423 reviews
#64 of 12,158 Restaurants in New York City$$ - $$$, Thai, Vietnamese, Vegetarian Friendly+1 212-308-5588+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Sun
11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Mon
11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Tue
11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Wed
11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Thu
11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Fri
11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Sat
11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Ratings and reviews
4.5
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Thai, Vietnamese, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Menu
Appetizers
Sambal Spiced Calamari
calamari, scallion, onion, butter, sautéed with spiced sauce, cucumber relish
US$10.00
Crispy Vietnamese Spring Rolls
pork & shrimp, taro, mushroom, house dipping sauce
US$7.00
Crispy Vegetable Spring Rolls
tofu, jicama, mushroom, taro, soy dipping sauce
US$7.00
Crispy Pork Belly
caramelized sliced pork belly, pickled vegetables
US$9.00
Spare Ribs on Sugar Cane Skewer
spicy honey mustard glaze, crushed peanuts, hoisin peanut dipping sauce
US$9.00
Fresh Shrimp Rolls
poached fresh shrimp, vermicelli, bean sprouts, herbs, hoisin peanut dipping sauce
US$8.00
Is this a Thai restaurant?
Details
CUISINES
Thai, Vietnamese
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks
FEATURES
Delivery, Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Gift Cards Available
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4.5
423 reviews
Excellent
270
Very good
107
Average
27
Poor
9
Terrible
10
Coco L
Hong Kong310 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
We visited OBAO on a recent Saturday afternoon and very much enjoyed dining there.
The restaurant got filled up quite quickly, so if you want to have a good spot and try their signature dishes, it might be a good idea to go there before the big crowd arrives. (We were there at 12:30)
As someone from Asia, I found food at OBAO surprisingly tasty. Really appreciate all the vegetarian options. Reasonable price and nice setting. Staffs were friendly and attentive. We would visit again!
Written 10 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NoraExplorer
New York City5231 contributions
Aug 2020 • friends
My friend and I decided to check out another Thai food place and here we were. The entire street is pretty much occupied by outside seatings from various restaurants.
We got Alex as our friendly waiter. He was a one-man show running around doing everything. Go Alex! We ordered some "summer" drinks although it wasn't a hot day. We both ordered papaya salad to start with. I thought the salad was all right, average. Then my friend ordered the vegetable green curry and I had vegetable drunken noodle or pad kee mao (not meow). I tried my friend's green curry and I thought that was one of the best I've ever tasted. The broth wasn't too creamy nor watery and the combination of different vegetables was perfect. I thought I had made a mistake by not ordering the green curry. However, after having my first bite of my drunken noodles, I knew I made the right choice, it was extremely delicious! I'm aware that pad kee mao is delicious but this one is better than most. I highly recommend both entrees.
This place has plenty of drinks, plenty of food and plenty of friendliness, just stop in and say hello to Thai food from the menu! Enjoy!
Written 2 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carla C
New York City359 contributions
Oct 2020 • couples
We often go to Obao because is near our place and we like it very much - food is nice, cocktails are great, service is super fast and the menu is rather extensive. Dishes are well prepared with fresh ingredients (I.e. you can actually see the chef chopping away lovely veggies etc). Excellent value for money. I highly recommend it!
Written 3 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daydream564805
New York City3 contributions
Jan 2020 • couples
I was absolutely starving when we walked in and within a few minutes we had our appetizers and at a reasonable time after we devoured them we got our mains no wait at all! Great house cocktail we both ordered the Obao and loved it. Our server was prompt and advised us as to the best way to navigate our night. We will definitely be back!!!
Written 14 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tommy_ZZZZ
Rochester40 contributions
Dec 2019 • solo
Was looking for some Pho while staying on the Upper East Side and came across OBAO, so took a chance. Glad I did, staff was very welcoming and the Pho Bo was excellent. The portion size was perfect and the rich flavorful broth warmed the insides on a wet winter day. Will definitely make a return trip on my next adventure to NYC.
Written 4 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janejira Pintapakang
1 contribution
Jan 2020 • couples
We love this place! My boyfriend is vegetarian. Its really hard to find good vegetarian food for him but we found it! We ordered red curry with tofu, sauté eggplant with spicy garlic sauce and fresh shrimp rolls. The tofu was a little crispy and went very well with curry sauce. The spicy garlic sauce was on point not too spicy. All in all, the food was amazing and service was good.
Written 8 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brandon W
Hoboken1 contribution
Jan 2020 • friends
I came here with a few friends during lunch time, and was not disappointed. The pork belly and fried calamari are my go-to appetizers, and typically order the pad Thai or pho. Service is great, and the food is delicious.
Written 10 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jutharat P
4 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
My experience here at OBAO was great. We just got tired walking from the MET and want some Thai food so we ended up here. I ordered Luk Sa and my girlfriend ordered Pad Thai. The food came fast. They were both great in taste. Those shrimps were so fresh and pork belly were so tasty as well. After the food we ordered two desserts - Chocolate forest and Yuzu. Both desserts were also very flavourful. I love Yuzu, great combination of sour and sweet. We had a wonderful time and would love to come back here again.
Written 9 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kokla Kevin Academan
New York City1 contribution
Feb 2022 • friends
Legitimately A must try restaurant around NYC. Doesn’t matter what I get I end up liking it. They make one of the most delectable I have ever had in downtown and probably the best Pho I’ve had in NYC. THE STAFFS here also provided a great service with wide smiles on their faces especially Korn and Koi.
Written 2 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bella A
4 contributions
Jan 2020 • couples
It was my turn to pick a place for dinner, so of course Obao was my neighborhood favorite. We got the salt and pepper shrimp (5/5), beef Penang (5/5, pad ke iew (4/5). The drinks were also great. If you’re ever in the neighborhood, just try during happy hour and in general!
Written 14 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert I
3 contributions
Jan 2020 • friends
Super delicious calamari and pork belly. And the Khao soi is the perfect balance of spicy and rich. 100% would recommend to anyone looking for an authentic south east Asian restaurant in midtown!
Written 10 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Spencer M
New York City107 contributions
Jul 2021 • none
Don't let the slightly dingy decor discourage you from eating at OBAO because there is some really solid thai food here. My table ordered the pad thai, massaman curry, and chinese broccoli. I thought the meat in the curry was a little cry (which is odd for on-bone meat). The pad thai is different than some of the other pad thais I've had (the noodles are much thinner). However, I enjoyed the change.
Written 20 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sdurg
New York City1 contribution
Jan 2020 • none
Great food! This is so close to our apartment and we love Obao for a quick bite that is always good. Definitely love the calamari and steamed dumplings for appetizer. Pad Thai is my favorite main dish. They have a specialty dish, khao soi, that is not available at most Thai places and is a must try!!!
Written 3 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kiez70
Avoca Beach107 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
Don't get me wrong. Food was good. But nothing better than a good food court Vietnamese in Australia. Probably got off to a bad start because we showed up for a 5pm reservation at 4.55 and we were told the place didn't open until 5pm so I said to the man (appeared to be manager/ owner) "Okay I'll just wait out in the rain then" to which he nodded "Yes". We then stood outside in rain until a lady came to the door at 5.02pm. One of the Waiters was lovely. Very funny. Cheap cold beers and nice dumplings. Laksa lacked flavour. Chilli couldn't fix it. Overall Absolute B.S. this should be this highly rated. Visited several restaurants with much better with friendlier service, better food and nicer atmosphere in NYC
Written 10 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rowena H
Canberra2 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
Stumbled upon this lovely place and loved everything. The staff were warm, welcoming and knowledgeable. The menu isn’t overwhelming, and the wine list is uncomplicated which is perfect. We had the dumplings, chicken wings, laksa and curry chicken noodle dish. Can’t pick a favourite. Looking forward to coming back!
Written 27 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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