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—a term rooted in the Isan region of northeastern Thailand that conveys a bold, fiery 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 cherished generational hobby: scoping out other Thai restaurants to see what is good. Most summers, families in the industry would close down their establishments for a couple of weeks to take road trips up the coast, checking out local spots and tasting Thai food along the way. Through firsthand research, long-standing connections, and deep culinary exploration, detailed restaurant guides have long been passed down to help newcomers find their footing in the city’s vast dining landscape.
As food lovers continue to eat their way through New York City’s diverse neighborhoods, the options remain exceptionally rich. More and more chefs are stepping away from homogenized menus to serve authentic regional specialties from their hometowns. In doing so, they maintain Thai food’s delicate, legendary balancing act between spice, acid, salt, sweetness, and umami, while masterfully incorporating their own signature flair.
While the city’s established Thai culinary hubs, particularly out in Elmhurst, Queens, remain deeply beloved, plenty of the most compelling and exciting bites can now be found scattered across various boroughs. There has truly never been a more dynamic time to experience Thai food in New York City, and a select group of restaurants best embodies this golden era of regional discovery.
Ayada
7708 Woodside Ave, Elmhurst, NY 11373
Must-order dish: Yen Ta Fo
For those wanting a comprehensive overview of the best dishes across Thailand without leaving the five boroughs, the first stop in Queens’ Little Thai Town should be Ayada. The long-beloved institution certainly features familiar favorites like pad thai and tom yum, but its true value lies in its deep expertise in regional specialties. Among the standouts is Yen Ta Fo, a striking bubblegum-pink soup featuring soft rice noodles bathed in 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 community chat groups, the reaction among Thai food enthusiasts carried the weight of profound loss. Ugly Baby has long stood out as one of the rare culinary destinations in the United States that refuses to tone down its heat levels to appease Western palates or milder tolerances. Fortunately, the beloved establishment returned with a triumphant reopening in Williamsburg. It now operates as a lively, two-floor restaurant featuring eclectic dishware and deeply authentic recipes from various Thai provinces, including brutally hot curries from Southern Thailand and fiery Northeastern Isan cuisine.
The menu is thoughtfully organized from least spicy to most spicy—categorized playfully from "the laughs" to "the ugly," the latter of which consists of dishes that will genuinely make diners feel as though they are breathing fire. Fortunately, attentive servers stand ready with large jugs of water, prepared to refill glasses at the first sign of beads forming on a diner’s forehead.
Bangkok Supper Club
641 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014 (Meatpacking District)
Must-order dish: Pork jowl
Anchored by an award-winning cocktail program by Suwincha "Chacha" Singsuwan and a sophisticated menu crafted by executive chef Max Wittawat, Bangkok Supper Club makes a remarkably convincing case for the arrival of upscale Thai dining in Manhattan. The beverage pairings are just as much of a draw as the food. Diners often start their meals with a unique fish sauce cocktail—a savory, umami-forward drink that captures the complex depth of fish sauce while balancing it with the sweet, floral notes of pear. It is an unexpected yet harmonious accompaniment to the kitchen’s signature deep-fried pork cheeks, which arrive resting atop fragrant, garlic-baked rice.
Eim Khao Mun Kai
81-32 Broadway, Elmhurst, NY 11373
Must-order dish: Khao mun kai
One of the greatest joys of eating in Thailand is visiting specialized stalls and restaurants that focus entirely on a single dish, a testament to culinary mastery. Eim Khao Mun Kai brings that exact philosophy to Queens. Its singular focus is khao mun gai, the Thai interpretation of Hainanese chicken rice, served alongside a pungent, spicy fermented bean sauce.
The straightforward set meal includes tender steamed halal chicken thighs and gizzards, aromatic ginger rice cooked in rendered chicken drippings, and a deeply savory broth-based soup made from the bones. Accompanied by fresh cilantro, cucumber, and ample sauce, this tight, cash-only operation remains a foundational pilgrimage for dedicated food enthusiasts.
SriPraPhai
64-13 39th Ave, Woodside, NY 11377
Must-order dish: Northern-style curry noodles
Operating since 1990, this storied institution has long defined classic Queens dining with its warm hospitality, traditional wooden accents, white tablecloths, and a sprawling, multi-page menu. SriPraPhai remains an essential destination for anyone looking to explore an extensive spread of fried meats, vibrant papaya salads, rich curries, and comforting noodle preparations.
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, larb ped udon, is an herb-packed creation featuring ground duck mixed with fried liver and crispy skin, heavily fragranced with cilantro and mint. It is served alongside fresh lettuce, cabbage, extra herbs, and sticky rice. For larger groups, the pla neung manow—a fish steamed in a sharp chili, garlic, and lime broth—is a must-order, so flavorful that separate bowls are provided to enjoy the remaining liquid like a soup.
Kaew Jao Jorm Thai
800 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (Williamsburg)
Must-order dish: Chor muang appetizer, seafood pad kea mao main
Focusing on 19th-century recipes from the royal consort court, Kaew Jao Jorm—named after former King Rama V’s favorite flower—serves a remarkably regal menu within an intimate, 20-seat dining room in Williamsburg. Though the exterior blends quietly into the streetscape, the interior delivers an astonishing breadth of culinary execution. The signature chor muang dumplings feature a delicate, butterfly pea flower-tinted dough encasing a savory chicken and peanut filling, while the noodle dishes offer slurpable, expertly sauced comfort.
Thai Diner
186 Mott St, New York, NY 10012 (Nolita)
Must-order dish: Thai disco fries
For an energetic atmosphere that showcases the vibrant spirit of New York City dining, Thai Diner reimagines classic American diner culture through a distinctly Thai lens. The beloved Thai Disco Fries—crispy crinkle-cut fries smothered in a rich, peanutty massaman curry sauce—anchor a menu that also features custardy Thai tea babka, French toast, and a signature egg sandwich built with Isan-style sausage wrapped in plush roti. Co-owners Ann Redding and Matt Danzer continue to expand their footprint in the neighborhood, offering diners multiple ways to experience their inventive cooking.
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 the bright, assertive flavors of southern coastal Thailand, Fish Cheeks champions a family-style dining format. While the menu offers a few meat options, the kitchen’s true strength lies in its seafood. Sharing a whole steamed fish drenched in a fiery cilantro-lime broth or indulging in the rich coconut crab curry served with rice noodles highlights the communal joy of the meal.
LenLen
40 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003 (Flatiron)
Must-order dish: Durian crab curry
Bringing a fresh, contemporary energy to the Midtown dining scene, LenLen has quickly established itself as a standout destination in the Flatiron district. The menu balances crowd-pleasing items with bolder, challenging flavors, most notably the earthy and complex durian crab curry. Diners also frequently gravitate toward the wagyu beef boat noodles, which feature a rich, dark broth reminiscent of traditional preparations found in Ayutthaya.
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 offers classic Bangkok-style fare within a warm, stylish setting defined by rattan accents and earthy tones. While traditional pad thai can sometimes be overshadowed by the broader diversity of Thai cuisine, the version here—topped with exceptional crispy pork belly—has earned a fierce reputation among local diners, alongside a menu filled with reliable grilled meats and tamarind-glazed branzino.
Hommali
28 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014 (West Village)
Must-order dish: Panang curry beef cheek
Bringing serious culinary pedigree to the West Village with a menu curated by Bangkok native Chattchakorn "Benz" Khajornchaisan, Hommali operates inside a design-forward space featuring sage green tiles and warm oak accents. The kitchen does not adjust spice levels, ensuring dishes like the northern-spiced prik larb beef tartare deliver an authentic kick. The standout panang curry featuring tender beef cheek, best paired with an order of flaky roti, anchors a meal that is equally matched by an expansive, inventive cocktail program.
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 dishes sourced from across Thailand, Soothr has become a staple for comforting, deeply aromatic broths. While the stir-fried selections satisfy, the soup noodles remain the primary draw. The Sukhothai-style tom yum noodle soup encapsulates the pinnacle of the genre, pairing a deeply savory and acidic broth with bouncy fish cakes, meatballs, and rice noodles, particularly at its vibrant Long Island City location.
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’s Williamsburg restaurant honors the teachers of his culinary journey by reinterpreting Thailand’s vast historical repertoire through a contemporary lens. Seasonal dishes range from a slow-cooked jackfruit and lamb massaman curry pot pie to tamarind-glazed calamari. Beginning a meal with Ma Hor—a savory bite of seasoned meat served over fresh fruit—prepares the palate for a deeply thoughtful dining experience supported by an equally accomplished wine program.
