4. Restaurants

Araya’s Place

2808 E Madison St, Seattle, WA, 98112
  • (206) 402-6634
  • Store is closed

Araya’s Place Menu

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  • Lambert R.

    Great food. Great customer service. Best vegetarian restaurant in Seattle (and I've tried them all). They have basically the same menu as their university district location which I've been going to since the 90's. So excited they opened a restaurant in Madison Valley!

    (5)

  • Sarah S.

    My husband and I have been going to the Araya's Place restaurant in Bellevue for the past several months, and I was looking forward to celebrating my birthday there until I found out that the Bellevue location had recently closed due to construction. Luckily, the new Madison Park location opened a few days before my birthday, so we decided to give it a try. The new restaurant, located in a cluster of shops and restaurants around a central courtyard, is lovely. The decor is light and airy and the staff were very helpful and friendly. I was happy to see the same menu with all of my favorite dishes. The staff brought out a complimentary appetizer of crispy roasted garlic and Brussels sprouts and shots of fresh blueberry juice, which was a nice way to start our meal. Our group of four, including two non-vegetarians, shared a bottle of pinot noir and four entrees, including the Drunken Mushroom, Phad Phet Makhua, Phad See-iew, and Cashew Delight. The food was delicious and even the skeptical meat eaters were impressed! After our main course, the staff came out to sing Happy Birthday and presented me with a dessert of mango sticky rice. We also ordered the Oh My Goodness bar, which came topped with coconut ice cream. The desserts did not disappoint! The mango was fresh and ripe, and the Oh My Goodness bar was so decadent it was hard to believe it was vegan. All in all, we had a wonderful experience dining at the new Araya's Place location in Madison Park and look forward to returning often in the future.

    (5)

  • Kat B.

    Not a vegan or a vegetarian - and this is an amazing Thai restaurant. The house-made seitan is delicious, and is amazing in the Veggie Meat with Peanut Sauce. The Green Curry is also wonderful, and can be made not spicy.

    (5)

  • Drüe B.

    Get the lunch special. Just do it. The brussels sprouts and broccoli on the salad bar were amazing, the soup was delectable, the entree was delicious beyond comprehension and the leftovers made my day! So much food. I LOVE the new location. The space is gorgeous, inside and out. Of course, Rover's will be missed, but the new occupants have brought new life and a lot of love into Madison Valley. I'm so happy!

    (5)

  • Isnam M.

    This place is alright. It's great to have a purely vegetarian place and have a lot of choices, but there's better tasting Thai food.

    (3)

  • Christian M.

    What a great place. I went to Araya's with a friend for Lunch and we were really impressed with the food as well as with the outstanding Service. We both decided for the Lunch Special. I had the Panang Curry, it came with Spring Rolls and the Salad Bar. I used to go the Araya's location in Bellevue and have always been a big Fan of their Food. This new location has all my favorite Items on the menu that I already loved to eat at their Bellevue Restaurant. I will be back frequently

    (5)

  • Ariel W.

    I am a long time vegan and happen to live in Madison Valley, so I was super excited to see a new Araya's location opening in my neighborhood in the old Rover's location. I went on the second night open and they were super friendly and treated us like special guests. The menu is the same as the U-District location with my favorites like pumpkin curry and avocado curry. Expect to pay about $15 per person for dinner, which is a bit cheaper than Cafe Flora across the street (the vegetarian restaurant).

    (5)

  • Jason S.

    Wow, a Seattle restaurant that (almost) understands what five-stars "heat" means! Everything here was good, with lots of flavor. The service was rather discombobulated (brought food bound for other tables to us THREE times in one meal -- we went ahead and ate one of them). The former Rover's space is used well, nice and light and airy. Kinda pricey but that's what you pay for a good all-veg place.

    (4)

  • jeremy a.

    Loved it in the U-district now they're a block from AFH Salon :) couldn't be happier so close to my work. Thank you for coming to Madison Valley!!!

    (5)

  • Angela N.

    This restaurant is a beautiful place serving cafeteria quality food. And since the main reason I go to restaurants is for the food I had to give it only one star. The little cucumber 'salad' that accompanied the satay was the best part of the meal (in this case salad = quick pickled diced cucumbers and carrots in a tiny sauce dish) The Thai iced tea was pretty typical and the peanut sauce was OK. The veggies were flavorless and tough which is definitely disappointing for a vegan establishment. I've had some amazing vegan food and it all starts with good fresh vegetables. But the worst part was the Rad Na. The dish was served very hot and instead of a thick gravy the sauce was a watery broth. As it cooled, rather than thickening, chunks of faux gelatin precipitated out of solution. It was disgusting enough for me to lose my appetite. Sure thickening agents are hard to work with, but you're a restaurant, figure it out before serving it to customers. Tip: try starch (corn, potato, rice, etc.) Overall I think too much care was put into the ambiance and not enough in the food. And when it comes to restaurants there are so many better options.

    (1)

  • C S.

    The waitress was so friendly and attentive, the food was amazing, the bathroom was so cute and clean! all around an really great restaurant.

    (5)

  • Ron M.

    Araya's Vegetarian Place is the best place for vegan/vegetarian food in the entire Seattle area. The staff is great and they are always happy to cater to our customized / Gluten-Free orders. Thanks Araya's - you're terrific! - - Ron and Rita Morey

    (5)

  • Michelle M.

    First of all I'm obsessed with Thai food and this place I can say was the best I've ever had. This was my first time in Seattle, I'm from LA, and I've had lots of vegan Thai. But Araya's Place takes the cake. The food is unbelievably fresh, flavorful, and in huge portions. It's also reasonably priced with an exciting dessert menu! I will definitely be back here!!

    (5)

  • Shane R.

    One word...UNBELIEVABLE!!! This is not Seattle's ordinary Thai. Everything we ordered was extremely flavorful and delicious!!! YOU MUST EAT HERE! Try the mushroom specialty! The chef even came to our table and presented with something he created of fresh vegetables from the market.

    (5)

  • Brian B.

    I was so excited to eat here when we got to Seattle, but my experience was ruined by our server who only brought out one of the two dishes we ordered, and the dish she brought us wasn't even anything we ordered. She didn't come check on is until 20 minutes later, so we left hungry and annoyed.

    (1)

  • Lusha Z.

    Great environment both inside and outside. I love the courtyard with fountain and trees. The food and service is great! It comes with great complimentary appetizer! The waiters are super nice and thoughtful yet not keep coming over interrupting your meal. Vegetarian or even non-vegetarians will go nuts with the place for sure! I'll definitely come back again!

    (5)

  • JMS S.

    I checked out the new Arayas's spot today for lunch and LOVED it! I frequented the other location but this one exceeded my expectations. The ambiance was great along with the service and food. The salad bar was so good and I can't wait to go back. I'm going to be a regular for sure. These folks know how to run a restaurant!

    (5)

  • Ruchi A.

    I loved the food. The ambience of the restaurant is really good. Would definitely be coming back and would highly recommend this place.

    (5)

  • anders h.

    Araya's is the best Thai in town. The new location here on Madison has a beautiful space with outdoor seating. The lunch buffet is a little smaller than the one in the U District but still full of my favorite dishes. I have been eating at Araya's for over a decade and the key to the restaurant is the owner, Araya herself. Araya has an amazing appreciation for the composition of flavors, her dishes aren't just the same old dishes you can get elsewhere, Araya brings her own spice and experience to each dish. I am using Araya for both my rehearsal dinner and my wedding. Having the rehearsal dinner at this new place in Madison is going to be beautiful and she is really going the extra distance to create some new dishes/appetizers for my wedding, including a carved fruit table (organic when possible).

    (5)

  • Jaclyn D.

    Seriously, BEST THAI FOOD I HAVE EVER HAD. My family and I agree that they have the best spring rolls and the best fresh rolls. Everything on the menu is vegan, which is really nice. It has a very lovely, very secluded atmosphere, at the end of this pathway of little shops, away from the street. Araya was there when I went, and she's very sweet. The waiters follow suite. :] Something that's different about this location from the one in the U-dist is that they have combo plates. There's a selection of dishes that change daily and they come with soup, spring rolls, and rice.

    (5)

  • Lauren P.

    Had a lovely experience here as an attendee of an event that was hosted here. I found the space very comfortable and nicely decorated indicating care was taken to create a special environment . The food was outstanding in my opinion and I love Thai. Included were a selection of appetizers including crispy brussel sprouts, marinated mushrooms, fried rice wafers with a yummy sauce, and a version of lettuce rollups only with sesame leaves along with large selection of ingredients that went into the leaves to pack a huge flavor! The salads served had a variety of great ingredients and were tastily prepared. All the servers were friendly and helpful. The restaurant sits off the street and the lovely garden patio between the street and restaurant would be a lovely place to enjoy on a sunny day (it was raining on my visit) I plan to go back again.

    (5)

  • Ryan R.

    If you don't love this place with a religious, dogmatic passion, you're an idiot. Abandon all hope, ye who simmer here. Seriously - great food. It's vegan, so at least you meat eaters can feel less guilty for a night.

    (5)

  • Robert N.

    Stopped by with my girlfriend on their opening day and had the following: - Spring Rolls - Pad Thai with tofu and vegan chicken - Avocado Curry - Creme Brulee (dessert) They also invited us to help ourselves to the salad bar (kimchi and mixed greens) and comped us a piece of sushi and black rice pudding. Both the food and service were stellar. The food was fresh and delicious and was the best vegetarian/vegan Asian meal I've had since moving out here last summer. Portions are large and we left stuffed. Highly recommended...

    (5)

  • J B.

    The Pad Thai is amazing! I am generally a strict carnivore but brought a date here and I was really impressed. I have had a very difficult time finding Thai food I really like here in Seattle and I was happy with the food as well as the service.

    (5)

  • Raghav R.

    Awesome food! The ambience is really good. Great customer service. I regularly used to go to their bellevue location and missed it when they moved to Seattle. But, its definitely worth the drive!

    (5)

  • Bridget G.

    This place is heavenly! The service, atmosphere, and food are all amazing. Be sure to ask your servers for recommendations; they don't disappoint! The favorites for us were the pumpkin curry and tofu satay appetizer. They're also amazing with gluten free eaters, as they can make most items on their menu gluten free!

    (5)

  • Erin V.

    First of all, I'm not Vegan. Second, I pretty much never write Yelp reviews but had to for Araya's Place because it was just that good! The restaurant itself was unexpectedly beautiful and the service was great. The food, amazing! The flavors were as good as it gets and the meat was not missed one bit! We had the fresh rolls, green curry, phad thai, and swimming rama and all were exceptional. This is definitely my new go-to Thai place in the area!!

    (5)

  • Debbie C.

    Why aren't folks flocking to this place? I live in the neighborhood and am so happy to have tasty, high quality, vegetable laden Thai dishes right around the corner. I feel like I am being nourished with each bite of delicious food. The vegetables taste fresh, not frozen and aren't cooked to death. The dishes are light, not swimming in oil. The spice and flavors are rich and balanced. The dining room is beautiful, light, and modern, the staff friendly and helpful. The patio is a lovely respite in this heat and a wonderful place to wait, with a glass of chardonnay, for to go orders or to have dinner. Parking is easy and the setting is a quiet relief from the frenetic energy of Capital HIll. I highly recommend Araya's Place. I haven't had all of the dishes, but have eaten a lot of Thai food both in Seattle and Thailand. I am not a vegan but I value high quality food. I have eaten here several times and have always been delighted with the food. Drop in, you won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Susan K.

    Boy does this restaurant deserve its 5 star rating! We loved everything from the get go. The courtyard before you enter is enchanting. The decor is authentic and tasteful. Our waiter was friendly and efficient and the food....the food was the best we've had in a long long time. Huge servings, fresh vegetables, fantastic spice combinations. There were 5 in our party and we shared. We started with the spring rolls and moved on to the drunken mushroom noodles, pineapple curry, cashew curry, Araya's asparagus, and red curry. Each dish was better than the next. We've told all of our friends that they must try it next time they are in the area.

    (5)

  • Kristine M.

    Delicious food. Excellent service. Beautiful setting. Give this place a try. You will not be sorry.

    (5)

  • Jonny O.

    I've recently started eating more and more vegan. If I can keep finding places like this, it won't be a problem. As good as or better than any non-vegan Thai I've had in a long time.

    (5)

  • Ken B.

    I order green curry everywhere I go. This is probably the best green curry I've ever had. Can't wait to come back!

    (5)

  • Jane H.

    Located in the former Rover's spot. You enter through a lovely, peaceful courtyard. There's outdoor seating so this should be a great place when the weather warms up. We ate inside. The food was very tasty, the staff was very attentive. I was interested in white wine. They offered a choice of three bottles at $20 each. One was a Chardonnay, one a Pinot Grigio and the other a Riesling. They came from California, Oregon and Washington. I believe we ordered the Oregon Pinot Grigio and it was fine. They brought us a delicious complimentary dessert (black beans). I really recommend this place. It was great.

    (4)

  • Anne T.

    My favorite Thai restaurant is now open in Madison Valley. The location is unbeatable: with a sunny quiet courtyard (formerly Rover's restaurant) with outdoor seating when weather permits, light and bright indoors. The food at Araya's s always inventive and beautifully prepared. Our favorites tonight were crispy brussels sprouts, fresh mango salad, and "drunken mushrooms". Service is knowledgable, professional and often part of Araya's family. I don't happen to be vegan or even vegetarian, I just like Araya's.

    (5)

  • Sine B.

    A friend of mine recommended this place and she couldn't have been more right! A beautiful and calming, yet family friendly atmosphere, each dish was better than the last. I had the pumpkin curry, which didn't disappoint. We also got the pleasure to try some experimental food that hasn't made it on the menu yet. It was all simply delicious. Of course they offer vegan fare, but since all ingredients are fresh one could order things with any number of substitutions. Fantastic for those with allergy or other dietary concerns as well as picky young eaters. I can't say enough about this place. Araya's has outdone herself!!

    (5)

  • Sarah M.

    What can I say, this place is so amazing that I never miss not eating meat. Tofu, noodles, veggies, bring them on! I am in love with their crisp, well cooked broccoli and kale. However, it's also very oily which is the only downside. It's fun to get buffet lunch here. The variety is pretty good with fresh, kimchi-like salad, the above mentioned veggies, pad Thai, curry, egg rolls, soup, and a few more. On a side note, the small buffet area is right there as you walk through the doorway. It was uncomfortably crowded when we came in.

    (4)

  • Kaycee G.

    I'm already a huge fan of the location in the U District, so I was excited to find a location closer to me. We stopped off for dinner and I was very impressed by the decor. it was very chic but casual at the same time. We ordered thai iced coffees with coconut milk and I had pad thai, which was just as delicious as the U District location. The only thing I disliked about my visit here was that a side of rice is an extra cost of around $2 or so, and the rice was very dry. if I'm going to pay extra for rice, which I know can't be costing the restaurant too much, I expect it to be cooked properly. Nevertheless, I enjoyed my meal and will return here for sure.

    (4)

  • Kamie K.

    This second Capital Hill location of Araya's is sort of magic. Their white on white colonial island vibe with lots of light and garden appeal is the perfect place for a relaxing, delicious group of hungry people whether you are vegan or not. The service was very, very friendly. We were greeted with big smiles and quick service but also didn't feel rushed. I usually partake in their scrumptious array of yum at their buffet but this time ordered from the menu. The mango salad was crunchy and light and they bring you a generation proportion with the fresh roll order (almost too much for two people)! But my favorite was the Green Curry. It was by far the best curry I've had to date. Don't miss this lovely respite from our ever-growing Seattle bustle. And, bring ALL your friends, there's plenty of room!!

    (5)

  • Andy Z.

    dinner food: the drunken mushroom noodles. i felt that there were enough of the mushrooms. it has a mix of other vegetables in there too, bell peppers, asparagus, etc. the noodles were cooked well and it has a little bit of that wok hei going on. that was good. not sure if drunken mushrooms is a misnomer; you dont taste alcohol, for me at least. ***4/5 service: server was great. we had to take some leftovers home and he got our foods boxed up. the food is ready fairly quick. the place is homey. ***4/5 value: the food was great. the price aint bad for a vegan/vegetarian place. my vegetarian choices are limited, but i have to put this near the top of my list. ***4/5

    (4)

  • Nikki F.

    This is my absolute favorite restaurant in all of seattle. The food and flavors are excellent. It is one of the few places to get tasty vegetarian curries. We also really like the staff and servers. They are always smiling and helpful. Sadly, we have been going less frequently because our order comes out relaibly wrong. Even though we order curry with fried tofu, our dish comes out with soft tofu. Knowing this is a consistant problem, we usually get a verbal confirmation from the server for our order. It still comes out of the kitchen wrong. Our last visit both of our red curries came with soft tofu and when we asked for it to be fixed our waiter brought out a dish with some fried tofu tossed on top of the curry without removing the crumbly soft tofu from the dish. It did not look good. 7 of the last 8 times we have been there, our order was messed up and had to be replaced, often leaving one person with a delicious dish and the other waiting awkwardly for food. Is this a miscommunication happening in the kitchen? I hope it gets fixed because I love Arayas!

    (3)

  • Bryan M.

    Enjoyed the nice lunch buffet that's offered! First time here, so I tried a little of everything, very tasty, fresh, and delicious. Drizzled some of the peanut sauce all over my pad thai noodles and veggies made for an extra tasty plate! I had to have a little something sweet before I left; the black sticky rice pudding was excellent; added a little coconut on top for extra creaminess and a touch of sweet. Can't wait to return!

    (5)

  • Carmen J.

    We had our first meal in Seattle at Araya's (old location in Bellevue) and truly liked the restaurant. They have unique items on the menu. Every dish has been delicious. Favorites: Papaya Salad (Som Tum), Tofu Tod Gatiam, and desserts Sweet sticky rice with mango (seasonal) , and Black sticky rice pudding. Just delicious! Tip: This new location is charming. Food is delicious still (I think even better than before). Parking: On street.

    (4)

  • Sho I.

    Come here to eat to feel healthy! This buffet spot is pretty amazing---one, it's a buffet spot, but the quality of the food is actually good! Tofu pad thai, spring rolls with plum sauce, a bunch of different veggie dishes, tom yum soup, and even kimchi! All the veggies are fresh! Second, this place is actually catered for vegans/vegetarians! But even a steak-atarian like me can appreciate the food here. For instance, the Tom Yum Soup is solid, decently flavored but not insanely spicy, and has more than enough mushrooms to satiate your fungus craving. Also, the spring rolls here are fried perfectly and the sauce that goes with it complements well. Finally, for dessert, they got fruits and coconut milk that you can pair with sticky rice. Third, the inside is SUPER clean! It's got this majestic aura, too, which can be explained by the different paintings of Thai kings and the decorations they have. Fourth, there is this cute little garden area that you walk through before entering the entrance. You would never expect that for an area such as Madison Park. Finally, buffet lunch on the weekdays (not sure about the weekends) is around $12 including tax! Not bad, eh?

    (5)

  • Kari G.

    I would visit Araya's place just to stand in their bathroom again. Not even a joke. I'm not a vegetarian, but I have many vegetarian vices... and Araya's is now on my vegetarian watch list. Truth be told, the parking situation is a little rough. As with any Madison Valley restaurant, you'll be relegated to parking in the neighborhoods or attempting to parallel park along the street, taking you back to the melancholic days of failing your driving instructor 235329853 times... or at the very least, scaring the crap out of them). Menolikey! But, for this place, I'll make an exception... I'll actually... try. Try to parallel park. With a nice little garden space outside, the atmosphere here is serene and low key, but nice (I think I said that already). The interior certainly has a clean and modern feel (there's so much lovely light inside!)... but also a Thai feel which lends a hint of authenticity. This is a Thai restaurant, after all. Service was fast and friendly... and there appeared to be carts for a lunch buffet in the front of the restaurant (again, for those who are interested... and work nearby). I had a chicken seitan dish and it was pretty great (I believe it was the Rad Na since I love wide format noodles). It did not disappoint this meat eater!! On thing: the seitan was a little on the dry side, but the dish was flavored well and the fake meat definitely had the texture of real meat (if that's the kind of thing that matters to you). The drinks, such as the Thai iced tea, were also quite good and not terribly sweet or terribly pungent. No room for dessert (which is a weird thing for a fat-kid-in-training such as myself to say about a vegetarian restaurant), so no comment on that. All in all, I would definitely come back!

    (4)

  • L M.

    Phenomenal! The food is always fresh; the staff super welcoming and mind; the atmosphere is zen To me this place personifies why many love vegan and Thai food. The zen of the decor and music amplifies the food experience, and the quality and taste of the food reminds me of why I love Thai cuisine. You come in hungry and you leave with a smile on your face. Every bite is an explosion of flavors while the quality of the ingredients used reminds you of both the significance of fresh vegetables and the greatness of dining in Seattle. A must try in my book (even if one isn't vegan).

    (5)

  • Sahana M.

    I can already tell I will frequent this restaurant during my time here in Seattle. Set in an old Victorian house with sleek decor, Araya's place has an invitingly chic and zen ambiance. In another review someone had mentioned the bathroom, so I made it my first priority to go stand in there; the bathroom is definitely noteworthy. As for the foooood omg. SO exciting (as a vegetarian) not to have to worry about fish sauce and oyster sauce, and not to feel restricted. The mango salad was surprisingly good-- I'm not usually a fan of fruits in my salad, but this has changed me for the better. For our entrees, we ordered the drunken mushrooms and the red curry with veggie chicken! Both dishes were absolutely delicious, and the veggie chicken was actually one of the best I've ever tried. We had asked for the food to be spicy, but according to my spice standards, it wasn't. It was so tasty, though, that I didn't mind and forewent requesting additional chili sauce.

    (5)

  • Sammie B.

    This was our first meal in Seattle and we came here for their lunch buffet. It's a deal for $10.99 per person. The restaurant is tucked behind other storefronts. The inside of the restaurant has a warm, cozy feeling. Almost feels like you're inside a home. The food was delicious. Well prepared and flavorful vegan dishes. Everything from the soup, salad to entrees were flavorful and kept me going back for more. My favorite dish was the red tofu curry. Now pour some of that and extra sauce over brown rice and it's money! Staff was very friendly and attentive. I'd definitely recommend this place, even to those that aren't vegetarian/vegan. Knocked off one star only because I wish they had more dishes in the buffet. Yes, I know gluttony is a sin. I'd definitely come back and try items on their dinner menu.

    (4)

  • Tracy S.

    First off, I'm not a vegan. I LOVE meat! But because my friend is vegan and it was in celebration of her graduating college; why not have it her way? (: This place is kinda hidden and once you find it, the interior is cute and lovely. We were greeted warmly and seated quickly. The customer service is top notch & the food is amazing. Didn't even notice that I wasn't eating meat! Definitely will be back.

    (5)

  • Celina P.

    Araya's buffet lives up to the hype! Came during a weekday and had an extremely yummy and satisfying lunch. Also first time I've felt healthy while eating at a buffet! Food: This is how vegan Thai food should be! The buffet dishes had great attention to flavors, without being over oiled - really great veggies too! The brown rice was nutty and delicious, and the tom yum soup hit the spot on a rainy day. Also, their sautéed broccoli is highly addictive - kind of like french fries (but really). The buffet has a variety of different kinds of dishes, so you really don't feel like you're missing out on something. Curry, pad thai, salad, spring rolls, soup, tofu, raw veggies, etc - all in one place. If you're a meat eater who likes Thai food, I think you'd still appreciate what Araya's has to offer. Service: Sweet staff, always smiling. Also didn't look twice when I went on to my third plate... Ambiance: Buffet is located in the first room you walk into (yay)! The rest of the restaurant is pretty open, with nice natural lighting. Lots of neat thai decor too. Would be an awesome place to bring a big group. If I lived in Seattle, I would frequent Araya's Place! Great vegan food, at really an unbeatable price.

    (5)

  • Chelsea S.

    I came here on a Groupon though I live in the neighborhood now and have intended to try it for quite some time. It was a Monday lunch time and I thoroughly enjoyed the lunch buffet. The dining room was fairly empty upon arrival during prime lunch time and wasn't much busier upon living. Nevertheless, the service was very friendly and the dining room is bright and pretty. I really liked the photos of the the Thai royalty all around and felt like I was really eating in someone's house (in a good way). The lunch buffet had your usual offerings: pad thai with tofu, panang curry, fried rice, steamed rice, tom yum soup, cashew stirfry, spring rolls, satay sauce, and a full salad bar with various offerings and fresh fruit. The food was fresh and delicious. The sauce had the perfect seasoning to it and was really delicious. Even non-meat eaters should love this place. The spring rolls were crispy, not soggy or greasy. The salad was fresh and crisp. The only thing I didn't love was the soup, it was too sour for me. I hope to be back and enjoy Araya's again. I loved the buffet and left stuffed but might need to try ordering off the menu next time too.

    (5)

  • Arie L.

    Glad to know the old rovers is replaced by a yummy restaurant. Arayas is vegan and majority of their dishes are gluten free (I can see why their other location is in la at the grove). Restaurant is cute and intimate. Staff is friendly and hardworking. I took my best friend for dinner here. As an appetizer, We ordered the soup: Tom kah. Then we ordered our two entrees: bff had the pad Thai and I ordered their house specialty drunken mushroom. The soup was perfect for a cold evening! Lots of flavor from the lemongrass with coconut milk and hearty amounts of mushroom. I love the serving metal pot that the soup was served in, next time I will ask to have it served with our food because I needed a starch. Bff's pad Thai was very sweet, with a copious amount of bean sprouts, carrots, green onion, and cabbage. I'm picky about my pad Thai, but they had a lot of tofu to soak up some of the sweetness. I just wanted more salty flavors (fish sauce please!). My mushroom specialty was delicious and my absolute favorite from the dishes. Many types of mushrooms in this dish, about 4-5 different ones. The fried basil was a bonus and added that extra texture to the dish. The noodles were perfect, not stuck together like most Thai restaurants. Next time we will go for lunch, I would love to try their Ayce salad buffet!

    (4)

  • Mandy S.

    This place is more in Madison than Capitol Hill.... upon entering, there is a cute courtyard connecting to a honey spa and some outdoor seating... My favorite item there is the avocado curry with seitan and tofu....soo silky and comforting! This time we had the deep fried tofu with honey chili sauce, the sauteed veggies with faux prawns and the mango salad... Everything this was was just too 'fish saucey' and we usually can handle fish sauce ! I will have to order the curry next time since that was made just right

    (4)

  • Alice T.

    Delicious! I dragged a friend here for lunch having learned of its existence from Eater or Seattle Met or one of those locations. At lunch, they offer a well-priced buffet, but after perusing the options, we opted to order off the menu, which is where all the unique dishes are housed. I'm sure the buffet would have been delicious, but most of the items highlighted in previous Yelp reviews were not in the buffet line. We ordered the fried Brussels sprouts, the banana curry, and the drunken mushroom. I love that these dishes aren't typically found at other Thai restaurants, and they were all fabulous! I can't say that any of the three bested the other; they were all well prepared featuring the ingredients well and were amazingly flavorful. We topped it off with the chocolate bar which I highly recommend. It probably isn't a traditional Thai dish, but was very well prepared and just so decadent.

    (4)

  • Frank B.

    So here is my take on Araya's as I've been there 3 times now. Service - It's good, pretty much what you would expect from a Thai restaurant. Atmosphere - Good as well.. Food - This is where things pretty much fall apart. First of all, the food is very catered to the American palate. So if you're okay with lots of sugars, salts, oils, etc., than more traditional Thai food, then you're fine. If you're looking for authentic Thai food, I would not recommend this place. Secondly, they tend to use a lot of filler stuff in their dishes, and are extremely skimpy on the protein. We ordered Pad See Ew to go and it literally had 2 half pieces of tofu and the box was less than 30% full. Our Chicken cashew was half baby corns and had three small pieces of fake chicken in it. Not kidding. Our curry was 90% curry sauce, with 3 half pieces of tofu and some carrots... Price - Well... I spent $40 w/ tax and tip on a to-go order for 3 dishes that didn't full up two adults. You do the math. Lastly, I could HIGHLY discourage people from doing take-out. They absolutely cut the size of the dishes in half for take out. My wife and I joked that they must have used someones doggie bag for our Pad See Ew because the portions were so small...

    (2)

  • Jennifer W.

    I absolutely love this restaurant. I am a vegetarian and they do a great job at creating a perfect vegetarian Thai menu. The Thai food is some of the best I have ever had and the prices are very reasonable. The decor of the restaurant is also a huge plus. Also, if you are looking for a great lunch buffet, look no further! Araya's lunch buffet is so amazing and it is a great price. You get an array of different options for all you can eat. I highly recommend Araya's for both veggie and non veggie Thai food lovers!

    (5)

  • Tom F.

    What a great place! They have tasty lunch bar, the food was fresh and there was a good selection. The service was perfect. It is nestled in a courtyard off Madison. I was peasantry surprised and look forward for another meal at Araya's

    (4)

  • Nicholas G.

    Araya's has the best vegan Thai food this side of Bangkok and I'll Muay Thai kickbox any hipster who says otherwise. Fresh ingredients, a passion for authentic preparation and a strict blacklist policy towards menu ingredients from the animal kingdom has created a fanatical following amongst 2 and 4 legged omnivores and herbivores alike. Those with opposable thumbs and a smart phone have left their mark in yelplandia and the near perfect rating is well deserved. The phad Thai and the drunken mushrooms are my go to and occasionally I'll throw in some coconut soup and curry--the string bean dish is also nothing short of phenomenal. The restaurant is set in a former residence tucked away in Madison valley right off Madison ave en route to Madison park--it's spacious and quaint with some neighborhood intimacy baked into the ambiance. It's been impeccably clean and charming every time I've been in. You can eat in, order to go (rarely takes longer than 10 minutes --a biproduct of the vegetarian menu is shorter cooking times) or use a third party delivery service that shuts off an hour before actual closing times. I've found the service staff to be helpful, patient and eager to please. As Confucius/kickboxer 3 says "the greatest warrior has defeated himself AND eats once a month at Arayas."

    (5)

  • Sarit S.

    Amazing restaurant, looks very clean and bright. Yummy vegan food. Very polite service. We were 9 people - adults and kids - we all had a wonderful experience. We ate a lot and everything was tasty.

    (5)

  • Novaira M.

    I love this place ! The food is consistently delicious. I have ordered multiple items on the menu and they are all full of flavor and spot on. The fact that it is vegan/vegetarian doesn't take anything away from the flavors at all. I can say pretty confidently, that even if you are a meat lover - you won't be disappointed with this food. The dishes are served family size and can be shared easily. I just wish they were open till late. The restaurant is in a cute little house in the Madison area, the servers are attentive and friendly and the prices are great !

    (5)

  • Josh B.

    A quick shout-out to Araya's for an incredible lunch. My first time there, I was greeted by an attentive, pleasant hostess, who recommended the lunch buffet. She showed me what all was there, and I was ready to go. I had the tom yum soup and a spinach salad w/ spicy carrots to begin. Then, I tried the panang curry with REAL brown rice, stir-fry with delicious peanut sauce and a little tofu pad thai. Everything was incredibly fresh and delicious. I'll come back next time I'm in town.

    (5)

  • Sunita P.

    This was some awesome veggie thai food, it was nice to not worry about fish sauce or other animal products in the food. They made the spice level exact to order on all the dishes and best of the dishes were yellow curry, pad thai and vegetable fried rice. It's tucked away in a corner so drive slowly or you will miss it! It's in a neighborhood

    (4)

  • Jess P.

    I am on my knees begging, saying "Pretty please, open a restaurant in Portland." Because in the Pacific NW duel of all duels, the one thing Seattle can rightly claim over Portland is a better vegetarian Thai restaurant. Not only is it better, it is some of the best of the best Thai food I've had. I've been a veghead for over a decade. In that time, I've eaten at a lot of vegetarian only restaurants. They tend to be gimmicky, hokey, and frankly not all that good. Araya's Place is different. It doesn't rest on it's vegetarian-friendly label to attract restaurant goers, only to then serve-up mediocre eats. Instead, it is some of most delicious Thai food you'll eat in this country, and it just so happens to be vegetarian. The yellow curry (it starts with a K) was, hands-down, the best curry I've tasted of recent memory. It had layers of the complex flavors you crave in a curry. The vegetables were all done to perfection, and the tofu was prepared very well. The cashew stir-fry was also remarkably flavorful, spicy, and satisfying. The Thai iced coffee with coconut milk is a must, as is the coconut juice (which is served in a fresh, meaty coconut). If I had one complaint, it would be that our appetizer of potstickers was overshadowed by the brilliance of our entrees (but that isn't really a complaint, now is it?). The restaurant itself is bright, clean and cool. The tea lights in the courtyard leading to the front steps create a romantic, intimate vibe. Our servers were friendly and did their best to be attentive despite a large party sat attentive to us. In short, this is a can't-miss for vegheads and omnivores alike. And it should open a Portland location. Please, pretty please.

    (5)

  • Anonymous X.

    Tasty and large portions. Most dishes have tofu, but that's only to be expected at a vegan Thai eatery. Some of the waiters tend to be a bit overeager rather than giving diners the time to enjoy the ambience and each other's company.

    (4)

  • Theresa H.

    Since opening their first location in the University District, they've also added an Araya's in Madison Valley (right by Cafe Flora) that is even better in my opinion. Inside, it feels a little like Cafe Flora with bright open space that makes you feel completely at home. It's very charming and beautifully decorated, with Thai antiques and artwork throughout. This is Seattle's only all-vegan Thai restaurant, and they've truly mastered it. Although they are famous for their lunch buffet, I have only ordered off the menu (to attempt more self control ha) and I haven't been disappointed yet. Even if you skip the buffet, they have great prices, particularly for the generous portions. The best appetizer (only offered at Madison Valley location), in my humble opinion, is the plate of Vegetable Cakes, made with rice and Chinese leeks and served with a sweet soy dipping sauce. These are perfectly crispy on the outside, but gooey-melt-in-your-mouth on the inside. There are plenty to share, but they will go fast! My favorite comfort food here is the Tofu Rice Soup that is stock full of colorful veggies. Although it is simple, the addition of fresh grated ginger and semi-sweet broth give it an amazing flavor and warms the body on a winter day like today. They also have a wide assortment of stir-fries, noodles, and curries, with a range of flavors from savory Avocado Curry to spicy Panang to good old peanut sauce. They can really amp up the spice too for those of you brave souls! If I haven't convinced you to take a detour over to Madison Valley yet, I can't help you. ;)

    (5)

  • Phuong B.

    I have a thing for restaurants in cute little Victorian houses. And this place is the epitome of cute! It even has a front patio with lights hung above and a miniature garden oasis before entering the restaurant. Upon entering, I found that the restaurant / house was separated in two parts. We were seated in the back behind french doors with views of the neighborhood. It was very endearing because it seemed like a lot of older people from the surrounding neighborhood would come here to eat. As for the food, I was genuinely surprised by the extensive list on their menu and completely vegetarian! In fact, I think majority , if not all, are also vegan. I ordered the thai tea and it came in a little cute mason jar! However, the pad Thai was kind of a let down. It was very sour and I suspect that they used ketchup as a base instead. On the other hand, the pad se ew was delicious and came with tons of veggies. This place would be five star worthy if not for the pad Thai.

    (4)

  • Anithya D.

    The food is excellent. Everything exceeded my expectations. If you like vegetarian food, then this is your restaurant.

    (5)

  • Kathleen C.

    I like Araya. I used to go to the UW one and the Bellevue one before they moved. This location is probably the prettiest. It has that typical Madison Park restaurant feel, where it basically looks like someone's home. This is vegan Thai. They don't even have milk creamer for Thai iced tea (soy or coconut milk). Of all meals, I've had at Araya, I would say the lunch buffet is the best for the price too. I like the variety in the buffet. I really like their vegetarian spring rolls! Like the best I've had amongst all Thai restaurants I've been to. Curry is usually yummy here too. I also love tofu, so I don't mind that as the meat substitute. I don't, however, enjoy the imitation meat. I tried it in the drunken mushroom noodle dish and it was kinda weird and too salty. Also Tom yum fried rice was bit too much flavor for me as well.

    (4)

  • Maria L.

    I came here tonight and was again so pleased with not only the food, but the service. I have been to pretty much every Thai place in the Cap Hill area and this one by far tops them all. The customer service is right up there with Nordstroms! I decided to mix it up and order a stir-fry. I ordered 4 stars and it was spicy, but not too hot to handle. It turns out Araya herself was there cooking tonight and my Oh my is she good! The best part of my dish was probably the fact that the veggies weren't mushy like other places - they still maintained their own individual flavor and had some texture to them, even in a stir fry. I highly recommend coming here for lunch or dinner sometime!

    (5)

  • Martha T.

    Love this place!!! We always get the hot and sour soup to start off, the pineapply curry and the drunken mushroom. We can't get enough, even my husband who has to have meat with every meal loves to come here. Can't want to come back.

    (5)

  • A S.

    Love araya and their food....lunch buffet is the best you can get

    (5)

  • Brian C.

    This restaurant is tucked away in a quaint alcove with other shops. Upon entering, I was enthusiastically greeted by a waitress to follow her into the main dining room. I found that the bright color palette conveyed crispness and cleanliness - a welcome change from the dingy and jaundiced rooms of most establishments. But alas, I had only dropped by to place a to-go order. One Swimming Rama, medium spiciness please. Five minutes after, I was bounding out the door with grub in hand. I fiddled with the plastic bag and was able to produce two containers. One contained the peanut sauce and the other a box filled with vegetables. Quite possibly the most beautiful take-out I've ever seen. Thank you Araya for packaging the sauce separately. Its consistency was perfect. Not too oily and with just enough spice. You know, the kind that massages your taste buds instead of violently assailing them until numb. The vegetables were so beautifully laid out and fresh. Bok choy, broccoli, spinach and cucumbers provided the green base. Onions, mushrooms, tofu and bean sprouts laid gingerly on top. A sprinkle of julienned carrots and cabbage with some parsley rounded out the colors. All expertly cut and presented. The whole dish had a subtle aroma of sweetness, like it was kissed by grass. Ugh, I'm salivating just thinking about it. Overall, I would highly recommend the Swimming Rama and will be eating in next time!

    (5)

  • Rachel H.

    Classic spot in the former foodie-rific Rover's space, Araya's Place is vegan Thai, but not the kind that has us non-vegans running for the hills. First off, the space is pretty charming. Five stars worth. This feels like a white washed and gilded Thai beach house, with delicate carvings, orchids and old photographs. Its the perfect feel for Madison Valley, and blends in with all the great home decor shops that have sprung up all around the area. Come to think of it, I would probably eat nails and cardboard to sit in this ultra pretty spot. While I've never been a fan of Araya's buffet in the U District, I know that some love it. Power to the people, and the vegans. On the other hand, I am typically not a fan of the reheated. Here at their upscale feeling Madison Valley location however, things are made to order. The $12 lunch special comes with soup, rice, two spring rolls, and a menu of options (vegan of coarse) is a good deal and comes with an all you can eat salad bar (which houses the only premade items you'll eat here: mango salad, rice noodle salad and a kimchee-like salad, alongside Thai-ed up mixed greens fare.) On the entrees, the thai sauces are mostly good, which is very hard to accomplish without fish sauce. I recommend skipping the pad thai, which I ordered because I had a hankering. What I discovered here though, is that pad thai with without fish sauce is basically a fish-out-of-water. The red curry had a nice sauce, as did the panang curry. The curries and other dishes are quite good, and they will dial up the heat if you ask. Overall, the service is very friendly, but the serving staff tends to get "lost" inexplicably in this large feeling beach house for long periods of time, so things are not cleared immediately. Yes, this place is vegan, so if that's your thing, then this may be your perfect stop. Even if vegan is not your bag, here in this beautiful space, even tofu tastes good.

    (4)

  • Sheri F.

    Thank you, Yelpers, for sending me to Araya's! This place was the bomb! I was so amazed by the food here. All of the dishes were exceptional. Everything was vegan Thai. I'm a carnivore so I was leery that I'd find something I liked, but I devoured my food and couldn't finish it. They give you a shot glass when you sit down, and my boyfriend and I had never been here before so we had no idea what it was. Turns out it was aloe tea. We found out that they change the drink every day. The only thing I could note for improvement would be that our waitress checked on us once and seemed to not be enjoying her job. Finding the front door was interesting because the restaurant is tiny and in the back of a weird set-up with other buildings. Food: 5 Ambiance: 5 Service: 3 Parking: 2

    (5)

  • Olivia F.

    I enjoyed all the vegan-friendly options! Fun spring rolls too.

    (5)

  • Tim K.

    Consistently excellent Thai at both locations. The avocado curry and the mango salad are two of the best Thai dishes in Seattle. If you enjoy Thai food, it will likely will become a favorite.

    (5)

  • Nicole P.

    One of my favorite restaurants in Seattle. They offer an incredible selection of vegan Thai options that will make you forget about meat. I find myself always ordering the Drunken Mushrooms and delicious fresh rolls. The prices are a bit high for Thai food, in my opinion, but completely worth it.

    (4)

  • Ojass N.

    Love this new location.. Alongside a spa and other great places hidden in a quiet location.. Great food, always fresh .. Good price .. Friendly staff ..

    (4)

  • Yi Z.

    A place that is peaceful and tranquil with beautifully made food. I loved the buffet, with healthy, well balanced food from salad, rice, to pad Thai, pineapple rice, curry, peanut sauce, spring rolls and coconut purple rice as dessert.

    (4)

  • Mikayla N.

    Got some take out from Araya's for Valentines and it was all amazing! It's so great to find gems like this that taste good without involving fatty animal products. I got an order of the fresh rolls and my boyfriend got the tofu cream cheese. The fresh rolls were great and had a nice crunch to them. The only thing missing (I thought) was peanut sauce for dipping, though they did come with a sweet, dark sauce. The tofu cream cheese was good, though slightly bland. *If you know anyone with cashew allergies, steer clear of these*. I called ahead and confirmed with them that there were no cashews (despite my knowing that many vegan "cream cheeses" are made from cashews), but my boyfriend ate two bites and broke out in hives. Luckily, it's not a severe allergy, but it did mean no dinner for him after that. For an entree, I ordered the Taro Root A La Bankok - nothing was missed in making it. Great and flavorful with lots of different textures to enjoy. Taro tends to be a little dry, so it's not for everyone, but they did a great job cooking it. Boyfriend got the Spicy Noodle (though, since he couldn't breathe, I ended up eating it... Score?) which was also great. All in all, great place. We didn't dine in, but the decor was very cute and calming when I stopped in. My only negative comment would be the lack of knowledge regarding the cashew thing... that could've been bad.

    (4)

  • Sarah B.

    I know what you are thinking..."vegan?...hmmm not so sure about that." Well think again. This place is absolutely delicious. I am not vegan, nor am I a vegetarian and I love this place. You have to get over the fact that you may not have your usual meat options (and hopefully you can handle tofu or seitan). Everything I have had here has been great, especially the curries and several of the stir fry dishes. The thing I really love is that there are a lot of different veges in each dish and they are cooked perfectly - with a little crispness in them and not cooked to death. I always get my food to go (usually ready in about 15 min) but the interior of the space is really cute. it would be a great place for dinner. The staff is always friendly too! I can't say enough good things. Try this place out if you haven't yet!

    (5)

  • Sam T.

    Absolutely amazing in every regard. Very consistent yummy food that you taste and can tell is made out of very good quality ingredients. Great service every time and very wonderful decor. Very good sized entrees and pretty reasonable prices. What more can you ask for?

    (5)

  • CJ B.

    I am not the type to seek out vegan restaurants and am actually more likely to shun them, suspecting some lack of flavor, texture, variety, something... But the food here is truly delicious and our meal was completely satisfying. We had the mango salad, drunken mushrooms (with wide noodles and a variety of veggies), and Kaeng Ka-Ri. Two stars out of five on the heat scale - all very flavorful but not really spicy at all. The menu is fairly long and I was tempted by everything! I will need to return often.

    (5)

  • Hunter M.

    After a third visit to Araya's Place in Madison Valley and being again very pleased with my entree, both the quality and value, I've finally found a dark side to Araya's. This time I also ordered an appetizer, the Pot Stickers, which were very disappointing. They cost nearly 2/3 the price of my Rad Na for very little food, and they were dry and bland. I also had to pay extra for rice even though my friend's meal was a curry. These things were disappointing after developing a favoritism and loyalty to Araya's among Thai restaurants near Capitol Hill.

    (4)

  • Kirstie C.

    This was a very happy accident that happened when I went out to lunch with my friends in the area. We went somewhere prior and were very disappointed at the place, so we decided to try something new. Who knew this little gem was right across the street?! We were a bit skeptical because the place is vegan, so I wondered how things would taste without ingredients like fish sauce, but we were all pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere is nice and the whole set up of the restaurant, both in and out, is very warm and welcoming. The food was great too. The Thai tea w/ coconut milk was tasty and served in the cutest mason jars w/ handles. We went during lunch and opted for the special where you had an entrée w/ rice, spring or egg rolls, and full access to the salad bar. My Pa-nang curry was very flavorful and I had enough for lunch the next day. Dessert was great too, we tried the mango sticky rice and black rice pudding w/ coconut ice cream. The service was great and made for an overall wonderful experience. Pricing was very reasonable as well =) For more details and pictures, check out my blog post! kfclovesyou.com/2014/06/…

    (5)

  • ShmoHaw K.

    Every time I have eaten at this location the food has been perfect. I may be biased before I have ordered the Pumpkin Curry and the Avocado Curry here, knowing how much I'd love them before they arrived. Whereas at the U District location, I might order the buffet or be more adventurous with something else from the menu. However, both the pumpkin curry and the avocado curry were deliciously creamy with an ideal amount of coconut milk/cream. The pumpkin and avocado in both had excellent texture. The tofu and seitan were great. The accompanying vegetables did their job. Therefore, there is no reason to give fewer than 5 stars. Araya's is not just the best vegan Thai food I have eaten, but it's probably the best Thai restaurant in Seattle.

    (5)

  • Amy S.

    Vegan thai food isn't really my type of food but everything we had at Araya's was fantastic! I ordered a thai iced tea with coconut milk and was very surprised that I couldn't really tell the difference between the coconut milk and the cream that is used at non-vegan places. I also had spring rolls which were cooked perfectly and not oily at all. For an entree, I had pumpkin curry and I highly recommend it. It wasn't too sweet and had two types of tofu. The decor is also very nice. The photos of the Thai royal family on the walls were very elegant.

    (5)

  • Michael S.

    Been eating here for 10 years- best brunch buffet in Seattle (Vegan or not). Amazing family run place. Araya herself works in the kitchen between locations!

    (5)

  • Rich T.

    I didn't think anything could replace rovers but in some ways it is wonderful that it is so different. The space is light and airy. And at $12 for a lunch special with a wonderful salad selection, spring rolls and generous curry plus soup. This is way better than the average lunch buffet. Amazing. We loved the kick of the curry and freshness of the spices.

    (5)

  • Kat F.

    Gorgeous! Love the ambiance and the food is just as great! Can't wait to go back! Definitely get the lunch buffet!

    (5)

  • Bridgette F.

    Araya's has hands down the best Thai food in Seattle, or anywhere for that matter. This is their newest location and probably the best. It has a great atmosphere, and feels like you're being welcomed into Araya's home. The location is gorgeous and nestled in a garden. The food does not disappoint and is fresh and delicious like always. Run, don't walk, to Araya's new Madison location. Do yourself and your taste buds a favor and get the best Thai food now!

    (5)

  • Kevin E.

    One of my favorite vegan spots in Seattle. Food is always good. Everything is well-seasoned, flavorful, and generous in portions. My favorite item on the menu is probably the pumpkin curry or the tofu garb. Staff is attentive and kind. My ONLY complaint is that the time I came here and ordered the tofu garb, it didn't have any mushrooms whatsoever, which is unfortunate because it was really missing it.

    (4)

  • Nancy C.

    Great place for LUNCH!! Had a groupon and decided to give it a try - always wanted to go to the Bellevue location but they closed. Hubby got the Yakisoba lunch special - it came with a delicious mushroom soup,a trip to the salad bar, and 2 egg rolls all for $9.95 - he LOVED it and said it was the best lunch he ever had...... I on the other hand ordered the Thai iced tea (didn't really like it) and their house special - mushroom drunken noodles (the menu didn't say it had peppers in it so minus a star there - HATE the taste of peppers and they permeate the entire dish plus I got 3 stars and it was to spicy - hubby got 2 stars and it was really a mild spice, which I would order next time). Will definitely go back here again for lunch!

    (4)

  • Armin Z.

    Excellent food and customer service!! My second time at Arayas place and even better then the first.

    (5)

  • David M.

    Updating my review to include that the lunch specials were recently replaced with a more substantial lunch buffet. Everything is still delicious.

    (5)

  • Nima T.

    Best Thai resturaunt in Seattle. The service is superb and the food is exquisite. I have tried the pad Thai, pad see ew and was just blown away by their mango curry such was on special.

    (5)

  • Ali R.

    Although tempted to give Arayas four stars, I'm afraid I must move forward with three. While I maintain that the food is AMAZING--this is a heaven for those who are vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free, the service has gone downhill. My boyfriend and I used to be regular customers at Arayas in Bellevue before it closed down. In Bellevue the service was wonderful and we formed very personal relationships with the staff members. We went every single weekend--not exaggerating..and trust me we don't live in Bellevue--our wallets were not happy with us! Since the Bellevue location shut down, we started venturing out to this one. The restaurant location and environment is beautiful. There is an elegant courtyard set-up outside the restaurant. The food is amazing--some of the best Thai food I have ever had. The service is disappointing however. I went in for lunch on a weekend when it wasn't very busy. I asked to see the menu and the waiter started describing the lunch buffet in detail and told me I might as well do the buffet because everything on the menu is in the buffet. Well, I happen to know that is not the case. The menu is HUGE and offers a variety of options that are not included in the buffet. The buffet is great--but I've had it many times and know that I prefer to order what I love off of the menu. The waiter continued to be pushy and made me feel like I was making a mistake because I would be spending extra money if I ordered off of the menu. It was more than apparent that he didn't want to go to the extra work. This is a restaurant business and I should feel welcome to eat whatever I want on the menu. My other grievance is from Valentines Day when my boyfriend and I were crammed into a tiny space less than a foot away from neighboring tables. It was awkward, uncomfortable and clear they were trying to maximize the space (though inappropriately) for the holiday. I hope that Arayas will start hiring more seasoned waiters and waitresses to best represent the high quality food that is offered and pay more attention to detail by keeping the atmosphere comfortable for customers.

    (3)

  • Ashley G.

    Whether you're vegan or not vegan (I am not vegan or even vegetarian), Araya's is the best damn Thai food I've ever had. All of their locations are gorgeous and the food never disappoints. I especially love their curries, drunken mushroom, and spring rolls. You can order anything off their menu and it'll still be the best thing you've ever ate. My friend had Araya cater their destination wedding in Redondo Beach, CA last year and Araya herself was there and was the sweetest woman ever. Everyone enjoyed the food and the way she presented it. Again, best damn Thai food you'll ever have. The end.

    (5)

  • Paul S.

    This place is tucked away in the old Rovers building. Doesn't look like much from the outside but once you are inside it's amazing. Probably the most beautiful Thai restaurant I've been to in Seattle. The service is very friendly, chatty and helpful. The Noodle Curry is to die for. Portions are large, price is great, atmosphere is relaxing. I love to come for a quiet solo lunch of with a group for dinner.

    (4)

  • Candy E.

    I wish I lived in Seattle so I could eat here again!!! Randomly we ran into this restaurant trying to find good thai and found my new favorite restaurant! Let start with atmosphere: This is a super bright, light and clean. You almost feel like you are sitting outside because it is so bright and you are surrounded by plants and gorgeous pictures and artwork. Now the food: We were here for the lunch special- when you go, go for the lunch special! You get all you can eat veggies from a veggie bar, which included the BEST citrusy kale salad thing yum! It then I got curry and it came with rice :) so yum! The waitress was so nice and sweet and helpful! Like I said I wish I lived in Seattle just to eat here! It has been 3 months and I still dream about it! I give it 5 yummms out of 5!!!

    (5)

  • Eli G.

    Amazing service and food!! The location and the decor are impeccable! I first visited their Los Angeles location on Beverly Dr. I was impressed by the sisters' friendly and welcoming restaurant. Above all, I always feel as if I had been invited to someone's family dinner. Best Thai restaurant in town! Thank you.

    (5)

  • Reema S.

    Very fresh ingredients and good portion size. Love the fact I can finally have Thai food without worrying about hidden non-veg ingredients like oyster sauce. I drive over an hour just to come here for dinner!!

    (5)

  • Bridgette E.

    Hits the spot for Vegetarian and Vegan Thai food! The decor and atmosphere were great!

    (5)

  • KiKi B.

    Not vegetarians and didn't know Araya's Place was a vegetarian restaurant until we sat down but my husband and I both really liked everything that we got. Great service and great food.

    (4)

  • Steve L.

    After moving back to Seattle, we bought our new house across the street from the famous Rovers just after they closed last year. The space sat empty for quite a while, and all that time we wondered and hoped that we'd get something a little less pretentious than another upscale Madison Park-ish French bistro or Italian cantina. And amazingly enough, just a few weeks ago the sign went up announcing the coming of another Araya's vegan Thai restaurant! They've long been a favorite spot in the University District. and have a good reputation for fresh, great-tasting and fairly-priced food. They opened with almost no fanfare just a few days ago, and we thought we'd try them for lunch. Fans of the older Araya's lunch buffet may be disappointed to learn that there's none at the new location. Instead, here you can just order off the regular menu, or pick one of a half-dozen lunch specials from the board. The specials are all standard Thai stuff (phad thai, panang or green curry, etc...), and all come with a cup of tom yum soup, two fried spring rolls, rice (white or brown), and multi trips to a small salad bar. The four salad bar offerings are currently one with greens and a limey-peanut onion dressing, another featuring cherry tomato/fried tofu, a third with fried kale, beets cashews and whole garlic cloves, and lastly fresh fruit. Flavors on everything were bright, very fresh, and actually pretty authentic considering that as a vegan place there's no use of standard seasonings like fish sauce and shrimp paste. The small assorted pepper pots are available if you'd like to further jack up the spice level of any dish. I did find a bit too much sweetness in the phad thai and dipping sauce -- a pretty common occurrence in most "Americanized" Thai restaurants. Being a vegan place means say hello to your good friend tofu in most every dish. But whether cubed or fried, it replaces most meat ingredients just fine (fish and seafood less so, and I'd like to see a couple more variations on texture and cooking style that I know tofu is capable of. A couple dishes do have seitan as a meat replacement for variety.) They have beer and wine already, no great shakes or surprises (Singha, Chang, Heineken). The space, in a converted old house, is clean, comfy and relaxed, with the entrance set back off the street in a very green inner courtyard shared with some other smaller Madison Valley businesses. All in all, a perfectly good Thai place in a nice setting with friendly people. We expect to be eating here a lot over time, and are happy to have such a place close by as a go-to lunch and dinner spot.

    (4)

  • Summer M.

    I was only in Seattle for a month and I went to Araya's twice within a couple weeks. It's amazing! The first time I went I had the buffet which had just a great amount of options. I just couldn't stop thinking about the curry so I requested we go back for my birthday dinner. Me and my friends shared Tom Yum Goong soup, fried Brussels sprouts, drunken mushroom, spicy noodles and of course more curry! The portions were very generous and priced great. The Thai iced tea was also noteworthy. I will definitely be going back when I visit Seattle again!

    (5)

  • Shelby R.

    AMAZING food - Araya's lunch buffet has always been my favorite, and this new location has the same delicious food at a light & airy new space. The white walls and lots of windows are a stark difference of decor from their main place, but the change is lovely. Their manager on staff was also very kind & accommodating. THAI VEGAN FOR THE WIN!! And many GF options!

    (5)

  • Joseph M.

    I am so happy to have an Araya's right in my neighborhood. The vegetables are cooked perfectly -the eggplant is tender, not soggy and not greasy. Brussels sprouts have a perfect crispy texture and bright green color, with a minimal seasoning to allow the fresh flavor to stand out. Preparations with vegan chicken are very tasty. Also the atmosphere is extremely charming. It's perfect for date night, Being in the back where Rover's used to be with a very pretty patio and lights, but is still reasonably casual enough to pop in after a long busy day. Interior is very elegant and bright, warm and comforting. There're also lots menu items that have not seen in other Thai restaurants so I look forward to trying them all. There's plenty of parking on the residential streets around the neighborhood.

    (5)

  • Graham K.

    I love Araya's in the U District, so I was thrilled to hear they were opening a new location within a mile of my home, and on my birthday no less! When a friend was visiting yesterday, Araya's came up among the group as a natural choice for lunch. The new location is gorgeous. It's tucked away off of a lush courtyard with a beautiful patio that we would have quickly taken advantage of, if weather had allowed. The interior was plenty spacious as well, with a simple, clean and classy aesthetic. All four of us got the lunch special -- a steal at $12, as it came with an entree, two spring rolls, soup and access to the salad buffet. Every one of us was more than satisfied and all but one of us had leftovers to take home. The U District location has been well-known for its generous lunch buffet. While the Madison location only had a salad buffet, there were zero complaints, as it was all too easy to fill up a large plate with delicious options to complement the rest of our meal. The servers were all friendly and attentive, and Araya herself came out to chat with us as we wrapped up, making sure everything was to our liking. She remembered us from a previous hometown friend reunion at the U District location from a year or two back, which was quite the flattering surprise. I'm jealous of my friend Stephen, who lives even closer at just two blocks away. It goes without question that we'll be back soon. This is where you want to go the next time you want generous Thai on a beautiful summer day.

    (5)

  • Qiong S.

    Loved their old location in U district, and now this new location on Madison! Beautiful place with the best vegetarian/vegan food! Love Araya's!

    (5)

  • Melissa U.

    This place is amazing! Best Thai food in Seattle! Best Thai food I've ever had! We live in the neighborhood and order togo all the time, but we also love taking out of town guests there for lunch or dinner. The Panang curry and Avocado curry are must haves but EVERYthing on the menu is delicious! Araya's has great lunch specials, complete with a yummy thai salad bar when you order the lunch specials. And dining in is great there. Very light and comfortable atmosphere, beautiful decor, and friendly, great staff. I enjoy coming by to pick up dinner to go or coming in for a meal with friends any time of day. Not to be missed! Enjoy!

    (5)

  • Claire J.

    The food is fantastic! The lunch buffet was delicious and affordable. The staff is quick, attentive and friendly and the atmosphere is crisp yet comfortable. Will most definitely return!

    (5)

  • Patricia E.

    We love the new location for Araya's Place. (Full disclosure: we live a block away and it's so convenient!) For those of you that don't already know - they've moved from their Bellevue location into the old "Rover's" in Madison Valley (across the street from Café Flora). They've freshened up the space and gave it a modern/Asian/beachy feel. The outdoor patio is great on a Summer's day. As far as the food and service goes - 5 stars. Ingredients (veggies) were fresh and bright. Just the right amount of savory, sweet and spice. The chef checked on us to make certain everything was perfect. The wait staff were all very polite and engaging. We are already planning on becoming 'regulars' here before everyone discovers Araya's (new) Place. Welcome to the neighborhood!

    (5)

  • Barett M.

    STELLAR vegan food. Impresses vegetarians and meat eaters alike. Excellent service. Great lunch buffet. Good for take out too, although they don't deliver.

    (5)

  • Eric R.

    For years, I've enjoyed Araya's outstanding food, as they grew from their first humble location on University Ave. to their larger place on 45th, and finally to their lovely new place on Madison, one of the most casually beautiful restaurants I know.

    (5)

  • Aurora C.

    I think I am in love. Great setting, amazing food and the service was impeccable. We ordered the pad thai and the yellow curry, and the medium was a bit more like medium hot and the hot....was HOT! But I like spicy so I loved it, he even brought over more spices incase it wasn't hot enough. We ordered noodles plain for our daughter since she is somewhat of a picky eater and he threw in some steamed broccoli and offered some peanut sauce after asking if she has allergies. I will be back! No I see why all my friends like this place.

    (5)

  • Lindsay L.

    Amazing! My husband and I love to experience new places by checking Yelp and groupon type deals. We're so happy both those sites led us to Araya's! We're meat eaters but don't discriminate against veggies, especially if Thai food is involved. Let me start with the magic of the location: the outside space was gorgeous. I felt like I walked into a secret garden. The interior of the restaurant is stunning. I felt like I was in someone's home that was fancy but not pretentious. The service was top notch- so friendly and warm! And the food? The food! We had the panang curry (which we put over brown rice) and the drunken mushroom dish. Both were absolutely delicious! Please do yourself a favor and visit here and tell all your friends. I selfishly want it to be busy so I know it'll continue to stay open for when my vegan Thai food cravings hit.

    (4)

  • Abe P.

    Tucked away in a courtyard directly across from Cafe Flora, Araya's newest Place has a secluded but roomy and elegant space. It's a little hard to find at first - just look for the curved black awning with a green "Araya's Place" logo overhead along the Madison Street sidewalk. They don't have the full Araya's lunch buffet going yet, but they do have a lunch special that includes a salad bar, soup, spring rolls, brown rice, and one of about six entrees of your choice. They can make you items off the full menu as well. The food is as delicious as always and this is an excellent upscale destination for a casual lunch or dinner with a group of any size!

    (5)

  • Linda A.

    A friend and I went to Araya's Place grand opening on May 1st. I've been a fan of Araya's for many years and wanted to wish the restaurant well on its opening night in Madison Park. I am always impressed with the amazing sauces that the chef makes! We had a red curry dish and an eggplant dish like none I could have ever imagined! They won't divulge what ingredients are in the sauce itself, but everything is so fresh and tasty and has an amazing texture, and the secret ingredients are from Thailand, I understand. The eggplant is one of those "to die for" specialties, and the crispy brussels sprouts were perfectly crisp and tasty and fresh. The brown rice is a special mixture of various colored rices that Araya's creates, and very tasty and impressive. Mushroom dishes are the best I've ever tasted, and I love mushrooms of all kinds and am a bit of a mushroom snob! The waitstaff are charming and attentive. It was such a pleasure to see how comfortable and special they made everyone feel. The gentle decor is creatively made from antiques from Thailand, and hand-made wall and window dressings were especially created for the place. Their homemade coconut ice cream was a wonderful and tasty dessert. We had a hard time leaving! It's such an amazing experience!

    (5)

  • Michael H.

    Fantastic food, exceptional staff, and a pleasant setting. I look forward to making it through the entire menu.

    (5)

  • Darcy H.

    Delicious food and such a BEAUTIFUL decor! Lovely for a business lunch, or a lunch or dinner date. I was there at a slow time, so I can't comment on the noise level when the restaurant is full.

    (5)

  • Holly W.

    Amazing vegan Thai dishes enjoyed in a beautiful space.

    (5)

  • Erin M.

    Love the pad thai! Everything is so great here and really friendly to GF dietary restrictions.

    (4)

  • Nami N.

    I love this place! So cozy and private place. Delicious Vegan food!!! My secret place. I took my special visiter from overseas. We enjoyed flavor and fresh vegetables. All staff are so welcome and nice people. Thank you for everything! I certainly go Araya's place again and eat healthy vegan food!!!

    (5)

  • Tim U.

    One of the best vegetarian places in Seattle. My favorite is the avocado curry. If you are there for lunch they have a great buffet for about $10.

    (5)

  • Sara B.

    My review is pending. I will be eating there again as soon as I have a chance as the gracious owner offered me $25 gift certificate and wants to cook for us himself.

    (3)

  • Jane M.

    This charming restaurant rocks for many reasons. The food is amazing, service stellar, lovely location and decor. Started with rice cakes stuffed with leaks and vegetable satay so good.then the wide noodle mushroom dish and curry noodle. Large portions, so good I wanted to eat it all but couldn't. I have a nice lunch to eat today. I only wish there was a place like this in south sound! Vegan delish!!! Can't wait to go back

    (5)

  • Kelly B.

    This is my favorite vegetarian restaurant. The lunch deal is the best, but dinner is great too.

    (5)

  • Surya V.

    I have been to Araya's in the U District and in Bellevue for many years, so I when I heard that they were coming into Capitol Hill/Arboretum area I was thrilled to have this awesome restaurant in my neighborhood. The new location is the old Rover's and is a really charming house located off of a lush courtyard with a beautiful patio. The food continues to be fantastic. It has been in my neighborhood for less than a week and I have eaten there twice. I cannot recommend it enough. The flavors continue to be unique and memorable. The place is more upscale, but the prices are very reasonable and the service was outstanding. Araya herself is working there, and she's a lovely lady and a treat to talk to. I'm looking forward to a lot of good food at Araya's.

    (5)

  • Dayo A.

    This was some of the best thai food I've ever had. It was easily my favorite thai restaurant decor. I had the Drunken Mushroom with vegan prawn and it was bomb.gov . I also got the roasted broccoli and brussel sprouts and it was seasoned perfectly. The wait staff was friendly and attentive and the food came out quickly. I live in Los Angeles, and fully intend to visit the West Hollywood location the moment I return, just to see if they could bottle lightning twice. Stop thinking about it, stop browsing around, just go there and you'll be glad you did. Trust me. I'm a complete stranger.

    (5)

  • Adam W.

    There are far too many exceptional options to list at Araya's--I've taken dozens of omnivorous friends here and they've raved. That typically does not happen at a vegan restaurant. The food transcends any standard definition and you're unlikely to find a Thai restaurant (veggie or not) that prepares such clean, healthful, satisfying food. The setting is beautiful; white, clean, inviting and homey. It's simple and elegant and I immediately feel warm and welcome. The staff takes that warmth to the next level, treating customers like family--they'll remember you when you come in again. It's all genuine, too--these are exceptionally nice people and it radiates throughout the space. At times, it feels like equal parts dining experience and blessing--I always leave feeling better than when I entered. I've loved everything I've tried here, but would be remiss if I didn't mention the Massaman Banana Curry. I ordered it on a whim and from that first taste, it was life-changing. The fried Brussel sprouts, potstickers, avocado curry and asaragus hunsa are also fantastic. Try to save room for dessert--their vegan desserts are over the moon.

    (5)

  • Lisa Y.

    Coming from someone who eats meat and cheese often, I thought this place was absolutely fantastic! I had the red curry lunch special with salad buffet that had a great variety of salad, veggies, fruit and kimchi! One of the best lunches I have had in awhile. Great service and decor as well!

    (5)

  • Elizabeth E.

    Fantastic Thai food for a reasonable price! I am somewhat knowledgeable having travelled in Thailand many times. My mother and I have followed Araya around since she opened her first restaurant back in the late 80's. We were pleased to see her again when we went to her restaurant on Madison last Monday. We opted for the buffet and definitely were not disappointed. The buffet always includes her deep fried Thai spring rolls (we got ours fresh just as they were coming out of the kitchen) with a delicious sweet and sour dipping sauce. It also includes one of their many mouth watering curries that they have on their menu. Then it has several selections of prepared vegetable dishes that are always good. It also includes Araya's wonderful peanut sauce. The buffet includes a salad bar with tasty pickles and spicy vegetables along with dressings. There usually are one or two kinds of fruits. This week they had sliced oranges and cut pieces of water melon. It also includes brown rice. The atmosphere is charming with more parking behind the restaurant than on Madison. It is obvious why Araya has been so successful both here and in LA. I enjoy both the University and Madison locations, but think I am a bit more partial to this newer Madison location. Araya's food is so good that I feel that I am wasting my money every time I try another Thai restaurant in Seattle.

    (5)

  • Evie J.

    Love having Araya's just down the hill from my house! Maybe my favorite panang curry... Everything is delicious and their oh my goodness bar is NUTS! I have to fight my husband for my half. Super charming for dine-in and really friendly staff. We're already regulars!

    (5)

  • Crystal T.

    Went here for Valentine's day and was surprised by the lovely buffet set up. BEST THAI FOOD EVER! Whether vegan or omni, this place has amazing food. Usually buffets just don't taste fresh to me but this one definitely was. So many options to try. Only wish I had been hungrier!

    (5)

  • M L.

    Really great vegan Thai food, really great service, and a really nice atmosphere. I would highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Chris F.

    This place is absolutely amazing! We were just visiting Seattle and found this place. They made the best Thai food of my life! Get the deunken noodles, tom kaw, and Brussels sprouts. We even met Araya and she was so sweet and made us a little special something. Highly recommend this restaraunt!

    (5)

  • crystal b.

    great ambiance, lovely surrounding, friendly service & awesomely delicious food what more do we need. Absolutely loved this place!! We had Drunken noodles,Phirk khing, Pad Thai & thai tea. All of it were perfectly made to our taste. This is my place for thai food in Seattle. Only con is finding parking on the street.

    (5)

  • Boo T.

    Love this restaurant- it blows me away that their food is vegan. I left genuinely confused, as I have tried and failed MANY times to make authentic-tasting vegetarian Thai food. Happy confused. Inspired confused. The space is like an atrium. The white gives it this freshly clean feel. The lighting is uniquely bright. The food is as good as it gets. Mine was a little spicier than I thought it would be but I don't mind so much because it makes me eat slower. (Ahh, maybe if I get a less spicy version I might be able to taste their secret??) I had an avocado curry, my friends had drunken noodles and pineapple curry. Their dishes also had my seal of approval. The staff was friendly. It's slightly pricier than the Thai food I usually get in the U district but I will definitely be back. This will be one of our date night restaurants.

    (5)

  • Tim R.

    I've been to Araya's before, at their other locations. I have tried the Madison restaurant twice now, and I can say that it is excellent. My first visit was well received, they gave us two free glasses of fresh cranberry spritzer's on the house. The food was excellent and my friend from Europe also enjoyed it. The next visit was even better. The service was impeccable, all the food was well prepared and served in a very timely manner. The best part was our waitress; she was so friendly and flexible and understanding. We definitely would recommend this restaurant to anyone. Unfortunately there is no all-you-can-eat buffet, but the rest of the features are just as good as the other locations.

    (5)

  • Jeremy m.

    Tastiest Thai we've found in Seattle, and vegans and meatatarians alike are always happy to join us for a meal here. Friendly and accommodating staff will customize your dish exactly as you like, since everything is made to order. IMHO, everything is better if you sub fresh green Thai chilis instead of pepper flakes. The new location is just as tasty as the U District, and actually I think more consistent than Bellevue was. We haven't yet found a dud in the menu, but the red curries and phad see iw are particular favorites, along with the spring rolls of course. We've also eaten at Jamjuree and Wedgewood II in Cap Hill, and Orapin on Queen Anne, and Araya's is the tastiest of the bunch. new location in the old Rovers spot means no street presence, so they are counting on word of mouth...come give it a try and spread the word!

    (5)

  • Liz L.

    This restaurant just opened three days ago. I loved the Araya's in the U-Dist and was curious about this new location. The restaurant is located in the old Rover's restaurant location in Madison Valley. I found our experience there peaceful and enjoyable. We were greeted by three waitstaff who were very kind and seated as at a table that had the most amazing daylight coming in the windows (1pm light). The servers were extremely attentive and made us feel like Queen's always checking on us and making sure we were happy. We enjoyed the panang curry and phad thai and that also included their salad bar and some hot and sour soup. The price is reasonable and the location is actually 5 star. I recommend old Rover's fans and vegans to definitely check this place out. We even met Araya herself! Such a treat and we hugged everyone before we left!

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:30 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Araya’s Place

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