Bangkok Bistro
3506 Erie Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45208
Bangkok Bistro Menu
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Appetizers
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Soups
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Salads
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General Fares
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House Specials
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Desserts
Healthy Meal suggestions for Bangkok Bistro
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Appetizers
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Soups
-
Salads
-
General Fares
-
House Specials
-
Desserts
Visit below restaurant in Cincinnati for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Cincinnati for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
3506 Erie Ave
Cincinnati, OH, 45208 - Phone (513) 871-0707
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
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Elizabeth O.
My husband and I were here recently for a late lunch. It was our first time inside the restaurant, we have before opted for carry-out. I can't say we'll come back for in-house dining because the service was very slow, even though we were one of three tables in the whole restaurant. No wait, I'll change that--the food came out quickly after we ordered it, but the waitress took forever to come over and ask for our order and then to bring us a bill. Most times we get crispy pad thai, which is very good, but we decided to try a few other things this time. I got Panang Curry, which is a thing I've never had before anywhere, our server gave me an accurate description of the dish. My husband had a sushi lunch special, which was an assortment of three types of roll. I couldn't finish my dish, too salty. Perhaps over-reduced? My personal opinion is that if the saltyness completely obfuscates any curry taste--a taste that can regularly stand up to much infringement--there's a problem. My husband referred to his sushi as "just food." Which is to say it met his body's requirement for nourishment but didn't inspire any other response. To be fair, my husband and I have tall standards on sushi and curry respectively, so you may come to different conclusions. All in all. A pretty disappointing visit. The only reason this gets three stars is because I'll go back and get crispy pad thai take-out, which, history dictates, will be excellent.
(3)Ben N.
When there are about eight Thai-sushi restaurants within about a one-mile radius of each other, as in the Hyde Park/Oakley/Mt. Lookout axis, standing out from the pack takes something special. As far as I can tell, Bangkok Bistro lacks that something special. Bangkok Bistro is apparently the granddaddy of the East Side Thai places, and it kind of feels like it. It is more comfortable and spacious and attractive, but a bit more dated-looking, than some of its nearby competition--the decor includes dark green carpeting, lots of wood, and exposed brick, and the tables are large, heavy, and wooden. Somehow it all feels a little like the 1990s. The crowd was somewhat diverse, as far as an almost all-white one goes: families, quite a few older Baby Boomer couples, and on the other evening a couple of kids having a pre-prom dinner in fancy-pants prom duds. And the menu might be the granddaddy of Cincinnati pan-Asian menus. It's larded with rather tired Japanese items, and a rather lengthy sushi menu is offered. (You know what? I'd be elated if just one Thai restaurant on this side of town jettisoned all of its Japanese stuff--leave it to the Japanese, who will do it better--and replaced it with a bunch of authentic Thai food that most of us folks in Cinci have never heard of.) Anyway, the food is completely edible if pretty much indistinguishable from most other Cinci Thai. The veggies taste pretty fresh, but the sauces don't seem very complex or deeply layered. At least this was true of "Seafood Madness," a kind of standard Americanized Thai basil dish loaded with scallops, shrimp, et al. (And yeah, I did feel a little sheepish about uttering the words "Seafood Madness." And that's not even the most embarrassing dish name on the menu: There's actually an entree called "What a Feeling." "Flashdance," anyone?) And although the portions are pretty large, the prices are, too. In the end, Bangkok Bistro is serviceable enough, but ultimately it just feels like it might be going through the motions.
(3)Sandra F.
Love their sushi and fried pad thai noodles! I can see why this place is always busy.
(4)Ed P.
Saturday night my wife and I headed out to a soon-to-be neighborhood restaurant for us, Bangkok Bistro. Our friend Amy (who badly needs to update her blog) was having a birthday celebration at the Hyde Park Thai restaurant. My wife called in a reservation for our group earlier in the day and upon our arrival we found that the group had grown by two and the restaurant easily accommodated that. Service for our table of ten was good, not particularly fast, but we weren't in a hurry anyway. Our server asked right away if we were going to have separate checks, which made everything so much easier, so that gets a huge plus in my book. The group started with two plates of edamame as an appetizer along with a bottle of wine and various other drinks. I skipped the edamame since I am allergic to soybeans, but I'm told it was good, though steamed soybeans can't be that hard to prepare. My wife decided to split some sushi rolls with Amy while I opted for the Thai Spicy Chicken from the "General Fare" selections. Most meals can be ordered on a spiciness scale from 1-10. After reading some reviews of people ordering 11s and 12s, I decided that 8 would be suitable for me. I do love spicy food after-all! The decision ended up being perfect for me as the dish was definitely spicy but not so powerful that you couldn't taste anything else on the plate. This dish is prepared with a mix of vegetables including onions, green peppers, mushrooms, carrots, broccoli, baby corn, and peas. The serving size is large and I would have easily been able to take some home if my wife hadn't helped me with it. The price was also right at only $10.95. Many of the other dishes in the noodles and rice section of the menu were closer to $15 each, which seemed a little high. I'm comparing this to our favorite Thai restaurants in Denver where most dishes were under $10. Typically we have found that most things are little cheaper here in Cincinnati, so Bangkok Bistro would definitely be a little expensive overall. Fortunately the taste of the food was easily on par with our favorite Thai restaurants. I'm sure with the relatively close location to our future house, we will be back many times in the future.
(4)Lauren M.
My English friend raves about the crispy pad thai, so when I finally had the opportunity to visit Bangkok Bistro, I had to order it. I was not disappointed in the slightest. It was every bit as delicious as he'd raved that it was. In fact, I almost wish I didn't know how good it is, because now I want to go back as soon as possible. This place will definitely be my go-to for pad thai for as long as I live in Cincinnati.
(4)Scott S.
Nice location, good atmosphere. Service, like many authentic Thai establishments, can be challenging from a communication standpoint. Frankly, I like it and find the challenge charming. If you're one of those impatient " 'mericuns" than there's a burger joint down the road. Excellent Tom Kha soup. Had the Crunchy Pad Thai...was very good, I'd order it again. Recommend.
(4)Ashley E.
Bangkok Bistro! Best vegetarian dish I've ever had. Best service I have ever had. Derek could not have accommodated us any better. He recommended the Thia spicy ginger, AMAZING. Ask for Derek.
(5)Stacey L.
I have eaten here three times, each time more amazing than the last. Some of the best Thai food in Cincinnati! Last Friday night, I was hanging out at Hap's just a couple doors down and needed some food to soak up the alcohol. When we asked the bartender for suggestions, he suggested "The Kok" but said we needed to hurry because their kitchen was closing in 5 minutes. A group of about 8 of us rolled in there for take-out about 10pm. You would think they would be unhappy preparing food for a large group just minutes before closing.... Nope! They were pleasant and chatty and more than willing to take the order. I tried their Mango Stir Fry and their vegetable coconut soup. Both were spicy and delicious! I have also tried their Pad Thai in the past. It is as good as any in the city. Another time, we got a huge boat of sushi! If you are a fan of Thai food, definitely try "The Kok" out!
(5)Chris C.
We had great service and very good food. The waiter was very knowledgeable and accommodating of our large group of 14, some who arrived late, but he was still able to give us separate checks and get us out in time for our after dinner event! The group seemed to all like the food they ordered.
(4)Bob M.
It was a Sunday evening around 7:00 o'clock when two friends and I visited the Bangkok Bistro. We were the first dinner patrons but soon there were about 8 tables active. It was a nice day and folks were still out doing yard work and walking. The crispy Pad Thai was great, and a bottle of Hob Nob Pinto Noir wine was just the right selection. The waiter was friendly and patience with us as we talked and ordered slowly. The outdoor seating looked like fun and we will try it the next time we come to eat.
(4)Matt C.
I had previously given Bangkok Bistro three-stars because the service had often been a little subpar. However, the last few times I came, I was knocked out by the turn-around. The service was attentive and friendly, and they made a special point to make me feel welcomed. I'm happy to be a regular here. And the food has been excellent. My favorite of the Thai dishes is the Drunken Noodles, and I get it as spicy as it comes. If you like sushi, you have to try the Futo Maki and the Spicy Thai Basil roll, which are two of the best rolls I've had in town. If they keep it up, a fifth star may be in the near future.
(4)Shawna H.
Probably the best crispy pad Thai in this city. I have yet to find another Thai restaurant that offers crispy pad Thai. I haven't tried anything else on the menu but I will drive 20 just for their their crispy pad Thai. The staff at Bangkok is great too. The staff is always pleasant when I call my order in and when I eat in.
(4)Monica H.
Food is ok & you never have to wait for a table, but the service is soooooo slow. Go down the street to Saigon Cafe, you'll be glad you did.
(3)Fran H.
Gorgeous outdoor and indoor dining. Always excellent food and lovely service. Unconventionally high spice levels available on request, though they can tone it down as well if you prefer. I highly recommend dining in,especially when the weather is nice enough to enjoy the beautiful patio.
(5)Elizabeth W.
I've heard there was good food here, but I hadn't made it in until a few minutes before closing one weekend night this past weekend. Our large and obnoxious group, who had been drinking all night long, rolled in just a few minutes before closing for take out to take to the bar next door. The staff were very gracious and got us our food very quickly. The steamed dumplings were typical steamed dumplings and exactly what I wanted. My friend had chicken pad thai and shared with me and between the two of us, we were full and there were still leftovers. Solid choice for Thai in Hyde Park.
(4)Stephen G.
If I was awaiting the electric chair, Bangkok Bistro's Crispy Paad Thai is what I would ask for as my last meal. I am at a loss to understand why other places do not emulate this dish, it's such a simple - but perfect - concept. I get mine with no prawn and extra chicken with a spice level of just 3. It always comes out hot, steaming and quickly, served by usually friendly & attentive staff. My vegetarian wife - who likes to indulge my love of this particular dish - is never left out, the veggie choices on Bangkok Bistro's menu rarely failing to also set her taste buds alight. Good place for a romantic dinner date or even a large group (say, up to 12 or so) of people. Reasonable prices in a relatively upscale neighborhood.
(5)Zack F.
This place is certainly popular and can be very busy in the evenings, so get there earlier than 7PM. I was not wowed by the food personally. It is good, but not great from what I have tried so far. My food was a little more sweet and a less spicy than I hoped. Also, the tofu was, in my opinion, overcooked. The vegetables tasted good though as did the basil. I feel that the prices are a bit higher than they should be for a vegetarian, but perhaps reasonable if you are getting two kinds of meat in your food.
(3)Rachel P.
This is one of my favorite thai places in Cincinnati, great food and atmosphere! The pad thai is awesome and one of the best in the city.
(5)Marcus J.
I got the seafood "green" curry dish. It was sweater than I expected, but I enjoyed every bite.
(3)Marie E.
This place is near my house so we go here often. The following are great options 1) Crab Rangoon 2) Mango Roll - served on top of fresh Guac that is great 3) Crispy Pad Thai - Yum! even better as leftovers 4) Panang Curry - just make sure not to dump all the rice in at once because there isn't enough sauce for that 5) Tom Yum Pasta - noodles with shrimp and lots of other yumminess There is more than enough seating and outdoor options. The decor inside could certainly use some help. I love this place and will continue to go back.
(4)Mike S.
You know the saying..."it taste like chicken"? Well I tried the fried duck (1st time) and it was very good but it taste like chicken. :) Nice restaurant right off town square. Very cute and patio is good for people watching while you chow down on some spicy pad Thai. Look forward to going back in the summer and trying something new.
(3)Ken H.
Chicken Pad Thai is so good and i am real Thai fan. Service is always fast and friendly. Parking in behind the restauarnt or on a close side street. The portions we were given were very big, so we have it again for lunch the next day.
(5)Taylor W.
My wife loves Bangkok Bistro. This was the first place I had crispy pad thai - often my go to dish at thai places if they have it. It is probably the best of the crispy pad thai I've had although Blue Elephant is close. I get it spicy - usually 7/8 out of 10. Try this dish if you've never had it before. Comes with chicken and shrimp. Decent sushi for Cincinnati, but not one particular thing that stands out. My wife gets cashew chicken always. Not too adventurous but really good. I also like it because I get to pick the baby corn off her plate. I love baby corn. The thai red curry is also delicious. Usually can accomodate big groups. I usually try to go for lunch because it's cheaper. The menu is smaller but I only order dishes that are still on it so I don't care. Good place. We go about 5-6 times a year.
(4)Jenny B.
Do not let the fact that you have never had Thai food before or that it you think it will be so hot you will sweat stop you , from enjoying the restaurants great food. Get chicken pad Thai #1 or 2 and you will be very happy with your food. I like to go at lunch, get slower price and have plenty for dinner. Who would have thought that a American food girl would now love Thai?
(5)Jonni L.
Bangkok Bistro holds a special place in my heart....it's where my (now) husband and I had our first date, ate outside on the patio, then headed to Haps for a nightcap... We typically go about once a year, and it rarely changes...that's both good and bad for a dining experience--after a while, you want to "up the bar" a bit. As far as Thai goes, it's good, solid food. I can always count on a good Thai Basil Chicken with succulent, tender pieces of chicken in a savory sauce. The staff is good--not overly attentive, not under attentive. I like that the restaurant has a nice "hush" and isn't noisy or overly sterile. Just comfortable. There have been a couple of times when I felt like we were just not "good" enough to eat there, but that was because of the patrons, not the management... Now that we live in No. Kentucky, we visit Mai Thai more frequently, where the Pad Thai is good, but the Thai Basil is just "ok" :) There's a trade-off everywhere.
(3)Ann S.
I've been wanting to try this restaurant for awhile now and finally had to opportunity at lunch one day. I was so excited to try the crispy pad thai, based on the high reviews of this dish. I was highly DISAPPOINTED. Didn't hate it, but didn't love it and would not recommend it. I also tried the crab rangoon, which was delicious. I will definitley come back again, but will try some other dishes. Good atmosphere and good service.
(3)Trent M.
Pretty good food ,medium speed service , so if your looking for sushi here is a decent to excellent resteraunt
(4)Anne H.
Fuck the haters, I liked my dinner here. I ordered the roasted duck with mixed veggies. The duck was cooked excellently, the waiter complied with my request of extra baby corn, and I had more than enough for leftovers. Of course, good duck is a dime a dozen in NYC, but in the land of melted cheese and ground beef, this place is a gem. I'd happily return.
(4)Eric D.
Nick, I wanted to let you know about a bad experience that I had with your restaurant this evening - its actually a reoccurring problem as it happened the previous time I ordered take out food from Bangkok Bistro. I placed a to-go order for Massaman Curry and Jade Noodle. Upon opening the bag after I was home, the rice for the curry was missing. So, I drove back to your restaurant and told the manager, Travis, of the problem and let him know that the same thing happened the last time I ordered the curry. He gave me a half-hearted sorry and provided me an extra scoop of white rice to make it a large rather than medium (after I just told him brown rice). Travis's excuse for the problem was that it was a new person's first night on the job (Rachelle was the name he gave me). I told him that didn't explain the previous occurrence. I understand that mistakes can happen, but I can't help but think that there are a lot of people being shorted on their order given this has happened to twice over a fairly short time period. The thing that really bothered me was Travis's attitude - it's just rice, what's the big deal? He didn't seem to understand that I paid for this food, and was inconvenienced in making a separate trip to get the missing item due to a staff person's mistake. I asked Travis if I could get an order of spring rolls to compensate for my inconvenience. He told me it was "against the owner's policy to give out free food". I reminded him that he and his staff made the mistake and it was my time (and gas money) to drive back to the restaurant rectify the problem. Travis's response was a blank stare, as though he couldn't care less that this was a reoccurring problem or that a customer was inconvenienced. (By the way, the first time this happened, I received no apology at all - just handed me the rice) As I was walking out the door, a tall Asian fellow came out of the kitchen yelling "have a nice day!" It was about as disingenuine as one could get and was obviously trying to stir things up, especially when he said "Do you have a problem with me?" I am not exaggerating. I have ordered food from your restaurant at least 40 times over the years, so have probably spent at least $900 or more in food purchases. I've never had problems in the past, but the last two times have been a bad experience. The manager's poor service attitude and apparent indifference towards correcting a reoccurring problem makes me second guess returning to your business or recommending it to others.
(1)Tiffany W.
LOVE this place! Servers here are always friendly, efficient and know their stuff! We have been going to this restaurant for 8+ years and we are always pleased. The quality of the food is consistent and is one of the best Thai restaurants. Their Pad Thai is excellent, but if you haven't had the Hong Kong noodles you must check them out!
(4)Sheila M.
I hate to keep hating on the Asian restaurants in Cincinnati, but I remain unimpressed. During my last visit almost 2 years ago, my entrée was pretty blah; nothing more than a salty mass of noodle and vegetable. This time, my friends wanted to go and so I gave it another chance. Ok, I said to myself...I've been here 2 years now. Surely my standards have lowered enough for me to enjoy Midwestern Thai food. Well, kind of, but not really. I sampled the dumpling and crab rangoon appetizers and liked both - especially the dumplings, which were shaped like shumai, juicy and meaty on the inside and easy to eat without falling apart. For my entree, I ordered the yellow curry with beef at spice level 5 (which ended up tasting pretty mild, like a 2 in my book). For the sake of comparison, the curry was more watery than Indian-style curry, and included snowpeas, baby corn, carrots, bell peppers, and a couple pieces of canned pineapple mixed in. The flavor was great, and I had many helpings. However, I could have done without the undercooked, crunchy veggies, which made up the majority of the dish. Their texture almost ruined my enjoyment of the food. Also, I noticed the same veggie mixture in each of my friends' entrees, though they ordered different things than I did. For this assembly-line style of cooking, I don't think that my meal should be $15 with tip. After my 2 visits, I think Bangkok Bistro is ok, but definitely not my top-choice Thai restaurant around here.
(3)Tyana O.
I can't believe I used to work 5 minutes from here and never tried it. Went on the recommendation of a friend and will definitely be back. (Not the BEST thai I've had but definitely good.) Had the yellow chicken curry as did my friend. We also had a couple rolls of sushi - one was a fried sushi roll (which I had never had) with cream cheese in it that was basically like eating heaven. It was a little pricier than I expected for a lunch (we went on a weekend - not sure if they have lunch specials on weekdays). It was about $21 before tip for my curry, sushi, and soda. The waitress was very nice, gracious, explained the specials and what was in all the sushi rolls (I'm pretty new to sushi). Loved it and will definitely return.
(4)Deron H.
This is my favorite Thai restaurant. The food is great. I recommend the Thai spicy chicken stir fry.
(4)Steve P.
Bangkok Bistro, you're dead to me. I've eaten here a few times and it was generally OK. But on a recent visit I had some chicken pad thai that was gross. It's not that it tasted so bad, so much as the flavors were limp and unbalanced, uninspired and insulting. To me chicken pad thai is too fundamental to mess up for a thai place, and there are just too many great dining options within a couple miles, so Bangkok Bistro, you're dead to me!
(1)Andy P.
This restaurant has really great Thai food, in my opinion (or atleast in Cincinnati). While I do not always eat in, the staff seems to be very friendly. The ambiance is very laid back and quiet, which is nice. Now, I usually only deviate between 2 or 3 dishes, but the food is always of good quality and consistent. The only slight issue I have is the price, $11 for pad thai seems a little high... but even with that, I will still come back for more!
(4)Michael H.
I am here a lot with coworkers. We used to laugh our asses off that the manager, or whoever he was, as he always looked at us like he had never seen us before but he's gone now. Good food, nice servers, and fair lunch prices. Pad Thai is best with veggies but chicken is good too. Amazing spring rolls!
(4)Heather J.
Finally got to go as my blog readers voted for it - loved it! The golden bags are fantastic (and such a fun appetizer to order!). Loved the drunken noodles and the sushi as well.
(4)Julie I.
Great Thai, great sushi...love the crispy pad thai and the dynamite roll. One of those places you crave and can go back again and again.
(5)Danielle F.
I used to live about a block away from this place for five years, and never ventured in the place. I move out of town and then people I know discover and fall in love with the place. Good food and quick service. Sushi isn't too bad either.
(3)Gavin D.
I honestly can't remember how it started, but Bangkok Bistro has been a go to restaurant of mine for almost as long as I've lived in Cincinnati (10 years). For at least a couple years, I was a more serious regular - going once a week or every two at most. Over the past few years though, it's become part of a long list of places Sarah and I go sometimes, but not all that often. But, as with any old standard, I'm always happy when I sit down and order the same thing I've ordered for a decade that is always, always good. The Food: There are two regular dishes we always order. First, the "General Fare" Thai Basil Sauce, which is stir-fried with broccoli, mushrooms, carrots, baby corn, onions, and green peppers (although we remember to ask for no green peppers about every fourth time we go - nothing against Bangkok Bistro, we just don't like green peppers very much). You can get it with any meat, but we always get it with tofu. Second is Laad Na Noodles, which is a flat, wide rice noodle that comes with chicken, shrimp, and vegetables (same as the Thai Basil, sans peppers). At some point along the way, we also got into the habit of ordering sushi to start. In general, Bangkok's spicy tuna roll has been a favorite of ours. Unfortunately, I think it is suffering in the context of paying more attention to our sushi. On this most recent trip the roll was not tightly wrapped and had an awful lot of rice. It wasn't bad, but it's definitely been better. Thankfully, the entrees arrived and made everything right. The Thai Basil is the star. They pack it wish basil and garlic, and no small amount of sugar, and it really packs a punch of flavor. Tofu is cooked just right, and the vegetables all get a nice coating of the savory brown sauce. Sarah probably had the quote that hits it most on the end - "there are flavors that hit you all over the place." Next, Bangkok's laad na noodles are done differently than anywhere I've eaten them before or since. Most places do some variation on the noodles with Chinese broccoli and a thick brown sauce. I suppose BB's may be a more Americanized version, but I don't care what you call it, these are some tasty noodles. Again, no shortage of sugar, and the crunchy carrots add a nice texture to the bites. As is almost always the case (at just about any restaurant), the shrimp could be cooked less. Overall, both the Thai Basil and the Laad Na Noodles are trustworthy standbys that I'm always pleased to put in my mouth. The Ingredients: There's nothing on Bangkok's menu about local or organic ingredients. They did add brown rice a few years back, which is a nice, healthy addition. But, beyond that, nothing I'm aware of. Whichever is the first Thai place in town to jump on board the local train will probably win my heart for many years to come, so I'm hopeful Bangkok Bistro will be the one. The Story, Setting, & Service: As I said above, I've been coming here for quite a while. My friend Ali, through whom I met Sarah many years back, and I would eat here almost obsessively. It was about the only place I'd spend $15 an entree when I was 23 and I think it made me feel all grown up to be spending such a large amount. Ah, the memories. The service at Bangkok Bistro has been through a phase or two, but there aren't many places in town that I would say haven't. On this visit, and the last several I can remember, the service has been pleasant and straightforward. They've got a few folks on staff there who have been there for as long as I've been going, so they must be doing something right. And as far as setting goes, this is one of the BB perks. They have a small outdoor eating space in front of the restaurant, which gives you, the diner, a great vantage point to watch the comings and goings of what I call "little Hyde Park Square." If you go during the day or early evening, you're only a short drive up the hill to beautiful Ault Park - which is a destination in and of itself if you haven't strolled through its gardens, enjoyed its vista views, or hiked its trails. On a gorgeous night like the one we had, sitting outside as the sun is falling, it's a pretty sweet set up. Inside, the restaurant is simple and calm, and there is plenty of space, so you never bump into anybody's chair. If Bangkok Bistro keeps Thai Basil and Laad Na Noodles on the menu, we will always go back. Every once in a while, we may even try something else. As far as a consistently tasty Thai place that you can count on, I'd say this is a sure shot every time. If you enjoyed this review, there's more at Amateur Foodies.
(4)SD L.
Always a favorite with my group. Some friends love their sushi. But the Thai food is always good, fresh and flavorful. A definite yes
(4)Anpan W.
A Cincinnati Thai place that delivers passable pad thai and duck curry. Still nowhere near as good as thai food available in Chicago, DC, NY, or Jersey.....but good for Cincinnati.
(3)Priya G.
This place is as good as it gets! The best Thai food I have ever had....and that's saying a lot because I am always picky about my food. I travel to Cincinnati for work every week and Bangkok Bistro has made it into the weekly rotation. Monday lunch at Bangkok is something the entire team looks forward to now. I would actually prefer to do lunch here everyday. They have a great variety for lunch, reasonable prices and good service. Definitely one of my favourite Thai restaurants.
(5)Cheryl C.
I stopped by this appealing-looking Thai place on a weekend trip. Definitely not hole-in-the-wall Thai, the feel is upscale, with appealing decor and non-Asian waiters (a bad sign). There's a sushi bar, which is just unnecessary. We had no trouble getting a table on a Saturday evening. I figured I'd play it safe and start off with edamame, which turned out taste strangely of ... chlorine? I'd wanted spring rolls, but the spring rolls here are the deep-fried Chinese variety rather than the steamed Thai type (por pia sod), so I passed. Half of the entrees consist of a list of different sauces, which come with a standard veggie mix plus chicken, pork or shrimp, with rice. What's up with that? It's pretty lazy, IMO. I ordered this with chicken and a sauce that had lemongrass and galanga ($12). The veggie mix was Chinese-ish -- baby corn, carrots, green beans, maybe water chestnuts -- and though I ordered it as 3/10 spiciness, it was almost too hot to eat. My dining partner had the massaman curry ($11), which was much better, not too hot, creamy with coconut milk, pretty flavorful. The rest of the menu consists of a few classic dishes like pad thai (darn pricey at $12), and then some "creative"/fusion things priced around $15-16. And, um, sushi. I got the red bean ice cream ($3.50) for dessert, which was easily the best I've ever had. The texture was fantastic, soft and creamy, not icy or gummy in the least; the bits of red bean were sweet without being frozen-crunchy. Summary: nice atmosphere, subpar food at high prices that can't make up its mind what kind of Asian it wants to be. I'd go back only after ruling out the other area Thai.
(3)Rebecca J.
Awesome curries!
(4)Kevin J.
Even though my wife and are crazy about Thai food and lived in Mt. Lookout for a couple years we have never tried this Cincinnati Thai staple until now. Overall this place deserves all the hype it has received. Our experience was great from the second we entered the door until the time we left. Our waiter was wonderful and was very detail oriented and had a great sense of humor. We were there on New Years Eve, so for him to be in such a great mood while working the holiday made our experience that much better. My wife and I ordered the crab Rangoon and it came promptly hot and fresh and served with a Thai sweet chili sauce. I ordered the Cashew Chicken at a heat level of 8 which is one of the spiciest 8s I have ever had but luckily I love spicy food, but beware their heat index is not for the faint of heart! My wife ordered the Pad Thai and was happy about her choice also. I also think they have a great selection of Asian beers, plum wines, and sake. We will definitely try to get back there as often as we are in the area!
(4)Rise G.
Yummy! This place is great. I used to go with coworkers for lunch almost every other week. They never had a time accomodating our group of 5-10 people. The prices are very reasonable and most of the time I ended up leaving with a doggy bag full of food. The Seafood Choo Chee is highly recommended. They are good with the spice levels too.
(5)Nicholas A.
Not THE BEST food in Cincinnati, but it is really good, never too crowded, and very reasonably priced. I . The Duck Curry and the Pad Thai are my two standbys. It is great for takeout if you work late. I stay away from the sushi however, I try to leave that to the Japanese.
(4)Jennifer H.
Bangkok Bistro used to be fantastic. A little Thai restaurant with absolutely delicious food only known about by people in the neighborhood. Word spread, the restaurant expanded, both in menu size (sushi) and actual size, the prices rose and the majority of the staff got...well...jerky. Particularly the owners. So four stars for the food, which has remained ridiculously delicious, minus one star for the ridiculous prices and the majority of the staff.
(4)Allison S.
I LOVE the crispy pad thai and wish I could find it recreated somewhere else. I crave it. The rest of the food is medium.
(4)Ebone' W.
Found them on yelp and the food was good. I actually tried something different and got the tum fun something noodles and they were really good. Yay me for stepping out the box...a little. Side eye to the server not excluding the veggies that I requested to be omitted, but they were big enough to remove (cause no, I don't want to eat your bigger than life, half cooked bell pepper). I'd definitely go back.
(4)Andrea P.
The food is good but not worth the poor service. My husband and I ate here last night and waited about 20 minutes for our drink order to be taken. When the waiter finally showed up he was completely obnoxious. He yelled across the diners to speak to other tables, he put his foot up on the chair and his leg against our tabletop. In general, he was really bad at "reading the mood." We had to flag down a passing server just to have our food order taken and our initial waiter spent the remainder of the evening giving us the stink-eye for having the audacity to ask for food.
(2)Hillary D.
I haven't eaten here in a while, but I ordered my old favorite (pad Thai) and tried my favorite Thai dish, which I haven't had here yet, Tom kha soup. The pad Thai was as good as usual except I would have appreciated taking the tails off of the shrimp. But the tom kha soup... Literally disgusting. I just threw it away. It was basically hot water with chunky coconut milk powder and chicken. No veggies, no spice. I really couldn't be more disappointed.
(2)Jessi G.
I need to update my review because I have found their food very inconsistent lately. I eat here pretty regularly, mostly to-go food. I love the noodle dishes, in particular the crispy pad thai (always a favorite!), the singapore noodles, and the drunken noodles. But for the past two times I have ordered take-out it has been sub-par quality. The noodles weren't sauced enough and they were a little dry and flavorless. Other times I have ordered the food and it was amazing! So I'm not sure what's going on, but their quality control is out of whack. On a positive note, the people that work here are always extremely nice! I'm still going to keep ordering food here because it is so conveniently located next to my house, but I hope they work on their consistency!
(3)Justin C.
I frequent this place a lot for take out because its right down the block from my house. I really enjoy their Crispy Pad Thai dish. I love their food but I feel their consistency could be better. Since I always order the same menu item, I can really tell the difference in quality. Sometimes the dish is on point with texture and flavor but other times it will be soggy and bland. That hasn't stopped me from coming back about once a week though.
(3)Ryan M.
Well I don't know if it was the time of day that I came in (11am at opening) but customer service was lacking and not personable. Other than that the decor was nice but not to nice were I didn't feel like I didn't belong in my work uniform. I was recommended here for pad Thai and I was not disappointed. This was the best pad Thai I've had in Cincinnati yet! It was so good I ordered another one to go. Don't judge me. Prices were fair. $7.95 for my dish. I will definitely eat here again.
(4)Lola S.
KAT was AMAZING! And the kitchen too. We are totally plantbased vegan and they made us beautiful food that was fresh and full of flavor. When we visit from Detroit this will be a go to every time. Thank you Adam from GOODS in OTR for recommending this delicious place.
(5)Bridget S.
I pretty much just come here for the crab rangoons, which I originally discovered at the Taste of Cincinnati. They have the perfect golden crispiness and the ratio of cream cheese to crab product is on point. Their other Thai and sushi is ok, but nothing to write home about.
(3)J ..
I don't understand how this place keeps surviving. Their food was such a nightmare. I guess chef loves fish sauce a lot
(1)Lonnetta P.
Yum! Some of the best Thai I've ever had. One must try the crunchy pad Thai, it's so good. I had a number three on the spice scale. It was just the right amount of spiciness for the dish. Service was great! Our server was pleasant, knew the menu very well and couldn't have been more accommodating. Great place for date night or simply dinner with the whole family. I'll definitely be back.
(5)Daniel C.
Very dead on Wednesday afternoon and their kitchen closes at 3pm. Very nice waitress. First time here. I really liked it though. Best tai food outside the city of Cincinati.
(4)Tom L.
We live less than a mile from Bangkok Bistro and we patronize all of the local restaurants. After tonight's take-out disaster, all I can say is: I don't know how Bangkok Bistro is still in business. The good: they have brown rice, which was cooked well. And my dish, at a spice level of 5, had the perfect level of heat. The bad: I was totally overcharged for this: 1. my wife ordered the crispy duck. The meat was dry, not crispy, and bland. Yuk. 2. I had the beef Pik Pow. My beef was unbelievably overcooked, dry and tough. A very cheap cut of meat. And the vegetable to beef ratio was 3-1. 3. The chicken satay appetizer was fried (!), and yet the meat was undercooked, to the point I spit it out because it was raw. And the peanut sauce was simply awful. Last summer we made chicken satay on our grill using a recipe from a Weber Grill cookbook and it was 1000 times better than what we got from Bangkok. Buyer beware! This place is terrible. $50 for that mess? You should be ashamed. Go to Green Papaya or Blue Elephant!!!
(1)Morgan L.
We go every year for my birthday dinner. So amazing. You can choose how spicy you want your food, which helps a lot. The spicier, the better!!
(5)Caitlin M.
The food at this place is AMAZING! I never really noticed this restaurant, and when my date and I arrived it was mostly empty. He said there is never a wait because it's kind of a hidden treasure. I got something with spicy ginger sauce and green beans (sorry, I can't remember the name!) and it was so so great. The brown rice served with it was kind of dry and the waiter noticed right when he set it down and insisted on getting me white rice instead. My date got the Chicken Pad Thai, which I joked to him was "boring", but he said he gets it EVERY TIME because it's so good. I tried a bite (ok, more than one bite) and he was right. I will definitely get the Chicken Pad Thai next time.
(5)Henry J.
So, our visit here didn't exactly start out well. After getting seated, the hostess had a communication issue with our waiter and left us sitting there for a good 15 minutes before we got up to ask what's going on. With that said, once the service started, everything flowed along very well. We got their seaweed salad, beef pad thai, and drunken noodles. All noodles were cooked to al dente instead of a mush. Neither dish used a sauce that tasted more tomato than fish sauce. The drunken noodles were salty and spicy, with generous amount of chicken and shrimp. The pad thai was sweet and spicy, with a good amount of meat as well. Of all the Thai/southeast Asian places we have went to so far in the Cincinnati area, Bangkok Bistro is the best. Will definitely return. Also, the seaweed salad is seaweed salad. It's pretty much the same served at all Asian places where available. They are all bought from a bulk distributor. When you order it, you know what to expect. It tastes like a combination of ocean and sesame oil. If you don't like food coloring, then stay away from this. Seaweed is not supposed to be translucently jade green. One last thing, their parking situation is unfortunate to say the best. Your best bet to park here during meal time is in the neighborhood adjacent to the restaurant.
(5)Adam B.
I first tried Bangkok Bistro two years ago at the Taste of Cincinnati and liked it. Finally went to the restaurant to try the Singapore noodles and Pad Thai. Pad Thai is my benchmark test to determine if it is good Thai food. The presentation of the food was grade A. I really feel bad about saying this but the chicken in both our dishes tasted like it was boiled first, refrigerated, then reheated. Reheated or boiled chicken is one of my pet peeves and is not appetizing at all to my taste. I would expect this from a fast food Asian place serving $5 meals not a $15 on up. I would have been more satisfied going to PF Changs or Noodles and co. and these places are not the best either. Lastly, the finish on the tables is wearing off which give off a dirty appearance and felt dirty as well. Sorry, I really tried to like it
(2)Brad C.
Thai basil and crispy pad Thai are both awesome. Get some heat and ask for an "8". Great for lunch too!!
(4)Juliet D.
Was here a while ago with a friend and finally got the chance to write a review! Totally Americanized Thai food and highly not recommend!
(1)Patrick S.
Best Thai food in the city. Crab Rangoons are hands down the best I have every had. Parking can be tight on the weekends but not much to be done about that.
(4)Dirk P.
Had tom kha soup with shrimp and it tasted okay but there was absolutely nothing but shrimp in it, what about some fresh veggies, cilantro, a lime, fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, at least something else. Had the massaman curry with beef and again it tasted good but the meat was absolutely terrible, it was old or maybe even spoiled, I tried it several times and I could not eat it. Everyone else had no complaints but I also did not hear anyone rave about it. We will not go back, this was second time here. I went away hungry and I hate when that happens.
(2)Ryan Z.
I went here only because of my disastrous experience at M Wood Fired Oven and their propensity for serving raw chicken. Bangkok Bistro won out based on convenience - it's literally three doors down. The bartender was super friendly and we met a nice couple at the bar while we waited for our take-out order. The bartender urged me to try their Pad Thai, boldly claiming it the best in Cincinnati. At $15, it might be the most expensive in Cincinnati, but it's certainly nowhere near the best. Thai Express continues to hold that distinction, and this is coming from a guy who lived in Bangkok for 4 years and has a brother living in Northern Thailand. I'd put Mai Thai and Ruthai's above this as well. There really is no competition for Pad Thai around here - Thai Express wins hands down. FWIW, their Drunken Noodles were pretty good and certainly a notch above the pad thai.
(3)Kellan C.
I was a little depressed to give this review, but I just wasn't thrilled with my meal. I got the Bangkok Noodles and just wasn't that great (plus they left the shells on the shrimp). My friends got the sushi, which was good plus some fried rice- also pretty good. I want to give this place a second chance and I will, but this time it wasn't so great. Will update review next time.
(3)Lydia B.
I have had both the yellow and red curries multiple times. The flavor is consistently pleasantly complex, with as much spice as you'd like on top. I've noticed that the vegetables used change, which speaks, I think, to a commitment to use what is fresh/in season. I've tasted the drunken noodles, crispy pad thai, and "regular" pad thai, and was thoroughly unimpressed, so three stars because the menu isn't consistent. Service is good. Once we arrived very soon before closing, expecting to be turned away, but they served our party of four (albeit in a rather hasty manner); servers are always polite and courteous, and they happily replaced a drink for me when my cocktail came out almost purely vodka. That's probably a plus for some, though. =)
(3)Sarah B.
I like this place quite a bit. I've had the same server both times I've been in, Derek, and he's great. Very friendly, helpful, and attentive. I've gotten the vegetable fried rice both times, it's some of the best I've tried. Just the right mixture of sweet and spicy. I've also tried a few different sushi rolls and appetizers, which I enjoyed as well. I'd recommend this place, and plan to keep going back!
(4)Mehdi S.
We are new to the area and thought we would try out this restaurant, I wish we hadn't. After being seated we waited quite a while before our order was taken. The first thing we ordered was the tom ka gai. It was terrible. We could only pick out 3 ingredients, overcooked chicken, coconut milk and something very sweet (sugar?). Usually there a few other things like ginger, cilantro, chili, lime juice, fish sauce, kafir lime leaves, mushrooms, etc. The other dishes we ordered were likewise overly sweet. The green curry was particularly disappointing. I am not sure if the menu is supposed to be some modified american version of Thai food, you certainly would not be served food like this in Thailand (and yes, I have travelled extensively through Asia). The pieces were also pretty expensive and one of our orders was the wrong dish. Anyway, we won't be back.
(2)Jeff M.
It's been 5 years since I moved away from CINCY, and I glad to find this please alive and well. Great food and service!
(5)Paige M.
"I want to take you to my favorite Thai restaurant," my best girlfriend said. Off we went to Bangkok Bistro, located in a part of Oakley that I don't often frequent. Sitting directly off of the bustling Erie Avenue, parking is somewhat difficult. We ended up in a gravel lot behind the restaurant, which was jammed packed with cars for neighboring businesses. Once inside, we were welcomed into a warm Asian-inspired environment with spaciously positioned tables. Plenty of room to fit groups and for each to have their privacy. The menu boasted with options, but we went with our go-to Thai orders: mango curry with fried tofu and veg, and Ginger Basil Stir Fry. My mango curry arrived in a giant, Shanghai Mama's sized bowl. After several servings, it seemed like the tofu and sauce was endless! I had to ask for a take away container. My friend's stir fry was just as hearty, overflowing with veg. We stuffed ourselves to the brim with this deliciousness; I can definitely see why this is my friend's favorite. With polite, attentive service and reasonably priced food, Bangkok Bistro is one of my new favorite Thai restaurants too. Price per person: $15.00
(4)Emily L.
I saw this little restaurant and decided to give it a try. I didn't have time to sit-in, so I ordered two sushi rolls and the classic pad thai with chicken. The hostess was friendly and very knowledgeable. She told me it would take fifteen minutes and asked if I wanted some water. I politely declined, smiled, and I said I'll wait by the side table. Looking around, I noticed some couples intimately talking over their food and families enjoying their meals. There was a bar area to my left, and the atmosphere appeared inviting and 'country' like with brick and floor carpet. My food arrived sooner than I expected, and the smiling hostess handed me my carryout. When I tried the pad thai at home, it was really appetizing and the sushi rolls were just perfect! I didn't finish the pad thai because they gave me more than enough. Bangkok Bistro is a really cute and friendly place to eat Thai/Japanese food!
(5)Alex S.
It was late and I was craving me some crispy Pad Thai. What's a boy to do? Obviously do a search on Yelp for late-night Thai places and see what comes up. Bangkok Bistro, don't mind if I do. I can't talk about the ambiance or the sit-down experience since we got it to go, but the service was fantastic. They took our order, confirmed everything, told us how long it would be and had the food ready to rock when we got there. Love a good take-out place that has their stuff down tight. There was a little frustration with the ordering, as they had turned off their frier for the night for cleaning, so we couldn't do anything like tempora or spring rolls. I can't really blame them since it was 9pm and they closed at 10, but still, you couldn't wait until the kitchen closed for good? Ah well. Luckily I could still get my crispy Pad Thai, which was delicious. A nice mix of crunchy noodles, veggies and shrimp (although the shrimp did still have their tails on which made eating them a little weird. Once I got past the first mistake of trying to eat it whole though, I was good to go.) A solid choice. I would and will come back here for a nice sit-down experience. Until then, though, it's good to know that I can get my crispy Pad Thai until 10pm somewhere ... now to find that 24-hour Thai place and I'll be golden.
(4)Scott M.
Rolled in here just last night for some drunk food about five minutes before the kitchen closed and the staff was totally awesome - no griping about the time or eye rolls of exhaustion. Quite to the contrary rather, the gentlemen who took our order was as nice as could be. Not really knowing the menu and partially in respect to the staff I went with Chicken Pad Thai, my go-to in times of Thai food decision-making crises. It did not take them long to get our carry-out orders. Enjoyed the food at a bar next door. A friend of mine split dumplings with me. Both dishes were wonderful. I would say it is likely that I'll stop here again when in the vicinity.
(4)Sally Y.
Went to Bangkok Bistro on a Monday night to try something new and I'd say it was pretty average. The steamed dumplings were a bit gummy, so I'd definitely recommend going fried next time. Also, we had the beef salad, which was pretty delicious, light, and perfectly flavored. Followed up with the duck curry, which was pretty heavy, and had way too much skin vs. meat in the mix. Flavor was good though, just not enough meat and heavier than what I expected. I'd give this place another try, but in the end, I don't think it'll become a go to location for me.
(3)David C.
This is a safe way to introduce yourself to Thai. Fun atmosphere and a wide selection of beverages. I was bummed about the wait for the food we ordered for take-out - and the packaging didn't keep it hot for super long. I think I'll eat in next time... It's not cheap, but not too spendy. A good place for a dinner out with friends. There ya go.
(4)Lilee N.
good pad thai and drunken noodles. service was quick and prompt.
(4)Adam D.
I recently visited Bangkok Bistro on a Friday evening and met some friends for food and drinks. The restaurant was crowded, but not packed for early evening. The service was very good and our waiter was very attentive and on top of things. I ordered a sushi roll for an appetizer along with crispy Pad Thai. Overall the food was good, but not great. The portions we were given were very big and I definitely regretted ordering an appetizer! The prices were a bit steep, but the portions are quite large. Overall it was a pretty good dining experience and worth a visit if you are a fan of Thai food.
(3)