Mexican is always a great choice. Indian is superb too. And, of course, Italian is a perennial favourite. But sometimes only Thai food will do when you really want to have a good feed.
Luckily, for residents of Sydney, there are plenty of places in the city where you can go when these cravings hit you.
Whether it is red chicken curry, beef massaman, drunken noodles or the quintessential pad Thai that is your go-to meal, here are 16 of the best Thai restaurants in Sydney you simply have to dine at.
Head to any of these places and you are pretty much guaranteed an experience of outstanding food, and excellent service, within a very pleasant setting.
So let’s get into it!
Home Thai
If you are looking for an excellent Thai restaurant right in the heart of the Sydney CBD, then look no further than Home Thai.
Conveniently found on Sussex Street, this venue is known for its delicious food and incredible prices – which considering its location borders on unbelievable.
Despite the fact that all of the dishes here have a gourmet element to them, none of them cost more than $35. So by Sydney standards, it is quite an affordable place to dine.
If you do come here, be sure to try the crispy pork that comes with divine Chinese broccoli. Also, the mixed papaya salad is sensational too.
Address: Shop 1-2, 299 Sussex Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000
Contact: (02) 9261 5058
Hours: Mon — Sun: 11 am — 11 pm
Joe’s Table
When it comes to Thai restaurants in Sydney, Joe’s Table is regularly considered to be one of the best.
An institution in Darlinghurst, this popular restaurant is run by the highly talented and visionary Joe Kitsana, who not only manages the business but also makes some of the best South-East Asian-inspired cuisines you will find in the Emerald City.
The restaurant enjoys a relaxed and attractive setting, which always makes for a delightful dining experience. And with dishes like stir-fried prawns and stir-fried pork hock created with style and panache, your taste buds will be singing by the end of the night.
Address: 1/28 Kings Ln, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010
Contact: (02) 8385 7110
Hours: Mon: 11 am — 3 pm, Tues — Sat: 11 am — 3 pm (Lunch), 6 pm — 10 pm (Dinner), Closed Sundays
Khao Pla
Over in Chatswood, Khao Pla has been sating the taste buds of hungry locals for several years now.
Known for its creative approach, this venue has reinvented classic Thai dishes with a contemporary twist that delivers unexpected taste explosions.
Made from the freshest of ingredients – locally sourced where possible – this restaurant has won many awards over the years for its gastronomic offerings. Which sees them make all their curries and pastes in-house.
If you have not been here before, then you simply must check it out, because Khao Pla makes Thai food, unlike any other restaurant in Sydney.
Address: Shop 7/370-374, Victoria Avenue, Chatswood, NSW, 2067
Contact: (02) 9412 4978
Hours: Mon — Sun: 11 pm — 10 pm
Blue Monkey
Randwick’s restaurant scene may be a little under-rated, which is a shame because they have a fabulous selection of restaurants at which to dine.
One of them, Blue Monkey, dishes up some of the best Thai food in Sydney. Thanks in no small part to the skills of the head chef who first learned the proper techniques for cooking at just 10 years old.
Characterised by its intoxicating aromas and intense flavours, the vibrant dishes presented by this venue feature fresh produce and several exotic spices.
Diners here rave about their garlic lamb and sumptuous grilled salad.
Address: 39 Perouse Road, Randwick, NSW, 2031
Contact: (02) 8021 2160
Hours: Mon — Sun: 5 pm — 9:30 pm
Chin Chin
Providing you with a deluxe dining experience without the price tag, Chin Chin is a contemporary venue in Surry Hills that is perfect for date night.
Featuring ambient mood lighting and a very laid-back atmosphere, the restaurant has a distinctly romantic air to it.
You can’t go wrong with Chin Chin’s signature fried rice, while their delectable white fish green curry, which is served with apple eggplant, is to die for.
Address: 69 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills, NSW, 2010
Contact: (02) 9281 3322
Hours: Mon — Fri: 12 pm — 11:30 pm, Sat & Sun: 11 am — 11:30 pm
Caysorn Thai
They say all the best food is cooked with love, and at Caysorn Thai this is a maxim they hold dear to hear.
A stalwart in the CBD, this Haymarket restaurant is run by co-owners Chalio, Nongnapa and Phanthip, who strive to present a Thai food experience that has a real home-cooked, family essence to it.
Their menu is quite extensive and features all the classics. Be sure to save some room for dessert too, as they are top-notch. In fact, they are so good, that you will be tempted to order them as your starter!
Address: 106/8 Quay Street, Prince Centre Building Level 1, Haymarket, NSW, 2000
Contact: (02) 9211 5729
Hours: Mon — Sun: 11 am — 9:30 pm
DoDee Paidang
If you are a fan of noodles, then you should definitely make a point of heading over to Chatswood to try the delicious offerings at DoDee Paidang.
Run with a sense of family, history and tradition at the core of everything they do, their tom yum soup is legendary. It’s also made from a 30-year-old recipe, which gives it a unique point of difference to the versions produced by other Sydney establishments.
As well to a terrific menu of main Thai dishes, their range of desserts and tap Asian beers are very impressive too.
Address: Westfield Chatswood, Shop 330-331, 1 Anderson Street, Chatswood, NSW, 2067
Contact: (02) 9419 5341
Hours: Mon — Sun: 11:30 am — Late
Yok Yor
If you are looking for a casual Thai restaurant that lets the exceptional quality of its food do the talking, then Yok Yor is the place for you.
Another Haymarket venue in the CBD on this list, this eatery was actually founded in Bangkok in 1982. Its success can be put down to the way it practices traditional food preparation of classic dishes. Something which manifests itself in every delicious bite you take.
You’ll find this splendid venue on the corner of Castlereagh Street. If you do go there, be sure to try the Som Tum Pu Pla Ra and pad Thai. Both of which are up there with anything you can get in Sydney.
Address: Shop G06, 323 Castlereagh Street, Haymarket, NSW, 2000
Contact: (02) 9280 0001 / (02) 9280 0013
Hours: Sun — Tues: 11:30 am — 10 pm, Fri & Sat: 11:30 am — 11 pm
Chum Tang
Run by the same team behind Khao Pla, Chum Tang is another top-notch Thai restaurant in Chatswood.
Unlike other venues, it offers you dishes with flavours that are a little more intense than most other places plate up.
For some people, the food here might not be as easy on your palette as what you can get at Khao Pla. But if you can take the heat, spices and textures of this fabulous eatery, they will take your taste buds on a gastronomic journey that few other places in the city can match.
Address: Shop 4, The District Podium Level, Chatswood Interchange 436, Victoria Ave, Chatswood,
NSW, 2067
Contact: (02) 9419 2872
Hours: Mon — Sun: 11 pm — 10 pm
Long Chim
A veritable institution in the CBD, Long Chim serves up some of the most delicious Thai Food in the city.
Popular both with city workers and tourists alike, this place is always busy. So don’t be surprised if you have to wait a little bit of time for your food.
Considering its central location, the menu offers outstanding value-for-money, at a price that shouldn’t put too much strain on your wallet.
Bursting with freshness and flavour, the venue is considered by many to serve up the best fish cakes in Sydney. For mains, their nong’s eggplant is something everyone should try at least once.
With both set and a la carte menus available, there is plenty of choice for when you do get seated at your table.
Address: Angel Place, Sydney, NSW, 2000
Contact: (02) 9223 7999
Hours: Mon — Fri: 12 pm —3 pm (Lunch), 5 pm — 10 pm (Dinner), Sat: 5 pm — 10 pm, Closed Sundays
Boon Cafe
Fancy a bit of Thai fusion? Well, that is exactly what you get at the Boon Cafe.
Operating from a perspective of eating authentically, and priding itself on championing the culture of its South East Asian roots, the cafe serves brunch-style dishes during the day.
In the evening, their menu changes to offer cuisine from the northern region of Thailand that is a little bit stronger in terms of flavours and heavier on the veggies.
To support their interesting menu, they also offer a good selection of speciality cocktails which you can pair with your dish.
Address: 1/425 Pitt St, Haymarket, NSW, 2000
Contact: (02) 9281 2114
Hours: Mon — Sun: 8 am — 8 pm
Alphabet Street
Looking for a good Thai restaurant in Sydney that will also provide you with a bit of a view, then channel your best impression of Prince and head on down to Alphabet street.
Nestled on the fringes of Cronulla Beach, this fantastic restaurant offers a menu which showcases the perfect balance between classic and contemporary Asian cuisine.
Available as both a banquet-style setting, as well as a takeaway, they offer something for all lovers of tasty Thai food.
If you are not hungry, you can always just choose to sit by the water’s edge and enjoy the ocean vibe with one of the signature cocktails from their bar.
Address:5/8 Kingsway, Cronulla, NSW, 2230
Contact: (02) 9544 0756
Hours: Tues — Thurs: 5 pm — 10 pm, Fri & Sat: 12 pm — 3 pm (Lunch), 5 pm — 10 pm (Dinner), Sun: 12 pm — 3 pm (Lunch), 5 pm — 9 pm (Dinner), Closed Mondays
Cheng Kitchen
With so many Thai restaurants in Haymarket, you need a point of difference to stand out. Well, Cheng Kitchen provides this with a unique food offering that is distinct from other tastes you are used to in Sydney.
Celebrating the culinary delights of North Thai food, the restaurant offers a range of dishes you may not have tried before.
Their signature dish is Khantoke, which is a terrific selection of Thai curries, jams and relishes which will take your taste buds to places they have not been to before.
Dishes are pretty well priced and the setting is relaxed and charming.
Address: 54 Campbell Street Haymarket, NSW, 2000
Contact: 0449 956 281
Hours: Mon — Sun: 10 am — 11:30 pm
Spice I Am
For many people, especially regulars at this Surry Hills institution, Spice I Am is the best Thai restaurant in Sydney.
Under the vision of head chef, Sujet Saenkham, the venue presents an award-winning selection of dishes that are creative, inventive and authentic.
Known for its wonderful selection of stir-fries (their eggplant version is quite incredible), the venue’s curries are legendary too, whilst it’s also worth coming here just for their salads alone.
If you do come here, you’ll get to enjoy a lovely meal in a restaurant that features a buzzy vibe and simplistic decor.
Address: 90 Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills, NSW, 2010
Contact: (02) 9280 0928
Hours: Tues — Sun: 11:30 am — 3:30 (Lunch), 5 pm — 10 pm (Dinner), Closed Mondays
Chat Thai
Yet another Haymarket restaurant that serves up delicious Thai food, Chat Thai is a great place to go for a quick lunch or casual dinner.
Set within a casual venue that features exposed brick walls, an open kitchen and a vibrant atmosphere, the restaurant offers Thai street food that is prepared with a high degree of flair and no little skill.
Their menu features a wide range of delectable dishes that champion fresh, high-quality ingredients.
Whether you are after spring rolls, Chilli fried rice, a yellow crab curry or just a coconut ice cream they will serve you comfort food at its best.
Address: 20 Campbell Street Haymarket, NSW, 2000
Contact: (02) 9211 1808
Hours: Mon — Sun: 11 am — 10 pm
Moon
Fancy a real Thai feast? Then the degustation meal available at Moon is something you simply must treat yourself to.
It will cost you $95, but with a menu that showcases cuisine made from an approach where ‘traditional meets modern’, the mix of pork, beef, seafood and veggie dishes you get will send you straight to food heaven.
Curated under the guidance of head chef Aum, you will feel the joy of this fabulous Thai and European fusion experience with every spectacular bite.
Address: 346 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010
Contact: (02) 9357 6084
Hours: Tues — Sun: 5 pm — 9:30 pm, Closed Mondays