




Basil Thai Restaurant
About
A Slice of Bangkok in the Heart of Honolulu
Stepping into Basil Thai Restaurant feels like a quiet escape from the constant hum of Waikiki traffic. The interior is refreshingly understated, trading kitschy decor for clean lines and warm, inviting lighting that makes it a prime spot for a low-key dinner after a long day on the beach. It’s the kind of place where you hear the rhythmic clatter of woks from the open kitchen, a sound that promises your meal is being crafted to order rather than pulled from a warmer.
Bold Aromas and Kitchen Mastery
The kitchen leans heavily into the balance of sweet, sour, and spicy that defines genuine Thai cooking. Their signature Pad Thai arrives at the table with the unmistakable scent of tamarind and charred scallions, while the Green Curry balances the creamy richness of coconut milk with a sharp, herbaceous bite of Thai basil—the restaurant's namesake. Each plate is vibrant, often decorated with crisp, fresh vegetables that provide a satisfying crunch against the tender proteins.
Things to Know Before You Arrive
If you are heading over for dinner, keep in mind that the local street parking around this section of Honolulu can be notoriously tricky during peak hours. You might want to account for a few extra minutes of circling the block or look for nearby public parking structures. The space fills up quickly with both locals looking for a reliable takeout fix and tourists seeking a break from heavy resort fare. Whether you are a fan of searing chili heat or prefer the milder, fragrant notes of traditional Thai herbs, the kitchen is accommodating and precise. It is an ideal setting for anyone who values straightforward, flavor-first cooking without the pretense of high-end fine dining.
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Amenities & Features
Location
Ste A 1111 Fort Street Mall, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96813
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Reviews
Showing 10 of 1 community reviewsRobert BlyGoogle Maps
Recently
Food was wonderful, tasty red curry with shrimp!!! Also trying the fried banana at desert. I have been to this restaurant several times, in every visit is always enjoyable. Food is delicious.
LeviGoogle Maps
Recently
Exactly the type of Thai place you need. Ran by the nicest woman in Fort Street mall. Good is fantastic and the service is like family!! 10/10 Atmosphere is perfect and the music is on theme and at the correct volume.
Sidrah AlamGoogle Maps
Recently
We tried Basil Thai Restaurant today and honestly everything was SO so good. Our host told us to try the mango curry and that was hands down the bestttt thing on the menu. Like, I’m still thinking about it lol. So flavorful, a little sweet, just perfect. And fresh mangos. We got it with shrimp. We also got the Panang, yellow curry, basil fried rice with shrimp, royal noodles with shrimp (and another without broccoli), and drunken noodles and every single dish was a hit. Not one thing we didn’t like. You know it’s good when your kids are just quiet at the table because they’re too busy eating lol. Definitely one of those places you’d come back to again and again, if we lived locally. Our host was incredibly kind and helpful with his advice, suggestions and service. His friendly and helpful service made the experience even better.
Gail Going ThereGoogle Maps
Recently
Simple place but the food was spectacular. Evidently the chef had food trucks with a loyal fan base for a while then landed here. We had the place to ourselves except for a few door dash pickup. Tasty and affordable.
Alan GrimesGoogle Maps
Recently
We were looking for a place for lunch and found this one on a Google search. I highly recommend it. It has a tiny dining area so I suspect most of their business is take out, but service and recommendations were excellent. They had a special mango curry at present which was magnificent. The drunken noodles also had the authentic type of noodle as opposed to what is typically offered. Highly recommended and very well prepared.
Travel with me!Google Maps
Recently
Tasty food and good service, but the billing was very disappointing. The prices on the check were higher than what was listed on the menu. I was told the difference was due to a credit card service charge, but by law, any such fee must be clearly disclosed—and there was nothing on the receipt explaining it. Additionally, the cash total versus card total didn’t add up, even when factoring in the stated taxes. On top of that, the tip was calculated after the said service charge and tax were added. What could have been a good experience ended up feeling unfair and misleading.
Diego Palma SánchezGoogle Maps
Recently
The waiter was very nice, and the food was delicious. The place is small, and it seems that most of the flux is for to go, so it makes sense. My wife and I got a pad thai, it was good it has vegetarian options, so overall a good place to stop by.
emi chinGoogle Maps
Recently
Real Thai food. Their Khao Soi is the real deal…and I have been to Chiang Mai where Khao Soi is renowned. The cook, Phitsamai cooks dishes to order. The ambiance inside the restaurant brings me back to Thailand. Recommend !
Pamela BrownGoogle Maps
Recently
A cozy quaint authentic Thai restaurant nestled in the heart of down town Honolulu. With perfectly seasoned Thai food selections. I'm in love with the freshly made crab rangoon, they are to die for!
brandon denglerGoogle Maps
Recently
Finally open and worth the wait!! Easy menu with everything from appetizers, salads, curries, noodles, rice dishes, and desserts. Pick your spice level! Especially great to have northern thai food that is hard to find elsewhere like the Khao Soi. Everything we had was great and they're so nice. Great addition to the Fort Street area.
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