Basil Thai Austin Restaurant Review

If you’re a lover of unique Asian fusion, Basil Thai is the restaurant for you! Located in North Austin (2501 W Parmer Ln #550, Austin, TX 78727), the restaurant offers distinctive dishes with authentic flavors like kimchi fried rice, individual hotpot, and dry pot.

Atmosphere

Basil Thai is the perfect place to unwind after a long day while enjoying the comforting flavors of Thai cuisine. The owners have put care into decorating the restaurant with beautiful plant arrangements and bright LED signs. The casual setting features group-friendly seating designed for making memories over delicious food. The atmosphere is further enhanced by the mouthwatering aroma of Thai dishes wafting from the kitchen—making the wait for your meal even harder.

Appetizers and Drinks

On our visit, we ordered the chicken satay appetizer. It came with four flavorful chicken skewers and two dipping sauces, all of which were incredible! The not-too-sweet peanut sauce was our favorite to pair with the savory satay. The thoughtful presentation added to the overall enjoyment of the dish. For drinks, we ordered a Sapporo and a Thai coffee. The Sapporo was crisp and refreshing, while the Thai coffee was a creamy and indulgent treat.

Entrees

The star of the show at Basil Thai was the individual hotpot. To order, you fill out a form to customize your broth, meat, and toppings—a fun and memorable experience in the age of QR code menus. The hotpot arrives fully cooked, removing the usual stress of cooking your own meat. I tried it with Thai green curry and spicy Szechuan butter bases. I’d never had Thai green curry before and wasn’t sure what to expect, but its light, minty flavor blew me away. It felt refreshing to eat—something Austin foodies know is rare with hot dishes on a summer day. The spicy Szechuan butter sauce lived up to its name, delivering a blistering heat that didn’t stop us from enjoying it, though I’d advise caution for anyone with a lower spice tolerance. We both chose chicken as our meat, and agreed it was definitely the right choice. The meat practically melted in our mouths, pairing wonderfully with the crunchy bean sprouts and springy udon that we added to our broths.

Final Thoughts

Basil Thai offers an original, fresh spin on classic Asian flavors. We had a standout dining experience here and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a unique dining experience that maintains a relaxed and unpretentious feel. With a friendly ambience, cordial service, and a menu packed full of crave-worthy dishes, Basil Thai is a must-try for explorers of Austin’s diverse food scene.