Merlion

Our server was Maze and she was very knowledgeable about the menu, and made the whole experience wonderful. The food was amazing, my favorite was the goat cheese salad. I’m looking forward to coming back! Maze convinced us to come for Restaurant month in August. Can’t wait!

This was our first time to visit. Our server, Maze was phenomenal!! I’d come back just to interact with her, but luckily, the food was just as outstanding!! Bryan also came by our table outside, another top notch employee!! And they have a reverse happy hour. Clay was behind the bar and took care of our after dinner libations.

Hidden gem, we went tonight and loved the atmosphere and food. We had a ton of appetizers half price during happy hour. We had satay, egg rolls, corn cakes, dragon fire dumplings plus the cheese and crab rolls. All were in point. My beautiful bride was not overly wild over the corn cakes. They were good not great but EVERYTHING else was superb. The peanut sauce was amazing. We will be back for entrees. Can’t wait to try the Panang Curry. Pedro and Desiree did an amazing job taking care of us. Atmosphere is amazing. We will be back.

We went last night to have great food and walk down memory lane ( my husband proposed there 17 years ago). We were a little nervous about the food tasting different after so many years, but everything was fantastic!!!! The flavors are just on a different level! We ordered the signature dish and the panang curry with lobster and it was still to die for!!! We even spoke with Brooke who helped my husband set up the proposal 17 years ago! Thank you for a fantastic night!!!

Been here many times but last night was very busy so service was understandably a bit slow. Very friendly host & servers though, along with excellent food & drinks!

An Unforgettable Thai Culinary Journey with Exceptional Service! Merlion Restaurant isn't just a meal; it's an experience. This is, without a doubt, the best Thai food I've ever had. Every dish is a testament to perfection, showcasing an incredible balance of spice, flavor, and meticulous care. You can genuinely taste the passion that goes into each creation. While the entire restaurant is fantastic, we always gravitate to the bar, and for good reason. If Desiree is bartending, prepare to have your mind blown. The service and drinks she provides are truly exceptional. Desiree is a master of her craft, going above and beyond by making so many elements from scratch, like the dehydrated fruit that garnishes her cocktails and the syrups for innovative drinks such as their incredible blueberry basil martini. What truly sets Desiree apart is her genuine connection with guests. She takes the time to get to know you, and remarkably, she'll remember you from your very first visit. This level of personalized service elevates the entire dining experience from wonderful to absolutely extraordinary. If you're seeking an unparalleled Thai culinary adventure paired with some of the most impressive and personalized bar service you'll ever encounter, Merlion Restaurant is an absolute must-visit.

I absolutely love this place. The entire experience was top-notch. Our server, Maze, was very knowledgeable and accommodating. Our food was unique yet comforting. 11/10 - would recommend.

This restaurant is one of the reasons that we were not fearful to move to the south side of town. The Thai food at this restaurant is so authentic and delicious. The food choices on the south side of town are lacking, but this restaurant makes up for the lack of excellent Asian/Thai restaurants. We love sitting in the bar, listening to the music and enjoying some of the excellent Mixology that happens in the cocktail bar.

Exceptional Service and Food - A Five-Star Experience at Merlin I'm writing to share an unforgettable experience my family and I had at Merlin, thanks to the incredible hospitality and dedication of the staff. We had just walked in--hot, tired, and hungry--and were immediately welcomed with warmth. We mentioned we were craving something good, and without hesitation, some great food recommendations were given. I placed my order, asked for a text when it was ready, and stepped out a few blocks away. What happened next blew us away. Knowing we were eager to eat, someone from the restaurant personally delivered our food to us--just to make sure we didn't have to wait hungry. That kind of care and attention is rare.

It's been about five years since my last visit (and let's just say my last review wasn't exactly a favorite). But this time, my daughter and her dad chose this place for our Father's Day dinner, so I went along -- and I'm glad I did. She made a reservation at the bar top, and we were seated promptly. Waters came out right away, drinks were ordered quickly, and the cocktails were excellent. The bartender was attentive, friendly, and provided great service throughout the evening. The food was just as good as I remembered -- flavorful, well-prepared, and presented. I didn't have an issue with the food here my last visit either, and this visit continued that trend. We came on a Saturday and sat in the bar area, which has a more lively, dimly lit atmosphere with music to match. If you're looking for something quieter and more low-key, the dining room might be a better fit. All in all, my visit exceeded expectations and made for a really enjoyable evening. A solid reminder that second impressions can be great ones.

A coworker highly recommended this place, so we decided to give it a try. Walking in, the restaurant looked nice, and the crowd made it seem promising. We started with drinks--sake (only cold was available) and a ginger ale--along with the soft shell crab, Thai salad, and Tom Yum soup. Our food arrived almost immediately, but our drinks took much longer. The waiter stopped by twice to say she would bring them, and by the time our ginger ale finally arrived, we were already halfway through our meal. The sake took even longer, and we had to ask about it again after finishing our food. Unfortunately, the flavors didn't live up to expectations. The Tom Yum soup was bland and lacked depth, and the Thai salad was underwhelming. The only standout dish was the soft shell crab. With the slow service and disappointing flavors, we decided not to order anything else. Overall, it wasn't the experience we had hoped for. We canceled the sake and left with a bad taste. We ended up at Nam Thai Kemah because the flavor never disappoints and the service is much better.

The food was soooo goood and flavorful! we started off with a hot honey (TOO spicy, do listen to waitresses warning) & papaya alcoholic drinks with dragon fire dumplings that had SO much flavor. got the panag curry with lamb chop & the pad med mammu. wok they were packed with flavor! i highly recommend, wish i would have got my waitresses name she was a doll.

SUCH a surprising find & hidden gem! I wasn't expecting much, but I really can't wait to come back. - Easy parking. Plenty of lot to park anywhere - Outside, it looks like a casual Galveston beach house on stilts. Inside, it looks like a fun, lowkey bar. Even more inside, is like a boutique fine dining restaurant. Be mindful of dress code. - However, this is the BEST Thai curry I've ever had. I ordered the signature Peanut curry and it was CHEF'S KISS! Portions are generous. We had leftovers to take home. Pad thai was also good, but I'd come back again and again just for that peanut curry. A 2 out of 5 spice was actually pretty hot too. - Service was personable. For my birthday, they had rose petals and little happy birthday confetti near the lamp. They also give you a free Bundtlet from Nothing Bundt Cakes (my favorite), with a candle, which was so sweet and unexpected. 5/5 for everything. I will be coming back!!!

Corn cakes, Espresso martinis, and the fried rice with the filet is chefs kiss. Will be back.

Merlion is my favorite Thai place and special occasion place and really, just one of my favorite restaurants in Houston. They have a fantastic bar, list of cocktails, the entire menu is out of this world, and I just love the staff. They have dining outside, at the bar, in a romantic dining room (subdued lighting) and in what I call their Cape Cod dining room (gorgeous but brighter). Favorites include the dragon fire dumplings, the curry mussels, and both the Tom Kha and Tom Yum soups to start, then the Panang, Kang Keo Wan, Peanut, Pineapple, and Raad Prick curries, the basil or ginger or veggie stir fry with Lamb Chops or mix shrimp and crawfish, or the Pad Thai. Redemption or Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned is my go to, but the espresso or lemon drop martinis and wine list are too. Enjoy!

This is one of the best Thai restaurants in Houston hands-down. And we are lucky enough to have it on the south side of town. The food, the atmosphere and the service are all excellent every time. We have had multiple things on the menu and they are all delicious. We eat out frequently and this place is definitely one of our favorites.

This is my most favorite place to have date night. The food is amazing and the drinks are even better.

Since visiting Merlion for a family member's birthday years ago, this has now been my #1 choice for my own birthday dinner every year for the past 3 years. The staff is excellent and knowledgeable. The food is even better. I always get chicken Pad Thai, and I cant help but have a couple bites of whatever else I can try around me. I've literally never had anything I did not like. This is one of the few places that offers a dairy free dessert and it's probably my favorite dessert dish of all time (mango coconut sticky rice). I'm always excited to come by Merlion because I know I will have a great time and enjoy some of the best food I've ever had.

My husband and I have dined at this restaurant more times than we can count and it is always delicious. Pedro gives us his food recommendations and the dishes hit every single time. Bernice always makes us feel welcomed she is the best. We love to sit at the bar when we come. It's a great vibe! Every time we think about trying a new Thai spot we always end up back at Merlion!

Ambience is excellent. The food is terrific, quality, and a level up from most Thai. Service was great. It is more expensive than the average Thai restaurant but worth it.

Food was fabulous, and our waiter Bryan was a joy. We had the chefs special and it was terrific. Bryan took great care of us. Great time. We will be back soon.

I ordered the Panang Curry with a shellfish mix. Very delicious, rich, kind of sweet and herby. The gravy held a lot of the excitement and was very good. I requested level 3/5 for some heat without it being too hot to savor the aromas. The scallops were very tender and tasty. The jumbo shrimp had a little bite to them, while the crawfish were just tiny n good. Very generous in amount and about the same price as getting just one shellfish option. I hate both the taste and texture of avocado which it had, but eat them bc of their nutritional benefits last night and 4 times a week in general. The sauce helped improve it. The bamboo shoots were well-cooked and added a tad of crunch. The little bit of cilantro was wonderful in the curry. Great, friendly service. The Panang Curry, Raad Prick Red Curry and Kao Pad (Fried Rice) are my favorites to order here. Great desserts as well, like the chocolate eruption cake to name one. Some guy next to me had the Peanut Curry which looked very good and will try that dish next time.

Food: 5 Service: 4 Ambiance: 5 Food- This is the holy grail of Thai food. It's not like most other Thai restaurants, and only features a few staples of Thai cuisine, but absolutely blows you away with all their dishes. Pad Thai has never been my favorite dish, but I always seem to find myself eating it here. The Ahi Tuna is my absolute favorite, and the Kao Pad is one of the best fried rice dishes I've had. Absolutely worth the expensive price tag Service- A fault I've seen in this restaurant is how slow it takes for the food to come out. Now, if this is because the restaurant makes it fresh, I'm all for it. Just be weary of it. The staff is all very accommodating, though, and never miss a beat. Ambiance- This place is not exactly designed kid friendly, but its modern club bar aesthetic is definitely appreciated. The table design is fanciful, and overall provides a playful yet elegant atmosphere. There are few restaurants with food this good. Most expensive dining experiences are just that: experiences where the food quality doesn't match the showmanship (think caviar or hibachi). Merlion is a must-go place, and I couldn't recommend it enough.

If you're looking to bring a baby or toddler, they do not provide high chairs, and they will look at you crazy for asking for one. After walking out, we ended up at Tommy's and had a great experience. This place should humble itself with its staff and owner. The owner can respond but that's wild.

Wow! I tend to be a harsh critic so when I say this was one of the best meals I have ever had in my life, that does not come lightly We made our reservation in advanced and marked it as a date night. We were sat in the main dining room, near a window with flower petals on the table. The walls had a luxurious yet whimsical fairy velvet flocked wallpaper and there are artworks on the opposite side We splurged for the chefs table and it was phenomenal! We had an asparagus and crab appetizer with a flavorful sauce. A steak and goat cheese salad and a papaya salad with shrimp. The star of the show was the crab bisque with huge chunks of lump crab. We had red curry with lamb and a seafood medley in a basil sauce. Finished up with mango sticky rice that a perfect compliment to the meal.

Giving honest review here.. the food amongst all things were very flavorful. The appetizers that our large party shared were good. Corn cakes were nothing special though just a hush puppy with corn inside. I ordered the Fried Rice with scallops shrimp and it was absolutely delicious. The only negative take away was the prices for the food. My bill for 2 glasses of wine fried rice and corn cakes was over $100. I wasn't happy with that and the added gratuity. The service took alittle longer than we expected. Our reservation was set for 6:30... food arrived around 8:30, and after the bills were all paid we finally left around 10:15.

Okay, let me start off by saying the food here is phenomenal, it never disappoints. It comes out with great presentation and hot. The ambiance is cute too, it's got a bar area that feels very casual yet upscale and then the dining area that feels a little more fancy but is casual. My problem tonight was the service. What I mean by that is our server made mistakes from the very beginning... all were still very recoverable until the end. Keep in mind I did expect the place to be busy as it is Valentine's Day and the menu was preset. That being said, there were little things that kept adding up that just continued to irritate me. 1) was sat at the table (for 2 people) as we were sat we were greeted by the server assistant with water and a server that was standing in the corner of the room. This server locked eyes with me and then went the opposite way. (No biggie, she saw we were looking at the wine menu and may have thought we needed time) except she didn't come by the table till 7-10 minutes later. 2) server approaches the table, fails to tell us her name other than she will be taking care of us for the evening and asks what we would care for to drink. My boyfriend orders his drink and I get a Diet Coke. (I asked for recommendations on a mocktail as I am pregnant and cannot in indulge in the same as my boyfriend) she didn't have any recommendations, again, no big deal. 3) still at the table and getting our drink orders, "do you all know what you would like to have for dinner" "you'll order everything now all at once and then I will bring it all out at once" Obviously, I knew what she meant but my boyfriend having never been out on a preset dinner night was worried everything would be at the table at once, I explained the situation to him, having been in the industry for a long time before leaving. 4) after the drinks were dropped and the order was taken... I swear the server was running to Thailand or something because home girl only showed her face to the table 2 maybe 3 times. All other tables around us were receiving service from other servers and the other servers were even keeping up with her table maintenance for us as would put our tables to the side. 5) obviously annoyed by the lack of service, and the lack of checking on us. I finally asked our server when she does come around if they are having to make their own drinks and serve tables she then informs me Yes they are but she wouldn't have it any other way, I kindly told her it was affecting service on the floor. Nothing changed service wise. I did this so that she could at least be more mindful about touching tables or at least our table. 6) finally we ask for the check, and that took about 10 minutes before the Manager came over to table touch and we asked him for the check and let him know that we had asked for it a while ago. If we hadn't asked him she would've forgotten and never come back, because she was already onto something else. To give reference of how long we were there our reservation was set for 7 PM. We got there at 6:40 PM and sat down at the table. We didn't leave until 9:15 PM. I should've said something to the Manager when we were at the restaurant however, I was not looking for a discount or free food. I simply just wanted to leave and get out of there after we had been there for two hours and 15 minutes. Also, like I said, in the beginning, the place is fabulous. The food is great. The service this particular evening was terrible. I will never return on a busy night again.

Food was fair. Martinis $7 at the bar. If you sit 12 feet away at a table you pay 15. I ordered at the bar and still had to pay 15. Never again.

The Thai dishes here are both creative and innovative. The atmosphere is upscale and elegant, and the service is wonderful. I love the Thai Peanut Sauce Curry and the Kang Ped dishes especially. The appetizers are equally amazing, and the staff here make you feel like family. I especially love the touches of elegance; white linen tablecloths, personally lit tables, etched wine glasses, and subdued lighting. It's a true shining star in Seabrook.

Amazing Thai food. Great ambiance. The fried rice is where it's at for me. Flavorful and tons of seafood in it. Every bit had crawfish, shrimp, or scallop in it.

My parents come here at least once a week, so I had to see what all the hype was about and it did not disappoint. Food: 4/5 We stared with the spring rolls and dumplings. The spring rolls were not that good to me. I didn't enjoy their peanut sauce and the flavor had nothing special to them. The dumplings were outstanding!! The flavors were so good and they had slices of avocado on the side which added another delicious flavor. For my main dish, I was basic and ordered Pad Thai. They offer you a spice level 1-5 and I got a .5 lol. The spice level was just right and the food was pretty good. I definitely want to try something different next time. If you want to get any type of drink, I suggest ordering a martini, they have a huge selection to choose from! Service: 5/5 Our server was probably one of the best servers I've had in a long time. He gave us honest answers and taught us a lot about the restaurant. He also was very patient with us when it came to not knowing exactly what we wanted. He also constantly checked up on us. I think his name was Chase, but I could be wrong. Ambiance: 4/5 It dark in the bar area but the sides of the restaurant are cool and they have a ton of art pieces for sale. Cleanliness: 5/5

Wow wow wow! Great date night spot in the dining area. House wine for Hh only 5$ and I tried Thai for the first time. Server was super educated and double checked for my DF and GF issues. Definitely going again to try something else. I picked the first option of the curry list with chicken on lvl 1 but I could handle lvl 3 of my dates plate. Obsessed. I got 3 meals out of it too! Must try!

Food was excellent! I would tread on the side of caution with the spice level. The bar was really cool and I kinda wish I sat there, however, the dining room was nice and quiet. Service was a little slow and my particular server was very knowledgeable about the menu. Great date spot, food was fantastic

Atmosphere is cozy and low light while still decorative as being Asian. The red curry is my favorite

I had my 60th birthday dinner at Merlin. Shay was our server. We had the dumplings, lobster and dragon fire. They were delicious. My husband and son had beef curry and I had the fried rice. Food was great. Atmosphere was great. They even brought me a bundt cake and bottle of wine for my dessert. First time I was given a bottle of wine. Love this place and will be coming back. Loved our server.

Always enjoy their Thai food and the bar servers are great! It's a great atmosphere and the food is delicious just be careful of your spice level Me I enjoy spicy

Love this place , favorite of mine ! Have been going here to celebrate many occasions and it has never disappointed.

Outstanding! Last night, my Boyfriend and I ordered in our Thai Food. Restaurant was super busy as always and our order was misinterpreted. Upon calling and speaking to the Fabulous Owner, Ms. Brooke, all was made well. Thank you so much for the grace and we will be back to dine in soon.

My husband had never had Thai food. Loved his chicken pad Thai. I had shrimp Kao Pad, it was delicious. Level 1 . Please ask about the spicy levels. 1 was a bit spicy but perfect for me. The drinks were delicious. I tried three different ones. All good!

Omg it has been years since I have been here. But this place is still so good the menu did have the old Valentine menu in it and was not honored but the service we had from Maze was amazing!!! I so appreciated he attention to detail and how she worked with my date and his complicated order. (first date) service 10 atmosphere 8 food 9 drinks 9. I will def be back!

Don't waste your time! We arrived for Happy Hour at 5:03 on Friday and they had the whole bar reserved with no signage or notice.

Had my first experience here last night and I was very impressed! The food was delicious! The service was outstanding and the atmosphere was super chill with great music! Big shout out to Liz for handling our girls night with outstanding attention and a great attitude! We will definitely be regulars!

We went for apps and drinks and our food was wonderful! Clay was our bartender and server who recommended a perfect mocktail for me! Great girls date.

We came here for a mother daughter date to celebrate my moms birthday. The service was great. I made a reservation for the dining room the morning of online and it worked great. The food here was delicious. The tofu spring rolls were Thai style and I'm used to Vietnamese style. The peanut sauce had a bit of a kick. Im not usually a curry person but that was the easiest thing to veganize. They were able to make nearly all of the curries vegan and they were awesome. There is a very nice atmosphere for special occasions and this is a nice find for the area!

I have been to this fine restaurant twice and I am about to make a 3rd date the reasons are myriad. Firstly the ambience is quite lovely and with the exception of the noise level is quite pleasurable. Secondly the service is phenomenal as the staff is quite familiar with the menu and are bartenders...hence not only are you able to discuss your food preferences in contrast to the menu and the abundant specials but you are able to adjust your drinks ongoingly. It is difficult for me to continue with a list of assets as they are quite numerous. On the 2 separate occasions I have sampled both the menu and specials and on both occasions have not been disappointed with what I would term 'Thai Fusion' as appetizers and entrees go well beyond traditional Thai food with the exception of spice level which suggests that Thai spice is truly for the brave at heart. Although I eat various cuisines as close to real as is possible in a public dining experience I can assure you that any claim of 'Thai spice' equates to real world. If you want a fine dining experience in the Kemah area this establishment is not to be missed...and to assure your spot I would highly recommend reservations, especially at peak dining periods.

Gosh this place is terrible! We tried it once and figured it takes an hour for entrees as is it a one off. I personally didn't care for the food. It just tasted like burning spice. My grandma came from out of town and is vegan so we decided to go again. Entrees again took over an hour. The waiter even came and asked how everything was, but we hadn't even had our food served yet! This place is very disorganized and the excuse is that everything is made to order. Rice only takes 20 mins max to cook so why does it take an hour! Not only the wait was frustrating twice but the food is terrible. Take note of the 5 star reviews, those customers state they have never eaten Thai food before..

Normally, I love this restaurant. However, last night we went for a birthday celebration and service was very off. We ordered our drinks and after about 10 minutes two drinks were brought in. We were a party of eight. Every so many minutes two more drinks would come, and some of the drinks were the wrong drinks. We hadn't even ordered food yet, but it was very stressful. Wondering if we would even all get our drinks. Then when the food arrived, some of the items were incorrect and cold. This has never happened here before and I don't know what was going on. Our reservation was at seven and it took us until 10 pm to be finished paid and out. On top of that the 20% automatic gratuity was not deserved because of the poor service.

Merlion is one of our favorite restaurants. The service is great and the food is always amazing. Celebrated my 50th birthday there tonight with friends. Everything was wonderful as always. And if you like your food spicy, this is top notch. Their curry is fantastic and fried rice is some of the best. Portions are large for leftovers too which is always a bonus.

5/5 every single time. For starters, the wine list is absolutely incredible. If you need some assistance choosing something, just ask for their sommelier to help. This time around we knew we wanted to try something different. As an appetizer we got the Dragon Fire Dumplings. Don't let the name fool you. They aren't spicy but the flavors are out of this world. Very bright and vibrant, fresh herbs. You can definitely taste the lemongrass. Then, we got the raad prick chefs special. With Panko fried redfish, mussels and scallops. Omg. Get it! We finished off with the pineapple bread pudding which was made from decadent crescents. My husband and I shared everything and had plenty. Take your time here. Enjoy the wine, food, and company. If you don't have a date, treat yourself and sit at the amazing bar while you eat.

Fresh, creative dishes and the service is always on point! Never have I had any negative experiences. Can't wait to visit again! Perfection!

Top shelf Thai. Our salad was absolutely delicious and the drinks were spot on. Service was good. Vibe is cool.

Loved this place! We had our eye out for a while and finally made it in. We made reservations in the Bar area and we loved it we sat at a low table instead of bar stools so it was very comfy. We basically went to try happy hour before committing to a dinner. We had the soft shell crab I love soft shell crab and this was delish! Mussels were very nicely done and also delish! The spring rolls were fresh and divine. This was a birthday celebration and they had rose petals set up and brought out a nice desert! The customer service was quick, witty and outstanding. The dining room is separated from the bar with a door in between, that was a cool idea. Very clean bathrooms!

Order was wrong. I ordered no spice and they made my curry extra spicy. I even told the waitress and they did nothing about it. I had a shirt that showed a little bit of my stomach (I weigh 125 lbs) that was up to my neckline, no v cut nothing and they told me I was not allowed in ... but I could sit at bar. Will not go back. I liked the old place it used to be. I live in montrose and drove in for the good experience I remember and apparently that is long gone... oh and the lady who told me I couldn't come in with my shirt had a tight, open back exposed shirt with a bunch of tattoos. Still paid 200 and gave a decent tip because I can afford your clown show.

Came here for our 11 yr anniversary, first impressions were we loved the intimate feel of the place and I loved that there was a menu dedicated to martinis !!! We ordered the chefs table after a recommendation with a spice level of 4/5 : first course was a shrimp / asparagus dish - good not great , 2nd course was soup - 1 was a bisque , other was a shrimp pho type and it was amazing ! Both were good but I leaned more towards that second one . 3rd was salads : 1 was a beef green type ( did not like it bc I hate goat cheese and it was covered in it ) other was like zoodles with shrimp And it was ok . 4th isn't remembered.. but I was so full by this point . Dessert was the only thing I hated - I watched " Normal " desserts pass all night and we ended up with sticky milk pudding ? It was so gross I couldn't eat it . But admittedly rice pudding type stuff isn't my cup of tea - when our waitress asked I was honest and told her I thought it was inedible and her response was ah that's too bad lol but I guess that's the risk you take with the chefs table . Would definitely recommend this place but probably wouldn't get the chefs table again . Drinks ordered : blueberry basil martini , espresso martini , key lime martini , lemon drop . All good but blueberry was the winner .

We absolutely enjoyed our visit. The ambiance is relaxed yet on the nicer side. The menu is extensive with many interesting dishes to choose from. The bar tenders are great and the selection of spirits is great. We will definitely be back. Staff was attentive and helpful with personal takes on the menu items. We will be back soon.

This is always a great place. The food and atmosphere are amazing. Their happy hour is the bomb!

We love their happy hour drink and menu, but the music is way way way too loud. The base gives us a headache, and it is hard to have a conversation on top of the loud music so everything in there ends up being very, very noisy.!! if they would change the type of music that might help and down a bit! we love going there for food, but it is very difficult to visit with our friends there above the loud music!