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Obao Midtown
Review
About
Features
CUISINES
Thai, Vietnamese
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Delivery
Full Bar
Gift Cards Available
Highchairs Available
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Takeout
Wheelchair Accessible
Location
Menu
Can a gluten free person get a good meal at this restaurant?
Order delivery

Save this restaurant
Hours
Open until 11:00 PM
Sunday
11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Monday
11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Tuesday
11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Wednesday
11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Thursday
11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Friday
11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Saturday
11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Contribute
4.5
426 reviews
Excellent
273
Very good
107
Average
27
Poor
9
Terrible
10
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hitman_1967
Weinheim132 contributions
Oct 2023 • solo
Considering that prices in NYC can be a total absurdity - even for simple Asian dishes with a mediocre quality, this place stands out.
It is all I want from a small Asian food shop, no fancy interior but a solid selection of dishes at a reasonable price point.
The quality was really good, food was prepared fast despite the place being full to the last table and the service was extremely friendly.
I will be back for more!
Written 22 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hal Digs
New York City4 contributions
Mar 2025 • couples
The modern, lively setting made it a perfect spot for a romantic evening. The menu offered a creative mix of Asian-inspired dishes, each bursting with fresh, bold flavors. We particularly enjoyed the crispy spring rolls and the flavorful noodle dishes. The service was attentive and friendly, adding to the overall pleasant experience. While the prices were on the higher side, the quality and presentation of the food justified it. For couples seeking a vibrant dining experience in Midtown, Obao is a great choice.
Written 12 March 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ioannis M
Brussels60 contributions
May 2024 • couples
We had to wait at the bar to be sitted and had some cocktails, tasty and well done. The food, taking from Asian tradition, was creative, like the pork belly bits wrapped in lettuce. The ingredients were fresh and crunchy. Intense and pleasant tastes. The service prompt. A very nice dinner. Better reserve a bit in advance.
Written 25 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarme_Probonisi
31 contributions
Jul 2023 • family
The place looks dirty, two huge flies were flying optimistically across the restaurant throughout our stay, coming very close to our food; there were also small flies on the wall next to our table, menus are greasy and hard to read. The place needs a really good cleaning. The staff was nice and pleasant but I could not enjoy the food because it just felt unsafe to eat.
Written 11 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Franceframboise
Boulogne-Billancourt30 contributions
May 2024 • couples
The reception is average+. We had a shrimp spring roll and another starter but a salad leaf was missing...then a good and well seasoned beef dish (?). with a bowl of rice. On the other hand, the glass of red wine was very average. All-inclusive bill with tip: €83

Written 23 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John G
Arlington18 contributions
Jan 2025 • family
My daughter and I were staying near Rockefeller Center and wanted to eat someplace less touristy and less pricy, but still good. Obao Midtown was perfect. The food was excellent, as was the service. The atmosphere was quite good as well. We greatly enjoyed the Sambal Spiced Calamari appetizer. My daughter studied for a semester in Vietnam and her pho did not disappoint. I'm more of a Thai food fan and thought the chicken green curry some of the best I've ever had.
Written 3 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kokla Kevin Academan
New York City1 contribution
Feb 2022 • friends
Legitimately A must try restaurant around NYC. Doesn’t matter what I get I end up liking it. They make one of the most delectable I have ever had in downtown and probably the best Pho I’ve had in NYC. THE STAFFS here also provided a great service with wide smiles on their faces especially Korn and Koi.
Written 2 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AurelioToronto
Woodbridge30 contributions
Dec 2022 • family
We called with short notice and we’re able to reserve a table for 7. Small location but they were able to accommodate on a Saturday night. Food was very good and so were the drinks. My wife ordered a dish that ended up being very spicy but it was not indicated as such on the menu and they quickly replaced it.
Location looks a little run down but the servers were nice. They didn’t bring the food out all at the same time which I found odd. Good value for the money. Appetizers and main meals were all very good. I would return again.
Written 18 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carla C
New York City362 contributions
Oct 2020 • couples
We often go to Obao because is near our place and we like it very much - food is nice, cocktails are great, service is super fast and the menu is rather extensive. Dishes are well prepared with fresh ingredients (I.e. you can actually see the chef chopping away lovely veggies etc). Excellent value for money. I highly recommend it!
Written 3 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NoraExplorer
New York City5240 contributions
Aug 2020 • friends
My friend and I decided to check out another Thai food place and here we were. The entire street is pretty much occupied by outside seatings from various restaurants.
We got Alex as our friendly waiter. He was a one-man show running around doing everything. Go Alex! We ordered some "summer" drinks although it wasn't a hot day. We both ordered papaya salad to start with. I thought the salad was all right, average. Then my friend ordered the vegetable green curry and I had vegetable drunken noodle or pad kee mao (not meow). I tried my friend's green curry and I thought that was one of the best I've ever tasted. The broth wasn't too creamy nor watery and the combination of different vegetables was perfect. I thought I had made a mistake by not ordering the green curry. However, after having my first bite of my drunken noodles, I knew I made the right choice, it was extremely delicious! I'm aware that pad kee mao is delicious but this one is better than most. I highly recommend both entrees.
This place has plenty of drinks, plenty of food and plenty of friendliness, just stop in and say hello to Thai food from the menu! Enjoy!
Written 2 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Spencer M
New York City107 contributions
Jul 2021 • none
Don't let the slightly dingy decor discourage you from eating at OBAO because there is some really solid thai food here. My table ordered the pad thai, massaman curry, and chinese broccoli. I thought the meat in the curry was a little cry (which is odd for on-bone meat). The pad thai is different than some of the other pad thais I've had (the noodles are much thinner). However, I enjoyed the change.
Written 20 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
houstoncruzr
Houston282 contributions
May 2022 • family
Amazing dinner. Totally unexpected. We enjoyed so many wonderful dishes this evening. We got a table in the back for five people. The best dishes were: pad kee mao,
Short rib massaman curry (made with sweet potatoes), Sambal spiced calamari, Vietnamese chicken wings, crispy pork belly Chinese broccoli, and Spare ribs with honey tamarind glaze. We would definitely go back!
Written 27 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Coco L
Hong Kong307 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
We visited OBAO on a recent Saturday afternoon and very much enjoyed dining there.
The restaurant got filled up quite quickly, so if you want to have a good spot and try their signature dishes, it might be a good idea to go there before the big crowd arrives. (We were there at 12:30)
As someone from Asia, I found food at OBAO surprisingly tasty. Really appreciate all the vegetarian options. Reasonable price and nice setting. Staffs were friendly and attentive. We would visit again!
Written 10 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JandJMiller
Valley Stream1026 contributions
Feb 2022 • couples
First time dining here and it was delicious. We had the Bun Bo Hue, Khao Soi with crispy duck confit and the Vietnamese Pork Chops. The portions were large so we had enough to take home for another meal. The Pho’s were distinctly different and so flavorful. The pork chops were tender you didn’t need a knife. The server was so sweet and accommodating. We didn’t have drinks but the cocktail menu looked great. The decor is very comfy. I would highly recommend Obae.
Written 21 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
totuccio83
288 contributions
Dec 2021 • none
A good Vietnamese cuisine experience, in a very crowded place. The menu offers plenty of dishes, we tried four and they were good (I would not say very good, just "good"). Probably too much crowded to offer the best cuisine.
Written 30 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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