There are several ways to describe delicious food in Thai: Aroy means delicious, while aroy mak takes it a step further to very delicious. But for many who grew up immersed in the culture, the favorite word is zaab (also spelled zabb or zab), a term rooted in the Isan region of northeastern Thailand that conveys a bold, assertive deliciousness, often associated with intense heat. In New York City, diners are currently spoiled for choice when it comes to food that delivers true zaab.
Growing up in a Thai restaurant family means participating in a lifelong tradition: scoping out other Thai restaurants to see what is good. Most summers, families and relatives would close down their establishments for brief periods, road-tripping from South Florida up to New York City to check out local spots and taste Thai restaurants along the way. Through firsthand research, old friends, and family networks, detailed restaurant guides have long helped newcomers find their footing in the city’s vast culinary landscape.
As food lovers continue to eat their way through the city’s Thai restaurants, the options feel remarkably expansive. More and more chefs are serving regional specialties from their hometowns, maintaining Thai food’s great balancing act between spice, acid, salt, sweetness, and umami, while successfully incorporating their own signature flair.
While the city’s established Thai spots, particularly out in Elmhurst, Queens, remain beloved, plenty of the most compelling and exciting bites can be found scattered across various boroughs. There has never been a more thrilling time to experience Thai cuisine in New York City, and these 14 restaurants best embody its current golden era.
The Best Thai Restaurants in NYC
Ayada
7708 Woodside Ave, Elmhurst, NY 11373
Must-order dish: Yen Ta Fo
If you want an overview of the best dishes across Thailand without leaving the city limits, let your first stop in Queens’ Little Thai Town be Ayada. The beloved establishment features familiar favorites like pad thai and tom yum, but its true expertise lies in regional specialties. It serves as an ideal excuse to try dishes like Yen Ta Fo, a distinctive bubblegum-pink soup featuring soft rice noodles and a savory tomato and bean curd sauce.
Ugly Baby
364 Grand Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (Williamsburg)
Must-order dish: Any of the fiery curries on the rotating menu
When news of Ugly Baby’s temporary closure hit local dining circles, it felt to many in the Thai community like losing a family member. Ugly Baby has long stood out as one of the rare spots in the city that refuses to dial back the heat to appease Western palates and milder tolerances. Fortunately, the beloved restaurant made its triumphant return in Williamsburg. It now operates as a lively two-floor restaurant featuring eclectic dishware and recipes hailing from various Thai provinces, including brutally hot curries from Southern Thailand and Northeastern Isan cuisine.
The menu is thoughtfully sorted from least spicy to most spicy, designated playfully as "the laughs" to "the ugly"—with the latter tier containing dishes that make diners feel like they are breathing fire. Fortunately, attentive servers stand by with large jugs of water, ready to offer relief at the first sight of sweat.
Bangkok Supper Club
641 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014 (Meatpacking District)
Must-order dish: Pork jowl
Featuring an award-winning cocktail program by Suwincha "Chacha" Singsuwan and a menu crafted by executive chef Max Wittawat, Bangkok Supper Club makes a convincing case for the arrival of upscale Thai dining in Manhattan. The drinks are just as much of a draw as the food. Diners can begin their meal with a fish sauce cocktail, a savory, umami-forward drink that captures the depth of fish sauce while balancing it with the sweet notes of floral pear. It is an unexpected yet harmonious pairing that accompanies standout dishes like the deep-fried pork jowl served atop fragrant, garlic-baked rice.
Eim Khao Mun Kai
81-32 Broadway, Elmhurst, NY 11373
Must-order dish: Khao mun kai
One of the great joys of eating in Thailand is visiting restaurants and stalls that specialize in a singular dish. Eim Khao Mun Kai embodies that philosophy entirely. Its sole focus is khao mun gai, the Thai interpretation of Hainanese chicken rice, served alongside a spicy, fermented bean sauce. The straightforward set meal includes tender steamed chicken thighs made with halal meat and gizzards, fragrant ginger rice cooked in chicken fat, and a savory broth-based soup made from the bones, accompanied by fresh cilantro, cucumbers, and plenty of sauce. It is a tight, cash-only operation that serves as an essential pilgrimage for anyone seeking authentic comfort food.
SriPraPhai
64-13 39th Ave, Woodside, NY 11373
Must-order dish: Northern-style curry noodles
Since 1990, this Woodside institution has been serving classic, unpretentious dining characterized by wooden accents, white tablecloths, and a sprawling menu. Spanning multiple pages, SriPraPhai allows diners to explore an extensive array of fried meats, vibrant papaya salads, rich curries, and comforting noodle dishes that have earned the restaurant legendary status among local food enthusiasts.
Zaab Zaab
76-04 Woodside Ave, Queens, NY 11373 (Elmhurst) / 208 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (Williamsburg)
Must-order dish: Larb ped udon
With locations in both Elmhurst and Williamsburg, Zaab Zaab specializes in Northeast Isan cuisine, honoring the regional roots of owner Bryan Chunton and chef Aniwat Khotsopa. The restaurant’s signature dish, an herb-packed larb ped udon, features cilantro- and mint-heavy ground duck, fried liver, and crispy skin, served alongside fresh lettuce, cabbage, extra herbs, and sticky rice. For groups, the pla neung manow—steamed fish served in a fiery chili, garlic, and lime sauce—offers a flavor profile so vibrant that individual bowls are provided to enjoy the broth like soup.
Kaew Jao Jorm Thai
800 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (Williamsburg)
Must-order dish: Chor muang appetizer, seafood pad kee mao main
Focusing on 19th-century recipes originating from the royal consort court, Kaew Jao Jorm—named after former King Rama V’s favorite flower—serves a regal menu within an intimate, 20-seat space in Williamsburg. While the exterior blends quietly into the streetscape, the interior delivers an unexpected depth of culinary craftsmanship. The signature butterfly pea flower dumplings, chor muang, filled with a delicate chicken and peanut mixture, serve as an extraordinary starter, while the expertly sauced, butter-soft noodle dishes anchor the main course.
Thai Diner
186 Mott St, New York, NY 10012 (Nolita)
Must-order dish: Thai disco fries
For those looking to showcase the vibrant energy of New York City dining to out-of-town guests, Thai Diner delivers an unforgettable experience. Dishes like crispy, crinkle-cut fries smothered in a peanutty massaman curry sauce highlight a playful approach to cross-cultural comfort food. The restaurant channels a tropical dive bar aesthetic while reimagining classic diner favorites, offering items such as custardy Thai tea babka, French toast, and a signature egg sandwich featuring Isan-style sausage wrapped in plush roti.
Fish Cheeks
55 Bond St, New York, NY 10012 (NoHo) / 661 Driggs Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (Williamsburg)
Must-order dish: Steamed fish with Thai herbs
Specializing in seafood dishes inspired by the bright flavors of southern coastal Thailand, Fish Cheeks is designed for family-style sharing. While the menu includes a handful of poultry, beef, and pork options, the focus rightfully remains on the catch of the day. A whole steamed fish drenched in a cilantro-lime broth serves as a communal centerpiece, encouraging diners to drench their rice in the aromatic liquids, while the coconut crab curry provides rich, creamy depths soaked up best with rice noodles.
LenLen
40 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003 (Flatiron)
Must-order dish: Durian crab curry
Bringing a fresh wave of excitement to the Flatiron midtown dining scene, LenLen offers a menu anchored by bold, uncompromising flavors. The standout durian crab curry presents an earthy, fruity complexity that defines the kitchen’s creative scope. Dinners are further complemented by wagyu beef boat noodles served in a dark, rich broth reminiscent of traditional preparations in Ayutthaya, the historic birthplace of the dish.
Ler Lers
417 Tompkins Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216 (Bed-Stuy)
Must-order dish: Pad Thai with crispy pork belly
Located in Bed-Stuy, Ler Lers specializes in classic Bangkok-style fare served within a stylish, warm interior featuring rattan and earthy tones. While traditional pad thai can sometimes be overshadowed by the broader range of Thai cuisine, the version here topped with crispy pork belly has earned a dedicated following. The menu rounds out with familiar favorites including fried meats, fragrant fried rice, and a tamarind-glazed branzino.
Hommali
28 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014 (West Village)
Must-order dish: Panang curry beef cheek
A newcomer to the West Village restaurant scene, Hommali pairs a design-forward interior featuring sage green tiles and oak accents with a menu curated by Bangkok-native Chattchakorn "Benz" Khajornchaisan, formerly of Eleven Madison Park. Spice levels here are steadfast, resulting in fiery offerings like prik larb beef tartare with crispy tripe chips, and a Five Spice dry-aged duck cooked in duck drippings. The panang curry featuring tender beef cheek, best paired with an order of flaky roti, stands as a premier menu selection.
Soothr
204 E 13th St, New York, NY 10003 (East Village) / 25-20 43rd Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101
Must-order dish: Sukhothai-style tom yum noodle soup
Specializing in noodle traditions gathered from all across Thailand, Soothr places its soup noodles front and center. The Sukhothai-style tom yum noodle soup captures the essence of regional noodle culture through a deeply savory and acidic broth loaded with bouncy fish cakes, meatballs, and rice noodles. A newer location in Long Island City brings the same culinary focus to a nightlife-oriented neighborhood setting.
Kru
90 N 14 St, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (Williamsburg)
Must-order dish: Lamb massaman curry pot pie
Named after the Thai word for "mentor," chef Ohm Suansilphong honors the teachers in his life through Kru, where historical Thai culinary traditions are reinterpreted through a contemporary lens. The menu features creative dishes such as a crispy massaman curry pot pie filled with slow-cooked jackfruit and tender lamb, alongside tamarind-chili glazed calamari. Seasonal creations are anchored by classic bites like Ma Hor—a savory mixture of seasoned meat served atop fresh fruit designed to awaken the palate—complemented by a thoughtful, award-winning wine program that completes the dining experience.
