The Little Whale

Reviews

• Candice B.

  star star star star star_border 20 June 2026

  The restaurant is a rather... unique establishment in Millbrae.  I've known it for a while but avoided visiting because I couldn't figure out what exactly it was, and there never seems to be more than a couple of tables of patrons during meal time.
  
  Then I gave it a try... and fell in love!
  
  Okay, it's still odd to me that a restaurant would be hybrid between Thai and Italian, two awesome cuisines that seem to have zero overlap.  They've got two separate menus here.  The décor also has some exotic Thai elements alongside what I would characterize as casual family-friendly American restaurant elements.
  
  The confusion aside, we were seated by the nicest waitress.  We ordered pad thai, pandang beef, calamari, fish & chips, and some sort of white pasta (alfredo maybe).  Surely none of us had ever seen such a combination on the same table before, but we were each happy with what we got.
  
  It isn't the most delicious Italian food or the most authentic Thai cuisine (for full disclosure, next time I'd probably go with the Italian), but it's an economical, comforting, and outstandingly friendly local dining option.  Now that I've given it a try I'm so glad we have the Little Whale in downtown Millbrae!

• Kyle H.

  star star star star star 12 June 2026

  Came here on 9/23/18, at around 5pmish. I have always walked by this place, and never went inside. But today, I have decided to check it out. Immediately after walking in, the waitress told me I could have my pick of where I want to sit, near the sun or not in the sun. I ordered a garlic trout fettuccine with lobster sauce. The flavor was pretty great, and the lobster sauce made the item, a lot less "heavy filling" than if the fettuccine had cheese in it. The item also came with soup; I chose clam chowder. They give you bread as well in the beginning, with butter. The waitress was attentive, helpful, asked if I wanted more bread, if items were okay, etc. I even heard her having more personal convos with the other customers that shortly walked in afterwards. Will definitely be back some time to try their different items.
  
  Parking is fairly easy; usually there are open spots right outside behind Walgreens and the Little Caesars there.

• Tim P.

  star star star star star 4 June 2026

  We've been coming here for years. Tina and crew prepare amazing seafood, steak and Thai dinners. There is always a pleasant atmosphere where all who enter are greeted like old friends- and many are. We recommend the Ginger Salmon for the entreé and the samosas are the best appetizers!

• Joon P.

  star star star star star 1 June 2026

  Very old school establishment in Millbrae.  Tons of regulars come here.  Good food.  And cozy atmosphere.

• Joe F.

  star star star star star 31 May 2026

  Great traditional Thai cuisine
  Excellent service
  Penang Beef is my favorite
  Fish chips are good too
  French bread is soo good
  Thai Ice tea is addictive!
  Great local choice and reasonable also