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Name: Basil
Address: 460 King St, Charleston, SC, 29403
Telephone: (843) 724-3490
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.04

Basil

460 King St, Charleston, SC, 29403

(843) 724-3490
Store is closed

Basil Menu

Appetizers

Fresh Basil Rolls

Egg Rolls

Larb (Chicken or Beef)

Nam Sod (Chicken or Pork)

Satay

Neua Nam Tok

Stuffed Shrimp

Fresh Basil Rolls

Egg Rolls

Larb (Chicken or Beef)

Nam Sod (Chicken or Pork)

Satay

Neua Nam Tok

Stuffed Shrimp
Salads

Yum Neua (Beef Salad)

Yum Kung (Shrimp Salad)

Som Tum (Green Papaya Salad)

Yum Yai

Yum Ped (Duck Salad)

Yum Neua (Beef Salad)

Yum Kung (Shrimp Salad)

Som Tum (Green Papaya Salad)

Yum Yai

Yum Ped (Duck Salad)
Soups

Tom Kha Gai (Chicken Coconut)

Tom Yum Kung

Wonton

Tom Aban Talay

Tom Kha Gai (Chicken Coconut)

Tom Yum Kung

Wonton

Tom Aban Talay
Entrees

Basil

Pad Prik

Ginger

Garlic

Prik King

Sweet and Sour

Cashew Nuts (Mild)

Vegetables Delight

Vegetables Delight

Basil

Pad Prik

Ginger

Garlic

Prik King

Sweet and Sour

Cashew Nuts (Mild)

Vegetables Delight

Vegetables Delight
House Specialties

Pad Thai

Basil Duck

Three-Flavored Fish (Mild)

Basil Mixed Seafood

Volcano Shrimp (Mild)

Crispy Red Curry Duck

Tilapia and Shrimp

Pad Thai

Basil Duck

Three-Flavored Fish (Mild)

Basil Mixed Seafood

Volcano Shrimp (Mild)

Crispy Red Curry Duck

Tilapia and Shrimp
Curries

Green Curry

Red Curry

Masaman (Mild)

Green Curry

Red Curry

Masaman (Mild)
Noodles and Rice

Pad See-Eu

Pad Kee Mow

Pad Woon Sen

Shrimp Fried Rice

Beef Fried Rice

Chicken Fried Rice

Pad See-Eu

Pad Kee Mow

Pad Woon Sen

Shrimp Fried Rice

Beef Fried Rice

Chicken Fried Rice

Healthy Meal suggestions for Basil

Appetizers

Fresh Basil Rolls [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Egg Rolls [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Larb (Chicken or Beef) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Nam Sod (Chicken or Pork) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Satay [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Neua Nam Tok [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stuffed Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Basil Rolls [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Egg Rolls [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Larb (Chicken or Beef) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Nam Sod (Chicken or Pork) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Satay [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Neua Nam Tok [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stuffed Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salads

Yum Neua (Beef Salad) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yum Kung (Shrimp Salad) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Som Tum (Green Papaya Salad) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yum Yai [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yum Ped (Duck Salad) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yum Neua (Beef Salad) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yum Kung (Shrimp Salad) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Som Tum (Green Papaya Salad) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yum Yai [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yum Ped (Duck Salad) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Soups

Tom Kha Gai (Chicken Coconut) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tom Yum Kung [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wonton [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tom Aban Talay [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tom Kha Gai (Chicken Coconut) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tom Yum Kung [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wonton [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tom Aban Talay [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Entrees

Basil [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pad Prik [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ginger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garlic [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Prik King [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet and Sour [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cashew Nuts (Mild) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetables Delight [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetables Delight [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Basil [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pad Prik [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ginger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garlic [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Prik King [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet and Sour [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cashew Nuts (Mild) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetables Delight [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetables Delight [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
House Specialties

Pad Thai [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Basil Duck [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Three-Flavored Fish (Mild) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Basil Mixed Seafood [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Volcano Shrimp (Mild) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Red Curry Duck [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tilapia and Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pad Thai [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Basil Duck [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Three-Flavored Fish (Mild) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Basil Mixed Seafood [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Volcano Shrimp (Mild) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Red Curry Duck [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tilapia and Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Curries

Green Curry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Red Curry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Masaman (Mild) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Green Curry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Red Curry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Masaman (Mild) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Noodles and Rice

Pad See-Eu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pad Kee Mow [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pad Woon Sen [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pad See-Eu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pad Kee Mow [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pad Woon Sen [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Fried Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Charleston for healthy meals suggestion.

Charleston Grill ( 224 King St )

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Write An Anonymous Review

Phuong L.

By far the best Thai restaurant I have ever experienced. Both of our entrees- Pad Kee Mow (flat rice noodle dish) and Beef Fried Rice- were ON POINT. Great service and a beautiful restaurant located in a charming part of the city.
(5)
Trent A.

This is a great Thai restaraunt in the heart of southern cooking, so quite the surprise. The atmosphere is somewhat trendy but either way lots nicer inside than most Thai restaurants. They serve their food piping hot, even ten minutes after our food arrived at the table it was still very warm. If you sit in the right spot you can watch them cook. Fun to see. I had the pad see ew which was excellent. Unlike many Thai restaraunts they were generous with the pork which was cooked perfectly. The vegetables were just soft on the outside but crunchy in the middle. My dinner companion had the chefs special curry duck. It was so delicious, one of the best duck dishes I have had.
(4)
Jessica B.

We went into Basil after an event downtown. The wait was about fifteen minutes, which is fine, but they don't really have a waiting area. There are tables as soon as you walk into the door, so it is hard to navigate. You either have to wait outside (in the terrible heat) or stand awkwardly in between high tops of people eating. We went to the bar, which had about four seats and got some drinks. We had a party of six and saw two tables, six seats, available- but neither were being offered to us. We waited a bit longer and then they finally sat us. We seemed like an inconvenience to them. Their front house staff weren't really that friendly. (Didn't really greet us when we came in and didn't say anything to us when we left.) We each got appetizers and a few people got Sake. I don't think they appreciated us getting a table to just order appetizers, but oh well. The waiter was a bit weird and also made us feel like an inconvenience to him. The food was pretty good, which is why they get a third star, but I think it is a bit overpriced. The staff made the environment feel incredibly weird, so I'm not sure if I will return any time soon.
(3)
Kennan K.

Just about the best pad Thai I have had in a long time. All the classical flavors are there and the crab rangoons are on point as well!
(4)
Amanda H.

I stopped in after a Yelp event with a party of six. In Basil's defense, we didn't have a reservation and they were pretty busy. There isn't much room to wait inside but we were in full costume and burning up, so we squeezed by the bar to wait. Once we were seated, our waiter was super nice...until he realized we were ordering waters and some appetizers. I understand you make money from tips, but I still tip well on a smaller check. The atmosphere is nice but really loud, so I'd recommend going somewhere else if you want to have a conversation. The food was AMAZING - I had the beef satay which was perfectly cooked. My friends had the basil rolls and the wontons, both of which received rave reviews! I'm definitely interested in coming back any time other than ten on a Saturday! The staff needed an attitude adjustment but I'll attribute that to the busy night.
(4)
Sue W.

I love it here. I sat close to where all the chef cooking. They r very professional. All the food it was very hot and yummy. I ordered Pad Se ew and curry Duck. I love the curry Duck. I ordered it hot and it is hot as I thought it would be . I love this place and will definitely going back again
(5)
Jim D.

If you like Thai food this is the place to go I had the coconut soup and also the combination chicken and shrimp time noodles shrimp were big delicious just cook the way I like it I would highly recommend that platter for lunch or for dinner
(4)
Ticha B.

I read my own review from 2010....gosh it was bad. Fast forward to 2015. I am back in Charleston again for more work training. After a week or bbq, steaks, Southern foods my classmates and I needed something different. I suggested Thai food and my classmates loved it. I love Basil's Thai food minus their high prices. The food is cooked by Thai cooks and the food tasted pretty authentic once again. Next time I am in Charleston, i'll be back for more $15.95 Pad Thai and Drunken Noodles!
(4)
Susan W.

Everyone loves Basil. I haven't been there in two years so I stopped to get take out on my way home from a meeting tonight. Ordered the coconut chicken soup (flavor was nice..love coconut) and the pad tai with shrimp. Both of the proteins were DRY but the shrimp in the pad tai crumbled like crackers. It was gross and not worth the money. Sad that this is the best Thai that Charleston has to offer.
(2)
Justin D.

Great tasting Thai cuisine! Probably the most memorable Thai food I have ever had. We tried two variations of their duck dishes, the Basil duck and Red Curry duck. Both were amazing! I favor the red curry because of the authentic curry taste, with a kick. The duck was boneless and had a soft texture. I also had to try my all time favorite Thai noodle dish, pad see eu, and it was yummy; a nice sweet taste to it! The service was pretty good for a busy Saturday night (night before second Sunday) although the wait was long without a reservation, it's nice just to walk out and about on Kings street. Very busy atmosphere but not anything that ruined my time there. My uncles gave me a history lesson about the owners, how they came to America at a young age just to go to culinary school and succeeded in their own restaurant. It was a nice experience to enjoy their life's hard work.
(5)
Kevin H.

It puts me at ease when a restaurant is confident enough to showcase their kitchen: in this case its behind an "amusement park-like" glass, and the kitchen runs like clockwork. We ordered the crispy red duck: a curry-based entrÃ©e with a crisp, tasty, and deep-fried skin. The duck was a tad over cooked, but still tender and compliments the curry very nicely. Pro-tip: the server doesn't prompt you for temp requirements, but for protein enthusiasts you might want to suggest a preferred temperature. Bottom line: Recommended. :)
(4)
Neelam P.

Nice option for Thai food in Charleston. I ordered red curry with tofu/veggies. The portion size was very generous and the curry was just the right amount of spicy and extremely flavorful. Service was friendly and the restaurant was packed on a Friday night.
(4)
Sean P.

Came here with a group of friends. Great environment, the restaurant has a cool set up. I got the pork pad kee mow. The wait was a bit long, but this was lunch rush hour so it was understandable. The portions were generous. It wasn't as spicy as I expected, I wish it was a bit spicier. Overall, awesome atmosphere for a nice bite with friends! On a separate note, tom kha gai is to die for.
(4)
Taylor L.

In my experience of Thai restaurants, the atmosphere is never a highlight. Here at Basil, it's completely different. From outside, there's the retro green lite Basil sign inviting you to come in just like the green light in Great Gatsby. Once inside, the restaurant is very fresh and inviting where you can even sit at a bar that overlooks the kitchen and drool over the cooking. For food, we started off with the basil roll appetizer. They are great! Light and fresh and a perfect start to the meal. The sauce with it adds a nice kick. Next time I come, I will be getting some soup though. It comes in a fancy ring bowl with a fire blasting through the middle. A+ for that presentation. For meals, I got the pad see-eu. There was nothing ew about this dish! Topped with broccoli eggs and chicken, the dish is a good filler upper. My only regret is I got it spiced medium and next time I'd go for hot. My cousin got the pad Thai which is a delicious classic. Last but not least, the dessert. I don't usually get dessert, but the fried green tea ice cream would make me get dessert everytime. The ice cream is surrounded by delicious fried dough. The green tea ice cream has unique flavor and isn't too rich. Basil is a great place to fill your Thai craving!
(5)
tedy d.

Love this place. Had a green papaya salad, green curry and a drink -- Thai boxer. All of the food was super delicious! Probably some of the best papaya salad I've had. Great space, great service. Will love to come back.
(5)
Thomas D.

Phenomenal! Food was big enough. My date and I shared a soup and entrÃ©e. The wine was great as well! Awesome night!
(5)
Marqus R.

For Asian, basically Thai, I've found the food here to not only be really great but surprisingly close to authentic in flavor, especially the "Pad Thai" sometimes called "Phat Thai," the common street food of Thailand as well as its national dish, even to the detail of tamarind pulp with fish sauce seasonings. But true to the name of this restaurant most dishes are all enhanced with plenty of fresh basil. In fact when entering the unique smell of their fresh basil offers get me salivating in anticipation. Though a chain of approximately five restaurant locations, there isn't any chainy feel to the place. I've had several of their dishes including their Pad Thai, the Crispy Red Curry Duck which is Chef Suntorn's signature dish, but on this occasion went for their Basil Mixed Seafood, which I've pictured, consisting of mixed seafood, onion, bell pepper and basil ($19.95); a most generous as well as tasty serving. Though they have table seating, I happen to enjoy their bar counter which offers a right up front clear view of the Thai chefs as they prepare their culinary works.
(4)
Maggie B.

We started out with the basil rolls, they are like spring rolls and usually come two to an order. We had three in our party so we just asked for an added extra. They. Were. Fantastic. I do admit we were very hungry but not long after the waiter set the food down did he have to return to take the empty platter back to the kitchen. I got a salad and I was overly impressed but the pad Thai was a different story. It was amazing. We didn't get the spicy version and it was delicious.
(4)
Keli T.

This is a tough review because while I LOVED (yes past tense) their food, I've never been treated more awful in my life by a restaurant. So food is def awesome. I was always obsessed with the chicken pad see eew. Hands down stellar top of my list. I always ordered it to be delivered to work for lunch and it was like Christmas ever time! I decided I loved it so much, that I should share with my friends. I got a group of 12 people together, did the reservations, the whole nine. We met for drinks until we could get a table. Yes we probably spent an hour an a half ordering apps, meals, desserts. It was my birthday and when a friend got up to use the bathroom, they took her chair so she couldn't come back to sit. When I finished my last bit of dessert they swiped the spoon out of my hand. After trying to hang out for a few to talk after dinner... The Manager came over and said we need this table to turn over for other people. So the literally asked us to get up immediately and leave. They ushered us out the door SO fast, a kind male employee came out to give me my coat and said he was sorry we were treated so bad. So since they want your money only, I've never gone back. Nor have any of those friends. So if it's great thai food your after, this is a decent DT option, but don't bank on the fact that customers are important. I've since discovered other stellar thai in Charleston. Taste of Thai in west Ashley while not as "glamorous and hip" as king street also has stellar food and rockstar service!
(1)
Debbie A.

I went back to Basil and had the pad thai and I take back what I said about it being too heavy. It is probably one of my favorite pad thais.
(5)
Luis R.

I'm kinda regular in here and the place never fails me. Best entrÃ©es are the Pad Thai and the Pad See-Eu. Both are super classics. And for appetizer the stuffed shrimps are a must. Prices are from $10 to $20. Place is a little bit loud but okay.
(5)
Jess J.

Really good Tom Yum soup, great basil tofu and basil beef, sadly they lost a star on the Pad Kee Mao (sp?) since the noodles weren't cooked all the way. It was a busy spot, even at 9 pm when we came in. By the time we left at 10:30 it was still pretty packed! The drinks were small, tasty but somewhat watered down and overpriced. I had the mango martini and my friend had this ginger beer drink. The customer service was impeccable though, this place knows what it's doing!!! I will definitely go here again!
(4)
Celine K.

I would say by far, this place is one of the worst thai restaurants i've ever been to. Only thing i liked about this place was the papaya salad which you can't really go bad with. Pad see ew was mediocre. More like chinese style noodle. Red curry was full of bell peppers and onions. I expect more bamboo shoots, eggplants, and mushrooms for thai curry and definitely lots of basil for strong flaver, however their curry was extremely bland and rather watery. Not seasoned correctly. Last but not least, the chef's special duck curry was terrible! The prep wasn't done right, bloody and fishy taste of the duck, tastes like it's been frozen for the longest time. DID NOT TASTE FRESH, i had to return it which is really rare for me to return food in restaurants when especially i was super hungry. I love Thai food and i have been to many Thai restaurants all over the States (majority of the time in NY, and NJ) and even worldwide. I make much better Thai food than this place. this place is absolutely OVERRATED, becaure they are not AUTHENTIC.
(1)
Mar V.

Must try. Great Thai restaurant! Loved their food. A little bit expensive than your regular Thai restaurant, but it's worth it.
(4)
TJ N.

One of the better thai food is places in Charleston and the price is right. I would say to ask more extra peanuts if you are getting pad thai.
(4)
Daniel J.

I haven't been in a while but... favorite restaurant in the world, literally. It's the only thing I think about when someone says... let's go to Charleston. Great decor, food, service... location... um can't ask for anything more! My recommendation? The beef basil. I mean if Basil's in the name right??
(5)
David B.

I was working in down and found this place around the corner. The prices drew me in as I have a per diem and most of the other restaurants near by were $5-$10 higher per person. I had my favorite, Pad Kee Mow. It was $10.25. Reasonably priced, though it is usually a little cheaper where I live. They brought out my dish and it was smaller than I usually receive...unfortunately, I was very hungry this day, so, it did not fill me up. I will say the taste was amazing! IT was some of the best I've had. I would recommend eating here. I would have accepted $3-$4 more for more food though. Maybe they will listen to that suggestion! I would eat here again...I'd just order a appetizer to make sure I was full.
(4)
Valsa T.

Pretty cool environment and service was good. Just a little bummed out that all of their noodles dishes could only be made with fish sauce. We opted for vegetarian fried rice which was pretty good. The Tom Kha was good as well.
(3)
Marc P.

Went here for dinner. We had the Pad Woon Sen Shrimp and a Beef Salad. The meal and atmosphere was fine. Nothing wrong with the food, service, or atmosphere, but it didn't stand out in any way.
(3)
Ashley H.

I went to Basil with a group of 6 friends on a Saturday night. We shared appetizers and the food is this place's only saving grace. The fresh basil rolls were fantastic, as were the friend wonton's. I heard the beef skewers were on point, but I don't recommend getting their beef larb. It was rather bland and tasted just like ground beef mixed with basil. However, the service killed this place for me. Rude hostesses, bartender, and server. I felt (more than anything) that we inconveniencing the restaurant by being there. I'm sure it would be great for a date night, just don't expect the staff to be friendly! Next time I'm feeling Thai from here I'll order take out.
(3)
Alan B.

I was skeptical about good thai food in Charleston, but my friend suggested it my first night here so I gave it a whirl. Started with their Basil Cocktail, which was a little heavy on the ginger but still a quality drink. I must say, their prices for basic thai food was $14-15 dollars per entree, even in manhattan similar thai places are cheaper, never could see charging a lot for thai food, however their chicken pad thai not only was a big serving but tasted delicious. Loss of a star for the waiter assuming I wanted another drink when i didnt and bringing it out (and removing my unfinished drink) but he did take it back and apologize. Overall, good tasting thai food I just cant get over the pricing.
(3)
Molly B.

I love this place! I went on my first date with my boyfriend here which adds a little bit more for me obviously. He originally brought me here because I am in love with green tea ice cream but I'll get to that later. Every single time I go here I get the Pad Woo Sen which is chicken (for me), noodles, eggs, cabbage, onions, carrots, snow peas, tomatoes, mushrooms, scallions and bean sprouts. I mean, come on! Everything about that sounds delicious. My boyfriend always has a tough time between the Basil Duck and the Pad Prik. Both are delicious In fact, I feel like you can get anything here and it would be delicious. Sometimes we'll get an appetizer but if you go for dinner, you definitely wont need one because the noodle and entree dishes are HUGE which is awesome because who doesnt love delicious leftovers!? For dessert we got the fried green tea ice cream which is soooo good! If I dont feel like going out, I call and get a pick up order. The portions are still as good and the food is just as delicious as it would be eating at the restaurant. I come here often and don't plan on stopping!
(5)
Geronimo B.

As a world traveler having tried Pad Thai in 36 states in the USA, and 3 different regions in Thailand (Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Krabi), including an 8 hour cooking class on "perfecting the dish" in Thailand by a master chef, I befittingly say that Basil has the best "sweet/tangy" style Pad Thai on the planet. I had been accustomed to Pad Thai disappointment stateside as a good Pad Thai is few and far between. However, after many sleepless nights in Southeast Asia (sometimes eating Pad Thai for breakfast, lunch, and dinner) it occurred to me that I had set out on a path that was doomed for success from the get go. There is zero substitute for the rich, creamy(ish), spicy, tangy flavor explosion that only Basil can deliver right here in Charleston SC. Now every thai food connoisseur will know that Pad Thai is actually not even a Thai dish at all, and although a good pad thai is a great way to measure a Thai restaurant, it is not the be-all end-all. That being said,I can confidently say that on average (all dishes considered) basil has the best Thai food in a 3,000 mile radius. From the Basil duck to the Massaman Curry, basil has a way of perfecting traditional Thai dishes in a consistent way. From Charlotte NC to Columbia, to Charleston SC Basil will not disappoint. P.S. Mango sticky rice is the heat if it's in season when you visit.
(5)
Madison T.

Very good food, all the ingredients are fresh, so far the best Thai food I had in this area, nice atmosphere, lunch menu price is reasonable but the dinner pricing is kind of too high.
(4)
Christy M.

Went last night late after getting in from a full day of flying. The hubs wanted " take out "Chinese" but I wanted something not so heavy and a cute environment... I miss that Charleston feel when I'm gone! Anyway, Basil delivered exactly what I was hoping for, fresh, tasty, good food that doesn't leave me feeling awful (or keep me up at night needing water cause it's so salty). I'm a fan. This is my third time and this may have been my favorite dish, but I can't remember the name of the dish. It was the one on the back of the menu with cellophane noodles and snow peas and other veggies.
(5)
Ashley I.

One word -- AMAZING!! My boyfriend and I had just arrived in SC and were strolling King street looking for somewhere to eat. With the help of Yelp and some window shopping, we decided on Basil. We popped in and the hostess told us it would be a 10 minute wait, even though the restaurant was slammed! She was right, within 10 minutes we were sat right in front of the chefs; pretty cool. We decided on the chicken and shrimp fried wontons, pad Thai, and masaman curry chicken. The wontons were ridiculously delicious! So much so that my boyfriend and I battled it out for the last one. Our entrees were just as delicious and literally served the second the chef takes it out of his wok and places it on the plate. The flavors, the freshness, the portions, and the ambiance can't be beat! Basil and the amazing food that SC has to offer has quickly jumped to the top of my food list!
(5)
Harold W.

Definitely a great place to eat Thai food. We got there 15 minutes before they opened and there was already a line. A good and bad sign considering they don't do reservations. They sat us immediately. We ordered Wonton Soup and fresh Basil Spring Rolls. Both had the smell and taste of a fresh herb garden. You can taste a melding of the different ingredients but still taste each herb and spice individually. The chili sauce for the spring roll had some heat to it but not unpleasant or uncomfortable. Now the entrees. Wow! I had the Gibger with Chicken and Danny had Basil Thai Chicken (which was Thai spicy). My Ginger chicken I could feel the freshness since it makes my throat itch. Bit a bad thing for me. The vegetables were not over cooked. Most places over cook the vegetables especially the carrots making them soggy. This place does it well. Suffice it to say I cleaned out my plate. This place is pricey which I don't mind paying for as long as it's good. Basil has never disappointed me.
(5)
Cole S.

The food was excellent! Egg rolls were crispy and delicious, the soup was soup-erb! Pad kee mow was one of the best I've ever had. Keep up the good work Basil!
(5)
Mary J.

Overall, my experience at Basil was okay but not the best. Our server seemed a bit annoyed the whole time we were there. The food was good, but Extremely Over Priced!!!! I got the plain Pad Kee Mao, thinking it would be loaded with peppers and onions, like my normal Thai places. However, I counted 4 onion slices, 2 tomatoes chunks,4 pepper slices and a mass of rice noodles in the dish. I love Thai food, but $16-20+ for authentic noodle dishes is just a tad bit too much, especially if it's just rice noodles and sauce. Maybe, I'm spoiled since I grew up in a city with numerous Thai places that served amazing, yet reasonably priced food; but the price at Basil does not reflect the service or food. will I go back? Maybe, but it would not be my first choice for Thai food or King St eateries.
(3)
Kelsey F.

Solid thai food. Basil is a nice break from the traditional southern food you will find in Charleston. Highly suggest the pad thai (asked for it medium to add a little spice), the pad kee mow with chicken (great flavor and plenty of chicken), and thai noodles (great flavor, not as spicy as the menu suggested). Overall our food was great but if you like that spice (as our group does! Fireee!!) make sure to tell your waiter to kick it up a notch. All the dishes were huge- wish we were going home to be able to keep left overs.
(4)
Justin I.

Solid dinner, great atmosphere, good vibe, and the food and service is great. They have a bunch of bike racks outside so it was perfect for us because we had our rental bikes for our trip. Great location right on King Street easily accessible from anywhere. The place was packed so we put our name and phone number down at the hostess stand and went next door to their sister bar called Chai's Lounge. We had a couple of drinks and then went back over when they called us. Started with a bottle of wine and some fresh basil rolls. Then we got an order of the red curry and a special pad thai they had going on that night. The food was really good and it's not your average hole in the wall take out thai place. The decor and lighting is nice and the whole scene is fun. Great date place and a good mix up from seafood and other common fare at most of the restaurants in Charleston. Highly recommended.
(5)
Keith S.

Basil is, hands down, the best Thai restaurant in Charleston. I eat here regularly, and have never been dissatisfied by the food or the service. I recommend visiting for lunch, as the portions are great and the prices are better than dinner. The pad thai is outstanding, as is the pad prik and red curry. You just can't go wrong here.
(5)
Kristen F.

Man, this place was HUGE when it opened, and it's still going strong. This was our favorite place for Asian food in college, and I still try to make it there whenever I visit. Very friendly for vegetarians, and the sweet & sour tofu is amazing. Count on a wait... but there's a wine bar next door that lets you know when your table is ready.
(5)
Ethan B.

Delicious food. Try combining both chicken and tofu on entree!
(3)
jennifer r.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Charleston when it comes to the food. But the service I experienced the last few times I went was borderline awful. Zero service standards and borderline really rude servers. The last time I went it was 30 minutes to closing and the service staff really made it uncomfortable for us. But damn that food is good.
(4)
James B.

I ate here a couple of years ago so maybe they have new cooks. The service was good but the food was disappointing. I ordered chicken panang and the chicken was tough and dry and tasted like it had been added at the last minute without marinating in the sauce at all. My meal was very small and it was expensive. I've been to a lot better that was a lot less money.
(2)
Mikell B.

I've been to Basil on several occasions, and think that the food is so-so. Definitely NOT worth the price, for sure. Especially when it comes down to a dish like Pad Thai that is essentially just noodles and tamarind sauce, I feel like if I'm paying Basil's prices I should at least have some noodles to take home, but the portions are not that big. It's generally packed, and I've never been overly impressed by the service. I'd much rather go to Jasmine Thai, eat better food, pay less, and have something to stick in my fridge when dinner is over.
(2)
mis h.

I was actually quite disappointed by Basil. The Boy (who is one of the least adventurous eaters I know) decided we should go one night cause he had gone with friends and loved the Pad Thai. And I do love Thai food so I agreed. The coconut soup (that I get every time I get Thai food; I'm addicted) was amazing which was good, cause the Boy hated it and I basically ate the entire hot pot myself. The Boy's Pad Thai was pretty good too, but I didn't think it was any better than any other I'd had. I also got the basil rolls in addition to my soup. They were horrible. I love me some basil, but it tasted like I was just eating basil leaves, which I do not enjoy. However, our waitress realized I hadn't even finished one and asked me what was wrong and I explained to her and she was more than happy to take it off our check, which I greatly appreciated. The atmosphere was killing me. It was super, super crowded. (There's always a line there, no matter when you go.) And also I felt rushed the entire time I was eating since I could see the people waiting for my table. People kept knocking into my chair as they walked past so it made it quite hard to enjoy my meal. I got annoyed and I was just ready to pay and go. Maybe I've just gotten lucky with previous Thai places, but I thought Basil was way too expensive for predictable food and absolutely no atmosphere.
(2)
Ken S.

Food gets a 5, noise gets a 0. This is a foodies joint but don't expect to have a romantic intimate dinner here with the decible level approaching a nuclear blast. Nevertheless its worth bringing earplugs to enjoy some of the best Thai food you'll have anywhere. Crispy Duck in either red or green sauce, Crispy Flounder, pad thai, sticky rice with mango, you name it and they do a great job with food. Service is decent. If you like Thai food, this is THE place in downtown Charleston. If the lines are long there's also an alternative or two around the corner that we like---Coast for seafood and Rue de Jean for a bistro meal of just about anything. Coast is just behind Rue de Jean and is always difficult for out of towners to find but worth a trip for the seafood.
(4)
Elizabeth W.

green curry yum yum yum,. Basil is well known locally to be wonderful, to die for food, reasonable prices. very reliably good
(5)
Morgan S.

Without question, Basil is the best Thai food in Charleston. (I hear Mustard Seed's pad thai is better though....) Previous reviewers are correct - it's small (I call that intimate), loud (people are excited), and the hostesses can be a bit cool (there must be a draft at the door). With that said, I've never been disappointed with their food, their cooks are actually Thai, and the waiters are almost always on top of their game. If you're heading to Charleston, don't be scared by the mediocre reviews here. I live here, eat there at least once a month, and have a discerning palate.
(4)
John M.

We tried to eat at Basil after driving almost 12 hours from Ohio to Charleston. We very tired and very, very hungry. They were somewhat busy and it looked like there would be a wait. Keep in mind we're wearing shorts and sneakers, but we're clean people who pretty much have it together. That being said, we got sort of a once over from the hostess, and when we explained our situation she was not overly sympathetic I'll say. Very dry, not very friendly, and not at all interested in us eating there. Needless to say we left, not quite sure what to make of it. They get two stars for having food and not outright telling us to leave.
(2)
Bill J.

Top notch. I am used to the 'down home' thai in The ATL, but this is a step up from that as far as service and atmosphere. A great call on upper King, highly recommended. Funky fresh!
(4)
Maggie L.

Basil is hands down the best Thai food I've ever had. The dishes are authentic, the food is served piping hot, you can adjust the heat to your liking. No reservations is a bummer as there's always a wait but you get a drink next door in the meantime. It is pretty loud and they definitely work to keep the tables turning. Not the best choice if you want to linger. Food is Amazing!
(5)
C M.

Chicken green curry and a cold beer. This is a very good Thai food restaurant! I have not been to a better one yet.
(5)
Dava A.

I love this place and I live in New York where good food is everywhere. Every time I visit Charleston I eat at Basil at least once, because the food is outstanding. Expect a long wait at night (especially on weekends) and arrive early!
(4)
Claire M.

I think I like it mostly for aesthetic reasons, as it is pretty average thai food. But it's a nice place.
(3)
Kathryn B.

I used to love this place, but I think it has become overpriced. Pad Thai is amazing though.
(3)
Saket V.

My family was hungry on Easter Sunday but we found this place open. We're vegetarian but found the selection to be great. Our waitress, Rachael, was attentive and helpful. The food was excellent -- the Pad Prik was outstanding. The place is fairly bustling so its not ideal for a quiet dinner, but we really enjoyed it.
(5)
Juliana S.

i keep wanting to review places that don't exist anymore, like 17W (rest in peace, beergarden) or saffron (indian food so holy you started believing in transsubstantiation), but then i look around, take stock of the situation, and try to get someone to take me to basil. always get someone else to pay. although the first time i went, i discovered at table that my date was still unemployed. alas! a tragic night at basil, the most impossible place to pretend you're not hungry. luckily, i went there last night and feasted. i even dreamed better last night. (don't they say dreams are caused by what you eat?) henry, the most gracious restaurateur you'll ever meet, really knows his food and what makes a restaurant good...although does anyone else think it's odd that they seem to have segregated the staff (relegated the minorities to a glass box where you can watch them cook, while the predominantly white waitstaff roam freely?) maybe no one else notices. anyway, try the deep-fat-fried duck. i know. it's the most expensive thing on the menu, but you'll thank me. the masaman curry is delicious, as is the pad thai. (granted my only other experience with pad thai involved a roommate that stocked our refrigerator with something that shared the same name, but that's where the similarities ended. instead of egg, noodles, and vegetables, the only discernable ingredient (judging by the smell) was cat food. obviously, i did not partake and only contributed to the cause by throwing it out.)
(4)
Ron S.

Great food, went there for the first time a few weeks and enjoyed the atmosphere and food. Plan to go back pretty soon and try something different off the menu.
(4)
Tian Q.

Being pretty much the only thai restaurant in a touristy downtown Charleston where my friend and I were pretty much the only 1.5 asians in the entire restaurant, I was super pleasantly surprised by the quality of Basil's pad thai, especially considering that I spend most of my time in NorCal where I can basically swim in all kinds of asian food and noodles. The thai iced tea and southern sweet tea were both on the too-sugary-to-be-enjoyable side. Very friendly service. Overall, approve!
(4)
Jonah P.

Without any exaggeration, I can comfortably say that this is one of the best Thai restaurant in the country. Beyond the standards, which they execute with perfection, their duck dishes put them in a class all their own. Whether you're a local or just in town for a few days, take a night away from the local fare, and treat yourself to this incredible restaurant.
(5)
Tyler D.

Food was a 5 star performance, We had the pad thai, which is the most flavorful pad thai I have honestly had. Usually when I order pad thai, I envision flavor lacking rice noodles with some boiled chicken and crushed peanuts mixed in. I just chalked Pad Thai up as a crappy thing to order, until this dish came along... and murdered my pre conceived notions about pad thai.. I also had a red curry chicken. Good tasting typical thai-style red curry, with a little spicy burn, big portion, everything was great. Minus one star for the waitress having zero personality, enthusiasm, or inflection in her voice. Maybe she was staffed from the DMV? Ill be back though.
(4)
Jim L.

I always enjoy the food, quality and service at basil. The pad Thai was delicious. It is restaurant week. How cool is that?
(5)
N T.

Best Pad Thai I've ever had. It is very delicious and the service is great as well. It is a beautiful and delicious restaurant downtown. Must have for Thai Cuisine.
(5)
Marcus S.

I think I'm still full from yesterday. Tom kha gai was delicious, they accommodated our group (including food allergies) very well. I've had many Thai meals in the past, and this is by far one of the best.
(5)
Katrina C.

The first time my boyfriend and I came to Basil was during restaurant week, and we hadn't made a reservation, so we weren't sure how long our wait would be. We sat at the bar while waiting for our table (the wait wasn't long at all, I didn't even finish my drink), and the bartender was really friendly. For restaurant week they have a pre fix menu; we started with larb, which was good - it tasted a little fishy to me, so in the future it would be something that I wouldn't eat, as I don't eat fish. I got chicken pad thai for my meal - this is the best pad thai I have ever had! We have come back several times because it is that good! We finished with fried ice cream which was great. Our service here has always been great, the food comes out quickly, and I think it is so much fun sitting next to the kitchen which is surrounded in glass and watching them make the food.
(5)
Julie T.

I go to Basil once in a while because my sister loves it and its close to her work. It's really good, everything is fresh, and they are very fast to get your meal out to you at lunchtime. Basil has slowly become one of my favorite places downtown. I love Thai cuisine, and Basil does Thai cuisine right! I feel that the prices are a bit high for the amount of food that you receive, but Basil does sit on King St., so the prices can't be helped. The very small dining room during peak times is very slammed. So be warned; if you don't come early be prepared to wait.
(4)
Irene M.

The Pad Thai is amazing!
(5)
Wilma F.

Great Asian fusion place for the deep South! Fresh ingredients, well balanced flavors, & curteous service. The ambience is lacking a bit for the price, but we left happy due to the meal. I had the Thai noodles & it was perfectly executed, down to the cook on the aspargus. Hubbs had curry & it was best Indian he has had. He gorged himself by finishing the huge portions because it was that goodness ! If you love spicy, get at least "hot". Waiter thought "medium" was as far as we should go as "medium is really spicy"' , but we would have gone "hot" in hindsight
(4)
Terry S.

Looking for Thai in Charleston? This place is very good but always busy.
(4)
Gerald P.

Good meal, the dishes were not quite spicy enough. Menu was a bit small. I really thought our waitress did an excellent job with our table which raised them one star, and the desert with coconut ice cream and fried bananas, probably another star. Overall a good place to go.
(4)
Tighe K.

Had the red curry, which was great. Great service as well. I've eaten here several times and have been happy with each experience.
(4)
Meg C.

This is another restaurant that I'd long had on my list of must try places in Charleston. They didn't take reservations but we put our names on the list and headed across the street to a cocktail lounge. When our table was ready they just called us which was really nice since their bar was packed. I cannot recall the name of my first cocktail but it was vodka based with jalapeÃ±o so it was SPICY but good. We shared the egg rolls and I got chicken stir fry with veggies. My entree came with a huge portion of rice, which I referred to as the bucket and it easily could have fed our entire party. In fact, all our portions were large and could be shared if you weren't starving. Thai can be really bad but Basil dies it up really right. I also recommend the Mango Mojito because they make their own rum. Service was friendly and fast.
(5)
Patti B.

I was here twice in 2 weeks, if that says anything. I am a huge Asian food fan, regardless of type of cuisine. It is a quaint, dimly lit restaurant, perfect for a first date, anniversary, or any special occasion, even if it's just to treat yourself to a tasty meal. The soups are served flaming to keep them warm, and can feed 2 quite easily, just as they suggest. The spring rolls are delicious, as are the fresh summer rolls, but the best appetizer there was the chicken stuffed shrimp. My daughter and I made a meal out of a soup and 2 appetizers and we were quite content. The 2nd trip I had the best prik king I've ever had. I ordered it very spicy, one down from "thai hot". The servings are generous and appropriately spiced. My sister's tofu green curry was tasty as well and I'd probably order that the next time I came. Everything is fresh tasting, and they seem to use less oil than most Asian restaurants. The chefs are very talented at what they do, therefore making the slower kitchen service more acceptable. I find them a little pricey, the kitchen a little slow (but the food is made in front of you thru a glass window), but well worth the wait.
(4)
Shawn J.

The food was pretty good but also much out of the ordinary. I've had much better Thai food from a family friend of ours. It's kinda expensive and ya the food is pretty good but not what your going to expect..it's worth maybe a try though..
(3)
Mikee R.

The chicken coconut soup is delicious. You must try the fried banana and green tea ice cream.
(4)
Jennifer B.

Wonderful food. Great ambiance. Impeccable service! If your in the charleston area, this is a must try! There's usually a wait if you go past 7 however they have a small bar area and seating outside.
(5)
Catherine L.

I was in Charleston for work and my husband recommended this place. One word WONDERFUL! Save room for the banana with coconut ice cream for desert. I sat at the bar since I was by myself and the staff was very friendly. A plus for me is that I was in and out in 30 minutes.
(5)
Dan C.

Easily some of the best Thai food I've ever had. It's really busy, so go a little early or be prepared to wait. They will call you when your table is ready. Go across the street and get some drinks at The Cocktail Club while you wait.
(5)
Alyssa M.

Really delicious food. Ordered larb and pad see ew and really enjoyed both, fresh ingredients, really light and delicious. We sat at the bar and had fun watching the chefs prepare food. I can't really say how authentic it is (e.g., broccoli was American not Asian), but it was delicious and service/atmosphere were great.
(4)
Jackson K.

Awesome, but not the best Thai I've ever had. Hard to compare Thai food in SC when you've had some baller Thai in NYC and other areas across the US where there's a much larger Thai community. The atmosphere here is great, the service was great. We loved our experience here and would return in a heartbeat. Cost was reasonable and affordable.
(4)
Jaime G.

The red curry crispy duck was the best Thai plate I have ever tried. Very nice restaurant, you can see they take care in cooking good quality tasting food. Service excellent, reasonably priced.
(5)
Neil G.

Awesome food. Great Ambiance. One of the best thai places around town!
(4)
Sasha H.

I would use the word "cosmopolitan" to describe the scene here. You feel like you are in a lively restaurant in a mid-sized city. The Thai food is pretty good and fairly authentic considering you're in the South. Tom Kha was good. Pad See Ew, not as much, but still tasty. Regular broccoli was subbed for Chinese, and the sauce was thick and bland, not translucent and bold. Still, much better than I would have expected.
(3)
Marissa H.

My friend & I have loved Basil for so long...good to see it's still in Charleston (& expanding!) after all these years. On a recent trip there, we split: Yum Yai: iceberg lettuce w/ cukes, tomatoes, fried tofu strips, scallion & cilantro. A peanut-egg dressing was interesting b/c you could see the egg pieces in the dressing (usually not my thing but when mixed well it worked on the salad). I wasn't crazy about the lettuce - iceberg, really? But my BF loves the dressing. I'd get a different salad next time. Pad Thai: heavy on the veggies (a request) w/ tofu, scallions, bean sprouts & peanuts served w/ regular Pad Thai peanut sauce. It was good - a standard on the menu that's consistent. Pan-fried noodles that held up well for a to-go order. Friendly service & a beautiful interior. Usually busy so there will always be a wait for food but it's worth it. Parking can be horrendous in that area.
(4)
Rick R.

We live in the Charleston area, surrounded by fantastic restaurants, but always find ourselves coming back to Basil. The food at the downtown location is consistently outstanding and this has become over the years our favorite local "go to" restaurant.
(5)
Anton M.

Stopped in for lunch at noon. They filled up quick. Had the Pad-Thai. It was good. Service was friendly and efficient. Restrooms were clean. It was a good quick lunch!
(4)
John S.

One of my favorite spots to dine in downtown Charleston. The service is always excellent, the bar always serves great cocktails(if you like a heavy pour) and the food is simply outstanding. They do not take reservations, but the wait is usually not too long (10 minutes last night). Don't miss this one if you enjoy Thai food!!!!
(4)
Jocelyn A.

More of a fancy cocktail lounge atmosphere than most Thai food restaurants. Which I suppose is why the prices are higher, and the portions are smaller. That being said...I loved this place. All of the food was wonderful, everything from the appetizers to the dessert. It is rare for a Thai restaurant to get everything right, but these guys did. The ingredients are high quality and fresh, which makes it ok that the prices are high. The chicken basil was wonderfully spiced and flavorful. They give ample portions of white steamed rice to go along side. The highlight of the meal was the sticky rice mango dessert!
(5)
Rebecca B.

Walking in , the place smells fantastic - like great Thai food is on the way. But, sadly, no. Pad thai just plain awful. Duck was tough. Service slow and noncommittal, not friendly.
(2)
Christopher S.

3.5***/* We checked this out on Yelp and knew it would draw a big crowd and long wait on Saturday in Charleston. We showed up at 6:30PM and had no trouble getting a table. This is really a bad restaurant layout for crowds. Small bar, no waiting area, except outside the restaurant. In some cases they are standing right by your table as you dine. They do have a unique arrangement with the establishment next door (might own it) where you can use their bar while you wait and they come and get you when your table is ready. Approximately 18 tables inside and a counter overlooking the kitchen. The waitstaff is very good. Attentive and helpful with the menu. The crowd was a fascinating trendy dichotomy of this Southeastern region of the U.S. This made me people watch, which resulted in spending less time focusing on my beautiful companions. I went looking for the unusual as usual. I would not order the Pad Thai because its the national dish. Similar to ordering spaghetti and meatballs in an Italian restaurant or the Generals Chicken in a Chinese restaurant. The chef's specialty is the the 'Crispy Duck" which we went for since it is his signature dish. We also ordered Red Curry w/Chicken and a Yellow Curry Veg. entree. For starters we had the Basil Rolls. The food was good. I tasted the duck and thought it was a little flat on taste for being the signature dish. The yellow and red curry sauces were very good. Basil rolls get 5 stars. Overall, the entree were good but not off the charts. Prices are somewhat inflated, so the price value when evaluated with the food quality, service and ambiance is average at this restaurant. I think they should focus on perfecting their menu offering and place less emphasis on portion size. I would make a return trip to try it again.
(3)
Claire P.

This place is legit. No reservations, so don't call, but the wait (if there is one, which you can bet on during the weekend) moves pretty quickly. I love sitting at the bar overlooking the kitchen and watching the kitchen staff do it's thing, but really anywhere is a good spot. It's kind of loud in there, so keep that in mind if you're easily affected. On to food: the spring rolls are amazing. Get those. Also, the pad thai is incredible if that's your thing although it doesn't come with any heat to it, so be sure to ask if you're looking for that. The Prik King with beef is another big favorite of mine. You really can't go wrong with anything here. Delicious for lunch too (but no lunch hours on the weekends).
(5)
Michael F.

Swooping into Charleston, SC for the night on business, this business took me and my party of associates to Basil Restaurant. Most everything we had was super delicious, and ranks up with any Thai food I've had in New York. We had: Tom Kha Gai (Chicken Coconut): Sliced chicken breast cooked in coconut milk with galanga roots, lime leaves, lemongrass, button mushrooms, cilantro and scallions. Nominally designed for two people, there was enough for four. Fresh Basil Rolls: Perhaps not as shrimp-filled as some I've had, but tasty nonetheless. Larb: Minced meet mixed with ground rice, onions, mint, scallions, cilantro, chili powder, fish sauce and lemon juice. We had hour with beef as the meat component. Delicious. Served with a wedge of cabbage that you can peel off leaves from and fill with Larb. Nam Sod: Similar to Larb, only this time, minced meat mixed with ginger, scallions, cilantro, onions, peanuts, chili powder, fish sauce and lemon juice. This was served with iceberg lettuce for wrapping instead of cabbage. Also super delicious. Crispy Red Curry Duck: succulent and delicious duck with vegetables and red curry sauce. Pad Thai: What meal would be complete without some of this? An excellent rendition served in quantity. For dessert: Fried Green Tea Ice Cream with Raspberry Sauce: I'd say this was the one weak part of the meal. The crust wasn't very tasty and was too thick. The ice cream/crust ratio had too much crust. Ambiance is good, but hard surfaces make for a fairly noisy dining experience. Overall, a great dining experience and I'm told that during the school year the place has a line up the block with college students. We were lucky, though, because in the words of the immortal Alice Cooper, school's out for the summer. Hit up Basil if you're in Charleston. You won't be disappointed.
(4)
Paschall W.

After hearing many great things about this place I finally got the chance to eat here.........let's just say it was HEAVEN!!!!! Walking in all the staff are very welcoming and the atmosphere is perfect. I went on a Monday night so there was no wait(which it usually is) and was seated right away. I decided to get the basil egg rolls, red chicken curry and the Mango Martini. Beginning with the egg rolls, they were very simple but the basil leaf just gets all taste buds rolling paired with the dipping sauce it was perfect. My red curry came out cooked to perfection. The spicy ness was perfect and this is the only time where I visited a restaurant and actually ate all of my food!!!! It was soo good I couldn't stop eating even after I was pass full! Lastly the Mango Martini......yuuummmmmyyyy! There are really no words to describe this drink you just have to try it!!!!! This was my first time but def not my last.... Sorry no pics to post i was just overwhelmed by all the fabulousness that had arrived to my table and begun eating right away!!!!
(5)
Henry D.

Definitely one of the highlights of Charleston dining! Their signature basil stir fry is delicious, a delectable combination of sweet and spicy. Every time I've dined in, we have received friendly, attentive service. Highly recommended.
(5)
Amy C.

I went here for dinner and it was amazing! The service was great from the hostess to our server. The only thing is make sure you come here or you'll be waiting for at least 30 minutes. Once seated, we ordered the pad thai, pad zee u, fried wantons and an order of the eggrolls. Everything and I mean everything was delicious. The eggrolls are vegetarian and it's so crunchy and paired perfectly with their sweet and sour sauce. The sauce adds the perfect subtleness to the eggroll. The wanton filling is a combination of cream cheese, chicken, and pork, and this also comes with a side of sweet and sour sauce which is perfect with the crunchy on the outside and soft inside wanton. The pad thai was probably my favorite dish there. As I have mentioned in many of my Thai reviews, I use to work at a Thai restaurant so I have very high standards for pad thai. This certainly hit the spot. The pad thai was perfectly cooked and it even had a crunchiness to it which I have never had before. It was perfect though with the pad thai sauce; moreover, it's the perfect ying to the softness of the rest of the noodles (its yang). The last dish we got was the pad zee u with beef. This was great as well, but it wasn't something I never had, and all the flavors were there so while it wasn't the star for me like the pad thai, it certainly didn't miss the mark. Overall, great food, great life :)
(4)
Michael T.

Visited again. Same small portions, but really tasty delicious thai food. Fun hip atmosphere.
(4)
Laura F.

Excellent food! Every. Single. Time. The curry duck was delicious! Love everything about this restaurant.
(5)
Ron V.

Pad kee mow was excellent! Service and atmosphere was very nice. Good lunch specials and nice clean place to eat while in town.
(4)
J B.

Basil is a great spot in Charleston. We were there on a very busy Thursday night. Don't let a crowd deter you- the staff and kitchen are on their game. Food was great, service efficient, crowd urban and eclectic. Try to get seats at the chefs' counter where you can watch the super efficient chefs working while you dine.
(5)
Lydia Chur E.

We came here for lunch on a weekday. I had a good Tom Kha Gai soup and red curry with beef (skimpy beef portion). My daughter had basil beef (decent size beef portion.) They didn't ask us the spice level and made it a bit hot. The good Thai Ice Tea took the edge off. We had a bad table by the wait station and kitchen, so I was distracted with all the commotion. The service was fine.
(3)
Joseph N.

One of the best places to enjoy Thai food in the south! I've been to Basil twice and both times have been a very good experience. The price is a little on the high side, but it is worth it IMO. There is usually a wait, so be prepared and enjoy the bar at Chai's next door (or one of the other bars in the area) while you wait. I'm a big fan of Pad Thai, so of course that is what I usually order at any Thai restaurant. The mild Pad Thai at Basil is quite spicy, so I would advise getting that with some spices on the side just in case it's not spicy enough for your tastes. My Brother-in-law Brian got some Curry with tofu - he liked it but thought it could be a little spicier (good thing we had some extra spices on the side). The service has been great both times I've been there - the waitress we had tonight was quite charming and honest about what is good in the area. I'm sure I will be eating at Basil again, so I'll see you there fellow Charlestonian Yelpers.
(4)
David C.

Great Thai food, very good massaman curry and pad thai. Usually pretty busy place and they do not take reservations. Great atmosphere (can be loud) and food, will definitely eat again.
(4)
Mike W.

I really like Basil and wish we had a Thai place of this quality but also this lovely an atmosphere in my hometown of Gainesville, Florida. Those who say the portions are small are somewhat correct, but let me explain something: America has larger portions than most other nations. I guess over time we have come to expect that dinner will be large enough to supply lunch the next day, also, but that's not always the case. I think the portions here are fair, not small, though I've certainly seen larger. The quality of the food is very high in general, but it's a busy restaurant and I can imagine they do have off nights. The basil or garlic stir-fry dishes with your choice of meat are very sound choices and the spring rolls are also very good. Half the fun though is the atmosphere: you can get as good food and perhaps more of it at Siagon in Savannah, but not with this stellar atmosphere. If you're in Charleston and want something downtown and not Southern, check out Basil.
(4)
Jeff K.

Does this place compare to San Francisco Thai food?.....you bet! This place is great! The owner is very friendly and the staff was amazing! I enjoyed all the appetizers and entrees we ordered. A great family style restaurant! A+ in my book!
(5)
Christina T.

i was super excited about the great reviews here - so much so that it was my first restaurant in charleston! to be honest - i'm a little confused. maybe it's because i've had the luxury of DC + NYC thai for the past six years, but the pad thai i ordered was lackluster. i've had so much better, and for half the price. my boyfriend enjoyed his curry & the egg roll appetizers we had were good - but again, the price was high ($6 for 2). the atmosphere & decor were nothing special. i will say that out waitress was super sweet & helpful. would i go back? not for dinner -- maybe for lunch.
(2)
Richi R.

Service is great Food is good portions are decent Prices are affordable the fact that we asked 2 waiters if there is MSG in the food, one answered no and the other said a little threw me off! other then that it would have gotten 4 stars
(3)
Amiee M.

In the charleston area for business and after walking the street to find a decent place to eat close to our hotel we happened upon Basil. It was about 6 pm and we were seated right away. It's a cozy, small place with a great ambiance. The wait staff was on point and never neglected their patrons. Food was delicious and reasonably priced as well.
(4)
Aaron D.

Absolutely packed with a line onto the sidewalk when we drove by one night. From our experience, street parking is a nightmare in the area, particularly on weekends. (Although I think it was parents weekend for Savannah college kids, so that may have had something to do with it.) Still, you may want to park all the way down by the Battery or one in a garage someplace and walk. Anyway, we were able to come back another night and get a booth right away. The ambience is stylish, but loud. We shared an enormous and tasty soup appetizer. And then we also shared a main course curry. That turned out to be plenty of food for the two of us. The Thai iced tea was delicious. Everything tasted light and healthy, which was a nice break from all the heavy food we had been eating on our swing through Georgia and South Carolina. Prices are high for Thai food, but Charleston is an expensive city. Considering that it's possible for two people with moderate appetites to share a soup and a main course, you can still get out of here without dropping a lot of cash. Random note - On the walk back to our car, we passed someone who seemed like a homeless person, but instead of asking us for change, he just wished us a pleasant evening. How nice is that? :)
(4)
Mike M.

I had the Red Curry Duck, and it was awesome. I would definitely recommend this place.
(4)
Kari K.

I recently ate lunch at Basil. It was very full, and we sat at the counter because the tables were all in use. The service was ok- nothing spectacular, but not horrible. We split some spring rolls as an appetizer- 2 rolls for $5-6, which is a little pricey. They were ok, but nothing great. At this point I was thinking I wasn't going to give a great review- but then the entrees came. I ordered Green Curry with Tofu, and it was absolutely delicious! They do not have brown rice, at all, though, so I barely ate any (white) rice with my meal, meaning I ate all the tofu and veggies, and left a large amount of broth in the bowl. My friend had Ginger Tofu, and it was quite delicious as well. It was mainly tofu, no veggies or anything else. The flavor was quite good, though. This might be a good place to order a curry from, to go, rather than sitting inside. It was too noisy to have good conversation.
(3)
Annie R.

The dubbed "best Thai in Charleston" cracks me up, what are there 6 or 7 Thai restaurants total in this city? Basil is amazing beyond best of Charleston. Having lived in large metro areas with plenty of Thai food to go around, I feel like I have had a broad range of Thai food, or food that claims to be Thai. That being said this is actually pretty authentic (minus the sweet tea you order to go with it). The Tom Kha Gai soup is amazing here, second only to a little mom and pop Thai place in Boston. The basil duck and green curry are both out of this world. Even there ginger stir fry is impressive. Basil is a great stop for locals/people visiting who want to try authentic Thai food. It is always crowded so be prepared for a wait!
(4)
Laura F.

I am not a huge fan of Thai food to begin with, but I went here with a group of friends. The place was super loud and impossible to hear the people you are with. We had reservations, but still had to wait 20 minutes before our table was ready. I got sweet and sour chicken because I do not like Pad Thai, but everyone else in my group ordered the Pad Thai. I thought my meal was decent - the chicken was good and the vegetables included were nice. The rice was just like steamed rice, not much I can really say about that. I thought the dinner was quite overpriced. I probably won't go back on my own volition.
(2)
John S.

I was visiting a friend in Charleston and she recommend we have dinner at Basil Thai. She claims that Basil serves "appointment soup" due to the opinion that the soup is so good you need to schedule an appointment to order it, but she is also on the cusp of lunacy. I'm a huge curry fan, so i immediately sought out the Green Curry. It was the best green curry i have ever eaten. It reminded me of the first time i ate at a cook in front of you Japanese restaurant ....simply incredible. Unfortunately that friend has a bad attitude, so i may not make it back to Charleston, but it was a memorable dinner nonetheless.
(5)
Anand P.

Great food and great service. Prices a little high. Delicious Tom kha soup. Would definitely return.
(4)
Isabel G.

Delish.... Massaman curry tasted like it cooked for hours..even my picky boy liked the basil beef.
(4)
V Y.

One of the best Thai restaurant's in Charleston. Being from NYC I was little bit skeptical at first. But after dining here, Basil Thai is on par or even better than most of the Thai places in NYC.
(5)
MK H.

Basil thai is a very nicely decorated place to eat. That's about it. And that's where the two stars come from. The real deal should have been the food. But that was a disappointment. I usually ordered something specific to the restaurant ethnicity. Since this is a thai place, most people would order the pad thai. And the pad kee mow (drunk man noodle). Or Larb. Or Som tum. These are typical thai food for those who know... The pad kee mow was too expensive and not worth its 15.00 price. It was too sweet, like what a pad thai should taste like. And the noodles were hard and mushy all at the same time. Which means they did not put it in the hot water long enough and stir fried it while too wet and the sauce made it soggy. Hard to do but they succeeded. Enough said on that dish... Larb...the average diner would not know what that should taste like, except if they were native or have had the real deal before. And this was not it at all...disappointing... OVERPRICED and not authentic. At all. Not today.
(2)
Lisa C.

So good Thai food!! Yum! I went there after a bad experience trying to get dinner at Hominy Grill. So glad we ended up here. They were very busy when we got there so we got a bar table and ordered some drinks. Between the 3 of us we ordered the fresh rolls, egg rolls, pad thai, and the basil duck. We ate family style and it was plenty for all of us. Also, I think the bertender may have been trying ot get me drunk because my drinks were incredibly strong. Yay!
(4)
Claudia C.

This place is good at best. Nothing special but nothing bad either. Price are definitely too high for dinner. If you want to try it, definitely go for lunch. I tried the Sweet and Sour and the Vegetable medley, both with chicken. Both were okay and filled me up but chicken was sort of dry and Sweet and Sour was too sweet.
(3)
Kimberly N.

This place was packed when we went, and we were famished. We opted to sit at the Chef's Bar in order to get food in our bellies as quickly as possible. The service was the fastest we've had in Charleston, hands-down. The husband ordered a mixed drink that had basil and mint in it. He found it light and refreshing, and said it reminded him of a Pimm's. We ordered the egg rolls to start, and they arrived promptly. However, I was surprised at how small they were, and that there were only two. About 1/3 of the plate was just garnish. And they didn't taste very fresh; I wouldn't be surprised if they were actually frozen, especially considering how fast they arrived. For the price, I was expecting more, and definitely a fresher taste. Our entrees, however, were fantastic. I ordered the Red Curry with tofu, and my husband ordered the Pad Woon Sen with tofu. It's nice that the majority of entrees could be ordered to be vegetarian (tofu). Sitting at the Chef's Bar and watching all the delicious food getting made was entertaining, but I did notice (again) that nearly every plate had about 1/4 of it covered with pure garnish (shredded cabbage and carrots). Still, my Red Curry was enough food to afford me a second serving for lunch the next day. And the spiciness level was perfect. I was a little worried that the spiciness level wouldn't suit me, since they didn't have a 1-5 spiciness level to choose from here. I think they found a happy medium that most people will find spicy enough but not too wimpy. My lips were burning just a bit, but that was it. No runny eyes/nose, or tongue on fire. So, good job on that. The ambiance is dark, sleek, and modern, with just a touch of traditional Thai with some wood carvings mounted here and there on the walls. It was a little noisy due to all the hard surfaces and how busy it was, but not too annoying.
(4)
David C.

The world really is small. Fifty years ago there was no Thai food outside of Thailand (and maybe immigrant communities on the west coast). That has changed, and with great result. Basil leans towards the sleek vice the rustic, but I've never been to Thailand so the difference is ultimately irrelevant. There's a big glass kitchen full of busy, busy people making wholesome, tasty dishes. The Tom Kha Gai, a sweet and sour chicken soup with coconut broth, came in a self-warming tureen and fed five as an appetizer. There are so many flavors in it your mouth will call for back up. Lime, Coconut, Chili-Sour, Sweet, Spicy. Savory little mushrooms, tender chicken. It's up there with my favorite things tried. I once met someone who didn't like duck. We don't really talk any more, but I'd consider calling them just to get them to try the duck here. It might change their mind - or set up an expectation so unrealistic that they'll never like duck anywhere else. If it starts with the word 'Pad,' it's worth your time. Pad Thai is peerless, Pad Prik is beguiling, and Pad See Eu is comfort. I don't know if it's possible to make a bad Thai Coffee or Iced Tea. They sure don't. Sit by a broad window either looking out or in, listen to the sounds from the kitchen, and revel in the comforts of globalization.
(5)
David T.

Basil is a great choice if you love Thai food or are looking for a reasonably priced alternative to Nouveau Southern cuisine and don't want to wait 45 minutes for a table. The food is fresh and delicious and served in large portions - the entrees are big enough to split between two. The server we had was snappy and attentive and the atmosphere is busy but nice.
(4)
D L.

Excellent great taste ambiance service cleanliness glass and dinnerware exceptional
(5)
Leahman p.

Nice place, lots of locals. Very tasty pad Thai. Nice alternative to the downtown tourist traps.
(4)
Chris J.

Red curry duck is mighty tasty. Normally when in Charleston I eat low country food, but this is a nice change of pace and a legit Thai place
(4)
RD S.

We walked two miles to this restaurant and waited two hours for it to open. What a waste of energy and time! My husband has spent a lot of time in Asia and has been eating wonton soup for over 50 years. He said that this is easily the worst he's ever had. It was very salty and the wontons were mush. No roast pork, just bok choi, green onions and mushy wontons. And lots of salt. The phad Thai was almost as bad. The noodles were more like angel hair pasta and again were horrifically overcooked. The flavor was phad Thai-like. Perhaps a bad night? Won't be going back to find out.
(1)
Todd M.

Consistently excellent Thai food comparable with better Thai restaurants in New York. Space is energetic. Drinks are good. Prices are a little high but worth it. Service can be mediocre at times but is usually very good.
(4)
Wolfgang K.

We had dinner there yesterday and it was simply outstanding Thai food! Had a few cocktails at the bar while waiting for our dining companion to arrive and then (after a bit of a wait) got seated (I got a chair with a view of the kitchen - which was quite nice). The food was simply great. Rice paper rolls for appetizer, Pad Thai for the two ladies and Crispy Red Duck (according to the menu the chef's signature dish) for me. All three portions were humongous - you could easily share the duck with another person. All paired with a nice Gewurztraminer from the rather extensive wine list (in - yes - decent glasses). We'll definitely be back there if we come back to Charleston and are in need of our Thai fix.
(5)
Michael S.

Great food and fast service. The Basil Duck or the Three Flavor Fish are awesome. And the cooks are good about making your food to order, so I recommend getting it how you like it. It's a little tight in there, but you can always go to Chai's next door and hang out while you wait, or for a more open drink after dinner. Anyway, great place, always go back when I am home.
(4)
Steven J.

Ok, so it is probably the best Thai, but does it have to be that expensive?
(4)
Celine K.

I have been coming to the restaurant consistently since it opened about 7 years ago. It is my go to place for a quick lunch or dinner with friends. The food here is always good and well prepared not matter how busy the restaurant. It is definitely one of the best restaurants in Charleston. My only complaint is that the restaurant gets very loud. The takeout is also very good. Favorites dishes include: Pad Thai (of course!), beef satay, basil roll, any of the 3 curries (massaman, red or green) and the chicken cashew.
(4)
Amanda M.

Amazing service, amazing apps, amazing curry, amazing pad Thai, amazingly delicious drinks... I highly recommend the green curry and a Thai Boxer to wash it down with!
(5)
Whit R.

Basil duck - best dish in Charleston. Go there and try it if you don't believe me. Man, I could eat that stuff day and night. Everything I've had there has been at least good if not excellent. The coconut soup is super tasty, and the dishes are big enough to share if you're not a pig. Sharing is a GREAT idea, by the way, as Basil is far from affordable. Expect to spend $100 for a couple if you want an app and a few drinks. Mmmmmm, sake..... Speaking of drinks, this is not really a "hang-out" kind of place. The bar only seats 3 or 4. There's a few tables outside, too, when the weather permits.
(4)
Jennifer K.

Probably the best pad Thai I've had! Friendly staff! Cool vibe in there!
(5)
Robert M.

Likely one of the best in the whole country. Always awesome food. Fast service, the only downside is the size, this place is tiny compared to the crowd that comes. Expect long waits on the weekends.
(5)
Catherine A.

Basil is my favorite restaurant in charleston. The pad-se-eu is to die for. If I could eat Basil for dinner every night, I would! Ive never had bad service, which is always a plus. Now they have a location in mt pleasant.
(5)
jeremy c.

I stopped in Charleston for the day and the hotel recommended Basil. The service was great, the atmosphere outstanding, and the food was pretty good. The thing that I really appreciated as much as anything was the freshness of the ingredients. We started with the Basil rolls, a rice-wrapped concoction that featured, surprise surprise, fresh basil. I really appreciated it, as each roll contained two whole basil leaves which brought a lot of snap. For the entree I had Green Curry and a side of steamed rice noodles. The noodles were a special order and they were nice enough to hook it up. I prefer noodles to rice with my curry. The curry was delicious and very aromatic, with a coconut-based curry sauce, fresh eggplant, onions, bell peppers, etc. and all of the vegetables were fresh. The one complaint, if forced to come up with one, is that it was a little spendy for the portion. With water to drink, it ended up around $25 with tip, but I left satisfied and really appreciated the fact that the food was anything but ordinary. Well done Basil!!
(4)
Martin E.

Incredible food that is served up impressively fast. The menu is clearly marked about which dishes are spicy and which are not, which I found extremely helpful. The signature dish, Pad Thai, was incredible and a solid portion...I was definitely full after. The beer list is limited, though try one of the Asian ones...I was happy with the two I tried. The wine list is much more expansive. The only issues I had were the extreme noise, so much so it was difficult to hear the person next to me, and that the tables were so close together my chair was constantly being hit by a passing waiter or the tables next to me. Small issues, and certainly not enough to keep me from going back. It was really really good food, and the fact they serve so late is great!
(4)
Mary Cecilia M.

Basil Thai is the best Asian food you'll find in the low-country area. I've always enjoyed it. The green curry is the best curry I've maybe ever had. If I am extra hungry I get the Basil rolls or the Coconut soup as a starter. The only disappointing factor about Basil is the price. It always ends up seeming so expensive, but perhaps it is because I like the food so much that I always want to order appetizers and my own entree (you can realistically share an entree between two people). My only advice is just don't sit outside in the late summer when the mosquitoes are out!
(4)
Phillip M.

Second time eating there tonight. We went about 7pm and the wait for a table for two was about 10 minutes. The food was good as well as the service. The restaurant was full but the noise level was tolerable. The portion size for the entrees was large, more than I could eat. Price very reasonable for the quality and quantity of the food. Highly recommended.
(4)
Tim F.

Food is good and fast as many have stated. Sat at the chef's bar area, had the red curry duck whcih was cooked very well. I asked for hot but if you like it spicy I would ask for thai hot since the hot was not too spicy. Had the basil cocktail which was good and also noted they had some pretty decent prices on bottles of wine, definitely will return.
(4)
Ind R.

The best Thai in Charleston, hands down. I cannot say enough about the food. I usually stick with the curry section (tofu is an option), but Basil is one of the few restaurants that succeeds with both the curry dishes and the noodle dishes. You won't be disappointed. The decor is impressive. Some seating faces the cooking area, where chefs work behind glass. You'll never believe that the space formerly housed a Huddle House, much less a bicycle shop. Though, a much beloved bicycle still marks the entrance, years later. Basil's only flaw: THE RULES. No reservations. No seating groups unless every member of your party is present. No take-out Fridays or Saturdays between 6-9. No sitting outside until a very specific time, unrelated to the hours of operation. These rules are not posted, but woe to those who transgress. It can also be loud when busy. Great place to eat with those you don't really want to talk to! While waiting (and you will have to wait), you are free to have a drink at the Chai's Lounge, which is under the same ownership. They'll even let you take your drink with you to your table.
(5)
Alvaro d.

Too pricey for the quality of the food. I come from Chicago were prices are half for Thai and flavor is maybe twice better. It is not bad food, I just felt I wasn't getting my money's worth. Other than that, the place is nice and the service is good.
(2)
EC F.

Meh. I don't really get the hype about this place. Been there several times now and while it's fine, it seems to me that the most remarkable thing about it is how expensive it is. I grew up in an area with Thai food restaurants on almost every corner (not an exagerration) and I'm not sure that, were I back home, this place would even warrant a second visit, even at half the price. That being said, it can be a fun place to go with friends and most everyone I know seems to be wild about it, so I'm sure I'll find myself there again. Maybe one of these visits I'll actually get it.
(3)
Alfred L.

The coconut cilantro soup is to die for.
(4)
Harold R.

Lunch today at Basil was quite nice. The shrimp salad and the duck salad were just right for a pair of frequent over eaters . Well also try the one in Charlotte.
(4)
Jimbo K.

Went there on Saturday night, it is just one of those 'must do' places every time we come to Charleston. Still wonderful!
(5)
kt m.

Decided to change it up a bit from the southern fare we'd been eating in Charleston, and we were happy that we did. This place seems like a local favorite, and I can see why. The food was great and the service was attentive. I love that the exterior is old-school and the interior is very contemporary. The acoustics are a little problematic; it does get quite loud, although that does add to the energy. If you're there on a first date, the noisiness probably wouldn't be so good. Fortunately, my husband and I have been married for 25 years so we can communicate by telepathy anyway. For example, I could tell he was checking out the hostess, but that's OK...our male server was equally cute, so it all evened out.
(4)
Matthew L.

Yeah, if you know Thai restaurants in Charleston, you know this would make my yelp list of best Thai. Let's face it, the food is very good. The curries are excellent, and the fried duck is awesome. It's the most expensive dish, but you will love it, love it, love it. Downside of Basil is they're probably a bit too pretentious for their own good. After all, Thai isn't expensive to make - people in Thailand are very poor and would probably get a kick out of seeing all the fuss Basil makes over themselves. It would be a comical as going over to Europe and seeing a classy restaurant with only burgers on the menu, but with linen tablecloths and crystal. So, removing some of the pomp mentioned by other reviewers would make the place better. Some like the "snoot" though, so maybe I'm just a guy from Summerville talking on that one who makes Thai way out in the boonies. Not much else to say. Great food, great location for a night on the town. Prices are a bit higher than your typical Thai, but still very reasonable in comparison. Nice big portions, too.
(4)
Elizabeth J.

So I call Basil tonight, hoping to buy my fiance & friend dinner as a thank you for taking care of me after surgery. Only I find out tonight that Basil does not accept take-out orders by phone on the weekends. I was told that if I really wanted it, I could drive there, order from the bar, and then wait for the 45min it would take for my food to be ready. Wow. Needless to say, a quick Yelp search gave me 4 other Thai fusion options....with the same exact order options. Glad that one business in town is doing so well that they can 1) turn away potential customers and 2) would rather inconvenience us instead of asking the bartender/hostess to juggle a little more. I mean really--how long does a phone order take? How easy is that tab? I've worked in food, it's not that bad. Sorry, the choice just feels a little pretentious, especially in the town of hospitality. Tonight, I'm disappointed in Basil's manners.
(2)
Carla K.

Went here during our honeymoon and had our best meal of the week here. Absolutely delicious.
(5)
Brett M.

Where I learned to appreciate Thai food. I recommend this place to all, the foodies and the skeptics. I've dined there on dates and with company from out of town and always had a terrific experience. Great atmosphere while dining and convenient to the point that they will take a cell number while waiting so you can grab a drink next door from Chai's.
(5)
Kristi S.

Fabulous Thai food right on King St. The first time I had the pad thai and loved it. The second time I had green curry with shrimp and chicken, and it was rockin', too. :)
(4)
Meredith P.

I was only marginally impressed with Basil. We went because Yelp said it was the best Thai in Charleston, but I have had MUCH better at home in Washington DC. For one thing, I'm not sure any of the staff here was actually Thai, quite possibly including the cooks, though I can't be sure about them. The service was atrocious, unless this girl was BRAND NEW to waiting tables, there was no excuse for her lack of coordination and efficiency. The bartender however must have been great, because those drinks were big and strong! We did choose to sit outside because it was so noisy inside; it was a nice night so the sidewalk seating was quite pleasant. As for the food...I was highly unimpressed. I have been a vegetarian for 13 years so I have experienced a very wide variety of vegetarian dishes; Asian cuisines are my favorite. But the vegetable medley with tofu - which I've had at a few dozen similar restaurants - was unremarkable. There was very little variety in the vegetables, the tofu was practically tasteless, and the whole thing overall was too sweet. (And I like sweet things, so that's saying a lot!) The meatless egg rolls were also uninspired...could you be any more boring? I honestly cannot believe that this is the best Thai in Charleston and highly praised as a vegetarian option...it leaves me feeling sorry for the local vegetarian community, and leaves me longing for Tara Thai (multiple locations in the DC area), Chelsea Thai (New York City), and Jasmine Thai and Moroccan (Seattle)!
(3)
Lauren M.

I have never been disapointed here... in fact, everytime I go It is better than I remember... and i always remember it being the best thai food EVER! the wonton soup and the basil wraps are two of my favorite apps. i love the pad kee mow and the pad see u (sp?). Everything is very clean and the presentation is always gorgeous. Every time I have a visitor this is the one restaurant in town I make an absolute point to take them to. They've always been more than satisfied.
(5)
Alexandra F.

My favorite casual dining spot downtown, Charleston. Every single item is wonderfully delactable. It is affordable and in a great location. I crave their food and can be found there a few times a month. Strong points: Yum Ped (duck salad), Pad Thai, Crispy Red Curry Duck, Green Curry, Ginger Chicken. Room for improvement: Basil rolls (simple- not notable. Everything else is so outstanding that these end up lack-luster) Acoustics (very loud atmosphere- they could utilize some assistance from me! Call Innovative Interiors when you remodel).
(5)
Wally B.

This place rocks! Food is great. Service is all over you. Eat lunch there once or twice a week. Misty, the bartender is awesome.
(5)
Maria Gracia I.

If you like Thai food, you will appreciate this restaurant. The food is fresh and delicious. The kitchen is behind a glass wall so if you are sitting at the bar you can see how everything is prepared. The service was excellent. The waiter gave us good recommendations in terms of dishes and sizes. My martini was crispy. The atmosphere was perfect. Not a sports bar with the TV on, just the sound of people enjoying good food and good conversations. Definitely an excellent choice.
(4)
Regina S.

This is one of Charleston's most popular restaurants... for locals. I could eat the basil rolls here like tic tacs. If you love cilantro and eggplant like I do, the green curry is the way to go. Not many places in Charleston rock the tofu, leaving Basil to set the standard for veggie dishes. They set the standard high. I was afraid it was just me, but it seems like more people have been complaining about the noise. It's almost always packed, but the acoustics make it even louder. Not a great place to go on a first date unless you can sit outside or the kitchen bar.
(4)
Larissa O.

I had their basil rolls for an appetizer... they didn't have the most flavor, but the sauce (tamarind and sweet chil, I think) added a good amount. Their pad thai was good, but definitely need a whole hell of a lot more spices. I ordered it hot (scale of 3 out of 4), but added a lot of the chili sauce to get it to my liking. I would have liked more cilantro, but that's I roll with my pad thai...They do make some yummy alcholic drinks. I had a coconut, vanilla vodka and ginger, basil, cilantro or something kind of drink :). It was good, but probably not something I'd order again. Now, their mango martini was DELICIOUS! I'm not sure if there was any alcohol, but the mango flavor was yummy.
(3)
Jenna M.

being from NYC, there are Thai restaurants galore, and I love Thai food. I didnt though, expect to eat Thai at any time on my 10 day long trip down south. But I found myself in Charleston, SC with just no appetite for Southern home cooking, so looked online and found Basil. My coworker and I decided to go for it and were very well pleased. THe food was delicious and authentic and spicy! We had asked for a special cocktail of our own making and whomever was behind the bar executed it perfectly! Our waitress was very friendly and we had ourselves a nice little evening. If I ever get a chance to go back to Charleston for a longer period of time, I would be very willing to go in for a repeat.
(4)
Heather A.

Pricey, but it's Charleston. Basil is great and has large portions, a great atmosphere and good service. A staple.
(4)
Jasen F.

Second visit and a bit disappointed. Pricy food, avg presentation, good crowd but the pad Thai was a bit pedestrian. I measure a Thai restaurant by their pad Thai and it gets 3 stars. Not enough flavor, either subtle or strong.
(3)
Hank M.

Damn. Just one word - DAMN. As in that is one DAMN fine Thai restaurant. Want is spicy? You got it. Want it mild? You got it. They go out of their way to make sure you like what you're eating at Basil. It's pretty rare that a waiter / waitress makes a recommendation that is something other than what they are instructed to push on the customers that night, but our did exactly that. She saw the specials, didn't really like them, and recommended some great dishes for us to enjoy. Bravo!
(4)
Amy Jo G.

It's Thai, it's Charleston, it's affordable, it's delicious! This place is a well-oiled machine. Great food, great service, and there is almost ALWAYS a wait! Go early so you can leave your name on the list and go over to AC's for a beer....or if you like it a little more fancy I guess you could wait next door at Chai's or go to Raval. The Basil Duck with Red Curry is definitely where it's at, but if you are looking to be a little more frugal, all of the curries are amazing!
(5)
Leon R.

I found it hilarious that they are getting away with charging $15-$17 for an entree of Thai food. Hey I guess Thai food is real "exotic" in Charleston haha. Since our coworker was going to go for a drink next door, we figured we give it a go. We initially wanted to order to go...the very young and inexperienced hostess (Shelly) directs us to the bar to order....where there's no space to stand since it's packed and literally no space to sit down afterwards to wait for our food besides the seating in front of the open kitchen....so we went there to look at our menus. As we looked at the menu, we changed our minds and decided to dine in...before I could tell the hostess, Shelly rudely tells me, "the bar is over there." Quite annoyed, I ignored her. As for the food, it's typical..nothing special here. I'm assuming I'm paying for the ambience and service....the only person I notice was working hard seem to be the supervisor on duty, he took care the details of our experience and he was very accommodating to everyone else as well. The ambiance....far from fine dining and Thai restaurants are known for their decor...(excluding the the mom and pops ones haha). Besides that, why the heck is it this expensive? Our server Alex didn't even say thank you after she handed us checks to sign...okay? Awesome service...bleh. Needless to say, I am spoiled with all kinds food in the west coast and if not great but at least decent service....but paying for $16 for a plate of Phad Thai....I definitely felt like a chump.
(3)
Andie C.

By far, one of the best Restaurant Week deals in town. Great portions, great service, and great food. I recommend the Pad Woon Sen and fried green tea ice cream...delish! This was our second time dining at Basil, both times have been during Restaurant Week. I definitely need to add it into our dinner rotation...Basil never disappoints!
(5)
Tracey D.

My ALL-TIME favorite Thai restaurant. Favorite dishes are: red curry duck, tom kha khai soup, five spice fish, pad thai, and pad see yew ..everything is pretty good imo there though:) just depends on what you like. I love this place so much, been to many Thai restaurant in the US (and even in Thailand) but Basil is still my favorite! :))
(5)
Meg A.

great atmosphere + ok food = nice place to grab Thai on King st Went here recently on a Sat night. It was packed but we sat at the bar and got a drink before eating. I got a Hot Basil. I think it was a little too hot for a drink. My boyfriend said his mouth was burning from one sip all night. I couldn't finish it and for a $9 cocktail that was a shame. I ordered the Pad Thai which I had made veggie (take off chicken and shrimp) but would have had to pay $2 extra if I wanted tofu added. Dislike. By boyfriend got another noodle dish with tofu which was very good. Overall I think the atmosphere and service was great. The food was only so so though.
(3)
Rodney L.

The red duck curry was awesome. Service terrific. Jordan did a fantastic job. Great atmosphere as well.
(5)
Tayon R.

One of my favorite stops in charleston. The service and quality has been very consistent. My visits here have far exceeded my yelp check ins.
(5)
Matt D.

Friendly staff, short wait on a busy Saturday night, even shorter wait for our food. On top of all that, both dishes were phenomenal. We highly recommend the beef salad. This was a truly glorious dining experience.
(5)
Kevin J.

Ordered the pad see ew over the phone. Website said $10.95. Got to the counter to be charged $18.25. I'm not the type to complain so I just paid it and went on my way. The sauce is just absolutely boring. My favorite thai dish watered down and overpriced.
(1)
Carol B.

Enjoyed a delicious lunch today. Service was superb and flavors were as we expected. we weren't disappointed at all. A must if you crave good Thai food!
(5)
Shelby B.

Pretty average Thai food and atmosphere. If you're vacationing in charleston id go somewhere else because you can get this food at any Thai restaurant
(3)
Lina R.

We went for dinner around 9:15. We were greeted by a very pleasant hostess who seated us right away outdoors. Our dining experience started off very well. Our server was present and timely with orders. Food and drinks were good. We finished up with our dinner shortly after 10pm and had our table bussed around 10:15 which is when I requested a cup of coffee. Our server hesitated with this request. When I asked if they were closed for the evening he responded vaguely and we had to check the time ourselves. Because they closed at 10:30 that evening he should have at least offered to accommodate us instead of walking away. He brought out checks and hovered while we brought out our payment. We felt rushed and uncomfortable. Before we got up to leave, all that was left on our table were our water glasses. He had cleaned our napkins, wiped the table and even picked up our signed checks, and this was all before they had closed. Overall, that ruined our evening. We would have loved to sit outside without feeling like we were inconveniencing our server.
(3)
Sherry K.

My husband and I just returned from having dinner at Basil. When we first moved here one year ago we loved the food at Basil! We took a break for a few months while we ate our way around town and then tried it this past summer. What a downturn they made! The pad Thai on my husband's plate looked like a ball of paste. It didn't taste much better. We agreed it would be a while before we returned. I ordered the Tom Kha Gai and it was pure heaven, thus the 3 stars. We found ourselves on King Street on a Monday night and needed a quick dinner. We decided we needed to try again. Let me just say, press repeat. Same story, different night. Shame on us, Charleston has too many good restaurants to go back to a mediocre one!
(3)
David H.

This place is extremely loud in noise volume. The ambiance of the restaurant is ruined because of the distraction of extraneous chatter being heard from every table. One should not asked for a spice tray in a Thai restaurant, it should be an implied necessary addition. The food is mediocre for the price. I visited Pattaya Beach, Thailand and paid less than 5 bucks for better authentic food. If you don't know what great Thai food taste like, then settle for Basil's attempt to reach that level. .close..but as far away as Bangkok.
(2)
Brian B.

Not the most authentic thai food I've had by a long stretch, but it's still good food, and the service is excellent.
(3)
Rose S.

My husband and I dined here while on vacation and were very impressed. The Tom Yum Kung soup was delicious! The fresh basil rolls were also very tasty. A bottle of sake was the perfect compliment to the meal. Highly recommend!
(5)
Drew E.

My favorite Thai place in Charleston! The basil duck is awesome (and pricey) and the pad thai is great too! The downtown location won't seat you until your whole party has arrived which I get for peak volume hours but it can get stupid when there's a party of 2-3, someone is parking the car, and there are like 10 open tables...
(5)
Erika R.

I think the food is really good! My husband and I are big Thai fans and eat it often. We usually get the stuffed shrimp or egg roll appetizer and and green curry and basil chicken dishes here. SO good! We've seen a lot of people order some sort of coconut soup so we'll probably try that next time! Super great service and of course a cool location.
(5)
Tirzah H.

I would give this place 3.5 stars if I could, but can't justify a 4 star review. My husband and I came here for dinner on our anniversary. We are from Florida and usually get Thai at our local spot Zen Bistro (a shameless plug for any of you who ever wind up in Daytona Beach craving some Thai) so we figured this would be the next best thing. Our hostess wasn't the most friendly-- she literally threw/flung the menu down before seating us at a huge booth table that probably would have been better suited for a larger party, but I digress. Our server was ever-so slightly friendlier, until it was clear we were not going to be ordering alocholic drinks (we don't drink, lame, I know) or an appetizer. We paid $3 more, each, than we would have at our hometown restaurant for an order of chicken red curry which wasn't nearly as good as what we are use to. It was good, just not what we expected considering we paid so much more for a dish that tastes so much better back home. Guess we're just spoiled. We might have considered sticking around for dessert if the staff had been a little more friendly, but that wasn't the case, so off we went. Next time we're in Charleston we probably won't be back.
(3)
Shannon L.

The food is amazing, dessert is amazing, and everyone is friendly. Expect a wait on weekends, and during restaurant week. I highly recommend it, and they have great specials during restaurant week.
(5)
Zuzzi E.

Probably the best thai food in Charleston.
(4)
MP J.

My favorite Thai place on planet Earth. Great management and awesome food. Miss being able to eat here whenever i want
(5)
Annie A.

The Red Curry Duck is what dreams are made of. Seriously. Also, the Thai Boxer drinks are incredible as well. My husband has had the Pad Thai and something involving fish (sorry that I can't remember the name, am all about that red curry duck lol) and both of those were great as well. It's my favorite restaurant. I would eat there breakfast, lunch, and dinner if I could. They're always consistent and always delicious.
(5)
George M.

Great service and some of the best Thai food I've had. Reasonable prices and great drink list. Wonderful lunch option!
(5)
Alexa T.

The specialty cocktails were great. Each had a medley of harmonious flavors. The fried wontons were fresh and crispy. The garlic tilapia was incredible. The fish was lightly fried, tender and wasn't overpowered or drowned in the delicious garlic sauce. The accompanying vegetables were fresh and perfectly cooked. I was not overly impressed by the pad Thai. Both the chicken and shrimp were over cooked and flavorless, though the rest of the dish was pretty spot on. The service was wonderful and the plates came out quickly, despite it being a pretty full house.
(4)
Julia W.

I am a little disappointed with the Thai food here. We had the Tom yum Kung soup, pretty average. The basil entrees were a bit on the salty side, not as flavorful as others I've had. The waitress couldn't really tell us much about the food so overall not great.
(3)
Sydney T.

I usually love everything at Basil! Unfortunately I was very disappointed in the meal tonight. Everything at the table was subpar. Super upsetting since I was looking forward to Basil all day!
(3)
Kristen D.

Probably the best pad Thai I've ever had, but the menu in the restaurant vs. online was quite a bit more expensive.
(4)
Jon B.

Words leave me, the food is so exceptional ! If you know, not just like, Thai food you will love it here. It's as close to my experiences in Thailand as I can remember. ! Try it or you'll hate yourself. seriously !! And the wait staff are so above the others !
(5)
Chris W.

Not at all worth the hype. Went there on a date night with my wife expecting a great dinner after reading reviews. We ordered basil rolls for an appetizer. They we're ok but nothing fancy. Next we had the hot n sour shrimp soup. Love the presentation but the soup left much to be desired. Decent flavor in the broth but the shrimp were small and looked to have come from a frozen bag. No seasoning whatsoever. On to the entrees. We both had phad Thai. Noodles were so overcooked is was nearly unedible. Very mushy and came with the same shrimp as previously described. The dish had ok flavor but next to zero spice. They did bring a spice dish to add but came with no explanation and not much heat either. Very disappointed in what I was expecting to be a great meal.
(2)
Jim C.

Very good Pad Thai! Came in while at a business function and was very surprised at the level of service, quality of food and presentation. Ordered a Thai beer (reasonably priced bottles), basil shrimp rolls, and Pad Thai with only shrimp. Spiced it up to Medium after talking with the waiter and it really hit the spot. Their medium is probably hot at most places so scale it down if in question. Sat at the kitchen-view seats and loved watching the chefs prepare the food. Very we'll run operation! Everyone knows their function and does it exceedingly well. Fast service and food prep.
(4)
Amy J.

The food was good but not great. Not the best thai I've had. Not even in the top 5. Maybe it's so highly rated because it has little competition in Charleston but it is mediocre at best. And, way over priced. If you are craving thai it is safe but nothing to write home about.
(3)
Robert B.

Great appetizers and loved the cocktails. Love the open kitchen. Would like to try more food next time in Charleston but we were just restaurant hopping and stopped in for a few goodies.
(4)
Helen K.

Tangy spicy saucy noodle savory mouth-watering yumminess in a dimly lit room topped off by a sake. This should be illegal, like... well never-mind.
(5)
Sky M.

Really tasty spicy food. Ordered the stuffed shrimp and had duck as my main course, and it was great. So much flavor! These guys are not shy with their quantity either. I was surprised I was able to finish my meal, man was I full. The place gets packed and can get noisy. EAT UP!
(4)
Ashley M.

A long-time friend who relocated to Charleston suggested this place for a Friday night dinner. He is a vegetarian and in this Southern city, not too many restaurants meet those needs. This place was super packed, crowded, and got a bit noisy towards the end of our meal. I ordered the fried cheese wontons as an appetizer and a sweet and spicy fish. Both were very delicious. The fish was crispy and succulent and the sauce was delicious. Service was also excellent all around!
(4)
Meredith B.

The best Thai in charleston and I love the lively atmosphere! Prices aren't too bad either! The tilapia is amazing!!!
(5)
Brittany H.

Oh, Basil. I love how you never disappoint me. I've been a fan of your Thai food since freshman year of college, & I've yet to find a restaurant in Charleston that can hold a candle to you. I'm a creature of habit, so my absolute favorite thing to eat is the Basil Chicken. (I'll pretty much eat anything with bell peppers.) I'm also a huge fan of their Basil Spring Rolls & Tom Kah Gai (Chicken Coconut) soup. The boyfriend always orders the Pad Thai with Shrimp & that's delicious also. The downtown location does fill up quickly & it can be crowded, so prepare yourself ahead of time! They don't take reservations, so plan to hit one of the nearby bars for pre-dinner cocktails while you wait!
(5)
Vance S.

We has Basil Rolls which were very good ( a whole fresh basil leaf in each) and Coconut Soup which was outstanding. Pad Thai and Green Curry entrees were both good but the Pad Thai was exceptional! Service was good from start to finish.
(5)
Janice N.

We were debating whether to have thai or lebanese food for dinner on our first night in Charleston, SC. I am a fan of thai food and let me tell you, we were all glad to have picked Basil restaurant. The food and service were excellent. Our guests from Norway who had tried thai food for the first time loved everything from the tom yum soup to the mango sticky rice dessert. The serving was big enough for 2 or 3 people to share. Too bad Charleston is 9 hours from where we live otherwise we would have been regular customers!!!
(5)
Aleks K.

Let me start off by saying I'm not a curry person but I can appreciate Asian cuisines. Maybe Thai is not for me. That being said we shared a chicken salad that resembled what could have been lettuce wraps if we were given Boston or leaf lettuce instead of a thin wedge of iceberg. Tasty, refreshing and good on a hot day - even if it was awkward. Afterwards, we shared the won ton soup - it comes in a tower with a ladle. It's meant for sharing. It was good and had large won tons but real salty for my taste. Towards the end, I was conflicted on wanting to eat it to be full and not wanting to be eating that much salt. The waitress was really nice, asked us if we were out of towners and told us about her upcoming vacation. Ladies room was really tight and when I went all the oncoming shift servers has taken over getting ready to start work.
(3)
Laura C.

Love this place. Dog friendly patio where a the action is on king st. Food and drinks are both great at reasonable prices!
(4)
Hong Chao W.

Tonight we went to the Thai restaurant for dinner, not authentic Thai food, usually deliciousï¼
(3)
Fei Y.

Thai curry is one of my favorites, if not my MOST favorite, which is why this review might seem a little overkill, but I take my curry seriously! Naturally I ordered the Massaman Curry. I had high hopes for this restaurant after seeing all it's reviews and the recommendation from a friend. When my entree came I was less than impressed, especially with the price at $15.50. I understand that it is downtown Charleston, but I do expect more from the quality because of that to match the price. I asked for pork as the meat of choice and it was very much overcooked. The portion size was also too small for an entree. My friend chose the "Chef's special" Crispy Red Curry Duck. Once again the protein was extremely overcooked. Duck is one of those proteins where it requires a little pink in the middle for the tenderness and flavor. In this case, it had the consistency of pate, which is less than desirable. I have to say, the Pad Thai is fairly good, however, again the pricing did not match. Morale of this story: There are restaurants out there with much better quality Thai food.
(3)
V W.

Restaurant was so loud two years ago and I think the volume has even gone up! Unfortunately the food is no longer worth the the audio problem. Won't do it again...too many options.
(2)
Corah C.

Tasteful decor and nice environment. Wish the food was the same. We ordered the tom kha and green curry. Tom kha is what we base a good Thai restaurant off of as it is our favorite. It was different, in a good way, but not nearly enough spice and too creamy. The green curry was raved on previous reviews yet it was quite bland and watery. Really yummy pineapple mojitos, and the service was prompt and friendly. Next time, we will try the signature basil dish.
(3)
Jessica L.

I absolutely love this restaurant. It is perfect if you are on your own or with a group. The bar views the chefs cooking up their master creations and the atmosphere is always noisy and boisterous. I'm a creature of habit and always get the sweet and sour chicken but their special appetizers are always delicious and different. They have some unique cocktail concoctions that are perfect for the adventurous!
(5)
John P.

We've been eating at Basil for many years now and the food is always very good. Prices are a bit high for the amount of food, but the thing which keeps us from going more often is the noise level. It is EXTREMELY LOUD in the evenings. Our last visit was almost unbearable. In addition to the regularly loud dining room, there happened to be a table of drunk bachelorette party girls in the house. They were very loud, screaming and yelling back and forth. It was to the point that I was sure the manager would say something. But...not luck...the decibel level continued to increase. Do not go if you wish to have an intimate conversation with more than one other person at your table. Wait staff are always very nice.
(3)
Amy Yvonne H.

Went for restaurant week. Service: Impeccable, Full kitchen view, beautiful attentive staff. Food: spring rolls: they were ok.. pad thai: pretty good, very filling, not enough peanuts though. fried ice cream: green tea flavor, dough was too thick but good flavor Overall: So so Atmosphere: beautiful, slightly over rated though, great art, very loud. Pricing: Not bad for downtown Conclusion: I would recommend maybe going to a different place if you want good Asian food & a nice atmosphere. This place leaves a little to be desired in both areas.
(3)
Evan D.

Overall, I thought the food was good but way overpriced for Thai food. The atmosphere was loud towards the back of the restaurant, making it hard to hear my dinner date. I'm from out of town so I don't know what CHS options are for good Thai food, but I know I could get that food for less. No complaints on the service, just pricing and volume were my main issues.
(3)
Kelly M.

I ate here while staying in Charleston for a couple of days from out of town, and I have to say, the green curry didn't do it for me. Not much of a kick in spite of having a hot pepper next to it on the menu, and it wasn't super flavorful. It's also much more expensive than my neighborhood Thai place back in Boston. Good staff, good atmosphere, mediocre curry.
(3)
Andrew H.

Restaurant week continued last night with my obligatory trip to Basil, Charleston's favorite Thai restaurant that hasn't been closed down for serving alcohol to minors (I'm looking at you, Taste of Thai/Tasty Thai). Actually, now that I mention it, we weren't ID'd either, but the server could probably tell we were pretty lit up by the time we sat down. We arrived at Basil around 8 and were told the wait would be an hour and half. Because Beer Works had $11 pitchers of White Thai, that news was music to our ears, and we signed our names up and headed down the street. After a bourbon or three, we ordered the pitcher, expecting we had another hour wait ahead. To my horror, the hostess called with our table ready. They purposefully ignored the fact that we had just ordered a pitcher of beer. Ridiculous. We were forced to drink it in 5 minutes and stumbled on our way. Basil's RW menu is always great. I ordered the basil rolls and pad thai, because I was too hammered to really give thought to what else I wanted. The Basil rolls were as good as ever, highly rec'd. I ate the pad thai as well, but I accidentally dumped a ton of hot pepper sauce and hot pepper powder from the hot tray onto it. With every bite I took, I felt the heat and pain grow stronger until the lower portion of my abdomen began burning like a Christmas eve fire. I ordered the cheesecake in hopes that it would lessen the pain, but to no avail. I am sure I will pass this atomic bomb into my toilet in a few hours, and when I do, I ask all of you to pray for me. God knows, it could destroy my entire house. I doubt the collateral damage will be limited to my bathroom. Basil gets 4 stars, but lost it's chance for 5 when I was forced to chug an entire pitcher of beer in 5 minutes. They're lucky I'm reviewing this before I ultimately dispose of my meal. That has the potential to drop it even further.
(4)
Lana S.

SO overrated... seriously. Food is alright, certainly not authentic thai. I think it took about an hour to get seated on a Saturday evening at 9pm. The tom ka gai soup was so sweet, but not very flavorful. I can't seem to remember what I had as my entree, but it was boring and americanized.
(2)
Kristen C.

We were very happy with our meal. It was fresh and delicious. And the service was fast.
(5)
Angela G.

Pad thai was very good but not worth the hours wait for a table and then literally another hour wait for our food. The service was so bad that I'm being generous giving it 3 stars.
(3)
Brad M.

Healthy and fresh tasting Thai food! After nine days of southern cuisine during our Savannah and Charleston trip, I insisted on thai. So glad that I did. We had a great Pad Thai and a really tasty sweet and sour chicken with pineapple. Our waitress was very sweet and attentive and I loved that they texted us at the bar next door when our table was ready. When you just can't eat any more grits or pimento cheese give Basil a try.
(4)
Lily W.

Very nice place, fun location, we sat at the chefs table right by the kitchen which was super fun to watch. We had the Tom Kha Gai soup, pad thai, and garlic pork. The soup is one of my favorites and they definitely do it well, as with the pad thai. The garlic pork, while super tasty, left him with super horrible breath, even the next day! Definitely worth it though if you love garlic. Both dishes were plated well and looked so great coming out through the huge windows we watched them cook through. We skipped dessert, although the ones we saw looked really good, because the portions are really large (soup was definitely plenty for two people) but I did have a mojito, tasty, and he had bourbon drink that had a spicy finish which I wish I had gotten as well. The waitstaff was attentive but not intrusively so, our lovely waitress even joked around with us. While the food was a little pricier then what I usually see in thai restaurants it was worth it food the quality and service. We will for sure be returning, I have thai food needs!
(5)
Scott M.

The Masaman curry is (pause for effect) AWESOME. I come here often with my wife and daughter. My daughter loves sitting along the bar with a view into the kitchen. She doesn't care much for spicy food but could eat their steamed rice with peanut sauce (side orders put together) every day. The sauce that comes with their egg rolls (or spring rolls? can't remember which) is a perfect blend of sweet and spicy. I'm told their basil rolls are also delightful but I can't stand the taste of basil, so... yeah. A relatively low-carb option is the chicken satay. It comes with the very good peanut sauce, which, let's face it, would make anything taste amazing. The staff is always friendly and the service is fast.
(4)
Dylan D.

Maybe the best Thai Food in Charleston. Very trendy location with a glassed-in kitchen (very cool). Friendly staff, great food and drinks. They have a spice rack, so if you like to add some heat to your meal, request the spice rack. Could get a bit loud at night, but it didn't bother me. Enjoy!
(5)
Shannon P.

Great thai!! I've heard it's the best in Charleston. Based on that tip, this is the only thai place I've tried in the area. The restuarant is on King - but further down and off the main beat/path which is great as it has a completely different vibe than the hustle/bustle of the market area. I love the atmosphere - you can opt to sit at the kitchen bar which allows you to watch the chefs/cooks prepare meals or you can sit outside and enjoy the weather and people watching. Whatever you choose, you can't go wrong. We sat outside as it was just the perfect weather. What you need to know: They do NOT take reservations so be prepared to wait - you can come in, put your name/number on the list and then walk around. We were told it would be 45 min for an outside table and it actually took close to an hour and 15. It was worth the wait though....terrific! We shared the basil roll which is essentially a summer roll. I had a rice noodle dish with shrimp, basil, veggies and the hubby had the ginger stir fry. Both were delicious! The heat is a good heat...they'll kick it up for you as much or as little as you want. The thai "medium" was perfect for us. The hubby started off the night with a spicy basil cocktail - it was amazing! They muddle thai chilies so it's spicy alright! I'd definitely recommend this place if you're looking for thai - you won't regret it - just get there early!
(4)
Nick B.

First things first: almost everything on the menu has fish sauce, which is completely not vegetarian. So it definitely should not be classified as vegetarian on Yelp. That being said, the server totally helped me out and told me which 5 items on the menu I was able to get vegan/vegetarian when I asked him about their use of fish sauce in their Pad Thai. They have a few curries, a soup and fresh rolls for an app. Not many choices for sure, but the Masaman Curry was great. Nice place overall. All the orders looked great and consistent coming out of the window. I don't necessarily think it's that overpriced like so many other people have yelped. It's not cheap thai take away and shouldn't be compared to cheap thai take away. One thing I noted: the server knew straight away which items on the menu were vegan and I would assume he would do the same for any other allergen type issues. It sounds like "well yeah he knows the menu in the restaurant HE WORKS AT. Big deal." I didn't get an "um... let me check" and wait 10 minutes for 3 people to come back and make a huge deal in the middle of the restaurant trying to figure out if I can eat it or what I can eat, embarrassing the shit out of me. You have no idea how many times that has happened to me. Either they don't know really what's in the dish or they don't even have a clue about what vegan is. All that speaks to not only the server, but the management. Four definite stars for this place. Would be five if I could have more vegan friendly items.
(4)
Steve S.

Charleston rarely disappoints... Basil shares that distinction. Light, interesting flavors, attentive and friendly service. Yum Yai salad was a treat; the red curry duck an adventure. Volcano shrimp was "nice" w/ great veggies... Put it on your "time for something different downtown" list,
(4)
Kayla J.

I come here for lunch. I come here for dinner. It doesn't matter when you come because each time you are going to get the best service with the best thai food in town. I recommend this place constantly for lunch and also for dinner date nights. They do not take reservations so don't bother calling. They tend to turn and burn tables so if you are on the wait, give the hostess your phone number, and walk down the street to closed for business for a beer or across the street to the macintosh for a glass of wine. Their bar isn't really a bar. It has about 5 stools and is more of a service spot for servers to only pick up their drinks. The food is delicious. This is the best Thai food in Charleston. I always order the Massaman Curry (some other thai places spell is Mussuman) with tofu served with a side of rice. This dish is bursting with flavor. It's sweet but has the kick of curry at the same time. I always order it medium and my threshold for spice isn't too high and isn't too low. I also always order the Thai iced tea. If you've never had one, you really need to try it. It's so sweet but be careful because it is packed with caffeine. The atmosphere is gorgeous but relaxed. I could show up in jeans and tee shirt for lunch and feel comfortable but at night I recommend dressing up a little bit. There is no dress code of course but the atmosphere at night is very upbeat and classy at the same time. The service is always 5 stars. I've never had a bad sever here. There are SA's that are constantly re filling waters and clearing the table so you don't even notice these things. The servers are also very knowledgeable about the menu. Thai food is not easy to describe to someone who doesn't know much about ethnic foods, but they manage to do so perfectly. My mother came with me here one time and she is not very adventurous with her food choices. But she ordered the Pad Thai and fell in love. My father came with me once too and is like my mom, not very adventurous by choice, but ordered the duck and raved about it for days. The duck does have a kick to it I'm told so be careful. Basil is fabulous and I recommend this it to every one who asks. They do have funky times because they shut down in between lunch and dinner so make sure they are open before you make the journey!
(5)
Greg S.

The food and atmosphere was great the chicken fried rice was enough to feed two great portion size for the prices
(5)
David B.

Outstanding Thai food. We had the Spring Rolls. I had the Ginger Chicken, which was delicious. My friend had the Massaman Curry which I highly recommend. Service was quick, helpful and polite. Very authentic Thai food at reasonable prices. We asked about the bike on the top of the roof, but apparently it is from a previous use of the building. Glass enclosed kitchen allows you to see the chefs at work. Large portions.
(4)
Jeanne D.

Great for a healthy,tasty, quick lunch. The biggest flaw was my waitress who did her best to make me feel very uncomfortable. I was by myself at the bar watching the chefs so I was not taking up a valuable table. Still,despite her,I thoroughly enjoyed my meal!
(4)
Isabel J.

I tried the beef pineapple fried rice and the garlic chicken and they were both amazing. I'm still thinking about the garlic chicken it was superb.
(5)
Jennifer G.

Great thai food. Loved the fresh spring rolls, pad see ew and pad thai.
(5)
Annibelle C.

When I used to live in Charleston, I would eat there every other day. It gave me the feel of home because it is hard to find authentic International food in the South. But every time I come into town, one my good friends always knows the pit stop. Do not be scared to try anything new because they can make it well.
(4)
Dan O.

I've been here for dinner and lunch numerous times. I honestly can't tell you a whole lot about there options for fare because I can't help but get the pad thai every single time I come. I normally love variety, but their pad thai is so good I can't deviate from it.
(5)
Pam D.

Best Thai in Charleston! You can watch them cook and it is all so fresh. Spring rolls are wonderful along with the Fried Bananas desert. Reasonably priced also. The noodles are made fresh daily. Spiced perfectly. The Coconut soup is brought to the table with a great presentation. It is a must try also
(5)
Deb B.

Oh Basil, how I love thee! The food tonight was right on. My lovely lady friend had the ginger chicken and I had the beef with red curry and potatoes. (lord knows I wish I remember the name of the plate) It was awesome! The staff was great and quick. I love me some Basil!!
(5)
Terry C.

Wonderful place for a good lunch. We started with the spring rolls followed by the green curry with shrimp and the pad thi with chicken. It was all great!
(5)
Bryan Z.

Service was good. Food was decent. We had a beef salad and pad Thai for our dinner meal. The serving size on the beef salad was a little disappointing. The amount of beef was just fine but the greens were fairly skimpy. Beef and salad did have a good flavor. The pad Thai was a typical pad Thai dish that you can get at just about any Thai restaurant. Location was nice. We had outdoor seating which was nice in the evening. Inside was very noisy so sitting on the sidewalk was better for having a conversation during dinner. Overall we would probably eat here again, but food was average for Thai.
(3)
Chris W.

This place was packed at all hours when we walked past. We went for a late dinner, and probably some of the best Thai food i've had. I orders the Tofu Thai Noodles. It was the right amount of spice and an intense amount of favor. The food came out quickly, could also be that it was 9:45, but it definitely wasn't dead at this hour on a Tuesday night. I highly recommend for anyone that enjoy Thai food or is vegetarian.
(5)
Talia C.

I've been coming to this wonderful place for forever it seems - at least 10 years if not longer! I no longer live in Charleston and when I come home for visits Basil is always on my list of must eat restaurants, which is really saying something for such a culinary destination! Over the years, I've tried their chicken satay, wonton soup, pad thai, three-flavored fish, cashew nuts, pad prik, sweet and sour, green and red curries, pad see-eu, chicken fried rice and fried green tea ice cream. My mouth is seriously watering telling you this, and I can say that with as many times as I've been, every single time it was reliably amazing. The servers are fun and attentive (without being overbearing), the ambiance can be played around with, depending on if you're looking for a cool date spot, a fun place to catch up with friends, or a place to hang with your parents. It's also really nice to be able to see what the chefs are doing in their tiny kitchen. Oh yea - did I also mention their drinks are amazing? They are also really attentive to your dietary needs, whether they be vegetarianism, a need for mildness (for example, my mom wants literally zero spiciness whatsoever - even white pepper's out) or a need for heat (my dad is the complete opposite and they will bring a thai heat to haunt your dreams if you're not ready to palette that kind of spice level). I won't be visiting SC until Octoberish of this year, but already I know if there's one place I go during my trip, Basil will be it. If you haven't tried it yet, don't wait another second!
(5)
Rob E.

Wonderful experience! The food is terrific. Great ambiance. The Red Curry Duck is to die for. The staff will go above and beyond to correct any issues with your order. Our server Emily was excellent. The manager was very accommodating as well.
(5)
Bob B.

Amazing Pad Thai, big enough to share for two people. The Fried Wonton's can't be missed. We've eaten here at least 10x and the service and food is always delicious and consistent.
(5)
Preston L.

I've been coming to Basil since it opened and I've never had a bad meal. The chicken satays, fried wontons, and pad Thai are all fantastic and, as an added bonus arrive at your table very quickly. The service is friendly, efficient and not overbearing. Two minor drawbacks: It gets crowded very fast, and the noise level is a bit high. These are very minor complaints for a consistent and well run restaurant.
(5)
Nick M.

Basil is Outstanding! Been there twice on two separate trips to Charleston and I have had great experiences each time. The food is excellent and the service is really good. One thing that impresses me is the staff's effort and attention to detail. I recommend the basil rolls and pad thai (make sure to ask for the spice tray so you can spice it up to your taste!).
(5)
K W.

I visited basil last night for dinner on a return trip to Charleston. In March I ate lunch there and had the phenomenal signature dish crispy spicy duck. I was craving a repeat of that wonderful dish I had had in March. The dinner portion cost $25 which surprised me. But I went ahead with the order anyway because I was craving it. It was a huge disappointment. The duck was tough and had lots of fatty connective tissues and it was not at all crispy. I told the waiter about it since he asked how it was. I told him I wasn't really complaining but letting him know that this was not the experience I had had before. A manager did offer to send out another piece of duck for me which I declined. So that was very appropriate. The dish was just a huge disappointment. I'd recommend the dish at lunchtime. The portion is smaller and more appropriate.
(2)
Curtis J.

Came in on a busy Charleston night but managed to get a great window seat right away. Basil was better than I expected with tasty egg roll appetizers and a better than average sweet and sour vegetable dish. The wine was pretty good too, better than I expected. The main negative was some obnoxious folks near us, but that's not Basil's fault. The meat dishes look (and are) a lot better than the veggie ones, so it'd be better if they advanced that aspect of their menu, hence my three stars instead of four. But the service is on point, and I tipped her high, so I'd be back.
(3)
David G.

Had the Pad Thai which everyone I know who has been there raves about. Wasn't impressed. Food temperature wasn't particularly hot . Chicken and shrimp had a rubbery consistency. The shrimp seemed to be previously frozen Sam's Club quality (or lack thereof). Lousy beer selection. Service was OK, but nothing to write home about. The amount of time elapsing between the table being bused and our party receiving the check was unacceptable.
(2)
Rebecca M.

Love this place. Always eat here every time we are in charleston. Really great food including appetizers. We got basil rolls, wontons and pad Thai. Best wontons I have ever had and cant get basil rolls back home. Really busy but really great service.
(5)
Chelle R.

There is one in Charleston on King St. and one in Mt. Pleasant. The Mt. Pleasant restaurant is larger and has more room, but both have great food and atmosphere. Never a bad experience or dish.
(4)
Alison M.

Best Thai I have had outside of NYC. Seasoning was spot on!!! Food was fresh! Nothing tastes greasy or smoky. Portions were generous and very attractive. Always love a place where toucan watch the cooks in the kitchen! Real confidence in what they are doing!
(4)
Tiffany G.

The pad thai, while a typical thai dish, was amazing. The basil cocktail was also very refreshing and delicious. We sat outside and the ambiance was a bit lacking. May be different inside. Didn't make a reservation and there was no wait on a Thursday night, but they were busy.
(4)
Susie G.

Basil does not take reservations and so we thought if we got there before 7:00 we might not have to wait. Not so much. The restaurant was packed and there was a 20-25 minute wait. When asked if we preferred outside seating to inside we said that it didn't matter and our time was moved up a bit. While window shopping our way through King Street the phone rang and our table was ready. We were seated at one of the six four-tops outside the restaurant. Small planter boxes and Tiki torches adorn the patio (and help to keep the bugs away!) I thought it was going to be very warm with the heat wave we've been having, but much to my surprise there was a lovely breeze and it was a wonderful way to people watch as we waited for our server to arrive. Our server was very attentive, but not intrusive. He was easily able to answer questions about the menu and made a few suggestions as well. We ordered our appetizer of Fresh Basil Rolls and continued to peruse the menu. In sleuthing their website this morning not only is Chef Suntorn an accomplished chef, but he has also traveled the globe. His career started in Bangkok, Thailand and he has worked in England, Paris, United Arab Emirate, Miami, San Francisco and Boston. The site doesn't say how he landed here in Charleston, but we're just glad he did. In a bat of an eye our appetizer arrived and we placed our dinner order. The Fresh Basil Rolls were simple and beautiful. The "house sauce" was a spicy sweet concoction (Chef Suntorn's house sauce) with ground fresh ginger floating on top. The Basil Rolls were delicate and had an incredible fresh flavor that was only enhanced when dipped in the sauce. I hoped that dinner would be just as good. The website said that all of the dishes and sauces are not made ahead of time but are authentic and made from scratch. We could really taste the difference. Our entrees arrived after we had finished the Basil Rolls and had a few minutes to relax. Perfectly timed, our server delivered the Pad Thai and Crispy Red Curry Duck. From the website I learned that Pad Thai is the national dish of Thailand. Who knew? It is rice noodles stir-fried with chicken, shrimp, eggs, bean sprouts, scallions and a Pad Thai sauce. On the plate as a garnish was freshly shredded cabbage, carrots and cilantro with a lime wedge for good measure. Having lived in Boston for many years and many bad winters the need for "lunch delivered" was paramount. Often times we ordered "Chinese" and there was a Pad Thai option, which in no way even remotely resembled what I was served that evening. My dish, which I asked for a little spicy was exquisite. Not greasy, not oily, with fresh ingredients and a flavor that just jumped off the plate. My husband is a big duck fan and Basil's Crispy Red Curry Duck more than met the mark. Listed on the menu as Chef Suntorn's Signature Dish it was a boneless half duck that is deep fried with vegetables and red curry sauce. It is also served with a small container of freshly steamed white rice that was very, very hot. The duck was tender and the dish overall was one of the best duck dishes that he's ever tasted. Both of us were full quickly, but continued to graze a bit before throwing in the towel. I am a tad embarrassed to admit that some of my Pad Thai was a breakfast reheat this morning... I had originally said that I wanted to scout out Charleston's hidden restaurant gems when I started my blog. Although based on the crowd and the waiting line, I am late in this discovery, but nonetheless, Basil is a gem. Look for their third location to open in Mount Pleasant this summer. I know we're looking forward to it.
(5)
Matt G.

Participated in restaurant week and had the phad Thai. The food was excellent and the service was great. The phad Thai could have had a few more peanuts but after talking to our server that was resolved quickly. The only complaint I have was with the dessert. I had the fried green tea ice cream and it was a bit doughey. Nothing extreme but could have had less dough.
(4)
Alicia J.

Totally serviceable and totally tasty but completely forgettable Thai food with entirely negligible service. We had the chicken satay appetizer and the accompanying sauce was easily the best part of the meal. I'm used to slightly saltier and spicier satay sauce and was pleasantly surprised that what they had to offer was much sweeter and creamier than the standard fare. I'm still kind of baffled by our service though. The waitress seemed solely dedicated to making sure we didn't get to try the Tom Kha Gai soup. Her loss, man.
(3)
Clint W.

I didn't lie. I made it back here. The tom yum is super spicy, but warming and great. Lots of seafood inside and it was great on a cold night. My garlic shrimp dish was a little bit more disappointing. It had plenty of shrimp, but was light on anything else on the plate except some lettuce. I guess I expected some broccoli or cabbage. We were crammed onto a small table, so the beer came without glasses. Lessons learned, I guess. Surprisingly, it's not too difficult to hear each other, even when it's crowded. Its still good, because the place was packed when we left. People waiting at the door.
(4)
Sheridan P.

Consistently good Thai. I can see how people may label it as overpriced, but since I never leave angry or hungry, I seem to think it's more "expensive." The decor is nice and trendy. It is a bit loud but it seemed that most of the other patrons were into that. It's a good place to go if you plan on a dinner then a night out; it will get you into the mood for sure.
(4)
Cor B.

I have ordered to pad thai twice in the past two months, and both times it has been wonderful- good price for the portion. Much better than the one in columbia, sc!
(5)
Phuong L.

By far the best Thai restaurant I have ever experienced. Both of our entrees- Pad Kee Mow (flat rice noodle dish) and Beef Fried Rice- were ON POINT. Great service and a beautiful restaurant located in a charming part of the city.
(5)
Trent A.

This is a great Thai restaraunt in the heart of southern cooking, so quite the surprise. The atmosphere is somewhat trendy but either way lots nicer inside than most Thai restaurants. They serve their food piping hot, even ten minutes after our food arrived at the table it was still very warm. If you sit in the right spot you can watch them cook. Fun to see. I had the pad see ew which was excellent. Unlike many Thai restaraunts they were generous with the pork which was cooked perfectly. The vegetables were just soft on the outside but crunchy in the middle. My dinner companion had the chefs special curry duck. It was so delicious, one of the best duck dishes I have had.
(4)
Jessica B.

We went into Basil after an event downtown. The wait was about fifteen minutes, which is fine, but they don't really have a waiting area. There are tables as soon as you walk into the door, so it is hard to navigate. You either have to wait outside (in the terrible heat) or stand awkwardly in between high tops of people eating. We went to the bar, which had about four seats and got some drinks. We had a party of six and saw two tables, six seats, available- but neither were being offered to us. We waited a bit longer and then they finally sat us. We seemed like an inconvenience to them. Their front house staff weren't really that friendly. (Didn't really greet us when we came in and didn't say anything to us when we left.) We each got appetizers and a few people got Sake. I don't think they appreciated us getting a table to just order appetizers, but oh well. The waiter was a bit weird and also made us feel like an inconvenience to him. The food was pretty good, which is why they get a third star, but I think it is a bit overpriced. The staff made the environment feel incredibly weird, so I'm not sure if I will return any time soon.
(3)
Kennan K.

Just about the best pad Thai I have had in a long time. All the classical flavors are there and the crab rangoons are on point as well!
(4)
Amanda H.

I stopped in after a Yelp event with a party of six. In Basil's defense, we didn't have a reservation and they were pretty busy. There isn't much room to wait inside but we were in full costume and burning up, so we squeezed by the bar to wait. Once we were seated, our waiter was super nice...until he realized we were ordering waters and some appetizers. I understand you make money from tips, but I still tip well on a smaller check. The atmosphere is nice but really loud, so I'd recommend going somewhere else if you want to have a conversation. The food was AMAZING - I had the beef satay which was perfectly cooked. My friends had the basil rolls and the wontons, both of which received rave reviews! I'm definitely interested in coming back any time other than ten on a Saturday! The staff needed an attitude adjustment but I'll attribute that to the busy night.
(4)
Sue W.

I love it here. I sat close to where all the chef cooking. They r very professional. All the food it was very hot and yummy. I ordered Pad Se ew and curry Duck. I love the curry Duck. I ordered it hot and it is hot as I thought it would be . I love this place and will definitely going back again
(5)
Jim D.

If you like Thai food this is the place to go I had the coconut soup and also the combination chicken and shrimp time noodles shrimp were big delicious just cook the way I like it I would highly recommend that platter for lunch or for dinner
(4)
Ticha B.

I read my own review from 2010....gosh it was bad. Fast forward to 2015. I am back in Charleston again for more work training. After a week or bbq, steaks, Southern foods my classmates and I needed something different. I suggested Thai food and my classmates loved it. I love Basil's Thai food minus their high prices. The food is cooked by Thai cooks and the food tasted pretty authentic once again. Next time I am in Charleston, i'll be back for more $15.95 Pad Thai and Drunken Noodles!
(4)
Susan W.

Everyone loves Basil. I haven't been there in two years so I stopped to get take out on my way home from a meeting tonight. Ordered the coconut chicken soup (flavor was nice..love coconut) and the pad tai with shrimp. Both of the proteins were DRY but the shrimp in the pad tai crumbled like crackers. It was gross and not worth the money. Sad that this is the best Thai that Charleston has to offer.
(2)
Justin D.

Great tasting Thai cuisine! Probably the most memorable Thai food I have ever had. We tried two variations of their duck dishes, the Basil duck and Red Curry duck. Both were amazing! I favor the red curry because of the authentic curry taste, with a kick. The duck was boneless and had a soft texture. I also had to try my all time favorite Thai noodle dish, pad see eu, and it was yummy; a nice sweet taste to it! The service was pretty good for a busy Saturday night (night before second Sunday) although the wait was long without a reservation, it's nice just to walk out and about on Kings street. Very busy atmosphere but not anything that ruined my time there. My uncles gave me a history lesson about the owners, how they came to America at a young age just to go to culinary school and succeeded in their own restaurant. It was a nice experience to enjoy their life's hard work.
(5)
Kevin H.

It puts me at ease when a restaurant is confident enough to showcase their kitchen: in this case its behind an "amusement park-like" glass, and the kitchen runs like clockwork. We ordered the crispy red duck: a curry-based entrÃ©e with a crisp, tasty, and deep-fried skin. The duck was a tad over cooked, but still tender and compliments the curry very nicely. Pro-tip: the server doesn't prompt you for temp requirements, but for protein enthusiasts you might want to suggest a preferred temperature. Bottom line: Recommended. :)
(4)
Neelam P.

Nice option for Thai food in Charleston. I ordered red curry with tofu/veggies. The portion size was very generous and the curry was just the right amount of spicy and extremely flavorful. Service was friendly and the restaurant was packed on a Friday night.
(4)
Sean P.

Came here with a group of friends. Great environment, the restaurant has a cool set up. I got the pork pad kee mow. The wait was a bit long, but this was lunch rush hour so it was understandable. The portions were generous. It wasn't as spicy as I expected, I wish it was a bit spicier. Overall, awesome atmosphere for a nice bite with friends! On a separate note, tom kha gai is to die for.
(4)
Taylor L.

In my experience of Thai restaurants, the atmosphere is never a highlight. Here at Basil, it's completely different. From outside, there's the retro green lite Basil sign inviting you to come in just like the green light in Great Gatsby. Once inside, the restaurant is very fresh and inviting where you can even sit at a bar that overlooks the kitchen and drool over the cooking. For food, we started off with the basil roll appetizer. They are great! Light and fresh and a perfect start to the meal. The sauce with it adds a nice kick. Next time I come, I will be getting some soup though. It comes in a fancy ring bowl with a fire blasting through the middle. A+ for that presentation. For meals, I got the pad see-eu. There was nothing ew about this dish! Topped with broccoli eggs and chicken, the dish is a good filler upper. My only regret is I got it spiced medium and next time I'd go for hot. My cousin got the pad Thai which is a delicious classic. Last but not least, the dessert. I don't usually get dessert, but the fried green tea ice cream would make me get dessert everytime. The ice cream is surrounded by delicious fried dough. The green tea ice cream has unique flavor and isn't too rich. Basil is a great place to fill your Thai craving!
(5)
tedy d.

Love this place. Had a green papaya salad, green curry and a drink -- Thai boxer. All of the food was super delicious! Probably some of the best papaya salad I've had. Great space, great service. Will love to come back.
(5)
Thomas D.

Phenomenal! Food was big enough. My date and I shared a soup and entrÃ©e. The wine was great as well! Awesome night!
(5)
Marqus R.

For Asian, basically Thai, I've found the food here to not only be really great but surprisingly close to authentic in flavor, especially the "Pad Thai" sometimes called "Phat Thai," the common street food of Thailand as well as its national dish, even to the detail of tamarind pulp with fish sauce seasonings. But true to the name of this restaurant most dishes are all enhanced with plenty of fresh basil. In fact when entering the unique smell of their fresh basil offers get me salivating in anticipation. Though a chain of approximately five restaurant locations, there isn't any chainy feel to the place. I've had several of their dishes including their Pad Thai, the Crispy Red Curry Duck which is Chef Suntorn's signature dish, but on this occasion went for their Basil Mixed Seafood, which I've pictured, consisting of mixed seafood, onion, bell pepper and basil ($19.95); a most generous as well as tasty serving. Though they have table seating, I happen to enjoy their bar counter which offers a right up front clear view of the Thai chefs as they prepare their culinary works.
(4)
Maggie B.

We started out with the basil rolls, they are like spring rolls and usually come two to an order. We had three in our party so we just asked for an added extra. They. Were. Fantastic. I do admit we were very hungry but not long after the waiter set the food down did he have to return to take the empty platter back to the kitchen. I got a salad and I was overly impressed but the pad Thai was a different story. It was amazing. We didn't get the spicy version and it was delicious.
(4)
Keli T.

This is a tough review because while I LOVED (yes past tense) their food, I've never been treated more awful in my life by a restaurant. So food is def awesome. I was always obsessed with the chicken pad see eew. Hands down stellar top of my list. I always ordered it to be delivered to work for lunch and it was like Christmas ever time! I decided I loved it so much, that I should share with my friends. I got a group of 12 people together, did the reservations, the whole nine. We met for drinks until we could get a table. Yes we probably spent an hour an a half ordering apps, meals, desserts. It was my birthday and when a friend got up to use the bathroom, they took her chair so she couldn't come back to sit. When I finished my last bit of dessert they swiped the spoon out of my hand. After trying to hang out for a few to talk after dinner... The Manager came over and said we need this table to turn over for other people. So the literally asked us to get up immediately and leave. They ushered us out the door SO fast, a kind male employee came out to give me my coat and said he was sorry we were treated so bad. So since they want your money only, I've never gone back. Nor have any of those friends. So if it's great thai food your after, this is a decent DT option, but don't bank on the fact that customers are important. I've since discovered other stellar thai in Charleston. Taste of Thai in west Ashley while not as "glamorous and hip" as king street also has stellar food and rockstar service!
(1)
Debbie A.

I went back to Basil and had the pad thai and I take back what I said about it being too heavy. It is probably one of my favorite pad thais.
(5)
Luis R.

I'm kinda regular in here and the place never fails me. Best entrÃ©es are the Pad Thai and the Pad See-Eu. Both are super classics. And for appetizer the stuffed shrimps are a must. Prices are from $10 to $20. Place is a little bit loud but okay.
(5)
Jess J.

Really good Tom Yum soup, great basil tofu and basil beef, sadly they lost a star on the Pad Kee Mao (sp?) since the noodles weren't cooked all the way. It was a busy spot, even at 9 pm when we came in. By the time we left at 10:30 it was still pretty packed! The drinks were small, tasty but somewhat watered down and overpriced. I had the mango martini and my friend had this ginger beer drink. The customer service was impeccable though, this place knows what it's doing!!! I will definitely go here again!
(4)
Celine K.

I would say by far, this place is one of the worst thai restaurants i've ever been to. Only thing i liked about this place was the papaya salad which you can't really go bad with. Pad see ew was mediocre. More like chinese style noodle. Red curry was full of bell peppers and onions. I expect more bamboo shoots, eggplants, and mushrooms for thai curry and definitely lots of basil for strong flaver, however their curry was extremely bland and rather watery. Not seasoned correctly. Last but not least, the chef's special duck curry was terrible! The prep wasn't done right, bloody and fishy taste of the duck, tastes like it's been frozen for the longest time. DID NOT TASTE FRESH, i had to return it which is really rare for me to return food in restaurants when especially i was super hungry. I love Thai food and i have been to many Thai restaurants all over the States (majority of the time in NY, and NJ) and even worldwide. I make much better Thai food than this place. this place is absolutely OVERRATED, becaure they are not AUTHENTIC.
(1)
Mar V.

Must try. Great Thai restaurant! Loved their food. A little bit expensive than your regular Thai restaurant, but it's worth it.
(4)
TJ N.

One of the better thai food is places in Charleston and the price is right. I would say to ask more extra peanuts if you are getting pad thai.
(4)
Daniel J.

I haven't been in a while but... favorite restaurant in the world, literally. It's the only thing I think about when someone says... let's go to Charleston. Great decor, food, service... location... um can't ask for anything more! My recommendation? The beef basil. I mean if Basil's in the name right??
(5)
David B.

I was working in down and found this place around the corner. The prices drew me in as I have a per diem and most of the other restaurants near by were $5-$10 higher per person. I had my favorite, Pad Kee Mow. It was $10.25. Reasonably priced, though it is usually a little cheaper where I live. They brought out my dish and it was smaller than I usually receive...unfortunately, I was very hungry this day, so, it did not fill me up. I will say the taste was amazing! IT was some of the best I've had. I would recommend eating here. I would have accepted $3-$4 more for more food though. Maybe they will listen to that suggestion! I would eat here again...I'd just order a appetizer to make sure I was full.
(4)
Valsa T.

Pretty cool environment and service was good. Just a little bummed out that all of their noodles dishes could only be made with fish sauce. We opted for vegetarian fried rice which was pretty good. The Tom Kha was good as well.
(3)
Marc P.

Went here for dinner. We had the Pad Woon Sen Shrimp and a Beef Salad. The meal and atmosphere was fine. Nothing wrong with the food, service, or atmosphere, but it didn't stand out in any way.
(3)
Ashley H.

I went to Basil with a group of 6 friends on a Saturday night. We shared appetizers and the food is this place's only saving grace. The fresh basil rolls were fantastic, as were the friend wonton's. I heard the beef skewers were on point, but I don't recommend getting their beef larb. It was rather bland and tasted just like ground beef mixed with basil. However, the service killed this place for me. Rude hostesses, bartender, and server. I felt (more than anything) that we inconveniencing the restaurant by being there. I'm sure it would be great for a date night, just don't expect the staff to be friendly! Next time I'm feeling Thai from here I'll order take out.
(3)
Alan B.

I was skeptical about good thai food in Charleston, but my friend suggested it my first night here so I gave it a whirl. Started with their Basil Cocktail, which was a little heavy on the ginger but still a quality drink. I must say, their prices for basic thai food was $14-15 dollars per entree, even in manhattan similar thai places are cheaper, never could see charging a lot for thai food, however their chicken pad thai not only was a big serving but tasted delicious. Loss of a star for the waiter assuming I wanted another drink when i didnt and bringing it out (and removing my unfinished drink) but he did take it back and apologize. Overall, good tasting thai food I just cant get over the pricing.
(3)
Molly B.

I love this place! I went on my first date with my boyfriend here which adds a little bit more for me obviously. He originally brought me here because I am in love with green tea ice cream but I'll get to that later. Every single time I go here I get the Pad Woo Sen which is chicken (for me), noodles, eggs, cabbage, onions, carrots, snow peas, tomatoes, mushrooms, scallions and bean sprouts. I mean, come on! Everything about that sounds delicious. My boyfriend always has a tough time between the Basil Duck and the Pad Prik. Both are delicious In fact, I feel like you can get anything here and it would be delicious. Sometimes we'll get an appetizer but if you go for dinner, you definitely wont need one because the noodle and entree dishes are HUGE which is awesome because who doesnt love delicious leftovers!? For dessert we got the fried green tea ice cream which is soooo good! If I dont feel like going out, I call and get a pick up order. The portions are still as good and the food is just as delicious as it would be eating at the restaurant. I come here often and don't plan on stopping!
(5)
Geronimo B.

As a world traveler having tried Pad Thai in 36 states in the USA, and 3 different regions in Thailand (Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Krabi), including an 8 hour cooking class on "perfecting the dish" in Thailand by a master chef, I befittingly say that Basil has the best "sweet/tangy" style Pad Thai on the planet. I had been accustomed to Pad Thai disappointment stateside as a good Pad Thai is few and far between. However, after many sleepless nights in Southeast Asia (sometimes eating Pad Thai for breakfast, lunch, and dinner) it occurred to me that I had set out on a path that was doomed for success from the get go. There is zero substitute for the rich, creamy(ish), spicy, tangy flavor explosion that only Basil can deliver right here in Charleston SC. Now every thai food connoisseur will know that Pad Thai is actually not even a Thai dish at all, and although a good pad thai is a great way to measure a Thai restaurant, it is not the be-all end-all. That being said,I can confidently say that on average (all dishes considered) basil has the best Thai food in a 3,000 mile radius. From the Basil duck to the Massaman Curry, basil has a way of perfecting traditional Thai dishes in a consistent way. From Charlotte NC to Columbia, to Charleston SC Basil will not disappoint. P.S. Mango sticky rice is the heat if it's in season when you visit.
(5)
Madison T.

Very good food, all the ingredients are fresh, so far the best Thai food I had in this area, nice atmosphere, lunch menu price is reasonable but the dinner pricing is kind of too high.
(4)
Christy M.

Went last night late after getting in from a full day of flying. The hubs wanted " take out "Chinese" but I wanted something not so heavy and a cute environment... I miss that Charleston feel when I'm gone! Anyway, Basil delivered exactly what I was hoping for, fresh, tasty, good food that doesn't leave me feeling awful (or keep me up at night needing water cause it's so salty). I'm a fan. This is my third time and this may have been my favorite dish, but I can't remember the name of the dish. It was the one on the back of the menu with cellophane noodles and snow peas and other veggies.
(5)
Ashley I.

One word -- AMAZING!! My boyfriend and I had just arrived in SC and were strolling King street looking for somewhere to eat. With the help of Yelp and some window shopping, we decided on Basil. We popped in and the hostess told us it would be a 10 minute wait, even though the restaurant was slammed! She was right, within 10 minutes we were sat right in front of the chefs; pretty cool. We decided on the chicken and shrimp fried wontons, pad Thai, and masaman curry chicken. The wontons were ridiculously delicious! So much so that my boyfriend and I battled it out for the last one. Our entrees were just as delicious and literally served the second the chef takes it out of his wok and places it on the plate. The flavors, the freshness, the portions, and the ambiance can't be beat! Basil and the amazing food that SC has to offer has quickly jumped to the top of my food list!
(5)
Harold W.

Definitely a great place to eat Thai food. We got there 15 minutes before they opened and there was already a line. A good and bad sign considering they don't do reservations. They sat us immediately. We ordered Wonton Soup and fresh Basil Spring Rolls. Both had the smell and taste of a fresh herb garden. You can taste a melding of the different ingredients but still taste each herb and spice individually. The chili sauce for the spring roll had some heat to it but not unpleasant or uncomfortable. Now the entrees. Wow! I had the Gibger with Chicken and Danny had Basil Thai Chicken (which was Thai spicy). My Ginger chicken I could feel the freshness since it makes my throat itch. Bit a bad thing for me. The vegetables were not over cooked. Most places over cook the vegetables especially the carrots making them soggy. This place does it well. Suffice it to say I cleaned out my plate. This place is pricey which I don't mind paying for as long as it's good. Basil has never disappointed me.
(5)
Cole S.

The food was excellent! Egg rolls were crispy and delicious, the soup was soup-erb! Pad kee mow was one of the best I've ever had. Keep up the good work Basil!
(5)
Mary J.

Overall, my experience at Basil was okay but not the best. Our server seemed a bit annoyed the whole time we were there. The food was good, but Extremely Over Priced!!!! I got the plain Pad Kee Mao, thinking it would be loaded with peppers and onions, like my normal Thai places. However, I counted 4 onion slices, 2 tomatoes chunks,4 pepper slices and a mass of rice noodles in the dish. I love Thai food, but $16-20+ for authentic noodle dishes is just a tad bit too much, especially if it's just rice noodles and sauce. Maybe, I'm spoiled since I grew up in a city with numerous Thai places that served amazing, yet reasonably priced food; but the price at Basil does not reflect the service or food. will I go back? Maybe, but it would not be my first choice for Thai food or King St eateries.
(3)
Kelsey F.

Solid thai food. Basil is a nice break from the traditional southern food you will find in Charleston. Highly suggest the pad thai (asked for it medium to add a little spice), the pad kee mow with chicken (great flavor and plenty of chicken), and thai noodles (great flavor, not as spicy as the menu suggested). Overall our food was great but if you like that spice (as our group does! Fireee!!) make sure to tell your waiter to kick it up a notch. All the dishes were huge- wish we were going home to be able to keep left overs.
(4)
Amy J.

The food was good but not great. Not the best thai I've had. Not even in the top 5. Maybe it's so highly rated because it has little competition in Charleston but it is mediocre at best. And, way over priced. If you are craving thai it is safe but nothing to write home about.
(3)
Robert B.

Great appetizers and loved the cocktails. Love the open kitchen. Would like to try more food next time in Charleston but we were just restaurant hopping and stopped in for a few goodies.
(4)
Helen K.

Tangy spicy saucy noodle savory mouth-watering yumminess in a dimly lit room topped off by a sake. This should be illegal, like... well never-mind.
(5)
Sky M.

Really tasty spicy food. Ordered the stuffed shrimp and had duck as my main course, and it was great. So much flavor! These guys are not shy with their quantity either. I was surprised I was able to finish my meal, man was I full. The place gets packed and can get noisy. EAT UP!
(4)
Ashley M.

A long-time friend who relocated to Charleston suggested this place for a Friday night dinner. He is a vegetarian and in this Southern city, not too many restaurants meet those needs. This place was super packed, crowded, and got a bit noisy towards the end of our meal. I ordered the fried cheese wontons as an appetizer and a sweet and spicy fish. Both were very delicious. The fish was crispy and succulent and the sauce was delicious. Service was also excellent all around!
(4)
Meredith B.

The best Thai in charleston and I love the lively atmosphere! Prices aren't too bad either! The tilapia is amazing!!!
(5)
Keith S.

Basil is, hands down, the best Thai restaurant in Charleston. I eat here regularly, and have never been dissatisfied by the food or the service. I recommend visiting for lunch, as the portions are great and the prices are better than dinner. The pad thai is outstanding, as is the pad prik and red curry. You just can't go wrong here.
(5)
Kristen F.

Man, this place was HUGE when it opened, and it's still going strong. This was our favorite place for Asian food in college, and I still try to make it there whenever I visit. Very friendly for vegetarians, and the sweet & sour tofu is amazing. Count on a wait... but there's a wine bar next door that lets you know when your table is ready.
(5)
Ethan B.

Delicious food. Try combining both chicken and tofu on entree!
(3)
jennifer r.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Charleston when it comes to the food. But the service I experienced the last few times I went was borderline awful. Zero service standards and borderline really rude servers. The last time I went it was 30 minutes to closing and the service staff really made it uncomfortable for us. But damn that food is good.
(4)
James B.

I ate here a couple of years ago so maybe they have new cooks. The service was good but the food was disappointing. I ordered chicken panang and the chicken was tough and dry and tasted like it had been added at the last minute without marinating in the sauce at all. My meal was very small and it was expensive. I've been to a lot better that was a lot less money.
(2)
Mikell B.

I've been to Basil on several occasions, and think that the food is so-so. Definitely NOT worth the price, for sure. Especially when it comes down to a dish like Pad Thai that is essentially just noodles and tamarind sauce, I feel like if I'm paying Basil's prices I should at least have some noodles to take home, but the portions are not that big. It's generally packed, and I've never been overly impressed by the service. I'd much rather go to Jasmine Thai, eat better food, pay less, and have something to stick in my fridge when dinner is over.
(2)
John M.

We tried to eat at Basil after driving almost 12 hours from Ohio to Charleston. We very tired and very, very hungry. They were somewhat busy and it looked like there would be a wait. Keep in mind we're wearing shorts and sneakers, but we're clean people who pretty much have it together. That being said, we got sort of a once over from the hostess, and when we explained our situation she was not overly sympathetic I'll say. Very dry, not very friendly, and not at all interested in us eating there. Needless to say we left, not quite sure what to make of it. They get two stars for having food and not outright telling us to leave.
(2)
Bill J.

Top notch. I am used to the 'down home' thai in The ATL, but this is a step up from that as far as service and atmosphere. A great call on upper King, highly recommended. Funky fresh!
(4)
mis h.

I was actually quite disappointed by Basil. The Boy (who is one of the least adventurous eaters I know) decided we should go one night cause he had gone with friends and loved the Pad Thai. And I do love Thai food so I agreed. The coconut soup (that I get every time I get Thai food; I'm addicted) was amazing which was good, cause the Boy hated it and I basically ate the entire hot pot myself. The Boy's Pad Thai was pretty good too, but I didn't think it was any better than any other I'd had. I also got the basil rolls in addition to my soup. They were horrible. I love me some basil, but it tasted like I was just eating basil leaves, which I do not enjoy. However, our waitress realized I hadn't even finished one and asked me what was wrong and I explained to her and she was more than happy to take it off our check, which I greatly appreciated. The atmosphere was killing me. It was super, super crowded. (There's always a line there, no matter when you go.) And also I felt rushed the entire time I was eating since I could see the people waiting for my table. People kept knocking into my chair as they walked past so it made it quite hard to enjoy my meal. I got annoyed and I was just ready to pay and go. Maybe I've just gotten lucky with previous Thai places, but I thought Basil was way too expensive for predictable food and absolutely no atmosphere.
(2)
Ken S.

Food gets a 5, noise gets a 0. This is a foodies joint but don't expect to have a romantic intimate dinner here with the decible level approaching a nuclear blast. Nevertheless its worth bringing earplugs to enjoy some of the best Thai food you'll have anywhere. Crispy Duck in either red or green sauce, Crispy Flounder, pad thai, sticky rice with mango, you name it and they do a great job with food. Service is decent. If you like Thai food, this is THE place in downtown Charleston. If the lines are long there's also an alternative or two around the corner that we like---Coast for seafood and Rue de Jean for a bistro meal of just about anything. Coast is just behind Rue de Jean and is always difficult for out of towners to find but worth a trip for the seafood.
(4)
Elizabeth W.

green curry yum yum yum,. Basil is well known locally to be wonderful, to die for food, reasonable prices. very reliably good
(5)
Morgan S.

Without question, Basil is the best Thai food in Charleston. (I hear Mustard Seed's pad thai is better though....) Previous reviewers are correct - it's small (I call that intimate), loud (people are excited), and the hostesses can be a bit cool (there must be a draft at the door). With that said, I've never been disappointed with their food, their cooks are actually Thai, and the waiters are almost always on top of their game. If you're heading to Charleston, don't be scared by the mediocre reviews here. I live here, eat there at least once a month, and have a discerning palate.
(4)
Maggie L.

Basil is hands down the best Thai food I've ever had. The dishes are authentic, the food is served piping hot, you can adjust the heat to your liking. No reservations is a bummer as there's always a wait but you get a drink next door in the meantime. It is pretty loud and they definitely work to keep the tables turning. Not the best choice if you want to linger. Food is Amazing!
(5)
C M.

Chicken green curry and a cold beer. This is a very good Thai food restaurant! I have not been to a better one yet.
(5)
Dava A.

I love this place and I live in New York where good food is everywhere. Every time I visit Charleston I eat at Basil at least once, because the food is outstanding. Expect a long wait at night (especially on weekends) and arrive early!
(4)
Claire M.

I think I like it mostly for aesthetic reasons, as it is pretty average thai food. But it's a nice place.
(3)
Kathryn B.

I used to love this place, but I think it has become overpriced. Pad Thai is amazing though.
(3)
Saket V.

My family was hungry on Easter Sunday but we found this place open. We're vegetarian but found the selection to be great. Our waitress, Rachael, was attentive and helpful. The food was excellent -- the Pad Prik was outstanding. The place is fairly bustling so its not ideal for a quiet dinner, but we really enjoyed it.
(5)
Juliana S.

i keep wanting to review places that don't exist anymore, like 17W (rest in peace, beergarden) or saffron (indian food so holy you started believing in transsubstantiation), but then i look around, take stock of the situation, and try to get someone to take me to basil. always get someone else to pay. although the first time i went, i discovered at table that my date was still unemployed. alas! a tragic night at basil, the most impossible place to pretend you're not hungry. luckily, i went there last night and feasted. i even dreamed better last night. (don't they say dreams are caused by what you eat?) henry, the most gracious restaurateur you'll ever meet, really knows his food and what makes a restaurant good...although does anyone else think it's odd that they seem to have segregated the staff (relegated the minorities to a glass box where you can watch them cook, while the predominantly white waitstaff roam freely?) maybe no one else notices. anyway, try the deep-fat-fried duck. i know. it's the most expensive thing on the menu, but you'll thank me. the masaman curry is delicious, as is the pad thai. (granted my only other experience with pad thai involved a roommate that stocked our refrigerator with something that shared the same name, but that's where the similarities ended. instead of egg, noodles, and vegetables, the only discernable ingredient (judging by the smell) was cat food. obviously, i did not partake and only contributed to the cause by throwing it out.)
(4)
Kari K.

I recently ate lunch at Basil. It was very full, and we sat at the counter because the tables were all in use. The service was ok- nothing spectacular, but not horrible. We split some spring rolls as an appetizer- 2 rolls for $5-6, which is a little pricey. They were ok, but nothing great. At this point I was thinking I wasn't going to give a great review- but then the entrees came. I ordered Green Curry with Tofu, and it was absolutely delicious! They do not have brown rice, at all, though, so I barely ate any (white) rice with my meal, meaning I ate all the tofu and veggies, and left a large amount of broth in the bowl. My friend had Ginger Tofu, and it was quite delicious as well. It was mainly tofu, no veggies or anything else. The flavor was quite good, though. This might be a good place to order a curry from, to go, rather than sitting inside. It was too noisy to have good conversation.
(3)
Michael F.

Swooping into Charleston, SC for the night on business, this business took me and my party of associates to Basil Restaurant. Most everything we had was super delicious, and ranks up with any Thai food I've had in New York. We had: Tom Kha Gai (Chicken Coconut): Sliced chicken breast cooked in coconut milk with galanga roots, lime leaves, lemongrass, button mushrooms, cilantro and scallions. Nominally designed for two people, there was enough for four. Fresh Basil Rolls: Perhaps not as shrimp-filled as some I've had, but tasty nonetheless. Larb: Minced meet mixed with ground rice, onions, mint, scallions, cilantro, chili powder, fish sauce and lemon juice. We had hour with beef as the meat component. Delicious. Served with a wedge of cabbage that you can peel off leaves from and fill with Larb. Nam Sod: Similar to Larb, only this time, minced meat mixed with ginger, scallions, cilantro, onions, peanuts, chili powder, fish sauce and lemon juice. This was served with iceberg lettuce for wrapping instead of cabbage. Also super delicious. Crispy Red Curry Duck: succulent and delicious duck with vegetables and red curry sauce. Pad Thai: What meal would be complete without some of this? An excellent rendition served in quantity. For dessert: Fried Green Tea Ice Cream with Raspberry Sauce: I'd say this was the one weak part of the meal. The crust wasn't very tasty and was too thick. The ice cream/crust ratio had too much crust. Ambiance is good, but hard surfaces make for a fairly noisy dining experience. Overall, a great dining experience and I'm told that during the school year the place has a line up the block with college students. We were lucky, though, because in the words of the immortal Alice Cooper, school's out for the summer. Hit up Basil if you're in Charleston. You won't be disappointed.
(4)
Paschall W.

After hearing many great things about this place I finally got the chance to eat here.........let's just say it was HEAVEN!!!!! Walking in all the staff are very welcoming and the atmosphere is perfect. I went on a Monday night so there was no wait(which it usually is) and was seated right away. I decided to get the basil egg rolls, red chicken curry and the Mango Martini. Beginning with the egg rolls, they were very simple but the basil leaf just gets all taste buds rolling paired with the dipping sauce it was perfect. My red curry came out cooked to perfection. The spicy ness was perfect and this is the only time where I visited a restaurant and actually ate all of my food!!!! It was soo good I couldn't stop eating even after I was pass full! Lastly the Mango Martini......yuuummmmmyyyy! There are really no words to describe this drink you just have to try it!!!!! This was my first time but def not my last.... Sorry no pics to post i was just overwhelmed by all the fabulousness that had arrived to my table and begun eating right away!!!!
(5)
Henry D.

Definitely one of the highlights of Charleston dining! Their signature basil stir fry is delicious, a delectable combination of sweet and spicy. Every time I've dined in, we have received friendly, attentive service. Highly recommended.
(5)
Amy C.

I went here for dinner and it was amazing! The service was great from the hostess to our server. The only thing is make sure you come here or you'll be waiting for at least 30 minutes. Once seated, we ordered the pad thai, pad zee u, fried wantons and an order of the eggrolls. Everything and I mean everything was delicious. The eggrolls are vegetarian and it's so crunchy and paired perfectly with their sweet and sour sauce. The sauce adds the perfect subtleness to the eggroll. The wanton filling is a combination of cream cheese, chicken, and pork, and this also comes with a side of sweet and sour sauce which is perfect with the crunchy on the outside and soft inside wanton. The pad thai was probably my favorite dish there. As I have mentioned in many of my Thai reviews, I use to work at a Thai restaurant so I have very high standards for pad thai. This certainly hit the spot. The pad thai was perfectly cooked and it even had a crunchiness to it which I have never had before. It was perfect though with the pad thai sauce; moreover, it's the perfect ying to the softness of the rest of the noodles (its yang). The last dish we got was the pad zee u with beef. This was great as well, but it wasn't something I never had, and all the flavors were there so while it wasn't the star for me like the pad thai, it certainly didn't miss the mark. Overall, great food, great life :)
(4)
Michael T.

Visited again. Same small portions, but really tasty delicious thai food. Fun hip atmosphere.
(4)
Laura F.

Excellent food! Every. Single. Time. The curry duck was delicious! Love everything about this restaurant.
(5)
Ron V.

Pad kee mow was excellent! Service and atmosphere was very nice. Good lunch specials and nice clean place to eat while in town.
(4)
J B.

Basil is a great spot in Charleston. We were there on a very busy Thursday night. Don't let a crowd deter you- the staff and kitchen are on their game. Food was great, service efficient, crowd urban and eclectic. Try to get seats at the chefs' counter where you can watch the super efficient chefs working while you dine.
(5)
Lydia Chur E.

We came here for lunch on a weekday. I had a good Tom Kha Gai soup and red curry with beef (skimpy beef portion). My daughter had basil beef (decent size beef portion.) They didn't ask us the spice level and made it a bit hot. The good Thai Ice Tea took the edge off. We had a bad table by the wait station and kitchen, so I was distracted with all the commotion. The service was fine.
(3)
Michael S.

Great food and fast service. The Basil Duck or the Three Flavor Fish are awesome. And the cooks are good about making your food to order, so I recommend getting it how you like it. It's a little tight in there, but you can always go to Chai's next door and hang out while you wait, or for a more open drink after dinner. Anyway, great place, always go back when I am home.
(4)
Steven J.

Ok, so it is probably the best Thai, but does it have to be that expensive?
(4)
Joseph N.

One of the best places to enjoy Thai food in the south! I've been to Basil twice and both times have been a very good experience. The price is a little on the high side, but it is worth it IMO. There is usually a wait, so be prepared and enjoy the bar at Chai's next door (or one of the other bars in the area) while you wait. I'm a big fan of Pad Thai, so of course that is what I usually order at any Thai restaurant. The mild Pad Thai at Basil is quite spicy, so I would advise getting that with some spices on the side just in case it's not spicy enough for your tastes. My Brother-in-law Brian got some Curry with tofu - he liked it but thought it could be a little spicier (good thing we had some extra spices on the side). The service has been great both times I've been there - the waitress we had tonight was quite charming and honest about what is good in the area. I'm sure I will be eating at Basil again, so I'll see you there fellow Charlestonian Yelpers.
(4)
David C.

Great Thai food, very good massaman curry and pad thai. Usually pretty busy place and they do not take reservations. Great atmosphere (can be loud) and food, will definitely eat again.
(4)
Mike W.

I really like Basil and wish we had a Thai place of this quality but also this lovely an atmosphere in my hometown of Gainesville, Florida. Those who say the portions are small are somewhat correct, but let me explain something: America has larger portions than most other nations. I guess over time we have come to expect that dinner will be large enough to supply lunch the next day, also, but that's not always the case. I think the portions here are fair, not small, though I've certainly seen larger. The quality of the food is very high in general, but it's a busy restaurant and I can imagine they do have off nights. The basil or garlic stir-fry dishes with your choice of meat are very sound choices and the spring rolls are also very good. Half the fun though is the atmosphere: you can get as good food and perhaps more of it at Siagon in Savannah, but not with this stellar atmosphere. If you're in Charleston and want something downtown and not Southern, check out Basil.
(4)
Jeff K.

Does this place compare to San Francisco Thai food?.....you bet! This place is great! The owner is very friendly and the staff was amazing! I enjoyed all the appetizers and entrees we ordered. A great family style restaurant! A+ in my book!
(5)
Christina T.

i was super excited about the great reviews here - so much so that it was my first restaurant in charleston! to be honest - i'm a little confused. maybe it's because i've had the luxury of DC + NYC thai for the past six years, but the pad thai i ordered was lackluster. i've had so much better, and for half the price. my boyfriend enjoyed his curry & the egg roll appetizers we had were good - but again, the price was high ($6 for 2). the atmosphere & decor were nothing special. i will say that out waitress was super sweet & helpful. would i go back? not for dinner -- maybe for lunch.
(2)
Richi R.

Service is great Food is good portions are decent Prices are affordable the fact that we asked 2 waiters if there is MSG in the food, one answered no and the other said a little threw me off! other then that it would have gotten 4 stars
(3)
Annie R.

The dubbed "best Thai in Charleston" cracks me up, what are there 6 or 7 Thai restaurants total in this city? Basil is amazing beyond best of Charleston. Having lived in large metro areas with plenty of Thai food to go around, I feel like I have had a broad range of Thai food, or food that claims to be Thai. That being said this is actually pretty authentic (minus the sweet tea you order to go with it). The Tom Kha Gai soup is amazing here, second only to a little mom and pop Thai place in Boston. The basil duck and green curry are both out of this world. Even there ginger stir fry is impressive. Basil is a great stop for locals/people visiting who want to try authentic Thai food. It is always crowded so be prepared for a wait!
(4)
Laura F.

I am not a huge fan of Thai food to begin with, but I went here with a group of friends. The place was super loud and impossible to hear the people you are with. We had reservations, but still had to wait 20 minutes before our table was ready. I got sweet and sour chicken because I do not like Pad Thai, but everyone else in my group ordered the Pad Thai. I thought my meal was decent - the chicken was good and the vegetables included were nice. The rice was just like steamed rice, not much I can really say about that. I thought the dinner was quite overpriced. I probably won't go back on my own volition.
(2)
John S.

I was visiting a friend in Charleston and she recommend we have dinner at Basil Thai. She claims that Basil serves "appointment soup" due to the opinion that the soup is so good you need to schedule an appointment to order it, but she is also on the cusp of lunacy. I'm a huge curry fan, so i immediately sought out the Green Curry. It was the best green curry i have ever eaten. It reminded me of the first time i ate at a cook in front of you Japanese restaurant ....simply incredible. Unfortunately that friend has a bad attitude, so i may not make it back to Charleston, but it was a memorable dinner nonetheless.
(5)
Anand P.

Great food and great service. Prices a little high. Delicious Tom kha soup. Would definitely return.
(4)
Isabel G.

Delish.... Massaman curry tasted like it cooked for hours..even my picky boy liked the basil beef.
(4)
V Y.

One of the best Thai restaurant's in Charleston. Being from NYC I was little bit skeptical at first. But after dining here, Basil Thai is on par or even better than most of the Thai places in NYC.
(5)
Leahman p.

Nice place, lots of locals. Very tasty pad Thai. Nice alternative to the downtown tourist traps.
(4)
Chris J.

Red curry duck is mighty tasty. Normally when in Charleston I eat low country food, but this is a nice change of pace and a legit Thai place
(4)
MK H.

Basil thai is a very nicely decorated place to eat. That's about it. And that's where the two stars come from. The real deal should have been the food. But that was a disappointment. I usually ordered something specific to the restaurant ethnicity. Since this is a thai place, most people would order the pad thai. And the pad kee mow (drunk man noodle). Or Larb. Or Som tum. These are typical thai food for those who know... The pad kee mow was too expensive and not worth its 15.00 price. It was too sweet, like what a pad thai should taste like. And the noodles were hard and mushy all at the same time. Which means they did not put it in the hot water long enough and stir fried it while too wet and the sauce made it soggy. Hard to do but they succeeded. Enough said on that dish... Larb...the average diner would not know what that should taste like, except if they were native or have had the real deal before. And this was not it at all...disappointing... OVERPRICED and not authentic. At all. Not today.
(2)
Lisa C.

So good Thai food!! Yum! I went there after a bad experience trying to get dinner at Hominy Grill. So glad we ended up here. They were very busy when we got there so we got a bar table and ordered some drinks. Between the 3 of us we ordered the fresh rolls, egg rolls, pad thai, and the basil duck. We ate family style and it was plenty for all of us. Also, I think the bertender may have been trying ot get me drunk because my drinks were incredibly strong. Yay!
(4)
Claudia C.

This place is good at best. Nothing special but nothing bad either. Price are definitely too high for dinner. If you want to try it, definitely go for lunch. I tried the Sweet and Sour and the Vegetable medley, both with chicken. Both were okay and filled me up but chicken was sort of dry and Sweet and Sour was too sweet.
(3)
RD S.

We walked two miles to this restaurant and waited two hours for it to open. What a waste of energy and time! My husband has spent a lot of time in Asia and has been eating wonton soup for over 50 years. He said that this is easily the worst he's ever had. It was very salty and the wontons were mush. No roast pork, just bok choi, green onions and mushy wontons. And lots of salt. The phad Thai was almost as bad. The noodles were more like angel hair pasta and again were horrifically overcooked. The flavor was phad Thai-like. Perhaps a bad night? Won't be going back to find out.
(1)
Todd M.

Consistently excellent Thai food comparable with better Thai restaurants in New York. Space is energetic. Drinks are good. Prices are a little high but worth it. Service can be mediocre at times but is usually very good.
(4)
Wolfgang K.

We had dinner there yesterday and it was simply outstanding Thai food! Had a few cocktails at the bar while waiting for our dining companion to arrive and then (after a bit of a wait) got seated (I got a chair with a view of the kitchen - which was quite nice). The food was simply great. Rice paper rolls for appetizer, Pad Thai for the two ladies and Crispy Red Duck (according to the menu the chef's signature dish) for me. All three portions were humongous - you could easily share the duck with another person. All paired with a nice Gewurztraminer from the rather extensive wine list (in - yes - decent glasses). We'll definitely be back there if we come back to Charleston and are in need of our Thai fix.
(5)
Kimberly N.

This place was packed when we went, and we were famished. We opted to sit at the Chef's Bar in order to get food in our bellies as quickly as possible. The service was the fastest we've had in Charleston, hands-down. The husband ordered a mixed drink that had basil and mint in it. He found it light and refreshing, and said it reminded him of a Pimm's. We ordered the egg rolls to start, and they arrived promptly. However, I was surprised at how small they were, and that there were only two. About 1/3 of the plate was just garnish. And they didn't taste very fresh; I wouldn't be surprised if they were actually frozen, especially considering how fast they arrived. For the price, I was expecting more, and definitely a fresher taste. Our entrees, however, were fantastic. I ordered the Red Curry with tofu, and my husband ordered the Pad Woon Sen with tofu. It's nice that the majority of entrees could be ordered to be vegetarian (tofu). Sitting at the Chef's Bar and watching all the delicious food getting made was entertaining, but I did notice (again) that nearly every plate had about 1/4 of it covered with pure garnish (shredded cabbage and carrots). Still, my Red Curry was enough food to afford me a second serving for lunch the next day. And the spiciness level was perfect. I was a little worried that the spiciness level wouldn't suit me, since they didn't have a 1-5 spiciness level to choose from here. I think they found a happy medium that most people will find spicy enough but not too wimpy. My lips were burning just a bit, but that was it. No runny eyes/nose, or tongue on fire. So, good job on that. The ambiance is dark, sleek, and modern, with just a touch of traditional Thai with some wood carvings mounted here and there on the walls. It was a little noisy due to all the hard surfaces and how busy it was, but not too annoying.
(4)
David C.

The world really is small. Fifty years ago there was no Thai food outside of Thailand (and maybe immigrant communities on the west coast). That has changed, and with great result. Basil leans towards the sleek vice the rustic, but I've never been to Thailand so the difference is ultimately irrelevant. There's a big glass kitchen full of busy, busy people making wholesome, tasty dishes. The Tom Kha Gai, a sweet and sour chicken soup with coconut broth, came in a self-warming tureen and fed five as an appetizer. There are so many flavors in it your mouth will call for back up. Lime, Coconut, Chili-Sour, Sweet, Spicy. Savory little mushrooms, tender chicken. It's up there with my favorite things tried. I once met someone who didn't like duck. We don't really talk any more, but I'd consider calling them just to get them to try the duck here. It might change their mind - or set up an expectation so unrealistic that they'll never like duck anywhere else. If it starts with the word 'Pad,' it's worth your time. Pad Thai is peerless, Pad Prik is beguiling, and Pad See Eu is comfort. I don't know if it's possible to make a bad Thai Coffee or Iced Tea. They sure don't. Sit by a broad window either looking out or in, listen to the sounds from the kitchen, and revel in the comforts of globalization.
(5)
David T.

Basil is a great choice if you love Thai food or are looking for a reasonably priced alternative to Nouveau Southern cuisine and don't want to wait 45 minutes for a table. The food is fresh and delicious and served in large portions - the entrees are big enough to split between two. The server we had was snappy and attentive and the atmosphere is busy but nice.
(4)
Celine K.

I have been coming to the restaurant consistently since it opened about 7 years ago. It is my go to place for a quick lunch or dinner with friends. The food here is always good and well prepared not matter how busy the restaurant. It is definitely one of the best restaurants in Charleston. My only complaint is that the restaurant gets very loud. The takeout is also very good. Favorites dishes include: Pad Thai (of course!), beef satay, basil roll, any of the 3 curries (massaman, red or green) and the chicken cashew.
(4)
Amanda M.

Amazing service, amazing apps, amazing curry, amazing pad Thai, amazingly delicious drinks... I highly recommend the green curry and a Thai Boxer to wash it down with!
(5)
Whit R.

Basil duck - best dish in Charleston. Go there and try it if you don't believe me. Man, I could eat that stuff day and night. Everything I've had there has been at least good if not excellent. The coconut soup is super tasty, and the dishes are big enough to share if you're not a pig. Sharing is a GREAT idea, by the way, as Basil is far from affordable. Expect to spend $100 for a couple if you want an app and a few drinks. Mmmmmm, sake..... Speaking of drinks, this is not really a "hang-out" kind of place. The bar only seats 3 or 4. There's a few tables outside, too, when the weather permits.
(4)
Jennifer K.

Probably the best pad Thai I've had! Friendly staff! Cool vibe in there!
(5)
Robert M.

Likely one of the best in the whole country. Always awesome food. Fast service, the only downside is the size, this place is tiny compared to the crowd that comes. Expect long waits on the weekends.
(5)
Catherine A.

Basil is my favorite restaurant in charleston. The pad-se-eu is to die for. If I could eat Basil for dinner every night, I would! Ive never had bad service, which is always a plus. Now they have a location in mt pleasant.
(5)
jeremy c.

I stopped in Charleston for the day and the hotel recommended Basil. The service was great, the atmosphere outstanding, and the food was pretty good. The thing that I really appreciated as much as anything was the freshness of the ingredients. We started with the Basil rolls, a rice-wrapped concoction that featured, surprise surprise, fresh basil. I really appreciated it, as each roll contained two whole basil leaves which brought a lot of snap. For the entree I had Green Curry and a side of steamed rice noodles. The noodles were a special order and they were nice enough to hook it up. I prefer noodles to rice with my curry. The curry was delicious and very aromatic, with a coconut-based curry sauce, fresh eggplant, onions, bell peppers, etc. and all of the vegetables were fresh. The one complaint, if forced to come up with one, is that it was a little spendy for the portion. With water to drink, it ended up around $25 with tip, but I left satisfied and really appreciated the fact that the food was anything but ordinary. Well done Basil!!
(4)
Martin E.

Incredible food that is served up impressively fast. The menu is clearly marked about which dishes are spicy and which are not, which I found extremely helpful. The signature dish, Pad Thai, was incredible and a solid portion...I was definitely full after. The beer list is limited, though try one of the Asian ones...I was happy with the two I tried. The wine list is much more expansive. The only issues I had were the extreme noise, so much so it was difficult to hear the person next to me, and that the tables were so close together my chair was constantly being hit by a passing waiter or the tables next to me. Small issues, and certainly not enough to keep me from going back. It was really really good food, and the fact they serve so late is great!
(4)
Mary Cecilia M.

Basil Thai is the best Asian food you'll find in the low-country area. I've always enjoyed it. The green curry is the best curry I've maybe ever had. If I am extra hungry I get the Basil rolls or the Coconut soup as a starter. The only disappointing factor about Basil is the price. It always ends up seeming so expensive, but perhaps it is because I like the food so much that I always want to order appetizers and my own entree (you can realistically share an entree between two people). My only advice is just don't sit outside in the late summer when the mosquitoes are out!
(4)
Phillip M.

Second time eating there tonight. We went about 7pm and the wait for a table for two was about 10 minutes. The food was good as well as the service. The restaurant was full but the noise level was tolerable. The portion size for the entrees was large, more than I could eat. Price very reasonable for the quality and quantity of the food. Highly recommended.
(4)
Tim F.

Food is good and fast as many have stated. Sat at the chef's bar area, had the red curry duck whcih was cooked very well. I asked for hot but if you like it spicy I would ask for thai hot since the hot was not too spicy. Had the basil cocktail which was good and also noted they had some pretty decent prices on bottles of wine, definitely will return.
(4)
Ind R.

The best Thai in Charleston, hands down. I cannot say enough about the food. I usually stick with the curry section (tofu is an option), but Basil is one of the few restaurants that succeeds with both the curry dishes and the noodle dishes. You won't be disappointed. The decor is impressive. Some seating faces the cooking area, where chefs work behind glass. You'll never believe that the space formerly housed a Huddle House, much less a bicycle shop. Though, a much beloved bicycle still marks the entrance, years later. Basil's only flaw: THE RULES. No reservations. No seating groups unless every member of your party is present. No take-out Fridays or Saturdays between 6-9. No sitting outside until a very specific time, unrelated to the hours of operation. These rules are not posted, but woe to those who transgress. It can also be loud when busy. Great place to eat with those you don't really want to talk to! While waiting (and you will have to wait), you are free to have a drink at the Chai's Lounge, which is under the same ownership. They'll even let you take your drink with you to your table.
(5)
Alvaro d.

Too pricey for the quality of the food. I come from Chicago were prices are half for Thai and flavor is maybe twice better. It is not bad food, I just felt I wasn't getting my money's worth. Other than that, the place is nice and the service is good.
(2)
EC F.

Meh. I don't really get the hype about this place. Been there several times now and while it's fine, it seems to me that the most remarkable thing about it is how expensive it is. I grew up in an area with Thai food restaurants on almost every corner (not an exagerration) and I'm not sure that, were I back home, this place would even warrant a second visit, even at half the price. That being said, it can be a fun place to go with friends and most everyone I know seems to be wild about it, so I'm sure I'll find myself there again. Maybe one of these visits I'll actually get it.
(3)
Alfred L.

The coconut cilantro soup is to die for.
(4)
Harold R.

Lunch today at Basil was quite nice. The shrimp salad and the duck salad were just right for a pair of frequent over eaters . Well also try the one in Charlotte.
(4)
Jimbo K.

Went there on Saturday night, it is just one of those 'must do' places every time we come to Charleston. Still wonderful!
(5)
kt m.

Decided to change it up a bit from the southern fare we'd been eating in Charleston, and we were happy that we did. This place seems like a local favorite, and I can see why. The food was great and the service was attentive. I love that the exterior is old-school and the interior is very contemporary. The acoustics are a little problematic; it does get quite loud, although that does add to the energy. If you're there on a first date, the noisiness probably wouldn't be so good. Fortunately, my husband and I have been married for 25 years so we can communicate by telepathy anyway. For example, I could tell he was checking out the hostess, but that's OK...our male server was equally cute, so it all evened out.
(4)
Matthew L.

Yeah, if you know Thai restaurants in Charleston, you know this would make my yelp list of best Thai. Let's face it, the food is very good. The curries are excellent, and the fried duck is awesome. It's the most expensive dish, but you will love it, love it, love it. Downside of Basil is they're probably a bit too pretentious for their own good. After all, Thai isn't expensive to make - people in Thailand are very poor and would probably get a kick out of seeing all the fuss Basil makes over themselves. It would be a comical as going over to Europe and seeing a classy restaurant with only burgers on the menu, but with linen tablecloths and crystal. So, removing some of the pomp mentioned by other reviewers would make the place better. Some like the "snoot" though, so maybe I'm just a guy from Summerville talking on that one who makes Thai way out in the boonies. Not much else to say. Great food, great location for a night on the town. Prices are a bit higher than your typical Thai, but still very reasonable in comparison. Nice big portions, too.
(4)
Elizabeth J.

So I call Basil tonight, hoping to buy my fiance & friend dinner as a thank you for taking care of me after surgery. Only I find out tonight that Basil does not accept take-out orders by phone on the weekends. I was told that if I really wanted it, I could drive there, order from the bar, and then wait for the 45min it would take for my food to be ready. Wow. Needless to say, a quick Yelp search gave me 4 other Thai fusion options....with the same exact order options. Glad that one business in town is doing so well that they can 1) turn away potential customers and 2) would rather inconvenience us instead of asking the bartender/hostess to juggle a little more. I mean really--how long does a phone order take? How easy is that tab? I've worked in food, it's not that bad. Sorry, the choice just feels a little pretentious, especially in the town of hospitality. Tonight, I'm disappointed in Basil's manners.
(2)
Carla K.

Went here during our honeymoon and had our best meal of the week here. Absolutely delicious.
(5)
Brett M.

Where I learned to appreciate Thai food. I recommend this place to all, the foodies and the skeptics. I've dined there on dates and with company from out of town and always had a terrific experience. Great atmosphere while dining and convenient to the point that they will take a cell number while waiting so you can grab a drink next door from Chai's.
(5)
Kristi S.

Fabulous Thai food right on King St. The first time I had the pad thai and loved it. The second time I had green curry with shrimp and chicken, and it was rockin', too. :)
(4)
Meredith P.

I was only marginally impressed with Basil. We went because Yelp said it was the best Thai in Charleston, but I have had MUCH better at home in Washington DC. For one thing, I'm not sure any of the staff here was actually Thai, quite possibly including the cooks, though I can't be sure about them. The service was atrocious, unless this girl was BRAND NEW to waiting tables, there was no excuse for her lack of coordination and efficiency. The bartender however must have been great, because those drinks were big and strong! We did choose to sit outside because it was so noisy inside; it was a nice night so the sidewalk seating was quite pleasant. As for the food...I was highly unimpressed. I have been a vegetarian for 13 years so I have experienced a very wide variety of vegetarian dishes; Asian cuisines are my favorite. But the vegetable medley with tofu - which I've had at a few dozen similar restaurants - was unremarkable. There was very little variety in the vegetables, the tofu was practically tasteless, and the whole thing overall was too sweet. (And I like sweet things, so that's saying a lot!) The meatless egg rolls were also uninspired...could you be any more boring? I honestly cannot believe that this is the best Thai in Charleston and highly praised as a vegetarian option...it leaves me feeling sorry for the local vegetarian community, and leaves me longing for Tara Thai (multiple locations in the DC area), Chelsea Thai (New York City), and Jasmine Thai and Moroccan (Seattle)!
(3)
Lauren M.

I have never been disapointed here... in fact, everytime I go It is better than I remember... and i always remember it being the best thai food EVER! the wonton soup and the basil wraps are two of my favorite apps. i love the pad kee mow and the pad see u (sp?). Everything is very clean and the presentation is always gorgeous. Every time I have a visitor this is the one restaurant in town I make an absolute point to take them to. They've always been more than satisfied.
(5)
Alexandra F.

My favorite casual dining spot downtown, Charleston. Every single item is wonderfully delactable. It is affordable and in a great location. I crave their food and can be found there a few times a month. Strong points: Yum Ped (duck salad), Pad Thai, Crispy Red Curry Duck, Green Curry, Ginger Chicken. Room for improvement: Basil rolls (simple- not notable. Everything else is so outstanding that these end up lack-luster) Acoustics (very loud atmosphere- they could utilize some assistance from me! Call Innovative Interiors when you remodel).
(5)
Wally B.

This place rocks! Food is great. Service is all over you. Eat lunch there once or twice a week. Misty, the bartender is awesome.
(5)
Maria Gracia I.

If you like Thai food, you will appreciate this restaurant. The food is fresh and delicious. The kitchen is behind a glass wall so if you are sitting at the bar you can see how everything is prepared. The service was excellent. The waiter gave us good recommendations in terms of dishes and sizes. My martini was crispy. The atmosphere was perfect. Not a sports bar with the TV on, just the sound of people enjoying good food and good conversations. Definitely an excellent choice.
(4)
Regina S.

This is one of Charleston's most popular restaurants... for locals. I could eat the basil rolls here like tic tacs. If you love cilantro and eggplant like I do, the green curry is the way to go. Not many places in Charleston rock the tofu, leaving Basil to set the standard for veggie dishes. They set the standard high. I was afraid it was just me, but it seems like more people have been complaining about the noise. It's almost always packed, but the acoustics make it even louder. Not a great place to go on a first date unless you can sit outside or the kitchen bar.
(4)
Larissa O.

I had their basil rolls for an appetizer... they didn't have the most flavor, but the sauce (tamarind and sweet chil, I think) added a good amount. Their pad thai was good, but definitely need a whole hell of a lot more spices. I ordered it hot (scale of 3 out of 4), but added a lot of the chili sauce to get it to my liking. I would have liked more cilantro, but that's I roll with my pad thai...They do make some yummy alcholic drinks. I had a coconut, vanilla vodka and ginger, basil, cilantro or something kind of drink :). It was good, but probably not something I'd order again. Now, their mango martini was DELICIOUS! I'm not sure if there was any alcohol, but the mango flavor was yummy.
(3)
Jenna M.

being from NYC, there are Thai restaurants galore, and I love Thai food. I didnt though, expect to eat Thai at any time on my 10 day long trip down south. But I found myself in Charleston, SC with just no appetite for Southern home cooking, so looked online and found Basil. My coworker and I decided to go for it and were very well pleased. THe food was delicious and authentic and spicy! We had asked for a special cocktail of our own making and whomever was behind the bar executed it perfectly! Our waitress was very friendly and we had ourselves a nice little evening. If I ever get a chance to go back to Charleston for a longer period of time, I would be very willing to go in for a repeat.
(4)
Heather A.

Pricey, but it's Charleston. Basil is great and has large portions, a great atmosphere and good service. A staple.
(4)
Jasen F.

Second visit and a bit disappointed. Pricy food, avg presentation, good crowd but the pad Thai was a bit pedestrian. I measure a Thai restaurant by their pad Thai and it gets 3 stars. Not enough flavor, either subtle or strong.
(3)
Hank M.

Damn. Just one word - DAMN. As in that is one DAMN fine Thai restaurant. Want is spicy? You got it. Want it mild? You got it. They go out of their way to make sure you like what you're eating at Basil. It's pretty rare that a waiter / waitress makes a recommendation that is something other than what they are instructed to push on the customers that night, but our did exactly that. She saw the specials, didn't really like them, and recommended some great dishes for us to enjoy. Bravo!
(4)
Amy Jo G.

It's Thai, it's Charleston, it's affordable, it's delicious! This place is a well-oiled machine. Great food, great service, and there is almost ALWAYS a wait! Go early so you can leave your name on the list and go over to AC's for a beer....or if you like it a little more fancy I guess you could wait next door at Chai's or go to Raval. The Basil Duck with Red Curry is definitely where it's at, but if you are looking to be a little more frugal, all of the curries are amazing!
(5)
Justin I.

Solid dinner, great atmosphere, good vibe, and the food and service is great. They have a bunch of bike racks outside so it was perfect for us because we had our rental bikes for our trip. Great location right on King Street easily accessible from anywhere. The place was packed so we put our name and phone number down at the hostess stand and went next door to their sister bar called Chai's Lounge. We had a couple of drinks and then went back over when they called us. Started with a bottle of wine and some fresh basil rolls. Then we got an order of the red curry and a special pad thai they had going on that night. The food was really good and it's not your average hole in the wall take out thai place. The decor and lighting is nice and the whole scene is fun. Great date place and a good mix up from seafood and other common fare at most of the restaurants in Charleston. Highly recommended.
(5)
Jim C.

Very good Pad Thai! Came in while at a business function and was very surprised at the level of service, quality of food and presentation. Ordered a Thai beer (reasonably priced bottles), basil shrimp rolls, and Pad Thai with only shrimp. Spiced it up to Medium after talking with the waiter and it really hit the spot. Their medium is probably hot at most places so scale it down if in question. Sat at the kitchen-view seats and loved watching the chefs prepare the food. Very we'll run operation! Everyone knows their function and does it exceedingly well. Fast service and food prep.
(4)
Brittany H.

Oh, Basil. I love how you never disappoint me. I've been a fan of your Thai food since freshman year of college, & I've yet to find a restaurant in Charleston that can hold a candle to you. I'm a creature of habit, so my absolute favorite thing to eat is the Basil Chicken. (I'll pretty much eat anything with bell peppers.) I'm also a huge fan of their Basil Spring Rolls & Tom Kah Gai (Chicken Coconut) soup. The boyfriend always orders the Pad Thai with Shrimp & that's delicious also. The downtown location does fill up quickly & it can be crowded, so prepare yourself ahead of time! They don't take reservations, so plan to hit one of the nearby bars for pre-dinner cocktails while you wait!
(5)
Vance S.

We has Basil Rolls which were very good ( a whole fresh basil leaf in each) and Coconut Soup which was outstanding. Pad Thai and Green Curry entrees were both good but the Pad Thai was exceptional! Service was good from start to finish.
(5)
Janice N.

We were debating whether to have thai or lebanese food for dinner on our first night in Charleston, SC. I am a fan of thai food and let me tell you, we were all glad to have picked Basil restaurant. The food and service were excellent. Our guests from Norway who had tried thai food for the first time loved everything from the tom yum soup to the mango sticky rice dessert. The serving was big enough for 2 or 3 people to share. Too bad Charleston is 9 hours from where we live otherwise we would have been regular customers!!!
(5)
Aleks K.

Let me start off by saying I'm not a curry person but I can appreciate Asian cuisines. Maybe Thai is not for me. That being said we shared a chicken salad that resembled what could have been lettuce wraps if we were given Boston or leaf lettuce instead of a thin wedge of iceberg. Tasty, refreshing and good on a hot day - even if it was awkward. Afterwards, we shared the won ton soup - it comes in a tower with a ladle. It's meant for sharing. It was good and had large won tons but real salty for my taste. Towards the end, I was conflicted on wanting to eat it to be full and not wanting to be eating that much salt. The waitress was really nice, asked us if we were out of towners and told us about her upcoming vacation. Ladies room was really tight and when I went all the oncoming shift servers has taken over getting ready to start work.
(3)
Laura C.

Love this place. Dog friendly patio where a the action is on king st. Food and drinks are both great at reasonable prices!
(4)
Hong Chao W.

Tonight we went to the Thai restaurant for dinner, not authentic Thai food, usually deliciousï¼
(3)
Fei Y.

Thai curry is one of my favorites, if not my MOST favorite, which is why this review might seem a little overkill, but I take my curry seriously! Naturally I ordered the Massaman Curry. I had high hopes for this restaurant after seeing all it's reviews and the recommendation from a friend. When my entree came I was less than impressed, especially with the price at $15.50. I understand that it is downtown Charleston, but I do expect more from the quality because of that to match the price. I asked for pork as the meat of choice and it was very much overcooked. The portion size was also too small for an entree. My friend chose the "Chef's special" Crispy Red Curry Duck. Once again the protein was extremely overcooked. Duck is one of those proteins where it requires a little pink in the middle for the tenderness and flavor. In this case, it had the consistency of pate, which is less than desirable. I have to say, the Pad Thai is fairly good, however, again the pricing did not match. Morale of this story: There are restaurants out there with much better quality Thai food.
(3)
V W.

Restaurant was so loud two years ago and I think the volume has even gone up! Unfortunately the food is no longer worth the the audio problem. Won't do it again...too many options.
(2)
Corah C.

Tasteful decor and nice environment. Wish the food was the same. We ordered the tom kha and green curry. Tom kha is what we base a good Thai restaurant off of as it is our favorite. It was different, in a good way, but not nearly enough spice and too creamy. The green curry was raved on previous reviews yet it was quite bland and watery. Really yummy pineapple mojitos, and the service was prompt and friendly. Next time, we will try the signature basil dish.
(3)
Jessica L.

I absolutely love this restaurant. It is perfect if you are on your own or with a group. The bar views the chefs cooking up their master creations and the atmosphere is always noisy and boisterous. I'm a creature of habit and always get the sweet and sour chicken but their special appetizers are always delicious and different. They have some unique cocktail concoctions that are perfect for the adventurous!
(5)
John P.

We've been eating at Basil for many years now and the food is always very good. Prices are a bit high for the amount of food, but the thing which keeps us from going more often is the noise level. It is EXTREMELY LOUD in the evenings. Our last visit was almost unbearable. In addition to the regularly loud dining room, there happened to be a table of drunk bachelorette party girls in the house. They were very loud, screaming and yelling back and forth. It was to the point that I was sure the manager would say something. But...not luck...the decibel level continued to increase. Do not go if you wish to have an intimate conversation with more than one other person at your table. Wait staff are always very nice.
(3)
Amy Yvonne H.

Went for restaurant week. Service: Impeccable, Full kitchen view, beautiful attentive staff. Food: spring rolls: they were ok.. pad thai: pretty good, very filling, not enough peanuts though. fried ice cream: green tea flavor, dough was too thick but good flavor Overall: So so Atmosphere: beautiful, slightly over rated though, great art, very loud. Pricing: Not bad for downtown Conclusion: I would recommend maybe going to a different place if you want good Asian food & a nice atmosphere. This place leaves a little to be desired in both areas.
(3)
Evan D.

Overall, I thought the food was good but way overpriced for Thai food. The atmosphere was loud towards the back of the restaurant, making it hard to hear my dinner date. I'm from out of town so I don't know what CHS options are for good Thai food, but I know I could get that food for less. No complaints on the service, just pricing and volume were my main issues.
(3)
Kelly M.

I ate here while staying in Charleston for a couple of days from out of town, and I have to say, the green curry didn't do it for me. Not much of a kick in spite of having a hot pepper next to it on the menu, and it wasn't super flavorful. It's also much more expensive than my neighborhood Thai place back in Boston. Good staff, good atmosphere, mediocre curry.
(3)
Andrew H.

Restaurant week continued last night with my obligatory trip to Basil, Charleston's favorite Thai restaurant that hasn't been closed down for serving alcohol to minors (I'm looking at you, Taste of Thai/Tasty Thai). Actually, now that I mention it, we weren't ID'd either, but the server could probably tell we were pretty lit up by the time we sat down. We arrived at Basil around 8 and were told the wait would be an hour and half. Because Beer Works had $11 pitchers of White Thai, that news was music to our ears, and we signed our names up and headed down the street. After a bourbon or three, we ordered the pitcher, expecting we had another hour wait ahead. To my horror, the hostess called with our table ready. They purposefully ignored the fact that we had just ordered a pitcher of beer. Ridiculous. We were forced to drink it in 5 minutes and stumbled on our way. Basil's RW menu is always great. I ordered the basil rolls and pad thai, because I was too hammered to really give thought to what else I wanted. The Basil rolls were as good as ever, highly rec'd. I ate the pad thai as well, but I accidentally dumped a ton of hot pepper sauce and hot pepper powder from the hot tray onto it. With every bite I took, I felt the heat and pain grow stronger until the lower portion of my abdomen began burning like a Christmas eve fire. I ordered the cheesecake in hopes that it would lessen the pain, but to no avail. I am sure I will pass this atomic bomb into my toilet in a few hours, and when I do, I ask all of you to pray for me. God knows, it could destroy my entire house. I doubt the collateral damage will be limited to my bathroom. Basil gets 4 stars, but lost it's chance for 5 when I was forced to chug an entire pitcher of beer in 5 minutes. They're lucky I'm reviewing this before I ultimately dispose of my meal. That has the potential to drop it even further.
(4)
Lana S.

SO overrated... seriously. Food is alright, certainly not authentic thai. I think it took about an hour to get seated on a Saturday evening at 9pm. The tom ka gai soup was so sweet, but not very flavorful. I can't seem to remember what I had as my entree, but it was boring and americanized.
(2)
Kristen C.

We were very happy with our meal. It was fresh and delicious. And the service was fast.
(5)
Angela G.

Pad thai was very good but not worth the hours wait for a table and then literally another hour wait for our food. The service was so bad that I'm being generous giving it 3 stars.
(3)
Brad M.

Healthy and fresh tasting Thai food! After nine days of southern cuisine during our Savannah and Charleston trip, I insisted on thai. So glad that I did. We had a great Pad Thai and a really tasty sweet and sour chicken with pineapple. Our waitress was very sweet and attentive and I loved that they texted us at the bar next door when our table was ready. When you just can't eat any more grits or pimento cheese give Basil a try.
(4)
Lily W.

Very nice place, fun location, we sat at the chefs table right by the kitchen which was super fun to watch. We had the Tom Kha Gai soup, pad thai, and garlic pork. The soup is one of my favorites and they definitely do it well, as with the pad thai. The garlic pork, while super tasty, left him with super horrible breath, even the next day! Definitely worth it though if you love garlic. Both dishes were plated well and looked so great coming out through the huge windows we watched them cook through. We skipped dessert, although the ones we saw looked really good, because the portions are really large (soup was definitely plenty for two people) but I did have a mojito, tasty, and he had bourbon drink that had a spicy finish which I wish I had gotten as well. The waitstaff was attentive but not intrusively so, our lovely waitress even joked around with us. While the food was a little pricier then what I usually see in thai restaurants it was worth it food the quality and service. We will for sure be returning, I have thai food needs!
(5)
Scott M.

The Masaman curry is (pause for effect) AWESOME. I come here often with my wife and daughter. My daughter loves sitting along the bar with a view into the kitchen. She doesn't care much for spicy food but could eat their steamed rice with peanut sauce (side orders put together) every day. The sauce that comes with their egg rolls (or spring rolls? can't remember which) is a perfect blend of sweet and spicy. I'm told their basil rolls are also delightful but I can't stand the taste of basil, so... yeah. A relatively low-carb option is the chicken satay. It comes with the very good peanut sauce, which, let's face it, would make anything taste amazing. The staff is always friendly and the service is fast.
(4)
Dylan D.

Maybe the best Thai Food in Charleston. Very trendy location with a glassed-in kitchen (very cool). Friendly staff, great food and drinks. They have a spice rack, so if you like to add some heat to your meal, request the spice rack. Could get a bit loud at night, but it didn't bother me. Enjoy!
(5)
Shannon P.

Great thai!! I've heard it's the best in Charleston. Based on that tip, this is the only thai place I've tried in the area. The restuarant is on King - but further down and off the main beat/path which is great as it has a completely different vibe than the hustle/bustle of the market area. I love the atmosphere - you can opt to sit at the kitchen bar which allows you to watch the chefs/cooks prepare meals or you can sit outside and enjoy the weather and people watching. Whatever you choose, you can't go wrong. We sat outside as it was just the perfect weather. What you need to know: They do NOT take reservations so be prepared to wait - you can come in, put your name/number on the list and then walk around. We were told it would be 45 min for an outside table and it actually took close to an hour and 15. It was worth the wait though....terrific! We shared the basil roll which is essentially a summer roll. I had a rice noodle dish with shrimp, basil, veggies and the hubby had the ginger stir fry. Both were delicious! The heat is a good heat...they'll kick it up for you as much or as little as you want. The thai "medium" was perfect for us. The hubby started off the night with a spicy basil cocktail - it was amazing! They muddle thai chilies so it's spicy alright! I'd definitely recommend this place if you're looking for thai - you won't regret it - just get there early!
(4)
Nick B.

First things first: almost everything on the menu has fish sauce, which is completely not vegetarian. So it definitely should not be classified as vegetarian on Yelp. That being said, the server totally helped me out and told me which 5 items on the menu I was able to get vegan/vegetarian when I asked him about their use of fish sauce in their Pad Thai. They have a few curries, a soup and fresh rolls for an app. Not many choices for sure, but the Masaman Curry was great. Nice place overall. All the orders looked great and consistent coming out of the window. I don't necessarily think it's that overpriced like so many other people have yelped. It's not cheap thai take away and shouldn't be compared to cheap thai take away. One thing I noted: the server knew straight away which items on the menu were vegan and I would assume he would do the same for any other allergen type issues. It sounds like "well yeah he knows the menu in the restaurant HE WORKS AT. Big deal." I didn't get an "um... let me check" and wait 10 minutes for 3 people to come back and make a huge deal in the middle of the restaurant trying to figure out if I can eat it or what I can eat, embarrassing the shit out of me. You have no idea how many times that has happened to me. Either they don't know really what's in the dish or they don't even have a clue about what vegan is. All that speaks to not only the server, but the management. Four definite stars for this place. Would be five if I could have more vegan friendly items.
(4)
Steve S.

Charleston rarely disappoints... Basil shares that distinction. Light, interesting flavors, attentive and friendly service. Yum Yai salad was a treat; the red curry duck an adventure. Volcano shrimp was "nice" w/ great veggies... Put it on your "time for something different downtown" list,
(4)
Annibelle C.

When I used to live in Charleston, I would eat there every other day. It gave me the feel of home because it is hard to find authentic International food in the South. But every time I come into town, one my good friends always knows the pit stop. Do not be scared to try anything new because they can make it well.
(4)
Dan O.

I've been here for dinner and lunch numerous times. I honestly can't tell you a whole lot about there options for fare because I can't help but get the pad thai every single time I come. I normally love variety, but their pad thai is so good I can't deviate from it.
(5)
Pam D.

Best Thai in Charleston! You can watch them cook and it is all so fresh. Spring rolls are wonderful along with the Fried Bananas desert. Reasonably priced also. The noodles are made fresh daily. Spiced perfectly. The Coconut soup is brought to the table with a great presentation. It is a must try also
(5)
Deb B.

Oh Basil, how I love thee! The food tonight was right on. My lovely lady friend had the ginger chicken and I had the beef with red curry and potatoes. (lord knows I wish I remember the name of the plate) It was awesome! The staff was great and quick. I love me some Basil!!
(5)
Terry C.

Wonderful place for a good lunch. We started with the spring rolls followed by the green curry with shrimp and the pad thi with chicken. It was all great!
(5)
Ron S.

Great food, went there for the first time a few weeks and enjoyed the atmosphere and food. Plan to go back pretty soon and try something different off the menu.
(4)
Tian Q.

Being pretty much the only thai restaurant in a touristy downtown Charleston where my friend and I were pretty much the only 1.5 asians in the entire restaurant, I was super pleasantly surprised by the quality of Basil's pad thai, especially considering that I spend most of my time in NorCal where I can basically swim in all kinds of asian food and noodles. The thai iced tea and southern sweet tea were both on the too-sugary-to-be-enjoyable side. Very friendly service. Overall, approve!
(4)
Jonah P.

Without any exaggeration, I can comfortably say that this is one of the best Thai restaurant in the country. Beyond the standards, which they execute with perfection, their duck dishes put them in a class all their own. Whether you're a local or just in town for a few days, take a night away from the local fare, and treat yourself to this incredible restaurant.
(5)
Tyler D.

Food was a 5 star performance, We had the pad thai, which is the most flavorful pad thai I have honestly had. Usually when I order pad thai, I envision flavor lacking rice noodles with some boiled chicken and crushed peanuts mixed in. I just chalked Pad Thai up as a crappy thing to order, until this dish came along... and murdered my pre conceived notions about pad thai.. I also had a red curry chicken. Good tasting typical thai-style red curry, with a little spicy burn, big portion, everything was great. Minus one star for the waitress having zero personality, enthusiasm, or inflection in her voice. Maybe she was staffed from the DMV? Ill be back though.
(4)
Jim L.

I always enjoy the food, quality and service at basil. The pad Thai was delicious. It is restaurant week. How cool is that?
(5)
N T.

Best Pad Thai I've ever had. It is very delicious and the service is great as well. It is a beautiful and delicious restaurant downtown. Must have for Thai Cuisine.
(5)
Marcus S.

I think I'm still full from yesterday. Tom kha gai was delicious, they accommodated our group (including food allergies) very well. I've had many Thai meals in the past, and this is by far one of the best.
(5)
Katrina C.

The first time my boyfriend and I came to Basil was during restaurant week, and we hadn't made a reservation, so we weren't sure how long our wait would be. We sat at the bar while waiting for our table (the wait wasn't long at all, I didn't even finish my drink), and the bartender was really friendly. For restaurant week they have a pre fix menu; we started with larb, which was good - it tasted a little fishy to me, so in the future it would be something that I wouldn't eat, as I don't eat fish. I got chicken pad thai for my meal - this is the best pad thai I have ever had! We have come back several times because it is that good! We finished with fried ice cream which was great. Our service here has always been great, the food comes out quickly, and I think it is so much fun sitting next to the kitchen which is surrounded in glass and watching them make the food.
(5)
Julie T.

I go to Basil once in a while because my sister loves it and its close to her work. It's really good, everything is fresh, and they are very fast to get your meal out to you at lunchtime. Basil has slowly become one of my favorite places downtown. I love Thai cuisine, and Basil does Thai cuisine right! I feel that the prices are a bit high for the amount of food that you receive, but Basil does sit on King St., so the prices can't be helped. The very small dining room during peak times is very slammed. So be warned; if you don't come early be prepared to wait.
(4)
Wilma F.

Great Asian fusion place for the deep South! Fresh ingredients, well balanced flavors, & curteous service. The ambience is lacking a bit for the price, but we left happy due to the meal. I had the Thai noodles & it was perfectly executed, down to the cook on the aspargus. Hubbs had curry & it was best Indian he has had. He gorged himself by finishing the huge portions because it was that goodness ! If you love spicy, get at least "hot". Waiter thought "medium" was as far as we should go as "medium is really spicy"' , but we would have gone "hot" in hindsight
(4)
Matt D.

Friendly staff, short wait on a busy Saturday night, even shorter wait for our food. On top of all that, both dishes were phenomenal. We highly recommend the beef salad. This was a truly glorious dining experience.
(5)
Kevin J.

Ordered the pad see ew over the phone. Website said $10.95. Got to the counter to be charged $18.25. I'm not the type to complain so I just paid it and went on my way. The sauce is just absolutely boring. My favorite thai dish watered down and overpriced.
(1)
Carol B.

Enjoyed a delicious lunch today. Service was superb and flavors were as we expected. we weren't disappointed at all. A must if you crave good Thai food!
(5)
Shelby B.

Pretty average Thai food and atmosphere. If you're vacationing in charleston id go somewhere else because you can get this food at any Thai restaurant
(3)
Leon R.

I found it hilarious that they are getting away with charging $15-$17 for an entree of Thai food. Hey I guess Thai food is real "exotic" in Charleston haha. Since our coworker was going to go for a drink next door, we figured we give it a go. We initially wanted to order to go...the very young and inexperienced hostess (Shelly) directs us to the bar to order....where there's no space to stand since it's packed and literally no space to sit down afterwards to wait for our food besides the seating in front of the open kitchen....so we went there to look at our menus. As we looked at the menu, we changed our minds and decided to dine in...before I could tell the hostess, Shelly rudely tells me, "the bar is over there." Quite annoyed, I ignored her. As for the food, it's typical..nothing special here. I'm assuming I'm paying for the ambience and service....the only person I notice was working hard seem to be the supervisor on duty, he took care the details of our experience and he was very accommodating to everyone else as well. The ambiance....far from fine dining and Thai restaurants are known for their decor...(excluding the the mom and pops ones haha). Besides that, why the heck is it this expensive? Our server Alex didn't even say thank you after she handed us checks to sign...okay? Awesome service...bleh. Needless to say, I am spoiled with all kinds food in the west coast and if not great but at least decent service....but paying for $16 for a plate of Phad Thai....I definitely felt like a chump.
(3)
Andie C.

By far, one of the best Restaurant Week deals in town. Great portions, great service, and great food. I recommend the Pad Woon Sen and fried green tea ice cream...delish! This was our second time dining at Basil, both times have been during Restaurant Week. I definitely need to add it into our dinner rotation...Basil never disappoints!
(5)
Tracey D.

My ALL-TIME favorite Thai restaurant. Favorite dishes are: red curry duck, tom kha khai soup, five spice fish, pad thai, and pad see yew ..everything is pretty good imo there though:) just depends on what you like. I love this place so much, been to many Thai restaurant in the US (and even in Thailand) but Basil is still my favorite! :))
(5)
Meg A.

great atmosphere + ok food = nice place to grab Thai on King st Went here recently on a Sat night. It was packed but we sat at the bar and got a drink before eating. I got a Hot Basil. I think it was a little too hot for a drink. My boyfriend said his mouth was burning from one sip all night. I couldn't finish it and for a $9 cocktail that was a shame. I ordered the Pad Thai which I had made veggie (take off chicken and shrimp) but would have had to pay $2 extra if I wanted tofu added. Dislike. By boyfriend got another noodle dish with tofu which was very good. Overall I think the atmosphere and service was great. The food was only so so though.
(3)
Rodney L.

The red duck curry was awesome. Service terrific. Jordan did a fantastic job. Great atmosphere as well.
(5)
Tayon R.

One of my favorite stops in charleston. The service and quality has been very consistent. My visits here have far exceeded my yelp check ins.
(5)
Lina R.

We went for dinner around 9:15. We were greeted by a very pleasant hostess who seated us right away outdoors. Our dining experience started off very well. Our server was present and timely with orders. Food and drinks were good. We finished up with our dinner shortly after 10pm and had our table bussed around 10:15 which is when I requested a cup of coffee. Our server hesitated with this request. When I asked if they were closed for the evening he responded vaguely and we had to check the time ourselves. Because they closed at 10:30 that evening he should have at least offered to accommodate us instead of walking away. He brought out checks and hovered while we brought out our payment. We felt rushed and uncomfortable. Before we got up to leave, all that was left on our table were our water glasses. He had cleaned our napkins, wiped the table and even picked up our signed checks, and this was all before they had closed. Overall, that ruined our evening. We would have loved to sit outside without feeling like we were inconveniencing our server.
(3)
Sherry K.

My husband and I just returned from having dinner at Basil. When we first moved here one year ago we loved the food at Basil! We took a break for a few months while we ate our way around town and then tried it this past summer. What a downturn they made! The pad Thai on my husband's plate looked like a ball of paste. It didn't taste much better. We agreed it would be a while before we returned. I ordered the Tom Kha Gai and it was pure heaven, thus the 3 stars. We found ourselves on King Street on a Monday night and needed a quick dinner. We decided we needed to try again. Let me just say, press repeat. Same story, different night. Shame on us, Charleston has too many good restaurants to go back to a mediocre one!
(3)
David H.

This place is extremely loud in noise volume. The ambiance of the restaurant is ruined because of the distraction of extraneous chatter being heard from every table. One should not asked for a spice tray in a Thai restaurant, it should be an implied necessary addition. The food is mediocre for the price. I visited Pattaya Beach, Thailand and paid less than 5 bucks for better authentic food. If you don't know what great Thai food taste like, then settle for Basil's attempt to reach that level. .close..but as far away as Bangkok.
(2)
Brian B.

Not the most authentic thai food I've had by a long stretch, but it's still good food, and the service is excellent.
(3)
Rose S.

My husband and I dined here while on vacation and were very impressed. The Tom Yum Kung soup was delicious! The fresh basil rolls were also very tasty. A bottle of sake was the perfect compliment to the meal. Highly recommend!
(5)
Drew E.

My favorite Thai place in Charleston! The basil duck is awesome (and pricey) and the pad thai is great too! The downtown location won't seat you until your whole party has arrived which I get for peak volume hours but it can get stupid when there's a party of 2-3, someone is parking the car, and there are like 10 open tables...
(5)
Erika R.

I think the food is really good! My husband and I are big Thai fans and eat it often. We usually get the stuffed shrimp or egg roll appetizer and and green curry and basil chicken dishes here. SO good! We've seen a lot of people order some sort of coconut soup so we'll probably try that next time! Super great service and of course a cool location.
(5)
Tirzah H.

I would give this place 3.5 stars if I could, but can't justify a 4 star review. My husband and I came here for dinner on our anniversary. We are from Florida and usually get Thai at our local spot Zen Bistro (a shameless plug for any of you who ever wind up in Daytona Beach craving some Thai) so we figured this would be the next best thing. Our hostess wasn't the most friendly-- she literally threw/flung the menu down before seating us at a huge booth table that probably would have been better suited for a larger party, but I digress. Our server was ever-so slightly friendlier, until it was clear we were not going to be ordering alocholic drinks (we don't drink, lame, I know) or an appetizer. We paid $3 more, each, than we would have at our hometown restaurant for an order of chicken red curry which wasn't nearly as good as what we are use to. It was good, just not what we expected considering we paid so much more for a dish that tastes so much better back home. Guess we're just spoiled. We might have considered sticking around for dessert if the staff had been a little more friendly, but that wasn't the case, so off we went. Next time we're in Charleston we probably won't be back.
(3)
Shannon L.

The food is amazing, dessert is amazing, and everyone is friendly. Expect a wait on weekends, and during restaurant week. I highly recommend it, and they have great specials during restaurant week.
(5)
Zuzzi E.

Probably the best thai food in Charleston.
(4)
Irene M.

The Pad Thai is amazing!
(5)
MP J.

My favorite Thai place on planet Earth. Great management and awesome food. Miss being able to eat here whenever i want
(5)
Annie A.

The Red Curry Duck is what dreams are made of. Seriously. Also, the Thai Boxer drinks are incredible as well. My husband has had the Pad Thai and something involving fish (sorry that I can't remember the name, am all about that red curry duck lol) and both of those were great as well. It's my favorite restaurant. I would eat there breakfast, lunch, and dinner if I could. They're always consistent and always delicious.
(5)
George M.

Great service and some of the best Thai food I've had. Reasonable prices and great drink list. Wonderful lunch option!
(5)
Alexa T.

The specialty cocktails were great. Each had a medley of harmonious flavors. The fried wontons were fresh and crispy. The garlic tilapia was incredible. The fish was lightly fried, tender and wasn't overpowered or drowned in the delicious garlic sauce. The accompanying vegetables were fresh and perfectly cooked. I was not overly impressed by the pad Thai. Both the chicken and shrimp were over cooked and flavorless, though the rest of the dish was pretty spot on. The service was wonderful and the plates came out quickly, despite it being a pretty full house.
(4)
Julia W.

I am a little disappointed with the Thai food here. We had the Tom yum Kung soup, pretty average. The basil entrees were a bit on the salty side, not as flavorful as others I've had. The waitress couldn't really tell us much about the food so overall not great.
(3)
Sydney T.

I usually love everything at Basil! Unfortunately I was very disappointed in the meal tonight. Everything at the table was subpar. Super upsetting since I was looking forward to Basil all day!
(3)
Kristen D.

Probably the best pad Thai I've ever had, but the menu in the restaurant vs. online was quite a bit more expensive.
(4)
Jon B.

Words leave me, the food is so exceptional ! If you know, not just like, Thai food you will love it here. It's as close to my experiences in Thailand as I can remember. ! Try it or you'll hate yourself. seriously !! And the wait staff are so above the others !
(5)
Chris W.

Not at all worth the hype. Went there on a date night with my wife expecting a great dinner after reading reviews. We ordered basil rolls for an appetizer. They we're ok but nothing fancy. Next we had the hot n sour shrimp soup. Love the presentation but the soup left much to be desired. Decent flavor in the broth but the shrimp were small and looked to have come from a frozen bag. No seasoning whatsoever. On to the entrees. We both had phad Thai. Noodles were so overcooked is was nearly unedible. Very mushy and came with the same shrimp as previously described. The dish had ok flavor but next to zero spice. They did bring a spice dish to add but came with no explanation and not much heat either. Very disappointed in what I was expecting to be a great meal.
(2)
Kayla J.

I come here for lunch. I come here for dinner. It doesn't matter when you come because each time you are going to get the best service with the best thai food in town. I recommend this place constantly for lunch and also for dinner date nights. They do not take reservations so don't bother calling. They tend to turn and burn tables so if you are on the wait, give the hostess your phone number, and walk down the street to closed for business for a beer or across the street to the macintosh for a glass of wine. Their bar isn't really a bar. It has about 5 stools and is more of a service spot for servers to only pick up their drinks. The food is delicious. This is the best Thai food in Charleston. I always order the Massaman Curry (some other thai places spell is Mussuman) with tofu served with a side of rice. This dish is bursting with flavor. It's sweet but has the kick of curry at the same time. I always order it medium and my threshold for spice isn't too high and isn't too low. I also always order the Thai iced tea. If you've never had one, you really need to try it. It's so sweet but be careful because it is packed with caffeine. The atmosphere is gorgeous but relaxed. I could show up in jeans and tee shirt for lunch and feel comfortable but at night I recommend dressing up a little bit. There is no dress code of course but the atmosphere at night is very upbeat and classy at the same time. The service is always 5 stars. I've never had a bad sever here. There are SA's that are constantly re filling waters and clearing the table so you don't even notice these things. The servers are also very knowledgeable about the menu. Thai food is not easy to describe to someone who doesn't know much about ethnic foods, but they manage to do so perfectly. My mother came with me here one time and she is not very adventurous with her food choices. But she ordered the Pad Thai and fell in love. My father came with me once too and is like my mom, not very adventurous by choice, but ordered the duck and raved about it for days. The duck does have a kick to it I'm told so be careful. Basil is fabulous and I recommend this it to every one who asks. They do have funky times because they shut down in between lunch and dinner so make sure they are open before you make the journey!
(5)
Greg S.

The food and atmosphere was great the chicken fried rice was enough to feed two great portion size for the prices
(5)
David B.

Outstanding Thai food. We had the Spring Rolls. I had the Ginger Chicken, which was delicious. My friend had the Massaman Curry which I highly recommend. Service was quick, helpful and polite. Very authentic Thai food at reasonable prices. We asked about the bike on the top of the roof, but apparently it is from a previous use of the building. Glass enclosed kitchen allows you to see the chefs at work. Large portions.
(4)
Jeanne D.

Great for a healthy,tasty, quick lunch. The biggest flaw was my waitress who did her best to make me feel very uncomfortable. I was by myself at the bar watching the chefs so I was not taking up a valuable table. Still,despite her,I thoroughly enjoyed my meal!
(4)
Isabel J.

I tried the beef pineapple fried rice and the garlic chicken and they were both amazing. I'm still thinking about the garlic chicken it was superb.
(5)
Jennifer G.

Great thai food. Loved the fresh spring rolls, pad see ew and pad thai.
(5)
Bryan Z.

Service was good. Food was decent. We had a beef salad and pad Thai for our dinner meal. The serving size on the beef salad was a little disappointing. The amount of beef was just fine but the greens were fairly skimpy. Beef and salad did have a good flavor. The pad Thai was a typical pad Thai dish that you can get at just about any Thai restaurant. Location was nice. We had outdoor seating which was nice in the evening. Inside was very noisy so sitting on the sidewalk was better for having a conversation during dinner. Overall we would probably eat here again, but food was average for Thai.
(3)
Chris W.

This place was packed at all hours when we walked past. We went for a late dinner, and probably some of the best Thai food i've had. I orders the Tofu Thai Noodles. It was the right amount of spice and an intense amount of favor. The food came out quickly, could also be that it was 9:45, but it definitely wasn't dead at this hour on a Tuesday night. I highly recommend for anyone that enjoy Thai food or is vegetarian.
(5)
Talia C.

I've been coming to this wonderful place for forever it seems - at least 10 years if not longer! I no longer live in Charleston and when I come home for visits Basil is always on my list of must eat restaurants, which is really saying something for such a culinary destination! Over the years, I've tried their chicken satay, wonton soup, pad thai, three-flavored fish, cashew nuts, pad prik, sweet and sour, green and red curries, pad see-eu, chicken fried rice and fried green tea ice cream. My mouth is seriously watering telling you this, and I can say that with as many times as I've been, every single time it was reliably amazing. The servers are fun and attentive (without being overbearing), the ambiance can be played around with, depending on if you're looking for a cool date spot, a fun place to catch up with friends, or a place to hang with your parents. It's also really nice to be able to see what the chefs are doing in their tiny kitchen. Oh yea - did I also mention their drinks are amazing? They are also really attentive to your dietary needs, whether they be vegetarianism, a need for mildness (for example, my mom wants literally zero spiciness whatsoever - even white pepper's out) or a need for heat (my dad is the complete opposite and they will bring a thai heat to haunt your dreams if you're not ready to palette that kind of spice level). I won't be visiting SC until Octoberish of this year, but already I know if there's one place I go during my trip, Basil will be it. If you haven't tried it yet, don't wait another second!
(5)
Rob E.

Wonderful experience! The food is terrific. Great ambiance. The Red Curry Duck is to die for. The staff will go above and beyond to correct any issues with your order. Our server Emily was excellent. The manager was very accommodating as well.
(5)
Bob B.

Amazing Pad Thai, big enough to share for two people. The Fried Wonton's can't be missed. We've eaten here at least 10x and the service and food is always delicious and consistent.
(5)
Preston L.

I've been coming to Basil since it opened and I've never had a bad meal. The chicken satays, fried wontons, and pad Thai are all fantastic and, as an added bonus arrive at your table very quickly. The service is friendly, efficient and not overbearing. Two minor drawbacks: It gets crowded very fast, and the noise level is a bit high. These are very minor complaints for a consistent and well run restaurant.
(5)
Nick M.

Basil is Outstanding! Been there twice on two separate trips to Charleston and I have had great experiences each time. The food is excellent and the service is really good. One thing that impresses me is the staff's effort and attention to detail. I recommend the basil rolls and pad thai (make sure to ask for the spice tray so you can spice it up to your taste!).
(5)
K W.

I visited basil last night for dinner on a return trip to Charleston. In March I ate lunch there and had the phenomenal signature dish crispy spicy duck. I was craving a repeat of that wonderful dish I had had in March. The dinner portion cost $25 which surprised me. But I went ahead with the order anyway because I was craving it. It was a huge disappointment. The duck was tough and had lots of fatty connective tissues and it was not at all crispy. I told the waiter about it since he asked how it was. I told him I wasn't really complaining but letting him know that this was not the experience I had had before. A manager did offer to send out another piece of duck for me which I declined. So that was very appropriate. The dish was just a huge disappointment. I'd recommend the dish at lunchtime. The portion is smaller and more appropriate.
(2)
Curtis J.

Came in on a busy Charleston night but managed to get a great window seat right away. Basil was better than I expected with tasty egg roll appetizers and a better than average sweet and sour vegetable dish. The wine was pretty good too, better than I expected. The main negative was some obnoxious folks near us, but that's not Basil's fault. The meat dishes look (and are) a lot better than the veggie ones, so it'd be better if they advanced that aspect of their menu, hence my three stars instead of four. But the service is on point, and I tipped her high, so I'd be back.
(3)
David G.

Had the Pad Thai which everyone I know who has been there raves about. Wasn't impressed. Food temperature wasn't particularly hot . Chicken and shrimp had a rubbery consistency. The shrimp seemed to be previously frozen Sam's Club quality (or lack thereof). Lousy beer selection. Service was OK, but nothing to write home about. The amount of time elapsing between the table being bused and our party receiving the check was unacceptable.
(2)
Susie G.

Basil does not take reservations and so we thought if we got there before 7:00 we might not have to wait. Not so much. The restaurant was packed and there was a 20-25 minute wait. When asked if we preferred outside seating to inside we said that it didn't matter and our time was moved up a bit. While window shopping our way through King Street the phone rang and our table was ready. We were seated at one of the six four-tops outside the restaurant. Small planter boxes and Tiki torches adorn the patio (and help to keep the bugs away!) I thought it was going to be very warm with the heat wave we've been having, but much to my surprise there was a lovely breeze and it was a wonderful way to people watch as we waited for our server to arrive. Our server was very attentive, but not intrusive. He was easily able to answer questions about the menu and made a few suggestions as well. We ordered our appetizer of Fresh Basil Rolls and continued to peruse the menu. In sleuthing their website this morning not only is Chef Suntorn an accomplished chef, but he has also traveled the globe. His career started in Bangkok, Thailand and he has worked in England, Paris, United Arab Emirate, Miami, San Francisco and Boston. The site doesn't say how he landed here in Charleston, but we're just glad he did. In a bat of an eye our appetizer arrived and we placed our dinner order. The Fresh Basil Rolls were simple and beautiful. The "house sauce" was a spicy sweet concoction (Chef Suntorn's house sauce) with ground fresh ginger floating on top. The Basil Rolls were delicate and had an incredible fresh flavor that was only enhanced when dipped in the sauce. I hoped that dinner would be just as good. The website said that all of the dishes and sauces are not made ahead of time but are authentic and made from scratch. We could really taste the difference. Our entrees arrived after we had finished the Basil Rolls and had a few minutes to relax. Perfectly timed, our server delivered the Pad Thai and Crispy Red Curry Duck. From the website I learned that Pad Thai is the national dish of Thailand. Who knew? It is rice noodles stir-fried with chicken, shrimp, eggs, bean sprouts, scallions and a Pad Thai sauce. On the plate as a garnish was freshly shredded cabbage, carrots and cilantro with a lime wedge for good measure. Having lived in Boston for many years and many bad winters the need for "lunch delivered" was paramount. Often times we ordered "Chinese" and there was a Pad Thai option, which in no way even remotely resembled what I was served that evening. My dish, which I asked for a little spicy was exquisite. Not greasy, not oily, with fresh ingredients and a flavor that just jumped off the plate. My husband is a big duck fan and Basil's Crispy Red Curry Duck more than met the mark. Listed on the menu as Chef Suntorn's Signature Dish it was a boneless half duck that is deep fried with vegetables and red curry sauce. It is also served with a small container of freshly steamed white rice that was very, very hot. The duck was tender and the dish overall was one of the best duck dishes that he's ever tasted. Both of us were full quickly, but continued to graze a bit before throwing in the towel. I am a tad embarrassed to admit that some of my Pad Thai was a breakfast reheat this morning... I had originally said that I wanted to scout out Charleston's hidden restaurant gems when I started my blog. Although based on the crowd and the waiting line, I am late in this discovery, but nonetheless, Basil is a gem. Look for their third location to open in Mount Pleasant this summer. I know we're looking forward to it.
(5)
Rebecca M.

Love this place. Always eat here every time we are in charleston. Really great food including appetizers. We got basil rolls, wontons and pad Thai. Best wontons I have ever had and cant get basil rolls back home. Really busy but really great service.
(5)
Chelle R.

There is one in Charleston on King St. and one in Mt. Pleasant. The Mt. Pleasant restaurant is larger and has more room, but both have great food and atmosphere. Never a bad experience or dish.
(4)
Alison M.

Best Thai I have had outside of NYC. Seasoning was spot on!!! Food was fresh! Nothing tastes greasy or smoky. Portions were generous and very attractive. Always love a place where toucan watch the cooks in the kitchen! Real confidence in what they are doing!
(4)
Tiffany G.

The pad thai, while a typical thai dish, was amazing. The basil cocktail was also very refreshing and delicious. We sat outside and the ambiance was a bit lacking. May be different inside. Didn't make a reservation and there was no wait on a Thursday night, but they were busy.
(4)
Matt G.

Participated in restaurant week and had the phad Thai. The food was excellent and the service was great. The phad Thai could have had a few more peanuts but after talking to our server that was resolved quickly. The only complaint I have was with the dessert. I had the fried green tea ice cream and it was a bit doughey. Nothing extreme but could have had less dough.
(4)
Alicia J.

Totally serviceable and totally tasty but completely forgettable Thai food with entirely negligible service. We had the chicken satay appetizer and the accompanying sauce was easily the best part of the meal. I'm used to slightly saltier and spicier satay sauce and was pleasantly surprised that what they had to offer was much sweeter and creamier than the standard fare. I'm still kind of baffled by our service though. The waitress seemed solely dedicated to making sure we didn't get to try the Tom Kha Gai soup. Her loss, man.
(3)
Clint W.

I didn't lie. I made it back here. The tom yum is super spicy, but warming and great. Lots of seafood inside and it was great on a cold night. My garlic shrimp dish was a little bit more disappointing. It had plenty of shrimp, but was light on anything else on the plate except some lettuce. I guess I expected some broccoli or cabbage. We were crammed onto a small table, so the beer came without glasses. Lessons learned, I guess. Surprisingly, it's not too difficult to hear each other, even when it's crowded. Its still good, because the place was packed when we left. People waiting at the door.
(4)
Sheridan P.

Consistently good Thai. I can see how people may label it as overpriced, but since I never leave angry or hungry, I seem to think it's more "expensive." The decor is nice and trendy. It is a bit loud but it seemed that most of the other patrons were into that. It's a good place to go if you plan on a dinner then a night out; it will get you into the mood for sure.
(4)
D L.

Excellent great taste ambiance service cleanliness glass and dinnerware exceptional
(5)
Cor B.

I have ordered to pad thai twice in the past two months, and both times it has been wonderful- good price for the portion. Much better than the one in columbia, sc!
(5)
Terry S.

Looking for Thai in Charleston? This place is very good but always busy.
(4)
Gerald P.

Good meal, the dishes were not quite spicy enough. Menu was a bit small. I really thought our waitress did an excellent job with our table which raised them one star, and the desert with coconut ice cream and fried bananas, probably another star. Overall a good place to go.
(4)
Tighe K.

Had the red curry, which was great. Great service as well. I've eaten here several times and have been happy with each experience.
(4)
Meg C.

This is another restaurant that I'd long had on my list of must try places in Charleston. They didn't take reservations but we put our names on the list and headed across the street to a cocktail lounge. When our table was ready they just called us which was really nice since their bar was packed. I cannot recall the name of my first cocktail but it was vodka based with jalapeÃ±o so it was SPICY but good. We shared the egg rolls and I got chicken stir fry with veggies. My entree came with a huge portion of rice, which I referred to as the bucket and it easily could have fed our entire party. In fact, all our portions were large and could be shared if you weren't starving. Thai can be really bad but Basil dies it up really right. I also recommend the Mango Mojito because they make their own rum. Service was friendly and fast.
(5)
Patti B.

I was here twice in 2 weeks, if that says anything. I am a huge Asian food fan, regardless of type of cuisine. It is a quaint, dimly lit restaurant, perfect for a first date, anniversary, or any special occasion, even if it's just to treat yourself to a tasty meal. The soups are served flaming to keep them warm, and can feed 2 quite easily, just as they suggest. The spring rolls are delicious, as are the fresh summer rolls, but the best appetizer there was the chicken stuffed shrimp. My daughter and I made a meal out of a soup and 2 appetizers and we were quite content. The 2nd trip I had the best prik king I've ever had. I ordered it very spicy, one down from "thai hot". The servings are generous and appropriately spiced. My sister's tofu green curry was tasty as well and I'd probably order that the next time I came. Everything is fresh tasting, and they seem to use less oil than most Asian restaurants. The chefs are very talented at what they do, therefore making the slower kitchen service more acceptable. I find them a little pricey, the kitchen a little slow (but the food is made in front of you thru a glass window), but well worth the wait.
(4)
Shawn J.

The food was pretty good but also much out of the ordinary. I've had much better Thai food from a family friend of ours. It's kinda expensive and ya the food is pretty good but not what your going to expect..it's worth maybe a try though..
(3)
Mikee R.

The chicken coconut soup is delicious. You must try the fried banana and green tea ice cream.
(4)
Jennifer B.

Wonderful food. Great ambiance. Impeccable service! If your in the charleston area, this is a must try! There's usually a wait if you go past 7 however they have a small bar area and seating outside.
(5)
Catherine L.

I was in Charleston for work and my husband recommended this place. One word WONDERFUL! Save room for the banana with coconut ice cream for desert. I sat at the bar since I was by myself and the staff was very friendly. A plus for me is that I was in and out in 30 minutes.
(5)
Dan C.

Easily some of the best Thai food I've ever had. It's really busy, so go a little early or be prepared to wait. They will call you when your table is ready. Go across the street and get some drinks at The Cocktail Club while you wait.
(5)
Alyssa M.

Really delicious food. Ordered larb and pad see ew and really enjoyed both, fresh ingredients, really light and delicious. We sat at the bar and had fun watching the chefs prepare food. I can't really say how authentic it is (e.g., broccoli was American not Asian), but it was delicious and service/atmosphere were great.
(4)
Jackson K.

Awesome, but not the best Thai I've ever had. Hard to compare Thai food in SC when you've had some baller Thai in NYC and other areas across the US where there's a much larger Thai community. The atmosphere here is great, the service was great. We loved our experience here and would return in a heartbeat. Cost was reasonable and affordable.
(4)
Jaime G.

The red curry crispy duck was the best Thai plate I have ever tried. Very nice restaurant, you can see they take care in cooking good quality tasting food. Service excellent, reasonably priced.
(5)
Neil G.

Awesome food. Great Ambiance. One of the best thai places around town!
(4)
Sasha H.

I would use the word "cosmopolitan" to describe the scene here. You feel like you are in a lively restaurant in a mid-sized city. The Thai food is pretty good and fairly authentic considering you're in the South. Tom Kha was good. Pad See Ew, not as much, but still tasty. Regular broccoli was subbed for Chinese, and the sauce was thick and bland, not translucent and bold. Still, much better than I would have expected.
(3)
Marissa H.

My friend & I have loved Basil for so long...good to see it's still in Charleston (& expanding!) after all these years. On a recent trip there, we split: Yum Yai: iceberg lettuce w/ cukes, tomatoes, fried tofu strips, scallion & cilantro. A peanut-egg dressing was interesting b/c you could see the egg pieces in the dressing (usually not my thing but when mixed well it worked on the salad). I wasn't crazy about the lettuce - iceberg, really? But my BF loves the dressing. I'd get a different salad next time. Pad Thai: heavy on the veggies (a request) w/ tofu, scallions, bean sprouts & peanuts served w/ regular Pad Thai peanut sauce. It was good - a standard on the menu that's consistent. Pan-fried noodles that held up well for a to-go order. Friendly service & a beautiful interior. Usually busy so there will always be a wait for food but it's worth it. Parking can be horrendous in that area.
(4)
Rick R.

We live in the Charleston area, surrounded by fantastic restaurants, but always find ourselves coming back to Basil. The food at the downtown location is consistently outstanding and this has become over the years our favorite local "go to" restaurant.
(5)
Anton M.

Stopped in for lunch at noon. They filled up quick. Had the Pad-Thai. It was good. Service was friendly and efficient. Restrooms were clean. It was a good quick lunch!
(4)
John S.

One of my favorite spots to dine in downtown Charleston. The service is always excellent, the bar always serves great cocktails(if you like a heavy pour) and the food is simply outstanding. They do not take reservations, but the wait is usually not too long (10 minutes last night). Don't miss this one if you enjoy Thai food!!!!
(4)
Jocelyn A.

More of a fancy cocktail lounge atmosphere than most Thai food restaurants. Which I suppose is why the prices are higher, and the portions are smaller. That being said...I loved this place. All of the food was wonderful, everything from the appetizers to the dessert. It is rare for a Thai restaurant to get everything right, but these guys did. The ingredients are high quality and fresh, which makes it ok that the prices are high. The chicken basil was wonderfully spiced and flavorful. They give ample portions of white steamed rice to go along side. The highlight of the meal was the sticky rice mango dessert!
(5)
Rebecca B.

Walking in , the place smells fantastic - like great Thai food is on the way. But, sadly, no. Pad thai just plain awful. Duck was tough. Service slow and noncommittal, not friendly.
(2)
Amiee M.

In the charleston area for business and after walking the street to find a decent place to eat close to our hotel we happened upon Basil. It was about 6 pm and we were seated right away. It's a cozy, small place with a great ambiance. The wait staff was on point and never neglected their patrons. Food was delicious and reasonably priced as well.
(4)
Aaron D.

Absolutely packed with a line onto the sidewalk when we drove by one night. From our experience, street parking is a nightmare in the area, particularly on weekends. (Although I think it was parents weekend for Savannah college kids, so that may have had something to do with it.) Still, you may want to park all the way down by the Battery or one in a garage someplace and walk. Anyway, we were able to come back another night and get a booth right away. The ambience is stylish, but loud. We shared an enormous and tasty soup appetizer. And then we also shared a main course curry. That turned out to be plenty of food for the two of us. The Thai iced tea was delicious. Everything tasted light and healthy, which was a nice break from all the heavy food we had been eating on our swing through Georgia and South Carolina. Prices are high for Thai food, but Charleston is an expensive city. Considering that it's possible for two people with moderate appetites to share a soup and a main course, you can still get out of here without dropping a lot of cash. Random note - On the walk back to our car, we passed someone who seemed like a homeless person, but instead of asking us for change, he just wished us a pleasant evening. How nice is that? :)
(4)
Christopher S.

3.5***/* We checked this out on Yelp and knew it would draw a big crowd and long wait on Saturday in Charleston. We showed up at 6:30PM and had no trouble getting a table. This is really a bad restaurant layout for crowds. Small bar, no waiting area, except outside the restaurant. In some cases they are standing right by your table as you dine. They do have a unique arrangement with the establishment next door (might own it) where you can use their bar while you wait and they come and get you when your table is ready. Approximately 18 tables inside and a counter overlooking the kitchen. The waitstaff is very good. Attentive and helpful with the menu. The crowd was a fascinating trendy dichotomy of this Southeastern region of the U.S. This made me people watch, which resulted in spending less time focusing on my beautiful companions. I went looking for the unusual as usual. I would not order the Pad Thai because its the national dish. Similar to ordering spaghetti and meatballs in an Italian restaurant or the Generals Chicken in a Chinese restaurant. The chef's specialty is the the 'Crispy Duck" which we went for since it is his signature dish. We also ordered Red Curry w/Chicken and a Yellow Curry Veg. entree. For starters we had the Basil Rolls. The food was good. I tasted the duck and thought it was a little flat on taste for being the signature dish. The yellow and red curry sauces were very good. Basil rolls get 5 stars. Overall, the entree were good but not off the charts. Prices are somewhat inflated, so the price value when evaluated with the food quality, service and ambiance is average at this restaurant. I think they should focus on perfecting their menu offering and place less emphasis on portion size. I would make a return trip to try it again.
(3)
Claire P.

This place is legit. No reservations, so don't call, but the wait (if there is one, which you can bet on during the weekend) moves pretty quickly. I love sitting at the bar overlooking the kitchen and watching the kitchen staff do it's thing, but really anywhere is a good spot. It's kind of loud in there, so keep that in mind if you're easily affected. On to food: the spring rolls are amazing. Get those. Also, the pad thai is incredible if that's your thing although it doesn't come with any heat to it, so be sure to ask if you're looking for that. The Prik King with beef is another big favorite of mine. You really can't go wrong with anything here. Delicious for lunch too (but no lunch hours on the weekends).
(5)
Mike M.

I had the Red Curry Duck, and it was awesome. I would definitely recommend this place.
(4)

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Address : 460 King St
Charleston, SC, 29403
Phone (843) 724-3490
Website https://www.eatatbasil.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Loud
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Basil

460 King St, Charleston, SC, 29403

Basil Menu

Appetizers

Salads

Soups

Entrees

House Specialties

Curries

Noodles and Rice

Healthy Meal suggestions for Basil

Appetizers

Salads

Soups

Entrees

House Specialties

Curries

Noodles and Rice

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