it needed more salt or fish sauce or something. But, he did think the amount of beef and the quality of the beef were very good. Also, his dish was clumsy to eat out of the to-go container.I, on the other hand, really enjoyed the Larb Tacos. The ground chicken was tender and the seasoning was spot-on with a nice balance between the salt, acid, and heat. Yes, it had a delightful little kick to it!I’d go back, my husband not so much. But, if you go, do yourself a favor and wait for a spot at the bar, especially if you’re ordering a bowl of noodles.

Review №10

2022-03-16 21:29:24

💯 every time 🙏🏼💜 last time I went the forgot the toppings on my khao soi. This most recent time the chicken was over cooked and the noodles were under cooked, sticking together. 86 spring rolls and coconut water when ordered. Gone downhill since the pandemic. Food is rushed and service is not great. Also noticed that I felt dried out and salty afterward. Not sure about sodium use or msg. Probably wont go back. Want to keep the good memories of the food Ive had here many times before. Think its reached its peak.

Review №11

2019-09-17 04:06:07

Best Pad Tai Ive ever had, even the eggs in the dish were super full of flavor. Spring rolls were super fresh and tasty. Duck steamed buns were a delightful handheld bite, add your preference of chili-heat for a little extra flavor. Open-kitchen cooking with traditional woks, really awesome place!

Review №12

2023-07-13 00:56:52

We tried the pad see ew (Wednesday special) and the duck buns, and I would highly recommend both. The flavors and experience were so delightful that the plan is to go back and work our way through the menu!

Review №13

2022-09-30 18:54:57

Located in the SB PUBLIC MARKET and their bar is first come first serve. I got the Khao Soi and they knocked it out of the park. The chicken was flavorful and juicy. The broth was hearty and had a fair amount of spice but I dumped their pickled peppers in there for more :)Their Thai Iced Tea is brewed fresh and it was DELICIOUS! I saw a couple other peoples dishes and they looked awesome, as well.

Review №14

2022-02-01 02:36:11

Had the hangover noodle and khao soi and ate it just outside the market. Hangover noodle was absolutely delicious and spicy. Nice garlicy and basil flavours. The chicken in the khao soi was juicy and like melt in your mouth. Coconut milk flavour was good. Washed it all down with a pear cider from the market. Very good experience.

Review №15

2021-08-25 03:14:20

My Boyfriend and I came here over the weekend, they have extremely fast service. We ordered the chicken pad Thai and he got the Tom Yum Soup, they were both delicious. The only one thing we had trouble finding the place because it was INSIDE the Fresh Market not it’s own building. But staff is very friendly and efficient!

Review №16

2022-12-28 05:35:12

I tried their thai curry chicken soup with rice noodles and it was MIND BLOWING!! Had to wait a while but so worth it because it was made fresh, it was thoroughly flavourful and completely satisfying. It had the perfect amount of ginger tones without getting too overpowering. I would go back any day and order it on the regular.*edit: STILL 5 stars!!! This place is CONSISTENT!! In the past year, I’ve come back here about 5-6 times and every single time they get the “Khao Soi” perfect!! 😍 Last time I came it was so busy that they ran out, it was devastating. So I came back the next day to buy it; the manager was an absolute sweetheart and remembered my dramatically distressed and disappointed face, so he gave it to me on the house!! That’s customer service right there!! I’m sold.A trip to Santa Barbara cannot be deemed complete until I’ve had this magically soul-nourishing potion of a soup.

Review №17

2020-09-01 05:23:41

Had the Pad Thai with chicken. Good flavors, but the noodles were a bit mushier than they should be. The whole thing was a bit too saucy in fact. Take out box design is irritating if you are trying to eat out of it, which you can do at the lovely outside seating area. $15 including tax for the chicken pad thai. No pork available. Beef costs $3 extra. Seems to be that a pad thai muu should be available and at no additional charge.

Review №18

2018-01-12 17:21:01

This place is really nice. Its always crowded and there are long lines for take outs and dining lines. Its pretty expensive, but the foods are really great. I really recommend Bankok Street Noodle if you want a spicy soup. Its better to go earlier than an usual dinner time in order to not to wait. I also recommend Thai ice tea.

Review №19

2022-11-16 06:19:57

Great place for some good Thai food. The roasted duck buns and hangover noodles are delicious. Highly suggest counter service if the seats are available.

Review №20

2023-06-15 19:19:32

My boyfriend and I frequent Empty Bowl for their amazing noodles when we need a quick delicious meal. We usually order out (Hangover noodles, soup, and summer rolls are our go-tos!) but its always fun to sit up at the noodle bar and watch the action. Hard workers, great service, amazing food!!!

Review №21

2022-11-19 06:45:36

So much flavor. That was just what I needed. I loved all the spicy condiments and trying different combinations with each bite was a flavor sensation.

Review №22

2021-12-16 23:54:14

Decent portion for lunch, ordered mild spicy for Hangover Noodle and the sauce is not strong at all, even my 4-year-not-eating-spicy toddler can handle it🤷‍♀️ They do offer only one kind of kid menu- Pancit Noodle on kids size. Thai tea is great. Server can be more welcoming.

Review №23

2023-04-28 23:40:59

Service was poor and food was greasy. The whole staff especially the manager had no respect for the customers. We had to wait for a long time while they were taking care of people who came after us! This horrible service is not only going to damage the restaurant industry it would damage the reputation of Sant Barbara. People come to this beautiful cozy town to relax and enjoy the food and the atmosphere they are not there to be humiliated and ostracized! I suggest retraining the management team and the whole staff. Its true that Santa Barbara is a resort city or a resort destination and a lot of customers are visitors and may not come back but a good service should not be forgotten under any circumstances. Dont forget they are not there for you they are there for the beautiful city of Santa Barbara so please respect the love they have for their favorite town.

Review №24

2023-09-23 02:43:47

I really love to eat at Empty bowl for many years . But today I order 5 Bangkok noodle to go home around 3:30 pm and now( after 4 hours)I open all the noodle and soup in the same cup . Omg I throw away my $100 .

Review №25

2018-05-28 01:29:44

Some of the best Southeast Asia noodles in California! Hidden in the food court of the public market, this stand sells a variety of noodle dishes, including both soups and dry noodle options. They offered most dishes as optional meat or tofu. I had the curry noodles and the pad Thai, and both were phenomenal. The Thai iced tea was good too.

Review №26

2020-08-11 21:22:33

They have vegan options but at least for the vegan hangover noodles there’s basically zero flavor. What’s the point of offering a vegan option if it’s just plain noodles? They weren’t spicy, just lightly flavored with garlic and soy sauce at best. The texture of the noodles wasn’t the best either.Maybe the other vegan options are better but for the price I probably will not be trying it again.Outdoor seating was nice and distanced at the market though!

Review №27

2021-12-08 11:47:22

The green papaya salad is delicious. You think it going to be fruity but it’s actually not. The papaya isn’t ripe so it has more of a vegetable taste and texture. Highly recommend!

Review №28

2020-03-01 22:14:11

The best pad thai I have ever had, no kidding! The sourness and sweetness have a great balance and the noodles are very chewy. Definitely recommended.

Review №29

2023-04-17 03:56:42

I was there with my daughter this evening and they simply gave our seats to two other people! An employee told us there were two open seats available at the bar when we got there we thanked them and waited for them to clean the seats. when the Clean up was done and we were ready to sit they said a couple are waiting in the line! My daughter told them there was no one in the line when we got there she also mentioned that we were told that two seats were available at the bar but they ignored and gave the seats to new arrivals! I normally dont let things go this way but my daughter didnt let me say or do anything. On the way out I looked at the same seats I saw that manger was talking to the same couple in a way that they were her friends.

Review №30

2023-09-06 15:38:17

Enjoyed sitting at the counter and watching the chefs make this delicious exotic dishes. Great food with great service and ambiance.

Review №31

2023-04-25 05:45:30

One star!!!! NOT THAI FOOD!Had Thai lol.. beef salad. Dressing was oil and vinegar..no fish sauce lime toasted rice for texture chopped peanuts no mint or lemongrass..very disappointing 😞. Go to a REAL Thai restaurant. This is SO AMERICANIZED THAI FOOD!

Review №32

2020-11-03 02:33:14

Pretty good Tom Yum bowl from this place, well spiced. I just did not care for all the uncooked vegetables in there too much crunch.

Review №33

2023-08-31 05:52:31

Delicious Veg Thai Food! Don’t miss iced thai tea it’s brewed fresh.

Review №34

2018-08-17 15:28:46

Great experience Thai classics in small bar only restaurant within public market. Food was delicious

Review №35

2023-02-27 21:17:33

I love Empty Bowl! Ive tried the Northern Thailand Curry Noodle Khao Soi, Hangover Noodles with beef and the Thai Fried Rice Khao Phat....all are amazing and delicious!! I could eat here every day.

Review №36

2022-11-09 18:55:30

Some if the best noodles in SB! Flavorful soups, great textures on their dishes, and all at prices that will still allow your budget to fill up your tank.One tip - get your noodles on the side for your soup if you plan to eat it later.So good!!

Review №37

2023-10-02 15:09:37

We love Empty Bowl! The food is great with really good service! So flavorful! As almost always, our food was great at our most recent visit!

Review №38

2022-10-21 20:54:54

We ordered the Bangkok street noodles to share. The noodles were perfectly cooked with the right amount of chew to it. It had a vinegary taste which I absolutely loved. Order it. It was delicious.

Review №39

2021-12-08 04:18:21

I wanted to like this place but they definitely disappointed. Ordered 2 meals and 1 tea for $45, yikes. Portions were kinda small for the prices. When we picked up I specifically asked if everything was in the bag, she said yes. We get to the car and were missing half the order. We go back and she was pretty rude about it, didnt seem like she cared. Found another bag with our name and gave it to us. The food was honestly flavorless, we didnt finish it. Pad thai was so sweet (gross) and it was dry. And the soup was liquid with a lump of noodles at the bottom, for $18. Could be way better, giving 1 star for the location, zero for the restaurant. Step it up or lower your prices.

Review №40

2022-03-03 05:04:53

Great tasting food! The Tom yum with chicken is a plate of noodles you can hardly finish. And the northern Thai soup is a delicious variation on Tom Kha Kai. But this is NOT a cheap place. Three of us with only one glass of wine came within a whisker of $100, and considering we sat at the counter where it is extremely noisy a person has to think twice about this.

Review №41

2022-12-27 17:53:57

Absolutely delicious but what impressed me even more than the food was how well they handled the post Christmas rush this past Monday. The kitchen staff was FLYING. Food came out quickly and was awesome.

Review №42

2017-01-02 14:30:32

Omg: the curry was so good! The place is kinda crowded and u might have to wait for a seat.

Review №43

2023-02-15 04:33:09

Amazing food✨✨✨✨✨ and a fun casual atmosphere. ✨lMake sure to get there before 5:30pm to get a seat on Friday or Sat, otherwise you’ll be waiting in line a long time.Lots of take out orders too.

Review №44

2022-08-26 16:54:33

We visited this restaurant again after awhile we moved out of town, because I love 2 dishes from this place. Longboard noodle dish and pad thai. The flavor is the same as I remember in those first years they opened, but the portions seem smaller while the price is increased this time.

Review №45

2022-08-09 02:45:46

Keeping it simple. If you like good Thai dishes then this isn’t the place to go. The curry noodle horrendous. Beef noodle soup is just as bad. If I could have rated it correctly it would have been zero stars

Review №46

2022-01-01 20:47:37

Don’t even waste your time and money here. This place’s food has 0 flavor (NO JOKE!!!) I ordered the boat noodle soup and the broth was just a let down, tasting like pepper water! And my parents ordered pad Thai. No color in the noodles could point you to no flavor and lack of seasonings. and I pity Americans who think this place is authentic. The cooks do not understand how to make Thai food. Please go somewhere where the cooks are Thai because they will make it right.

Review №47

2022-05-30 19:11:21

This place is legit. High quality ingredients, everything I tried was fire. I hope they stay as high quality as they are now.They look clean. Their side of chillies is really crunchy and fresh. Legit.One of the best thai food place I have been to.

Review №48

2022-05-30 04:30:35

Got the khao soi and larb plate. Taste was good but even though we were sitting at public market (but not at their booth) we couldn’t get a bowl to make it easier to eat. Nonetheless we improvised and flavors were good. You can order online for pickup to avoid the line!

Review №49

2022-06-01 04:33:24

Absolutely in love with this spot and is one of our favorites in town! We typically go for the Bangkok Street Noodle. The broth is so flavorful and its the perfect blend of broth and noodle. Great Spot!

Review №50

2021-11-22 04:31:52

The food taste great but portions were small. It was served in a large cup and it would take two orders to fill you. At $17 per order it becomes an expensive meal. The duck bum was excellent. Service was fast.

Review №51

2023-03-07 05:35:51

Tasty food! Not a very extensive menu.Its always very busy whenever we go, making it hard to find a seat and enjoy our food.

Review №52

2017-02-19 17:54:22

This is my favorite restaurant in town. I literally get the Bangkok street noodle three times a week. The papaya salad is also amazing. Basically you cant go wrong. The owner Jimmy is always so friendly and welcoming like the rest of his staff. The only bummer is the limited seating but otherwise its perfect.

Review №53

2018-01-31 02:37:03

Such a cool vibe here. The food was the best! I was full but seriously could not stop.

Review №54

2019-09-28 19:39:03

Treat yourself to some pad Thai noodles as theyre supposed to be prepared - so deliciously good here. And their Thai iced tea - thick, full bodied and full of flavor- not watered down like most places.Their service is top notch.Look at how many employees are behind the counter working, not standing around. Empty Bowl turns out great food. Try yourself and youll see.

Review №55

2021-01-10 21:58:32

The best place in the Public Market! Would the Market have made it without this restaurant holding it down since the beginning?They are consistent after all of these years and provide a concise menu with something for everyone. They are happy to oblige with any dietary needs - they have *always* noted, when I ask for no fish sauce, that the fried tofu in the dish is fried in pan that might have the fish sauce, in case I would prefer the unfried tofu. That level of detail and care for customers is outstanding.Their takeout during Covid has been fast and consistent and delicious, but I cant wait to get back to the olden days and slurp my noodles straight out of their bowls!Thanks Empty Bowl!!!!!!

Review №56

2019-10-20 13:16:57

This public market is SO cute... But Empty bowl is just as it sounds, empty flavor! I was very disappointed. The Pad Thai is probably one of the worst Ive had. It might have been improved with hot sauce but they told me they didnt have any! A noodle place with no hot sauce?!?! Ill give it 2 starts only for the location and ambience.

Review №57

2019-05-17 20:15:17

Great noodles and I cant wait to try other things on their menu.

Review №58

2023-09-17 02:00:07

Most of the order was wrong, the noodles were hard, and it lacked flavor.

Review №59

2022-10-11 18:22:44

The staff isn’t very friendly but the food is so bland. I’ve actually been to Thailand and lived in the Bay, and this place is a sad excuse for a noodle bar. Please add some seasoning!

Review №60

2016-03-17 21:24:36

I lived in Thailand so I feel I know a bit about the food. The Pad Thai here is very authentic. It is exactly how it is prepared in Thailand without using ketchup which would give it a red coloring which you will find with many westernized versions of the dish. The Northern Thai Curry is another dish that they do really well and is probably my favorite. I like to come to this restaurant for the food but also for the atmosphere. It is always packed and sitting around the kitchen at the counter gives you a great vantage point to see the chefs at work. The only downside is that it is always packed with people. I recently learned that if the counter is full you can just get takeout and sit at one of the communal seats in the marketplace. It isnt as fun as the counter but it could be a bit faster.

Review №61

2015-10-21 06:51:47

Ate here with friends and family, had a selection of noodle bowls, found them to be quite enjoyable. Curry, Pad Thai, Pancit, and thick Japanese noodles were all very good. Quality was a touch better than Noodles & Co., price was a bit of a jump, tho understandable for the area. Would have liked to eat in the general seating area (not at the noodle bar) but with the non-take-out bowls and silverware.

Review №62

2019-10-18 21:54:22

Decent food in a fast food setting. Fresh ingredients. Pad Thai and their version of Drunken Noodles are delicious. It is not cheap - $70 for two dishes, salad and two glasses of wine. You can sit uncomfortably at the bar, or four feet away at the food court tables with the homeless. If you are at the food court tables, you will be eating out of cardboard boxes - not my idea of going out.

Review №63

2020-09-29 21:36:42

My goto dish here is the Bangkok Street Noodle and i am never disappointed.The broth is amazing. a great combination of sweet, spicy, and savory. Make sure to add some jalapeno vinegar juice.Also very fast!

Review №64

2016-08-20 00:59:18

This is in my top 2 for Thai food in Santa Barbara. I love spice, but have added a bit too much to my dishes here in the past. I suggest waiting a few minutes to let the spice sink into your food. You really cant go wrong with any dish here and the vibe is great.My wife and I often go next door to the wine bar, get a bottle with friends, and eat there. They will deliver your food to you in to-go containers, but it doesnt hurt that you get to wash it down with good wine and good times.

Review №65

2021-08-11 18:41:56

The guy behind the counter was too busy staring into his cell phone while I waited to see if he’d take my order, I guess they don’t want customers. Eating somewhere else. Uploading his photo for reference.

Review №66

2021-09-05 04:03:13

Not bad, but could be better. A little overpriced for what it is (our comparable place in Napa is about 30% cheaper)Tom yum noodles weren’t great (bland and lacking vegetables), but the pancit noodles were pretty good (much more flavorful, with more veggies.)

Review №67

2018-09-09 21:47:37

The curry noodles and hangover noodles are delicious! They use fresh ingredients and the service is quick. The staff was very friendly and answered all our questions. will definitely go back when in Santa Barbara again!

Review №68

2020-06-30 22:07:45

I feel intimidated by the person in charge of the establishment but otherwise the food is great! A little pricey but you are paying to eat at the Public Market.Food: 8/10Customer service: 2/10Price: 6/10, pricey for Thai food but the locaton is very pleasant.

Review №69

2022-11-15 20:13:19

Try their soup NORTHERN THAILAND CURRY NOODLE KHOA SOI”. You can choose chicken, shrimp or tofu . Good seasoning, creamy, little bit spicy and crispy(deep fried noodles). Really good!

Review №70

2016-06-27 13:56:37

Yaowaraj Beef Noodle soup is awesome! My wife loves the Thai Curry Noodle bowl. Friendly, professional staff, consistently great food, nice atmosphere. This place anchors the Public Market and is really the reason the place is still open. Please visit to keep it going!

Review №71

2022-02-27 16:21:15

Hands down best Thai Restaurant in Santa Barbara! Ordered the drunken noodles, dumplings and Thai Tea, all were amazing! Would definitely go back!

Review №72

2018-04-26 20:46:34

The people here are very nice. The service is quick and the food is amazing. Highly recommend. They have a great menu with options but not too many. There is a lot of seating but because its so good, the seating is usually full. The servers are very helpful and looks like everything on the menu is great! Must do if youre in the area.

Review №73

2021-09-19 18:10:08

We get the noodle soups at least once a week. They are all so freaking good. The daily specials are all very good too. Probably our favorite restaurant in SB.

Review №74

2020-10-13 03:28:46

I had the Hangover noodles with shrimp, mushrooms, onions, snap green beans, and cherry tomatoes. Simply delicious! Try the pot stickers as well, they will melt in your mouth. Larb lettuce tacos are also good. I will go back.

Review №75

2022-11-10 17:15:58

Tried the hangover noodles and while good, you really gotta put the vinegar and chilies in there to pump up the flavor. Cool indoor market spot though.

Review №76

2018-09-07 20:20:16

Tom Yum noodles are great. I dont like how if you sit anywhere but their bar, its to go, even if tables are 10 feet away. Come here with a group of 3-4, or a family, and youll be eating a $100 meal out of cardboard bins with plastic forks. Poor setup / policy.

Review №77

2017-11-16 06:42:01

I ordered the boat noodle. There was nothing gourmet about it. It was $16 and way too sweet. I guess they Americanized it, just leave it the way it should be and you will have more empty bowls, pun intended. Look at Andy Ricker: an American who traveled in Asia, came back and opened a Thai restaurant and made food the way he had them in Thailand and people are waiting outside with lines wrapped around the corner of the block just to get a table. Hes making it big and so can you!

Review №78

2020-03-01 17:19:57

Just ok. Only three gluten-free options. I ordered the Tom Yum noodles. The flavor was not well balanced and there were inedible things in it like lots of large chunks of lemongrass. Won’t probably be back.

Review №79

2018-11-15 04:43:41

One of the best spots in town. Excellent dishes, fresh ingredients, and incredible service. You can’t go wrong on the menu but the Bangkok Street Noodles is my favorite.

Review №80

2019-12-24 05:35:59

Energetic atmosphere and delicious eats. Cant go wrong with the Phad Thai. The Pan Fried Pancit also gets my thumbs up - flavorful, and the veggies are fresh and done tender-crisp.

Review №81

2019-11-09 04:33:54

I am a huge fan of their curry noodles. Always consistently worth waiting in line to sit and eat at the bar. Staff is friendly but also extremely busy in the tiny booth, a fun atmosphere.

Review №82

2019-02-06 05:56:32

Just in the middle of the road for asian cuisine. There is nothing here that is blowing me away from other restaurants. Impress me!!! I beg you... !!! I think there is something here... but not being blown away yet. With that being said, I have had the duck buns which were not the most tender. Typically this cut of meat serves on a boa bun should melt in your mouth leaving you begging for more. Instead... this bite of food makes you put the bun down and not want more. All of the noodle soup dishes are just ok... nothing that really stands out among the 3 noodle soup dishes. Again, I expect at least something to truly stand out to make me want to continue to return. Noting stood out but nothing was extremely terrible either. Hence, my review of just mediocre.

Review №83

2022-08-08 04:00:58

The best restaurant in Santa Barbara. Its even better when you eat at the counter and see everyone working to provide authentic and deliver meals.

Review №84

2021-07-25 23:12:32

One of the only Thai spots Ive been to that makes Khao Soi and it is great! Since visiting Thailand a few years back, Ive been on the hunt for Khao Soi and I was happy to see that they had it.

Review №85

2019-03-14 02:40:40

Absolutely the best Thai food in the town. Their noodle plates are all very good, but the Pad thai is something else. I always take my guests there and have not been disappointed.

Review №86

2019-11-06 03:03:58

A bit pricy, flavor profile is a tad different when compared to most Thai.. a bit sweeter. Thai spicy is pretty mild if you have been to similar Thai places in LA.

Review №87

2015-11-16 19:48:36

I was impressed with their brew selection. And this was the only place in the SB public market that had people eating lunch on a friday afternoon. had a tricerahops and ordered a boat noodle at their recommendation.The few places Ive had boat noodle, ive loved it. Pa Ord in Los Angeles, or literally on a boat at the floating market. This is not a boat noodle. This is a modified tom yum noodle. But they do have a tom yum noodle in their menu too. So while confused, i still enjoyed the meal very much. The kitchen is open so you can see them making your food.But if youre not into the sweet and sour flavoring of tom yum, steer clear of this boat noodle. It def is good.

Review №88

2018-08-12 23:51:08

The food was delicious. We ordered a thai curry noodle soup bowl and the pan ftied noodles. Both the dishes were great. Loved this place!

Review №89

2021-12-14 06:49:36

I was there on Wednesday the food it wasgood but I was very disappointed becauseI never received any kind of service not even one person asked me how my food was nor if I needed anything I was so trusty but I was embarrassed to asked for anything I even had to asked for my check when I was done one girl asked me if I was going to paid because she saw me looking around for someone to help so SAD

Review №90

2017-06-03 03:49:02

Best noodle dishes in Santa Barbara. Affordable, great atmosphere, and killer food that will be sure to clear out the sinuses. Chicken curry noodle bowl is a must!

Review №91

2023-05-10 02:39:37

Amazing noodles! Lots of different options and the daily specials are amazing!

Review №92

2020-01-05 18:40:32

We visited this little mall and we liked it a lot we would try a different place next time I was not impressed with the food served here I think you could find other places that have a higher quality of Asian Foods. The staff was very unfriendly especially the men

Review №93

2022-07-03 22:01:24

I had the larb lettuce tacos. I was quite literally gagging. It didnt taste like chicken, but rather something you’d feed a chicken.

Review №94

2019-04-02 01:51:03

Delicious, quality food for a decent price. You are in an indoor boutique food market and there is some street parking but mostly pay by the hour outdoor parking but very convenient, clean and good service

Review №95

2017-09-21 18:43:07

We go all the time, its the only place in SB (I was born here) that people talk to each other at the counter AND sometimes share food w/strangers next to them. Fantastic Food! Go and have fun!

Review №96

2018-11-01 05:56:25

Pretty good food but the wait on a Tuesday evening around 6 for a takeout order was about 35 minutes. The portions were pretty small for the price as well.

Review №97

2023-11-13 20:06:25

Terrible service, terrible food terrible employees very nasty

Review №98

2020-03-15 17:57:30

Food was fanastic, especially the red curry dish. Beers were great. Spot was super cute. Staff was a delight.

Review №99

2020-06-03 03:01:10

This was the first time we tried this restaurant. Everything we ordered was delicious... The Drunken Noodles, tofu Pad Thai, and the Beef Curry with rice....yum!!

Review №100

2018-03-10 23:33:36

Very tasty!!! I wish the kitchen recycled/ composted - that would give them 6 stars in my book! Everything goes into the same bin generating quite a bit of landfill waste.

Review №101

2019-08-08 00:46:37

Fresh quality ingredients in a casual atmosphere. The Hangover noodles were exceptional. Good wines.

Review №102

2020-07-05 05:31:21

Pretty authentic thai noodle taste ( and I m from thailand!) . Friendly serviceThe commom food court sittimg area is clean & nice.

Review №103

2018-04-21 20:08:17

This is my all time favorite noodle place. My bf and I always stop here for lunch when were in Santa Barbara! I highly recommend the Hangover noodle!

Review №104

2016-08-03 18:14:30

I got the hangover noodles many times and really liked it. They were spicy but delicious. I come here almost every time I go downtown!

Review №105

2021-09-14 05:03:09

The Monday special, the fried rice, was great! If you like spicy ask for the chili fish sauce.

Review №106

2021-09-17 17:52:47

Excellent Pad Thai. I suspect the other Thai food is good too. The Sumtom (papaya salad) looks nice.

Review №107

2019-10-31 18:56:05

My favorite place in the Public Mkt. Excellent Thai-ish food, noodles, curry bowls. Good beer to wash it down.

Review №108

2021-08-05 02:44:15

Came here on a weekday night. The Thai Beef Salad has absolutely no flavor. Pad Thai was so.. so.

Review №109

2016-09-03 19:09:28

Excellent food that is plated like a work of art

Review №110

2020-12-21 23:33:30

Their food is delicious and their customer service is excellent!

Review №111

2020-01-26 15:41:57

Interesting spin on Thai food. I enjoyed the tom yum noodle and the different pickled chilli peppers laid out on the counter.

Review №112

2019-08-27 20:21:05

Fantastic. Greta food great people.

Review №113

2019-07-30 04:59:01

This place is really good for some spicy Thai food. Theyre bowls are the ultimate comfort food.

Review №114

2022-03-29 04:24:48

Had to stop orderingFood has gotten worse over past couple monthsused to be goodplace is not edible

Review №115

2021-03-07 18:06:45

Sadly mediocre. Felt like they put yesterday’s leftover chicken or last weeks chicken in dish. Could actually taste bleach. 🙁

Review №116

2017-02-23 21:43:53

Excellent noodles and great service.

Review №117

2016-07-20 15:20:00

Amazing. Just great. Not a lot of seating, but youll love the food here. Highly recommended.

Review №118

2022-01-01 01:09:06

Counter service, really cool atmosphere, excellent flavors, good price. What more do you want?

Review №119

2018-03-06 04:12:32

Poor service. Poor communication of made up rules. No posting or pleasantness after we spent 100+ dollars on food. I would strongly tell anyone not to eat here. TERRIBLE SERVICE.

Review №120

2018-11-04 20:27:18

We were hoping for better vegetarian options. From their social media it looks like they have veggie soups and curries, but its only noodles :(

Review №121

2020-01-06 06:52:10

Delicious and tasty Thai Dishes served by very friendly staff. Highly recommended

Review №122

2019-11-13 17:10:45

Great menu, great food in the Public Market - in my opinion one of Santa Barbaras coolest food options.

Review №123

2021-12-28 02:13:37

Very good Thai food. Hangover noodle is my favorite.

Review №124

2016-08-13 02:53:04

Thai Curry Noodle is so good.It can get quite crowded, so we usually order for takeout.

Review №125

2020-03-12 19:39:30

Always great food and service. Best Thai noodles food in Santa Barbara

Review №126

2016-06-17 21:05:42

Love this place, Monday special is my favorite. It will be a great idea to add your current specials to your menu and come up with new specials

Review №127

2021-05-12 05:55:08

Hangover Noodle and chicken curry I could eat every day for the rest of my life and die a happy man!

Review №128

2015-11-22 15:59:39

I absolutely love this place and the overall public market. Try some ramen and enjoy the live music that may be playing nearby.

Review №129

2018-09-07 15:50:10

Best thai food in Santa Barbara.... and they will open a sit down place soon in montecito.

Review №130

2017-05-29 18:24:58

This is the best food in Santa Barbara. I crave it and return monthly every time Im in town visiting family.

Review №131

2019-05-27 02:55:33

Food was fine, but not worth a 35 minute wait after ordering. Wasnt just us waiting.

Review №132

2019-02-08 17:50:57

Limited space to enjoy food. Long Wait time for food. Price is little higher but food is good.

Review №133

2018-12-04 22:41:39

Good Pad Thai but way too many sprouts for my liking.

Review №134

2021-12-12 02:31:01

Drunken noodle is great!!!

Review №135

2021-05-30 18:35:17

Tasty pad thai, papaya salad and northern thailand curry.

Review №136

2021-09-25 19:03:57

Truly delicious authentic Thai cuisine, highly recommended

Review №137

2019-02-03 01:08:03

A little greasy for my taste. Not quite the right balance of flavors (acid and heat, specifically)

Review №138

2017-09-01 23:53:44

Get the Khao Sio (Norther Thai Curry Noodle Soup). Its a mistake not to, incredible dish.

Review №139

2022-12-10 05:07:14

Our bowls delicious. Well be back.

Review №140

2016-08-05 20:13:21

Very expensive for what they are, but excellent food! Be prepared for quite a wait during peak hours, though.

Review №141

2020-02-06 19:58:06

Great service and ambiance. Food was not my cup of tea but all in all good.

Review №142

2017-05-30 05:14:11

This place is very busy on the weekends for good reason -- friendly staff and delicious food!

Review №143

2018-10-26 22:06:58

Overlyhoped, overly priced for americanized thai food. Disappointed.

Review №144

2017-01-07 22:25:06

The food was very awesome here, and service was great as well.

Review №145

2020-02-10 04:45:54

One of the best restaurants in Santa Barbara. Highly recommend!

Review №146

2021-08-11 11:32:21

Called to place an order yesterday, was put on hold for 10 minutes before I hung up.

Review №147

2018-11-16 20:32:48

Worst food poisoning in my life. Both my wife and I suffered for a week afterwards.

Review №148

2016-08-03 19:02:43

Northern Thailand Curry Noodle (Khao Soi). SOOO GOOD!!!

Review №149

2019-04-22 13:33:21

Outstanding Thai food. Get the curry soup noodles!

Review №150

2018-12-15 21:34:29

Tasty food tucked away in a bustling food court. Definitely worth your time

Review №151

2018-04-09 23:24:20

Great food! Love their curry soup!😋

Review №152

2021-04-19 02:29:27

Fast, legit flavors, good stuff. I like this place.

Review №153

2021-05-16 23:01:20

Noodles were cold and stuck together by the time we got back to the motel.

Review №154

2021-05-15 21:25:35

Their chicken curry noddle soup is amazing!

Review №155

2023-06-20 04:26:46

Great food options

Review №156

2021-12-13 15:41:50

Really good soup and dumplings. Yummy

Review №157

2022-04-26 04:58:27

Never had something I didnt love

Review №158

2022-03-29 01:46:34

One of my favorite spots in SB!

Review №159

2016-08-05 11:50:08

Takes a long time to serve. 1/10 also bad food

Review №160

2017-07-22 22:41:34

Omg amazing. I wish they had more locations

Review №161

2018-08-24 12:15:48

So yum yum!! Bangkok Street Noodles!! And everything else lol

Review №162

2023-04-10 22:24:39

The food quality was so so

Review №163

2019-08-01 20:56:22

Fun place to get noodles. Good selection.

Review №164

2019-03-31 02:31:52

Great food friendly service very popular

Review №165

2019-12-05 08:50:18

This place never disappoints! Beyond delicious!

Review №166

2018-12-02 03:00:20

Great food!!! Best thai in SB!

Review №167

2018-11-19 16:52:02

Supa delishe gonna coe back with mah dudes

Review №168

2021-12-14 04:28:33

Pickles and chilis here are great

Review №169

2019-07-21 05:47:58

So good. Wish there was one in LA.

Review №170

2018-12-29 02:53:36

Staff is friendly and the food is amazing

Review №171

2021-11-20 00:59:39

Great food, hangover noodles rocked

Review №172

2017-11-19 19:59:53

Best Thai food in Santa Barbara!

Review №173

2018-12-29 16:05:07

Love the atmosphere at SB Market!

Review №174

2018-07-23 04:30:05

Amazing! As usual.

Review №175

2023-08-05 17:31:26

Found on Reddit

Review №176

2019-12-29 16:26:38

Just the best food loved It

Review №177

2017-11-08 03:17:37

Very delicious noodle bowls!

Review №178

2021-07-17 22:11:48

The the food. Par excellence

Review №179

2021-01-24 07:58:49

Great food and service.

Review №180

2019-09-23 05:08:03

Its really good

Review №181

2019-03-04 03:15:29

The best

Review №182

2019-01-12 05:44:33

Yummy Pad Thai. 😋

Review №183

2017-02-07 21:41:41

Great heat level.

Review №184

2023-01-14 12:46:46

Terrific 👍

Review №185

2017-09-08 21:59:00

Amazing flavor!

Review №186

2019-09-09 04:24:16

Delicious

Review №187

2019-06-21 17:22:39

Very delicious noodles

Review №188

2019-10-30 20:09:51

Yum

Review №189

2019-08-20 05:58:31

So good...

Review №190

2020-12-09 23:25:07

Great food

Review №191

2017-03-20 17:12:47

I love this place

Review №192

2021-04-06 03:04:58

Great noodles

Review №193

2016-12-04 17:07:13

Yummy noodles!

Review №194

2019-04-27 21:39:01

Perfection

Review №195

2023-12-12 15:46:01

I love everything about this place.

Review №196

2022-01-24 03:54:09

Delicious food. The staff is very attentive. Very nice and warm place. Super clean and with flavors to enjoy! Highly recommended. Dont stop goingDelicious food. The staff is very attentive. Very nice and warm place. Super clean and with flavors to enjoy! Highly recommended. You cant miss it

Review №197

2017-01-17 04:39:52

Compared to other foods, noodles are relatively expensive. Its a pity to eat rice noodles cheaply in Korea and then give them expensive ones here. If you get more spicy pepper seasoning and eat it, you will be able to open your stomach. Noodles served in a paper bowl dont feel like eating, so be sure to ask for a plate and eat there.

Review №198

2019-08-20 15:09:54

We tried the noodle soups, they were excellent and the portion size was absolutely sufficient!

Review №199

2016-12-25 06:18:02

Pat tai was so goooood~