Brian Nagele
Portlandia. Stumptown. Rip City. There are several ways to talk about Portland, Oregon.
Regardless of the name you associate with it, you certainly know Portland as a hip, trendy, modern place to visit full of good drinks and exciting food.
Portland is home to some stunning Thai restaurants you will want to check out.
If you’re a fan of Thai food on any level, do yourself a favor and swing by one of these great establishments.
To prove that Portland has a great Thai food scene, I tried a few and compiled them into an easy-to-read list.
Check out my list of the best Thai restaurants in Portland below!
Eem – Thai BBQ & Cocktails
3808 North Williams Avenue st, 127, Portland, OR 97227
Phone: 971-295-1645
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Situated around the Boise neighborhood on the east side of the Willamette River, Eem is a funky place to enjoy a delicious meal for lunch or dinner.
What could be better than combining Thai barbeque and cocktails? Nothing, that’s what.
When I visited, I gravitated toward the curry options.
The massaman curry with smoked lamb shoulder and peanuts was scrumptious.
Washing it down with a whiskey and passionfruit Life of Luxury cocktail made the whole experience something to write home about.
Item has a friendly, modern vibe with creative decor and plenty of space for you and your friends to hang out for an afternoon or evening.
The best part: all the tiki drinks are served in traditional mugs.
Hat Yai
Multiple locations
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You can enjoy a delicious meal from Hat Yai whether you’re visiting East Portland or around the Concordia and Alberta neighborhoods.
With two locations for this trendy Thai pit stop, you have your pick of where to go.
I love Hat Yai for the delicious food, the creative drinks, the online ordering that’s easy to navigate, and the outdoor seating that you can find at both locations!
When I visited, I had to try one of the Hat Yai specialty items.
The Oxtail Soup with rich broth, lemongrass, tomato, onions, and lime was divine and refreshing.
With a side of Roti, the day was well-spent with good food.
Langbaan
1818 NW 23rd Pl, Portland, OR 97210
Phone: 971-344-2564
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Somewhere around the Northwest District and Slabtown, on the west side of the Willamette, you’ll find a lovely little rustic place called Langbaan.
This family-style restaurant is a local favorite.
You’re just a few blocks down the street from a great brewing company, so you can easily follow up your meal with a quick draft if you are inclined.
Make sure you’re hungry when you visit Langbaan, and bring a couple of friends to help you consume the epic portion sizes.
The Nam Prik Nakron Baan is definitely a favorite, with relish of smoked trout, halibut collar, greens, and lime.
Mee-Sen Thai Eatery
3924 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97227
Phone: 503-445-1909
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On North Mississippi Avenue, right in the heart of the Boise neighborhood, you’ll find a creative little Thai joint that’s hip, trendy, and inventive in everything they do.
Inside is decorated with a unique and eclectic style.
The dishes are traditional Thai meals with an interesting twist.
It’s one of the more hip places to grab a bite in the area.
When you visit Mee-Sen Thai Eatery, be prepared for a multi-course meal.
You have to try more than one thing.
If you feel like a salad, the Somtum Thai is exquisite. Start with the Fried Wonton, and consider adding the Crab Wonton.
Otherwise, move on to the Tom Yum soup with squid.
Follow it all up with View Grob Pad Thai and a Jasmine Tea.
Nong’s Khao Man Gai
Multiple locations
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The Willamette River separates Portland almost right down the middle.
On one side, you have East Portland. On the other side, Downtown Portland and Portland State University sit tall and proud.
You can check out Nong’s Khao Man Gai no matter what side of the river you find yourself on.
This unique Thai food cart is famous for its chicken and rice.
After I visited both locations, it was easy to see why. The Chicken, Rice & Peanut Sauce is a delicious dish with steamed broccoli and jasmine rice.
The Peanut sauce has shrimp paste for extra flavor.
If you need something to wash it all down with, I highly recommend the Thai Iced Tea.
Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine
3354 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214
Phone: 503-432-8115
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Sitting right on the famous Hawthorne Boulevard, the Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine is a great place to grab a fresh, healthy, authentic Thai meal.
One of the best things about this Thai restaurant is the rotating menu.
Because they use fresh ingredients, the menu you see on the weekend might be different than the one available on any given weekday.
You need to try the 24 Hours Beef Noodle Soup regardless of what you’re craving.
Their slow-cooked beef with veal broth, veggies, and excellent seasonings is one of the most flavorful meals I’ve ever experienced.
Kinara Thai
1126 SW 18th Ave, Portland, OR 97205
Phone: 503-227-5161
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There are many things to see and do in the Portland Goose Hollow Foothills League district.
You can see the Goose Hollow Inn, visit Providence Park, check out a local brewing company, and eat at at Kinara Thai!
I’m especially partial to that last option. At Kinara Thai, you can access an incredible menu of authentic Thai food like Khao Klong and Pad Prik King.
I recommend the Ginger and Crimini Mushroom.
It comes with your choice of meat and fresh ginger, a flavor combination that you can’t beat.
The Duck Curry features Thai basil and pineapple if you’re in a curry mood.
Sa Bai Thai Cuisine
4440 NE 131st Pl, Portland, OR 97230
Phone: 971-229-1691
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Somewhere around Argay Terrace, right off Sandy Boulevard, a charming little Thai cafe sits in the middle of the Portland shopping center.
There are no frills about Sa Bai; it’s simply offering Thai food done the right way.
The traditional selection of menu items includes local favorites like Fresh Salad Rolls, Egg Rolls, and Pot Stickers.
The Steamed Dumplings were my personal favorite for an appetizer. Sa Bai puts together an enjoyable Thai meal that feels as authentic as it gets.
Those stir-fried wide rice noodles are a game changer.
They make an excellent Tom Yum soup, although I recommend the Kua Kai noodles if you go for dinner.
Kati Portland
2932 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202
Phone: 503-477-6059
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Just off Division Street on the east side of the Willamette River, Kati Portland awaits.
It’s only a couple of blocks from Piccolo City Park, a great place to hang out for the afternoon before grabbing dinner at the local vegan Thai restaurant.
That’s right: you can find a vegan restaurant of any kind in Portland, including Thai food.
In a charming, rustic-style restaurant, Kati Portland serves authentic Thai food that is 100% vegan-friendly.
I ordered the special house salad and went with the Sukho Thai Noodle Soup.
It was flavorful and restorative in all the right ways.
I enjoyed some Vegan Thai Iced Tea with organic coconut milk to wash it down.
Every sip was thoroughly enjoyable.
Paadee
6 SE 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97214
Phone: 503-360-1453
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Right between the neighborhoods of Kerns and Laurelhurst, one of Portland’s more stylish Thai restaurants is waiting for the next customer to come through its doors.
Paadee is an elevated Thai restaurant, curating curious experiences for its customers with traditional Thai food.
The atmosphere is all about class and sophistication.
They even serve a cocktail bar to match their innovative food.
I tried the Dungeness Crab Fried Rice with scallion and prik nahm plaa. It was utterly gluten-free and amazing.
I ordered the Pandan Cake, a lime leaf, and lemongrass mousse with lime curd and jasmine meringue for my dessert.
Red Onion Thai Cuisine
1037 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210
Phone: 503-208-2634
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When you want to eat classic Thai food in a simple, no-frills environment, consider Red Onion Thai Cuisine for your next adventure.
The modern twist on the inside features Thai statues that keep you company while eating.
It’s just up the road from an excellent Portland ice cream shop, so you know where you have to go for dessert.
Not to mention the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium and Museum that’s just up the road and is definitely worth a quick visit.
When you start at Red Online, I highly recommend trying their Pa Nang Curry or Volcano Beef.
Both are fan favorites all over the neighborhood and are equally delicious.
If you need an appetizer, their Shrimp Tempura is fried perfectly with homemade dressing.
Thai Bloom!
333 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210
Phone: 503-243-7557
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There are a couple of different spots where you can enjoy the cuisine of Thai Bloom!, but I recommend stopping by the one on Northwest 23rd Avenue.
It’s more relaxed, has sidewalk seating, and is in a fascinating neighborhood.
As you get closer to Northwest Portland, you start to get into more greenspaces and forested areas.
The city has a lot to offer in terms of the outdoors, and it’s worth checking it all out when you go.
Thai Bloom! puts you closer to this part of town and could be a great place to stop after a nice hike.
When you stop, I recommend you try the Seafood Cream Cheese Wontons and the Crab Pad Thai, two hearty and filling classics.
Thai Peacock Restaurant
219 SW 9th Ave., Portland, OR 97205
Phone: 503-228-2310
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Traditional Thai cuisine is still exciting. Portland Thai restaurants all seem to have some interesting twists. Thai Peacock is laid back and comfortable.
Thai Peacock Restaurant is a few blocks from a great bookstore, excellent hotels, and engaging local breweries close to the Pearl District and the Northwest District.
The Oregon Jewish Museum is just up the road as well.
When you stop by this classic Portland establishment, try Garlic Fried Rice and Salmon.
The house fried rice is fantastic, and the dusted salmon melts in your mouth.
Thai MLK
2222 OR-99E, Portland, OR 97212
Phone: 971-915-9246
Right in between Eliot and the Lloyd District neighborhoods is Thai MLK, a Thai restaurant that doesn’t try to impress with too many tricks or frills.
Thai MLK is a food truck-style restaurant offering outdoor seating and takeout.
It’s a newer establishment, but it’s quickly becoming a favorite with the locals.
The Chicken Pad See Ew is one of the most popular options on their menu.
The Basil Fried Rice is another, and it’s delicious.
You could order either one (or both!) when you go and leave completely satisfied.
ZAAP
3513 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97212
Phone: 503-208-3018
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Not too far from Thai MLK is a slightly larger Thai establishment where you enjoy Northeastern Thai cuisine in a charming indoor setting.
ZAAP is one of Portland’s highest-rated Thai restaurants.
The restaurant caters explicitly to Isaan Thai cooking, which takes inspiration from Laotian and Cambodian cuisine.
I tried the Papaya Salad and the Yellow Curry. Both were delicious.
The Mango Sweet Black Sticky Rice was an excellent dessert, and the Thai Lemon Tea was very refreshing!
