Brian Nagele
Boston is a global city with a diverse cultural and intellectual population due to its world-class universities.
Cultural diversity means a wealth of cultural attractions like museums, concert halls, and theaters lining historic cobblestone streets.
Cultural diversity also means an authentic restaurant scene with various culinary traditions represented.
Boston may be known for its Irish population, but there are as many Thai restaurants as there are pubs.
I wandered the streets of Boston and found Thai restaurants in neighborhoods around town, from Cambridge to Sommerville.
If you’re looking for amazing Pad Thai, curry, and satay, you’ll find it in a myriad of different dining experiences on my list of the best Thai restaurants in Boston below.
Brown Sugar Cafe
1033 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215
Phone: 617-787-4242
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Originating as a haven for Thai students at Boston University who miss the taste of home, Brown Sugar Café has been serving authentic Thai food for nearly 30 years.
Its classy yet friendly atmosphere and delicious food have drawn wide acclaim from The Boston Phoenix, Zagat, and Boston Magazine.
Now, students from Cambridge even venture across the river to dine at this Alston gem. The menu has every classic Thai dish imaginable, made with fresh ingredients.
I enjoyed the spring rolls stuffed with shrimp, carrots, cucumbers, basil, and lettuce with crushed peanut garnish and a turnip sauce for dipping.
Kala Thai Cookery
151 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02109
Phone: 857-350-4378
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Kala Thai Cookery is the second restaurant by highly experienced and decorated chef Manita Bunnagitkarn.
Chef Bunnagitkarn brings her expansive knowledge and passion for Thai cooking to downtown Boston, offering high-quality Thai food in a casual and inviting atmosphere.
They pride themselves on using no MSG and creating fine-dining quality dishes at affordable prices.
Chef Bunnagitkarn offers a mix of traditional and fusion dishes like larb beef tacos. I was a huge fan of the corn cake fritters with sweet and spicy peanut dressing as starters.
I also loved the Galangal soup with shrimp and oyster mushrooms in a creamy and flavorful coconut broth.
Montien Thai Restaurant
63 Stuart St, Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-338-5600
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Located across the street from the Wilbur Theater in Boston’s Theater District, Montien Thai Restaurant is inside a historic building with warm wooden accents and booths.
They put a little Thai spice into their bar area, decking it out with colorful decorations during the holidays.
The food is beautifully and theatrically plated to match its neighborhood. Montien Thai is a great place for business lunches or post-show dinners.
They have a full cocktail bar, and their drinks are both strong and flavorful. Their authentic Thai menu has countless street food specialties, including my favorite Thai Fire Pot soups.
If you like spicy, order the Kao Lao Yen Ta Fo Mor Fai fire pot with shrimp, squid, fish balls, tofu, and more!
Cha Yen Thai Cookery
613 Mt Auburn St, Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-393-0031
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Cha Yen Thai Cookery is Chef and owner Manita Bunnagitkarn’s first restaurant in Watertown whose popularity spurred the opening of Kalai Thai Cookery which also made my list!
Cha Yen Thai Cookery is a casual neighborhood eatery with friendly and quick service for dine-in or takeaway meals.
Cha Yen’s menu features high-end dishes with a fine-dining presentation. I started with the fried curry dumplings stuffed with chicken, green curry paste, carrot, basil, and kaffir leaves.
They were spicy and flavorful, making the perfect prelude to a sweet and spicy Tamarind Shrimp dish with Belgium endive, dry chili, and fried shallots over rice.
My Thai Vegan Cafe
3 Beach St #2, Boston, MA 02111
Phone: 617-451-2395
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In keeping with Boston’s diverse cultural scene, My Thai Vegan Café’s chefs come from around the globe, but they all have a passion for Thai Cooking.
Located in a modest second-floor eatery in Chinatown, My Thai Vegan Café has been featured as a critic’s choice for the best restaurant in Chinatown and top Vegan restaurants in Boston from Boston.com and Happy Cow respectively.
Thai food’s lack of dairy and veggie-centric dishes lend perfectly to vegan cuisine. They also imitate meat and fish dishes using plant-based meat substitutes.
I didn’t see a need for a meat substitute and was perfectly content with the Fresh mango and yellow curry dish with loads of vegetables and tofu in a rich coconut milk broth and topped with fresh mango.
S & I To Go
168A Brighton Ave, Boston, MA 02134
Phone: 617-254-8488
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Another Allston neighborhood favorite, S & I To Go is a fast-casual Thai eatery with walk-up counter service.
They have a few small tables in their modest storefront, its walls lined with colorful photos of the dishes they make. They’re mainly a to-go establishment, cooking up authentic dishes to order.
Their menu has a vast selection of soups, salads, appetizers, noodle soups, fried rice, curry, pan-fried dishes, meat, seafood, chicken, and vegetarian entrees.
You won’t find more affordable prices. My favorite dish is the Kao Mun Gai Tod Thai-style crispy chicken and rice dish with fermented soybean and sweet and sour sauce.
Thaitation
129 Jersey St, Boston, MA 02215
Phone: 617-585-9909
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Thaitation is a cozy and welcoming Thai Café located blocks from Fenway Park and overlooking the beautiful Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
The rich golden walls, hanging plants, and wooden counter added to the charm of the atmosphere. They also have a fast delivery service.
I went there for a great lunch special, ordering from their abridged house special menu you get at dinner at a reduced price.
I had the Fisherman’s Madness Lunch with shrimp, sea scallops, squid, and mussels stir-fried with mushrooms, peppers, onions, and sweet basil in a hot chili sauce.
Similans
145 First St, Cambridge, MA 02142
Phone: 617-491-6999
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From the owners of Brown Sugar Café, Similans is a fashionable and bustling Thai restaurant, offering gorgeous plates of authentic Thai cuisine for lunch and dinner.
Located in Cambridge a block from Charles Park and a few blocks from the prestigious MIT campus, Similans is a favorite for students and young professionals alike.
Their vast menu has all the Thai favorites with a diverse selection of staples that include traditional and modern interpretations.
Their drunken noodles with onions, basil, green beans, and hot peppers with pork were the highlight of my week.
That said, their signature dish is the Brown Sugar Mango Fried Rice with shrimp and chicken.
Bamboo Thai Restaurant
1616 Commonwealth Ave, Brighton, MA 02135
Phone: 617-264-9999
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Owned and operated by Thai-native Nunnaput Pukchancka, Bamboo Thai Restaurant has been a Brighton neighborhood favorite since 1998.
It has a casual atmosphere for lunch. At night, the restaurant offers dim, blue-tinted lighting that provides an edgier, more romantic feel for student diners.
It’s a great spot for a tasty lunch and a romantic dinner. They have a nice beer, sake, and wine list for dinner and a Thai-inspired smoothie and coffee menu to accompany lunch.
The food menu draws from China, Japan, and Thailand. I started with the Thai Fish Cake with curry and kaffir lime leaves and a peanut cucumber dipping sauce.
If you’re looking for a rich and decadent entrée, try their Crispy Panang Duck.
Dakzen
195 Elm St, Somerville, MA 02144
Phone: 617-718-1759
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Opened in 2018 by Thai Executive Chef Suwat Akk, Dakzen brings authentic Thai street food to Sommerville.
Thailand is renowned for its colorful and flavorful street food culture, and Dakzen honors it with the utmost authenticity.
The made-to-order noodle and fried appetizer dishes are the most elaborate and tasty I’ve found. Plus, they’re open till 2 am, making them the best spot for post-bar-hopping sustenance.
I had to try their best seller and Thailand’s most popular dish, the Pad Thai, stir-fried rice noodles with egg, dried shrimp, turnips, soft tofu, scallions, and bean sprouts, topped with fried shallots, a squeeze of lime juice, and ground peanut. It was Thai comfort food at its best.
House of Siam
542 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118
Phone: 617-267-1755
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Located in Boston’s South End a block from Northeastern University, House of Siam is a modest, intimate Pan Asian restaurant, offering favorites from China and Thailand.
They’re a popular lunch spot for busy students, and their take-out service is quick and friendly. You’ll get heaping portions of whatever you order, making them my choice for the best value for your money.
They had some of my favorite Crab Rangoon appetizers, with large lumps of crab mixed with tangy cream cheese in a perfectly light fried wonton.
For my main dish, I delighted in the mildly spicy Massaman Curry with sweet potatoes, onions, carrots, and roasted peanuts in coconut milk.
King & I
145 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-227-3320
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King & I is a traditional Thai restaurant in a homey, cozy atmosphere in Beacon Hill. Its proximity to the Freedom Trail, Boston Public Garden, and the Charles River makes it a popular spot for tourists and locals alike.
The moderately priced meals served family-style in a comfortable, family-oriented setting account for its over 30-year tenure.
I enjoyed their authentic offerings of Thai dishes from various regions of Thailand. It’s not every day you see Chiang Mai specialties in Boston.
I went for the Chiang Mai Lettuce Wraps stuffed with chopped pork slow-cooked in lime and spices, served with coconut-infused sticky rice.
Kor Tor Mor
24 College Ave, Somerville, MA 02144
Phone: 617-666-9822
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A favorite fast-casual Thai Street Food joint for Tufts students, Kor Tor Mor is conveniently located in the heart of Davis Square a quick walk from Davis Station.
The modern and casual storefront serves authentic Bangkok Street food with fast and friendly service for takeaway meals.
The food is made to order, fresh, and cheap, true to its Street Food philosophy. They make the best Tom Yum soup in town that you can get with chicken, shrimp or vegetables.
It’s the most comforting dish to warm you up and cure what ails you. Their Bangkok specialties were incredible and unique.
I recommend the Khao Kahi Jeaw, a Thai omelet with ground chicken and scallion over rice.
Laughing Monk Cafe
737 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115
Phone: 617-232-8000
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A Mission Hill favorite, the Laughing Monke Café is a trendy and fashionable sushi bar and Thai kitchen in one.
There are two expert chefs for either cuisine; Chef Nick Korboon is the sushi chef, and Chef Noi Karen brings 25 years of Thai cooking experience to the Thai Kitchen.
Both the sushi bar and Thai menu offer a long list of small plates presented in a beautiful display of culinary art with edible flower garnishes.
There is a 14-course omakase meal for special occasions. The Thai kitchen serves shareable curries, stir-fries, and noodles.
I loved the Cashew Nut crispy chicken with onion, bell pepper, carrot, scallions, pineapple, and dried chili.
Pho Basil
177 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02115
Phone: 617-262-5377
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If you can’t decide between Thai and Vietnamese, Pho Basil has the best of both culinary worlds under one roof.
Teetering between Back Bay and Fenway, Pho Basil has a modern dining room with sleek décor and nice lighting, a nice neutral backdrop for wildly colorful dishes from Thailand and Vietnam.
They offer fresh, perfectly cooked meals that are full of vegetables and plenty of colorful garnishes. They offer a vegetarian and vegan menu along with their regular menu to suit all dietary preferences.
My favorite Thai dish was their Jungle Curry with chicken, beef, bamboo strips, mushrooms, red peppers, basil leaves, lemongrass, string beans, and carrots in a spicy Thai red curry sauce.
Boston’s long list of delicious Thai restaurants offers a wide variety of authentic and creative menus and locations around Boston’s most visited neighborhoods.
Whether you want a fast take-out spot or a homey sit-down dinner, my list of the best Thai restaurants in Boston has something for everyone. There are also incredible Korean BBQ restaurants around town to check out as well!
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment and we’ll check it out!
Why Trust Us?
When it comes to local restaurant recommendations, we pride ourselves on being a reliable and trustworthy resource. Our suggestions are not just based on our personal experiences, ensuring a more authentic and well-rounded perspective, but also on extensive online research. We diligently searched the internet and reviewed 6 credible sites and blogs, including Tripadvisor.com and Bostonmagazine.com.
We compiled all the findings in one location and sorted them by the frequency of mentions to ensure you receive top-notch recommendations. We strive to present you with a curated list of establishments that truly stand out, allowing you to enjoy the best dining experiences possible.
Interested in the sources we consulted? Check out the list of all 6 sites we referenced below this paragraph, offering transparency and an opportunity for our readers to explore further. Our commitment is to deliver trustworthy and unparalleled recommendations, helping you make informed decisions on your culinary journeys.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g60745-c39-Boston_Massachusetts.html
https://www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/the-best-thai-restaurants-in-boston/
https://boston.eater.com/maps/best-thai-food-boston
https://www.timeout.com/boston/restaurants/best-thai-food-in-boston
https://www.thefoodlens.com/boston/guides/where-to-get-thai-takeout-during-the-covid-19-shutdown/
https://bostonuncovered.com/thai-restaurants-boston/
