Holy Basil

D Deseret Weeks 142 reviews · Local Guide 27 February 2026

What I ordered was not at all like the description. Wagyu beef? You mean hamburger? No veggies either when there was supposed to be. Just rice, hamburger, and chili spice. Tasted good but not nearly worth $16.50! This gave me an upset stomach the rest of the day. So greasy… “Wagyu” is such a scam. Lean is way more healthy.

J Julia 26 reviews · Local Guide 18 June 2025

As a huge Thai food lover, I make it a point to try local Thai spots wherever I go — and this place definitely stands out! We ordered the Pad Kee Mao and Pad See Ew, and both were extremely delicious. The ingredients tasted fresh, and I really appreciated the depth of flavor from the Thai spices they use. The Pad See Ew had a nice touch with sliced garlic mixed in — such a great detail that elevated the dish. What really impressed me was how flavorful everything was compared to other Thai spots in town. You can tell they take pride in their recipes and use authentic ingredients. The only downside for me was the portion size for the price — it felt a little on the small side. For the cost, I don’t think one dish is quite enough to leave you full. That said, the quality is high, and I’d still come back for the flavors alone!

B Brent Cham 121 reviews · Local Guide 23 September 2024

Stumbled across a review for this cute little Thai spot downtown. It’s in sort of a food hall with one or two other places. Plastic chairs and small tables. No waiter. You order at the window. Feels a bit hipster but also a bit true to Bangkok street fare. Our server/cashier/food runner wasn’t rude but was a bit over it (probably because he’s doing everything but the cooking) but we’ll forgive him because the food was fantastic. This is some of the best Thai food I’ve had in LA. Started off with this amazing light, sweet sake. For apps we got the chicken wings which were cooked to perfection, crispy, not at all greasy, and had this salty sweet flavor to them. One of the best Asian wings I’ve ever had. Next had the green curry which felt very fresh like it was made from scratch and not from a paste. It was bright, punchy, and there was a sweetness that brought it all together. The yellow curry rigatoni was different but grew on me. Had such a unique flavor. The Gra Pow was solid, love the fried egg on top. And the fried pork belly was absolutely divine. Crispy, not terribly fatty, tons of flavor, and came with a herby green sauce. Love this place will def come back. Portion sizes are small but 4 dishes and one app easily filled 4 of us up. Came out to about $40 each with tax and the sake. So pretty fair.

J Jenae Lien 695 reviews · Local Guide 19 May 2024

Bursting with flavors and tastes homemade, I’m a big fan of Holy Basil. They do not carry Thai tea but they do carry a fantastic selection of fine wine, sake, sparkling wine and beer. Their seating area is a whole vibe and makes you feel like you’re in Thailand with the red crates and red plastic stools. No modifications to orders, and honestly they know best! Favorite dishes are the Moo Krob Slab (takes 48 hours to prep before it’s baked then fried.) Their Grandma’s Fish Fried rice literally tastes like someone’s grandma cooked a dish that everyone raves about. Their egg rolls are long and thin, definitely a favorite too.

M Masha Kaznachey 99 reviews · Local Guide 27 February 2024

Holy Basil is instant comfort that teleports you home. The dishes are flawlessly executed and the flavors are consistently on point. The vibe of this hidden gem reminds you of your family’s kitchen and I feel like a kid again full of excitement from the escaping aromas. I lean heavy into firing the menu family style and always look forward to memorable meals shared. Their take out withstands LA traffic to the far away land of Santa Monica. Service is hands down the friendliest in town.