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Basil Canteen

Thai Restaurant$$$$

SoMa, San Francisco

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Basil Canteen

7.9^/10

402

ratings

Ranked #3 for curry in SoMa
Has a stamp of approval from SFGate and AFAR Media
"Get the drunken beef, it's tender, with a little spicy chilis &..."(4 Tips)
"Try the tapioca pork dumplings and the pad kee mao."(5 Tips)
"The Soma Sling is a solid cocktail, especially if you like tanqueray"(3 Tips)
"Tapioca dumplings were amazing."(3 Tips)

87 Tips and reviews

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Thai food
drunken beef
good for groups
kiow wan neur
cocktails
soma sling
curry
communal seating
spicy food
good for dates
short ribs
Thai iced tea
happy hour
spacious
chicken
fried bananas
casual
meats
coconut
trendy
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SFGateMarch 10, 2015
Located in the sexy space that formerly housed The Public, this SoMa spot is an upscale Thai restaurant that uses fresh, seasonal ingredients. Try the tapioca pork dumplings and the pad kee mao. Read more
Martin CunananDecember 29, 2016
Came here for a quick lunch break. Ambiance was nice. The pork&shrimp wontons had the perfect crispiness to it and the pad kee mao was a little oily, but had the right spice and flavor to it.
AFAR MediaAugust 12, 2014
Huge windows allow natural light to warm the space while beautiful communal tables (as well as individual ones) span the space. Make sure to try the crab fried rice. Read more
Ellie EfstaNovember 30, 2015
Amazing place with good service and delicious dishes!!!!For desert you should definitely try fried bananas with coconut ice cream....
LaurissaSeptember 17, 2014
Get the Goong Pad Ma Muang(Stir-fried shrimp with sweet mango & fresh basil in garlic-chili sauce). The mango was incredibly fresh and sweet.
Eric AndersenJanuary 12, 2013
The bar area only has 4 chairs but great place to relax and enjoy the excellent cocktails here. Ask for Russell!
Michelle GreerJuly 2, 2012
Good food For sure, but this place has a great vibe you can't find a lot in SF. I heard J Dilla and they play a lot of loungy hip hop the hipsters don't really get into.
Daniel P.April 16, 2013
Been here 5+ times
Order the Gai Gra Prao, with a fried egg. It's delicious! And it's not very spicy. I would add a picture of it, but I already ate it! :D
PeggyMarch 17, 2017
Been here 5+ times
One of the best Thai restaurants in the area, but lunch service can be a little slow, so plan lunch meetings accordingly!
Ms HeleneNovember 14, 2019
Eggplant & tofu in garlic sauce $14 & shrimp & pumpkin red curry $16. Never received the salad ordered, nor any menus or service without waving.
Alex BosworthMarch 20, 2019
Food, service, and decor are well designed for nibbles and drinks but food isn’t worth going out of your way for.
Bill T BrownJanuary 12, 2019
Absolutely delicious. Drunken Beef was yummy. Great service. Food was here soooooo fast.
Sravanti TekumallaJuly 24, 2018
Great spot for a large group. Doesn’t feel crowded and they’re flexible with the pre fixe menu for vegetarians 🙌🏽
Bianca LoJuly 14, 2014
Their lamb curry is the best. Lamb is charred perfectly, and don't even get me started on the sauce
Ryan LandryAugust 10, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Sit upstairs if you can. Quite a bit more intimate setting. Also they do a Maker's Mark Manhattan pretty well.
KeithJuly 11, 2013
Been here 25+ times
My go-to here is the lemongrass chicken curried fried rice, even though I usually have a hard time finishing it all.
Jeff WeinsteinAugust 9, 2014
Noodle dishes, curries, cocktails. A bit expensive but easy walk to DNA Lounge for whatever after.
Arjun SundararajanDecember 14, 2015
Amazing Thai styled brussel sprouts and pad tofu. Good vegetarian options 👌🏽👌🏽
Tom BlichAugust 4, 2017
Been here 10+ times
I love the short rib with pineapple!
João FigueiredoJune 16, 2017
Very nice chicken curry and the place has a good vibe
danzrrJanuary 10, 2013
Been here 5+ times
The Gai Pad Gra Prow (w/ chicken) is *amazing*! Even keeps well and tastes good as a day-old leftover!
Maya ShanmugamJanuary 2, 2017
Definitely try the tapioca dumplings, one of the non-standard menu items here.
Eric AndersenJanuary 12, 2013
The fresh rolls with shrimp & vegetables is excellent!
Eric AndersenJanuary 12, 2013
Wow! The chicken satay is some of the best I've ever had
Eric AndersenJanuary 12, 2013
Love the communal tables…or come with a big group!
Rebekah HendersonAugust 19, 2013
It was good. Made me mango shrimp vegetarian. Go for the fried tofu in lieu of shrimp.
TrucySeptember 5, 2011
Been here 10+ times
Get the young coconut juice! It comes with tender pieces of coconut meat (the best part) and is always refreshing.
JessicaNovember 16, 2012
Order Saketini if you like fruity drinks. Oysters are fresh and big portion
Cesar YaborApril 8, 2014
Great place for a lunch meet up with friends, one of the best in that part of SOMA.
Pavan KulkarniOctober 12, 2016
Veggie noodle soup and pad ke ew were pretty good. Sarah chicken was really well done
Amy ZiariNovember 15, 2013
Been here 5+ times
Make sure to ask for your starter peanuts. Nom. They are inconsistent in serving them
Eric AndersenJanuary 12, 2013
The Soma Sling is a solid cocktail, especially if you like tanqueray
Kat FukuiMarch 27, 2016
Great for groups! Good cocktails, appetizers, and dessert.
Scott AndreasApril 22, 2018
Basil Canteen’s okay, but Manora’s a block away is where it’s at.
CarolineFebruary 22, 2011
Been here 5+ times
Overwhelming number of choices but the food is absolutely delicious. Some of my favorite Thai food in the city.
Potluck MittalJanuary 11, 2019
looooved the kiow wan neur! (slow cooked beef with pineapple)
nora walkerApril 10, 2014
best Thai food I've had in SF since moving from Brooklyn
PJ CabreraApril 22, 2014
Get the drunken beef, it's tender, with a little spicy chilis & sweet basil flavor going on
kin koJune 14, 2011
tom yum goong wide rice noodles is good. $10 for lunch. not available on menu for dinner, but may still order, $11.
Jussi HäyhäNovember 16, 2019
It’s better than the rating. Top five Thai in SF.
Eric AndersenJanuary 12, 2013
"Happier Hours" are 5-7pm Mon-Fri…$5 appetizers and $6 cocktails!
Kurt NelsonJune 25, 2018
The food is medium tier Thai food at pre-club prices.
Eric BenjaminOctober 26, 2014
Kao soi neur and the Kiow wan neur are so good!
Odile RoujolOctober 5, 2017
Good food when Bar Agricole is full of tourists for the Oracle week
Blade OlsonNovember 25, 2014
Green Curry Beef succulent and tender.
StephanySeptember 9, 2018
Open late for nourishment after Bloodhound or City Beer Store.
Felipe PalhaJanuary 27, 2016
Tapioca dumplings were amazing.
Michelle O'RiordanAugust 28, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Red curry sauce and coconut rice are made for each other :-)
Amy KnappOctober 30, 2013
The lemon grass mojitos!
Jonathan SalomonFebruary 17, 2015
Been here 5+ times
Great fusion Thai spot

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