4. Restaurants

Arun Thai Restaurant

385 Bel Marin Keys Blvd, Novato, CA, 94949
  • (415) 883-8017
  • Store is closed

Arun Thai Restaurant Menu

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  • Yen L.

    Aruns Thai Restaurant, probably the best Thai restaurant by far in Marin county. I've tried most Thai restaurants in Marin County and this restaurant stuck out the most. I've been coming here since the grand opening when a friend recommended me to it. The location is in Bel Marin Keys. The parking is hard to get sometimes but you could always park on the streets. The atmosphere is very calming with some light jazz. The staff are wonderful, mostly Mona she makes sure that every customer gets the service they need. My favorite dish would be the Drunken Noodles and Pumpkin Curry. The appetizers like the Curry Pouches or Eggs Rolls are hot and fresh when they come out. The presentation are beautifully done. There's so much flavor in one dish. So by all means I would say try as many dishes as you can. Try something different because there's a variety of spices in one dish. Pricing is actually pretty decent for the portion that they serve you here. The range about $10-$15 for some of the main dishes. The chef is wonderful man if you ever get to meet him. This business has been opened for less than 5-7 years and it's been my usual Thai restaurant ever since.

    (5)

  • Pete W.

    After patronizing this restaurant for years, my date and I were sadly turned away 30 minutes before closing because "the kitchen was closed", but take out was still available for order. Not sure this made sense, I guess they just didn't want to serve us. It was a far drive and it would be a smart business move if closing hours were updated to 8:30 instead of 9. +3 for all the delicious food in the past, but My Thai II on Grant has better service.

    (3)

  • Natalie M.

    I've been to Arun multiple times and am usually greeted sweetly and with a smile. However, I must have come in on the wrong day. My coworker and I ordered to go and when I arrived to pick up, the woman at the front was EXTREMELY rude. I simply asked that she split my check and apologized for the inconvenience (I did not order the food, or else I would have asked for it to be split when the order was placed). She went on to lecture me about why I needed to tell them before I come that the check should be split and because of how busy they are its a hassle. I am more than willing to do that and I apologized to her twice for needing the split but even after I had apologized and handed her the payment she snatched the card and the money out of my hand! I was really surprised at this point and to stop the attitude she was giving I just said to put half of the cost on the card and half in cash. Still she felt it was necessary to tell me again how much of an inconvenience my transaction would have been. Thanks, got it..... Friendly reminder: I am the customer. I am paying you for a service. How much harm would it be to just ask nicely if, next time, I wouldn't mind splitting our tab when I call in our order? People respond to you better when you treat them with respect and considering you are being paid, it shouldn't be asking too much. Needless to say, I wont be going back to Arun Thai for a while. Its unfortunate because I do like their Spicy Basil Duck.... sigh.

    (2)

  • David M.

    This place rivals some of the better Thai restaurants around the bay area. Definitely the best in Marin. What a gem that you can find in an industrial business area. The service was not as bad as previously described, but definitely something to be desired. Food is still top-notch. This is a place that we frequent often in Novato.

    (5)

  • Cali C.

    Customer service was horrible. I asked what was Vegan on the menu and the woman laughed at me and said, "everything is vegan". I seriously doubt the Chicken Basil is vegan. This is the bay area, vegans are everywhere, show some respect. I'm also not the only employee in my building who has had issues with their customer service and refuses to eat there now.

    (1)

  • Joanna F.

    I got shocked by this restaurant, cant imagine this restaurant can make any money.They have no respects to the customers and very rude, I am not pay money see her aggressive face to tell us how to order food. If you want eat in this restaurant, be ready not to ask them any questions about anything, or you will get a heart attack by them.

    (1)

  • corina f.

    Love the food here and the waiters are very welcoming! Edwin was very nice and made sure we are very comfortable

    (5)

  • cheryl F.

    I have been to Arun so many times and the food and the service has been just wonderful. The restaurant is very nice and maybe not the best place to bring small busy children. I actually crave the pumpkin prawn dish but so many of their dishes are wonderful. I think they also make the best Thai tea. It's not to sweet. Thank you ARUN for such great experiences!! I highly recommend this restaurant!!

    (5)

  • Laura J.

    I believe previous YELP reviews have not done this restaurant the justice it so greatly deserves. My daughter and I (despite mean reviews) decided to visit for lunch yesterday. Not only was the food AMAZING, DELICIOUS, COLORFUL, FRESH, PERFECTLY BLENDED.....but the owner and his wife and their staff were kind, peaceful, and accommodating. We LOVED the food so much that we returned again for lunch today and brought my husband! I can't believe this little neighborhood gem has been right under my nose yet this is my first experience of their wondrous food! The exterior and location in a business park should not deter you. The interior is beautifully decorated and extremely clean. They play 50's jazz lightly in the background. At night they change to beautifully folded linens on the tables. I am so pleased to have found this restaurant in my town! I can't wait to share this with all of my friends.

    (5)

  • Victoria J.

    We came here on a Friday for lunch! It was pretty busy, but at 12:20 we were able to be seated right away and there were still tables available. The clientele is a bit older and not too ethnically diverse, but people seemed to be enjoying their food. The service was friendly, albeit a bit brusk, and able to guide us to what to order. We got the mango salad, which was on the specials, pumpkin curry, and the drunken noodles. The mango salad was excellent and I loved the limey dressing. The grilled shrimp that came with it was also delicious. Our pumpkin curry came out next and the sauce was really well balanced, nicely flavored, and rich. I've had many curries in my life and this one is definitely up there with the best. Our drunken noodles had to be remade because I guess the chef mixed it up and thought we wanted them very spicy. Normally, we're okay with very spicy food, but the waitress insisted that we try it medium hot for our first time there because it might be too much for us. So the noodles came out a bit later than everything else, but it was okay overall. I'm not too much of a fan of drunken noodles to begin with and I can't say I've ever had any that I loved and these ones fit into that same camp, but my boyfriend liked them and they were a nice texture. If I lived in this area I'd visit on a regular basis because the food was solidly prepared with good ingredients and properly balanced.

    (4)

  • Heather G.

    Worlds worst restaurant. DO NOT GO TO THIS PLACE! Unless you like to be yelled at of course? Lol This is by far my worst experience - i got yelled at by the chef for needing him to fix my dish since I ordered no bell peppers due to an allergy. All on my anniversary with my boyfriend, still can't believe the service we had. Never have we returned and will we. And - I did order the dish with no bell pepper !- Arun you have to be insane for thinking it is funny and okay to talk to ANYONE LIKE THAT! You have serious issues, good luck with that!

    (1)

  • Nadine U.

    Ever since my husband and I went to Thailand our addiction to Thai food has become unquenchable. That being said, we are particular about what Thai food we like. We are so thrilled that Arun Thai is in Novato!!! First, the owners Arun and Manni along with their staff are extremely friendly. They truly care about their customers and the food which they serve. Arun, picks the freshest vegetables and meat to make his wonderful dishes...there is not one bad dish on their menu! We love this restaurant and would give them more stars if possible!

    (5)

  • John K.

    Tried it for lunch on a Tuesday, scoping it out for an office holiday dinner. It's in a business park so not the most beautiful exterior. The interior though is warm and inviting. Was reasonably busy with a good amount of to-go traffic due to the office park. Initial salad had too much iceberg lettuce for me and a lot of raw red onion but the dressing was good. Server was very good, making sure I knew the pad Thai had shrimp and peanuts and easily substituted chicken for the shrimp. I loved the seasonal duck salad - large, nice and spicy with lots of duck and great flavor. Pad Thai was fine, I found it a little bland but maybe because I had it after the flavorful duck salad. They can accommodate parties up to 18 in the center of the dining room. Beer and wine only but a pretty robust wine selection for Novato. When I left it was packed.

    (4)

  • Lynn S.

    Wow what an unpleasant experience. So we were about an hour away from home needing a place for dinner. Try to cut out carbs, Thai food seemed like a good option , if u omitted the rice. Found this place on yelp and it says they good for kids, which we have 2 of so yay right? We got seated and at the onset it seemed fine, they had a high chair for my 1 year old and even special cute plates for the kids, so it seemed they were a good choice. We ordered quickly, staff was a bit cold and abrupt. But my husbands food came a good 20 minutes before me and the kids got ours. We have two very active toddlers a 1 year old and a 3 year old and as other parents with little ones would agree, things do get a bit messy as they are still learning to eat and everything, and as parents you do stress about it and the last thing you need is someone pointing this out to you. The manager lady came over to our table and went over to my husband and asked him to please stop throwing the food on the floor because people are walking here. REALLY!!!! I mean we are stressing already and trying our best here. As if we intentionally throwing food on the floor for the heck of it. I think they should rather not allow children at this restaurant. Rather than being uptight about it and making parents feel uncomfortable. But from reading other reviews it seems it may have been the owners wife?

    (1)

  • Stephanie W.

    Although the service has a lot of room for improvement, the food is fantastic. I went for lunch with a party of 9. It was quite a fiasco trying to get seated even though we had a reservation. The restaurant was also quite busy for a Thursday afternoon. The workers were rude and yelling, "I'm not fighting with you!" Other than the rude service, everything else went smoothly and we thoroughly enjoyed our lunches. I had the lunch pumpkin curry ($12). The portions were large. It came with shrimp and kubocha squash. The dishes come automatically medium spicy but I would've preferred it a bit spicier. Delish!

    (4)

  • Sara L.

    To start off, their food is fantastic. Arun chicken is amazing!!! This place is not cheap but worth the amount you pay. I order the same items every time. My family loves the food and never complains if we have leftovers. Our normal cost is just under $80 plus tip. I called today to place a to-go order. I am at home sick with strep throat & bronchitis. Not feeling well and not wanting to contaminate other people with my cooties, I placed my typical order, but to-go instead of dine-in: 2 orders of spring rolls 2 orders of jasmine rice 2 orders of yellow curry chicken 2 orders of Arun chicken The lady on the phone informed me that I could not order the Arun Chicken. I said "Oh no, you guys are sold out!" She then told me "No we are not sold out but will not sell any more for to-go orders". This shocked me and left me a little confused. So I asked for clarification. "So you have Arun chicken available but only to people who are eating there?" She then told me "On Friday & Saturdays we have a full house. We have a limit on what we will sell of Arun chicken for to-go orders because we need it to feed our customers who are here eating." WHAT??? SERIOUSLY??? Because I am sick I am not eating there. I explained to her why and even told her I was contagious and didn't want to get other people sick. She didn't care about this and repeated herself at least 2 more times telling me that "If you want Arun chicken you need to eat here. We do not have any more for to-go orders tonight". I asked her if there was a time cut off when this usually happened. She then told me "You should have called before 6 (I called and it was 6:40 pm). OR call after 7:00... No I mean 8:00. We might have some left then." WHAT??? SERIOUSLY??? I am not happy about this. Apparently my business is better if it is in house and not to-go. I am a paying customer either way and should be able to order items regardless of my choice to dine in or take out. I was actually doing them a favor by not coming into there location with this contagious cold I have. You think that this lady would have understood that and made an exception. She didn't. She really didn't seem to care that I was sick or that I was potentially taking my business elsewhere because of their lack of caring for what a to-go customer wants. That being said, the food here is wonderful. I am very disappointed with this silly rule and hope that they seriously reconsider their approach to to-go and dine-in customers. If I am paying the same price, I should be allowed to order the same items.

    (4)

  • Tyrone V.

    I have visited Arun Thai a couple times since my original review, and counter to that review, the service has improved at Arun Thai, both in terms of friendliness and attentiveness. I am happy to see that, naturally. The restaurant decor looks great and I am glad they serve water immediately instead of waiting until customers ask for it. The drunken noodles is the most impressive dish here. There are still some points that keep my review at three stars. The curry is still soupy in consistency and the Pad Thai remains unremarkable. Also, the prices still run high at this restaurant, even during lunch, which is the most disappointing aspect of Arun Thai. As an aside, it's great to see that the owner actively responds to the restaurant's Yelp reviews, and it's not-so-great to see the condescending tone in which he responds. Take the high road, good sir. Your customer service and restaurant will be the better for it.

    (3)

  • Nick S.

    First time trying Thai food and I must say I'm in love! This place is great, got the Drunken noodles W/ chicken and it was delicious. Perfect amount of sauce, vegetables, flavor and it's affordable too! Definitely be back when I visit Novato again! 4.5 Stars.

    (4)

  • Lisa K.

    I was looking forward to trying this restaurant. Unfortunately, right from the get go, I was disappointed. The hostess was rude and sharp throughout the time I was there. We ordered and the Satay was delicious. Then larb gai which was good but too sweet and too little spice. Phad Thai was VERY sweet and thick with sauce. Shrimp curry was too runny and not how traditional curry is made. It was not the worst Thai I've had but I have had far better. Would not go again and would not recommend.

    (2)

  • Judy Y.

    Let's face it, ethnic food in Novato is pretty meh. Coming from East Bay, I was very skeptical about this Thai restaurant that was supposedly actually good. Compared to My Thai II in downtown Novato, the flavors at Arun Thai are explosive and 10x more satisfying. Pros: Relatively obscure (not too many people know about it) Intense flavors Relaxing, semi-fancy atmosphere Cons: Expensive (relative to My Thai II) Mediocre service Reservations only for large parties All in all, a neighborhood staple for Novato-ers. Not 5 stars bc it's expensive for what it is, considering they know where they compare with other Thai establishments nearby. -former East Bay resident

    (4)

  • Crista D.

    Great food can't make up for rude treatment by the owner. Pro tip, Arun- it's never, ever okay to yell at guests- and it was YOUR mistake.

    (2)

  • Wally W.

    Was here for lunch and the service was fast, very fast - as in, the salad arrived and two minutes later, the main dish arrived. Minus a star for that. I didn't like the fact that my main dish was getting cold while I was still eating the salad. If you like that amount of speedy service, props. Other than the extremely speedy service, the food was very flavorful and tasty. If I'm ever back in that area, I'm definitely coming back! Tip: Get here slightly before noon (if going for lunch) to beat the crowd. It gets *very very* busy. By the time we left, slightly after 12:30, there were many people waiting, some outside!

    (4)

  • Willliam O.

    I've visited with family and friends many times. Drunken noodles are GreaT! Curries are good as well as some of the fish dishes. We have not found anything we don't enjoy. If you like hot food you can find it here...if you like it more mild...ask for less "heat" and in most cases they can accommodate. Occasionally, when very busy, the staff can get a bit stressed, but that is the only thing I can ever find that might be a concern. Overall, a WINNER.

    (5)

  • Yvonne Andy H.

    Great food every time and very friendly peeps ...............

    (5)

  • Bridget J.

    Since moving to Bel Marin Keys last year, we have frequently patronized Arun, most often as to-goers. However, today, we decided to sit down and have lunch there. My wife ordered the Tom Kha soup and then, I ordered the same but with tofu and vegetables in place of chicken. The waitress left our table with a pronounced scowl on her face. Moments later, another waitress appeared, explaining in a condescending voice that for lunch service, the restaurant had a $10 per person minimum. I explained to her that we were already meeting their required minimum as we had each ordered a soup ($11 each). It took a couple of tries to explain this to her but at last, she understood although she made no apology for the unwelcoming attitude with which we were greeted. Although we enjoyed our soup very much, we did not enjoy the spirit of the atmosphere, which was unapologetically look-down-your-nose. After lunch, we approached the manager about our unpleasant experience and she simply said, "I already apologized!" in the most unapologetic way. The owner (or someone claiming to be the owner) overheard our conversation and asked her what the problem was. She spoke to him at length in a foreign language while he faced me, unsmiling. I explained our experience and he just nodded and said, "okay". All I was looking for was a sincere apology but they were unable to deliver that. It's too bad that Arun is so focused on their one-time business model not on their repeat business.

    (2)

  • Lynn G.

    The vegetables are very fresh, and cooked lightly--to perfection. The spice level was exactly as we ordered. Highly recommend! The servers were very kind, food arrived fast.

    (4)

  • Brian L.

    Tried Arun Thai for the first time - NOT HAPPY AT ALL! Food was decent. Service was HORRIBLE! Staff was very unwelcoming and unfriendly. The only time our waitress cracked what looked like a smile was when it was time to pay. I give it 1 star for the mediocre food. If I was to base it on the service alone - negative 2 stars!

    (1)

  • Don D.

    This may be an unfair review. Maybe my companion and I came in at the wrong time, around five in the evening. They seem to cater to local families at that hour. A large family occupied a long table, talked with loud voices and piercing shrieks of laughter. The noisy kids couldn't make themselves heard above the adults and got attention by scooting under tables and crying, loudly of course, bringing on louder adult rebukes. Four young men of junior college age entered and either had unnaturally loud voices or were trying to outdo the family. My companion and I could hardly hear each other. The noise level was constant the entire time we were there. The place has low ceilings with inadequate sound baffles. The food seemed good enough but hardly enjoyable under the circumstances.

    (1)

  • Aug K.

    Dont get why people go to this place or give it such good reviews. The food sucks. The service sucks. The owner is an ass. Check out the comments he leaves in response to poor reviews. Cmon guys. Stop supporting such low class unprofessional places like this

    (1)

  • Michelangelo S.

    Satisfying My Thai Cravings in Novato SITREP Taking the back road to San Francisco from Sacramento has me crossing on HWY 37 North of Vallejo. On my way to HWY 101, I have found Arun Thai to be an absolutely delightful stop along the way to satisfy my Thai Cravings (if I can't hold out and make it to Bangkok Noodles in Union Square hood). MY HISTORY WITH THAI CUISINE Sometimes being a culinary creature of habit has it's downfalls, and with delicious "go-to" cuisines, such as Italian and Mexican, not much has changed for me in my diet in the last few decades. But since I've been introduced to Thai cuisine about 7 years ago (the aforementioned Bangkok Noodles), my tastebuds love me even more now! CLUBBIN FOOL Back in the 90s, I began roadtripping to San Francisco from Sacramento to enjoy the music & concert environment there (which I usually find lacking here in Sacramento), and so I would make my midnite-3am PIZZA stop in the North Beach before before heading back over the Bay Bridge back home. SF REGULAR THAI STOPS BY WAY OF COMPARISON However, I've been just as likely now to hit Bangkok Noodles or King of Thai for some take-out for the trip back, and these two wonderful Thai restaurants in particular have SPOILED me on their incredible, yet surprisingly different, tastes from one another, with nuances that are both tasty. So it takes something really special for me to find to be on par with them. Sad to say, I haven't found that yet here in Sacramento, and I've hit areas in the Arden area and the two restaurants on Broadway, etc. etc. NOVATO Yet enter "Arun Thai Restaurant" here in Novato, and I enjoy getting to use my Thai "litmus test" to reviewing this restaurant I have found on the northern curve of HWY 37. LE MENU * Test #1: SPICY COCONUT MILK SOUP. Like my favorite Thai places in SF, Arun Tahi also calls it TOM KHA GAI. At medium spiciness, it's a great choice with rich coconut milk & chicken at only $8; * Test #2: YELLOW CURRY DISH - this one with Shrimp at only $9.50 was outstanding. And I actually like this dish here than any other Thai place I've been whether SF, Sacramento or the Pacific Northwest; and, * Test #3: PAD THAI NOODLES - Also at only $9.50, this is a large plate full of favorite seafood and noodles. This is a dish where prefer to add my own spicy condiments to make it as hot (or not as on this occasion) as I want it. THE LOWDOWN "Arun Thai" was a very nice surprise to find in Novato that I may have missed if I had not Yelped it between Wine-Tasting in Napa while on my way to San Francisco, and it is a stop that will make your taste buds pleasantly explode with so many flavors!

    (5)

  • Brian W.

    Their food is good, their customer service is bad. And....whatever you do DON'T tell them you want something "gluten free". We've done that TWICE and gotten a constant nagging about it....to the point where it spoiled our meal. So we tried orders "to go" and BOTH times got it wrong! I've given up and will NEVER eat there again.

    (2)

  • Sara C.

    Very good Thai food in Novato. Helpful and fast service. Tables fill up quick at lunch time so go early. Also, when you ask for spicy they make it verrry spicy. Really good drunken noodles and spicy thai basil chicken. They also serve perfectly cooked black rice here.

    (4)

  • Moons S.

    Excellent food ,server was a little rude and was rushing us , but food was out very quickly .portions were good enough .overall enjoyed it .

    (5)

  • Coley P.

    Went to Arun tonight after moving my entire family from Chicago to Marin County. I have been going to Arun for almost 2 years for work and have moved for my job. My first stop for me, my wife and my two young daughters was Arun. I have been going for work so I was not sure how it would go with the kids... Well, it was as awesome as it always is. Arun and his wife greeted us as they always do and welcomed us to Marin County! Then came the Yo Gabba Gabba plates for the girls and the crayons... Wow, what a great thing for the kids... Having only come for work I had no idea they did this... What a perfect touch. Not sure where all the negative service reviews are coming from. I have been here 25+ times and never experienced it. I even got an off menu item for the kids suggested by Arun's wife... What a great experience... AGAIN... So... If you want some top notch Thai Food in Marin make the drive if you live by the bridge or in Petaluma or come on over if you are in Novato. This place is 5 stars every time on service, food quality and great beers and wines... We love Arun Thai!

    (5)

  • Karina S.

    The food is good. However the costumer service is awful!!! I now order to go so I don't have to deal with the staff, specially the lady that runs the front. She screams at you and treats you like she is giving you the food for free, and one should be grateful to get it.

    (1)

  • W E.

    We work nearby and order regularly from these people every day. The food isn't amazing or worth what they charge for it, but it's ok if you can't go too far for lunch. Heartburn is a regular here, but our latest experience was the worst! We ate there and after, we adjourned next door to a little pub. After about 30 minutes, a man came out yelling to the patrons where we were about a particular car parked in their plentiful and empty parking lot. I reluctantly claimed ownership and explained I just was there eating. He had no sympathy and forcefully told me to move. I did. The worst part was this restaurant is closed between 3-5pm. This all happened while the restaurant wasn't even open. I don't understand why or even tried asking any questions to the outrageous ambiguity of his requests. I just moved, and I will permanently move on from this business forever.

    (1)

  • J R.

    Quality of food was a disappointment. Ordered Pad Thai (most expensive dish...due to popularity not ingredient cost) meat was sparse, taste was okay at best, it used to be really good here. Ordered spring rolls not only smallest I've ever gotten anywhere there was little bit of filling. A rip at 6.50 too many good Thai restaurants for better price in the area. I am officially a former customer.

    (2)

  • Raina k.

    Worst Thai restaurant I have been to. My chicken was raw!! They said they will make a new one they just re-heated my food. Disgusting. And my friend ordered yellow curry and it was not hot. Waste of money!!

    (1)

  • Mandie H.

    Elevated Thai cuisine. We found this place on Yelp and we weren't dissapointed. Seated in the heart of wine country, these rustic Thai dishes are combined with an elegant atmosphere and presentation. I appreciated how the specials were well paired with a wine suggestion. I began with a cabernet, my husband a pinot grigio. We chose the combination appetizer which included curry balls, spring rolls, chicken satay, and fried shrimp wontons. They were all good but since they were mostly fried vittles it did need something to cut the fat. We then shared the shrimp Tom Kha. Interestingly addictive, but more acidic than I like, with tomatoes in it. Then came the Basil Seafood. The seafood medley included a white fish, shrimp, mussels, and calamari. The calamari was tough, the rest of the seafood cooked perfectly, the shrimp divine. I wouldn't recommend it though. It was mostly one note in terms of flavor. The best part of the meal was the Crab Fried Rice. OMG, to die for, we couldn't quit eating it. Unfortunately, it was a special so it's probably not available all of the time. We chose dishes that were new to us and so this may have been why I was ecstatic about only one. Usually we prefer curry. I want to try the Arun Chicken and their curries next time. Since I live in Montana it'll be a bit til I get to San Fran again....

    (4)

  • Shaina R.

    I would like to start by saying I'm not a huge Thai person but I crave drunken noodles from arun Thai almost every other night. I am totally addicted. The pad Thai is not as good as the drunken noodles just fyi. Good chicken satay. They have really good coconut rice with ice cream. The fried bananas are okay. They are a little bland for me.

    (5)

  • Linn T.

    We went here for a family birthday dinner after I forgot to make reservations at the place we originally wanted to go. It was 7pm on a Friday and it was very busy. But after a 15 min wait, we got our table. The service was great, the food came out quickly and was absolutely amazing. With 2 vegans in the group, there were plenty of options for everyone. All dishes were equally delish! Will def go back again soon and try other stuff!

    (5)

  • marie b.

    First time here, and the food is good! It definitely won't be our last time with food this good. Got here around 1215 for lunch, and the restaurant was very full. We got the red curry pumpkin and basil chicken. YUM! Service is very efficient and quick. We got our food quickly and water refilled promptly. The waitresses work very hard and are rushing constantly. Reminds me of how I look at my job!!

    (4)

  • Brian Z.

    Very good! Three of us went there for lunch around 12:20 and were seated quickly. The food came out fast and was hot and delicious. The drunken noodles with chicken was delicious and was a huge serving. Service was quick and efficient. I'd go back in a flash!

    (4)

  • Java Z.

    My favorite Thai place in Novato. Disappointed to have no Thai script on the menu, but some of the staff speak Thai so we were able to figure out what the dishes were. It is slightly Thai fusion, but well-executed. Busy at lunch - every seat was taken at Tuesday at 1145. Will return often!

    (4)

  • A.J. S.

    By far the best Thai Restaurant in Marin and arguably the Bay Area! The food here is by far the freshest and best tasting Thai food I have ever had. I have been going here for years now and the food, quality, and service is always top notch. The owners are so great and they always take great care of me and my family every time we come in. I would highly recommend Arun Thai if you have not been. You will not be disappointed. The Arun Chicken and the BBQ pork are some of my favorites along with the thai basil curry, and you have to get the lemongrass chicken salad.

    (5)

  • Gaye P.

    Ate here after being gone for 3 months. Ordered my usual, pumpkin curry. The squash tasted like it was about to go bad and left a bad taste in my mouth. I ate the shrimp and rice and left the squash off to the side. When I told the waitress she said, "I'll tell them." I watched her and she did nothing, but bring us our bill. So $12 for a crappy lunch and no, "I'm sorry about that." Probably have to wait a few more months or skip it all together.

    (2)

  • Greta G.

    They are pricey, food is fairly good but very stingy on the seafood components. Yes, several members of the staff are assholes. If I get take out, forget about me adding a tip - that's payback for when I have to deal with them on a dine-in.

    (3)

  • Ashley B.

    Woohoo! This is as good as it gets, hungry people! Have eaten here many, many times, both for lunch and dinner. Service is excellent. I never have to wave a waiter down to fill my water glass :) Food is de-licious: prepared beautifully and with such fresh ingredients. (Yum, my mouth is watering...) Atmosphere is cozy and inviting. It's my go-to Thai restaurant.

    (5)

  • Nancy S.

    The Tom Kha Gai is the BEST I've ever had! It's tangy and spicy and the flavors of the Basil, chicken, mushrooms and onions are so robust! We also ordered the beef special prepared eggplant...it was very tender and flavorful! Fabulous meal and just enough for two to walk away full and completely satisfied!!! Yummy! Even the receipt is appealing with bold print and a tip guide!

    (5)

  • Ryan C.

    So many people comment on the rude nature of the owners. While I did not receive this behavior, I have seen it at other Thai restaurants. I think it is a cultural thing. See the following sign, and it is enforced handicapped or not. yelp.com/biz_photos/won-… I think that the cost of the food is a little on the high side, but credit to them for having a large portion when it hits the table. My go to Pad See Ew w/chicken was good, not great. It was way too sweet for my preference. Actually, everything that hit the table had a rather sweet note to it. My wife was a fan of the food and would go back. I might try the lunch special if the prices are a little lower of if craving any Thai food. Gripe: How do you serve a curry dish for more than $12 and not include a side of rice? Worse yet, you then charge $3 for a single (almost a measured cup) of cooked rice. The profit margin on that is wayyyy toooo high. Give us a break and revise the price of jasmine rice. What did I learn today? Rice commodities market has rice at $470/metric ton or $0.27/lb. $3.00 for a cup of rice. Criminal!

    (3)

  • linda w.

    It is with much sadness that I have to state that I will never eat at this restaurant ever again. The reason being that the lady who owns the restaurant told me never to come back!! This has been my favorite Thai Restaurant in Marin... for years. I have dined here with family members and ordered take out many many times ... absolutely loving the food.. Tonight I came to meet a friend I have not seen for a while,was seated by the owner who was obviously not in the best mood. I was more than delighted to see that lamb chops were back on the menu. This is an item that was taken off the menu and the waiter told me this was just a special for the time being and was I sure that I wanted the lamb chops. After feeling quite clear that my communication had been clear he understood what I wanted, Sadly when the food came the meat was unchewable and when the bus boy came to take the plate away I asked him to tell the waiter and owner that I was not happy with the order, which had barely been touched. He came back with the bill and I was charged $18... I was must upset and went to speak to the waiter and the "chef" came out and said that last time I was not happy with the fried rice. A DISH THAT I NEVER EAT EVER!!!! I returned to my seat in a state of shock that he had spoken to me that way, he said that the waiter came to ask how the meal was and I had said it was ok. That is possible. My friend and I had a lot of catching up to do and I don't believe I had even started my meal when he came. Once I was seated the lady owner came up and told me not to come back again! How is that for treating customers with respect.... not to worry. I WILL NEVER EAT AT THIS RESTAURANT AGAIN. Rudeness is a sign of ignorance!

    (1)

  • Lars S.

    I don't understand a person who says the food is great but they only give one star because they were disappointed with the service. This is maybe the best Thai restaurant I've been to outside of Siam (Thailand, for you people in Rio Linda - only people who listen to Rush Limbaugh will get that one). A good way of judging the quality of a place is of course by how busy it is. Arun is always packed. Their Tom Kha Gai soup is to die for. The service has always been good to great even during peak hours.

    (5)

  • Jacqueline O.

    I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone unless you're craving Thai in Novato and have no other choices don't bother. This spot is below average with nothing special to offer, atmosphere was decent, lunch service subpar, and food was bland. Thankfully my meal was on the business card, I would never pay money to go here. Two stars because it was unimpressive yet tolerable.

    (2)

  • Alexis A.

    One of the better places to eat in Novato. Food is delicious! Golden bamboo is there version of Filipino lumpia (yum). BBQ pork chops and chicken spicy Thai basil were also very good. This place gets packed especially during lunch so I recommend ordering ahead of time

    (4)

  • Ernest S.

    Crazy good authentic Thai food, undoubtably best Thai food in Marin. But the other Yelpers are right on target, super nice staff however the owner's wife works the front counter sets a serious vibe to the evening. We got one smile out of her but otherwise her demeanor could be interpreted as being rude. I think she is just focused on making the restaurant runs correctly, however her realizing that patrons want a smile would serve her well. I wish I could give 4 1/2 stars. It does not deserve only four stars so I'm giving them a fiver, I hope to get two smiles next I'm definitely going back.

    (5)

  • Gail H.

    I ordered their special today which was a crab refried rice. I saw one piece of crab for $15.00. It had no taste. I took 2 bites and pushed it aside. I didn't see the waiter for 15 minutes. He asked me what was wrong. I told him I couldn't eat it. I thought he said he would take it off the bill. Then I got the bill and told him I thought you were going to take it off the bill because I didn't eat it. The manager then came over and said "In the future you need to tell us right away if you don't want something. This is a business and we have to throw it out." What does that mean? That if I had told her right away they wouldn't have thrown it away? I didn't see my waiter for at least 15 minutes. She took it off the bill after bawling me out. I had been there about 5 times before. Their Pad Thai is good but not the other dishes I've tried. I always tip at least 20% if I'm treated right and the food is decent. Is that too much to ask? My friend and I will never go back there so they don't have to worry about me telling them right away. If you want to be treated like this eat at Arun.

    (1)

  • K M.

    There is a trend here in these reviews that are consistent with our experiences over the years. The food is so so but the service is the worst of the worst. I would not recommend this place to anyone because of this reason alone. I concur with other reviews that they even make placing and picking up to go orders extraordinarily unpleasant.

    (1)

  • Robert B.

    OK, I've had thai food all over the country - including in major markets like LA and New York and of course SF. This is hands down the best thai food I've ever had - it's not even close. Every single thing they make tastes tremendous, right down to every vegetable they use - always super fresh - to even the brown rice. Their curries are to die for and I will probably keep craving my favorite dish, drunken noodles, for a long time after leaving the area. They are also very aware of food allergies and very accommodating. The only down side is that the service can get a little spotty when they're busy. We have definitely had to wait a long time for a bill at times. This is really a side effect of how good it is though, and if you get take out, you never have this problem. Can't recommend this highly enough

    (5)

  • Pascal H.

    Great food at a reasonable price. Fun and friendly staff. They have an amazing seasonal crab fried rice (that can serve more than 2).

    (5)

  • Rachel M.

    A friend and I have met here a few times because it's a decent halfway point between our two cities. This restaurant is pretty easily located off the highway - just straight down Bel Marin on the left. The peanut sauce tofu dish (param?) is too sweet for me. The sauce is really thick and, I think, just tastes a lot like heated peanut butter with a hint of savory spices thrown in. The red curry is more my style. I get it with vegetables even though it isn't on the menu. It's not spicy at all, but the spices are flavorful and the coconut milk makes it pretty decadent.

    (3)

  • Leigh F.

    The best authentic Thai food! Wow! The food and service were fantastic! We arrived 30 minutes before close, expecting to order our entrees to go and to have our appetizers there. However, they insisted that we enjoy our meal there and I'm so glad we did. Our food came out quickly and was sooo fresh! Literally, I have nothing to complain about. I only want to hug whoever cooked my meal and the angel who recommend that I get rice with my tom ka gai They had a special appetizer called the golden triangles which consisted of meat in a samosa type of wrap... It's amazing. Hands down. The sauce that comes with it is superb; spicy, tangy.. Mmmmm! I had the tom ka gai soup with chicken and it was honestly the best I've ever had. A lovely server brought me some plain rice that she recommended would make my soup more creamy. Boy, was she right. For years I've been enjoying this soup without rice! From now on, rice and tom ka gai!! This soup bowl is huge by the way, I ordered it along with the pad Thai and couldn't finish 80% of the bowl. Enough to take home for my midnight snack! The pad Thai was on point. I typically gauge a Thai restaurant by their pad Thai, and after trying this place's dish, I now know their amazing. Seriously, I doubt you could ever choose anything bad here/have a less than desirable meal. Ps. I just really loved the woman who recommended the rice. (She has a beautiful, kind smile and has long braids- I hope to get seated in her section next time) She was so friendly, warm and knowledgable about the food they served. She really seemed to take pride where she works, and I can't blame her- if I worked somewhere with half as good as food as here I would be shouting it off rooftops. Bottom line, amazing food and attentive, knowledgeable service.

    (5)

  • Keith M.

    I was skeptical of this place, considering it's hidden in Novato's industrial park. I figured it was geared more towards middle-bar food for the office lunch crowd. But I was wrong! Been here three times, each one fantastic. The curry is flavorful, pad thai is great and the basil chicken is fantastic. Usually I take guests out of Novato when I want to impress them with local restaurants, but I'll be taking them here.

    (4)

  • Kevin B.

    Really healthy and good food. Chef and owner doing a great job. My 2nd time was as good as my first. The curry chicken is excellent. One tip to Arun is try serving your lunch dishes in a bowl. My curry chicken and my guest's that I brought became cold within 3 - 4 minutes. We started eating fast just to enjoy it while it was warm. The plate used was a flat dish. Most thai restaurants serve curry vegetable or chicken, duck in a bowl so it stays warm for 10 minutes. Great time though and great service.

    (4)

  • Molly M.

    These chefs must be straight out of Thailand because this is straight authentic. First and foremost; the decor is beautiful and well put together. Thai chili bouquets and Thai artwork. The ambiance is romantic with dim lights. The man and I were unsure if we were underdressed as this was our first time at this place. However, we were warmly welcomed. We decided to order the pumpkin curry- which was mildly spicy. The sauce should be bottled and sold on the black market because it is a hidden gem. The succulent and soft pieces of pumpkin remind you of thanksgiving in the month of September. We also tried the eggplant and tofu - the gravy was delectable with it's zesty notes. The pad thia was just on point and the epitome of a good pad Thai. Lastly, the staff was friendly and made you feel like you were in their homes.

    (5)

  • Ronni S.

    So, my favorite Thai food restaurant is SEA Thai in Santa Rosa- BUT, this place is a close second! Very fresh food, very tasty, has a good spice to it and it is a nice, clean and friendly place! I go here for lunch on occasion and have been nothing but pleased. I have only had a few curries thus far, but plan on trying many more items!!

    (4)

  • Monica O.

    Don't be fooled by the simple exterior! Surprisingly fresh, crispy shrimp rolls await inside. Just the right spice levels on a basil vegetable stir fry, and an altogether different take on the classic pad thai dish (if possible).

    (5)

  • Jim P.

    Well here it goes...Arun Thai is my FAVORITE THAI RESTAURANT EVER! The food is so perfectly balanced, all of the flavors and textures working in harmony. The ingredients are always fresh and plentiful (aka huge portions)! My favorites are Spicy Thai Basil Chicken and the Po Tak but everything is great. Arun Thai also has a nice wine list and they are very adept at making recommendations on pairings. The decor and ambiance are inviting and warm. Finally I have to say that the staff are excellent, very attentive but not over whelming. Oh and I can't forget to mention that fabulous "Thai Smile". Oh and the owner is a "Car Guy" so it's a double win! Cheers!

    (5)

  • Gilda N.

    I was appalled at the service I recieved when the waitress took out order.. I asked her to not put any garlic in my entree and she yelled at me and shouted that all the food had garlic in it and the sauces were already made up...then I asked her if the entree came with rice and again she yelled at me and said everything here is ala carte.. Then after two questions she yelled you are not ready to order, I will come back..Then I asked her if the basil was the thai basil and she went crazy, of course it is, THIS IS A THAI RESTAURANT!!.. what a horrible waitress...I had never been to this place before, and found the food good, but wow, could not believe I was treated this way!...they need a lesson in customer service....

    (2)

  • Jessica B.

    You can smell the food from the parking lot! Always a good sign. I loved this place. The decor is very modern, pretty, & cozy. A great neighborhood place with a touch of romance. I found it charming without being pretentious. We were greeted and waited on by a very friendly and helpful young man. We ordered the golden triangles for an appetizer. They were ground pork,shrimp,& salmon with some peas & spices wrapped & fried in a pastry dough. Very delicate flavors with some hearty portions. They were filling.Then we got the Arun chicken,which was a half chicken marinated in lemon grass barbecued. My favorite dish was the King Neptune's noodle bowl with seafood. This was an interesting dish. It was a large bowl of Ramen looking noodles with calamari,delicious white fish,shrimps,& muscles in a spicy sauce. Mixed with Thai basil, & some greens, this dish was fantastic! Really great thoughtful Thai food. I appreciate the price point as well. Most dishes were $10-$12 dollars. They had wine pairing & a scale of spiciness 1-10. We got a 4 ,but should have gone for an 8. They had two types of chili sauce to bath your food with if you dare. The service was very good. The waitstaff made sure you liked your food and were be chatty & cordial. Very nice touch Arun Thai, I will be back.

    (5)

  • Sarah C.

    Best Thai restaurant in Marin. My husband and I travel to Thailand and have had the most authentic Thai meals, and Arun Thai does a fabulous job. Everything is fresh and flavorful. Highly recommended. They do get busy, but are always helpful and food is great.

    (5)

  • Lizzie L.

    Great food, but unfortunately rude and unpleasant/unaccommodating service.... . I would much rather support My Thai downtown where the food is great and so is the service.

    (2)

  • Deva A.

    Yes I love the food,exceptional quality of food,nice presentation.They have been consistent too.The owner Arun is a nice guy,I have spoke too.But have the waiters there.They always busy have call all the time refills and even i will have to request them to take my order once i an seated.They other day I was furious about they service,and I tipped less and the wait followed me back to the parking lot and insulted me. For the food and decor i will give five star.For going back to restaurant i will think twice.

    (2)

  • Deems P.

    Arun Thai is a great place. It's family owned and operated and it serves excellent food. It is also very clean. The owners put their heart and soul in the place. They make the best Thai salads I've ever had! Some are only available as specials but the green papaya salad is always available. Delicious!

    (5)

  • Tammy W.

    Excellent Thai food in an unusual location! I loved the flavors in the Curry Puffs and the Calamari. When eaten with the sauces, the dishes are very tasty and satisfying. I can't wait to return and try more dishes!

    (5)

  • Darin H.

    Went there yesterday and everything was really good. Good variety of food prices and reasonable prices. Decent customer service also !!

    (4)

  • Mike C.

    Easily one of the best restaurants in Novato (although that's a pretty low bar), Arun would hold its own in downtown SF. The staff are very attentive and the food is always served very quickly. Arun is consistent ... and consistently good. What more could you want?

    (4)

  • Hong S.

    Arun Thai is one of my favorite places to eat for lunch since I work nearby. I usually order their pineapple fried rice or drunken noodles with thai iced tea. They can get extremely busy during lunch hours, so I'd recommend calling in to order before you leave for lunch.

    (4)

  • Ulrika B.

    Fantastic food - everything I've had here has been delish! Super friendly owners/staff and beautiful interior. Somewhat pricier but worth it in my opinion!

    (5)

  • C A.

    I am a regular customer of Arun Thai. Went there yesterday at 5pm for dinner with friends and family. The server was so inappropriately rude that we had to walk out without ordering. We were rudely told to order appetizers and dinner at the same time and if we had a problem with it to talk to the manager. We understand the policy but please do not be hostile about it. It was such an unwelcoming place - we would never go back. Even the woman at the counter seemed annoyed to welcome customers. I give this place a zero. Ended up at another restaurant closeby where we spent our hard earned money and received excellent service. Thanks to Auroras at Bel Marin Keys.

    (1)

  • Kendra C.

    Absolutely delicious. I crave sneaking over to Bel Marin Keyes just for the Pumpkin curry. My happy pleasure!

    (5)

  • Rene R.

    I would have gave it no stars but the food was good. The service was terrible. Out of a group of 4, all of us felt disrespected and ignored. After 15 minutes of ordering, they let us know that each of us had to spend at least 10 dollars to eat there for lunch. They did not bring us all drinks, they brought out the food announcing it as chicken drunken noodles when it was actually shrimp. The food was good but the service was very terrible. I almost got up and left when it took them an additional 20 minutes just to bring us our check. If you are about good service, do not eat here. If you are about food, then order it to go.

    (1)

  • Mack A.

    really yummy, great quality and pretty good portion size for the money. the red curry and chickey satay are delicious!

    (4)

  • Karthik K.

    Been here a bunch of times after the last review... Most of their food is excellent - though the drunken noodles remain my favorite. If you like spicy food, make sure you get your dish extra spicy at level 4 or 5... You'll definitely get your spice fix.

    (4)

  • Kevin L.

    I think MSG is everywhere. WOW its either too salty, sweet or sour or a combination of everything. First time visiting. Ordered test dishes: Pad Kee Mao or you want to call it "Drunken Noodles" were tough and too wet. The soft tofu was sour, maybe it was bad. Pad Thai - again too wet. Duck curry had good amounts of duck. Some pieces still had cartilages. And soup curry should come in a bowl not on the plate. And lack of curry as well. Appetizer sampler - chicken satay was passable and best thing. the shrimp purse, fried shrimp and spring roll, i had better. Service Excellent, giving it two stars. Any King of Thai location is better, even if they screwed up my crab fried rice once. And if you dare to compare to Lers Ros, forget it. Thank god I have toothbrush set at work. I love Novato for my work and weather. Food...eh...

    (2)

  • Karen C.

    Thai food in an industrial area near 101 North. Stumbled upon it thanks to Yelp reviews for Thai in the North Bay. Living away from SF has meant adapting to mediocre Thai food, so we decided to give it a shot. We tried three dishes: 1. Curry puffs (appetizer) - Okay Mine were light and fluffy, each with a piece of shrimp. His two contained cardamom pods, making them almost inedible. All were a bit oily - maybe the fryer temp wasn't high enough? 2. Duck curry - Great Excellent dish with loads of duck, skin on. Loaded with veggies, pineapple, and tomatoes. We would return for this dish alone. 3. Drunken Noodles - Okay My favorite, Pad Se Eew, wasn't on the menu, so we tried this instead. Had it with chicken. Flavor was good, but the noodles were the thicker wide ones, not the flat wide ones (sorry, don't know what they are called). Anyway, it was a bit chewy because of the noodle type, but otherwise a solid dish. We shared jasmine rice and each had Thai iced tea. The meal came to $50 with tax. There was plenty of food left for lunch the next day.

    (3)

  • Paul D.

    Amazing yellow curry noodles and my server advised me to use chili powder rather than paste to spice it up. Great call! Two meals here now, both times excellent food and service. Highly recommended, especially for lunch!

    (5)

  • Maria M.

    We have to wait for when my husband who cannot do spicy and my kid who is the picky eater are away. Then my youngest kid and I say, "Thai!!" and head here for chicken satay so good we get two orders, the jasmine tea and another dish to split like a curry. I also love the chicken coconut milk soup and whole fish. We love the folks that work here and the decor is pretty and has some interesting cultural items to look at while we are waiting. I have eaten here at least ten times and it has been consistently delicious, timely and pleasant.

    (4)

  • Brandon A.

    Visited again this last week. Always Great!!

    (4)

  • jennifer d.

    We were very regular customers at this restaurant, but will no longer dine here. Arun the owner/chef makes good food, but his wife has mistreated us for the last time. She seems miserable and is rude to customers. Won't spend my hard earned money here anymore.

    (1)

  • Vivian C.

    3.5 STARS Living in the city, I've been to more Thai restaurants than I can count. With that being said, whenever I eat anything Asian in Marin County, I lower my standards since the majority of the population is Caucasian, and the Asian restaurants in here cater to the population by "Americanizing" their menus with items Asians would never dare to order in real Asian restaurants (i.e-sweet&sour___, etc.). Arun Thai is a restaurant I frequent since I work 2 blocks away from it. The staff members are Thai, but they treat me (ASIAN) as a minority since they aren't used to seeing Asians in their restaurants. I have only ever ordered take-out, so I can't say much about their customer service. They serve tea while you wait for your food (sometimes). Their drunken noodles deserve 5 stars. I love how saucy and spicy the noodles are, and they give a good portion of meat and mixed vegetables. Their Thai tea is good--it's pretty hard to mess that up. The reason for my 3.5 is because 1) their "crispy spring rolls" (which I ordered because their credit card min. is $20, for which they had no signs up for) are nothing more than under-crisped Chinese take-out eggrolls served with bottled Thai sweet chili sauce, and 2) their menu is pricey (~$15 for stir fried noodles). They are better than a few other Thai restaurants I've had in Marin, but they are still nothing compared to what I could get in the city for a lower price.

    (3)

  • Vid R.

    This place rocks! Def top 5 thai places I've ever been to. Incredible flavor generous portions spicy if you ask its awesome. They have very good vegetarian options they make their coconut curry it's not canned like all other thai restaurants. The ingredients are super fresh. It would be great if it was all vegetarian but hey can't complain they cater very well to vegetarians and have awesome food and service.

    (5)

  • Alexandre S.

    Arun Thai is a remarkable, local, and surprisingly underrated place. It is a small, colorful gem that brings life to an otherwise monochromatic neighborhood. Though we have dined at the location quite a bit, there is no comparable Thai takeout in the area. By far, the best, most well balanced and flavorful curry I have had finds its home here. The Pumpkin-Prawn curry makes the visit worth it. The rich red curry is layered with various spices such as star anise, and the prawns add a freshness that is much needed in the rich curry. The pumpkin of course, is the star, it is always perfectly cooked with just the right amount of subtle acidity to tie the whole dish together. I know I may sound strange speaking of a simple curry like this, but it is truly remarkable. My recommendation for Arun is simple, call and order the pumpkin curry and the fresh papaya salad right before leaving, once arrived accept the offer for a hot tea and relax for a few minutes before your food is ready (it takes 15-30 minutes depending on wait times and what you order) then enjoy a nice meal at home with family or friends. Kudos Arun for incredible food.

    (5)

  • Israel C.

    Amazing Thai food!!! They have a stellar staff and delicious food! Very vegan friendly and accommodating. They accidentally gave me a red curry instead of green but I didn't mind at all because it was absolutely amazing. They were very apologetic and even gave us free dessert for an extra apology! Amazing drunken noodles too! We will be regulars from now on!

    (5)

  • Greg V.

    Had my birthday dinner here last night and I have to say that this restaurant gets better every time we come here. I get to pick the resto for my birthday and the choice was a no brainer. We love this place. Mango salad, Calamari, Mussaman Lamb, Eggplant/Tofu, Pad Thai and Grilled Salmon. Sounds like a lot but there were four of us and we eat BIG. Let them recommend a wine to match your meal if you want to drink. They really know their stuff and always have some interesting wines. Love Arun Thai.

    (5)

  • Leah I.

    One problem with this otherwise excellent place. The menu online is not valid. There is not a separate lunch menu it's full price all the time. Also if I have kids beware not very kid friendly great for a date night.

    (3)

  • Chico V.

    Great food, super attentive services, good atmosphere - even has cute music. Peaceful and tasty.

    (5)

  • Eric L.

    A nice new place that opened up close to where I work. I remember getting lunch at the Chinese place that was here before Arun, which was kind of worn down in comparison. The new owners did a great job of fixing up the place and making it much classier. I now see 3-4 tables of coworkers every time I have lunch at Arun. Prices are reasonable, their lunch specials come with a salad and cost around 8-10 bucks. Most of the selections I've had were solid, the drunken noodles being my favorite.

    (4)

  • Lena W.

    I've been here several times after discovering it with a friend. The panang curry salmon, pad thai, tom kha gai soup are DELICIOUS. They've even made pad see ew for us even though it's not on the menu. Service is always super friendly and efficient. Go!

    (4)

  • Kasey C.

    If it looks like a strip mall, does it taste like a strip mall? Not in this case. The interior decor is beautiful and you feel like you've walked into another world. The best part? The duck curry is flawless. It's difficult to find good duck, and they serve it here. Boneless, substantial chunks of scrumptious, fatty duck meat fill up the red curry bowl along with pineapple and veggies. Sweet, spicy, tangy. I'm a fan. I was with a large group and can't remember everything people ordered, but everything was good. The staff was really patient with our loud obnoxiousness and graciously welcomed us a second time. This place and the people that work here are charming.

    (4)

  • Brooke W.

    We order from here once a week. I am very picky about my Thai food and I love this place! We always get the Green Curry Chicken (spicy level two), Chicken with Thai Basil, and Red Curry Beef. The Tom Kai soup is fantastic, also the Drunken Noodles. Have only eaten at the restaurant a few times but always very pleasant! Our favorite Thai in Marin!

    (5)

  • Jenny F.

    Looks are deceiving! Pulled to this place and thought about leaving. Pretty much in a commercial business building. The best Thai food I have ever had!!! All 4 of us were extremely impressed.

    (5)

  • Corinne E.

    Four years later and this has become my husband and my favorite local restaurant. There are so many reasons why Arun has become a regular spot for us- the food is always so fresh and delicious (favorites include pumpkin curry, spicy thai basil chicken, neptune noodle bowl, pad thai and the ginger ice cream is such a refreshing way to end a meal). They have seasonal specials that are incredible- the owner will write comments on the seasonal menu stating why he created a particular dish (the mangoes are great this season, he found amazing fresh salmon etc.) and to me, this really shows the integrity of the restaurant. The ambiance is so soothing and such a surprise for it's office park location and the people who own and work in Arun are the friendliest and kindest people. The owner, Arun, and his wife go out of their way to make my husband and I feel welcome... it feels like a friendship. I once came in with a horrible cold to get some takeout and once they heard my hoarse voice, they came out with a huge container of hot ginger tea to soothe my throat. Both the tea and their kindness made me feel so much better. All in all, you can't go wrong- food is amazing and the restaurant is inviting. Anyone who says otherwise must be impossible to please.

    (5)

  • Rachel F.

    Super, super tasty. We had the Larb Gai salad and the Spicy Chicken Basil. Both were delish. The Larb Gai seasonings were a little strong - we couldn't finish the dish. But it was really good. Thai iced tea was also really good. If I were ever in Novato again, I'd go back for sure.

    (4)

  • Tom P.

    I've been going here consistently and it still offers great food however I had to knock it down 1 star due to a couple of reasons: 1. The service is a bit lacking and the waitresses a bit rude. I complained that my larb gai was burned and the waitress refuse to believe me but did allow me to order something else. Later on, the chef came out and apologized that concurred that my meal was burned. I have also seen the waitress be rude to others on very minor things. 2. I tried the pad thai and was not impressed. Also I was said that they took out the crab fried rice, which was awesome. I'd order it even though I'm mildly allergic to shell fish.

    (4)

  • Terry B.

    Just went there because it's next door to my place of business. Since he food was good I have had lunch there at least a dozen times. Today I decided to pick up some spring rolls... And because I had no cash and wanted to pay with my debit card, they refused because the minimum purchase to use a card is $10. This was not posted. Horrible customer service, not going there again even if it's convenient!

    (1)

  • huey h.

    Love love loveeee this restaurant, been here on/off but I alway want to come here duck curry.

    (5)

  • K C.

    The salad starter is right out of the bag from Safeway. The rice comes cold (not fresh) unless you're lucky enough to come in when it's done cooking. The veggies seems like they are from Costco's frozen veggies bulk section. They won't be cooked well so if you like them like that tell the waiter/waitress because they come country and undercooked. For the price ($9.50+ a plate for lunch) the portions are small. The place is very well decorated and clean though and the wait staff is friendly.

    (1)

  • Jesse B.

    Don't believe the negative reviews. Went here last night, the portions are not small, the staff is not rude, the food is great. End of story.

    (5)

  • G. K.

    The food is good, not great, over rated. The service, watch out! If you question anything they have a beast of a man in the back that will come out and bite your head off. My daughter and I went for lunch to meet our friends. At another table, there were two ladies dining and they had a question or comment about the food and the waitress went to the back and came back with a man and he start yelling very harshly at these ladies, very upsetting when dining out and having to be a captive audience and witness this out of control man standing over the table next to ours and screaming at these two women. The ladies looked stunned and shocked. We kind of lost our appetite the ugly behavior of this man ruined whole nice lunch out with the girls. The poor lady just wanted to know if there was a certain ingredient in the food due to her allergies. This man who appeared to be the chef/owner needs an anger management course and to learn self-control. You just don't treat people that way, especially your customers. In my opinion I did not find the atmosphere conducive to a wonderful experience.

    (1)

  • Liz H.

    Love this place! Was introduced to it this year by a co worker and I'm so glad I tried it. It's also my first experience with Thai food and I am so impressed. My favorite is the cashew prawns and chicken with brown rice. It has this amazing garlic sauce. So so good! They're Thai iced tea is delish! They have good service and they have reasonable prices. You would never know this place was here, it's a hidden gem. The outside look is not very impressive but when you walk in you are in awe of how cute this place is. Nice furniture and art on the walls. Will def. keep coming here time and time again!

    (5)

  • Dave M.

    Yes that's right 5 Stars! The staff is fantastic, the menu is large, the food is fantastic as well! My family and I have been eating there since they opened and we have not had a bad dish yet! If you're looking for great Thai and you don't put this on your must visit, you're going to miss a real treat!

    (5)

  • Kyle B.

    The ambiance was really nice inside the restaurant. Food wasn't bad, but not the best Thai in the bay area. We ordered the basil veggie dish and the duck with basil sauce (we like basil!). As avid Thai foodies, we like our That food spicy, but that wasn't the case here. If you want spice, make sure to let your server know. The service was extremely slow. The servers were very nice, but it took them a while to come take our order. We felt like we had to compete with the large table next to us for some attention and service. Perhaps we weren't tended to because we aren't regulars? Overall, decent food, good atmosphere, but slow service.

    (3)

  • Sara T.

    It is a beautiful restaurant, with a great atmosphere. The wait staff is okay, but they could smile a little more. They are definitely not overly friendly or enthusiastic. The food is fantastic, and the portions are generous. I had the best drunken noodles with tofu I have ever had. The dish was advertised as medium spicy, and that was exactly what I got. Perfect! I feel like I usually get no spice or fire. My husband had the salmon in green curry and a small side cucumber salad. Both were amazing. He also loves the pad Thai. This was one of the best Thai restaurants I have ever been to. I haven't tried the other two in Novato yet, but I haven't found a Thai restaurant in Marin worth going to. My husband and I are so happy to have found it (and you have to look because it really is hidden away). It is worth the drive if you don't live nearby.

    (5)

  • Dannash M.

    We ordered the pumpkin thai curry. This was delicious. A combination of spices that perfectly blend together with a kick. Also tried the drunken noodles with vegetables. If your into noodle dishes, this one is definitely worth trying! The food was really good from Arun Thai. Food was ordered and picked up at the restaurant. The reason for the three star rating. If customer service was good, didn't have to be excellent., but just good. I would of rated Arun Thai a five star. Unfortunately, customer service was a 1 star. I went to pick up the food from the restaurant. The woman on the phone did not acknowledge me, and continued talking on the phone. She finally got off the phone. Then the phone rang, and she decides to take the call and still doesn't say anything to me. I pointed to the boxed up food behind the register. Still no response. She had me waiting for more than 10 minutes. I'll give Arun Thai another chance, just because the food was delicious. Before taking more phone orders, make sure to help customers that are in the restaurant, especially ones standing there for quite a while. It's just common courtesy. :)

    (3)

  • Tony T.

    My new favorite place for lunch! The garlic basil plate is delicious. Location a little off the beaten track, but well worth pulling off 101 (Bel Marin Keys exit) for lunch or dinner.

    (5)

  • Rosanne D.

    Way off the beaten path in an otherwise desolate industrial parking lot, lies Arun Thai. Relying on my Yelp compatriots, I landed in this spot during my desperate attempt to avoid a chain restaurant hell dinner in Novato. I was a bit surprised at the fact that this place was jumpin' considering the odd location. Decor was hip and well done. This place is clean and the service, although a little slow was courteous and enthusiastic--my litmus test. I ordered pad Thai and papaya salad, boring yes, but a true test as far as I am concerned when it comes to a place claiming to be Thai. No disappointment here. The pad thai was SOLID and loaded with large prawns. No skimping here. No wonder why this place off the beaten path was PACKED on a Friday night.

    (4)

  • Ember V.

    This is my favorite thai place in the area! I come here with my family all the time. Their Drunken Noodle is the best! I also really like the thai ice tea and sticky rice dessert. Great food and great service as well!

    (5)

  • Andrey P.

    Most likely the best Thai in Marin. I have eaten at pretty much every Thai place from Sausalito to Novato. Great BBQ, awesome curry. Very important is, its very very clean and good not great service, but better then most.

    (5)

  • Rebecca H.

    I'm a vegetarian, and my favorite dish is a tie between Param Tofu and Pad Thai with Tofu. Both are so delicious, even the next night as leftovers! I keep coming back, been there over a dozen times and it is still amazing each time!! Must go!! The desserts are so fabulous as well!

    (5)

  • Marcel S.

    The first time we went there it was very good. The second time we went, a couple months later, the service was terrible. The waitress ignored us until I had to get up to fetch her. She was also rude. When finished, I had to go to the cashier to pay because the waitress once again ignored us and didn't bring the check. Food is good but service is terrible. Its a shame because the restaurant business it difficult enough as it is. The chef better do something to improve service or he will be looking for work somewhere else. Went back to this restaurant a couple of times since my last review. I must admit the service has improved. Thank you. However, the best Thai restaurant in this area is still Chao Praya.

    (1)

  • Larry Gilbert P.

    I've only dined here once but that that experience was superlative in every way. Artful decor, prompt and friendly service, and the best pad thai I've had in the North Bay. I shall make it a priority to return soon so I can discover more of this skillfully prepared cuisine.

    (5)

  • Sally T.

    FINALLY! an Asian restaurant in Marin that didn't make me want to shoot myself for eating there! Arun Thai is a real gem like some of the other Yelpers have said. It's located in the most random place (within the commerical buildings on bel marin keys) and you can easily drive past it. it's nicely decorated inside and very cozy. We ordered the fried tofu, gai larb, red curry with beef, and spicy thai basil with chicken (extra spicy). Everything was nicely seasoned, just the right amount of spices to let the ingredients come through. my extra spicy thai basil with chicken definitely delivered on the spice and i LOVED it! even tasted better the next day. :) for dessert, we had the fried bananas with coconut ice cream. a nice note to end our awesome meal. definitely coming back!!! the cons about this were the thai iced tea was a little too sweet and they don't deliver. :(

    (5)

  • Bob G.

    Now, these are some good Thai preparations! I usually try the Pad Thai just to be able to judge the quality of a basic Thai dish. Indeed, they do not skimp on the prawns as other reviews state. We indulged on the Papaya salad, Yellow Curry Chicken, the Thai Basil Pork, Sauteed eggplant, Satay, and heaps of veggies from the Farmer's Market, no doubt. Yes, it is off the beaten path in a business district. I imagine the lunch time crowd is too happy to have quality Thai food next door. I've paid a visit both at lunch and at dinner. Each time the joint was b-b-b-busy! Worth the trip.

    (4)

  • rich l.

    Five star rating until my last visit. May return but never again for lunch. Even though have been a regular diner here and have enjoyed the meals and conversation with Arun and Mani. Went with a business associate and waited 25 minutes for our order to be taken - then was treated very rudely. Salads not delivered until main course arrived. I was embarrassed by the treatment we received after raving about the place to my colleague.

    (2)

  • Mina A.

    Firstly I must say that the food was not bad, actually very delicious. I can also tell what Arun Thai is known for, as this was my first time here I didnt know what to expect. They are offering a type of upscale almost modern yet authentic thai fare. I like the choices they had on the menu like Islamic Seasoned Lamb and Kafir lime, Lemongrass and cilantro stuffed chicken. Well done food nothing super crazy good but very good in terms of quality and taste Pad thai had a slightly smokey flavor to it. Price was of course higher like 6 dollars for two scoops of cold white rice seems very high to me. The problem with this restaurant and why I will never go back comes from the costumer service aspect. We arrived a party of four and there was only four tables sat so like ten or more open tables. The waitress that greeted had her hair braided into some kind of crown she looked at us and said" how many?" we told her four and she proceeds to look around then says to wait while they set up a table four us. Five minutes passed and she was helping other tables then comes back to the front and tells us to go sit at a table in the corner." Weird" but ok we go and sit ourselves down then realized there are no menus or utensils. almost ten minutes pass then a different waitress comes to take our order, we inform her we need menus, she says sorry then comes back with our menus she was friendly and apologetic so we thought it would get better but we were so wrong. The first waitress who greeted at the door came to take our order there was no how are you doing? or hello or anything other than " ready to order?". We ordered and that was the last time we saw our waitress for the entire night. The table sitting next to us was also a party of four but you could tell they were regulars because they were talking about how much they loved this dish and that dish. Our waitress was also their waitress and she kept stopping by their table to make small talk and jokes she even offered to serve their food individually to each person! Thats fine we dont need any full service plating, small talk or jokes but a smile couldnt hurt. The food took a while like 25 mins but thats ok some good food just takes time. After the food came out no one came back to see if everything was ok. The only ones to come back to ur table was the busboy who refilled our water 3 times and took our plates once. The Owner or cook who came by our table to see if we were done 20 minutes after our plates were completely empty and the the other waitress who brought us our check when we asked for it. All the while our waitress was stopping by the table next to us and checking up on everyone and laughing and talking was really offensive she completely ignored us completely until we walk out the door then she smiled and said bye. UNbeliveable I dont know if it was because we were not regulars or if even the color of our skin or the way we were dressed after coming from a creek restoration project in Marinwood. I just know I will never go back there are way too many places that have the same prices or less with just as good or better food without the ridiculous treatment.

    (1)

  • Henry M.

    Thai restaurants need to be authentic in seasonings while celebrating great local food sources. Here you find vegetables fresh from the Farmer's Market served with well chosen duck, chicken, beef, pork, and delicious seafood. Portions are quite adequate (unlike most other Thai restaurants) and the service very attentive to your needs. The people are delightful...! Our new favorite Thai restaurant in the North Bay!

    (5)

  • William C.

    The food was fresh and savory. I hardly ever fancy Thai but when I do, and I am in Novato I would look no further. The meals were served with a salad and obviously it was per-prepared but was saved by the delicious dressing that well accented with Thai seasoning. For the appetizer, we had the Golden Bamboo (Ground chicken mixed with fresh Thai herbs served crispy with sweet & sour and spicy ginger dipping sauces). As you may imagine the 'Golden Bamboo' were quite flavorful were prepared. Entrees: Duck Curry and Pumpkin Curry Prawn both meals were delicious were balanced and very fresh. I ordered it extra spicy but it was at best medium. I assume many order spicy and then complain. Understanding their position, I ask the waitress for a spicier sauce and they were quick to provide an extremely tasty well-balanced solution. In short: Worth of a visit!

    (4)

  • Chris H.

    I am not a big fan of Thai food, but there is something about Arun Thai that makes me like Thai food more. I have been here several times and each time the food and service has been excellent. Today I ordered Pad Thai for myself and it was great. I ordered Po Tak Soup for my wife and she loved it. I also ordered her the Eggplant Tofu and she said it was much better than the one she normally gets from a Chinese restaurant. We have always had great meals here and have never had any problems here. Arun Thai gives me hope that I may become a Thai Food fan after all.

    (5)

  • Marie I.

    One of the best Thai food I have ever had. We had the mushroom salad (special) that was enough for two of course. I had the Thai pork chops, to die for. Everything was awesome. Drinks are generously poured. Loved it so much, went back there for lunch the next week. Great service and great place. We all raved about it.

    (5)

  • Jamie Lynn P.

    It's not often that I DON'T want to write a review for fear that too many people will hear about it and then my quaint hole-the-wall will become overrun with other people. That said, I've kept quiet for far too long about this gem in Southern Novato. Easily the best thai food in all of Novato, I must eat at this place at least three times a month (which is saying a lot because I rarely go out to eat). Their prices are reasonable and portions huge, easily enough for a meal and lunch the next day. Using fresh farmers market product makes all the difference at this restaurant, you can TASTE the freshness in the food. Recommendations: Pad See Ew, Pumpkin Prawn Curry, Pineapple Rice (comes with seafood mix, ask for shrimp only but watch out for tails), Green curry, and ANY of their specials.

    (5)

  • Renee L.

    In sharp contrast to almost all of the reviews We were shocked and appalled my the hostility of every one on the staff from the moment we walked in. My son took me here for a birthday dinner with my two young grandchildren six and 2.5. It was ruined by the way the staff treated us. My advice is do not take young children to this restaurant. THEY DO NOT LIKE YOUNG CHILDREN THAT MAKE A MESS UNDER THE TABLE. The owner was rude, hostile, and loud when we finally approached them to ask if there was a problem....YES THE CHILDREN MADE A MESS....THEY EVEN STARTED SWEEPING UNDER THE TABLE WHILE WE WERE EATING. I asked if she could wait until we finished and was told no....with the same harsh look that most of the staff had. I have eaten here several times before, but will no longer patronize this restaurant ......THEY DO NOT LIKE CHILDREN...Funny when you stop and think about it....weren't we all children?

    (1)

  • Alysha K.

    I only ate one thing from here as take-out so I can't comment on too much detail, but the pad thai was very good. It was served with shrimp & fried tofu. The sauce was a good flavor. Eat it in a quick amount of time because the noodles get cold & hard fast. The take out experience was good. I called in an order & it was ready by the time I got there in ~10 minutes. When I picked it up, the restaurant looked clean & nice inside. I would like to come back & dine-in to give a complete review.

    (4)

  • Zach E.

    First time here. Love the ambiance except for these generally unpleasant people who sat next to us. To whomever our server was: you did nothing wrong. Sorry for those terrible people. Red curry with beef was very good.

    (5)

  • Stephanie D.

    This place and the people who work here are WONDERFUL! The bf and I tried this place after finding it on Yelp. We were a little more dressed up than the other people there (although the setting would allow for nicer or more casual dress, whatever you'd prefer). We were seated quickly and offered excellent service. The first time we went was for our anniversary (which is why we were a bit dressed up), and the second time we went we mentioned this and they brought us a complimentary "belated" celebration desert of coconut ice cream over warm rice that was scrumptious and congratulated us and everything. These people are so nice and accommodating! This is my favorite Thai place in the bay area so far (I also enjoyed Osha Thai in SF for comparison). Food: We tried the wine that was recommended (a Malbec that is the most delicious I've ever tasted and can only find at this restaurant). Pumpkin Curry Prawn is my favorite and I'm hard pressed not to order it every time I go. I have difficulty with spicy food (my tolerance is not what I'd like it to be) and so this dish is great for me, just spicy enough with lots of goof flavors. Other: I love the decor! Get reservations if you're going for a holiday evening (we didn't for Valentine's Day and it was quite a wait).

    (5)

  • Remi C.

    It is hit or miss now. when they 1st opened everything was great. The pumpkin curry was my very favorite. The last three times I have ordered it the prawns were rubbery and the sauce was thin and missing something.....flavor! I had the same thing with the chicken dishes, poor quality, frozen tasting meat, The pricing seem to keep going up too. It's super convenient, but no longer my go to for Thai. I am liking Calgang at Northgate better. Great curries and in my opinion better quality.

    (3)

  • linda d.

    I've been here twice and both times the food was stellar. The first time I had the green curry pork. It was creamy and very delicious. The second time I had a special, panang beef. The beef was so tender it almost melted in my mouth. The red sauce was just the right amount of spicy. I will definitely be a regular at this restaurant.

    (5)

  • Jane B.

    I loved this restaurant when it first opened, and gave them 5 stars. But I think the fame has gotten to their heads. They have promptly raised prices, served smaller portions & have not nearly as friendly service. And now they're closed Sundays - bummer.

    (1)

  • Maninderpal M.

    Pad thai veggie is delicious! Excellent customer service! Check this place out

    (5)

  • amy j.

    Everything is wonderful. Chicken satay...yum. Sticky rice and peanut sauce..yum. Literally everything is delicious! This is our new favorite Thai place.

    (5)

  • Grant M.

    The day after my wife and I got home from the hospital with our newborn, we were tired of eating boring hospital food and were dying for Thai. I looked up Arun since it was near my house. The food was great, we got about 5 dishes since we could use the leftovers. We had a yellow and a green curry, Pad See Ew, a Veggie mix and some spring rolls. The spices were great the taste was awesome and we will definitely be return customers. The interior of the restaurant looks great as well. The only thing I thought was a bit off is that they are a little pricey for a Thai restaurant, but I guess beggars can't be choosers.

    (4)

  • yelp j.

    Still the best Thai food around. You can't go wrong at this place when it comes to food, ambience, and service. I have not been to a better Thai place since original review.

    (5)

  • Marie T.

    Arun Thai really serves up flavorful food at reasonable prices. My only regret is that I did not come here sooner. I did not really want to try dining here even though I live in the area. It is tucked away in a strip mall and did not look inviting to me from the outside. When I entered the establishment, I was greeted by the owner who obviously has a hands-on approach to running his restaurant. Arun Thai is very modern and clean which is important to me. The waitstaff was welcoming and patient in answering my questions. I had many because I really do not like hot and spicy food. The dishes were well seasoned and not over seasoned which is a pet peeve of mine. The basil chicken was delicious and I also loved the delicately seasoned jasmine rice. The portions were large and the ingredients were fresh and colorful. My husband and I do not eat much Thai food so we were a little nervous about trying some dishes and the kitchen even let us sample some items. I will definitely come here again and recommend it to my friends. It can be a bit intimidating going to some of the Asian restaurants in San Francisco because we are not familiar with the cuisine and can have a hard time understanding some of the wait staffs' accents in crowded, noisy places. The staff here took their time and explained dishes to us. There was no communication gap that can lead to an unsatisfactory dining experience. We will be back again soon because they whetted our appetite to try some of their seafood dishes and the drunken noodles! Arun Thai is a winner. Unpretentious, tremendous selection of menu items and delightfully tasty!

    (4)

  • Todd F.

    I just went to Arun Thai for the ump teenth time and the food continues to impress me. The grilled calamari is the best I've had since a trip to northern Spain several years back and the green papaya salad is also a treat. My son and his friend had the pad Thai and cleared the plate. I had the red curry, my daughter the yellow and my wife had a seafood salad. My wife liked this salad but said it came with a good dose of heat. Overall I say it's the best in Marin and wait to be proven otherwise. Todd

    (4)

  • Prasanna B.

    This one just amazes me every time I ear here. Little far from my house so I am not a regular at this place. But I have been here 4 times and wasn't disappointed even once. Try angel hair noodles. Moreover, they can make any dish vegetarian on their menu.

    (5)

  • Christopher L.

    I lived in Novato for my entire teenage life, and always hate to go back for various reasons. I was in town for an optometry appointment and decided to just Yelp something. I'm going back right now, for the first time willingly for anything besides a doctor's appt (Novato has REALLY great doctors) for three years for this place. It's that good. It's better then Thai in SF, in Oakland, in San Jose (Where they have some good damn Thai). My wife who'd visited Thailand last year said it was the only Thai food she'd had since that rivaled it. I'm going back, and I'm bringing friends back as often as possible for literally any excuse. That excuse today? I wrote a 5 star Yelp review, I better eat there more.

    (5)

  • Tina A.

    Best Thai food in Marin! We love this Thai place for many reasons-first being the amazing food. Second we love the modern decor and third the people that work here are always great to us. We always order the appetizer platter followed by Thai yellow curry and drunken noodles. I will warn you the drunken noodle dish is VERY spicy as is so don't ask for additional spice because you will likely not be able to stand it. This has happened to us couple times and we feel bad since we like the staff to send it back to the kitchen. The Thai iced teas are also the best and come in a large tall glass. I will agree sometimes the service can be slow (hence why I gave four stars) and the last time we ate here it took them about 15 minutes just to give us water but overall this is hands down the best, tastiest and nicest Thai restaurant in Marin!! I highly highly recommend it!!!

    (4)

  • Tran N.

    One of my favorite Thai restaurants. Never had a bad dish... Service is ok.

    (4)

  • Reyna M.

    Delish! I called in to order take-out for dinner with my bf. He had not had Thai food and I wanted him to try the best. We ordered the drunken noodles with beef, the thai fried rice with chicken and an order of spring rolls. Sooooo good. He wants to try more of the dishes on the menu. Parking is available and the staff is friendly. I will definitely make the drive back to try more of the offereings at Arun Thai!

    (5)

  • Pieter D.

    Loved it. We went as a delayed bday dinner for me. It was wonderful. Freakin' delicious food, great service and a typical but nice Thai restaurant atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Claire C.

    This place makes the best Thai food I have ever had. My roommate and I are big Thai food fans, and we both agree this place is tops. The pumpkin curry is my favorite, but I have explored the menu and literally have loved everything. I just wish they delivered!

    (5)

  • Terry S.

    Top notch service and the most delicious food! I just had my fourth meal at Arun Thai and it gets better every time. Last night I enjoyed a truly delicious wine pairing with one of the special entrees. Absolutely yummy! Make sure you try the Peanut Sauce!

    (5)

  • Sopla R.

    Had to write a note about this place. We were in Novato and a local turned us on to this place. (He was spot on!) It was my s.o. bday and since we were traveling, we just wanted something nearby. It was January so it was chilly and rainy and dark out and we barely found it but so glad we did! The food was authentic and just the right amount of sweet sour salty. (which is exactly what Thai food is all about) Decor was nice and service friendly and accommodating. If we are ever in the area again, we'll surely go back!!

    (4)

  • Ryan T.

    My girlfriend and I are staying in Novato for a couple of weeks and we tried this restaurant not knowing anything about the area. I had the Panang beef and my girlfriend had the Drunken Noodle. Both were delicious plates and weren't very pricey. The atmosphere was very nice and eloquent. What made Arun Thai awesome was that when my girlfriend realized there were eggs in her Drunken Noodle (she cannot STAND eggs), the waitress politely explained that all Drunken Noodle dishes always have eggs in them (as do many other thai dishes) and gave her another dish without making us feel any more miserable than we already did for wasting a dish. The waitress even put it in a to go box for me to eat and did not charge us for it. Excellent customer service!!! (PS would definitely recommend the drunken noodle, yummy)

    (4)

  • Uland W.

    Now that I have a good relationship with their menu, I can be fair to yelp 5 stars. Where else in Novato will you get good Thai food with friendly service? Everytime I come here the staff is quite friendly and the food doesn't disappoint my hungry stomach. The hours of service is limited, but I don't expect it to open as late as the city. Great job Arun Thai, you have me coming back for more.

    (5)

  • Joanna M.

    Tom Khu Ga soup (i'm sure I spelled this wrong) is A-mazing. More on the brothy side versus thick and gelatinous at another Novato Thai restaurant. Just enough of a spice to feel it, but not enough to make you drink a gallon of water. This place is always busy. Give yourself time to get a table or call ahead.

    (4)

  • Tiff O.

    delicious curry dishes and mouth watering desserts. i love their angel hair curry with shrimp. it comes in a mild yellow curry that has just enough kick. i've also had their pumpkin curry which is pretty good. their coconut sticky rice and fried banana desserts are delicious! it has a very nice interior and excellent service. the exterior is deceiving. nice little date spot.

    (5)

  • nancy h.

    I did take out and everyone enjoyed it, we had the pumpkin curry prawns, Pad thai, mixed veggies and it was delicious! The dinning room looked lovely so I would go back to enjoy dining there in the future.

    (5)

  • K O.

    Ordered take out several times based upon other reviews. Every dish has been very good so far... Pad Thai, Drunken noodles, Pumpkin Curry, Fried Rice. Can't wait to try some more!

    (4)

  • C M.

    Moving to Novato from SF, my boyfriend and I were so grateful to have found this place tonight. The food tasted so fresh, I was happy that their vegetables had so much innate flavor. Great preparation on the green curry salmon, the fish was cooked perfectly. We also loved the brown rice, which I think might have been forbidden rice, I'm not sure, but it was delicious. We also had the thai basil chicken which was loaded with veggies, balanced in flavor and a good crowd pleaser. Good local wine selection. Nice portion size. Great fresh food. Excellent, kind service.

    (5)

  • Stephanie V.

    We had a large party there for a family dinner. All of the food was delicious and hot. Service was fantastic. Wine recommendation for a particular dish was dead on. Prices are good, too. Highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Nakul V.

    We have been here several times and have carried out several times. The food is excellent and service is usually excellent. If we want Thai food in Marin, we don't bother going anywhere else. It's rather busy at lunchtime though.

    (5)

  • Tiger T.

    Whoa. Seriously good Thai. Thank you, Yelp. We never would have found this place by accident, but dropped in for an early dinner because of the reviews. As it turns out, it was perfect. We arrived just after 5pm with our 6 month old and had a fantastic meal with the other families dining with small children. We started with the lemongrass mussels special and it tipped us off that we were in for something extraordinary. Our entrees did not disappoint. The tamarind fish was both unique and delicious, possibly the best dish we've had at a thai restaurant. The ginger vegetables were a nice pairing. When "kids hour" was over this Saturday night, it was obvious that the restaurant has a strong following. It was packed by 6:30 and there were plenty waiting for a table. We'll be back, we'll bring the baby, and we'll come early.

    (5)

  • Chris S.

    Thank goodness! Finally - quality Thai food in Novato! Arun's service and food never disappoint me! I have brought visiting clients who rave that this is the best Thai food they have ever had! Despite it's "off the beaten track" location - for a wonderful meal out in Novato - this is a favorite!

    (4)

  • Ryan G.

    I love thai food. Decided to try this restaurant based on the reviews here. I was not disappointed. Pros: Great satay. Great yellow curry chicken (girlfriend can't do spicy). Great extra spicy Thai Basil Pork. Service was on point, glass never was empty, plates were cleared quickly, food came out in a timely manner. Waitress was very nice and helpful. Portions were a good size, I ordered too much to take some home. Cons: My two year old didn't really like thai food, was her first experience. Other then that, nothing. Overall: I will be going here on a regular basis. I live close by and am very excited to have a decent thai restaurant near.

    (5)

  • J H.

    The food continues to be awesome and the service can't be better! My husband and I ordered the Tom Kha soup as an appetizer. It was wonderful, but a different color than the one my husband makes. I mentioned it and the server said it might be because of their homemade chili paste. Then, the chef came out to talk a little more about their recipe and how we might improve ours. This was really above and beyond! Not only is the food consistently delicious, the service is absolutely wonderful and friendly!

    (5)

  • Michael C.

    Arun has rib eye steak on the menu which I ordered for my son. When ordering dinner, I asked that the vegetables which come with the dinner be replaced by steamed rice - a simple request. The waitress said she could not do that. I asked again and was told that the chef does not like to prepare the meal that way. She explained that if wanted rice I would have to order and pay for it separately. If I understood her correctly, they wanted to give my son vegetables he would not eat and then give him rice on the side for which they wanted us to pay for. Wasting food and raising the cost of a dinner needlessly is poor customer service and I will not be going back - there are many other Thai places in the area.

    (1)

  • eve k.

    This place is a real gem. The service was great and the wine and food are moderately priced. I ordered: Green Papaya Salad with Prawns - The prawns were perfectly seasoned and the Papaya was good. Green Curry with Tofu and Brown Rice - All of the vegetables were very fresh, the tofu was delicious and the curry was just right. Drunken Noodle with Chicken - Nice and spicy with fresh vegetables. It was a large portion and my leftover made for a great lunch the next day. I would go back in a heartbeat.

    (4)

  • Alfred S.

    I am really happy to have Arun Thai near my work. The only thing better than the food is the great people that work there. I am Pescitarian, so my two favorites are Green Papaya with Shrimp and the Spicy Basil Thai Seafood with Brown Rice. Time for lunch ;-) aL

    (5)

  • Andy D.

    The best Thai restaurant in marin area! Me and my wife are frequent customers of this place that the owner even know my name and my favorite dish (drunken noodle). If you are ever in the bel marin key area be sure to try this place out! Friendly owners, great dining atmosphere, and most important GREAT FOOD!

    (5)

  • Marina A.

    The food, service, and atmosphere at Arun Thai is consistently impressive. Everything I've had there is delicious- the soup, the noodles, the curry, the desserts. I've been there about 5 times and never had a bad experience, they've got it down. Love this place!

    (5)

  • Joanna I.

    I love Arun Thai. This is one of my favorite Thai restaurants in the Bay Area. I have dined at Thep Phenom in the lower Haight in SF, Lotus Thai in San Rafael, and Sea Thai in Petaluma. They are all good, but Arun Thai is thrilling. Their menu is essential and organised easily and it motivates me to come out of my way to eat lunch sometimes. The green curry is wonderful. The Thai Lamb is also delicious and so is the Chicken Satay. Today I had the Spicy Basil Chicken and it was seasoned delectably. You cannot go wrong with this place. It can sometimes be packed at lunch, so give yourself a little time if you need to be back in the office at a certain time. However even if it is busy, Mani will take your order, get the ktichen started, and seat you so that when your food is ready, so is your table. Also the decor has a lovely warmth to it, brown, sage green, orange. It is elegant, earthy, clean and not overpriced. Wish you were in Petaluma.

    (5)

  • A H.

    I absolutely adored the food at this establishment. I was with a large group so I got to try numerous things all of which were amazing. I am extremely picky about my Thai food! Some of the highlights were the complimentary green salad (of all things!!!) the dressing was just divine, hints of white pepper and some secret magic ingredients. Also worth mentioning are the curry "purses" appetizer, the pumpkin curry, yellow chicken curry and fried tofu. The ambiance was classy and clean and they even provided playful YoGabba kid plates for my little ones - kudos for that! The desserts were amazing, we had the trio of ice cream and the mango with sticky rice. Of course their ice cream is Mitchell's brand (you know I had to ask) and I love that they have all three flavors: coconut, Thai tea and mango. Yum, I can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Marcus J.

    Very good Thai food. I am very happy these folks have started in Novato. The interior setting is very nice. So, don't be dissuaded when you drive up to a business park looking exterior. Go in. The pumpkin chicken curry was so fresh and tasty! The larb was very nice. The different flavors (thai peppers, mint, etc) were more nicely highlighted that I usually experience. There is actually a wine list with a number of very nice wines. They even make pairing suggestions with dishes. I did not recall experiencing thisin local Asian restaurants, even with good cuisine (not talking about fusion here). The servers are so very pleasant and gracious. This place deserves to have great success!

    (4)

  • Peachie Y.

    Excellent Thai food in Novato, must try the pumpkin curry prawn! The complimentary salad is delicious too with its dressing. Service was quite polite and attentive. Venue is nice, airy, and clean. This is not at all the traditional thai food but I like the twist of fusion they put in the taste and design. Not bad for fusion thai cuisine.

    (5)

  • Adriana L.

    This restaurant is what makes me miss living in Novato! I absolutely love this place...probably the best Thai I've tried besides Basil Cha Cha in San Mateo. It's a beautiful restaurant, very nice for a quiet intimate dinner. Dishes I recommend are the Pumpkin Curry, Pad Thai, BBQ Pork, Drunken Noodle...and finish all of it off with the mango sticky rice dessert or a scoop of coconut ice cream. YUM!!

    (5)

  • Sascha O.

    Looking at Yelp, this pretty much seemed to be THE place to go for Thai food. So when I was craving Thai food, my husband suggested we try here. I actually think Arawan in Sausalito beats this place by a hair in terms of how delish the food is... but Arun definitely is pretty darn awesome. Thai iced tea... love that it's not TOO overtly sweet Som Tum... spicy citrusy goodness with sweet grilled shrimp on top... green papaya and hot pepper are jam packed with vitamin C and good for you stuff... what's not to love? Pad Thai... sweeter and saucier than some I've tried elsewhere. Like it quite a bit. Fried rice... was kind of bland IMO... this, Arawan in Sausalito wins for sure. Grilled lamb... peppery flavorful juicy pieces of lamb... seems to hit the spot for my husband. What I love about Arun, aside from overall delicious food, is their ambiance and hospitality. The restaurant is low lit, romantic with nice drapes and interesting exotic statues, flowers etc. You don't find a fancy good Thai place too often but this is one of those places that would be good for a special occasion. Also the ladies working here are so sweet and friendly. They are welcoming, they check in on you without being nosy or pestering, and they are willing to talk about their menu... When my husband said he really liked the lamb, the waitress that was serving our table said that that is a very popular menu here, and explained how they marinade the lamb overnight, and how it often sells out. I really appreciate it when the staff at a restaurant has good social skills and manners and are knowledgeable not only with the kind of cuisine they offer, but how they are prepared. Very happy to know that there is a place like Arun close to our neighborhood. I definitely recommend this venue to everyone.

    (4)

  • Leha C.

    We went to Arun tonight based on others' reviews here, and I'm glad we did! I have to admit, after having worked for years in a corporate environment that involved an awful lot of Thai restaurant lunches, I got pretty tired of Thai food for awhile there, but Arun might just have restored my faith. This is gourmet Thai. They have their own way of doing things, and it is the right way. They also listen to special requests and honor them. If you have food issues (allergies, politics--whatever), expect to be heard and respected here. Customer service was super; we were checked on several times. Atmosphere was pleasant. Food, as I said, was amazingly good. Thank you, Arun and Mani (hope I spelled that right). We shall return...

    (5)

  • Stephanie M.

    Wonderful! Had my first lunch there today. It was perfect. Loved the coconut soup. Really reasonable prices, esp. if you share!

    (5)

  • Ryan G.

    3 words: chicken drunken noodles

    (5)

  • M T.

    Every time I come here I am greeted warmly by the staff. Food delivery, execution, and conclusion are top notch. Standouts: The fresh, farmer's market vegetables are cooked spectacularly well! Normally I wouldn't care if it's from the Farmer's Market or the moon, but they Arun's chefs are just outstanding. I think this is the best Thai in the Bay. Cheers!

    (5)

  • Jean H.

    EXCELLENT! Can't wait to go back. Going to make this one of my favorite restaurants. And I am not easily pleased!

    (5)

  • Ahna P.

    L-O-V-E, love.... I was smitten as soon as I walked in. The decor is adorable! they have put A LOT of elbow grease and $$ to transform this place from the previous bones. It really is charming inside...promise! As for the food-equally as good. The menu is a limited selection compared to other Thai places I've been too. But they seem to have covered the "usual" items and they have a good offering of daily specials. We had: Daily special app-shrimp roll basil chicken pad thai veggie param The basil chicken was more of a stir fry vs minced that I've had before. It was spicy and fresh. Overall-the food was all crisp, fresh, plentiful, well priced...all around yum. We picked up a "to go" menu as we left dinner. I hope they offer some great lunch specials, I really want them to make it.

    (5)

  • Kitty C.

    I love their Eggplant Tofu. Its cooked so well, and the sauce is so tasty. Also, everyone should try their brown rice. Its so unique, they make it with a little sticky rice too- so its thick, and delicious! You can get the side of rice with any dish. Every time its great, and the people are always so nice!

    (5)

  • Toan H.

    The place is a little hard to find because it is disguised among the office buildings in the area. When I drove here, I really did not expect there to be a restaurant in this area. The place is located right next to a real estate agency. I ate here twice while I was working in the area. I cannot comment much on the dine in as in both instances, I ordered my food to go. On my first visit, I ordered the tom yum goong soup and the spicy thai basil. The thai basil was good, but I found the soup to be a little bland. To me, i like Tom yum soup to be sour and spicy and I found it lacking in both. The second time, I decided to try the calamari and the larb gai. Both of the dishes were good. The people here are friendly and made me feel right at home, the waitress even brought me out a cup of coffee while I waited for my food.

    (3)

  • Erik W.

    Nice new restaurant with comfortable interior, run by friendly young couple Arun and Mani. This has quickly become one of our favorite local places to eat and take-out. We moved to Novato from San Francisco a few years ago and are always looking for good food, which can be challenging to come by in suburbia. Arun Thai has unique dishes that make it stand out among other Thai restaurants. I find myself craving items specific to its menu that just aren't the same or don't exist elsewhere. The Islamic Lamb BBQ is wonderful. The BBQ pork is similar to the kind you would find at a Vietnamese place. We also love the Drunken Noodles. Pumpkin Curry is awesome, as is the curry over noodles. Even standards like the Pad Thai seem to have new life here. We still have to work through more of the menu!

    (5)

  • Amelia M.

    Love this place! Good food, clean environment and great service, definitely coming back for more!

    (4)

  • Kyle H.

    We've only had the Yellow Chicken Curry as take out, but it is wonderful. We've had it 10 or so times and look forward to Arun Thai night at home. I prefer it with white rice, and I love that I can specify how spicy. Very fresh tasting vegetables and great chicken. The staff is extremely friendly. Looking forward to dine-in sometime and trying some more menu options.

    (5)

  • Caleb H.

    Best Thai food I have found in the North Bay. Unfortunately, I think the place is in a pretty poor location, hidden off the freeway, and I think it shares a building with a real estate company and a bunch of garages. That being said, there does seem to be constant customers. Parking is easy, it has a decent sized lot and plenty of street parking. Due to the location and look of the building, when I first went in I wasn't expecting much, but the restaurant is nicely decorated and the service was excellent. Don't judge a book... I've only ordered takeout but I'm still very impressed with how the staff treats their customers. The few times I've been I requested Pad See Ew, something not on the menu and they made it for me without a problem, they had no problem preparing dishes vegi or vegan. They listen when I requested my curry extra spicy and the Tom Yum soup is some of the best I had. Overall the food has been consistent, tasty, and reasonably priced. But sometimes what makes restaurants great is the little things they do, on my second trip I ordered the food, declined their free tea, and went to make a phone call in my car. It was raining and I was parked pretty far from the entrance. I lost track of time and about 15 minutes later got a knock on my window. My host, who was pretty wet from the rain, had came out of the restaurant, went down the line of cars to find me, to let me know my food was done. It's a pretty packed night, it's raining, and he didn't know where I was parked. Arun Thai, I will be back... again and again.

    (4)

  • Stacey M.

    The food is out-of-control good. The staff is darling, friendly, attentive and they love what they do (create magic with food) and it shows. The prices are fair. The interior is clean, calm & surprisingly tasteful. Bottom line: I CANNOT WAIT TO GO AGAIN! Our waitress raved about their famous "Thai BBQ'ed lamb chops!?" You know what I'll be trying next!

    (5)

  • John N.

    Went here for lunch on recommendation from a local. I was pleasantly surprised considering the establishment was in an industrial park.I guess the best places are the one's that are hardest to find? Had drunken noodle combo and Thai iced tea. Large enough portion to take 1/2 home. Even better 2nd time around! I'll be back next time I'm around Novato and looking for a good meal.

    (4)

  • rusell l.

    Love-Love_LOVE this place the green curry is amazing, the wine is fantastic, the owner will pair any dish you want with a great wine. The leek pancakes to start-fan-f*ing-tastic I want to move in and live there I heart this place

    (5)

  • sheryl b.

    I had a great experience here. Both owners-a husband & wife team, made us feel very comfortable with their friendly easy-going style. The food was wonderful-a true gastronomical experience. I will definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Zane T.

    it's around the block from my house. nothing too great, and nothing too bad. eh... it's whatevers.

    (3)

  • Keith L.

    Food was fair with not a ton of taste. Maybe good Thai for Novato, CA.

    (3)

  • Pook M.

    I had a really pleasant dining experience in this restaurant last night. The decor is gorgeous. Nay, GORGEOUS! The servers were all very, very polite, and quick to refill our water glasses, ask if we needed anything, else. The food came out very quickly. All of the ingredients tasted fresh. We were very happy to know that they can make vegetable dishes vegan by eliminating fish sauce, etc. We had the yellow curry, which was packed with zucchini, carrots, huge chunks of potato and perfectly cooked green beans. It didn't taste like a coconut based curry, judging by the thinner broth. It was still delicious, just not as rich as what I'm used to. The basil eggplant tofu was quite good as well, with barely blanched green beans that added a nice crunch and contrast to the melt in your mouth Japanese eggplant.

    (4)

  • Bill K.

    Great Thai food. REPEAT: GREAT THAI FOOD

    (5)

  • Cate H.

    Good Thai is hard to come by in Novato, but just when we had given up, my husband and I discovered Arun Thai. It doesn't look like much on the outside, however it is quite lovely inside. I love the pad kee mow and the spicy Thai basil. My husband also really likes the yellow curry. The food here is consistently delicious! So why not give them a try?

    (5)

  • William H.

    This place is a hidden treasure. The atmosphere is really classy, but the prices are average for Thai. The Drunken Noodles were amazing and the Green Curry was also good. The food was served incredibly fast, and the service was perfect.

    (5)

  • Shar T.

    As I'm sitting here at work, eating my pad thai left overs from this restaurant, I felt this was the perfect time to write my review. **Let me just note that my left-overs are making my taste buds explode with excitement** I went here the other night and had a fabulous feast and what made the meal even better is that it was accompanied with great service! So, I was here with the Hottest date I've ever had and we started with fried crab cakes, fried shrimp and chicken satay. Yum, Yum, and Yum. Next up, the lamb shortly followed by pumpkim curry and pad thai (which I have already scarfed down my left overs). The lamb was ever so tasty, thinking about cutting into it makes me salivate. The pumpkin curry was perfect and the pad thai was amazing and my favorite! If you live close by, GO. If you live in SF make the trip and if you make a wine tasting trip swing by here. If you don't you're only cheating yourself out of a very tasty experience! YOU GO NOW!

    (5)

  • T F.

    Yum! Really good Thai food!

    (5)

  • Jeff S.

    They asked us how hot I wanted my plate on a scale of 1-5. I picked 4. I payed for it but it was still incredibly tasty. They also sold me 3 Thai iced teas to extinguish my mouth. Excellent business model.

    (5)

  • Hank W.

    My wife and I had a fabulous dinner. Interesting menu selections (including a seasonal insert with wine parings), ample portions, and a satisfying wine list. Pricing was very agreeable and the flavors were fresh and well combined. The dining room is comfortable, modern, and lit in an appealing way. We were thrilled to find such a gem in our own town. I would easily call this the best Thai restaurant in the county.

    (5)

  • Andrew W.

    Thai pork with basil - Terribly overcooked, chewy pork. Standard stuff. Islamic Lamb (Chops) - Strong cumin, slightly bloody flavor. Fat was unappetizing, but meat quite good. Usually I eat the fat with the meat, like pork chops can be had, but not this one. Fried Tofu - Done well, sauces are just standard. Fried Calamari - Rings, lightly breaded. Tiniest bit chewy. Very nice, with good sauce. Curry Noodle Bowl - Yummy! But what isn't with that much richness? Basically a giant bowl of thin curry with noodles. Similar to satay pho, but stronger/richer. The pork has always been overcooked and dry, so I don't order that anymore. Stick with the chicken. The specials have been good too, but I don't remember what they were, or if they stay, so I can't recommend them. Remodel is nice, but you don't eat the walls and table, so that doesn't really matter too much unless you are looking for that kind of feeling/bringing a date/etc. In general everything has been good here, but not spectacular. I am very close by, but I never get the "I *have* to go there for lunch/dinner" feeling. Certainly wouldn't turn it down if someone offered, but I might make an alternate suggestion. Good place for a date, mid level lunch, relaxing break from work, and so on. Note to the patrons: DO NOT USE THE STREET SIDE DOOR. You walk through the dining room. Don't be a jerk! Go out the side door by the register/hostess, where you probably came in. Eventually they will figure this out and block that door, like Happy Garden did, but they are new.

    (3)

  • T B.

    The location of this restaurant was formerly Happy Garden Chinese restaurant, and I was saddened to hear that the owners had sold their business. In its place is Arun Thai restaurant, and I had the chance to eat there recently. I went during lunch hour and the place was packed and hopping. My party had to wait a few minutes to get seated. One of the first things that struck me was the complete overhaul of the interior dining area compared to the previous owners. Everything looks new, shiny, clean, and very modern with some Thai touches, a sharp contrast to the overall 'industrial business' feel of the area. The wait staff was very efficient and friendly. The food was superb, IMO one of the best tasting Thai restaurants in Marin County (and maybe the Bay Area). My party tried the green curry pork, the standard pad thai, fried rice, and drunken noodle. The curries are very spicy ( a warning to those sensitive) but nicely done, with a nice hint of coconut milk that doesn't overpower it. The pad thai and fried rice are standard fare. The drunken noodle was my particular favorite. It is similar to wok fried wide noodles like they serve in some Chinese restaurants, and it has that nice oily coating that just goes down your throat with perfection. My only minor observation is that I hope to see an expanded menu. There are some Thai favorites that I enjoy, such as kai jeow (Thai style omelette), tom yung spicy soup, and whole fried fish among others.

    (5)

  • Michelee S.

    Beautiful presentation,great friendly service,nice ambiance and amaazing food!!

    (5)

  • David B.

    Side salad has tasty dressing, crispy tofu is light crispy and delicious, basil chicken is loaded with fresh vegetables. Excellent friendly service.

    (5)

  • Linda S.

    I DO NOT recommend this restaurant. The female owner is consistently rude. At a recent attempt at lunch, we tried to criticize the meals due to dry and tough chicken and extremely highly spiced sauce. The owner defended her dishes and basically said that we were wrong. We didn't even ask that the meals be replaced with something else and to our dismay, we were charged the full amounts even tho the dishes went uneaten and had been returned to the kitchen. This place is a disaster.

    (1)

  • Sandip S.

    They really mean it when they say a rating of 5 means fire hot. Loved the food/place.

    (5)

  • Chris W.

    I stopped for lunch and it is a little pricey for lunch 9.00 but I can say the salad was tremendous the curry was very smooth and flavorful. I really like spicy so it was a little to mild for me, but it was as good as I have ever had and well worth the $9.00 for lunch. It won't be an everyday thing but it was excellent.

    (5)

  • Bada B.

    Delicious and romantic. The service was excellent. Lemon grass salad, beef curry and drunken noodles were perfect. The sticky rice added a nice touch of sweetness. The atmosphere was relaxing and perfect for conversation. The restaurant is located in an odd industrial business park. Walk inside and you'll be transported to an oasis of comfort. It's a don't miss Thai experience.

    (5)

  • Deric H.

    Food is a little overpriced. Portions are skimpy. Dishes look appealing. Some flavors are a little off. Service was good. Overall, I might come back.

    (3)

  • Karen T.

    Best tasting Thai food in Marin! The staff is very friendly and accommodating if you would like to change something a little. Great wines also. Let Arun pair your food and wine.

    (5)

  • Chuck W.

    Wow!!! A great Thai restaurant hidden in the industrial section of Bel Marin Keys. It is a hidden gem. We went 2 days ago and the food was excellent. I'm a vegetarian and they happily modified the Pad Thai to a vegetarian version. The Yellow Curry with noodles was great as were the spring rolls. The only minor problems are that it is hidden among industrial businesses so it is hard to find and the Mango Sticky rice dessert wasn't as sweet as we are used to. We'll be back soon and happy that a great Thai restaurant is in the neighborhood.

    (5)

  • Mindy Z.

    My new favorite restaurant in Marin County! We've been there about 10 times and haven't had a bad meal yet. The flavors are just really pure, authentic, light and delicious (coming from someone who has been to Thailand). The girls working there are very friendly and welcoming. Very reasonably priced. I've enjoyed all the curries, the eggplant dish, soup and fried bananas.

    (5)

  • Jocelyn B.

    surprising find, out of the way place with great food, service, and wine list.... squash & green beans, salmon, curry etc all wonderful

    (4)

  • Lisa D.

    My husband and I were excited that a Thai restaurant opened right down the street from our house. Unfortunately we will drive to the better Thai restaurants... in the future. We went for dinner and ordered the following items: Spring rolls: They were O.K. nothing special. Pad Thai: not much going on in it. Noodles were dry and prawns were rubbery. I have had MUCH, MUCH better. Pad Thai is my favorite! Chicken in Yellow Curry: Lots of curry sauce and a few chunks of carrots and potatoes, but practically no chicken to be found. Pretty bad! Seafood in Chili Basil sauce: Tons of bamboo shoots and barely any seafood. Seafood was rubbery and poor quality, mostly squid.

    (2)

  • Cindy J.

    Happy to be adding another positive review. This restaurant is a gem -- off the beaten track. Easy parking, tranquil interior, reasonably priced but -- best of all -- freshly prepared food cooked perfectly. We had the eggplant tofu, pumpkin curry shrimp and drunken noodles. We'll be back!

    (5)

  • San Francisco Attorney D.

    Rude service and staff sometimes, sometimes they undercooked food, lack of menu options, (BBQ chicken is horrible), and they charge $3 for each small bowl of rice (plus tax and tip of course). Some of their food tastes good. So if you having your family's average dinner bill jacked up by an additional $14 for having steamed rice (who doesn't), go here. Btw, in many other places, steamed rice is included, or $1.50 for a small small bowl. It's a bit insulting to charge that much for rice that costs them 35 cents probably and requires no work. Oh, and very small portions that may leave you hungry.

    (1)

  • Kaylee B.

    My grandma discovered this place after reading a news article write-up on it. The location is strange... but I haven't found a thai restaurant that reminds me of the thai food I had tried in Thailand, until last week when I ate here. It was everything that the recent news paper article said it was! Delicious. The green curry salmon was amazing, and I would definitely go back. it's pricey, but worth it.

    (5)

  • Matt F.

    This place is great for lunch. The thai iced tea here also does not disappoint. I've been for lunch many times, great portions of delicious food for a great price. Haven't tried their dinner menu, but it's definitely on the agenda.

    (5)

  • Brian D.

    THis place is awesome!

    (4)

  • Robert N.

    If you want good thai food that's not that pricy, this is the place. It has lots of great tasting choices. Everything I've tried is always very tasty and seasoned well. Some of their dishes say that it is spicy, but in my opinion its more mild than spicy, you can ask for extra spicy sauce on the side. Their staff is always very friendly and the overall atmosphere is great place. The only cons about the place that I can think of is that it gets pretty busy during their lunch hours so be sure to phone in your order if you're getting take out

    (5)

  • Private C.

    Excellent Thai Food....and I have tried numerous Thai restaurants in Marin. Just to name a few: R'noh Thai (one of my favorite), Signature Thai, Sea Thai Bistro (too sweet), Thai Smile, Royal Thai, Kitti's Place, Thep Lela, Tha Siam, Tub Tim (worse Thai ever), and a few more that I can't recall. They have the best Tom Kha Gai and Musamun (which is hard to find on the menu at other Thai restaurants). Minus one star for charging $9 (3 cups) for jasmine rice for 2 people. You can buy 10lbs of rice for this price!

    (4)

  • Eric L.

    First off... I'm never in the Marin county and I somehow find myself there...I also rarely ever spend money or go thai restaurants because getting thai food is easy and free for me(it helps having thai parents/family that are awesome cooks) So I randomly run into this little restaurant in the middle of nowhere with a huge grand opening sign...Arun Thai? Interesting...My girlfriend is starving and bugging me to go there...I take her because "if mama aint happy..aint nobody happy" We were greeted and got sat right away..I didn't go through their menu at all because I was blown away by the specials insert. Lots of items that werent too traditional thai and had a special twist from the chef Arun (im guessing thats his name). I saw the islamic/baslamic/balsamic lamb dish (shame on me..forgot what it was called)and already had my mind set to it. It was AMAZING!!! Meat was done perfect and the flavor..how do I explain? Im guessing some type of curry powder? cumin? it was smoky...juicy..tender..WOW! My girlfriend doesn't like lamb so that only means more for me..HA! Of course my girl orders the pad tai. Seriously? Pad tai? Do you only order spaghetti and meatballs at italian restaurants? Chowmein at chinese restaurants? Anyhoo..the pad tai was great as well. Noodles were soft and chewy and sauce was a little sweet which is PERFECT!!! topped off with chicken and shrimp and we were happy campers...better than grandmas actually (SHHHH) Arun Thai...Thank you for the experience..We'll be visiting again!

    (5)

  • Jennifer H.

    This place was a yelp find and I was so glad I came here. It is definitely off the beaten path in an industrial complex area. But the ambiance and restaurant itself is very nice. The food was AMAZING! I had the pumpkin curry prawns and my boyfriend a pad thai noodle dish. Both were the best Thai food I have ever tasted. I cannot wait to come back! I live in Vallejo but will be driving out here just to come eat at Arun Thai again soon :)

    (5)

  • Karey G.

    I am so glad we discovered Arun Thai. We love thai food (especially for take out) but our "regular" place had really gone south in their consistency and seemed pretty expensive. So we thought we'd give Arun a try and it has been really great! The food is consistantly delicious, and the prices are good. They have officially become our "regular" thai place in Novato.

    (4)

  • ANdy B.

    Came here for lunch and was so impressed. Food quality was excellent, and the waitstaff was super friendly. I will be coming back here often, can't wait to try dinner.

    (5)

  • Monica J.

    I am fortunate to work close to this wonderful place. They came to my office and gave me a flyer when they opened, I was impressed to meet the same young lady as the hostess when I came in. Their food is great, I love the sticky rice with Coconut Ice cream, the Chef came out and introduced himself and told us this was his childhood dessert from home. I can't say enough about the great flavors in their curry! Highly recommend it, caution though if you order it for your in office lunch it will smell up the whole place with it's wonderful aroma!!!

    (5)

  • Doug V.

    Just moved nearby and didn't feel like cooking so looked for some nearby takeout...Oh My! Good stuff! I preferred my wife's yellow curry more, but everything was good...chicken satay, thai shrimp spring rolls, and spicy basil chicken (good, but not enough spice for me...just have to ask next time). Will definitely be back. The dining room was buzzing, too, so nice to see others were enjoying as well. Not much of a restaurant neighborhood as it's in the mix of small shop/industry part of Bel Marin Keys. But who cares...it's close, and the food left us with a great first impression.

    (4)

  • Margo L.

    Finally had a chance to try this restaurant. The atmosphere is really nice, the service and staff very good. I had the pad Thai and thought it was a bit salty. I will try the pumpkin curry next time. I didn't notice a kids menu thus the two children with us couldn't possibly finish their food. The only odd thing for me is I felt the Frank Sinatra 'elevator' music was out of place. I would have opted for new age. Other than that it's a very good option for Novato.

    (4)

  • Michelle D.

    I was driving home after a late business meeting and was very hungry. I called the restraunt to see if they did take out, they do. I had beef in red curry, brown rice and sauteed eggplant. They gave me enough curry for two meals. It was so fresh and tasty. I am so glad to have a thai restraunt that is so good so close to me. I hope they expand the menu a bit, but I loved what was on it.

    (4)

  • Gabrielle H.

    I don't eat Thai food often but when I do it will be here. Excellent everything: food, service, decor. Busy but not too noisy, enough space between tables so you don't feel like you're joining in on someone else's conversation... or vice versa.

    (5)

  • Ramin R.

    Super friendly service and delicious Thai food in an extremely unexpected location. Get the lamb chops. The Thai iced tea is great, too.

    (4)

  • Stacey S.

    Amazing and very authentic Thai food! My favorite items are the panang beef curry and the seasonal pomelo salad, which I guess they don't have anymore (insert sad face). Green curry and pad thai also awesome. Oh also, the owners are very nice people. You wont be disappointed in this place.

    (4)

  • Terry K.

    I eat here every couple of weeks and have never had a meal that was less than extremely good. It's in a light industrial location and parking can be a minor problem - you may have to park on the street rather than the parking lot. But the food makes this minor issue vanish. The wait staff is unfailingly friendly and attentive without being intrusive. There are no losers on the menu....order anything that strikes your fancy and you will enjoy it. The food arrives quickly, even in busy lunch periods.

    (4)

  • Rosie S.

    Great hidden treasure in Marin. I went for the first time the other day and was pleasantly surprised! The interior of the restaurant is dark and relaxing. Everyone in my party ordered something different and each dish was delicious! Great prices and quality of food.

    (5)

  • Casey P.

    Delicious! And super welcoming and friendly service! It's truly like other reviewers rave. I'm so glad I found it on Yelp and tried it. I had the Red Curry with prawns and brown rice. One of the best red curries I've had. They really love what they do. This is definitely worth a drive in you're within 20 minutes or so.

    (5)

  • B B.

    The first soup on the menu is excellent. The service is perfect as well!

    (5)

  • k p.

    I love this place!!! The food is consistently great, the owners and employees are always quick and courteous, and the atmosphere is very beautiful. I always enjoy the specials and the owners always remember our faces. Where everybody knows your name :)

    (5)

  • Dan I.

    Beautiful decor is far above what you would expect for such are reasonably priced restaurant. Food is great. While I was waiting for my take-out order the owner came out from the back to ask me how long my drive home was so that he could cook the lamb chops just right. We've gotten take-out twice now and can't wait to dine-in next time.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth H.

    I love what they did with the place. It's beautiful inside. In Novato, there are few selections for Thai food, only two that I know of. They've brought good food to Marin. Thai iced teas, drunken noodle, yellow curry chicken and the service is all VERY GOOD!

    (5)

  • Steve L.

    The food is very fresh, plentiful, well presented and tastes very good (not too hot or dull). The price/value is very good too. The atmosphere is tasteful and the service is excellent. The location is a bit off the beaten path, about a mile from 101 in the Bel Marin Keys section of Navato. If you enjoy Thai food, this is a good choice.

    (4)

  • Timothy A.

    The best chicken satay!! Absolutely amazing food. Service is great and I highly recommend the sticky rice with coconut ice cream for dessert!!

    (5)

  • Marc H.

    This place is absolutely amazing!!!!!! The red curry is to die for. Order 2 helpings of it. The pad Thai was great. Not to mention the service was the best I have had in a really long time. If you are in Novato, you need to eat here and nowhere else.

    (5)

  • Fontaine W.

    How is this place not packed? My boyfriend and I have gone twice for dinner, and are astounded at the quality of the food. Fresh local veggies are used in the Ginger Tofu Vegetable dish, and it's really amazingly flavorful and distinct. We started with the Jumbo Stuffed Prawns off the special menu.... unbelievable. For our entree we split the Yellow Chicken Curry with Angel Hair Noodles and had the tofu ginger veggies on the side. Every ounce of the meal was decadent. I literally want to meet the chef and kiss him! It's THAT good, and although I hear they are very busy at lunch, Novato-nites need to get on this place for dinner! Also, the staff could not be any sweeter and even though the restaurant itself is built into a strange office complex, it has a beautifully zen atmosphere, with warm colors and gorgeous artwork. My boyfriend has actually been to Thailand and this is his all time favorite Thai restaurant. And don't forget to order the Ginger Lemongrass Iced Tea. For dessert.... Ginger Ice Cream! PS. Prices are spectacular!

    (5)

  • Andrew W.

    Excellent Thai food anywhere, crazy good for Marin. Pumpkin Curry Prawn and Chicken Satay are incredible.

    (5)

  • Rich B.

    Came here for dinner last night and was not disappointed! We had the chicken satay, which was super moist and the peanut sauce super tasty. we had shrimp tempura(?) and fried fish cakes, both also super tasty, and who doesn't love fried food! the lamb was awesome! marinated and seasoned and then seared in, the flavors were bright yet not too much that the lamb didn't shine through. we then split pad thai and pumpkin curry. the pad thai was a delight. great noodles, and the contrast of the crunchy peanuts and sprouts. didn't even need shrimp, but hey, why not. and the curry was delicious. the kabocha is a great compliment to the spice of the curry, and it had some nice spice! and of course, the rice. not your normal rice, but a blend of rices, to make for a great texture. finished with sticky rice dessert, warm rice, cold ice cream. and mango tea, which may be the best mango tea i've ever had. if you live in marin, go here. if you are coming from wine country, stop here, crack a bottle of white, and enjoy

    (5)

  • Mellissa A.

    WOW! Novato needed a Thai restaurant like this. Fantastic food, fantastic service, trendy and clean decor, and wine pairings to boot. The price point is spot on . . . I really hope they don't raise their prices, because they are reasonable, and you feel like you are getting something for your money. Try the pumpkin curry, your taste buds will explode! I can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • jenny c.

    Great food, lovely staff, nice interior, inexpensive and super kid friendly. Ask for the asian pumpkin curry dish, its not on the menu but they would be happy to make it. Its the best curry ever.

    (5)

  • Leyla H.

    We've eaten at Arun Thai several times now and it's always fantastic. The specials are usually just that: very special, based on seasonal ingredients at their peak. Today's special chicken salad and steamed stuffed salmon were fantastic. Tom Ka Gai as always was superb. Even the ginger ice cream tastes fresh. We found this place via Yelp. Ignore its location and enjoy its fresh, authentic food and lovely decor and atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Sober L.

    Fantastic food at this place. Great curry dishes. Ive not had a bad meal here.

    (5)

  • Megan W.

    This place SO good! I love the pad thai there, it never disappoints. Great, friendly service. Over all I highly recommend it!

    (5)

  • Marie C.

    Good thai food and not just for Novato or Marin but in general it's worth a try. The menu was a bit limited and a bit pricey for where you are.

    (4)

  • Brooke A.

    I just discovered this place. Because of the ugly exterior, I was never drawn to it. Big mistake. Once you walk inside it is super cute and the food is delicious! I will certainly be eating there on a regular basis!!

    (5)

  • Andrea H.

    This is the best Thai food in the entire Bay Area! A hidden gem, the food is always good, the service is excellent, the prices are very reasonable and the atmosphere is the real deal. Doesn't get better than this. The owner/chef and his beautiful wife make me feel like I am in their own personal dining room at home. The extra touches, the attention to detail and the personal attention to our needs has made every dining experience absolute perfection! I have brought numerous out-of-town guests there for dinner and they loved it. My son, just back from a year in Thailand, could not believe the authenticity of the food. Making friends with the owner was the highlight of his visit back home over the holidays. I think we ate at Arun Thai 3 or 4 times in a two week period. Time to go back, I am missing the Pumpkin Curry and the hot sticky rice with ice cream for dessert!

    (5)

  • Allison E.

    Wow! I found this place on the way to an open house, and boy oh boy is it stellar! I went in after double-checking with reviews, and was not disappointed! I'm so glad that I both live and work near here. They're very friendly, accommodating and the food is ridiculous! Best pad Thai this side of Phuket!

    (5)

  • Conrad C.

    I love Thai food. Even though I'm vegetarian, sometimes I wish I weren't just to try some of the dishes I've seen. But partially for this reason, in addition to the countless different places I've been to, I'm relatively picky with Thai restaurants. I wasn't expecting much when I heard about this place taking the space where a Chinese restaurant I would frequently visit. Even though it was my birthday and my parents were taking me out, I decided to try it. We ordered the eggplant tofu, pad thai noodles, tofu fried rice, and the meat eaters had the barbecued chicken. Everything we ordered was some of the tastiest thai food I've ever had (and I haven't even tried their curry yet), and my parents went crazy over the barbecued chicken. My dog had some of the boxed leftovers and approved as well (yes, he's a spoiled little bastard). My dad hadn't even been too fond of Thai cuisine and loved the food here. The Thai iced tea was stronger and sweeter than I'm used to (not complaining!), and the staff was also very friendly. Keep doing what you're doing and you'll soon be one of the most visited Thai restaurants in Marin! Everyone spread the word and help them get more business.

    (5)

  • Candra C.

    Brand new and excellent. Mani the new young owner provides a warm welcome. The food is fresh and wonderful. Must try the thai lamb and the Tom kai guy. Wonderful. We go there at least 2 times a week. New in Bel Marin Keys

    (5)

  • Brandon Y.

    After coming back from a month long trip to Thailand I wanted to get some really good Thai food. I live in SF and a couple of my friends told me about this place and that it was worth the drive out there. So we get to the restaurant and the first thing I notice is the wine selection. I have never been to a Thai restaurant with such a sophisticated list. Anyway, as an appetizer I got the most juicy and succulent Chicken Satay that I have ever had. At most places it is dry and over cooked. I also had the Grilled Shrimp salad which was incredibly fresh and full of bright flavors. For my entree I had the Grilled Islamic Lamb. This was probably the best dish that I had all night. The lamb was so tender and moist that I could have used my spoon to cut it off the bone. The Middle Eastern spices were perfectly matched and the lamb itself was cooked to a perfect medium rare. For desert I had the Sticky Rice with Mango. For those of you who haven't tried it, you should try the one here because it was ass good if not better than anything that you could find in South East Asia. It was the perfect dish to end such a satisfying meal. The price is very fair considering the freshness of the ingredients and the size of the portions. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I love this place! You need to try it. Seriously.

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Tue

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : No
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Arun Thai Restaurant

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