Best Thai Restaurants In New York City

New York City is one of the most important culinary hubs in the entire United States. In addition to its endless array of celebrity-driven hotspots and Michelin-starred restaurants, New York City is also home to nearly every kind of global cuisine in existence. Though its famed Chinatown and Chinese takeout is pretty iconic, Thai food has also grown immensely in popularity. From savory noodle dishes to heartwarming soups, Thai food is generally seen as very flavorful, comforting, and delicious.

While there are many meat-forward dishes, Thai cuisine is also very veggie-friendly, making it a wonderful option for vegetarians or plant-based eaters. Whether you're looking for your new favorite hole-in-the-wall spot or you've caught a major craving for Thai takeout, NYC is full of top-notch options. That said, we've rounded up a list of some of the best Thai restaurants in New York City so that you can start planning your next delicious dinner ASAP!

Located in the infamously cool Lower East Side, Wayla is a stylish dine-in and take-out spot for Thai food with a contemporary twist. The stylish interior is complete with dim lighting provided by exposed bulbs, mixed metals, strategically placed plants, and a moody bar area, each element oozing with unique, stylish flare. The outdoor patio is eclectic and inviting, decorated with architecturally stunning chairs, mixed-matched pillows, rugs, and classic New York City exposed brick.

Beyond the visual appeal of Wayla, the menu is full of delicious and entirely unique dishes. Each dish boasts traditional flavors integral to Thai home-style cooking, reimagined in new and exciting ways. For example, the Moo Sarong is a traditional pork meatball wrapped in crispy noodles seasoned with white pepper and sambal chili for an entirely new take on a classic. Pair with a side of perfectly cooked purple butterfly pea-infused sticky rice for an aesthetically pleasing and wildly delicious meal.

Located on the Upper East Side, THEP Thai Restaurant serves a contemporary take on Thai food in a lively, stylish space. The interior dining room features a collection of eclectic hanging lamps and plants throughout the space creating a supremely photographable background to enjoy your meal. A raised bar-style communal table occupies a large portion of the space, adding to the lively, youthful community-oriented vibe of the restaurant. THEP also offers an entirely unique outdoor "cabin dining" experience, allowing guests to dine on the sidewalk in a tiny cabin fitted with heaters, windows, and charming decor.

The quality of food served at THEP is held to the same high standard as the design. Each dish on the menu is carefully crafted to ensure the taste and presentation are perfect every time. One of the biggest menu standouts includes the park mor (peanut dumplings), a visually stunning and incredible tasting appetizer made with pea flowers to achieve the bright color wrapping.

Tong Brooklyn is a dynamic bar meets restaurant located in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Whether you choose to dine at the bartop, in the traditional dining room, or the heated outdoor patio, this funky spot offers friendly service, a full-service bar complete with a signature cocktail list, and a wide variety of both traditional and modern takes on authentic Thai food. The bold, colorful food is rooted in old family recipes, inviting diners to taste the history in each dish.

Take a seat at the bar for Thai-inspired signature cocktails, such as the Relic from the Sun, a spicy and refreshing drink comprised of Thai chili-infused tequila, lychee, Cointreau, Aperol, and lime. Pair with a couple of selections from the Kub Klaem menu, an array of small bites designed to be shared and enjoyed with drinks in a tapas style. Come by on Tuesday during Happy Hour for drink and food specials to enjoy at the bar top.

Somtum Der originally opened in Bangkok, Thailand in 2013, bringing traditional Isan cuisine to the capital. Since then, Somtum Der has found its way to none other than New York City. This chef-driven spot in the Lower East Side now showcases the best, boldest, authentic Isan-style food through a menu featuring an abundance of Thai chilis, lime, palm sugar, and fermented fish sauce. Somtum Der takes pride in serving spicy, traditional preparations that are not watered down for the traditional American palate and instead encourages diners to experience a taste of genuine Northern Thai cooking.

Some menu highlights include the Larb Tod, a doughnut-shaped deep-fried spicy minced pork served with chili, red onion, coriander, peanut, and lime for a perfect balance of spicy, savory, and citrus flavors. The H'orderves Der is another great choice as it offers a sampling of small bites, including 'Nam Sod' Sour Sausage, 'Moo Yor Tod Khon Khaen' Fried Pork Sausage, and 'Sai Krok Isan' Fermented Pork and Rice Sausage, perfect for trying a taste of new cuisine.

Looking for the ultimate handmade noodle spot? PURE Thai Cookhouse in Hell's Kitchen is a genuine shophouse-style restaurant serving some of the most delicious noodles in New York City. Drawing on inspiration from farmlands, floating markets, and fishing villages across different regions of Thailand, the menu at PURE Thai Cookhouse is diverse and inspired.

Start off your meal with the mixed appetizer dish, the perfect way to enjoy a sampling of some of PURE's most popular small bites. This dish comes with two steamed vegetable dumplings, two root vegetable curry puffs, and two vegetable spring rolls and is great to share with the table at the start of your meal. While PURE Thai Cookhouse offers a great variety of entrees, it would be a mistake not to try one of the signature PURE Thai Noodle dishes. Dive into Ratchaburi Crab & Pork Dry Noodles for a milder, more delicate flavor, or enjoy the bold and spicy flavor of the Sukhothai Pork Noodles Soup.

For over twenty years, Amarin Cafe has been serving family-friendly modern Thai food in Brooklyn. The newly renovated dining space features an open kitchen, allowing guests to watch the skilled chefs cook up a wide range of Thai favorites as they dine. Enjoy the sights and smells of the kitchen, where each and every dish, sauce, and beverage is made in-house daily. Every item on the Amarin Cafe Menu is perfectly balanced with the quintessentially Thai combination of sweet, spicy, salty, and bitter flavors.

Amarin Cafe's menu is full of classic Thai favorites such as Pad Thai, Massaman Curry, and other classics guaranteed to satisfy any palate. For those looking to venture into more unique Thai flavors, check out the house specialties like the Seafood Curry Powder, a flavorful combination of sauteed shrimp and squid egg, onion, and warm, rich curry powder served with a side of jasmine rice.

Ayada began its journey by bringing high-quality Thai food to New York City back in 2008. The original Queens location opened up with the mission of bringing authentic yet elevated Thai dishes to the neighborhood with one of the largest populations of Thai people in the greater New York Area. Since then, Ayada's commitment to quality service and big, bold flavors has allowed them to expand into Manhattan, now boasting a location at Chelsea Market in the Meatpacking district, as well as a bar-focused sister restaurant, Ally, that serves a wide array of specialty cocktails along with Ayada's original and seasonal menus.

The menu at Ayada is bursting with options, making it the perfect spot for the pickiest and the most adventurous eaters. Check out the classic peanut-forward Pad Thai, or spice it up with one of the bright and tangy fish dishes like the fried red snapper served in a sour curry. Whichever item you choose, be sure to pair it with one of the incredible signature cocktails designed to enhance the spicy flavors of the Thai menu.

Another Brooklyn neighborhood favorite Top Thai Vintage makes its way onto our best restaurant list. The mission at Top Thai Vintage is to bring together the five major tastes: sweet, sour, salty, spicy, and bitter together harmoniously in a single dining experience. With a menu inspired by classic, authentic Thai favorites that have been adapted and innovated to a more modern taste, Top Thai Vintage serves complex, high-quality, beautifully presented dishes across the board.

Check out the Chef's Special section of the menu for a taste of the restaurant's true standout dishes. For a lighter selection, dive into the Shrimp Clay Pot, a refreshing vermicelli noodle dish steamed in the clay with sauteed shrimp, black pepper, ginger, celery, and napa cabbage. The crisp texture of the noodles and the subtle spice of the sauce compliments the sauteed shrimp perfectly. Alternatively, enjoy the grilled skirt steak in a five-spiced Thai herb sauce for a rich, deep entree experience.