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Where to Get Thai Food in Detroit

You might think about Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City when you think about the tastiest Thai restaurants in the U.S.

thai restaurants in detroit cooks kao ka moo

But did you know that you can find over a dozen incredible Thai restaurants in Detroit, Michigan?

Detroit is an incredible city with a lot to offer in terms of music, sports, entertainment, nightlife, art, and history.

And like many bigger cities, it has its fair share of restaurants created or inspired by its ethnically diverse population.

In this article, I’ll focus on the best Thai restaurants in Detroit, so if you’re craving tom yam soup, pad thai, or green curry, you’ll know exactly where to go.


Go! Sy Thai

Multiple locations
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Go! Sy Thai has a couple of locations in Detroit, but I go to the one on Griswold St near Campus Martius Park.

This counter-serve restaurant is casual yet hip, offering a well-lit space with bright red chairs and a bright blue wall.

You can get all the classic Thai eats here, like basil fried rice, drunken noodles, and vegan curry.

Those three are my favorites, but you’ll likely feel pleased with anything you get here.

Although it’s a lovely space, they offer takeout, and you can order online, which is convenient.


Orchid Thai Restaurant

115 Monroe St, Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: 313-962-0225
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Orchid Thai is a popular Thai spot in the heart of Downtown Detroit, across the street from the Monroe Street Drive-In theater.

I love this casual restaurant because of its relaxing vibe and excellent location, but also because of its huge portion sizes.

It’s nice to go with a group of friends, order just a few things off the menu, and split it all family-style.

They operate with a spice scale so you can get the exact spice level you love — or can tolerate.

I usually go for hot, but if you’ve never been before, start with mild because you can always add more heat!

The sesame chicken, spicy noodle soup, and veggie fried rice are my go-to items here.


Takoi

2520 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216
Phone: 313-855-2864
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Takoi is a more upscale Thai restaurant in Corktown, and it’s one of the most popular places to eat in Detroit.

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The interior is beautiful with an open kitchen concept so you can see your food being made, and there’s also an outdoor patio perfect for warmer days or evenings.

If you’re used to Thai food but want to try something new, this is the place to go because the menu is ever-changing and features seasonal ingredients.

There is also a fusion element, tying in flavors from various parts of the globe.

Some of my favorite dishes here have included the Khao Soi, fried spare ribs, and green papaya salad.


Bai Mai Thai

1541 E Lafayette St, Detroit, MI 48207
Phone: 313-567-8424

Bai Mai Thai is a casual restaurant in a strip mall in Eastern Market, and it’s one of my favorite Thai places to go for takeout.

I love their curries, and their pad thai curry, in particular, is my favorite.

It’s packed with veggies, chicken, and noodles which leaves me full and happy.

I also love their massaman curry, green curry, drunken noodles with shrimp, and virtually all of their fried rice dishes.

Bai Mai Thai is also excellent for spice-lovers, as their food is generally quite spicy, even when you don’t ask for it.

And they’re always happy to add extra spice for no charge.


Bangkok 96 Street Food

474 Peterboro St, Detroit, MI 48201
Phone: 313-979-1601
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Bangkok 96 is a quaint, straightforward, counter-serve Thai eatery serving quick meals that are perfect if you’re on the run.

I like stopping by this restaurant in the Cass Corridor area near Midtown after running errands for the day.

The best items to pick up, in my opinion, include chicken pad thai, pork dumplings, and papaya salad.

They also have some Vietnamese options like pho and boba tea, but my advice is to stick with the Thai menu here.


Bangkok Cuisine

Multiple locations
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Bangkok Cuisine is a casual Thai restaurant chain with several locations throughout the Detroit area.

I usually go to the one in Sterling Heights, as it’s closest to downtown.

I love their lunch specials, which are served until 3 pm and are a great value.

You can get an entree, appetizer, soup, and salad for around 10 dollars.

If you go, do not go right at 12 during the lunch rush, or you will surely have to wait a while to get seated or get your food.

If you’re willing to wait, you’ll be rewarded with a huge meal, regardless of what you get.

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I love Bangkok Cuisine’s drunken noodles, hot and sour soup, and shrimp pad thai.


Pi’s Thai Cuisine

24940 John R Rd, Hazel Park, MI 48030
Phone: 248-545-4070
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Pi’s Thai Cuisine offers an unassuming yet cozy, straightforward space between Hazel Park and Madison Heights, near the Madison Park Family Bowling Center.

They have a wider range of traditional dishes than many other Thai spots around the city.

You can order tasty tom yam soup, phat king, chicken larb, and even crab rangoon to start.

But what they’re perhaps most well-known for is their spicy curry and noodle dishes.

Pi’s Thai Cuisine knows how to turn up the heat, so if you’re not a big fan of spice, this might be an option you want to pass on.


May’s Bangkok Express

254 W Nine Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220
Phone: 248-545-3929
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Right near the popular Detroit Zoo, you’ll find May’s Bangkok Express, a no-frills, family-owned business that runs three generations deep.

The staff is always super friendly, making it a pleasure to walk in.

And what’s even more enjoyable is knowing I’m about to eat from one of the best Thai restaurants in Detroit!

There is nothing bad about the food here by any means, so you can choose based on what you typically prefer.

However, if you want some guidance, I recommend starting with their fried bean curd.

After that, on to their red shrimp curry, and splitting the broccoli beef pad kana with whoever you’re eating with.


Bangkok Cafe

323 W Nine Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220
Phone: 248-548-5373

If you’re looking for a go-to Thai restaurant with all of the classic dishes your heart desires, look no further than Bangkok Cafe.

This restaurant is very close to May’s, mentioned above, so you’ll have two great options if you’re in the Royal Oak area.

The pad prik king is my favorite dish, and I get it with both shrimp and chicken.

I also add garlic and cashews for extra flavor and more dynamic consistency.

It has a lemony, sugary, savory, and spicy taste, which truly leaves a mark on your taste buds.

I also recommend starting with their hot and sour soup, as it’s one of the best hot and sour soups I’ve had in the whole city.

If you’re not into soup, or are visiting the restaurant on a hot summer day, start with Siam chicken wings or spring rolls instead.

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House of Pad Thai

903 Wyandotte St E, Windsor, ON N9A 3K1
Phone: 519-252-8424
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House of Pad Thai is a compact, casual, thoughtfully-designed Thai eatery on the Canadian side of the Detroit River, right on the other side of Downtown Detroit.

If you’re a fan of peanut-flavored dishes, you’ll be in for a treat here.

I think their peanut curry, pad thai, and peanut-flavored rice dishes are all incredible.

And if you don’t choose a dish with peanuts, simply ask for a side of their peanut sauce to incorporate it into your dish somehow — you won’t regret it!

Also, I love their mango rolls because it offers a fresh and unique take on the standard spring rolls you’ll find elsewhere.


Thai Garden Restaurant

721 E 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220
Phone: 248-542-6860

If you’re looking for a very casual nook of a restaurant serving both traditional and Westernized Thai foods, then Thai Garden Restaurant might be the perfect spot for you.

Located in Ferndale, northeast of Downtown Detroit, this spot offers a range of meals with custom spice levels that will leave you satisfied.

Be sure to try their pad see ew, as it’s my favorite dish.

The pad kee mao (drunken noodles) are also super tasty, with the stickiness and sweetness I love about those noodles and the perfect amount of basil.

I also love that Thai Garden gives you a complimentary soup just for dining in!

So yes, takeout is appealing, but I always try to make time to dine at Thai Garden.


Siam Cuisine

7223 E 9 Mile Rd, Warren, MI 48091
Phone: 586-759-4830

Siam Cuisine is a casual eatery in Center Line that’s perfect for a large lunch.

It has some of the best Thai-style fried rice in the area, as well as a chicken curry noodle that is incredible.

I try to avoid getting pad thai at Thai restaurants because it is so “basic,” but I have to admit that pad thai is one of my favorite things to order at Siam Cuisine.

Especially when I want a guaranteed good fast meal.


Saab Sis Thai

515 south Lafayette 514 Parking ramp across street, Royal Oak, MI 48067
Phone: 248-543-7210
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Saab Sis Thai is an intimate, trendy restaurant with fantastic pad see ew, pad kee mao, and red curry.

You can find this restaurant in the Royal Oak area of Detroit, near Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle.

I am a fan of this comedy club, so I recommend having to go to dinner at Saab Sis and then heading there thereafter for a night of laughs.

In my opinion, that plan would make for an excellent night in Detroit!


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Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Quora, Google Guide and Facebook.