Ba Bar Capitol Hill Reviews

Ba Bar serves better than average Vietnamese food. It also costs a little more than your average Vietnamese place. Evenings it is hopping--popular bar and small plates of food. Not many big dishes, really. Lunch is when I tend to go. Several standbys that I think are excellent and reliable. Me bo vien (a noodle soup with meat balls), pho, and an assortment of rice noodle bowls. The cocktails are also tasty, but that's not for me at lunch, anyway. I've eaten here dozens of times and it seems to be totally reliable.

Went to dinner with 7 family members. When we walked in, we were taken with the ambience. It felt comfortable, lively and clean. The wait staff was helpful and there, without being intrusive. The menu offered what i took to be authentic Vietnamese food. The menu had the advantages and limitations of being limited. However, each member of our party found a dish that they liked. I sampled other dishes and each was excellent. The Vermicelli bowl with beef was the best we ever had. The duck soup was wonderful. We will go back again.

I visit Seattle to see my family and I dream about BaBar when I'm home in Philadelphia. No matter what time of the day I'm always satisfied with the food, atmosphere and staff. I usually have the Pho but last time I had a vermicelli bowl. Food is delicious and fun. Coffee and desserts are perfect endings.

Food was tasty, drinks were strong and service was fantastic. Get there early - we arrived on a Friday night around 7 p.m. and waited about an hour. The staff were very understanding and accommodating of our 6 person party, serving us cocktails as we lingered in a somewhat awkward spot between the kitchen and dining room. Will definitely be returning!

Final exams were done, so we decided to head over for some lunch. We had a round of Saigon Floats that we should have saved for the end. The Imperial rolls were great as an appetizer and everyone had something different and everything was really fresh and tasty. Definitely going back.

Pho and Seattle go together but I will tell you that they are not all created equal. This is where Ba Bar excels. Not only do they use premium, local produce in their pho but they also utilize some of the highest quality meat I've ever had in this dish. Whether it's oxtail, brisket or beef tendon you can tell the difference. Oh, and the cocktails aren't bad either. This place sports one of the most diverse selections of high end whiskey in Seattle and the bartenders know their stuff. If you want to feel like you're in Saigon for a moment in time then head here now.

We were a group of 4 and our orders of Bun cha Hue Anthony Bourdaines favorite soup with banana heart and assorted meats was very tasty with its sour savoury taste.. this was ok for us Asians. Our beef pho with tendons was fantastic but so much noodles, vermicelli combo bowl was huge and very authentic in taste, Cha Gio or Imperial rolls were great, grilled pork belly was soft and tasty and the best dish I liked was the Peking Duck almost like a confit and so tasty. The place was packed for lunch and we waited for 15 minutes .

Very nice place located near Seattle Univ. Be careful when you're parking as many places on the street are restricted to permit parking only. Check the signs. The ambiance is fun, and the location is great. The Pho is good (a little less salt would make it great). The Imperial rolls are also good, but similar to my comment about the Pho, less salt would make them excellent. I recommend a visit, I will go back.

OVERVIEW: Loved this place 2 years ago. We’d go several times in a week to this same location. This latest visit was disappointing food-wise. Atmosphere-wise, Ba Bar still has a good, young, crowd and atmosphere. I hope the regain their once high standards. FOOD - high: @Chicken wings. Still tasty, not too greasy and hot off the fryer. FOOD - lows: @ Oxtail pho lacked richness that comes with boiling bones for 24hours. Even the oxtail meat was still tight to the bone leaving the impression that the meat had not been slow cooked for long enough. @ The bun (vermicelli with chicken and egg rolls) lacked cohesion. A good plate melds together as you bring the tasty (while separate) ingredients together with fish sauce. I think the chicken was not seasoned appropriately to bring it all together. The duck was difficult to cut. @ Duck normally cuts with less pressure than a medium rare steak. This duck required more pressure.

The pho was above average, but not the best I have had. The emperor roll is really good, my 14 years old loved it and chowed down much of the dish. We also have a weekend special of steamed crepe... excellent also. I like the ambient for sure. Wished I had the stomach to try other dishes...

I drive by Ba Bar yesterday afternoon, immeidatly though of the chicken wings and parked my car. Ba Bar is located near Seattle Univeristy off 12th Avenue and has decent parking in the area, some even free. They have exprt bar staff and make creative and delicious drinks. That said, I was there for the wings. I have sampled severla items in the menue and they do a verygood job with the food. Having just come back from the Vietnames food meca (at least my meca) Hoi An and easting at Secret Garden and Morning Glory I have a feel for street food served in an amped up fashion. All I can say is get in to Ba Bar, bring freinds who might order things you wouldn't and enjoy. You wont be disappointed.

Hadn't eaten here for a year or so until March27,2019. Forgot how how authentic its rather wide ranging menu is. Wasn't disappointed! Ordered Bun Bo Hue soup. (Anthony Bourdain's favorite.) The broth was very impressive. Real beef broth made from real beef bones. Great flavor , particularly when seasoned with some Hoisin sauce.Complex components of beef brisket, pork knuckle, blood cake and onion as well as Thai basil.Most Vietnamese restaurants make insipid stock from industrial cans with a few bones and lemon grass. BaBar is the real deal!! Looking forward to returning soon to investigate their many other interesting dishes. Very good service and quality drinks.

The food is is a very fun mix of American and Vietnamese. The bar is excellent and the Moscow mule was the deal if you like ginger beer. I stayed at a little vacation rental right around the corner and it was the perfect place for a night cap

We have eaten at Ba Bar twice now, and were equally impressed each time. The beers on tap represent a great selection of local breweries. The menu is authentic and the cooking fresh and focused. Do not leave without THE BEST Vietnamese coffee I have ever tasted. Well worth seeking out.

This is our second visit here and there is street parking (metered and free) and I love the ambience and food. The server was very friendly and efficient. We met a friend here for an early dinner and sat indoors. We ordered some drinks to celebrate and had ginger beer, iced tea and I ordered a caipirinha which caught my eye since when do you have Brazilian cachaca in a Vietnamese restaurant? We ordered the rotisserie chicken with broken rice, eggplant and fried oysters, lemongrass rockfish and I ordered the rockfish vermicelli with imperial rolls! For dessert we had the Pandan and vanilla soft serve ice cream! My caipirinha was perfect, along with my delicious and fresh rockfish vermicelli and imperial rolls. Pandan soft serve hit the spot!

Our first night in Lake Union and we were looking for a quick light meal (still on east coast time). Perfect! Delicous vermicelli bowls. Big menu, even something for the less adventurous. Very nice, friendly service. We were there on a beautiful early evening and they had all the side walls open to the outside. Lovely.

Ba Bar was hopping on a Monday night. The aromas from the busy kitchen were a sure sign we were in for a great supper. We loved the dining room with the ultra high ceiling and bar along one end that required a ladder like an old library to reach the high shelves. We tried the imperial rolls (crispy, full of flavour) and both the chicken and beef pho. It felt criminal having to leave what soup we couldn’t eat but had no way to reheat in our hotel. Boo!! We noticed great happy hour food and drink specials and that wings are featured on Tuesdays. Check the website to take advantage of these and plan accordingly. Ba Bar is on the list of restaurants to revisit next time we are in town.

TAKEOUT-COVID We picked up the Combo Vermicelli Noodles and Pho Tai Nam for dinner on our first night visiting Seattle. Having a large Vietnamese community in the DC area, we’re pretty familiar with the staples and our expectations are pretty high. However, Ba Bar did not disappoint! The broth of the Pho had a little lighter flavor than what we’ve had in the past, but it was wry flavorful and had that wonderful silky mouthfeel that all great pho must have. The bun was very fresh, crisp, and fish sauce flavorful. Although the imperial rolls looked a little different from what we’re used to, they were still very delicious and maintained their crispness, despite being trapped in styrofoam for take out. Overall, great place for a tasty Vietnamese meal! Sorry there are no pics; carry out pictures are just not the best representation of the aesthetics of the food.

Garlic noodles with Dungeness crab - or roast duck with traditional Vietnamese sides ... the food is delicious, the prices moderate. This restaurant has a good atmosphere, lively and welcoming - with moderate prices.

Love this place, never disappoints. Great food, vibe and service. Enjoyed the shrimp vermicelli bowl. Flavors were fantastic. They make amazing Moscow Mules too.

we popped in for a small lunch and had No regrets. the service was fast and efficient, and the food was delicious. i got a PHO, My husband got a salad, and coffee, i had a vietnamese coffee. EVERYTHING was fantastic and tasty, my regret is that i discoverred this place on my last day in seattle

I had trouble rating this review because I very much enjoyed the food and the ambiance and our waiter was so very nice, but they do not disclose that they use MSG in their food preparation, and two people in our group had allergic reactions to it. They tempered it with Ibuprofen but it was very upsetting. I recommend to the owners that they put a notice on the menu and their website that they use MSG. We ordered the vegetarian vermicelli which per the waiter does not have MSG as per the waiter, it is in the broth based dishes, but a disclosure would be helpful. The owner did take their meal prices off of the bill but it did not help much to allay our friends' concerns and discomfort when the felt the effects of the MSG. The food and ambiance is wonderful and that was our only issue, but it is kind of a biggy.

Received a GC months ago finally made it and glad we did! Scheduled an early dinner with friends, 5:30p, glad we did! You don't get a table until all parties have arrived. By the time we left it was an hour wait. Drink concoctions were good, banana Hammond with Mezcal was refreshing, not sweet. Shared- Chicken wings, crispy rolls, cucumber salad-all great. Oxtail Pho, Duck confit/ramen and the combo vermicelli all excellent. If you are a Pho eater, this is not your $6-8 joint, your looking at $13. Excellent spot. If you want dinner arrive btw 5:30-6:30p. Didn't use the whole GC, we will be back!

I never had Vietnamese food before, but apart from the restaurant having a great hipster vibe, I absolutely loved the food! I had no idea what to order and just took something vegetarian, and it was amazing!!! Only have 2 more days here in Seattle but I need to go there again (got it recommended by a local)

I had an appointment up the hill at Swedish. Being this close to such yum I had to pop in. After trying it at a dim sum restaurant, I have come to be a fan of Congee so it was not a hard choice once I saw this on the menu. Pros- tastes you will simply not find anywhere else. A menu that you could comeback for again and again, be constantly surprised and pleased. Great staff and a seriously stocked bar. Cons - parking. Try the west side of the street or go behind and hope for one of the angled spots to be open. Comfort is not what this place is about...a small concession for such great food but just know you trade funky for comfort. Also being small and popular make reservations...I was a single and got in at the bar no problem. Bottom line- Ba bar...fun,funky place for not your average bite. You May want to Google some of the names of the dishes so you know what to order or just close your eyes and point. Oh...did I mention it was delicious!?

Decent Vietnamese food, but not superb if you have a history with the cuisine. We were a large group and waited a while watching hipper than thou folk saunter in and out of this buzzing restaurant. While the decor is attractive and the food beautifully put together, the long line is off putting. The place is somewhat pricy for the type of food - we're shelling out for the hip factor here. But worth a visit if in the area and craving some Vietnamese.

Flew into Seattle and was starving. My host suggested a light dinner and Ba Bar is open late. The place was hopping at 10pm…not surprising as it is quite near Seattle University. Late happy hour, still serving full menu, we had a beer and pho and were not disappointed. Yummy, filling and affordable! Go!

Had lunch at the bar yesterday, great food and they serve beers from both Pfreim in Hood River and the new Hellbent in Lake City neighborhood of Seattle. Service was a tad slow due to the large crowd.

We had duck confit pho and congee. While the congee was chunkier than in Hong Kong. Everything was tasty and well prepared.

The food quality "needs work" and they like to hide that sign behind plants to throw you off the track. When informed that they should move it somewhere visible, they told me "we are not legally required to do that." The food was disgusting. I wish I would have seen the sign before I ate there and just steered clear.

Banh cuon....wow! It's a house specialty for a reason...rice wrappers and sausage house made...sausage so-so, rice wrappers amazing...other components yummy. Could have used more o destruction on how to eat it, but delicious none the less. Liked my cocktail too.. A nguyen... something. Gin, prosecco, raspberry with star anise for decor

One of these days, I'm going to go to Ba Bar and actually order something that's not pho. But I can't do that just yet because it's the pho that calls me back. What makes it so exceptional? Well, for starters, the broth is so rich, so impeccably nuanced and balanced. It's a work of culinary art all by itself. But just as important is what goes in it. The Duck Confit pho contains crispy little wands of lovage, green onion, a lettuce leaf, longan fruit and Chinese dates. The whole duck leg quarter is seasoned with five spice powder, then deep fried and plunged, sizzling, into the soup seconds before it's presented to you. Where else in the world are you ever going to find anything like THAT? We do usually manage to order one other thing to share so that we can at least say we've tried other things. This trip: the Vietnamese tamales, a house specialty. Ethereal little pillows of rice noodle wrapped around well seasoned ground pork and steamed in a banana leaf--outstanding! Beer, wine and a full cocktail party provide a lot of reasons for dining early and catching Happy Hour. Oh, and there are French pastries available for dessert or to go from the foyer counter.

Super good food! We want during happy hour and got the Pãte' Chaud , Chicken wings , and the imperial rolls. All delicious and fair pricing!

Really impressed with the Vietnamese food we had at Ba Bar and was one of our favorite meals while in Seattle. Even during the lunch time rush, we were quick to get a table and have our orders taken. I would recommend the combo vermicelli bowl for a good taste of several meat options. Fresh food and great service.

My air b&b host recommended this lovely place to me for lunch. It is defiantly my best dinning experience during my stay in Seattle. The atmosphere is great and the variety of selection is awesome. Flavour is authentic and fairly priced!

In Seattle visiting family and wanted Vietnamese food. BaBar was a recommendation and it did not disappoint. Very busy with everyone from business lunches to families. Authentic menu, interesting grilled items and an excellent bar and drink menu. Wait staff was helpful and service was excellent.

meh! this place has a lot of interesting options on the menu and a nice little espresso stand with baked goods up front. unfortunately, it's just alright. tried the clams, which were pretty good, and the duck lunch entree, which was bland and too salty. the service is also crazy slow, so ensure you give yourself plenty of time to relax. i had asked the server if their rose by the glass was not sweet, she assured me it wasn't, but when it came out it was definitely a sweet rose. a note about their macarons/macaroons, definitely NOT as good as lady yum! so if you're just on the fence about macarons/macaroons, then i'd pass if i were you. oh well! i would come back as they have some interesting things on the menu, but it may not be my first choice.

The food could not be more delicious. The service was outstanding. The decor-sophisticated. We loved the noodle bowl and the meatballs with jalapenos.

We went her for my birthday dinner. We arrived on the early side without reservations and were seated quickly. The Moscow Mule served in copper mugs was a great way to start a festive meal. We had meal of mostly small pleas, lots of dumplings, all yummy. My vegan daughter had no trouble finding options that worked for her on the menu. We look forward to going back. The service and atmosphere were both very good. Its in an interesting building that used to be something else but I'm not sure what.

Fantastic food and great service. Had the spinach and tofu rice paper wrap and the rockfish, both were delicious! Would definitely come back!

Husband and I split a vermicelli bowl and a plate of wings here and also ordered a couple local beers and we enjoyed it very much!! The vermicelli bowl was perfect!! The service was really friendly and the atmosphere of this place is a perfect mix of laid back and hip. I would definitely come back! I want to try the pho - it looked delicious. If you’re in the area - you’ve gotta visit.

I have live in the capital hill first hill and Central District for a long time and haven't been here yet until today. I have read many articles suggesting this place. I was prepared to be blown away. Up scale Vietnamese, I mean it was good no doubt but it didn't wow me the way I had read or heard about. Despite being yummy I felt disappointed. I'll take a more homey filled with soul feel good mom and pops Vietnamese establishment any day

My daughter suggested we have lunch here. Weekday heading to 1 pm. Full house. Sat at the bar. Comfortable. Ordered the pho pork lunch special and a martini. Daughter had salad and lemon mint sparkling refresher. Bartender was knowledgable and made great suggestion for the martini to match the pho. Food was very good. Service attentive. As we were leaving snagged two special cookies - highly recommend. Reasonably priced. Nice atmosphere. Good food. Would return.

Really enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. We were meeting with a friend we hadn’t seen since he came up to college and they weren’t hurrying us out the door, which was appreciated. The food was really enjoyable, simple and no fuss.

Chicken noodles,wings no spice so bland tiny egg rolls didn’t add shrimp blah would never return so disappointing

Here yuo can get some great Vietnamese cuisine bursting with authentic flavours. Love the Pho Vermicelli bowls. Some great cocktails at the bar.

its not as small as it seems from the outside, but it is on the smaller side, parking is an issue, but the food is truly worth it... some of the best Vietnamese food I've had and truly authentic, even down to the names of each dish-- go once you'll go again and again!!

We went on a Monday night - had about a 30-40 min wait, some benches outside where they'll call your name. Went with a big group of friends - delicious and totally worth the time!

If you're looking for bar-none the best Asian food restaurant then look no further! This restaurant has the best shrimp rolls and the pho is better than anything I had when I was living in Japan for two years!!!

Friendly staff, waiter recommended the vermicelli bowl, it was delicious! I love salad and noodles, wonderful combination!

There was no wait for two and the atmosphere was great. Service was good as well. The food was really good - it was kind of a modern take on Vietnamese food. I'll likely be back next time I'm craving vermicelli noodles!

We went there for dinner on a Saturday evening. If was super-busy but luckily we didn't have to wait too long. They have a unique drinking menu for cocktails and a bit pricy, but all we had was very good. So was the food - very delicious. Unfortunately the waiter forgot about our little changes for the dishes (leave out an ingredient, add something else) which was a bit disappointing. Still it was very yummy and we had a really nice evening with quirky music in a unique place.

Average here means "good". According to a local friend, this establishment started out as a food-truck, and then put down roots in this neighborhood of Seattle, and I'm glad it did. The atmosphere here was relaxed and competent. I had a local brew and a Hue-style pho as well as trying tidbits from the plates of others. Everything was good and the prices were modest. Bon appetit!

This place is our "plan B" whenever we decide to go out to eat the last minute and has no reservation anywhere on a popular day of the week. While there often is a line in the restaurant, the tables seem to turn over very fast and we have never had any problem in getting in. But I can see how large groups would have problem w/o a reservation. So onto the food, I have tried just about everything on the menu and I really can't say anything negative about any of them. They are all quite tasty with fresh ingredients. The only comment I have is that the pho sometimes is luke warm so if you like high temperature, you need to remind the wait staff. The service is also inconsistent. It just seems that they don't have enough people working. I do very much enjoy the setting. The dining room is airy, bright and simply decorated so it makes it a pleasant place to dine, unlike some of the Vietnamese restaurants in nearby Chinatown.

The space is casual but trendy with both tables as well as a bar. We stopped for lunch as a group of 6 and got a variety of dishes. Pho bowls as well as a couple vermicelli bowls. The portions were generous and the meals were tasty. If we lived close, this would be a more common stop for us. Service was friendly and informed as they guided us through the menu which was helpful. The service charge was included in the bill. Pricing was par for this level of restaurant. They have a large screen TV above the bar but this isn't a sports bar.

My spouse is picky and not big on Asian foods but tired and hungry we went in. I went for a noodle brisket soup. Spouse choose Chicken breast. Hard to describe but we both we pleased with what we got and how it was presented. We would try it again but try to interpret what we were ordering. They serve chop sticks to eat along with reg

We were beyond impressed with a very late night dinner here! Each dish had a wonderful mix of textures, flavor, and its own fresh twist. I was blown away by the lemongrass rotisserie chicken which seemed so simple but had lots of complex layered flavors. There is also an extensive craft drink list which was also yummy to sort through. $1 pastries after 10 pm was icing on the cake here ;)

Did not knock my socks off, but food was good and prices were reasonable. The wait staff were very attentive, and the venue was very busy for a Monday night. Be prepared to wait as they don't take reservations.

We stopped by Ba Bar tonight for a quick dinner and it was super yummy! It got pretty busy while we were there and our server had a lot of tables. He was smooth and calm and took care of everyone with a smile. The food was flavorful and fresh. We will definitely be back!

We have eaten in this restaurant on multiple occasions and it consistently provides an excellent experience. Whether you are in the mood for bún or congee or pho (among its many offerings) the quality of the food and the service cannot be beat. It can get noisy but the food is worth a bit of silence. The open hours are generous (until at least 2AM), the atmosphere convivial and the wait tolerable despite the lack of reservations.

Myself and 2 friends spent 2 weeks travelling the west coast of America and returned to Seattle for one night and had this place recommended to us. This was easily the best meal of the entire trip, food was amazing. One of my friends is gluten intolerant and the choices they had were brilliant. The place also is really well laid out with a great chilled out feel. Must visit if you are in Seattle and like Asian food. Plus on Friday and Saturday it is open till 4am.

Visited for lunch and was impressed with the fresh preparation and variety of dishes available. Something for everyone - so many dishes, so little time.

This has been on my list to try, well, for a while and I finally had the opportunity with some friends. We all shared our dishes family style but I really wish I would have had a double portion of my garlic crab noodles. Soooo delicious. Must go back soon. The cocktails were nice and unexpected. Save room for the soft serve ice-cream and if you’re lucky like me, someone will treat you to a slice of pandan cake to take home.

The Rai tai margarita is wonderful and the crispy spring rolls, cucumber salad were good and fresh. The sprig rolls were a bit over cooked. The eggplant had a strange tofu sauce that we did not like but overall this is a cozy good Vietnamese stopover. The service was not great when compared to the restaurants in Seattle.

As a family we met at the Ba Bar. My first time. As soon as you walking the the place has customers in and out.... busy place (I went on a Sunday). The seating was fast as well as the service! Great music variety carried through and adding to the experience. The food is to die for 😋! I cannot begin to spell the names of the dishes we ate.. its a Vietnamese flare. You cannot go wrong with what ever you order. I had an actual coconut for a drink! The prices are very adequate, oh and they have great desserts. My eyes were bigger then my stomach, definitely going back for more. I was worried about parking but was able to find a spot right away and no parking meters on Sunday!!!! I was told this establishment stays open to wee hours of the morning. Loved Ba Bar!!!❤️👍

We came in with locals for a special occasion, expecting there to be a wait - and there was BUT the host found an open "general seating / share with neighbors" kind of table and sneaked us to it in just a couple minutes since we were a smaller group. Everything we ordered was amazing. Seriously. We were all so pleased we ended up sharing quite a bit. The duck was fantastic. Sai Gon Style and Ha Noi Style Hahn Cuon were delightful. AND there was a meatball soup (which may have been a special) that we ordered more bread for just to soak up the broth. The drink menu was extensive and very tasty. Our server was attentive, friendly and had a great memory and suggestions. Highly recommend to anyone looking for great food in a great atmosphere.

A restaurant with lots of people having a great time. The decor is fun to look at, from the decorations on the walls to the plates on the table. The food is vietnamese comfort food (or street food) that is well done. So delicious. The staff was attentive and very helpful describing any dish that we were unfamiliar with. And the prices are totally reasonable.

my friend was worried that we would not be able to get a seat, but luckily, we managed to snare the last one available for the evening. we both enjoyed our food which was fresh, crisp, clean with spiky authentic vietnamese flavours.

Used to love this place, but had such a bad experience at the bar that we wont be back. You sit at a bar because of the bartender - it is a different experience from a table. The current bartender on this Saturday afternoon (dark haired middle-aged woman) shouldn't be a bartender, in my opinion - very little eye contact, seemed to ignore you even if you tried to get her attention, etc. So after waiting a while for a follow-up on some champagne that seemed off and having ordered some shrimp chips which never came (and used to be standard/free and should at least be quick), we decided to cut our losses and leave. All would have been okay and we would have probably been back, but the bartender kept drilling us on what the issue was and trying to imply we were being unfair or something because she had a bunch of tickets in front of us. We were just trying to pay and leave because it just wasn't a pleasant experience for us because of her energy. And then she couldn't even be bothered to print out our check for the beer I didn't drink because of the the tickets she was working on. Finally we were able to pay and get out of there. Wont be back unless we hear that the bartender working around 3pm on Saturday May 31st 2025 has been replaced.

Only in town for 2 days but this is my go too for quality food and drinks. All the soups are amazing. The entire happy hour menu is next level. It's solid food and great service.

Sooo yummy!!! I got the beef vermicelli. Delicious!!! Close to the hospital, so it was easy to walk. Beats cafeteria food any day!!

We had never been to Ba Bar despite hearing good things about it. Glad that we finally went! There was a predictable wait for a table when we arrived but it was worth it once the food and drink arrived. Really enjoyed the vermicelli noodle bowls and the appetizers. The flavors all worked well together. The one downside was that service was somewhat scattered and the drinks took a long time to arrive. But overall we had a great time and will go back.

We went to Ba Bar restaurant because we had heard of their Salt and Pepper Dungeness Crab. The restaurant was very attractive and nice. The service was excellent. Our Crab was prepared exactly as we had hoped. The staff went out of their way to ensure we had a memorable evening including a birthday surprise desert for my wife! Would definitely recommend this to anyone visiting Seattle.

What a cool, vibrant, hip spot to enjoy a Friday dinner at. Service is on-point, the menu has a wide variety of Vietnamese dishes, and enjoyable cocktails as well! A great date spot, or a fun place to come with a group of friends to catch-up.

To taste a new vetnamian dish it was my challenge as it was a 1st time to try such experience Nice restaurant with friendly staff I liked it

Dropped in late one evening on the way home and really liked the vibe of the place. We each had a small plate a=d enjoyed the food and the place. Ba Bar has a nice variety - small plates, noodles & broth, vermicelli bowls and rotisserie dishes. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Loved this place. Not the traditional Pho type. Very hype and trendy in the decoration and crowd this place offers great traditional Pho. I took the duck confit one and returned to have the same one again: simply delicious ! Will recommend it to anyone .

The cuisine is very good. The Ambience is friendly, light, and happy. It could be described as lacking in personal space, ease of communicating with one's dining partners, etc... but I suppose that is what TA is for: to review a locale before patronizing it. So, being accurate in reviewing is doing a service to potential diners. Yes, the food was good, the staff efficient. Perhaps best to go later after the announced meal hours; going early ... everyone would be there before you

Amazing flavors! I am coming back tomorrow for more. They are very friendly. The restaurant has a very cool looking atmosphere

I've heard great things about this place but was a little underwhelmed with what I chose. The name escapes me but it was "Anthony Bourdain's favorite." I'm sure it was very healthy but it felt like I was eating soap and a chore to finish. I hope to come again and dine in instead of getting take out and try the combo which has been recommended.

My wife and I love Vietnemese food and wanted to find some in Seattle. This place came highly rated and did not disappoint. Whether you like meat, seafood or are vegetarian, Ba Bar has something good to eat for you. The Manilla clams in noodles were especially good. With beer and wine, you can have a great meal for around $60 for two.

This is a fun place to come. The food is great. Vietnamese influenced with pho, congee and French pastries that are really good. The bar looks nice though mostly I've been there for brunches and lunches.

The food is ok and nothing amazing but the drinks are pretty good. Have a crack at a Moscow Mule. Worth it.

The food was amazing -- as usual. But bringing the appetizers out after the mains should not be the case... Similarly, telling me that it will be a 10 min wait then turns to 25 minutes is not cool, especially when the staff take their royal time to clean the available tables. Finally, listening to a game during dinner at such loud volume that you cannot carry a conversation pretty much numbs the tastebuds for me and makes me want to leave. Especially when I ask if they could turn it down a little and the answer is a resonant "no!". I do hope this was an exception and not the rule, because otherwise I will head to other locations in the future.

The Phở here is out of this world. At this point, I'm pretty distraught if I have to go without it for very long. If I could have ditched my family for the holidays and just eaten here, I would have. I've eaten pho all over Seattle, and this is the best. Beef and oxtail broth slow cooked for hours. Maybe it's the msg, salt and sugar firing off my synapses, but I don't care, it's worth it. The service is always prompt and the food comes out quickly. I am there for breakfast/lunch/Happy Hour, so I have never experienced the long wait times that seem to happen in the evenings.

I really liked Ba Bar! The pho was tasty, and the starter wraps (the ones the lady is making in the front room) were worth it. Service, to me, makes or breaks any place. I am happy to report that from the hostess to our waiter, everyone was professional and attended to our needs. I usually don't care to wait when I have to put my name on a list (no reservations), but it was clear the beautiful young lady had it on lock.

All the food is delicious and the place is cool. We really like the spicy pork belly and grilled chicken.We love it soo much

I ordered pho ha noi- was great. best food of any kind I have had in a few years! Good music playing as well.

Great location. Hip vibe and ambiance. Factor in great service, innovative and delicious menu which includes both food and drink and you've got a big winner winner Vietnamese dinner. I think our table set the record for most Moscow Mules...for good reason.

Choosing the best Pho place in Seattle is like choosing the best color... it's too hard, because there are too many and there is something unique and special about each one. That said, I give Ba Bar the top honor because of the atmosphere, selection, authenticity, and service. The Pho is delicious, but the restaurant brings the whole package. Definitely worth a visit, but be ready to wait! Sometimes there is a pretty big rush around lunch time.

After a long day at the hospital, this cozy and busy restaurant was a treat for my nose. The moment we walked in I could smell Lemmongrass, garlic and broth. On this very cold night, it wrapped me up like a warm blanket!! We Had two versions of PHO, but the vermicelli noodles at the next table was so inviting. The broth had great rich flavor, fresh veggies, tender meat and plenty of condiments. Fast service and the drink was deliciously fresh!

We arrived at this place around 8 on a Friday, it was jam packed, people were waiting outside the door, that was our first clue that this place could be good. The cons - as you walk in, there are just lots of people hanging around, waiting near the door, waiting to either get their names on a waiting list or waiting for their name to be called for a table, they really need to have a person just at the door taking names, or leave a pen, so people can add their name on the list, rather than a waiter coming at random intervals to mainly take people to their table, and if you shout loud enough you might be heard and get your name added to the waiting list. The pros - All start once you have a table, all is well. The place is cozy, with dim lighting, service is excellent, staff know their menu and they are very open to you mixing and matching, very accommodating, as I asked for a lemongrass broth with my pho, which I really liked. I had a beef pho, the broth was excellent I could taste everything from coriander, star anise, lemongrass. The only picky thing I would say, is I understand fat needs to be in the broth for flavour, but what I really would love is if it could be trimmed off before being served, it makes my stomach turn when I get a mouthful of fat, which is not easy to pick once served as a pho.

Be sure and try the pate chaud---it is a wonderful Vietnamese dish that we all loved! I was also quite happy with pork belly---it was seasoned well, had enough crispiness and flavor. We also tried the french fires which were mediocre. But---the crispy chicken wings made up for it! I cannot wait to return here. I should say we sat at the bar and the bar tender was not especially friendly or attentive to our party of four. Our orders got messed up. But, the food was so good that all of those inconveniences can be forgiven.

Supposed to be one of the best Happy Hours in Seattle. So we tried it. My wife is Vietnamese and is a great cook. True, she is from Hanoi, or Northern cooking and most of the authentic Vietnamese food we see in the US is Saigon, or Southern, cooking. Very little authentic or strikingly Vietnamese cuisine at the very trendy Ba Bar. It is more a mix of Chinese-American-Vietnamese imagination. Not creative at all. Very pedestrian, very street......not in a good way. Real Vietnamese Street Food is much better than this. Ba Bar is very unlike anything I have ever tasted in any of my travels over Vietnam. As close as I can figure, it is Vietnamese-American cuisine or a creation of some imaginative wannabe chef. One clue is that most of the clientele are westerners. Very few Vietnamese would claim this food as theirs. Their Ha Noi Pho is nothing like Ha Noi Pho. They don't even know there is a difference And they should know that Pho was created in The North. But.....they did not. Trendy. Unique. But not Vietnamese Street Food.

Cocktails are very inventive and tasty here. They are known for their Moscow mules, but I believe you can't go wrong with any of the cocktails. Many of the lunch partons were ordering Pho, however, the rotessire options are great and very filling. For the price, you certainly receive a lot.

Very nice room, I have visited twice. Good pho with interesting varients and other dishes. Both time sat at the bar and bartender was very attentive and pleasant. Would give strong recommendation. Paid street parking seems pretty available.

So happy to finally try Ba Bar. The food is absolutely and recognizably Vietnamese but elevated and modern in unexpected and delightful ways. The restaurant itself is very hip and has a full bar that, I've heard, really delivers at happy hour! Our group of three shared the cabbage and tofu salad and individually ordered different phos. The oxtail and beef pho was irresistably complex with an undercurrent of star anise flavoring the broth, but the star at our table was the duck confit pho. This soup featured wheat ramen type noodles instead of the traditional rice, a rich peanut-scented broth, a few interesting Chinese dates for garnish, and a sizzling crispy skinned duck leg plunked into the bowl just before service. We definitely recommend every single thing we ordered, but wow, I know what I'm ordering next time I go! It'll be awhile before I'm over that and ready to explore the rest of the menu--which is well worth doing. Also recommend highly the house iced 'tea', a deliciously refreshing hibiscus-flower based non-alcoholic beverage, tart and just lightly sweet. Oh, and parking? Not the usual Seattle zoo in this neighborhood--there's ample pay-station type parking right on 12th street.

after a long day of traveling, all i wanted was some ramen or pho, or anything even remotely like that really. it was getting pretty late so the options were getting slimmer and slimmer. and then this happened. it seemed so perfect. it was exactly what i was looking for. even fancy cocktails and great local brews. we were warned by our friends that they had noticed service in the northwest was a bit.....terrible. i really couldn't fathom why. i mean the place wasn't packed, we are always perfectly delightful guests, and well, you're going to get more money if you do a good job. from the very first interaction with our server i could tell it was not going to be good. i have to say, i was so excited about this restaurant, but the service was so god awful that i have nothing good to say about it. i cant even really remember the food. the service i got at every restaurant on my vacation was actually pretty bad, but this was definitely the worst.

Everything about this place makes my mouth happy. From the not too overdone options on the brunch menu to the beautifully balanced broth in the pho and chinese doughnut in the congee to the music and decor. It's like a dream. Plus, hand cut noodles?? Yes please!!!

Yes, this is the best Vietnamese food I have had in my life (and I have been to Vietnam). Every dish tried was delicious and the outdoor space was pleasant on a warm summer evening. Service was friendly and attentive and the music really added to the atmosphere. Overall a place I will visit very regularly (not just via DoorDash like in the past).

My brother and I recently had dinner at Ba Bar. Having read almost nothing but good reviews - on Yelp and other sites - I was not disappointed. Our food, including our vermicelli bowl entrees were quite tasty. Additionally, the drinks from the well-stocked bar were enjoyable and different. Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted by an entry area was quite cramped on the busy night we visited. However, the swift service and quiet ambiance made up for that. My brother and I both left Ba Bar agreeing that we would consider a return visit.

I recently found out that two of my favorite restaurants are owned by the same family! - One of those restaurants is Ba Bar - located in the heart of First Hill, across Seattle U. I have dined here several times and have never been disappointed. The atmosphere, the service, and the consistency of the food quality always makes me come back. No matter when you go here, they will be packed, even on Monday nights, so don't be surprised if you have to wait a bit for your table, but trust me when I say, it will be worth the wait! - The other restaurant owned by this family is called Monsoon - In Capital Hill that will come in a separate review.

Great food and service! My husband is new to Vietnamese food and was very happy with his delicious meal!

We went to the new Ba Bar at University Village. This place is huge, loud and busy! We met friends for dinner and were seated promptly, but it took 20 minutes for our appetizers to arrive and the food that we ordered at the same time as the appetizer came more than 30 minutes after that. Once food arrived, it was a bit of a mix: the shrimp dish and a rotisserie chicken was great, and another chicken dish good. The Hanoi special had a fantastic pork belly, prepared to perfection with just enough sticky and grill markings, but the beef sausage was a serious snore-fest once it got out of the excellent broth. The booze selection is staggering, and the wine list almost non-existent. Still, we may give it another shot one of these days.

Not impressed. The menus are on a clipboard and not organized at all. Service was average with drinks and food coming out inconsistently. The food was just phô. By this I mean you can get better quality for less at a phô restaurant in a strip mall. Skip this spot and hit one of the other restaurant in u village.

Since discovering this place, I have been back multiple times. The pho is out of this world. Definitely try the beef vermicelli but in all honesty, you can't go wrong with ordering food here.

Visiting from out of state, right across the street from Seattle U, this little restaurant was a nice surprise. Great food and outstanding service. Grilled chicken vermicelli noodles was delicious. Would definitely come back next time I visit Seattle.

The food was amazing!! The Interiors were also very comfortable and cool. Service was quick and the bartender made good conversation.

I went with a group of six people. Everyone enjoyed their meal. I was impressed with the ambiance, speed of service, quality of the ingredients and sauces and the generous portions of protein. Vietnamese and other Asian restaurants often provide less in the way of meat than I am accustomed to, but this restaurant is an exception to that generalization. Several members of my party were put off by something rather antiquated that the waiter said. He announced, unnecessarily, that he was going to take the orders of the women first. Now many restaurants, especially French ones, have this traditional practice and that's not a big deal, but they don't announce it at the start of the ordering process. They people I was with, who included some female professors, were a bit annoyed by what the waiter said and after he left the table there was a discussion about gender equality being a two-way street, etc, etc. Now personally I just don't care about this type of issue, but I thought that the management should be aware of the response this statement by the waiter elicited. I wonder whether the same declaration by a female server would have been equally controversial.

This place can be quite full, and for a good reason. Food is very good, reasonably priced. There are nice happy hour and late night cocktails for $6, and it's open late- 2am on weekdays, 4am on weekend.

My boyfriend and I stopped into Ba Bar to warm up after shopping in the rain. The service was quick and friendly. We both had pho. It was very tasty, but even at lunchtime $13 for a bowl of pho seems a little steep.

The place is definitely not your typical Vietnamese restaurant. It's more like a very hip bar and they happen to serve Vietnamese food. What's interesting about the place is that they serve Vietnamese food from the different regions of Vietnam. I love Hue food, i think its the best and so when I ordered the Banh Nam I didn't expect much from it. But they know their Banh Nam coz it was so good, to the point I was actually deciding if I like their version more or the one I had in Vietnam. The Pho though is a different story, maybe because I've had the best. The Pho is a bit bland for my taste and they compensate it by too much star anise. With this said, it doesn't mean that its not edible. It's ok if you don't have a better Pho place. The bar was beautiful and if I lived in Seattle, this might be a hang out place for me.

Love this cozy, unique bar. We had breakfast, which was awesome, but look forward to returning for lunch and dinner.

Loved this place and can't wait to try all its locations. We gad the eggplant appetizer and I was licking the plate. Liked the cucumber salad too though it was not as addictive. I had the vermicelli with everything on it- chicken, sausage, shrimp- I miss it just thinking about it. My husband had the beef, it wasn't quite as glamorous. I had a good glass of eight dollar Pinot Grigio and my husband had a spritzer that was delicious. The place was crammed with happy people- which means lines my friend-- the only downside to this place. Come early or late- or be prepared to wait -and wait in agony because the smells surrounding the restaurant will make you salivate. Fortunately they have quick delivery of food and good service- so it won't be as bad as some other popular places.

I am only writing about their take out not the restaurant. One of us enjoyed a curry and the coffee. I got a chicken with rice which was average but the portion was too small and left me hungry.

My friends and I walked in and made a reservation for 11 people and they told us it'd be an hour wait at best. When we made the reservation, there was one empty table for 6 pax that he pointed to and mentioned that it would be held for us and we'd would only be waiting for the family next to them to finish up. We went back after an hour to check on our reservation and noticed that there had been people seated at the empty table. Upon inquiry, the waiter told us that he'd cancelled our reservation because the restaurant could not allow the empty table to be seen by their other patrons, except he did not have the courtesy to call or inform us that we would not be able to get a table. I am really disappointed because of all the rave reviews this place has received but this matter was handled really poorly. I would understand if it is not in their policy to take reservations of more than a certain number but we could have been informed upfront so we would not waste an hour just hanging around outside the restaurant, which is absolutely ridiculous! I would not recommend this place if you have a party of more than 4, and don't rely on reservations either. They might have good food, but they don't have good service.

Great fun place in Captial Hill for ambiance and excellent food. I had a dish with duck in it and it was outstanding!

I went for lunch here with a friend and liked the food, ambiance and service a lot. Though the restaurant had daily specials, I opted for the grilled chicken vermicelli bowl ($12.50) from the regular menu. The dish included crispy shrimp, greens and pork imperial roll. The delicious chicken was tender and the rest of the ingredients proved to be fresh and tasty. The bowl contained such a generous portion that I could not finish it. My friend appeared to be equally happy with her order of imperial rolls and cucumber salad. The restaurant focuses on Saigon street food with a twist and cold drink (cocktails), but the big room lacks a Southeast Asia design. Instead, it has the industrial, simple look, which has been popular for a while and works perfectly here. Small tables stand close to each other and every one was filled when we left at 1 p.m. The bar and a big screen TV fill one side of the room. Large windows look out on 12th Avenue and bring in much natural illumination for a bright, airy atmosphere. Service was outstanding, from the greeter at the entrance, to the man who seated us. I considered our waitress to be pleasant, prompt and attentive. On our way out, I noticed pastries, including macarons, in a display case. They are made here and I look forward to having one or two on my next visit. I liked this restaurant so much that I would recommend going out of one's way to dine here. The Capitol Hill light rail station is about a 15-minute walk away. I took the 3 bus from Pike and Third Downtown and walked for about 1 minute from the Jefferson/12th Avenue stop. Ba Bar offers breakfast, lunch and dinner.

First night we came to this restaurant there was a crowd out front waiting to get in and a wait of over an hour which we just couldn't handle. One of the waiters gave us the inside story suggesting that we get there around 6-6:30 and we'd probably be able to walk right in for dinner...so the next night that's exactly what we did and we were lucky enough to get the same person as our waiter. The food was terrific! We all tried something different and our waiter was so good at filling us in on what we could expect when the dishes arrived...how it would meet our individual tastes...it was super. The place is quasi industrial in atmosphere...kind of unusual mix of different styles, very hip. Bottom line...if you like Vietnamese food...Pho...and appreciate great service in hip surroundings...you're going to love Ba Bar...we did. Just sorry we weren't in town long enough for a second visit!

What a great time it was a rainy night and the restaurant was packed we had to wait in the lobby the manager brought us drinks from the bar and after a short wait seated us even though we were waiting for one more person the manager was excellent very professional the staff was friendly the food was outstanding I highly recommend the ba bar

If you like Vietnamese cuisine, you’ll love this place. A cut above most other Vietnamese eateries in Seattle. Imperial Rolls, Chicken Wings and Beef on Skewers of sugar cane were all excellent. The shrimp on the combo bowl was overcooked, but that’s the only fault I can find. Service was prompt and friendly. A request that the bartender tune the big screen TV to the Vikings-Bears game was denied with an explanation that the owner only allows Seahawk games to be shown. Well, it was Monday night, and the Seahawks weren’t playing, so we were stuck with a baseball game. Boo. Menu is extensive. Servings are ample - appetizers instead of entrees might be a good play. Definitely worth a return visit, especially if the Hawks are on TV.

This is great restaurant with very good Vietnamese food, excellent coffee and super-friendly and helpful staff.

Had a lovely evening meal here, really friendly staff, tasty food and good setting. Bit of a gem for its location as there aren't a lot of nice restaurants around them for a good few blocks, so would definitely recommend checking out if you are around this part of town

The atmosphere is great and food even better. It was very busy but we didn't wait long to have a table. Staff was great. Mostly Pho and noodle bowls but there's a lot more !

Ba Bar is a nice spot for getting lunch or dinner for sure...but...I suggest also trying the Happy Hour which is Monday - Friday. They offer some nice small plates as well as discounted drinks.

I went to Ba Bar with friends based on a recommendation and had a great meal. Everyone ordered something different and it was all excellent. I lived in Hanoi 5 years ago and always hope to find vietnamese food in Seattle that compares to the real thing from northern Vietnam. Ba Bar is definitely a great option. I would highly recommend!

Excellent food and drinks.Nice environment. Enjoyed time with friends and friendly, helpful staff. Waitperson recommended selections which was helpful. It's easy to access, close to parking garage....and then....there's time to explore the newest version of University Village!

Since we returned from Vietnam and all the fantastic food on our trip, I have tried to find the real deal in Seattle. I am searching for the exact replica. Ba Bar was as close as it gets, with the dumplings, mango salad, eggplant and noodle dishes. I was there at lunch and it was very busy. The waitress was excellent, patient, helpful, and not rushing us. Food came fast, and was soooo good. This place is very popular, has a full bar, best to go early or late for dining. Parking can be a challenge, there was free parking on 13th right behind.

Great atmosphere, Asian street side restaurant style. Food is pretty simple and delicious. I was looking for warm congee to comfort my stomach, and attracted by the noodles and the perfect Pâté Chau. Next time probably will come with friends to enjoy some more dishes.

You walk in and all your senses are hit. The smell the bustling chefs the woman making rice pancakes at the door. We were seated at the bar and ordered drinks and then soon seated at our table. Hardest thing is ordering, it all looks so good. We all decided to share starters and entrees. Try the Crispy Fried Frogs Legs they are dusted in yellow curry powder and have a garlic dipping sauce. Can't wait to go back there again.

During a trip to Seattle this summer, my friend took me to this restaurant for dinner. The food was tasty, and it was easy to find gluten-free items on the menu.

We have been satisfied with the tasty Vietnamese dishes at both lunch and dinner. Popular place: daytime and evening crowds, especially of the young set - so close to Seattle U, and still we have excellent service. We keep coming back for the oxtail pho - it never disappoints! The drinks we had were o.k, but they have a great array of beers for only $5. Never tried the desserts - we're always too full. Enjoyable atmosphere within this clean, modern industrial look.

Ba bar capital hill has an awesome vibe, great staff , specially thank to Mr.Richard a skillfull bartender - amazing listening and this bar was a really great experience with a wide variety of drinks and foods . One of the few places that I have found around the city to build your own flight. There is a beer for everyone with a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy it in.

I am not there right now. I passed by but it was too crowded. I just felt moved to write am appreciation. Because it's not just that the food is fantastic. It's that I can come in any time by myself, sit at a table or the bar, get great service, and just feel at home. And did I mention they're open late? And did I mention there's good 2 hour parking by the SU athletic fields? Seattle is becoming a harder and harder city to live in. Ba Bar keeps it great!

From the moment you walk in, you know you're going to enjoy yourself, whether for the food or the libations

Strolling through U Village, we walked pass the wooden sign of Vietnamese “Street Food” Ba Bar, with promo of happy hour 3-6pm. We have a hunch of over hyped “street food” and price, but decided to try out HH and experience for ourselves. Unfortunately, HH is only in the bar with a drink minimum. No matter, the menu descriptions look promising, with actual Vietnamese titles and the descriptions in English. The place has very nice ambiance, the bar side is mostly filled with HH diners. It was an early dinner, and we still waited a bit to be seated – one waiter/host, not so friendly, perhaps over worked. On our table, a bottle of sriracha sauce (a plus), hoisin sauce, small bottle of water, and glasses with napkin and chopsticks in them. However, if they have a tray of spice, pickle condiments, this would bring you completely back to the “street food” memories. The waiter barely knows how to pronounce the menu items, though he tried. Cơm tấm bì, or broken rice is dried, bì are slices of pig skin, not a complete bì ingredients, the grilled pork has nicely grill lines, salty but dried and a hint of sweetness, the only that was right is the small dipping bowl of nước mắm, fish sauce. Good thing we opted out the recommended extra egg ($2.50). Phở gà trộn (mix chicken Phở, dry noodle, not in a broth) was not as I imagined: the image of a bowl of Phở with steam chicken mix in veggie/cabbage, with dipping ginger nước mắm sauce. The bowl came out in a nice presentation, slight wide noodle quickly stir fried with its own flavoring, somewhat like phad thai, the chicken baked in its own spice, great individual preparation, but in the bowl combination, it over powering the palates with saltiness, especially not much bean sprouts nor veggie to change your taste buds. Both dished came with a cup of Phở broth. The broth has Phở seasoning but a bit salty, and not hot enough to sip, to change your palates. We can’t imagine having Phở with this broth but most likely it is served. We had another dish but it’s pretty much the similar review, nice presentation but salty to taste. Perhaps these are catered for the bar diners, they will have drinks to compliment the flavorings. Well, our waiter walked passed us many time but failed to refill our small bottle of water. We have a nut allergy with us and requested to have peanuts on the side, but was not done as requested. Well, Ba Bar is not for us, not for those who seek authentic “street food”, perhaps for bar diners who don’t have the opportunity to authentic “street food”. A no return for us. There are other better Vietnamese or noodle options in the area.

Pretty busy Saturday night at around 7, we had a table for two in the bar area. Great ambiance, great service. You will definitely feel at home here as a lumbersexual. Beanie optional. Cocktails were great, and quite cold. Vegan\vegetarian options were limited and the menu was confusing. GF apparently means "potentially gluten free" and V for vegetarian meant Oyster sauce (although the waiter wasn't sure) and duly noted cross contamination. My expectations for great vegan dishes at a Vietnamese place were higher.

Was unimpressed when we dined in the evening a few months ago so when my wife suggested we meet for lunch I hesitated. As usual she was spot on. Excellent pho Ha Noi but what made the day was billed as Vietnamese tamales whose actual name I have forgotten but the flavor lingers. Prompt and attentive service was not lost during busy lunch crush. More please.

My family tried this new restaurant at University Village for lunch. As is typical of pho restaurants, there are very few vegetarian dishes on the menu outside of salads. We tried the vegan pho and the vegetarian vermicelli bowl. The vermicelli bowl was excellent. The pho broth tasted different than what you typically get from pho restaurants. It was good. Prices are decent. Service was great for a Sunday lunch.

We came to dinner and the place was packed, waited about 15-20 minutes for a table, ordered and the food came super fast, faster than normal! The Pho and bowls we had very delicious. Price is really good too! Highly recommend

I really enjoy a good bowl of Pho. Truly I do. I have eaten a lot of Pho in my life and many of these bowls have made me both warm and happy. Ba Bar is a cut above the rest. It's not your fast-food, extra large bowl of Pho. The broth is especially tasty and the ingredients are always fresh. I can say without hesitation that you will enjoy this bow of Pho for lunch, dinner or just because. Enjoy!

This is a modern Seattle take on Vietnamese food. You can sit here and eat a great bowl of Pho made from high-quality ingredients or other traditional Vietnamese staples, while sipping excellent cocktails. On Sat. and Sun. they have a brunch menu in which they serve amazing rice crepes filled with ground pork. Great late night menu. Cost is almost twice of your standard Pho place, but the quality of the food and the atmosphere are well worth the cost.

I first stumbled upon this place when driving with a friend and we had such a great experience that I've been back. The staff really knows the menu and makes great suggestions. The food tastes so fresh and it's fun to peer at the plates around you. The dipping sauces have so much flavor and the menu has something to satisfy the spicy spectrum. Great local spot!

Only been here once but had a delightful vegetarian vermicelli with interesting lemongrass and mint flavors. Also enjoyed the Sunday drink special: a perfect Moscow Mule. Lovely!

This has become one of our favorite happy hour spots! The food is fantastic and the atmosphere is modern and hip. Highly recommend!

We went to Ba Bat tonight...a Tuesday, and they were very busy having just opened. They have great outdoor seating space...but "no staff to serve outside"..what a disappointment. We were told we could get a drink and wait outside. Sounds great, except a VERY cranky manager told us that "they do not allow customers to order drinks from the bar if they do not have a seat at the bar" he further told us "to wait ten minutes" before we could get a drink. As tables opened up in the bar, we asked if there was open seating..."no" but no one was monitoring the bar area and people who were not on the wait list walked right in and grabbed seats. We were about ready to walk out when we were finally seated. I am glad we waited as our waiter, Thomas and the food was worth it. As we left...a whole lot of discussion going on between the cranky/super stressed manager and the hostess, but no acknowledgment of us leaving, thank you etc. Ba Bar has other locations and I was so surprised they didn;t know how to handle an opening in the busy summer season.

I live in Seattle and of the many restaurants, new and established, Ba Bar is one of my favorites. The service is excellent, the food is delicious and innovative, and the setting is large and industrial. I especially like the Pho, including the Ramen Pho. If you like congee, try the pork belly congee for breakfast. BTW, Ba Bar means "my father's bar". My good friend tells me that the pastries are the best in the city.

My friend and I ate here twice in the five days we were visiting Seattle. Friendly and attentive staff, extensive menu, great vibe. Go for the Imperial rolls with pork & shrimp and the Dungeness crab noodles; you will want more!

We decided to have our book club meeting here for happy hour. We did not order any food, we only had drinks at the bar. The service was really good. The ambience was also really good. By the looks of it is a popular place.

They've got Vietnamese street food here and all the food is a cut above in quality compared the the usual pho joint. Definitely a great place for weekend brunch or lunch. The bar looks good too for the late night crowd.

I know pho isn't suppose to fancy and use high quality ingredients but when it does, pho gets that much better. I've had the traditional one which is good the ox tail or duck options are outstanding. The opened a second location, so happier days are here!

Superb discovery! Restaurant with original decoration with a beautiful terrace. The cuisine is simply delicious and full of flavor, we really enjoyed it. The quantities are very generous and it’s really so good! The quality of the products is top notch! The service was extremely fast and above all very friendly. One of the best restaurants we have tried.

Omg Paris patisseries have nothing comparable to the sweets at this Seattle place! Hurry in to get the Most Devine Macarons. And such unique flavor and colors. A taste of Heaven. At another Seattle place we had Chocolate Almond Croissants, but went back next day to Ba Bar: extra buttery croissant, filling was Perfection!

Great spot to come and have a drink. I loved the dimly lit dining room and bar area. The food was street inspired. Good food, but not authentic Vietnamese taste. The vermicelli bowl combo was massive. If you are hungry this is what you want to order. I might have to go back for a drink and one of those delicious looking pastries.

Been eating here for years and taste and quality of all food items pretty much stayed the same. Can't go wrong with any menu item, but their pho's are exceptional. Not sure how they make the stock, but it is most savory and least MSG tasting out of all the pho places I've been to. Trust me, most places use just the herb packets and spoonful of raw MSG.

The Pho experience here is wonderful the Bún Bò Huế is completely different than any other Pho I ever had. Wine list decent and great happy hour menu, place is open late just across the Seattle U campus. Service is only average

We went with friends to this Vietnamese Restaurant, because we wanted to try something "out of the box." It was Fantastic! We will DEFINITELY go again! We began with small plates. The variety, the freshness, the presentation, & flavors of the foods were magnificent!

Came here on a Sunday morning for some pho. I like the feel of this place. It's not the usual pho restaurant, but the open bar in the back of the restaurant made it feel more hip or downtown trendy. The windows right behind me were open so there was a lot of nice summer breeze flowing throughout which also made it feel like an open, outdoor space, not stuffy. We started with some pork belly congee. I think the congee could've used a little more seasoning, and the pork belly did not melt in your mouth like most would. The chicken pho was DLish! So much depth in flavor! Just what I was expecting when I took that first SLURP, definitely Hit the Spot! They give lots of chicken, enough for every slurp with noodles. We're always searching for some good pho & we'll definitely be back for more!

Great food, good service, somewhat cool/stark atmosphere. Gets REALLY busy at times (5-8pm?) but is a great place to go on off hours. Seems to have a hipster bar scene. Nice french baked goods as well.

Great location... Looks great inside and super friendly service. Really fresh food and great taste. We all had something different off the menu and shared. We had enough lef for a doggy bag. Would love to go again if in Seattle.

Ba Bar has great food, great drinks and best of all, great ambiance. Sure, it may not be the cheapest or the best pho in the city but it's still damn good and their vermicelli bowl is incredible. The drink menu is extensive and they also have a great rotation on tap. The ambiance is the best part about this place. It's the type of place where you'd like to linger well past eating, enjoying conversation and drinks. Only downside is that it can get a little loud as it's a small space and service is often times slow. Still worth it though.

Eclectically Special. One of the best pho broths around. The Vietnamese food is in a class of its own.

I was on a short leash; 45 minutes for lunch including getting to and from. A seattle resident, hearing that I had eaten at Lemongrass the previous day told me that there was a much higher end Vietnamese just up the block so I tried it. Being in a hurry, I sat at the bar and got conflicting advice from a waiter and the bar tender. I would up ordering som fried logs of pork and seafood served on a plate with noodles, carrot and dikon julliene and lettuce leaves. It was unweildly and I had no guidance but the logs weren't bad. What was bad was a recommendation from the bartender that I get the pork pate in pastry dough. It was yuck. To add insult to injury, he recommended that I order the gravy and the fried egg extras to eat with it. He was insistant. I went for the gravy but nixed the egg. The dish was yuck and the gravy was yuckier

This place was nothing like I was expecting! It was a really fun environment, great vibe and also an excellent Vietnamese restaurant. Un fortunately I can't remember the names of our dishes but they were all incredible.-Very flavorful.

I had a special combo lunch with shrimp, chicken and pork and it was completely fabulous. I took pictures of the plate, because it was so beautiful. It's a great lunch place - very crowded! Every seat was full and people were waiting in line - but that's because it was so great.