Pestle Rock Isan Thai Cuisine Reviews

I have been eatting "traditional" thai food since I was a little kid so imagine my suprise when we looking at the menu at Pestle Rock and I recognized NOTHInG! Where was my Pad Thai, chicken satay, spring rolls, etc?? And NO peanut sauce. I will admit we almost left. I just wasn't sure I wanted this authentic "Isan" Thai food. I am so glad we got brave and tried the menu. Omg! The best dinner I have had in a long time! Must try's: Neua Yaang (Grilled Beef) $11 Certified Piedmontese petite tender beef marinated and grilled. Served sliced with jaeo and sweet chili dipping sauces. -->Tender meat and had a little kick. Yum! Mee Ka Ti $12 Stir-fried Thai rice noodle with chicken, egg, coconut milk, bean sprout and onion. - -> fresh, light and tasty. Favorite of the whole table. KaNom Jeen Nam Prik $12 A deconstructed noodle dish, Roasted peanut coconut curry served with bundles of vermicelli noodles, shaved carrot, green beans, bean sprouts, and cabbage. - -> make your own noodle plate. Loved the coconut curry (not spicy) and over rice or noodles the mixing a tasted amazing!! I thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Pestle Rock and highly recommend it to everyone. I just wish we lived closer so we could go again!

really good Thai food. we had lamb curry that was delicious. we chose to dine outside and it was delightful. yummy.

This Thai food is different from other Thai food that I have had. Not better or worse, just different. I ate here with four other people. I had a delicious $9 Tamarind Margarita. We split two appetizers, $12 Sai U and $10 Muu Sa Wann. I split an entree: $13 KaNom Jeen Nam Prik. I enjoyed the food, especially the entree, although I thought it was perhaps a bit overpriced for the portions. The service was good. Would I return? Perhaps. But there are so many restaurants to try in Ballard that I can't say for sure.

We ordered a take out dinner, and we would do it again! Delicious food served up in generous quantities. Ordering and pick up were easy, and the order was fulfilled as intended.

Really enjoyed this place. More along the lines of authentic Thai food. The Som Tum (papaya app) was excellent as was the red curry. Lighter in flavor. Great atmosphere. I will be back.

This place is fun and unique. Be ready to pay extra for rice or noodles as side dishes. Specials are curiously wonderful. Spicy! Unique! Lunch or dinner right downtown Ballard in Seattle. A couple of blocks to the Nordic and steps away from restaurants and shops. Artisan ice cream nearby...

Unique and flavorful thai with emphasis on seafood. Peaceful and busy at once. Pace the meal nicely. Had some crab and fish specials. Generous with the vegetables. Would go back. Convenient in the bustling Ballard district

I have been coming here for the Khao soi since my first visit about six months ago. It was so good I haven't tried any other dish so that's all I can review. I gave it 4 stars instead of five because the dining area seems a little cramped. Staff is friendly, definitely recommended.

First time here and I was impressed just walking in the door. Really fresh ingredients and the spices were prepared fresh on site and the highlight for me. I had their Isan Barbeque Combo 13 with the grilled pork shoulder, a side of papaya salad (really tasty) and sticky rice. The jaeo dipping sauces was so good. I would have given them a 4 but the pork shoulder was tasty but a bit over cooked and the portions were small for the price. Service was fast and friendly and even though it was not like most standard Thai fare, it was very good.

Not your typical Thai restaurant (you won't find a Thai Green Curry here) but well worth a visit. Meals are absolutely delicious, and the restaurant has a great vibe.

While visiting Seattle, I had dinner with family at Pestle Rock. Located on a busy street in the Ballard neighborhood, the space itself was small, but did not feel cramped. Our attentive server suggested some dishes for us to try. The menu was extensive without being overwhelming and had options for meat eaters and vegans, alike. My group enjoyed everything we ordered.

I have eaten Thai cuisine all over the world including Thailand. The food here is standout fabulous. Was not crowded for weekday lunch.

Usually Thai food is $5-8 for a dish. Expect to pay $15-20 here. That being said, it’s good food. Dinner time is slammed, so go early or late.

This small place is one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at. I am not a Thai food person, so when my daughter and her husband who live in the area, suggested we dine here, I was silently thinking... yuck. Was I WRONG!!!! OMG.... the food here was DIVINE. This is not your average Thai place... this is authentic Thai food. No peanut sauce or anything... just wonderfully prepared foods. The service is amazing too. Do not walk past without going in!!!!

My great friend introduced me to Pestle Rock, located on the corner of NW Market St and Leary in the heart of Ballard. I've been to Thailand so I must admit I'm totally a Thai food snob! Seattle offers so many fabulous restaurants and I do have a couple Thai "Go-To's" but honestly I have found most Thai restaurants are Americanized. I'm sorry but I'm not down with dissatisfying Phad Thai (even though that's the last dish I order off the menu). From the outside it doesn't look like much. You could drive passed it multiple times until you notice the sandwich board on the sidewalk. Oh, can't miss the bright blue auning of the Indian restaurant on the corner...however, once you step inside it's a whole new world. It's way bigger and open with an open kitchen, the decor is authentic, the aromas fill the air and that's when you get excited...or at least I do!!! smile emoticon The wood tables with metal water cups add a touch of modern. There is a small bar off-set in the back of the restaurant which is always nice to have but I like the fact it's not the focus. The menu is extensive but not overwhelming and offer exquisite signature cocktails. When my friends and I sat down it definitely took us some time to figure out what we wanted because it ALL looked so yummy. That combined with tantelizing smells made it harder to make a decision. ADVICE: Everyone get something differint and share the LOVE! We got a fried rice dish with fresh dungeness crab. You cannot go wrong with this combo ($16). Tom Yum Kalay, which is my absolute favorite! It's a mixed seafood soup in a hot/sour/coconut based broth, lemongrass, galangal, and veggies. OMG the flavor profile of this soup is to die for ($16). I want this every day of my life!! We tried the yellow curry, chicken noodles, again the flavors and spcies are perfectly in sync and delightful ($14). The final dish was a daily special item listed on their large chalk board menu. It was vermicelli noodles with jumbo grilled Gulf Prawns, crispy pork belly and vegetables in a mixed ponzu sauce ($18). I'm telling you, the amount of spice, heat, savory flavors, protiens and noodles cooked to perfection, it's safe to say that I crave this place daily!! The food, drink and service are timely but if you in a super hurry, this is not your scene. They CARE about thier food and so do I. Anyone craving Thai? I'll take you there!!! 5 STARS *****

Best Thai food ever, and I've had Thai food all over the world including in Thailand. Amazingly fresh, not soupy or peanutty the way many Thai entrees are -- definitely worth the trip.

Had dinner here last night and the food was some of my favorite Thai food in Seattle. I won't pretend to have tried a ton of Thai restaurants in Seattle (only about 5), but it is now my current favorite. The only reason I didn't give Pestle Rock 5 stars is because I felt like the prices were a little high. That being said, we will definitely be going back.

As a connoisseur of Thai and Lao food, I found this a really fun place to eat. I love seeing how they select and present dishes in a land far away. The service was friendly and efficient and the quality of the ingredients was good. The Yum makeua Yao was far to sweet. This dish is normally savory and tart with a good dose of spice. My biggest peeve is that the sticky rice was far too sticky. I strongly recommend a bit more combing of the steam out before serving and lining the sticky rice baskets with a lettuce leave or something similar so that it can breath easier. The plastic bag makes the sticky rice sweat. They get my recommendation for a good effort and attempting to bring an unknown cuisine to the American palate.

This food is amazing, I can tell that it is from a different region of Thailand (likely north) given some Burmese flavor to it and quite different than the usual Seattle Thai restaurants. Bursting with flavor, they are not shy about the spice, which is awesome. Friendly service. We had one of the crispy rice specials and Khao Suy. Exceptional food, just could not get enough of it.

You know classic Thai restaurants in the US!! Hot spicy food with no subtlety. Gummy Pad Thai. Every dish tastes the same. Dumbed down to not offend but a bore. Be off with you. Pestle Rock in Ballard is your real thing. Thai cuisine is highly varied with flavours ranging from very hot to subtle flavouring. Went there a second time on a Saturday night. Had five dishes. All different. Green papaya salad - crunchy and refreshing. Grilled boar with veggies. All julienned (the boar as well) with a delicate fish sauce based flavour. Green beans sautéed with shrimp paste and rendered pork belly - the description tells it all. Slightly spicy but not overly. Then frog legs slightly caramelised and deep fried with sesame seed coating. Crunchy with a delicate piquance. The final dish - a lamb shoulder curry with complex flavours with a creamy consistency (brown sauce). We ordered extra rice to make sure we got the last drop of sauce. It fares very well against other Thai classic restaurants such as Puk Puk in Brooklyn and Portland and the Heron in west London near Paddington Station.

Really enjoyed our dinner here. We were surprised by the lack of Phad Thai, but realize it's not part of the region's cuisine. Fabulous spicy sausage, salmon in panang curry, and dessert with caramelized potatoes. Who knew?

Their specialty is cuisine from the Thai region of Isan- although they also have the standard pad Thai on the menu for the less adventurous. Don't expect huge portions - I tried their mango/salmon main dish and it came with 3 tiny skewers of overgrilled salmon (way too dry). Although the food was a disappointment- the service was great.

There are something like 300 Thai restaurants in the Seattle area (check out urban spoon listings). We've had Thai in the east, midwest, and west...This may be among the west's best. Spicy. Fresh. Prompt. Great ambience inside and on the street. Friendly. Excellent all around. Pad Thai is different here, if you're looking for traditional, pass on by...Frog legs were wonderful...Crab and rice were excellent. Lamb Curry was tasty. Sticky rice with fresh pepper flakes and thai chiles was as hot as you may wish to have! If you only have one Thai opportunity in Seattle, make this your wish.

We both ate from the specials board, one vegetarian meal, one meat based, both amazing! They were out of sticky rice but both brown and white rice were good! Out of lager on tap too but some nice ales available. The food was lush, can't recommend it enough, will definitely go back if we get the chance!

I've been to Thailand many times. Twice I've eaten at Nahm in Bangkok, one of the 50 best restaurants in the world. Pestle Rock is the most authentic Thai restaurant I've eaten at in Seattle. The food was complex and flavorful, not the sweet and bland Americanized Thai food that is usually served in the U. S. The Thai ice tea was also very good.

This place serves very authentic Isan (Northeastern) style Thai food. Food is delicious and service is super friendly. The ambiance and decor is rustic and very clean. This is our new favorite Thai restaurant in Ballard!

Not the usual Thai fare sold in the US. Great dishes and fresh ingredients. Service was friendly and quick. Highly recommended.

The Khao Soi is amazing, as was the trout and sticky rice. My friends from Thailand were genuinely excited by how good the food was. The service was good and the decor is neat as well.

This is an authentic Thai restaurant with local entrees that are not familiar to most people that frequent Thai restaurants. We ventured out to try new things and are so glad we did! Everything we have had here is delicious, but the Tom Yum soup is our favorite! With a few patio tables and a very full restaurant frequently go early and enjoy!

I went to this restaurant because it looked clean and neat, and it was a surprise. This was a different kind of Thai food that was delicious and fresh. I had the pork and was amazing, very good ingredients and the right seasoning made this a great disk. They also have some good draft beers. I am planning to return frequently.

A no frills we'll run restaurant offering fantastic tasty dishes. Food delivered once it's ready, plenty of water served too. Like many other reviews here, I didn't recognise many of the dishes, but anything we chose was fantastic and the quality was high.

Authentic and delicious. This Isan Thai restaurant offers traditional foods in a relaxed atmosphere. The food is excellent, service is spot on and prices are mid-range but worth every penny. Zap-ee-lee ! (Delicious in Isan Thai)

Food was very good but menu was somewhat limited. Service was slow even though it was not crowded. Martini was the best ever.

Chose this as a good place to take our Goddaughter out for lunch as it was highly rated. Food was pretty spicy as expected. Good thing we ordered the Thai iced coffee because it was the best tasting iced coffee I've ever come across. :-p I sucked on the ice cubes for relief ha ha! Very nice ambiance and very courteous service. Would go back again.

The most amazing place to have Thai .. The flavours of Thai food lingers in your mouth for long .. Place is a little small but if you get there in time you will get a place.. Totally worth the money and the wait ..

I never usually have Thai food as there are limited vegetarian options. Pestle Rock had some great spicy options! Had a great time and will be back.

Friendly service in this Thai restaurant in Ballard. Papaya salad was fresh and tasty. Curry noodles with chicken was hot and tasty. The lamb dish was also tasty with tender pieces of lamb. Only complaint is that the tables near the door get a blast of cold outside air every time the front door is opened. We'll be back next time to try the stir fry chicken.

Very pleasant, laid-back but trendy atmosphere. Very good service. Everything is made with fresh, natural ingredients. Lovely food. We went for lunch. I would definitely go back.

This is not your usual Seattle Thai restaurant. The food reflects the northern cooking of Thailand and so the choices and spices will be different from the usual Pad Thai, Curries, etc. We tried a pork rib dish which was a bit dry, a catfish dish - excellent, and a 'special' Crispy Curried Rice with wonderful flavors. It was a bit pricey for such small portions, but the flavors and presentation were really good. Wait staff was prompt and the decor was airy, upscale and relaxing. Would definitely return to try more dishes.

This was our first exposure to Northeastern style Thai food. We loved the spicy but balanced food and were very impressed with the ingredients - Piedmontese beef and Carlton Farm pork speak to the respect and concern for quality of this restaurant. Great variety of dishes - from grilled meat to noodles and soups and sweet sticky rice dessert. Casual and comfortable ambiance.

We stopped in for dinner with the kids. Our waitress was so nice and very attentive. The food is awesome! Neau young was very tasty. Tom yum talay was good. Their version of pad Thai was interesting. Very thin noodles. Service was awesome. Would come again

You would be better eating from the frozen section of the supermarket. The service was poor had to wait 15 minutes to get a glass of water. Food was bland all I really wanted was Thai basil. The restaurant was filthy as there was dust above the shelf where we were eating. Terrible and not authentic!~

All I can say is WOW! This is one of the best Northern Thai restaurants I have been to outside Thailand. Wonderful menu of dishes very different than your typical US Thai restaurant. Highly recommend!

Mind blowing food!! Very impressive. We were 7 in our party with a mix of vegetarian and meat lovers. And no one was disappointed. Their tamarind margarita was delicious it could be a little stronger on the alcohol but still was really good. Good serving sizes. GUAY TIOW TOM YUM vegetarian was super yummy see picture.The location is good too- lot of cafes , shops and restaurants nearby.

My daughter and boyfriend had been here before so we let them order. They ordered a few choices they had had before and asked for a recommendation for the final dish. Waiter was very knowledgeable and offered several suggestions.We selected his curry choice. Everything is delivered freshly prepared so not everything arrives at the same time which was excellent. Spice levels accurately indicated on the menu. Enjoyed it a lot.

Our group of six all enjoyed the restaurant. The dinner was exceptionally prepared with incredible seasoning. We ate family style and every dish was enjoyed. Not everyone tried the frog legs but that was their mistake and just more for me! The portions are small compared to most Thai restaurants but the quality mae it a good value.

This is not your typical thai restaurant. They specialize in northern Thai cuisine so you're in for a whole new set of flavors. I particularly like their stewed pork (delicious, savory, brothy) and their crispy rice. You'll get more than enough food and none of the entrees are more than $15. This place is quickly becoming one of my favorite go-to local spots.

My wife is from the Northeastern part of Thailand known as Isan. It is not a province but rather a large area (like we are the Northwest). Just like other cuisines, Thai food is different depending on the area of the country you visit. Most Americans enjoy Bangkok influenced, Westernized Thai food. It is tasty but it is not the Isan food. Isan food is an explosion of the Thai flavors of lemongrass, galangal, lime, Thai basil, Holy basil, Thai eggplant, Kaffir Lime, Pea Eggplant, cilantro, Thai Chili Peppers, and so on. I will just say that the food is as authentic Isan style as you will find. We talked to the owner who had opened a restaurant in New York but relocated to Seattle. The comments centered on the fresh Thai ingredients and he raved about the Asian Markets here and the availability of fresh ingredients better than what was available in New York.

We really wanted to try this place, but boy is parking at lunchtime a hassle in Ballard! We are so glad we finally got a parking space! Lunch was the special chicken barbecue and a larb dish, just the right amount of heat! Flavors just kept getting better and better. We will definitely go back many times until we try everything on the menu. Service was quick, important for lunchtime!

Wow.... this has got to be one of the best Thai places I've been to. The food was fresh. The flavors were great, authentic Thai! This is not your typical Thai menu, but it's very similar. You can't go wrong, go for it. I will be coming back here next time I'm in the Seattle area.

Don't come here expecting your standard Thai fare of Phad Thai or Phad See Eew. The prices may be a bit on the higher side, but you do get quality ingredients with the food. The Khoi Soi is a must. The service can be a bit of hit or miss, but definitely one of my favorite spots in Seattle

We took a couple of dishes for sharing (see pictures) and they were both very good. I preferred the one with noodles. My favourite was the sticky rice with mango that we ordered as a dessert!

Loved every part of our experience at Pestle Rock Isan Thai Cuisine! Check out the food photos as every dish was full of flavor! Service was incredible and we got the chance to meet the owner and his mom (many recipes were hers) and they were incredibly friendly and welcoming. Would recommend you check this place out—best Thai food in Seattle!

We came upon the Pestle by accident and what a pleasant one it was! We truly enjoyed our entire visit. The service was friendly and very helpful with our selections. Nice atmosphere. The chicken wing appetizer was the best I have ever had. Beautiful presentation and absolutely yummy. I also had the garlic frog legs, which I certainly would indulge in again. Every thing was fresh quite tasty including the drinks. The cuisine is different from most Thai restaurants I have been to, but cannot wait to return and try other dishes!

Wow the food was so good. Options for everyone! No spice stars meaning it’s authentic. Would come back again for seconds.

Popped in for lunch. The place has a nice calm atmosphere, attentive service, delicious and well-prepared food - who could ask for more. Am looking forward to trying the dinner menu.

Best/freshet Thai food we've had, but smallish portions for the price. They sneak in automatic 20% gratuity on the bill without telling you. My friend and I both almost tipped another 20% on top of that because we didn't realize it was already imposed. That annoys me. Mandatory gratuity is fine, but don't be sneaky about it. Also, based on the service, I wouldn't have chosen to tip 20% (which I usually do) if I had been given the choice. Service was bare minimum. Finished my small $4 beverage fairly quickly and would've ordered another if a server had come to check on us.

I love Thai food, and this was the best I've ever tasted! Fresh and delicious! Highly recommend eating at Pestle Rock if you are in the area.

The other reviews capture this place well - this is northern style Isan Thai, not your typical stir fries. I've been here around 5 times and every time I've had something different. They have good variety in their standard menu but also have a rotating specials board that I love to order from. Unlike a lot of other Thai places I've ordered from, Pestle rock don't hold back on the spiciness. Service has always been great. Nothing really unique about the layout but its nice and orderly so you don't have to worry about bumping into people when coming in or leaving.

It was a true feast for our taste buds. All four plates chosen randomly and the coconut milk soup were fantastic. This spiciness level was just right allowing the rest of the flavors to be enjoyed to its fullest. By the way, excellent courteous service. We will be back!

We had a birthday dinner for my wife here and it was outstanding -- perhaps the best Thai food we've had outside of Thailand. The six of us shared a number of dishes: barbecued chicken, grilled frog legs, khanom jeen noodles with a fine roasted peanut/coconut milk sauce, stir-fried mee noodles, spicey and excellent minced chicken salad (larb gai), khao soi soup and many little baskets of good sicky rice. My wife thought her tamarind margarita was superior. if you're looking for pad thai and red and green curry, look elsewhere. But for a real taste of Thailand, with an emphasis on the food of the northeast (Isaan) Pestle Rock is hard to beat.

Great spot for a quick bite in Ballard. We came here before heading out on a flight, and it was a perfect last meal in Seattle. I had the kao soi and it was delightful. Service was quick and prices great. Would recommend to tourists and locals alike.

I can appreciate a unique menu, although I was looking forward to getting something I was used to at a Thai restaurant...and no, not Phad Thai. I got a Chinese Eggplant, chicken dish and did not enjoy the flavors at all. We were disappointed in the portions as well. Will not come back.

Take the bus or park and walk. Thai flavors like you may have never had, reminded me a little of Malaysian street food at it's best. Not great service and they warn you that your meals may well not arrive together. The ingredients are fresh and the meats are organic. I am a vegetarian and although they don't stress it you can order many many dishes with tofu. This is not a cheap Thai place, but the ingredients and complex flavors are worth the price. It is in a word yummy and a new way to eat Thai. There is a counter space often occupied by hipsters on smart phones on laptops. I imagine it can be crowded for dinner. You will go back, I guarantee the flavors will lure you back. My old Ballard relatives are rolling in their graves at all this Asian infusion into their Scandi 'hood, I applaud it!

The food is quite good, the portions are tiny, and the prices are exaggerated. Why a plate of 4 very small bunches of noodles, plus small portion of shredded carrots, bean sprouts, diced green beans (total weight, maybe 6 ounces) should cost $13 + 10% tax + tip is anyone's guess, but welcome to Seattle.

This is the best Thai food I've had in awhile. Had wanted to come before, but they're closed Tuesdays, which it says on their website, but not on Yelp. So we escaped our house and ventured out in the slush for some fun. This was fun! Lamb massaman curry was spectacular! So flavorful, tender, and just spicy enough. We also had the green bean stir fry with pork belly, also delicious, and a little spicier. It was a late lunch so we didn't order more, but will definitely look forward to going back! Service was excellent, atmosphere a little breezy when the door opened, but that's not usually a problem!

I'm not a Thai expert by any stretch of the imagination, but went to Pestle Rock because of a recommendation from my son - it is his go to Thai place in Seattle. The staff was very patient with my wife and I as we struggled through the menu. The descriptions of the dishes were clear and accurate, but we were unfamiliar with some of the flavor profiles. We eventually chose a green papaya salad which was tasty, fresh, with surprising flavor and more than a hint of heat. We really enjoyed the dish as a starter. My wife followed up with a chicken and ginger dish which was fine, but really nothing memorable. I had crab fried rice that was very light on the seafood - wouldn't order it again. Bill came to about $55 before tip, not terribly pricey, but just not a place the I would recommend or go to again.

My daughter took me to Pestle Rock for the first time recently. I've done several trips to Thailand and spent a good amount of time in the north, and really love the Isan style of cooking. Pestle Rock has the most unique menu of northern Thai dishes I've found in Seattle, and the food was excellent.

Is it possible that a Thai restaurant that we randomly wandered into in Ballard was the best food we ate when we visited Seattle? YES! Super fresh, unique flavors, not your typical Thai food. We'll be back!

The first time I came here was a memorable experience. Alone on my birthday after recently moving to Seattle. I have now become a Pestal Rock fan. I bring out of towners here and love to explain that it is Thai food but not how you typically think of Thai food. I've tried a lot of their dishes but have my faves that I keep returning for including their Pad Thai LIKE dish - ok it's flavors are actually nothing like standard Pad Thai, but the construct is the same.

Heard this was a good find but we were still surprised with our meal. This is some of the best Thai we have had in Seattle. The crab fried rice is amazing. Definitely recommend this dish. The pork belly stir fry noodles were quite spicy and delicious though the pork belly was so-so. If you are in the mood for Thai food, this should be on your list and it will be different than any other Thai that you've had.

I have been to Pestle Rock three times with various combinations of friends and family and will never tire of this place. The fresh ground spices are just one element why this will forever be one of my favorite restaurants. Maybe my absolute favorite thing about this place is how everything tastes like it is straight out of Isan, Thailand; Maybe it is the friendly and quick service; Maybe it is that I went there with a group of five people, two vegans, one vegetarian who can't handle any spice, one who eats nothing from cows and has been known to dump hot-sauce on everything, and a meat eater and not only were we all happy, but we were to some extent, able to share and enjoy each other's food choices. Amazed as always. Get the catfish lettuce wrap, by the way. It is to die for!

For starter we had short rib which had a great sauce. For entree, we ordered the special which was a pick turmeric based curry with zucchini- really delicious! And we had the Penang salmon- pretty good. We had the coconut sticky rice with fresh mango- which was so good! Can't wait to go back!

We live in Ballard and this is our favorite go-to place. We were there the week they opened and have been back frequently. Frankly, it is the best Thai food we have found outside of Thailand. Always flavorful and fresh, we tend to order one menu favorite and something off of the specials menu.

We decided to explore places to eat in Ballard to which we had never been. So glad we did. A favorite!

Difficult parking to start if coming from downtown Seattle. Parked for 2 hours at Ballard Square and walked through to other side for $4.70. We arrived at 2 pm on a Monday with 4 tables full and 1 waitress to serve everyone. She was attentive but overwhelmed. The Khao Phad Prik was described as wok seared but was presented as sautéed with vegetables and rice. Not my style. On the other hand my husband LOVED the Tom Yum Talay soup which was a wonderful coconut base with seafood. I kick myself for not ordering as well. Pricey Thai for 2-person lunch with 2 glasses of wine and 2 entrees for $65 including tip. Not great value.

Outstanding menu, fresh food and great service. My wife does not generally "like" Asian cuisine and there are maybe 3 restaurants she will go to at all. BUT she will and has eaten at Pestle Rock several times a week. According to her it is the freshness of the ingredients and the dishes are unique from other Thai restaurants. Also, she says as compared to other Asian restaurants in the area, their food is not oily or over salty or most importantly no deep fried in batter. All in all just clean good food.

I live full time in Thailand, and visit my sons in Ballard once a year. I have to admit that the Khao Soi at Pestle Rock is as good or better then any I've had in Thailand. Yes it cost 15x more then in Thailand, but the portion was almost twice what I normally get, and so tasty. I met the Thai owner - she is lovely, as was my Bangkok waitress.

Friends took us to this little place when visiting Seattle. Food was amazing -- not your average or "usual" Thai take out place. Most of the dishes were unique and ones I've never tried, but every single one was delicious. The Tom Yum Talay soup was amazing and my favourite dish of the night -- I could have eaten the whole bowl! Be prepared for a little spice!

Mmm so so good! I adore this menu - never have I seen a Thai place with such authenticity 😍 I highly recommend getting dishes family style, sharing like tapas food. This gives you a chance to taste the variety of the flavors they have to offer, which are all impeccably combined to create powerfully yummy dishes!! Must go 👊

We enjoyed our meal very much. The vegetables were very fresh, the meats were raised naturally without hormones etc, and the choices were abundant, making it difficult to decide what to order. The four dishes we ordered were all delicious! The service was friendly and attentive. If we lived in Seattle, this would probably become one of our favorite restaurants. Highly recommended!

This local restaurant is a real find right there in Ballard. Pestle Rock is the only quality Northern Thai eatery I have found other than the famous Pok Pok in Portland. This is not your usual tom yom soup, but spicy, savory, sweet, salty complex umami bombs. Authentic and delicious.

Good Thai restaurant. Went on a rainy week night. Not busy. Quick friendly seating. Quick ordering. Quick service. We ordered three unique dishes. All were good. Pricing is $13-20 per entrees, so a little high but that's Seattle. Recommended.

I was visiting Seattle and dropped by on a recommendation of people in the neighborhood. I had one dish (Yum Larb Isan with pork) and a sticky rice. The flavors and mouthfeel were exceptional - I loved the different flavors and texture, spicy, lime, onion, basil...light crunchiness. Yes, the portions are small so this is not a place for those wanting to have super large dishes for low prices. But if you are looking for superb quality and a treat for your taste buds this is the place for you. I have been too many Thai restaurants but saw a lot of dishes I have never seen before - looking forward to going back to try more. If you are like spice, I had medium and found it the perfect balance with the other flavors. High would have been overwhelming and I like heat. If you don't want spicy, just tell them so.

From the moment we stepped into the restaurant we knew it would be great. The smells were heavenly. The hubby ordered the bbq pork plate and I had a deconstructed noodle dish. They were both fr she and plentiful. To drink we had the in-house lime soda. Oh yes, so very good.

I have been to Thailand and other parts of the world, and even throughout Seattle, and I do not understand how this place survives. We visited on a Thursday at dinner time and no one was there. That should have been the first red flag. While our order was taken after a table that had arrived after us, it arrived quickly. The deep fried trout was hidden under a pile of uncooked fruits and vegetables, such that I felt like Gordon Ramsey when he pulls apart the dish on kitchen nightmares. Had I known it was a fish salad, I would have a ordered a proper entree. The grilled eggplant arrived squishy and grey and did not look like it had been grilled just before it had arrived. The lamb we ordered had been precooked and warmed before serving- who does that?. All dishes except for the lamb, had the same pile of of raw fruit and vegetables on them. It was as if they were too lazy to change the blade on the food processor and so everything had to be long and stringy. When we mentioned the double chipped serving plate to the waiter he seemed uninterested offered very little in apology and chuckled as he walked away.. I love Thai food but not this kind of Thai food. While they make claims or advertise their use of quality and fresh food, pre cooking makes the freshness irrelevant. $70 dollars is not much for good meal for three, however I feel as though we over paid by at least $35.00. What is sad, is that we were excited about this place, it had great reviews, and it was my Mom’s birthday, we could have had a better meal elsewhere. Don’t believe the reviews.

We stumbled upon this little gem on a walk through Ballard on Market. We are on a mini vacation back to Seattle and haven’t had decent authentic Thai food for years. The food was amazing!! Great flavors ,good quality and decent sizes. You would find the American Phad Thai on their menu but be adventurous and try something different! The server was so sweet and attentive without being over bearing. Please if you are any where near Market towards the locks stop by your taste buds will thank you!

Great Thai food, fresh and flavorful. Menu items are distinct from those commonly found at most Thai restaurants. Atmosphere is simple and cozy.

Perhaps a bit deceiving from street view, restaurant is small & comfortable. Isan Thailand - Lao Isan - Thai Lao most in common with Laos and is somewhat distinct from central Thai cuisine. Reading reviews decided to give it a try. I was surprised and a bit lost reading the limited selections of items not familiar with compared to the large selections of a Thai restaurant. Their selections are shown with either none (very few), one, two, three peppers. The server behind the register was very patient and helpful and shared every ingredient is cooked individually and then mixed together. Each entrée, although adequate, was less than expected especially for the cost of each item. The take out bill for four us amounted to $80. It's not your every day Thai -- for a change of pace and good quality would recommend giving it a try. Since parking is difficult we parked in front basically in a no parking/drop off - the fellow told us not to worry and he'll bring the order out to us. A very appreciated jester.

A great place to have amazing Thai food the best part is the place has a good spread of vegetarian food too . The staff was courteous and ensured we had a good time

Stopped in on a Saturday night and was pleasantly surprised when a table cleared just as we arrived so we took it. The food is unique. Quite spicy, so unless you like really spicy, 1 or 2 chilis (instead of stars) is plenty! We had one the prawn special featured that night and it was delicious. Also ordered a larb gai salad type of entree. Listed as only 2 chilis, but it was spicy! However, it was flavorful spicy. Dessert was an unusual coconut ice cream served over sticky rice with sweet potato on the side. As odd as it sounded, it turned out to be such a lovely surprise. Certainly a nice soft ending to a spicy meal. Service was excellent.

Excellent quality ingredients, beautiful preparation and delicious flavor! Food tastes clean with depth of flavor. Highly recommend.

We are very fond of Thai food, but to be honest, most places rely on simple stir-fries and Pad Thai: e.g. utterly predictable. That's why this has become one of our favorite restaurants; Almost everything on the menu is something we've never heard of before! The fact is, we're happily working our way through the menu, learning new dishes and reveling in the flavor. Lunch yesterday was a special grilled Wild Boar with a breathtaking Jaeo sauce: a real discovery. My wife had a Yum Kao Tod - a wonderful crispy rice and veggie dish : No meat, but full of flavor. (perfect for vegetarians tired of bland choices). Everything is freshly made, of superb ingredients. We can't wait to go back and try something new.

I thought that Pestle Rock was just average in my opinion. It is located on Market Street in the downtown Ballard core area and can get quite busy in there. The interior is not too "Thai-ish" at all the way it is decorated but still comfortable, if you sit anywhere near the front door you get a very cold blast of freezing cold air whenever anyone comes in or out which is frequent on a busy night. It is unpleasant and distracting and greatly detracts from the dining experience. The prices are all a bit too high and they are charging too much for their meals in my opinion, and though they appetizers and entrees were tasty over eighty dollars for two drinks and one appetizer with two entrees is ridiculous for this kind of place. The service was rather slow and seemingly they were uninterested in us and it was obvious that they were not exactly in any kind of an attentive manner with us. The menu has many pork entrees and a few chicken but lacks greatly no meat or vegetarian choices, there are a few to be fair, but not very many at all for a Thai place. I feel that the tables are too close to each other and could easily be separated some more but they are trying to get in more customers instead of making what customers they could have instead more comfortable. I did enjoy my dishes for taste but I would not come back and would instead try elsewhere.

You’ll most likely not recognize most of the things on the menu, unless you’ve been to Thailand. Portions aren’t large but the flavor is delicious.

Every dish I've had has been superb! I love their rotating menu with new specials every night. The food is so delicious! They also have great cocktails!

Have eaten their food 4 times now (3 times at the restaurant and once take-out). Have tried several different items and have come to the conclusion this is just not for us. Have eaten some really great Thai food, all over the U.S., but this is just not up there with the good ones, or it's a type of Thai that is just weird. Tonight it was the Yum Makheua Yao dish that I tried (ground pork, red onions, garlic, herbs, in tamarind sauce layered with grilled eggplant). One word came to mind: VINEGAR. Could barely eat it and when my husband tasted it, he agreed. Plus why am I eating a cold entree? Nothing in the description told me to expect that. Also, was told by the waiter that I needed to order rice. Why? (other than the $2 charge for it). No sauce to the dish. Also, the timing was off. We ordered the fried spicy chicken wings (which are good), and before I ate one wing, our entrees were arriving. I know there is a sign saying that they serve food as it is done, but apparently that is just an excuse to not bother even trying to time a dinner experience. Done. Not returning. Glad others are enjoying this restaurant.

Stumbling around Ballard one evening after work, and was in the mood for something animal, plant, and herbs. Having been to Thailand a few years ago before residing in Chicago, I have since been in search of Thai cuisine that is more Thailand and less American. Pestle Rock hit the spot for me. The decor is fun and inviting. Some Thai ornamentation, and a bit bigger than you anticipate when walking in the door. There are seats to sit solo at the counter as well as many tables and some booths in the back. Place is packed at 8pm on a Monday night. Big screen TV in the back near the bar. It was a cold winter night, and my only gripe was the cold air flow from the front door blowing in towards my back, even at the counter midway through the room. Bring your blank to wrap up. lol Service was spot on, with a big glass of water upon my arrival, and a silver metal cup. Salmon Yaang Samun Phrai - $19 Wild Salmon charcoal grilled and marinated in the Thai herbs which they grind on their own, mixed julienned vegetables. The salmon, three skewers, melts in your mouth like butter! Wild caught, and so fresh. Carrots, onions, lemongrass, mango, mint, and a bit of heat. Thai herb mango salad. Accompanied by a small bowl of sticky brown rice (ordered separately), nice and mounded. In my view at the counter: open kitchen, looks very clean. Knives held by a magnetic strip on the wall. No mess. Three giant rice cookers by the counter. For dessert: Ice Cream Song Kruang $7 - Two scoops of coconut ice cream onto of sticky rice and caramelized potato with toasted coconut and peanuts. Licked every last drop. SOOO full. Need a nap. Definitely recommend if you can handle the realness.

I thought I had a handle on Thai food before coming here and then this place blew everything out of the water. I had the Gai Phad King which the menu online says, "Chicken stir-fried with woodear mushrooms and ginger," but there is this amazing sauce that it comes in and they are generous with it, almost like a soup but not soggy or anything. I have no idea what the sauce was but it was so flavorful and complex. It didn't overpower the dish, but it really added to it. You have to order rice on the side, which helps sop up the sauce. I am really looking forward to coming back here.

The first time I ate here I thought the food was amazing. At the time, this was one of the few restaurants serving Isaan and Northern Thai food in Seattle. I came back many times and it was always delicious. I was looking forward to my most recent visit after living in Thailand for the past two years. I was disappointed in some of the dishes. The papaya salad just didn't taste right. I can't explain it but something was off. The Sai Ua was not good and did not taste correct either. However, the Khao Soi was delicious and had very authentic flavors. I can't remember the other dish I ordered but I think it was ok. So even though this was about a 3 star experience on my most recent visit, I'll give them 4 stars based on previous experiences and with the hope it was just an off night.

Wife was so happy to find some vegetarian Kao Soi which we hadn’t been able to find in Atlanta and hadn’t had since Thailand. Nice place with friendly staff. I grabbed the Mee ka ti with tofu and it was very savory and had the perfect amount of heat (when I had some ground red pepper). Loved the thin sliced raw veggies they added to the dish. The Kao Soi was insanely good. Had to grab a to go order, it was that good. Definitely recommend.

Lunch in family with two young kids. Very good Thai food, quite spicy, at a reasonable price. For the kids, non spicy (but tasty!) chicken is available. Nice atmosphere and friendly staff.

I enjoyed a curry lunch here last week. My first time so I can't speak to other dishes but the curry special was awesome. Good depth of flavor and a very hearty portion.

If your Thai food palette is jaded, then a visit to Pestle Rock might revive the wonder you you felt at your first experience with Thai cuisine. The food is fresh and cleanly seasoned to expose the subtle flavors so often missing is strip-mall Thai. The space is very casual, smallish and tight but arranged so you won’t feel squeezed. There are several nice sized booths, and some outdoor seating. The staff is extremely warm and welcoming, as is often the case at Thai restaurants, and Pestle is no exception. They offer cocktails as well as a limited selection of beer and wine that should suit your needs. We started with the chicken larb, also available with pork, and it was delicious. The ground chicken was spiced and came with two romaine leafs. The soups at Pestle are for sharing, so we had the Tom Yum Talay soup, which was plentiful for two, but might feel a bit stingy on seafood for more as it had exactly two shrimp and two scallops along with several small pieces of white fish. The Tom Yum presented a wonderful balance between sour and sweet with just enough ginger to come through without overpowering. We split the Panang curry with roasted salmon. The panang was outstanding, rich with coconut flavor and not too peanutty. Thankfully the panang curry didn’t overwhelm the flavor of the salmon and the squash and snow peas. It was not a large serving but adequate for two. The disappointment was dessert. We went for roti with a condensed milk and cinnamon sugar sauce and fresh mint. The dish consisted of exactly one roti and enough sweet sauce to flavor the roti. It was good and a nice cap to a good meal, but grossly overpriced at $5. Thai food in general is a bit more expensive, but Pestle is at the high end of the range. They source all their meats locally and the ingredients are super fresh, and that makes for a great mea to be had at Pestle Rock.