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Long gone are the days where authentic Thai food required an excursion to Queens. New York City now has a plethora of Thai restaurants across all boroughs, including in neighborhoods as diverse as Woodside, Elmhurst, Ditmas Park, and Red Hook. There is so much more to Thai cuisine than your pad thai on seamless, and exploring the diversity of southeast Asian cuisine has never been more accessible. From street food favorites, adventurous eats to upscale interpretations of Thailand classics, here are New York’s top 5 destination-worthy Thai restaurants:
5. Somtum Der – the New York outpost of the Bangkok eatery named after the signature dish of Som Tum, i.e. the traditional green papaya salad, here made in no less than 8 variations! Located in a sleek minimalist space in Alphabet City and a more recent location in Brooklyn, Somtum Der is the East Village and Red Hook go-to for northern-Thai food, and more specifically for authentic Isan-style cuisine. Plates are made to be shared and portions are relatively small, so order big and mix it up: get at least one version of the papaya salad of course, grilled meats, soups… and make sure to let the kitchen know your spice preference (many dishes are authentically high on the spectrum). Open daily from noon for lunch and dinner.
www.somtumdernewyork.com
4. Ugly Baby – There’s nothing ugly about this baby, except for maybe the heart burn inflicted by this Thai feast. Tucked away on a quiet stretch of Carroll Gardens’ Smith Street, Ugly Baby is definitely one of the best Thai restaurants in NYC – considering you’re some sort of spice masochist. Yes, Ugly Baby is authentically Thai-spicy. The single-page menu is a regional selection of dishes drawn from all over Thailand, some of which you probably have never heard of. So if you’re into self-inflicted spice pain, you will absolutely love the deliciously complex dishes of Ugly Baby. If you’re the “mai pet” Thai eater (I learned the hard way to always remember those two words during my Thailand trips – and “not spicy” still means spicy fyi), then this isn’t the place for you, especially since they refuse to compromise dishes by adjusting spice levels. Eye-tearing and perspiration aside, the food is great. The restaurant is small and colorful, and has an interesting beer and wine list to thoughtfully pair with the cuisine’s complex flavor palette. Open Thurs-Tues for dinner and for weekend brunch.
Closed on Wednesdays
Ugly Baby’s Laab Ped Udon – spicy Udon Thani’s duck salad
tripexpert.com
3. SriPraPhai – New Yorkers have been making the pilgrimage to this Queens staple for authentic Thai food for over two decades. Located in Woodside, this destination eatery has come a long way since its early hole-in-the-wall days. What started out as a small Thai bakery in Queens has become a crazy popular, full-blown restaurant with a large dining space and an exotic patio, where you will almost-always have to wait for a table. SpriPraPhai‘s thick, lengthy menu features dishes from all over Thailand, from the northern khao soi (always my favorite), to Isan cuisine, to southern seafood curries – all for unbeatable prices. The trek to this no-frills, holy grail of New York Thai food is worth it. Come with a big group, grab a number, wait outside, order big and eat even bigger – and pack some Tums! Closed Wednesdays, open from 11:30am to 9:30pm the rest of the week.
Another Queens Thai mecca is Ayada Thai in Elmhurst
sripraphai.com
Awesome dining room vibes
2. Uncle Boons – I can’t believe I’m not putting this as the No.1 spot to be honest – forgive me Uncle B! Uncle Boons is undoubtedly one of the best Thai restaurants in New York and a true city staple. Uncle Boons was opened in 2013 by husband-and-wife team Ann Redding and Matt Danzer, who brought their Per Se pedigree into their own quaint Nolita eatery, with the simple aim to cook their favorite food (Redding was born in Thailand), and transform the way the average American (or at least New Yorker) thinks about Thai food. Countless rave reviews, a Michelin star and several years later, Uncle Boons is still one of the hottest restaurants in NYC, which means it hasn’t gotten easier to snatch a table. Uncle Boons takes on the best of Northern Thai cuisine with a unique wow factor twist. No pad thai nor massaman curry here, but a menu of a higher caliber that rewards the adventurous eater. Think pig ears, snails, frog legs, blood sausage, sweetbreads… But also beautifully executed “classics” like fried rice, an epic mango salad, curries and a slightly richer version of my beloved khao soi. The only factor that should be taken into account is the level of spiciness and adventure you’re willing to experience. To top off the stellar dining, Uncle Boons has the coolest vibe. It may be more expensive than your average Thai spot, but very fairly-priced for a Michelin-starred restaurant, while remaining a casual, fun dining experience. More about Uncle Boons here. Open daily for dinner only from 5:30pm.
Also the more casual Uncle Boons Sister for take-out or delivery
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MIENG KUM – Betel Leaf Wrap with Ginger, Lime, Toasted Coconut, Dried Shrimp, Chiles & Peanuts
1. Wayla – Wayla has been open for a minute, so how can it hold the top spot as NYC’s best Thai restaurant? Maybe it’s the honeymoon phase, but Wayla is wow-la! My pun game might be questionable, but the wow-factor at Wayla is definitely not. Uncle Boons finally has some serious competition, just a few blocks away! In fact, they kind of share a similar fun and cool vibe. Located in a basement storefront on Forsyth Street, Wayla‘s unassuming entrance will lead you to a lively bar, 2 narrow dining rooms, and most unexpectedly, a super cute stylish patio to be enjoyed on warmer months. The whole place feels like a hidden oasis. As for the Thai fare, there are a few small hit or misses, but the standouts will have your taste buds go crazy. Chef Tom Naumsuwan was born and raised in Bangkok, and sure knows how to serve fresh homestyle Thai food inspired by the market street food. The cuisine is traditional with a very unique, elevated twist (think noodle-wrapped meatballs and a rendition of pad thai but with massive lobster chunks). Dishes are beautifully plated, portions are very generous and served quickly (the service is outstandingly attentive and friendly) and the flavor profile is incredible. Moo Sarong meatballs and Sen Chan Pad lobster noodles aside, other absolute must-orders include the crab fried rice and Larb Pla Tod, a deep-fried whole branzino that will blow your mind. The menu may seem pricey at first glance, but considering the quality, service and portions, it’s more than fair. “Wayla” means “time” in Thai, and you’ll want to spend a whole lot of it in this Lower East Side gem. Reservations are a must. Open daily for dinner from 5pm and for weekend brunch.
Also Little Wayla for Mon- Fri lunch from 11am-4pm
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All the MUSTS: lobster pad thai ($36), lump crab fried rice ($19) and whole deep-fried branzino ($29)
Amazing papaya salad to start ($12)
ALMOST MADE THE CUT:
PIG AND KHAO – Not strictly Thai but a mix with Filipino-influenced cuisine. Great LES joint with a cool vibe, a pig-centric menu and a backyard seating year-round. www.pigandkhao.com
FISH CHEEKS – This Noho gem is a Thai seafood-focused restaurant with a lively bar scene, a buzzy vibe & highly raved zabb chicken wings
THAI VILLA – a Union Square (and Seamless) Thai fave in a gorgeous lavish space
PURE THAI COOKHOUSE – small Hell’s Kitchen gem that has been a long-time favorite for Thai classics, especially their homemade noodles!
