The city of Brotherly Love is known for its unique cuisine. Here, locals nosh on TastyKakes, cheesesteaks (wit wiz), and soft pretzels. But did you know that Philly has a thriving Thai food scene? From Rittenhouse to Chinatown, there are plenty of delicious spots for Thai cuisine.
As a food blogger, I’ve tried my fair share of Green Curry, Tom Kha soup, and Pad See Ew. In this article, I’ll share some popular Thai places along with my favorite underrated gems. Ahead, you’ll find unexpected surprises, including Drag Queen Happy Hour, vegan-friendly spots, homemade ice cream, escargot curry, and plenty of BYOBs.
JJ Thai Cuisine
2028 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: 215-568-7058
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Into sophisticated Thai-French fusion? JJ might be the place for you. Chef Jub Jang serves an eclectic mix of cuisines, with items like escargot, lamb lollipops, steak au poivre joining more traditional dishes like drunken noodles and pad thai. Not in the mood to go out to eat? JJ offers take out and delivery. If you do choose to change out of your sweatpants and go in person, JJ is a BYOB restaurant. They also have a cute outdoor seating area with umbrellas and lots of potted plants. JJ is located on Chestnut Street, so it’s perfect for some downtown people-watching.
Chatayee Thai
Address: 1227 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-923-8208
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If you’re vegan, a lover of drag queens, or a happy hour aficionado, this is the place for you! In addition to a classic menu full of traditional Thai dishes, Chatayee has a whole vegan menu with tofu and veggie options. Chatayee is also one of the few Thai restaurants in Philly to offer Happy Hour specials. Menu highlights include $5 Massaman curry (pumpkin, potato, cauliflower, carrot, onion, yellow curry, roasted peanuts with a thin crust flatbread) and $3 spring rolls (with shrimp, mushrooms, cabbage, sweet chilli sauce). Drinks include $3 featured draft, $5 house wines, and $8 cocktails. If food and drinks aren’t enough for you, Chatayee hosts a weekly event on Mondays called Sidewalk Showgirls. As you dine, drag queens, comedians, and other performers entertain you along the sidewalk. There’s no cover charge, either. Sign me up for dinner and a show!
Vientiane Bistro
2537 Kensington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Phone: 267-703-8199
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Vientiane Bistro is two blocks from Huntingdon Station on the corner of East Sergeant Street and Kensington Avenue. There are two locations in Philly, but this one is my favorite, with an infectious and friendly energy. The cozy bistro has tasteful Thai decorations and a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for a quick dinner or casual date. The menu has every Thai item you could want, including Tom Yum, pho with brisket, summer rolls, and satay. I can’t resist the tofu satay and the sticky, flavorful peanut sauce, but my favorite dish is the green curry with roasted duck. It’s super spicy and ignites your taste buds while offering the juicy flavor of duck!
Kalaya Thai Kitchen
764 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: 215-385-3777
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Craig LaBan (food critic of the Philadelphia Inquirer) called Kalaya’s dishes “more compelling than any others I’ve tasted at Thai restaurants in Philadelphia before”. Don’t believe the hype? Food & Wine named Kalaya one of their Best New Restaurants of 2020. Still not convinced? Kalaya was nominated for an esteemed James Beard Award in 2020, as well. When you go, be ready for show-stopping flavors from chef Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon, who learned how to cook Southern Thai dishes from her mother. Try the Tom Yum soup, with fresh giant shrimp, mushrooms, and barramundi. Or check out the Instagram-famous Shaw Muang, blue dumplings shaped like beautiful flowers!
Jasmine Rice Rittenhouse
306 S 16th St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: 215-546-0818
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You can’t get a better location in Philly than Rittenhouse. This neighborhood in Center City West borders the iconic Rittenhouse Square, as well as rows of gorgeous brick homes that I can’t afford. The next time you’re meandering through the area, stop by Jasmine Rice for their lunch menu. Here, you can try lemongrass soup with white mushrooms and fresh lime for just $6. If you’re a fan of seafood, stop by for the dinner menu, which features specialties like the Thai Fisherman Delight, which includes “Jumbo shrimp, calamari and mussels in tangy massaman curry coconut sauce with soft yellow noodles”. Hosting a private party? Jasmine offers party and wedding reception services, as well as catering for events.
Chabaa Thai Bistro
4343 Main St, Philadelphia, PA 19127
Phone: 215-483-1979
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Want a meal by the 2019 Winner of Best Chef Manayunk? Located right on the bustling Main Street of Manyunk, Chabaa is a great BYOB for date night. Chabaa’s decor is modern but homey, with wooden booths and a geometric ceiling. Parking around this area can be challenging, but luckily Chabaa is right by the Manayunk Regional rail station. If you do choose to pick up an order, they currently have curbside parking for take-out. Start your night at Chabaa by ordering an appetizer sampler with crispy spring rolls, chicken dumplings, fried tofu, chicken satay; Thai sweet chili sauce, and ground roasted peanuts. Next, try a special from the chef’s seasonal menu. End your night with a stroll by the Manayunk Towpath.
Circles Thai
812 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Phone: 267-687-1309
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Winner, winner, chicken dinner! Circles Thai is a three-time winner of Philly Magazine’s award for Best Thai Restaurant. I’m a big fan of their General Thai Chicken, which comes with pineapple, bell peppers, and onions. An interesting menu item is the Fried S’more Banana Spring Roll. Vegetarians, fear not. You can substitute seitan or tofu for any meat on the menu. Lunch specials start at $7.50! My wallet approves. Circles is known as a great take-out option, so it’s perfect to order while bingeing the Bachelorette on Monday nights.
Xiandu Thai Fusion Cuisine
1119 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-940-8855
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If you’re afraid of spices, this might be the Thai food experience for you. Xiandu offers to tone down the spice for people who can’t handle the heat of traditional Thai dishes. If it’s always 5 o’clock for you, Xiandu offers plenty of wines, beers, and “Asian-inspired” cocktails. If you’re gluten-free, you’ll be happy to see plenty of GF options on the menu. Trying to become a food influencer? With trendy orange walls and cute cut-outs in the white chairs, this place is perfect for a sneaky Boomerang of you holding a cocktail.
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 Philly.eater.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-g60795-c39-Philadelphia_Pennsylvania.html
https://philly.eater.com/maps/best-thai-laotian-food-philadelphia
https://secretphiladelphia.co/thai-restaurants-philly/
https://foursquare.com/top-places/philadelphia/best-thai-restaurants
https://wanderlog.com/list/geoCategory/766089/best-thai-foods-and-restaurants-in-philadelphia
https://www.phillymag.com/best-of-philly-archive/awards/thai-restaurant/