Rocco Smith
Dallas is known for its burly barbecue, but what about its Thai food scene?
I wanted to find out for myself, so I took a trip and went to some of the best Thai restaurants in Dallas to see how the Lonestar state served up classic Thai dishes.
Some of these restaurants are casual BYOB spots, while some are fancy restaurants that offer Thai food in a fine-dining atmosphere.
From large lavish Thai spots to small holes-in-the-wall that you need to know about to find, our list has all the hot spots to get pad thai or satay when you find yourself in Texas hankering for some Tom Kha Gai soup.
Best Thai Restaurants in Dallas
- Malai Kitchen
- Bangkok City Restaurant
- Asian Mint
- Pakpao
- Royal Thai
- Ka-Tip Thai Street Food
- Crushcraft Thai Eats
- Sakhuu Thai Restaurant
- Si Lom Thai Asian Fusion
- Banana Leaf Thai Cuisine
- Family Thais Asian Bistro
- Bambu Asian Cuisine
- Ka Thai
Many of these Thai restaurants are run by families that came from Thailand and wanted to offer the flavors of Thai cuisine to their new community in Dallas.
Check out my list of the best Thai restaurants in Dallas below!
Malai Kitchen
Multiple locations
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The Malai Kitchen is a cozy restaurant that offers a wonderful Thai experience. The atmosphere is modern but comfortable, and the staff was very friendly, although they did seem a bit inexperienced.
I got their Shrimp Pad Thai and their Thai chicken wings to get some variety. Their pad thai was perfectly cooked, and so was the shrimp.
The noodle dish was brimming with flavor and was prepared to order to my requested spice level.
The chicken wings were the best part of this visit. They were sticky and spicy without overwhelming your palate.
Malai is a wonderful spot in Dallas to grab a bite at almost any time of day because they also serve Thai brunch, bringing Asian flavors to American brunch dishes.
Bangkok City Restaurant
4301 Bryan St #101, Dallas, TX 75204
Phone: 214-824-6200
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For a more casual Thai dining experience, the Bangkok City Restaurant is an ideal spot for a relaxed lunch.
The decor is kitschy and unrefined, but it adds to the laid-back atmosphere of the location. This spot is affordable, so you don’t need to break the bank to get good Thai food in Dallas.
I tried their Thai Corn Patty that came with peanuts and a sweet cucumber sauce that balanced the salty patty well.
This was my first Thai Corn Patty, and they’ve made it onto my list of must-get appetizers for the next time I get Thai.
Asian Mint
Multiple locations
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Asian Mint is an upscale Thai restaurant ideal for a romantic evening or a lavish dinner. Chef Nikky Phinyawatana of Asian Mint is a brilliant culinary artist that enjoys pushing the boundaries of Thai food to create innovative and outstanding dishes.
I had the green curry, and my friend ordered the steamed sea bass, both of which were out-of-this-world with flavor along with a stunning presentation. The fish was tender and salty with notes of basil.
And my green curry was a beautiful pistachio color, and the texture was silky and smooth, making every bite enchanting.
Pakpao
1628 Oak Lawn Ave #120, Dallas, TX 75207
Phone: 214-749-7002
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This Thai restaurant is located in the heart of Dallas’ design district and has a fun name to say: Pakpao.
The restaurant is small, modern, and vibrant with whimsical, homemade decor that brings an authentic spirit to the atmosphere.
I opted for their Pork and Holy Basil Stir Fry, and holy moly, it was life-changing. It came with apple and eggplant that added an interesting spin to the dish that was much appreciated since stir frys can sometimes be redundant.
The best part of this visit was the energized staff that seemed genuinely excited to serve you and welcome you into their little restaurant family.
Royal Thai
5500 Greenville Ave Suite 608, Dallas, TX 75206
Phone: 214-691-3555
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I stopped by the Royal Thai during their lunch rush to check out their menu and vibe during the day. They’re in the Old Town In the Village shopping mall on Greenville Avenue.
A friend and I shared their Tulip Dumplings because we couldn’t resist how cute the name was.
These were steamed pork dumplings in a water chestnut wrapper that was light and crisp while still having all the flavor of a traditional dumpling.
And then I ordered one of the best meals I’ve ever eaten, their Tiger Cry fried flank steak. Hearing fried steak may make you think of southern-fried steak, but this was way better.
The outside was marinated and fried to the perfect crisp and topped with a sweet Thai salsa.
Ka-Tip Thai Street Food
1011 S Pearl Expy Suite 190, Dallas, TX 75201
Phone: 214-238-2232
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Ka-Tip is a family-run restaurant that aims to supply the Dallas community with authentic Thai cuisine to bring a piece of their homeland to their new home.
The decor is minimal, and the environment is very casual because they focus all their energy on making sure every dish does the Thai culinary culture justice.
The papaya salad I had was a sweet and savory combination of flavors that was crunchy and soft all at the same time. My only complaint was that I wish there had been more to enjoy.
Crushcraft Thai Eats
2800 Routh St #150, Dallas, TX 75201
Phone: 972-677-7038
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CrushCraft Thai Eats is a fabulous location with charming decor reminiscent of street food markets in Thailand. With a comfortable and eclectic style, this Thai spot delivers a welcoming environment.
I got their drunken noodles which came with tons of vegetables, and I love any restaurant that serves a lot of bang for your buck. In particular, the Thai chili stood out to me as flavorful without being overpowering to the dish.
They also offer Thai beer, which can be tough to find but pairs perfectly with a sturdy dish like my drunken noodles or a saucy rice dish.
Sakhuu Thai Restaurant
4801 Bryan St # 100, Dallas, TX 75204
Phone: 214-828-9300
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Sakhuu has a dim atmosphere that offers a cozy, authentic Thai experience. They have beautiful Asian murals on the wall and friendly staff knowledgeable about their menu and Thai cuisine.
The restaurant has a rather serious vibe, great for a business luncheon or even a job interview, but not great for a lunch in sweatpants or a hoodie.
I got their yellow curry with carrots and potatoes because I wanted something warm and spicy, and I got exactly what I was looking for, a creamy, seasoned curry sauce that engulfed the tofu and vegetables.
Si Lom Thai Asian Fusion
3300 Oak Lawn Ave #110, Dallas, TX 75219
Phone: 214-780-0983
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Si Lom is a large and colorful restaurant that lets four-legged friends in so you can enjoy some yummy Thai with your puppy. You can find them in the Oak Lawn neighborhood near Turtle Creek Park.
This spot mixes Asian cuisines for a diverse and unique menu that brings new flavors to the Dallas area.
Taking a note from Japanese cuisine, they offer a mango seaweed salad that was a beautiful balance between sweet, juicy fruit and salty, slimy seaweed.
The mango stood out to me, so I wanted to try more fruit and ordered their pineapple-fried rice.
It was an outstanding plate of sweet and refreshing flavors mixed in with the umami flavor in the Thai rice. They serve generous portions at moderate prices and have upbeat service that makes you feel like family.
Banana Leaf Thai Cuisine
17370 Preston Rd, Dallas, TX 75252
Phone: 972-713-0123
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This BYOB Thai restaurant offers an array of classic Thai dishes with their own twist. I tried their Thai Cajun-fried rice to see how well they did on their Asian fusion item menus.
They nailed it. The dish managed to deliver the zesty spice of a traditional Cajun dish and the subtle basil and herb flavors commonly found in Thai dishes.
I also tried their Tom Kha Gai, a classic Thai soup made with coconut, mushrooms, chicken, and lemongrass. This is one of my favorite Thai dishes, and Banana Leaf’s version hit the spot perfectly.
Family Thais Asian Bistro
208 N Market St #150, Dallas, TX 75202
Phone: 972-773-9950
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As the name suggests, this is a family-run restaurant that puts care and passion into its food. The vibrant, fun environment is whimsical and fosters a feeling of joy.
Check them out in the Dallas Downtown Historic District near The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza and John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza.
I went for lunch and got their tofu Banh Mi and a Tiger Milk Boba Tea. This spot is excellent for a relaxed lunch or a place to order takeout from. Their food is exquisite and delicious, and they have a diverse menu with something to offer everyone.
Bambu Asian Cuisine
1930 N Coit Rd #100, Richardson, TX 75080
Phone: 972-480-8880
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Bambu can be found in North Dallas and offers a casual and comfortable Thai experience. It’s a great spot to grab lunch or go for a weeknight dinner.
Their menu features many specialties from the Isan region of Thailand, offering something unique to the Dallas community.
I wanted to try what they’re known for, so I had the Isan Sausage, something I wouldn’t expect in a Thai restaurant.
The dish was grilled homemade pork sausage with red curry paste, Kaffir lime leaves, Thai dill, lime, ginger, red onion, peanut, and spicy Thai chili pepper for a burst of intense Asian flavors. It was a fantastic atmosphere and blew me away.
Ka Thai
4640 McKinney Ave #130, Dallas, TX 75205
Phone: 469-291-7995
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Ka Thai is a simply beautiful restaurant with subtle patterns and decor that foster an environment of class and friendliness.
This is a lovely spot for an anniversary or special occasion as they take extra care to prepare everything perfectly and deliver extraordinary service.
I ate their summer rolls and Thai basil fried rice. I wanted to try two classic Thai dishes to see how they were executed, and there wasn’t a single misstep.
The summer rolls were fresh and tasty and included noodles, cucumbers, mint, lettuce, and carrots for a vibrant start to the meal.
The rice had all the standard ingredients, and everything was delicious and unique, which is challenging to accomplish with such traditional dishes.
Final Thoughts
The variety of Thai restaurants in Dallas may surprise you, but many families and chefs have brought the bold and spicy flavors of Thailand to the Dallas community.
Next time you find yourself in Dallas, try out one or two of these spots to understand the scope of Thai cuisine available in Dallas.
If Thai food isn’t your mojo, I also compiled a list of awesome places to get pizza in Dallas so you can enjoy a fresh pie in the Lonestar state.
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!
