+1 206-328-2030
Located in the vibrant heart of Seattle’s Capitol Hill, Ba Bar Capitol Hill is a standout Vietnamese restaurant that masterfully blends traditional Southeast Asian flavors with a modern, welcoming atmosphere. Specializing in authentic Vietnamese cuisine, this bustling eatery offers a diverse menu that caters to a variety of palates, including gluten-free and vegetarian options, making it an inviting destination for both adventurous eaters and those seeking familiar comforts.
At Ba Bar Capitol Hill, the culinary experience is elevated by their exceptional craftsmanship with classic dishes. The Pho Tai Nam is a must-try — a fragrant bowl of Vietnamese beef noodle soup layered with tender slices of rare steak and rich broth bursting with aromatic garlic and ginger. Fans of bold flavors rave about the Saigon Wings, crispy chicken wings glazed in caramel sauce and balanced with the tang of rice vinegar and the punch of roasted garlic and chili. For a refreshing complement, the Housemade Lemongrass Soda offers a perfectly sweet and zesty counterpoint to the savory dishes.
Weekend dining at Ba Bar Capitol Hill is an experience in itself, with highlights like Bánh Cuon — delicate steamed rice rolls filled with fragrant herbs, mushrooms, and premium pork, served alongside crisp bean sprouts and a savory nước chấm dipping sauce. Their Ba Bar Passionate Pandan Cake and vibrant Macarons Gift Bag provide a delightful end to the meal, showcasing meticulous attention to detail even in their pastry offerings.
The small plates menu invites sharing and discovery, with dishes such as the Garlic Butter Prawn — succulent tamarind-glazed prawns paired with a light Chinese donut — and the Spinach Tofu Paper Wrap, which combines Northwest tofu and fresh mushrooms wrapped with crispy shallot and soy vinaigrette for a vibrant burst of flavor and texture.
Guests consistently praise Ba Bar Capitol Hill for more than just its food. The atmosphere is lively and refined, infused with an energetic ‘slappin’ vibe’ that’s perfect for casual meals or special outings alike. Reviewers like M G highlight the fun, warm environment and the attentive service that makes every visit a memorable occasion. Connie C especially admires the generous portion sizes and the unique variety of pho offerings, including tender and flavorful duck pho that’s hard to find elsewhere. Meanwhile, Trung Tieu’s enthusiasm for the weekend’s banh cuon variations echoes the adventurous spirit of many regulars, who delight in exploring authentic Vietnamese staples with a fresh twist.
While some dishes, like the Garlic Crab Noodles, have elicited mixed responses due to their creative interpretation, Ba Bar’s willingness to innovate without compromising quality shows a commitment to offering something new and exciting to their patrons. Even those who initially come for the food find themselves charmed by the friendly staff and vibrant condo-style ambiance that embodies Capitol Hill’s eclectic spirit.
Whether savoring a smoky Old Phoshian cocktail infused with subtle hints of anise, sipping on refreshing lemongrass peach tea, or indulging in a comforting bowl of chicken pho on a rainy Seattle evening, Ba Bar Capitol Hill delivers an immersive and deeply satisfying Vietnamese dining journey. This is a destination where every bite tells a story and every visit leaves a lasting impression—truly a gem in Seattle’s culinary landscape.
For reservations or takeout, Ba Bar Capitol Hill can be reached at +1 206-328-2030, or you can drop by their warm and inviting space at 550 12th Ave, Seattle, WA.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is one of our favorite local spots. The food is amazing, good service and fun atmosphere with a slappin’ vibe. The crispy imperial rolls were generously stuffed, the beef/lamb rolls were perfectly seasoned, the combo platter was huge and delicious, and the braised beef soup special was a delicious and delightful way to stay warm on a cold, rainy Friday night. We love BaBar for the best Vietnamese food in the city. Also, when you compare prices to other Cap Hill restaurants, their prices are much better for the food and service you get. Also their playlist is fantastic! A good mixture of pop music classics and current Vietnamese pop!
Excellent pho with variety of meat that you don’t find in other restaurants. I enjoyed the duck pho - the duck meat was tender and flavorful, the meatball is bouncy and tasty. My friend enjoyed the steak pho as well - she finished it in one go! The portion is also quite large.
This was a great recommendation by a local! Their take on Vietnamese is fabulous. Love that they have banh cuon on the weekends and have three versions: Hanoi, Saigon and Shrimp. We had all three and they were all great! We also had the wings, but the winner was the banh cuon hands down. The Old Phoshian spin on an Old Fashion had the nice addition of anise but otherwise no hint of pho broth. Good, if slightly misleading. It's popular with the neighborhood locals and Seattle University students, so recommend getting there a little on the early side for dinner since there were several large parties waiting to get in when we left.
I have to say, I really loved the design and atmosphere of this place—the vibe is great, and the staff is very friendly. I was really excited to try the crab garlic noodles, but they didn’t quite meet my expectations. I could barely taste any crab, and the dish felt more like Italian pasta than traditional noodles. It almost felt like I came for Asian cuisine but left with Italian food instead! That said, I enjoyed the overall experience and will give it another try. If anything is different next time, I’ll be sure to update my review. Otherwise, the ambiance alone makes this place worth a visit!
I received a gift card from my sister and was encouraged to try out their iced coffee. The first time I came, I got just the iced coffee to go and it was okay. However I knew I had to come back to try the food as it smelled absolutely amazing in there. Today I came back and tried the pho tai lan. It was absolutely yummy. There are strong flavors of garlic and ginger. The meat was grilled to perfection as well. I ate every last bit of my pho and can’t wait to come back.