Thai Spice Cafe

Sunday @ 1200. Service was slow and ill informed. Requested gluten free and didn’t get any recognition of it, and was dismissed when inquiring about use of flour in other dishes. Then server said veggie mix had cucumbers, but turned out to be zucchini. Appetizer buffet sushi was dry and lacked taste. No water refills. :(. We have had tasty take out — and that’s all I’d recommend. I realize this is pretty negative– but accurate.

Okay, update. Thai Spice excels at Saigon Noodles and the appetizer bar for $ 8. Those two alone are worth going. The sushi on the appetizer bar is excellent actually. I say actually because where are you going to get an $ 8 unlimited quality sushi bar? Salad is good, dessert on the $ 8 appetizer bar is always fun. The peanut sauce wowza!

This place has amazing views and very good food but for some reason it is always empty when I stop in. I have had several items on the menu over the last several years and everything I have had I have really enjoyed. They have good shrimp which sometimes can be hard to come by so that is a huge reason why I love coming here. My only wish is that Thai Spice would deliver, if they did I would order at least once a week from here!

Great service and amazing food! I’ve heard about you all for years and finally got to try several dishes last weekend when we got take out. Everything was fresh and delicious. Loved the jungle curry with chicken. Not heavy and great flavor. Can’t wait to come back.

Oh. My. God. Their tom kha gai is reason enough for me to return to Austin. And their $ 8.00 appetizer bar for lunch included the tom kha gai. Can you believe that!!! It’s been a few weeks and I can’t get it out of my head. It was seriously the best I’ve ever had, and it’s pretty much my favorite thing to order at Thai restaurants. I can’t stress this enough. It’s that effing good.
The rest of the appetizer bar was also great, and the salad is amazing, too – I was pleased to see ginger salad dressing, which goes so well on cucumbers and lettuce. Service was a little slow, but who cares? You can help yourself to more tom kha gai!

Thai Spice is one of my favorite parts of the Westlake area. The food itself is a solid 5 stars –some of the best Thai in Austin. The only reason I am rating it a 4 is because they have raised their prices too much since they moved from the Village at Westlake center. Previously it was one of the best lunch deals around. They don’t seem to be as busy as they were in the old location, and I am worried that the service will suffer if things don’t pick up. Please give them a try if you have not yet had the pleasure!

So good
Much yum
Very filling
Wow
Seriously, if you are in the area, stop by. You will be satisfied.

I really shouldn’t wait two months to write a lunch review, but life’s been busy, so pardon the lack of minutiae.
I had lunch here following a doctor’s appointment on September 18^th. It was one of those spur-​of-​the-​moment choices, driven by hunger. I’d been to this location before as Berryhill Baja Café, and really admired the scenic overlooks. Fortunately Thai Spice didn’t change the view.
I was in the area around 2 pm, so I pulled into their parking lot and checked the online menu. I wasn’t sure how long the lunch menu was available for order, so I called and asked. Luckily, it was good until 3 pm.
I had a little trouble understanding how things worked at first, based strictly on the menu. At the time I dined, you could choose the buffet alone for $ 8, or add to your entrée for an additional $ 3. Fortunately, my kind, lovely waitress took time to explain this to me.
I ordered the cashew chicken and added the buffet. I sampled the buffet while I waited. The lunch buffet consisted of soups, salads, sushi, and egg rolls on the day I visited. Given that it was the last hour of lunch, it seemed a bit picked-​over, but that’s understandable. The sushi smelled exceptionally fishy, so I passed. Not being in the mood for salad or soup that day, I wound up with a couple of egg rolls that were pretty hard from sitting under the lights. I probably wouldn’t order the buffet again unless I arrived much earlier. Then it might be worth the upcharge.
My entrée was a totally different situation. I was actually quite pleased with the entrée and the preparation. I ordered it with the steamed white rice, and everything was really good. There was no hint of «mystery meat» in the chicken, the rice was perfect, and the pineapple was plentiful. For $ 11, not a bad deal.
My waitress was very good. She was polite and attentive. The water glass didn’t go empty, and she was prompt with the bill. It turns out she must have taken my table at the end of her shift. Although I left within 45 minutes of arrival, I must have been keeping her, because I didn’t see her after the bill was paid out.
All-​in-​all, a good deal for an unpretentious lunch in the Westlake area. Not too expensive, easy in-​and-​out, and reasonable value. I’d go back again if ever in the area.

I placed a catering order with Vicki for delivery to UT. She was extremely helpful in helping me decide how much food to order and what would go well together. The communication was flawless! The prices for their catering orders are very good and they give a very generous amount of food. Everyone talked about how delicious it was! While I cannot speak to the in-​restaurant experience, if you need Thai food catering then this is the place to go!

Really bummed out, drove like 15 miles just to re-​live my previous experience at the Lakeway location. Well let me just say, they have the same menu but the food is not the same. Ordered the cheese rolls and they are not as good and come with a sweet and sour type of sauce, not the cilantro one. When I asked my server about the Cilantro sauce, she said the people in this area don’t like it, so they don’t make it… Great. The Tom Kha is good but also liked it better in the Lakeway location. My boyfriend got the garlic chicken and he liked it, the sautéed minced garlic on top was a great topping. He asked for friend rice instead of white and they said he could order another side of rice for $ 4. I don’t see why it’s so difficult to just sub the rice and up charge? Only other complaint is the amount of food compared to price. Servers are very nice, ambiance is good but I’ll stick to the Lakeway location.

Perfect date night take-​out fare. Highly recommend their Pineapple Fried Rice, Tom Kha, or Yellow Curry.

Anyone who works in the ³⁶⁰⁄₂₂₂₂ area knows the pains of the lunch hour decision — noon rolls around and everything seems like it’s either too far away, too boring, or too expensive. Luckily Thai Spice offers a great value while also being easy to get to and not half bad.
I’ve never gotten anything but the lunch here. The lunch specials are available from 11am — 3pm M-​F. I typically get, in exchange for $ 11, the green curry fried rice with beef, which comes with jalapeño, green bean, onion, bamboo, red bell pepper, egg & basil. Sometimes I switch it up and get something more intense like the basil seafood for $ 13, because it comes with shrimp, squid, scallops, green mussels, onion, green bean, mushroom, jalapeño, red bell, garlic & basil. There’s rotating curries of the day too.
This would be a pricey lunch, even if it were the greatest lunch in the world, except that your purchase also grants you unlimited access to the appetizer buffet:
— Soup: their soups rotate, but if it’s a day with tom kha you’re in for a treat because it’s amazing, with plenty of chicken and mushroom and of course the delicious slightly sour broth.
— Salad: a full salad bar with lots of great dressings.
— Sushi: california rolls, crab rolls, egg rolls, spring rolls, all kinds of rolls, plus rice pudding.
Per multiple signs, you’re not supposed to load up on the appetizer buffet and just pack up your lunch in a to-​go box, so I would never recommend doing that. Never. Just know that the lunch makes for excellent leftovers, and make sure to consider Thai Spice next time noon rolls around.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Austin. I know lots of people come for the lunch special but I normally come at dinner. The tom kha is the best I’ve ever had and I’ve tried a lot of tom kha in my life. I also recommend the coconut shrimp, massamun curry, yellow curry, pad see ew, sticky rice, kids noodles… I’ve truly never had anything bad here. Also, the servers are very polite and the view is beautiful (though I miss the old location because it was closer to me). I love Thai Spice!

Irritated because their lunch with the salad and appetizer buffet is publicized as going until 3pm. We walked in at 2:45 only to see the salad and appetizer buffet already closed. We had made a special trip to get there before 3pm.

I would give this restaurant a much higher review because the view itself is breathtaking overlooking the lovely hills of Austin.
The interior is simple clean them about it when you enter you see this buffet style bar which I don’t like at the front entrance. I ordered rice fried rice which is supposed to be spicy and the person I was with. I had shrimp. The difference was about half the size and served on different plates. Why was mine half a portion?
The rice was hard in places not sticking to definitely without any personality.

Best Tom Kha in Austin, period. Lunch here is abundant, delicious and fast. I’ve been coming here for years and everyone I bring with me says, «That was great!» Every time. Lunch can get a little crazy between 12 – 1:30, so a reminder to be patient if you come in during that time.
I mean, they have the sweetest deal for lunch in town. $ 11 – 13 for an entrée and you get their appetizer bar for free, and it’s incredible. Love it!

I ordered several dishes «to go». The cost was around $ 50 and I sent my adult son to pick up the meal. When he got home, I realized that the bag was missing two of the four entrees!
Back and forth — I called Thai Spice and after three deliveries, they finally got the correct meal to us, all-​the-​while, they kept asking me to drive there to pick up the food they had forgotten!
Finally after 3 hours, we received our order !
The food was delicious, but completely disorganized and by the time my entire order arrived, We were frustrated and no longer hungry. I feel like I wasted $ 50!

Had carry out with some co-​workers on Thursday 5÷14÷15. I had fried rice with shrimp and beef, which was just ok. I expected the fried rice to have more flavor besides the huge onion strips and tomato chunks that were in the rice. The protein portions were good, but nothing other than big onion and tomato pieces. My co-​worker had basil fried rice which she seemed to enjoy. The reasons I don’t give this more stars is:
The gentleman that brought our food was not very nice, he was borderline rude.
$ 11 to $ 13 for lunch with no sides or drinks is a bit much.
They should turn on the A/​C, it was a bit warm.
We might try it again when we have time to eat there. It looked like they had a decent salad and sushi bar.

Best food, service, and atmosphere! Always fresh.
The soups and salad bar here never disappoint:)
Have been coming to Thai spice for years and I’m lucky to have found such a treasure. They always change it up so you’re never bored with the same thing. They also offer the best Thai and jasmine tea!

Great bang for your dollar!
Lunch menu items we had came with unlimited access to the sushi buffet. Sushi is not high end but certainly curbs the need for sushi cravings.
Chicken curry is really good
Décor and atmosphere most certainly wont appeal to everyone, but sit down and give it a try.

Not so great as far as family lunch our group was concerned although my brother took everyone’s leftovers home. So, one of us liked it.
My Summer Palace (Beef, onion, jalapeño, bell pepper, green bean, chili, garlic & basil) is categorized as two pepper hot which I’d asked for in a one pepper option. It came out FIVE pepper! Waaaay too hot to taste the food. After that plate was taken, I selected the Beef Fried rice which was simply okay and somewhat flavorless.
Bro-​in-​law had the same problem with too much fire. And this boy can put away the heat in food. His substitution was burnt Chicken Fried rice which he could not eat. This was just not a fun lunch for us. The good news is the sushi and salad bar are included with your meal.

First case of bad experience when I listened to my friend and not Unilocal!!!
Unilocal kept talking about the view and appetizer bar for lunch being great but we were told by a friend that we can go anytime and have good food. So we went for dinner.
The place was empty with only 3 tables occupied. Most of the lights (beyond occupied tables) were turned off at 7:30pm (when we arrived) to save on electricity. The heat was also turned down and the place was a little chilly. The food was mediocre and there are plenty of better Thai places in Austin.
Also, we asked to customize the meal a little bit with some veggies and sauce; and after we got the meal we told them that the food doesn’t taste that great. Our server replied that next time we shouldn’t customize and it will be better. Wasn’t very happy with the response but will give them a benefit of doubt and will try them one more time for lunch.

Just finished a Westlake realtors tour and was starving. Reasons to go to Thai Spice:
1. It’s quick.
2. The buffet is pretty good, and it’s only eight dollars.
3. The sushi with salmon is good for a buffet.
4. They have two different types of soups.
5. Although it’s a little noisy at lunch time– you’re in, you eat rather inexpensively, you enjoy your food, you pay, and you leave.
6. It’s a good option whenever in the area.
7. Whatever you are drinking – be it iced tea or a soft drink, they offered to put it in a to go cup.
8. The staff seems pleasant.
9. The location is easy – right over the Pennypacker Bridge off of 360.
10. You can get a lot of your social media work done at the table while you’re eating – if, of course, you are by yourself.
Oh, and the salad is actually very nice. It’s fresh mescline leaves and most if not all of the dressings are homemade. I particularly like the ginger dressing. I shall return.

This review is based on Thai Spice as a weekday lunch venue, which is when I tend to go. There are several reasons why I consider this to be an ideal choice to occupy my lunch hour.
1. Good choice of food entrees when you’re in the mood for some Thai food — which is always.
2. Salad bar that includes sushi and really good soups.
3. Service and food prep is generally quick — a must if you’ve got to get back for a 1pm meeting.
I generally steer towards the Thai entrée selections like the Pad Thai or Pad Se Ewe. While I can’t say they’re the best versions of those dishes I’ve had, they’re tasty and consistently enjoyable. And the next closest option (Madam Mam’s) isn’t as conveniently located if you’re already in this part of town.
The salad bar with the aforementioned free salad, sushi, and soup are what stand out here. The only other Thai place that offers something similar in town that I’ve seen is Thai Cuisine up North. In my opinion, Thai Spice’s salad and appetizer bar is a lot better.
The only negative is that parking can be a bit of an issue since there aren’t enough spots for the businesses in the complex. But a bit of extra walking after a satisfying meal isn’t such a bad thing either.

I’ve visited Thai Spice about a ½ dozen times based on a recommendation from a colleague.
They offer very tasty Thai food, but a tad on the pricy side. The menu is pretty limited in terms of choices, but that’s not overall a bad thing.
The lunch buffet is a good value for getting a full belly for $ 8, but not really my thing (basic sushi, fried rolls, soup, and salad bar. If I go to Thai spice I’m going to have an entrée, the nice thing here is that they give you access to the buffet with the order of a lunch entrée — and so I get to enjoy the soup. Every entrée I’ve tried has been delicious, the Pad Thai and King Recommended (curry) stand out as favorites. My kids love the Pad Thai also, it’s the first Pad Thai they ever ate, and so far they haven’t found another restaurant which compares. I tend to agree.