Brian Nagele
Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with the vibrant and aromatic dishes of Thailand as we explore the Best Thai Restaurants in Charlotte. From the bustling streets of Bangkok to the heart of the Queen City, these restaurants have mastered the art of Thai cuisine, delivering a harmonious blend of sweet, sour, spicy, and savory flavors that will transport you to the Land of Smiles. Whether you’re a fan of classic Pad Thai, crave the heat of a Tom Yum soup, or prefer the comforting embrace of green curry, Charlotte’s Thai dining scene has something for everyone. Join us on a culinary adventure as we uncover the top Thai spots where authenticity and deliciousness reign supreme.
Basil Thai Cuisine
Multiple locations
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Basil Thai Cuisine was founded by Cambodian immigrants, a pair of brothers eager to provide high-quality cuisine for their community. Over the last five decades, they have worked hard to establish several locations featuring dedication to a stylish, satisfying dining experience. Their basil duck is a favorite of mine, tantalizing and juicy without fail. Mushrooms, peas, basil, bell peppers, onion, and garlic complement the natural flavors of the bird masterfully brought out by the Basil Thai kitchen by deep frying. Their other standout for yours truly is their green curry. Bamboo shoots and eggplant make for a grounded, delightful bowl that I find myself fantasizing about often.
Thai House
Multiply locations
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Thai House is a family-owned business, started by a couple and their two daughters three decades ago. Thai House not only takes pride in its use of excellent ingredients and dedication to quality cuisine. They are also proud of the atmosphere of their restaurants, including elaborate teakwood pieces. Indeed, the dining rooms of Thai House locations are stunning. My favorite piece is a large, mandala-like piece in the back corner of the Pineville location. Thai House’s Rama of Sunset never fails to blow me away, and their mango and sticky rice have to be one of my favorite desserts of all time.
Thai Taste
324 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
704-332-0001
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Thai Taste holds the unique title of being the first Thai restaurant in the city of Charlotte. Thai Taste has a rich atmosphere that gives homage to the country of origin for authentic cuisine. Their steamed pot options are some of the best in the city and never fail to delight and fill diners. The Koong Ob Mor Din steamed pot features shrimp, cabbage, mushrooms, onions, carrots, and clear noodles. I especially love the contrast between the seafood flavor of the shrimp and the earthiness of the mushrooms. Their other steamed pot is Poh Heang, a spicier dish. This delicious steamed pot features squid as well as shrimp and the vegetables present in Koong Ob Mor Din. The inclusion of squid and a heavier hand on the spices makes for an entirely new dish that I find myself craving often.
Bahn Thai
12206 Copper Way # 122, Charlotte, NC 28277
980-335-2313
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Bahn Thai was founded by two immigrants from Lao looking to provide a place to serve authentic food to families of all shapes and sizes. Their children, family, and staff operate the restaurant, and that love shines through the quality of the food and atmosphere. Pud Gra Pow is one of my favorites from Bahn Thai. Their online menu features a photo of Pud Gra Pow with chicken, topped with a fried egg. This is the way waitstaff often recommends newcomers to try the dish, and I cannot praise the alterations highly enough. Runny yolk pairs perfectly with the sweet spiciness of the dish.
Deejai Thai Restaurant
613 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207
704-333-7884
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Deejai Thai Restaurant has been operating since 2009, providing the Charlotte community with innovative takes on traditional Thai food. I especially love their Pork Bahn Mi Sliders, featuring steamed buns stuffed with grilled pork and vegetables. One of the newest items on their menu is Pad Prik Khing, a curry beloved in Thailand. The housemade chili paste lends this dish an exceptional depth that makes the spice all the more delicious. The protein is left up to the diner for this dish, and I prefer to order my Pad Prik Khing with beef. The beef pairs so well with the vegetables like bell peppers and eggplant. This may be a new dish at Deejai but I’m certain it will become a fan favorite in no time.
Rai Lay Thai
1520 South Blvd #130, Charlotte, NC 28203
980-207-0991
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This eatery on Mountain Island is a delicious oasis of authentic Thai food. Not only do they offer a wide variety of dishes, but a fully operational bar means that diners can enjoy perfectly crafted pairings for any entry on the menu. A fun fusion offering from Rai Lay Thai is their unique Thai Popcorn Chicken. These crispy chunks of chicken are tossed in a sweet and spicy Thai sauce and served with noodles and vegetables. It’s billed as a starter, but I’ve found it also makes a great small entree for those with smaller appetites.
CO
Multiple locations
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This Southeast Asian restaurant features an incredible array of dishes inspired by a beautiful blend of cultures. The current head chef is Japanese with decades of experience in the industry. CO is dedicated to sourcing local ingredients to create dishes of the highest quality. With two Charlotte locations, CO is providing diversity in cuisine to many residents and visitors. CO’s Thai Basil Chicken delighted me. The inclusion of jalapenos elevated the dish to a spice level I found enchanting.
Deejai Noda Noodle Bar
3629-103 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
980-859-3701
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Deejaj Noda Noodle Bar is a fusion eatery with offerings sure to delight all of your party. Their Shrimp Pad Thai is incredible. Spicy and acidic, this pad Thai goes down so smoothly you’ll barely realize that you’ve cleared your plate. Deejai’s Spicy Basil Stir-Fry stands out as an incredible balance of flavors. Fresh chili and Thai basil compete to dominate the flavors of the dish, resulting in a complex taste that leaves diners craving more. If you’re looking for something with less of a kick, try the salmon cucumber rolls, available as either BFF Roll 1 or BFF Roll 2 on their online menu.
Rice and Spice Thai Street Food
8314-901 PINEVILLE- MATTHEWS RD Behind Burlington Clothes Factory Across from Lowe’s, Charlotte, NC 28226
704-919-1002
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Rice and Spice Head Chef Peter Sripan is an alum of the Thai Royal Culinary School. Since immigrating to the United States, Sripan has accumulated accolades and cultivated mass appeal. Rice and Spice was named the best restaurant in Charlotte in 2018. Rice and Spice strive to represent Thailand’s four culinary regions through its offerings. Their Pad Pak is an incredible dish, always changing as vegetables move in and out of season. Rice and Spice’s Tofu Larb never fails to impress. The dish’s inclusion of pork rinds truly set it apart for me.
Siam Garden Thai Restaurant
3607 Whitehall Park Dr, Charlotte, NC 28273
704-583-4414
On the southwest side of Charlotte sits Siam Garden Thai Restaurant, a colorful eatery. A guilty pleasure of mine from this Thai restaurant is their Siam Honey Chicken. This indulgent dish features deep-fried chicken tossed in honey sauce topped with sesame seeds. This dish tastes exactly how you imagine it. Golden batter perfectly holds the sweet sauce with a hint of spice on the back of the tongue, and of course, the sesame seeds lend both texture and a hint of earthiness that grounds each bite.
Thai Orchid Restaurant
4223 Providence Rd Unit 7, Charlotte, NC 28211
704-364-1134
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In the heart of the Strawberry Hill shopping center, Charlotte residents and visitors can experience delicious Thai food. Thai Orchid Restaurant provides authentic cuisine composed of fresh, quality ingredients. When I visited, the Kreung Keang Seafood caught my eye. A stir-fried dish, this offering has mussels, squid, scallops, and shrimp, all cooked in a red curry sauce. I was blown away by the masterful balancing of these strong seafood flavors. These flavors can get muddled in a less competent chef’s pan, but the Kreung Keang Seafood fell victim to none of such fault.
Bonzai Thai Cuisine
4847 Shopton road suite F and G, Charlotte, NC 28278
980-207-4484
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Southwest of Eagle Lake, Bonzai Thai Cuisine features Thai and Japanese fusion cuisine that leaves even the most seasoned foodies clamoring for more. I am a huge fan of their Pad Kee Mow. These so-called ‘drunken noodles’ are wide and stir-fried with aromatics in the restaurant’s house chili sauce. On a hot summer day, nothing beats the heat like a summer roll. This rice wrapper roll is filled with lettuce, vermicelli noodles, basil, cilantro, and carrot that composes a summery medley sure to cool you down while filling you up. Make sure to also give their deep-fried spring rolls a try.
Thai 1st Bistro
9824-B, Rea Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
704-541-9099
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Thai 1st Bistro overlooks a park on the eastern edge of Provincetown. This eatery on the south side of Charlotte has all your Thai favorites. My favorite of their appetizers is the Nam Sod. This ground pork salad is cooled with mint and heated up with chili powder and ginger. I love the numerous textures in this dish, from the iceberg lettuce to the crunchy peanuts and scallions. Thai 1st Bistro is currently only available for takeout, but that makes the location beside the park at Blakeney all the more perfect. I like to pick up my order and settle in on a park bench for a fragrant meal outdoors.
Everest Bistro (Nepali & Thai)
5922 Weddington Rd #13A, Wesley Chapel, NC 28104
704-684-5004
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Where Everest Bistro truly shines is its soup selection. Their Amilo Piro Kanda is a hot and sour soup that delivers the perfect mix of acid and spice. Mushrooms provide a nice bite to this soup that never fails to leave me wanting more. I prefer to order this dish with chicken, though vegetarian friends have assured me that it tastes great meatless. When I’m under the weather, I love to order chicken soup. Everest Bistro’s Sanglo Chicken Soup is the perfect comfort food pick-me-up. The broth has a body without being flat, with spices and vegetables livening up the bowl.
Hawkers Asian Street Food
1930 Camden Rd #260, Charlotte, NC 28203
704-464-0770
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Hawkers originate from Florida, and their North Carolina location carries all the light of the sunshine state right to Charlotte’s doorstep. A proud member of the historic Southend, their waiting list for a reservation is currently closed, so overwhelming is the demand at this eatery. Thankfully, you can still order pickup online. Their five-spice green beans make for the perfect appetizer, sweet, spicy, and tangy battered and deep fried. And their housemade kimchi bursts with acidic flavor, the perfect complement to just about anything on the menu. While Hawkers Asian Street Food may dazzle with its fusion, do not count their bestselling pad thai out. Sweet, spicy, and satisfying, this divine dish has me raving for more.
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 Charlotte.axios.com and Tripadvisor.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://charlotte.axios.com/80400/best-thai-restaurants-in-charlotte-with-pad-thai/
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g49022-c39-Charlotte_North_Carolina.html
https://foursquare.com/top-places/charlotte/best-thai-restaurants
https://secretcharlotte.co/thai-restaurants-charlotte/
https://wanderlog.com/list/geoCategory/766120/best-thai-foods-and-restaurants-in-charlotte
https://charlottelifestyles.com/best-thai-restaurants-in-charlotte/
