Thai cuisine is in demand among Phoenicians, as evidenced by the number of Thai restaurants peppering our city and how busy we desert-dwellers keep them.
The flavor ensembles hit every note. Sweet coconut milk meets salty soy, spicy chili, and sour tamarind, resulting in the most balanced of bites, whether you choose a classic Massaman Curry or a popular street food like Pad Krapow Gai, aka Thai Basil Chicken. Here are 15 of the best Thai restaurants showcasing tasty options for both cautious and adventurous palates.
Chanpen Thai Cuisine
Don’t let the unassuming exterior fool you. Chanpen is one of South Phoenix’s best-kept secrets. Alan Ramonaitis never planned on running a restaurant, but when his mother, a Thai native from Prachin Buri, bought the place in 2012, everything changed. In fact, 14 years later the restaurant has become a neighborhood favorite, as has Ramonaitis’s easygoing character as head chef.
Standout dishes include the Pad Kra Pao Gai, saucy chicken loaded with basil and topped with a fried egg, the Tod Mun Pla, curry fish cakes accompanied by a vibrant cucumber-sweet chili sauce, and the Pad Prik King, a perfectly al dente green bean stir-fry brightened with fragrant kaffir lime leaves that hit the senses when it lands on the table. 2727 E. Broadway Rd., Phoenix; and 2700 W. Baseline Rd., Tempe, chanpenthaiphoenix.com
Thai Rama – Phoenix
Thai Rama Phoenix has been serving the Melrose neighborhood since 1985. Current owner Oh Makulsawatudom took over in 2017, but under one condition from the previous owner: she wouldn’t change the ultra-savory Garlic Chicken.
Another crowd favorite is the Tom Kha Gai, a chicken-and-coconut soup made with shallots, lemongrass, kaffir leaves, galanga, and mushrooms. But the food isn’t the only thing drawing locals in—long-term employees like front-of-house Panee Kitbanjong and the newly remodeled interior make it a truly welcoming space.
Food is everything in Thailand, Makulsawatudom shared, and offering its cuisine in the desert is her gentle way of showing the care and patience quality dishes take. 1221 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, thairamaaz.net
Cafe De Bangkok Gilbert
Chef Tom Rochanakit grew up helping his mother prepare food for a market stall in Surat Thani each morning before school. After purchasing Cafe De Bangkok Gilbert in 2019 with his wife, Amie, he opened the restaurant to share his mother’s recipes and the flavors of Thailand’s four regions with Arizona diners.
Rochanakit credits quality ingredients and an insistence on tasting every dish before it leaves the kitchen as key to its success. Standouts include the Gang Pu Chaplu, a thick curry of jumbo lump crab meat and betel leaves, a green similar to tender, peppery arugula; and the Khao Soi, a curry made with egg noodles, fork-tender beef brisket, and just-softened broccoli. The Panang Nuer (curry) is also award-winning.
Don’t forget to order a Butterfly Lemonade with your meal, it’s a fruity, balanced drink brightly colored by the antioxidant-packed pea flower blossoms. 1111 N. Gilbert Rd. #101, Gilbert, cafedebangkokus.com
Lom Wong
The elegant-yet-intimate Lom Wong restaurant is run by chefs Alex and Yotaka Martin, both of whom draw inspiration from their time in Thailand’s small villages. Offerings include a varied and shareable Arai Kodi (the tasting menu), which could include the Yam Mamuang Boran (green mango salad), a dish chock-full of tang from fruit, fish sauce, and lime. Or, the Hoi Shae Nam Pla (scallop crudo), which has a delicate sweetness from the scallops in a citrus sauce that pops with freshness. We also enjoy the Boo Pad Pong Garee, a warmly spiced stir-fry of crab and egg.
Lom Wong’s customer service is top-tier, and the upscale venue is a crowd-pleaser, so be sure to book reservations a few days in advance. 218 E. Portland Street, Phoenix, www.lomwongaz.com
Thai’d Up Rice and Noodles
Kittikoon Techathaveewat opened his version of Thai fast-casual dining last summer. Already he’s earned notable reviews and business for his Panang Curry, made with a rich peanut paste, and his Drunken Noodle, which has a lovely char from the wok’s high heat.
His family has been operating a restaurant in Yaowarat, a.k.a. Chinatown Bangkok, for over 40 years. He’s made adjustments to local tastes as his operating principle, hoping to create accessibility for those who might be cautious of Thai flavors. All the while, the chef creates all sauces in-house and cooks everything to order. 4727 E. Bell Rd., Suite 31, Phoenix, no website
Thai E-San
A midtown staple since 2009, Thai E-San stands out for prioritizing the needs of both vegetarian and gluten-free diners, including soy sauce alternatives. The restaurant prides itself on offering a personal experience and delivers every dish made to order, such as the Green Curry, which can be served with steamed or fried tofu, vegetables alone, or a wide variety of seafood and meat options.
A unique item on Thai E-San’s menu is the Arizona Fried Rice, featuring a grilled chicken breast atop basil-and-chili fried rice. The inclusive menu provides diet-sensitive diners with a safe space to try some of Thailand’s best flavors without fear. 616 W. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, thaiesanphx.com
Thai Recipe Bistro
If you’re looking for a cat robot to bring you lunch, Thai Recipe Bistro is the place. But the cat-on-wheels isn’t the only draw. We’re also going for the aptly named Fresh Roll featuring two rice-paper spring rolls filled to bursting with crunchy greens and fried tofu with a side of the bowl-lickable peanut sauce.
The menu offers all the usual Thai staples, along with ones you don’t see as often, such as the Pumpkin Curry, made with a red-curry coconut base and cooked veggies. The talking cat will guide you through picking up the correct dish from its trays, but human servers are ready to help if you prefer an old-fashioned person to drop your meal at the table. 2234 N. 7th St. Ste 105, Phoenix, thairecipebistro.com
Mr. Thai Bistro
Kathy Clements may have the widest smile in Gilbert, and her family’s restaurant feels like walking into a friend’s house. She opened Mr. Thai Bistro in 2014, with her sister-in-law, Paula Uphasri, a Chumphon native, serving as head chef. Her Pad Thai, a classic done well with tamarind for its color and wonderfully sour tang, is alone worth the drive for Phoenix folks.
Portions are huge because Uphasri “loves filling people’s bellies,” Clements shared.
The popular Northern dish Khao Soy, a comforting curry with egg noodles, is another winning plate, made with ingredients Clements grows herself. Notably, the kaffir lime leaves found in several dishes come from the thorny tree Clements’ mother planted here in the desert from seed over 30 years ago. The spot’s welcoming, chatty atmosphere further supports a family legacy worth tasting. 785 W. Warner Rd. #103, Gilbert, mrthaibistrogilbert.com
Glai Baan
The trendy Glai Baan opened in 2017, and it’s a true vibe with its many cocktails and street snacks, primarily from the Northeastern Isan region. The crackling atmosphere, small dishes such as the Kanom Jeeb, a tasty pork dumpling spiced with ginger, and fun adult drinks have made it popular with locals in the Arcadia area.
Another menu favorite is the Peek Gai Tod, the juicy-inside, crunchy-outside chicken wings marinated and served with a punchy jaew sauce. Plan ahead for dinner service and make a reservation a week or two out. You may want to consider an Uber as well, as parking is limited. 2333 E. Osborn Rd., Phoenix, glaibaanaz.com
Talew Thai Bistro
Talew opened under its current Bangkok-native owner in 2015 as a takeout location with a small upstairs enclave for those wanting to sit sans service, and recently expanded to a second dine-in spot a few miles over. A menu favorite is the Cashew Chicken, cooked with vegetables and meat in a savory sauce.
Portions are generous, and the food is ready quickly, making this quick and easy stop perfect for those on the run or looking to enjoy traditional Thai fare with their Netflix-and-chill evening in. 1493 S. Higley Rd. #102, Gilbert; and 3373 E. Queen Creek Rd. #104, Gilbert, talewthai.com
Pad Thai Cafe
Another family-owned neighborhood hangout, Glendale’s Pad Thai Cafe’s chefs primarily stem from the Northeastern region of Thailand, and its menu reflects those flavors with dishes such as the niche Sai Krok Isan (Northeastern Thai Isan sausage), which is a mix of pork brightened with fresh ginger, cabbage, and chilies alongside a tangy-sweet dipping sauce.
Standouts like the Fish Three Flavors, a whole tilapia fried and balanced with sweet pineapple, onions, bell peppers, and sauce, are paired with a wider-than-usual wine selection and signature Thai beers. If it’s your first time trying Thai food, go with the Pad Kra Pao (Spicy Basil) or the Pad See Ew. Both are customer favorites. 18425 N. 51st Ave., Suite I, Glendale, padthaiaz.com
Reign of Thai
This is a go-to takeout spot for a spicy Red Curry. Reign of Thai, owned by husband-and-wife duo Satsay and Noey, used to offer table service at their unpretentious eatery, but the takeout era of 2020 forced them to adopt a to-go-only model. It’s been so successful, they’ve stuck with it.
Both the curry and noodle dishes come with your choice of meat, but some diners prefer chicken and shrimp to pair with the red curry paste’s flavors. Simmered with fragrant basil and a colorful variety of vegetables, it’s giving comfort food at its coziest. 12032 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, reignofthaiphx.com
Mae-Khong Thai Tapas & Bar
May Kyaw may be just 25, but she’s already been running Mae-Khong Thai Tapas & Bar for over a year, and successfully so. The Mesa restaurant offers a menu of continually expanding shareable plates, such as Moo Ping Kra-Ti (pork skewers marinated in coconut milk, served with a spicy tamarind dipping sauce), classics like Spicy Pad Thai, and an assortment of cocktails, such as the Pattaya Beach Ice Tea, made with hibiscus and gin.
Kyaw’s Burmese background is reflected in her food, such as the Mae Khong Special, a plate of fried rice cooked with tom yum paste for an ultra-umami flavor, and fried dark-meat chicken, which is similar to a Burmese rice salad she grew up with. 1649 S. Stapley Dr. #103, Mesa, no website
The Wild Thaiger
Near downtown Phoenix is The Wild Thaiger, a popular lunch spot for business professionals seeking a flavorful midday pick-me-up. Owner and chef Olashawn Hasadinratana continually experiments with daily specials and prioritizes quality ingredients and authentic flavors.
Menu highlights include the Dragon Eggz, a succulent blend of pork, shrimp, and crab dumplings, available crispy or steamed, and the Ginger Fish, a crispy salmon dish served with a mix of vegetables and pineapple in a ginger-spiced garlic sauce. 2631 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, wildthaiger.com
Yupha’s Thai Kitchen
Named for its owner, Yupha’s Thai Kitchen comes from the heart of Yupha Dequenne herself, a Bangkok-native and former banker. After establishing a career in finance, Dequenne changed gears by opening her successful Tempe hub.
The chef’s sustainable approach is reflected in her menu, with vegetarian options like Tofu Satay, a modern take on traditional Chicken Satay, featuring barbecued tofu served with both a cucumber and a savory peanut sauce. Another unique menu option is the Yum Ped, a crispy duck salad with cashew, pineapple, ginger, and bell peppers. Or you can go classic by ordering the Siam Wrap, an egg roll filled with spiced and minced chicken and two dark, sweet side sauces of plum and Hoisin for dipping. 1805 E. Elliot Rd., Tempe, yuphas.com
