Insider Pages Reviews for Natalee Thai Cuisine

5 Stars: Best Thai Food Around (by Terry S.)

Terry S. — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:28:00 GMT

Natalee Thai offers excellent food, nice atmosphere, good service. Tends to be crowded and loud, especially on the weekends. Be prepared to wait for take-out.

1 Stars: Lame food, worst service. (by Salome)

Salome — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 02:00:00 GMT

Usually I do not write negative reviews about restaurants, but this place is way overrated. I went to this restaurant with some of my friends once, and ordered delivery. At the restaraurant, I ordered Panang Curry, and my friends ordered some sushi and salad.
Panang Curry had nothing special for the price. I have tasted much better curry for 5 bucks. But mine wasnt too bad compared to my friends'. All types of sushi is very expensive, and fish on top was... just disgusting.
It tasted like its been sitting on the sushi counter for a week. Dry, and slimy inside. My friend said it smelled like fresh garbage, and she couldnt even finish one third of he portion( By the way, each sushi is pricey, plus damn small).

When we ordered delivery, it was even more bizzare. the person who picked up the phone started telling me what to order! He couldnt even find a right address, but for some reason he know the history of what we ordered before. And he didnt know what I ordered was on the menu, so I ended up talking 3 or 4 people in a row. Even they had my number and address on the computer, I had to explain everything all over. Some ladies on the phone was shockingly rude.

They said it was going to be here 45min. the food showed up an hour and 30 min later (after bunch of calls we made) . we didnt give him much tip (we were starving for waiting, so we couldnt afford to be nice), then he looked offended and asking many times how much the change was gonna be. I repeated over and over, and he finally left without saying a word.

We gave some tries, but everytime we get food from this place, we are frustrated and stressed out. I dont think I would ever go back. EVER!! Serously, another Thai restaurant accross the street is much better. they dont have any odd sushi or "Korean BBQ".

2 Stars: Actually disappointed considering the hype! (by uclafoodie)

uclafoodie — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:00:00 GMT

I thought this place would be rocking considering how many people rave about it. Prices were steep, small portions and I couldn't figure out why they had sushi and fortune cookies in a Thai restaurant. I spent almost 40 bucks with tip (water as my beverage) and was disappointed.

Our waitiress was slow and couldn't handle more than one question at a time. Truly disappointing and they charge extra for white meat.

I think East Wind on Washington Blvd in Marina Del Rey rocks compared to Natalee. The food, authencity and overall attitude is much better than Natalee hands down.

3 Stars: More Please (by FAIR1)

FAIR1 — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 02:00:00 GMT

Come on, Natalee--be more generous with portions. It was embarrassing to have friends sit eye-balling my plates and discretely gulping down saliva. I guess that says something about good tasting but cost too pricey for certain items? Otherwise the food at Natalee is borderline above average and emphasis on a sparse but trendy setting. Okay: I suspect people go there to be seen rather than honestly eat because a movie studio is located near by. I've had tons of fun eating Thai food in every new city or town I happen to visit and sometimes there's another restaurant that just makes the total experience more enjoyable and memorable. Once in a while 'that other place' is right across the street.

2 Stars: Not Very Good (by aceoftaste)

aceoftaste — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 02:00:00 GMT

I was really looking forward to eating Thai so I ordered delivery from Natalee Thai because I had heard good things. The curry I ordered, didn't come with rice which should be standard. The Pad-See-Ew with shrimp had about 5 shrimp in it, but the yellow curry with chicken had HUGE chunks of chicken with little to no vegetables (which some people may like but unfortunately, I planned on picking out the chicken).

1 Stars: Disappointment! (by forgoodfood)

forgoodfood — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 01:00:00 GMT

We were genuinely disappointed in this restaurant. Service was fine but the food was bad quality. Parking seemed to be a pain also, not sure if you can really park in the smart and final lot or not! Don't be fooled by the fancy modernistic architecture.

5 Stars: Awesome (by ironchefjeff)

ironchefjeff — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 01:00:00 GMT

This is one of my favorite asian restaurants in LA. The pad thai is so delicious. My second fav is this korean bbq in culver city called gyenari. 2 of my favorite asian restaurants.

4 Stars: Great taste, atmosphere & price (by R T.)

R T. — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:55:00 GMT

Food & service was very good, and prices reasonable considering atmosphere. Would recommend Natalee Thai as a great place to celebrate a special occasion.

4 Stars: Yummy Stuff! (by Bleome H.)

Bleome H. — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:56:00 GMT

Yummy Stuff! Good food, friendly staff, reasonably priced. Be sure to try the Mango and Sticky Rice desert! Also, the prawns are great. Super sauces.

3 Stars: Great Food (by s7artan007)

s7artan007 — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Thai food is one of my favorites and this restaurant has it. It's atmosphere will have you in calm state and it's food will just make all those problems disappear.

3 Stars: Great food, but bad acoustics. Order take-out (by lalocalsince86)

lalocalsince86 — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I've been coming to Natalee since it was across the street in the strip mall. That's over 18 years! The food is excellent, though I've heard complaints from some friends that the curry is too hot. I just can't stand eating there. The prices are a bit higher and the portions a bit smaller than other Thai restaurants of equal quality, but their food is consistently good. The acoustics of the restaurant are so bad. With concrete floors and metal and glass walls, it seems as if you could hear every conversation in there at once. Not really what I consider "romantic" or "cozy." The atmosphere is that of eating in a airport cafeteria, but like I said, the food is good. I order take out from there all the time, but avoid it when taking out-of-town guests out to dinner. I'd give it five stars, if they could cut down on the noise levels in there somehow with some acoustic tiles, drapery or something. Oh and, they do charge 50 cents as a "fuel surcharge" for delivery, so technically it's not "free."

4 Stars: Crazy weekends but awesome food! (by Tinarocks)

Tinarocks — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I've eaten here a handful of times and have loved it every time. There's a sushi bar as well as the Thai food. I'm not sure that it's terribly authentic, but outside of Thai Town I don't usually expect that. The portions are big, the food is flavorful and super tasty and the drinks are solid! Skip the weekends if you can cuz the wait's a bit long, but otherwise it's totally worth it.

2 Stars: Some good food, Poor Service, Too Crowded (by LeesahBeesah)

LeesahBeesah — Thu, 08 May 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I'll be honest, the PadThai is good half the time. It's not consistent and it's a little over priced. Some times flavorless, sometimes salty, sometimes PERFECT. Last time my friends ordered curry it was filled with Thai chilli's and almost too hot to eat.
Delivery is average on timing, they've never made it under 45 minutes. Dining in is TERRIBLE. Over-crowded, poor customer service, have to wait way too long for the check (probably why tables don't turn over). Trendy, cool building. Good luck getting near the bar. Seems to be more than the staff can handle.

5 Stars: Simply the BEST! (by Matthew J.)

Matthew J. — Fri, 02 May 2008 09:18:00 GMT

When it comes to Thai food, Natalee Thai Cuisine is hands-down the best. I've eaten at other "Thai" restaurants, but none compare to Natalees. From their Sweet and Sour Chicken to the Spicy Monsoon Noodles you'll be glad you chose Natalees and not some other place. Oh and don't forget to try the Thai Iced Tea!

4 Stars: Curry Yummy (by Luana S.)

Luana S. — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:10:00 GMT

We often order Natalee for lunch as they have an excellent delivery service.

I always order the chicken or lamb curry and it is always so good...i love curry!!

The prices are very reasonable and the food is always delivered piping hot!

5 Stars: Nothing Like it!!! (by Nikiel W.)

Nikiel W. — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:04:00 GMT

This Thai restaurant was so amazing, their noodles with the spicy peanut sauce is mm mmmm good! The service is also very speedy and friendly. This is a anytime lunch or dinner prime spot!

1 Stars: Horrible food (by Yummiez)

Yummiez — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 01:00:00 GMT

There was nothing authentic about the food. It was overly salted and the portions are not worth my money. This place is just trendy and it's over rated, just good for probably a first date, because of the bar area. I've always liked the Thai BBQ across the street, but I decided to give this place a chance. I made a bad choice and do not recommend this restaurant. I left the place hungry and unsatisfied with my meal. I tried the vegetable curry, cashew chicken (too much salt and sauce), Korean bbq beef (2 slices on the plate) and their brown rice. NOT IMPRESSED. Across the street is by far the best on Venice Blvd.

4 Stars: thai (by Sasha D.)

Sasha D. — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 21:48:00 GMT

great prices, excellent food, and very friendly staff. i recommend the padthai and any kind of tofu dish. it is a nice place and you can get quick service.

2 Stars: Unremarkable salty food; super hip and trendy. (by asm618)

asm618 — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 01:00:00 GMT

We went here once last year and haven't been back. The food was all very salty -- nothing special about it. We had to wait a long time to be seated. It seems to be the hip and trendy place to go -- but that's just not my style. Try the Thai BBQ place across the street for better food and less wait time.

1 Stars: Customer Service is HORRIBLE (by angelicious1180)

angelicious1180 — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 01:00:00 GMT

This WAS my favorite restaurant for nearly 2 years. I ordered from them at least 3 times a week. I was a very loyal customer. I have to say that they have the WORST customer service ever! I found a nasty insect in my tom yum soup. When I called the restaurant to get a replacement, not only did the employee NOT apologize, she was very defensive and unpleasant. When I got my replacement, it was lukewarm and extremely watered down. This is only one instance. Even though the food is decent, they have no clue how to treat their customers. You can bet I will NEVER order from this place ever again.

1 Stars: never order food for delivery when you are hungry (by worldtravellerplus)

worldtravellerplus — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 02:00:00 GMT

really unfortunate. this used to be my local favorite. i have ordered food from them a few times now and i NEVER get my order within an HOUR.
i have seen their million dollar buidling, surely they can allocate appropriate staff for delivery. management requires some rehaul.
food is mediocre. don't be fooled by the restaurant description; it's just a place you should go to to drink, and when drunk, eat.
my vote, go the extra distance: Sanam Luang Cafe, Yai Restaurant, or Palms Thai.
i'm done natalee thai, i've given you enough chances.

1 Stars: lazy waitress (by ben0404)

ben0404 — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 02:00:00 GMT

The rolls were below average and the service wasn't there either. Take the waitress so long to take drink order. Manager was so rude. The atmosphere so lousy. We placed our order and after receiving our food, I tasted my brother's Pad se ew. I decided to get an order also. Shortly the waitress brought my Pad se ew and I immediately noticed the order was half the size of my brother's serving and asked her why. She said no that was the usual portion. I had a couple of bites and took the remainder home. At home I decided to eat some of the Pad se ew, and after spooning some into a platel, I noticed a USED TOOTHPICK in the Pad se ew. I knew immediately this was another customers food. I had been served someones left over food ! This explained the small portion size. They had eaten half of their food! Try Thai BBQ across street.

3 Stars: Why so popular? I don't know... (by xenon101)

xenon101 — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I have been to Natalee Thai's a 3-4 times and I've had both good and bad experiences. You have to go when at off hours when it is not crowded because the wait can be very long. The food is OK but a few things to complain about:
1. parking is awful. don't let the parking lot fool you -- it's mostly for the drugstore that is in the same lot. best bet is to find street parking.
2. service is pretty bad when it gets busy. long wait and not so friendly waiters.
3. it's super noisy when it gets crowded! you can't even hear yourself think.

but, again the food is OK.

3 Stars: Has gone way downhill, sadly... (by mmpetrie)

mmpetrie — Thu, 17 May 2007 02:00:00 GMT

We've been eating here as well as getting take-out for years, and a recent unpleasant experience made us decide to give up. Arriving with a party of four, we were told it would be a 20 minute wait--no problem. Then we sat and watched the hostess seat other parties first. When we asked her why, she explained that the party of 5 that came in long after us could only be seated at a certain table, meanwhile we saw them breaking up a cluster of tables in order to create more space for other smaller parties. They should have given us the first table and made the other party wait a few minutes or given them the cluster of tables pushed together, but I think that greed has got the better of them. Really frustrating. After this treatment, our waiter was curt, brought things out in a weird order, and basically rushed us out even though it was only around 9:30pm and the restaurant was fairly full. At one point I even asked him "Do you have to leave or something?" Someone came by and took our candle and flower off the table--so incredibly rude while you are still eating your entree! And, on my way out, I noticed the sign on the front has a "B" rating--no excuse.

4 Stars: Consistency required (by ip2uni)

ip2uni — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 02:00:00 GMT

sometimes great. sometime.. hmm... what happened? Chef has been changed?
Great service and Clean but NEED to be Consistent of quality and TASTE!!

2 Stars: what is going on? (by indianfoodcritic)

indianfoodcritic — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I eat here all the time, or used to, not for 3 months now. The food is not good anymore nor is the service. I will try the other location now.

1 Stars: Horrible customer service (by outbacksteak)

outbacksteak — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 02:00:00 GMT

The customer service is horrible. My boyfriend and I went there at 5:30pm on a Friday night. Take note that there was not a lot of people there yet. We were seated very quickly, but it took 15 minutes before a server came over to our table to take our drinks and orders. What kind of service is that? The food also took a long time to come out. The taste of the food was average; nothing spectacular. I don't think we would go back to this restaurant for a very long time. Go find some place else for good Thai food.

4 Stars: Good late night take-out (by artie_paulie)

artie_paulie — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 01:00:00 GMT

This was one of the first Thai restaurants I went to when I moved to Culver City. My thought was, "wow, this is a beautiful restaurant", and then the food came. Equally as good. I would recommend any of the curry dishes, Jade or Ruby. The soups are good too. It gets pretty busy, so sometimes I just call in my order and pick it up to avoid the crowd.

5 Stars: My favorite place when I'm craving some thai (by lafoholic)

lafoholic — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 01:00:00 GMT

I LOVE Natalee Thai. All their dishes (that I've tried...and there are a bunch) are delicious. It's very reasonably priced. Their wonton soup is without a doubt the best tasting soup I've had. I reccomend either dining there or taking out b/c despite their wonderful food, the one thing they are teeeerrible about it delivery...it usually takes at least an hour. Although it gets really crowded, there's a bar to get a few drinks while you wait and the service is fast, so there's nothing to worry about. It's also a good lunch spot, offering a bunch of lunch specials.

2 Stars: caterpillar on my friend's garnish (by rsmc)

rsmc — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 01:00:00 GMT

I've ordered takeout from Natalee Thai tons of times and had a very good experience. A few friends and I went to the restaurant to check out the place. My friend ordered the Pad Thai and removed the garnish from his plate...and took a bite before realizing that the garnish was moving. There was an enormous (about 2 inches long) caterpillar on the leaf. There are two ways of looking at this: 1) that the garnish was fresh and 2) that this was seriously disgusting. The rest of us lost our appetite and asked to leave. The management didn't apoloize or comp our appetizers; instead they asked if it was "alright" if he kept the same plate and then removed the offending garnish. We left without eating anything else. Gross.

2 Stars: Horrible service, less-than-impressive food (by minkwig)

minkwig — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 01:00:00 GMT

Unfortunately my second time at Natalee will keep me from EVER going back. A group of 4 of us went for dinner and had a 15 minute wait, which was fine.. We were seated and had to wait a little bit before our server finally came to take our order. She was pleasant but it seemed like FOREVER before our food started to arrive. Two different guys were bringing our dishes out, all at different times -- and they were handling the plates carelessly, brushing their hands up against the food. Not only that -- the plates were huge while the portions were normal, but there was no room on the table to put it all! We also had to ask our server TWICE to check on 2 missing entrees. They arrived 15-20 minutes later. My friend had ordered a side of sticky rice and it arrived in a ball of aluminum foil in a small bowl. She opened it up and it looked NASTY -- like 2 day old rice. Needless to say, I will not be going back. Service was awful, food was ok but we sorta lost our appetites in the end.

3 Stars: Nothing Special (by adelly)

adelly — Fri, 24 Nov 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I tried this place, which is near my home, based on the suggestion of a co-worker who couldn't stop gushing about it. The place is really new and clean, compared to most Thai establishments, but the food was so-so (isn't it always the dirty places that taste the best???). I got the pad thai, which wasn't as sweet as I'd like, and some other dishes that weren't so memorable. Comparatively, it's also a little more expensive than traditional Thai places that serve better, more flavourful food. I don't get why the place is always soo packed (I guess many people prefer the cleanliness over the taste)---maybe it's the pretty waitresses?

3 Stars: I don't get it... (by aribstein)

aribstein — Fri, 24 Nov 2006 01:00:00 GMT

There are so many better thai food places in the city. The food we ordered was cold, the service was slow (maybe that's why the food was cold)... it just wasn't worth it. Maybe this place is nice on the eyes... but I'm looking to go to a place where I want to eat again...

3 Stars: You won't be disappointed (by navia25)

navia25 — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 01:00:00 GMT

This place rocks I been here a couple of times and I truly enjoy the food and the drinks. Actually my first time eating Thai food was at Natalee's. My favorite dish is the Flaming Chicken Dish and I love the Thai Iced Tea. The place is nice and hip and you see a lot of people that look like they work for the studios. If you want to have a nice dinner in a nice atmosphere than this is the place to go.

4 Stars: cute restaurant! (by chowjjs)

chowjjs — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 01:00:00 GMT

it looks like a trailor from the outside, but when you go inside, the ambience is amazing. They have a sushi bar, but I've never ordered anything from there. I say, you stick to the thai food. They service big portions, but sometimes the food comes a little slowly. I've had my pad see ew come out cold before. Nice waiters and waitresses, though.

5 Stars: Affordable and Healthy (by laurieflenner)

laurieflenner — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I feel like I'm indulging in a much more expensive night out when I go here- but the price is very affordable. And they have healthy choices like steamed fish & veggies and brown rice!

4 Stars: Fun Spot for Good Thai Food (by martinikitty13)

martinikitty13 — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 01:00:00 GMT

This may not be the best Thai food ever - but it's always a fun, bustling place to be and the food is affordable and pretty good. I particularly like the curries (california chicken curry - yum!) and the appetizers. Great local spot (and they deliver according to my friend who lives nearby).

5 Stars: Versatile Menu, great prices! (by Elischa)

Elischa — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I liked this place. It had a great mix of a little bit of everything. The food is tasty, and reasonably priced. I recommend the sushi here too. I know it's supposed to be Thai, but the have decent sushi as well.

4 Stars: Close to the studios and tasty for what it is (by dmenkes)

dmenkes — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 01:00:00 GMT

A great spot to go out for a nice lunch when you have a bit of extra time. Lunch during the week can get hectic, so arriving early helps to avoid long waits. For a Thai restaurant, the sushi's actually not half bad! Sushi at a Thai restaurant, you ask? Well..it's not *really* Thai. More of an Asian Fusion place with a little bit of everything, but leaning heavily towards Thai dishes. The Pad Thai noodles are pretty good and the sushi lunch specials are decent; Natalee has some of the best spicy tuna rolls I've had in LA, oddly enough. The Hi Yo Silver plate is sort of weird and I wouldn't get it again. Sticking to the basics is recommended.

4 Stars: good neighborhood thai restaurant (by pinays)

pinays — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 01:00:00 GMT

i enjoy coming to this neighborhood thai restaurant. the price is not bad and the food is not bad either. i would not say that the food is spectacular but for the price and the fast service, it is a very good deal. the wing ding (appetizer) is an interesting concept -- stuffed chicken wing with vermicelli. it is good but i think that the best appetizer is the gulf of thailand shrimp roll. you can't go wrong with any of the fried rice selections. the pad see-iw is not bad (although a little bit on the greasy side). it could get hectic during the peak hours but the servers are generally friendly.

3 Stars: Watered Down Thai (by leeyo22)

leeyo22 — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Granted I have been spoiled by the real thing in Thailand, I feel this place is just average. There are better places that serve some really good authentic Thai in the LA area. This place has all its dishes watered down to please the bland American palate. The restauraunt itslef is really nice. I would only reccomend it to someone who is into the superficial ambience and less interested in the food.

5 Stars: Best Thai food (by xb4darkx)

xb4darkx — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 02:00:00 GMT

This place has got the best Thai food in LA. Hands down. I love the food. I've tried three dishes-curry beef (panang), beef & string bean, and papaya salad. Yum! Very flavorful. Service were friendly and decent. It's a joy to come here. Great for a big group!

4 Stars: Good Thai Food (by liliusd42)

liliusd42 — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I am a fan of Natalie Thai. The food is very good (try some of the spicy dishes) and the prices are extremely reasonable. Portionas are good sized and I often cannot finish my whole meal. I have been there several times and have always been impressed with the service, that staff is very friendly. I am not that big of a fan of the interior on the Venice location as it is very big and spacious and the noise carries quite a bit. However, this is not a problem if you choose to sit outside on the patio. I'll be back.

1 Stars: Bland and Boring (by spinachcat)

spinachcat — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

This is Thai food for people who eat McDonalds. It's got all the Thai ingredients and the food is fresh, but it lacks taste. The clientele is strictly LA wanna-be.

1 Stars: Best CHINESE Tasting Thai Food in L.A.! (by fooddude90406)

fooddude90406 — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

This used to be my favorite Thai restaurant in L.A. before I moved out of town four years ago but upon returning to the restaurant last night, it's now the worst.

One, the hostess rolled her eyes when I asked to be seated at another table (that was empty) next to the one that she was going to seat us at. Very snotty.

Then when one of the servers brought out our food, he handed me the plate of food instead of placing it on the table. Uh, what am I supposed to do with a hot plate of food??

And now the food...everything that we ordered tasted like Chinese food! The pad thai, peanut chicken etc.. And the noodles were mushy and the was not what I expect from a restaurant but rather a bad Chinese take-out place.

You'll have better luck at just going to a random Thai place in a strip mall than Natalee Thai. And it's a shame because this place used to have the best Thai food in town in my opinion.

5 Stars: Tastes delicious, and prices are reasonable. (by therealjoecool)

therealjoecool — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I first discovered Thai food in 1986. In twenty years, the food at Natalee Thai Cuisine is the tastiest Thai food I have eaten! Pad Thai, Thai iced tea, the appetizer sampler plate with selections the names of which I cannot recall, Thai barbecued chicken, sushi (Japanese? Thai?), all were excellent. This was my first time, a birthday celebration, and even though I live in Texas, I will return to Natalee Thai Cuisine the very next time i visit Los Angeles!

4 Stars: great food- for takeout. (by pamela a)

pamela a — Mon, 01 May 2006 02:00:00 GMT

dont wait in the lines - i couldnt believe the rush at 7:30 on a monday night. go 2 blocks away to east wind or tuk tuk on pico or melanees. I really like natalee's food and eat take out from there about once a wek or two but i will not battle the lines.

3 Stars: Great food, below-average service and speed. (by knightshow)

knightshow — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 02:00:00 GMT

The food is consistently great, but the service could use some speeding up. If you only have an hour for lunch, forget going here for lunch.

1 Stars: Rude, Disorganized. Terrible Customer service. (by ntshjns)

ntshjns — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I called to pick up. After 30 mins, Foods weren't ready. I waited more than 40 mins f/ the time they said they were going to be ready. Rude attitude. Disorganized. terrible customer service.

4 Stars: Good, but not the best ever (by quackers4duckie)

quackers4duckie — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 01:00:00 GMT

What's special about Natalee Thai is the ambience--the building and design are very modern and attractive. Unfortunately, it's also very open, and so tends to be very loud when it's crowded, which it usually is. The food is quite good, and the price is reasonable, but they do annoying things like charge you for rice. However, there is a lot of variety. Not as many vegetarian options as some other thai restaurants.

5 Stars: One of My Favorite Spots (by jsnso818)

jsnso818 — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I love the decor and the food and service are excellent. I often stop by for take-out on my way home from work. Wonderful place for a casual dinner or a lunch.

4 Stars: Cool place for hot Thai (by agrig1000)

agrig1000 — Sat, 03 Dec 2005 01:00:00 GMT

Located on Venice and some random cross street, the building is hard to miss with its aluminum space-ship outer decor. The main dining room is average size and is always packed. The hostess made a valient effort to sit us promply unlike other LA hostesses who BS their way through the night and say "there isn't anything available now" with 15 empty tables around. The food is above average and does not lack flavor whatsoever. I recommend the Thai iced tea, spring rolls, and the spicy beef dish (truly spicy, not for teenagers). Our server was nice and was able to substitute white meat chicken for dark meat at no x-tra charge.

5 Stars: Natalee is our weekly thai fix (by tnakra)

tnakra — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 01:00:00 GMT

We consider ourselves to have a sophisticated taste for fine food. We enjoy eating out, eating authentic ethnic food. Natalee Thai has become one of our standby guaranteed satisfying dinner options.

The food is fresh, tasty, unique and satisfying. The prices are amazingly reasonable for Los Angeles. The decor is energetic and refreshing. The service is good.

This is not a fine dining restaurant, but if your expectations are kept in check, you cannot deny that this restaurant offers excellent value. The quality of the dishes cannot be matched at this price level.

Our favorites include the Pad-See-Ew and the Ginger Penag. You can ask for all white meat chicken. The dishes can be requested low oil preparation without sacrificing taste. We recommend the brown (natural) rice.

Thanks for the continued excellence, Natalee!

2 Stars: Disappointed (by deelynn999)

deelynn999 — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 01:00:00 GMT

I tried this place years ago and was let down, but with all the great reviews on this site, I decided it was time to give them another try, so I ordered in for the fam. What I got was rediculously high priced small portions of food that was just okay. Not sure what people see in this place, but it's back on me "do not bother" list.

4 Stars: great food with great price (by jayy178)

jayy178 — Mon, 24 Oct 2005 02:00:00 GMT

I always wanted to come here seeing how the structure looked appealing. This place has pretty unique decor. everything is quite 3-dimensional with curvacious lines througout the walls. The food is really good for the price. It isnt the best thai ive had but for the not so bad LA price its good with me. it does get a bit loud inside, also make sure u getthere early as it takes a while to get a seat (took us about 20 min)

5 Stars: Great Thai Food (by cherylle)

cherylle — Sun, 11 Sep 2005 02:00:00 GMT

I'm from the SF Bay Area, where Thai food is a must, and this is as close as I have gotten to the Thai Food from back home. The Curry Panang is a must, and the price is more than reasonable. Parking is not a problem, which is rare for a restaurunt in L.A.

5 Stars: Thai at its best (by alias_tom)

alias_tom — Sun, 07 Aug 2005 02:00:00 GMT

Been coming here for some time and it's always good. Great traditional Thai food, and the sushi is as good as any Japanese sushi bar I've ever been too. The servers are in a class by themselves. This place is known for its fantastic service, food, ambiance, and prices. You get real value for your money. Delicious satay, pad thai, chicken or seafood coconut milk soup, curry dishes, special fried rice, and like I said, fine sushi and rolls too, just to name a few. Easy parking, well managed with attn. to detail, and clean.

5 Stars: Great at the Resturant or for Takeout (by _hawaii_girl_)

_hawaii_girl_ — Wed, 11 May 2005 02:00:00 GMT

Me and my family always order food from Natalee's. We usually order takeout and eat in front of the TV, though we have eaten at the resturant a few times, and though it's a bit small and crowded the atmosphere's pretty nice. I'd recommend the Hot Stuff with Chicken or Beef, but dont eat the gren thing that look like leaves, your tongue will burn. Overall this is one of my favorite resturants in LA.

5 Stars: Never had a bad meal here (by samanthacat)

samanthacat — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 02:00:00 GMT

We love Natalee Thai! The food is delicious. I particularly love the California curry (it's like yellow curry) with chicken and the Korean BBQ beef. My husband always gets the Monsoon noodles with chicken. Everything is very tasty and spicy. I like that brown rice is available, too.

The waitstaff is very friendly.

My only complaint is that the place is crowded and the parking can be difficult.

We have ordered delivery a few times and they come within 45 minutes usually.

5 Stars: Great place, good food, not expensive. (by naughty0)

naughty0 — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 01:00:00 GMT

Worth a try if you are in the neighborhood, and worth a drive if you are not ;)

5 Stars: authentic thai food..good job (by minisila)

minisila — Sun, 14 Nov 2004 01:00:00 GMT

I'm from Arizona. I visited my friend and she recommend me to eat at Natalee because she loves chicken Sa-te, tsunami, and hot stuff. I love to eat Thai food and Natalee's food is very authentic Thai. Even I had to wait, it's worth.

5 Stars: Natalee Thai (by grass420)

grass420 — Thu, 11 Nov 2004 01:00:00 GMT

Being a Culver city native Natalee Thai is definately my local favorite. I have been comming here for many years even when it was located across the street. I love everything from the California curry to the Korean BBQ beef. The service is always fast and friendly, which adds to the great atmosphere the new decor creates.

3 Stars: Not that good (by tytandacat)

tytandacat — Sat, 18 Sep 2004 02:00:00 GMT

I know that place since it was located on the other side of the street. Their food is just average Thaifood. To me, Natalee is just another take-out or delivery food place. Sushi is awful. The decor is totally out of style. If I am really in mood for Thai food, I would not choose there, but will drive afar to the Sunset x Hobert area.

4 Stars: Good Thai Food (by monicamaz)

monicamaz — Sun, 04 Jul 2004 02:00:00 GMT

The place is nicely decorated and clean The food is good and consistent. A nice place to go for lunch.

4 Stars: Not bad (by dealinhoz)

dealinhoz — Mon, 19 Jan 2004 01:00:00 GMT

Came here with my ex-gf a year ago and we had a great dinner. The food was far from authentic but we were hungry so we didn't really care. The service was good and the ambiance in the restaurant is nice. We didn't get to try any of the drinks. If you're looking for a nicer Thai restaurant... give Saladang Song in Pasadena a try. Both Natalee & Saladang are on my top 5 thai restaurants list.

4 Stars: Great Weekday Lunch Spot (by svantico)

svantico — Mon, 28 Jul 2003 02:00:00 GMT

I've been to Natalee Thai many times for lunch during the work week. If you time it just right (just before noon) there's no wait. It doesn't take long for the place to fill up though. I usually go with a group and we each pick a dish and share. The only dish I ever tried that I didn't care for was the duck and I don't think it had to do with the preparation of it. Everything else has always been great and it's a fun place for a relaxing meal.

5 Stars: Real Cool (by duanecobb)

duanecobb — Wed, 14 May 2003 02:00:00 GMT

If you can go there during the week or order in if you live in the area because on weekends this place is packed! You've got to try the Chicken that comes flaming to your table, juicy and flavorful. "Natalee's Rice" is a spicey delight and the "Heavenly Medley" is well, Heavenly. For a starter please try the shrimp roll.

5 Stars: great thai food, great $$ (by santamonicabird)

santamonicabird — Sun, 23 Feb 2003 01:00:00 GMT

I've been to Natalee Thai twice now and am convinced it's the place to go for Thai on the Westside. Watch out for the Smart and Final parking lot though, you might get towed (or warned and have to get up in the middle of your meal to move your car).

5 Stars: Review (by Rosiekid)

Rosiekid — Sat, 11 Jan 2003 01:00:00 GMT

Natalee thai is a wonderful resteraunt with great, delicious food.

2 Stars: You can't eat the decor (by hagbeard)

hagbeard — Sat, 04 Jan 2003 01:00:00 GMT

Perhaps paying more attention to the food instead of the decor would garner this place more praise. It was surely chic inside, but I think that's to distract you from the food completely sucking. The panang barely had any taste, the phad thai was uninspired, and the chinese broccoli was overcooked. Very nice staff, but you can't eat them either.

5 Stars: feshman (by libran07)

libran07 — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 01:00:00 GMT

Natalee is best Thai restaurant in L.A.I like a pad thai. thai chicken. and my favorite is beef salad.other dishes are very good too.

4 Stars: Great Thai...fun restaurant (by rcorrao)

rcorrao — Fri, 08 Nov 2002 01:00:00 GMT

Great food, friendly and helpful service. A definate repeat. Not as anticeptic as their website makes it out to be. Only been to the Beverly Hills location on Robertson/Olympic. Service was almost too fast, as they wanted to clear plates before I was finished eating. I would definately go back and order in pieces rather than all at once if I wanted to take my time.

3 Stars: Great Thai Food, But Worth The Wait? (by beckytap)

beckytap — Mon, 28 Oct 2002 01:00:00 GMT

Everytime we go by Natalee, there is a line out the door. Even for take out, you will have a long wait. However, the food is very very good. Many unusual and creative dishes, and the service is friendly, even though it takes awhile.

The only drawback is that its NOISY in there, so don't try to have an intimate conversation while you enjoy your pad thai noodles.

Emrald Thai, just up the block, is a just as good, less expensive option.

5 Stars: Blossom of Heat (by hauoli)

hauoli — Wed, 09 Oct 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Just when you need it, each dish has it's own delightful burn. Try Kra Thong Tong for a good appetizer, Adaman soup for loads of seafood, and the Maha Jumlong curry for a veggie fix -- but then again, everything is great! It gets crowded early, but the turn-around on tables is pretty fast.

5 Stars: Manager (by June_Bug)

June_Bug — Sun, 06 Oct 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Excellent Thai food in westside also service is like you are one of family.

5 Stars: Chic-chic thai food - yummy! (by cute_la_couple)

cute_la_couple — Sat, 27 Jul 2002 02:00:00 GMT

The only ethnic restaurant we've been to that has a cool, if not overly hip, motif, Natalee Thai was a pleasant surprise. Good for couples, groups and even business lunches.

Go for the atmosphere as much as the food. Service was good, too.

4 Stars: great atmosphere (by lcarlso2)

lcarlso2 — Fri, 19 Jul 2002 02:00:00 GMT

I went on a busy Saturday night with friends, and found the experience quite pleasant. With a million Thai restaurants serving similar cuisine, this one stood out due to its tasteful decor and fairly hip atmosphere.

5 Stars: cool design, great food! (by birdgirl)

birdgirl — Thu, 11 Jul 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Love the groovy decor. The food is excellent and so cheap! Definitely worth a trip to a nondescript area on Venice Blvd.

5 Stars: Made to Order (by JSchwartz_Citysearch)

JSchwartz_Citysearch — Fri, 31 May 2002 02:00:00 GMT

The food at Natalee is consistently fresh and tasty. Also, you can order dishes any way you like (with or without ingredients) and they always happily oblige even the pickiest diners.

5 Stars: Excellent quality, where's the flavor? (by Native)

Native — Fri, 17 May 2002 02:00:00 GMT

We eat a lot of Thai food and Natalee rates way up there. The chicken in all their dishes is really high-quality, moist, tender and lean. Only problem is, it seems like all the dishes we've had are lacking flavor. Yet, we keep going back because the ingredients are so fresh and tasty.