Verified

Kalabaw Bar & Thai Kitchen

  • Thai Restaurant in Seattle
  • Open now
  • 4.5
    (282)
Kalabaw Bar & Thai Kitchen
Reviews
4.5 out of 5
(282 reviews)
4.5
5
4
3
2
1
Aliza C
4 months ago
We walked over from Pike Place Market and were warmly greeted and seated by Chef Supanot who immediately made us feel welcome. He offered great menu suggestions and shared the story behind the restaurant—his brother designed the space, and he built it with the help of friends, which made the experience feel even more special. The menu is Thai-forward with a few standout dishes from other Asian cuisines mixed in thoughtfully. The décor is gorgeous—an elevated, glamorous tribute to the water buffalo that feels bold yet refined. We ordered the Miang Kham, Crying Tiger, and mango salad. I always order Miang Kham when I see it since it’s such a rare find, and this one was excellent. The Crying Tiger was tasty but came out more well done than the medium-rare we ordered. That said, we still finished it because the dipping sauce was fantastic and the purple-and-white sticky rice was delicious. The mango salad was beautifully prepared with shredded mango that had just the right crunch and tartness. Even during a busy late afternoon, the chef handled guests with ease and a big smile, serving beautifully executed dishes and cocktails. Very impressive. We’ll definitely be bringing friends here next time we’re in Seattle. Tip: They do true Thai spice levels here—proceed with caution.
Tom Pan
6 months ago
Kalabaw is the kind of spot that instantly wraps you in that Southeast Asian warmth—fragrant herbs in the air, bold colors on the plate, and flavors that don’t apologize for being intense. We came while our friend was DJing, and the vibe alone could’ve made the night, but Kalabaw went way beyond atmosphere. The drinks were absolute stunners—fresh, vibrant, and crafted with the kind of balance that makes a second round feel mandatory. Then came the food: layered spices, bright citrus bursts, and sauces that tasted like they simmered all day waiting for us. Every dish was rich with depth, and truly unforgettable. But—fair warning—their spice level is the real deal. A five-star order is not just heat, it’s an experience. It’s that “eyes watering, nose tingling, life-decision-questioning” type of spice… and somehow, still absolutely worth it. Kalabaw left us full, impressed, and already planning our next visit. For anyone craving authenticity, heat, and a night that’s just fun in every direction—this place delivers.
Ritelriaa Snoh
7 months ago
We went on friday night and it was pretty slow inside, which was nice. Great atmosphere & decor. Our server was great, food was awesome & very flavorful. The wings were the best wings I've had (crunchy outside & juicy inside). Ube milk drink was delicious. Love the Larb. Halo Halo dessert was a great way to end the meal. Will definitely go back to try new things.
Priyanka Lele
a month ago
Kalabaw, a fine dine restaurant meticulously cured by the Chef. Neat ambience, decent food, being a fine dine space the service is relaxed. Heavy on the pockets - each dish priced + additional separate price for the protein making the overall dish expensive! We had Pineapple Chicken fried rice (the charred fried effect and flavours were missing), Young coconut curry with seafood (was loaded with coconut curry smoothness, calamari, prawns and mussels but we found it too sugary sweet), Begawan curry (highly recommend- loaded with prawns and fragrant rice), Khao sui (crispy fried flat noodles tasted well with the Myanmar curry and boiled hard eggs, the chicken drumstick could have been served in a different format though), Halo Halo dessert was okay(vanilla ice cream on top was super). The cocktails are something worth the shot, each curated for a special experience. I liked Kalabaw for its efforts and quality but unnecessarily exorbitant.
hungerdontlai
3 months ago
Neat spot for Thai food in Belltown. Good for groups, but also a date night. The burger and fries were surprisingly good, and the ba-mee-moo-dang special noodles were my favorite of the night. Can’t wait to go back and try more dishes! Faves: burger and fries, ba-mee-moo-dang special (roasted pork with egg noodles), chicken wings, and lumpiang rolls. For more eats 🤩 IG @hungerdontlai TT @hungerdontlai_ YT: @hungerdontlai
Debbie Foong
3 months ago
Aesthetic: Very sophisticated and stylish restaurant - felt more like a chill lounge/bar than somewhere you can get dinner! But you can still order a Pad Thai and sit in a swanky booth by yourself, in a sweatshirt... it's quiet enough that no one will judge you :) Menu: Impressive variety, chef was quite creative in his take on Northern and Southern Thai dishes, with some fusion elements mixed in. Lots of seafood choices as well! Not many 100% vegetarian options, but it seems they can cook certain dishes on request e.g. vegetarian tom yum. Alcohol drink menu was extensive. Many flavours from South East Asia or inspired by the region that can be typically hard to find in Seattle, most around $14+. Price: Appetizer prices were around $11 - 20, and mains were $20 - 30, no rice served. Rice has to be ordered separately, starting at $3 and roti at $5. Value: for the quality of food, ambience, and the Belltown area, I thought the price was worth it. They also hold live music events - could see it being a great place for celebrations (30+ tables) or first dates (dim lighting almost everywhere!! Lol) Restrooms: super clean, modern
Jill Chafitz
5 months ago
Yum Soup – A showstopper. Rich, spicy broth loaded with mushrooms, tomatoes, and fresh herbs, topped with perfectly soft-boiled eggs and a pile of crisp bean sprouts. Complex, warming, and exactly what tom yum should be. Duck Curry – The highlight of the meal. Tender slices of crispy-skinned duck swimming in a rich, aromatic curry. Served with fluffy jasmine rice that soaked up every bit of that sauce. This dish alone is worth the visit. Pad See Ew – Wide rice noodles with great wok char, tossed with Chinese broccoli and a savory-sweet sauce. Classic comfort food done right. Cocktails – Beautiful presentation and well-crafted. The lineup included a refreshing basil-forward purple drink, a lychee mule in the classic copper mug, and a citrus sour with a perfect foam top. They know what they're doing behind the bar. Bottom line: Everything hit. Come hungry.
Piyanan Oransidhipong
8 months ago
My first time ever at Kalabaw Kitchen & Bar in Seattle Washington , WA. Mine's vacation mode.. an experience in this evening (Dinner) , delicious food, excellent service, and festive atmosphere, look so cozy and very clean. Food so fresh and great taste that I ever had ordered Appetizer like lectus wrapped with Shitake 🍄 mushrooms, Shell Crab with Curry Powder and Chicken Khao Sai...all of dishes are yumm!!,. The owners so kindly , they going out to asked customer like me , that How the food? so I love ❤️ this Resraurant , the location in downtown. When I am finished to my dinner I ordered some food to take out like dry pork and the Northern Sausages. So I Will be back again for sure!!
Alfa Beta
8 months ago
Visited the Nestled in the heart of Seattle’s vibrant downtown Belltown, Kalabaw Bar & Kitchen offers an inviting escape with its chic, dimly lit ambiance that feels both intimate and lively. The menu is a delightful fusion of Southeast Asian flavors, blending Thai, Filipino, and innovative twists that cater to every palate, including vegan and gluten-free options. I started with the Kalabaw Bibb Lettuce Wraps, which arrived fresh and bursting with savory notes of herbs and grilled proteins, perfectly balanced and addictive. The star of the evening was the mango and taro sticky rice dessert—sweet, creamy, and generously portioned, earning a solid 10/10 for its authentic yet elevated taste. What truly elevated the experience was the gracious owner, Chef Supanut, who personally stopped by our table to chat about the inspirations behind the dishes and ensure we were thrilled with every bite. The attentive staff complemented this warmth, making our group feel like cherished regulars from the moment we walked in. Kalabaw isn’t just a meal; it’s a memorable culinary adventure that I’ll be raving about and returning to soon.
Xiaoyan Zhu
7 months ago
If there is credibility star, they will get 10. I literally walked in at 2:50pm when 3 is closing time and no one else was dinning. The crew had cleaned things and ready to close likely. I like the fact they stick to their word about opening time and served me. Food as usual is always good. Please stay in my neighborhood, yummy and honest restaurant.
Loading…
This site uses cookies from Google to deliver its services. By using this site, you agree to its use of cookies.