Cha-Am Thai Restaurant

Cha Am is good. It's just that there are now about 30 Thai restaurants in Berkeley so it makes the standard go up. When I was in college it was "the" Thai restaurant to go to. Now, unless your from Modesto, you'll be equally happy going to a number of other restaurants in Berkeley. It used to be considered (back in the 80's) one of the best Thai restaurants in the country, but now it's probably struggling to be one of the best Thai restaurants on the block!

Cha Am is located in the gourmet ghetto area of berkeley and is a decent place to go to dinner in berkeley. I've had their food about 3 times, good food, but it was pretty dry chicken in the curry the first time, but the 2nd time when I ate there is better. Service is satisfactory, location is great. Overall its a good place to go to if youre in the area, but not somewhere to go if youre coming out of your way.

I went with a group there, and got the most horrible service that I think I've ever gotten at a restaurant (and I eat out a lot!). The waiters were downright mean, and got about 50% of our orders wrong. When on of the waiters brought out a chicken dish for a vegetarian, she insisted that my friend ordered the chicken and didn't want to take it back. Someone else at my table who just so happened to order a vegetarian plate but wasn't vegetarian offered to switch with her. Another friend asked about two desserts and then chose one, but then they brought out both of the desserts for her. By this time we didn't even try arguing with them. In the end, they seriously overcharged us, and everything was written in Thai, so we didn't know what was wrong. No one would come help us with the receipt. Every couple ended up paying ~$10 more than what they put in originally (this is on top of a couple of people paying extra for the wrong dishes that they got). And the fact that everyone had to pay more says a lot, because usually when we eat out, we all put to much money in and end up getting a few bucks back. I have vowed never to eat there again!

By the way, the food is alright. Not great, but not any different from the Thai you can get at a lot of places around Berekely and in the Ranch 99 mall.

Cha Am is one of the finest Thai Restaurants in Berkeley - . Its located in the heart of the "Gourmet Ghetto" - next door to Chez Panise. Its a great place to take your date - and it wont hurt the wallet too much either.

What sets this place apart is the cosy atmosphere. The place is small - and its decorated in sort of a Thai-Berkeley style.

I remember going there when the balcony was open air- but now its enclosed with a curved plastic window that shields you from the relentless wind. You can still watch the summer sunset from there - and feel like you arent freezing! (In SF they are fogged in by then).

The food is very very good. I recommend the Chicken with Coconut - Curry .

The service is always top notch - and most nights you can get in without a wait.

Watch your step on the steep stairway.

PROS: Good Food, Great Atmosphere
CONS: