Taste of Thai
8 Austin favorites for noodles, curry, and all things Thai
With bold flavors and fresh ingredients, Thai food makes for the perfect accompaniment to summer. Work up an appetite and head to one of these eight Austin restaurants serving delicious Thai cuisine, from authentic (and spicy) dishes to modern takes on all your favorites.
Dee Dee
Dee Dee is a funky food truck on East Cesar Chavez Street specializing in Northern Thai street food. The menu is small, but it's packed with flavor. Om gai stew is a must-order for Thai fans, but moo ping (pork skewers) is a great place to start if you're new to the cuisine. Save room for dessert — the mango sticky rice is superb.
Mai Thai Restaurant
Mai Thai serves up hearty noodle, rice, and curry dishes at a reasonable price. Lunch entrees are $9 (an extra $2 for seafood) and the dinner entrees aren't much more. If you do go for dinner, we suggest going early enough to take advantage of half-price appetizers during the daily happy hour. The hardest part about visiting this downtown restaurant is that parking is a challenge. Good thing Mai Thai also offers delivery!
Sap's Fine Thai Cuisine
The selection at Sap's is huge, and so are the plates. Our favorite section of the menu is the "Special Noodle and Rice." Here you'll find everything from sizzling curry to savory catfish. Two locations in North and South Austin make it easy to go no matter where you live.
Sway Thai Restaurant
This modern Thai destination from the New Waterloo group offers everything from stir-fried to grilled preparations — even brunch, because nothing beats waking up to Thai basil chicken and waffles or mapow biscuits and gravy. In addition to the original location on South First Street, Sway has two new locations in the works: One nestled in West Lake Hills and the other on Rock Rose at The Domain.
Thai Cuisine
Lunch is definitely the way to go at Thai Cuisine because this North Austin spot offers all-you-can-eat soup, salad, appetizers, and desserts during the middle of the day. As far as entrees go, expect tons of scrumptious meat and rice dishes in large portions and various spice levels. Take our word for it, you're probably going to need a to-go box.
Thai-Kun
A slice of Paul Qui's East Side King empire, Thai-Kun recently opened its first brick-and-mortar on Rock Rose. The expanded menu features a range of lunch, dinner, and late-night bites with plenty of vegan and gluten-free alternatives. The larger kitchen means the Thai-Kun team has space to play around with fun specials and family-style dinners.
Titaya's Thai Cuisine
Titaya's is a North Lamar neighborhood gem. The portions are large and great for sharing. The red, green, and yellow curries are standouts — as is the traditional tom yum — but you really can't go wrong with anything Titaya's cooks up. For those on the go, try the takeout menu.
Tuk Tuk Thai Cafe
Tuk Tuk Thai Cafe is a popular option for carryout and delivery, with a plethora of noodles, soups, and intriguing chef's specials. Located in South Austin near Stassney Lane, the restaurant is BYOB so bring your favorite brew or bottle to enjoy with some spicy entrees. For an appetizer, we suggest the odd-sounding yet super-tasty cheese and pickle wontons.