Where to Get Thai Food in Philadelphia (Best Thai Restaurants Near Me)
If you’ve been asking, what are the best Thai restaurants near me, then you’re in the right place. The food in the “City of Brotherly Love” is distinctive. Locals eat TastyKakes, cheesesteaks (wit whiz), and soft pretzels in this location. But did you know that the Thai cuisine scene in Philadelphia is thriving? Read through for more detailed information.
List of the Best Thai Restaurants in Philadelphia
Below are some of the best Thai restaurants you can find in Philadelphia:
1. Kalaya Thai Kitchen
The Philadelphia Inquirer’s culinary reviewer, Craig LaBan, said that Kalaya’s meals were “more appealing than any others I’ve tried at Thai restaurants in Philadelphia before.” Don’t buy the hype, do you?
They named Kalaya one of Food & Wine’s Best New Restaurants of 2020. Not yet persuaded? Kalaya was put forward for a prestigious James Beard Award in 2020.
When you go, be prepared for the chef Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon’s show-stopping delicacies. Her mother taught her how to prepare Southern Thai meals.
2. Jasmine Rice Rittenhouse
Rittenhouse is the best location in Philadelphia. Rows of stunning brick homes that I can’t buy surround this Center City West neighborhood, as well as the well-known Rittenhouse Square.
When you next wander through the neighborhood, check out Jasmine Rice’s lunch menu. For about $6, you may sample this lemongrass soup with white mushrooms and fresh lime.
The Thai Fisherman Delight, which comprises “Jumbo shrimp, calamari, and mussels in tangy massaman curry coconut sauce over soft yellow noodles,” is the favorite on the dinner menu if you enjoy seafood.
3. JJ Thai Cuisine
Like refined French-Thai fusion cuisine? You might be right at home at JJ. Dishes like escargot, lamb lollipops, and steak au poivre are served by Chef Jub Jang alongside more conventional fare like drunken noodles and pad Thai.
Not in the mood to eat at a restaurant? JJ provides delivery and takeout. JJ is a BYOB restaurant if you decide to get dressed up and visit in person.
They also have a charming outside seating area with several potted plants and umbrellas. JJ sits on Chestnut Street, making it the ideal place to enjoy some downtown people-watching.
4. Chatayee Thai
This is the spot for you if you’re a vegan, a fan of drag queens, or a happy hour connoisseur! Chatayee offers a comprehensive vegan menu with tofu and vegetarian options in addition to a standard menu packed with traditional Thai foods.
One of the rare Thai eateries in Philadelphia that offers Happy Hour deals is Chatayee. The $5 Massaman curry ($5; pumpkin, potato, cauliflower, carrot, onion, yellow curry, and roasted peanuts with thin-crust flatbread).
Also $3 spring rolls are among the menu’s highlights (with shrimp, mushrooms, cabbage, and sweet chilli sauce). $3 featured drafts, $5 house wines, and $8 cocktails are available as beverages.
5. Chabaa Thai Bistro
It’s difficult to find parking in this area, but fortunately Chabaa is close to the Manayunk Regional rail station. If you decide to pick up your order, there is currently curbside parking available.
An appetizer sampler of crispy spring rolls, chicken dumplings, fried tofu, and chicken satay, together with Thai sweet chili sauce and ground-roasted peanuts, is a great way to start your evening at Chabaa.
Next, try a seasonal special from the chef’s menu. Take a stroll along the Manayunk Towpath to round off your evening.
6. Sawatdee
The prettiest, greenest eatery on South Street is this hidden gem. (Simply look for the area that is green on the corner.) It’s the ideal location for you and your pals to enjoy a bowl of Tom Kha soup.
It is very close to the Lombard-South Broad Street Line stop, making public transportation very convenient. Sawatdee is an excellent place to go for supper before a performance at the Kimmel Center or the Academy of Music.
Salad-lover? From the Yum-Neua-Yang salad with grilled flank steak to the Yum-Talay salad with squid and mussels, Sawatdee offers seven different salads.
7. Xiandu Thai Fusion Cuisine
This might be the Thai food experience for you if you’re terrified of spices. For those who can’t manage the heat of traditional Thai cuisine, Xiandu offers to reduce the spiciness.
If you want to drink at 5 o’clock every day, Xiandu has a wide selection of wines, beers, and “Asian-inspired” cocktails. You’ll be glad to know that there are lots of GF choices available if you’re gluten-free.
Trying to gain influence in the food industry? This location is ideal for a covert Boomerang of you holding a cocktail because of the stylish orange walls and adorable cut-outs in the white chairs.
8. Circles Thai
Winner, winner, dinner with chicken! Circles Thai has won Philly Magazine’s Best Thai Restaurant award three times. Their General Thai Chicken, which includes pineapple, bell peppers, and onions, is one of my favorites.
The Fried S’more Banana Spring Roll on the menu is an intriguing delicacy. Fear not, vegetarians. They can replace any meat on the menu with seitan or tofu.
Specials for lunch start at $7.50! My pocketbook concurs. On Monday nights, Circles is a wonderful takeout option, making it the ideal meal to order while binge-watching The Bachelorette.
9. Little Thai Market
Before you enter Reading Terminal Market, you haven’t really experienced Philadelphia. This location, one of the country’s first markets and home to several famous restaurants, is a national historic site.
The Little Thai Market, which is hidden inside, always has a line during prime time because of its popularity. Basil Chicken and Salmon Curry are popular items in the small Thai market.
You may get jars of their curry sauce and specialized fish sauce and hard-to-find ingredients like galangal if you’re a keen home cook who wants to recreate their recipes at home.
10. White Elephant Restaurant
For the entire year of 2020, White Elephant was my preferred place to get takeout. I can honestly say that their green curry freed me from several monotonous months of confinement and working from home.
It always came with fluffy jasmine rice and was served hot. order this one to go because White Elephant is around 30 minutes from Center City.
Do not be deceived by the unattractive exterior if you decide to visit in person. This place has the most delicious and soothing coconut soup.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can’t go wrong with the Philadelphia Thai cuisine scene, whether you’re seeking for an elegant, award-winning experience at Kalaya or an outdoor night out on Trio’s patio.