The Best Thai Food Spots in the UAE

Thailand is one of the most popular Southeast Asian countries in the world that is famous for numerous reasons. This small country, despite its size, boasts magnificent tropical beaches, ancient ruins, luxurious royal palaces, and ornamented temples exhibiting sculptures of Buddha. Apart from the majestic view of the country, one of the first things that come to our mind when we hear about the country ‘Thailand’ is FOOD. Thailand is extremely popular for its street foods among tourists as well as locals, and they have a wide variety of foods. 

If you are a resident of the UAE and wish to travel to Thailand one day, or you are not able to travel due to circumstances, you can still explore and experience the culture, food, and traditions of Thailand right within the UAE. On the brighter side, you get to save your expenses on travelling costs, boarding costs, and other miscellaneous fees, while relishing the taste of Thai cuisine right from the place you live. Isn’t that awesome? There are so many Thai restaurants available in and around the UAE that you can explore all year through. To help you with it, we have located the best Thai food spots in the UAE.

Best Thai Restaurants in the UAE

Café Isan- Thai Street Food & Bar

Starting from a humble beginning with just AED 200 to crowning the “Best Thai Restaurant” for 3 consecutive years, Café Isan is one of the hottest spots to try authentic Thai cuisine. This restaurant and bar is located in Armada Avenue Hotel JLT and boasts the vibe of a Thai street food stall, decorated with plastic chairs, stacked crates, and exposed lighting. Along with the chilled and refreshing bar setting, Café Isan serves a wide selection of Thailand’s most popular street foods, that too, at the most affordable prices!

If you are looking for a free and easy café atmosphere and want to relish tasty North-East Thai foods, Café Isan is the one to go for. It is super popular among locals and tourists alike, and you get to enjoy various delicacies prepared by Thai Chef New. Some of the recommended dishes on their menu are Kanom Jeep, Tub Gai Tod, Pik Gai Chicken Wings, Gai Yang Set, Tom Yum Soup, Som Tum, Yam Wun Sen, Khao Man Gai, Pad Thai Noodles, and more. 

Located in: Armada Avenue Hotel, Jumeirah Lake Towers- Dubai, United Arab Emirates

www.cafeisan.co 

Sticky Rice 

Presenting an exceptionally private dining affair with just 6 tables, this family-based cafe, Sticky Rice, offers a comfortable and homely Thai eatery spot at JVC, Dubai. This small and cosy restaurant is loved by many food lovers in the city, and you will often find people waiting in a queue in hopes to grab a table and a taste of the Thai dishes served here. This restaurant is owned by a local Emirati, whose mother is a Thai. 

Sticky Rice is suitable for both vegetarians and non-vegetarian people. You will get to taste the flavourful Thai cuisine, loaded with various sorts of tastes, as the foods are prepared with much passion and love. Book a table for you and your friends this weekend for a casual dining experience, or go on a little date with your loved one. Try out their Thai specials, including Kai Tohd Boi and Khai Look Sapai, their sweet and savoury Spicy Penang, or their Som Tum Pak, Pad Thai Pak, or Khao Pad Pak, if you are a vegetarian. 

Located in: JVC, Sobha Daffodil, Shop No. 06 – Dubai, United Arab Emirates

https://www.stickyrice.ae/ 

The Thai Kitchen

You will get to experience the authentic taste of Thai cuisine at The Thai Kitchen, where they prepare the foods using fresh local ingredients imported all the way from Thailand to meet the true traditional flavours of the country. The Thai Kitchen is well-known and popular for serving authentic Thai foods to food lovers, which are prepared by local Thai chefs. This exquisite restaurant has also won multiple awards and features 3 kitchens inside for multiple purposes to deliver the best flavoured Thai delicacies. 

The interior design and set-up of the restaurant are fancy, and you will see a lot of motif designs, which will remind you of Thai culture and tradition. The restaurant also features an open sky sitting platform, where you can take a sip of their in-house Thai cocktails while appreciating the view. They have menu options on both veg and non-veg, allowing all the visitors to enjoy Thai cuisine without any barriers. 

Located in: Park Hyatt Dubai Dubai Creek Resort, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

https://dubaicreekresort.com/the-thai-kitchen/

Asian Street by Thai

Asian Street by Thai is a small family-run restaurant located at JLT Cluster, Dubai, that offers an authentic Thai menu. Although the interior is not as fancy as you might expect, that should not fool you. Because this tiny restaurant will serve you the best Thai dishes and let you enjoy the originality of Thai food right in your city. You will find varieties of salads, rice and noodle menu, and soups, in addition to stir-fries, curries, and smaller plates. The best part about this restaurant is that all their menu prices are really affordable and budget-friendly, so you can keep visiting this food spot now and then. 

Located in: JLT Cluster F, opposite AVIV clinic, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

https://www.instagram.com/asianstreetbythai/ 

Benjarong

Situated in Dusit Thani at Abu Dhabi, Benjarong restaurant is a Thai restaurant that won several awards to date and specialises in serving authentic grand Thai cuisine. The setting of the restaurant is absolutely majestic with a touch of traditional Thai structures that screams royalty. If you are looking for a fancy night out in a luxury restaurant, Benjarong would totally fit in the frame. 

The foods served at Benjarong are based on 5 different flavours, that represent Thai food culture- spicy, sweet, sour, creamy, and salty. So, whatever your taste palette is, you will find something in the restaurant that suits you. Nevertheless, all the dishes prepared by the local Thai chefs at Benjarong are something that you need to try at least once. 

Located in: 925 Sultan Bin Zayed The First Street, Muroor Rd, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

https://www.dusit.com/dusitthani-dubai/dining/benjarong/

Charm Thai

Charm Thai is another one of the best Thai food spots you can explore in the UAE. This Thai restaurant blends modern and traditional touches in both its interior design of the ambience and the food menu, offering a luxurious yet authentic Thai dining affair. The restaurant even gives access to their live kitchen, where you can watch the chefs prepare your meal in the middle of the dinner. 

The main menu of Charm Thai highlights various types of Thai salads, like the crispy mango and sea bass salad, grilled beef salad, and papaya salad with tamarind sauce and dried shrimp. You can also explore unique dishes like pan-fried cashew chicken, pineapple rice served with crab meat, satay tofu skewer, pad thai with pickled turnips and tofu, coconut and mushroom soup, and many more. 

Located in: Crowne Plaza, Dubai Marina, Dubai –  United Arab Emirates

Reserve your table at tablecheck.com

Pai Thai

Pai Thai is another excellent hot spot to explore if you are in the mood for some authentic Thai food. In fact, this restaurant is one of the most popular Thai restaurants in town, where you are introduced to a modern and traditional fusion of Thai culture and foods. From the surrounding area of the restaurant to the interior design to the various menu options, you will get a glimpse of the essence of Thailand right in your city. 

Moreover, along with the delectable foods and majestic interior designs, you also get to view the Madinat Jumeirah waterways, making Pai Thai a restaurant with a stunning visual and an excellent choice for a date night. You might need to reserve your table in advance though, which is fair enough, considering how popular the spot is! 

Located in: Madinat Jumeirah, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

https://www.jumeirah.com/en/dine/dubai/al-qasr-pai-thai

Thiptara

If you are looking for a fine dining place with a magnificent view of the town from the restaurant, Thiptara offers just that. This restaurant is located on the balcony of a hotel, where they serve you delectable Thai cuisine as you appreciate the breathtaking view of the Dubai Water Fountain. The eating area is set up in an open space, where you can view the Burj Khalifa Lake as you relish the food. However, it is not only the backdrop that makes this Thai restaurant so special and well-known. They also have one of the best customer services with friendly staff. Make sure to try their Goong Mung Kurn, Ped, Panaeng Curry, Gaeng Phed Ped Yang, and more to get a taste of authentic Thai cuisine.

Located in: The Old Town Island – Downtown – Emaar, Dubai 

https://www.addresshotels.com/en/restaurant/thiptara/ 

Little Bangkok Thai Restaurant

This Thai restaurant is so popular in the UAE that it has expanded its business to around 6 branches around Dubai City to date. Little Bangkok is the perfect spot for you if you wish to experience Thai food and admire the beautiful set-up of the interior design. They have an extensive list on their menu, starting from the all-time favourite Thai dishes of the locals to more regional dishes from around the provinces of Thailand. The restaurant has over 30 different types of dim sums as well, allowing food lovers to come back and try the different variants each time. Moreover, the general cost of the food menu is affordable. Check out their special menu like Phed Tod Sauce Makham, Seafood Pad Nam Prik Pao, Aromatic Roasted Duck Plate, and more.

Located in: The Tower – Sheikh Zayed Rd – Trade Centre – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

https://www.littlebangkok.com/ 

Bambooda

Bambooda restaurant features a tropical setting in its interior design, delivering the tale of Thailand’s tropical waterfalls, forests, and traditional bamboo houses, where guests get to experience the authentic dishes of Thailand while feeling like they are vacationing in the country itself. Bambooda specialises in serving authentic Thai cuisine as well as a fusion Thai menu, taking the customers on a culinary trip to Thailand. If you ever go to visit this restaurant, make sure to taste their tom yum soup, pad thai, som tum salad, beef salad, green curry and more. 

Located in: Mövenpick Grand Al Bustan Dubai – Garhoud – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

https://movenpick.accor.com/en/middle-east/uae/dubai/grand-al-bustan-dubai/restaurants/bambooda-thai-fusion.html

Wise Kwai Thai Streetfood

Wise Kwai would be an ideal spot to hang out with your friends and explore the delicacies of Thai cuisine if you live in the UAE or around Dubai. This Thai street food hub is located on the 1st floor of Al Barsha Heights. The first impression as you enter this restaurant is the eye-catching cinema-themed interior design, which you are welcomed through a pink door. Then a part of the restaurant wall is embellished with Vinyl records, giving an aesthetic cinematic touch to the overall vibe of the restaurant. The Thai delicacies in this diner are prepared by Chef Jet, who is a Thai culinary artist and a multi-nominated chef. So, you know the food is gonna be lip-smacking. Try their pad thai, crispy beef in toasted rice, chicken satay, and many more. 

Located in: 1st Floor, DusitD2 kenz Hotel – Al Barsha Heights – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

https://www.dusit.com/dusitd2-dubai/dining/wise-kwai/

Mango Tree Thai Bistro

Located at the Hilton Dubai The Walk in Jumeirah Beach Residence, Mango Tree Thai Bistro is a cool and trendy spot to try Thai food if you live in the UAE. The menu of this Thai eatery is mainly based on Southern Thai cuisine, which predominantly consists of seafood. The seafront’s stunning view allows food lovers to enjoy the meals as they cherish the beautiful scenic view at the same time. The food at Mango Tree offers a contemporary twist on traditional Thai comfort meals, while the interiors are decorated in warm tones with bursts of vibrant colours.

Located in: Hilton Dubai The Walk – Jumeirah Beach Residence – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

https://www.talabat.com/uae/mango-tree-thai-bistro

Tong Thai

You will find the Tong Thai restaurant in the JW Marriott Marquis. This restro offers a luxury Thai dining experience to its guests, which is ideal and a perfect choice for special dates and events. The interior is filled with red mood lighting, accentuating every corner of the layout. Their ceiling-to-floor length windows are another highlight that garners the attention of its guests, and elegant décor delivers a modern setting to relish sumptuous dishes like the panang lobster curry, grilled marinated Thai Wagyu striploin, and deep-fried seabass. Additionally, their innovative in-house cocktails inspired by Asian cultures are perfect to end your dinner date. 

Located in: Sheikh Zayed Rd – Business Bay – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

https://www.opentable.ae/r/tong-thai-dubai

Sukhothai

The name of this restaurant can be translated to “Dawn of Happiness”, and just like that, Sukhothai presents a suitably warm ambience instantly as you enter the restro. Furthermore, your dining experience is enhanced by the welcome service by the restaurant’s kind staff. You can explore the vast diversity of Thai foods from their set menu, which you can also order from their a la carte menu if you wish. Make sure to try their traditional Thai dish such as the lamb massaman curry, Goong Mang Korn Thod Kratiem, Phed Ma Add Kham, Pla Neung Ma Naow, Phad Thai Goong, and more. 

Located in: Le Meridien Dubai Hotel – D89 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

https://www.sukhothai-dubai.com/

Khun Chai Thai Restaurant 

If you are in search of authentic Thai foods in the UAE, Khun Chai Thai is another happy hunting ground for you. They serve one of the most authentic Thai foods in the city, and not only that, but the menu price is also super affordable and cheap. The eatery is located along Jumeirah Street, and you will get to experience freshly cooked Thai foods right on the spot, packed with all kinds of flavours that will leave you wanting to come back for more. Try to visit this refreshing eatery spot this outing and try their best-selling menus, such as Tom Yum fish soup, mango sticky rice, papaya salad, Pad Thai, Pad See Ew With Soya Sauce, and Rice With Cashewnuts. 

Located in: Al Barsha Mall – 23rd St – Jumeirah Beach Road- Dubai – United Arab Emirates

https://www.talabat.com/uae/khun-chai-thai-restaurant 

Must-Try Thai Foods In The UAE

Surely, there are uncountable Thai foods with each distinct flavour that exists for us to taste, and it sure will take a while to try each and every dish. However, these Thai foods are some of the most popular and highly recommended by both Thai locals and non-Thai people alike, and you can try them when you visit the next Thai restaurant in the UAE.

Guay Teow- This Thai dish is arguably one of the most popular Thai noodle soups, made with either chicken, beef, rice, egg, or pork. The dish also contains meatballs or wontons, depending on the restaurants and stalls. It best culminates with a choice of seasonings including sugar, lime juice, dried chilli peppers, and fish sauce. 

Tom Yum Goong- When we hear Thai food, it reminds us of this legendary bowl of spicy shrimp soup. Tom Yum Goong is a flavourful, aromatic bowl of soup, prepared with superior local ingredients like chilli, lemongrass, galangal, kaffier lime leaves, fresh lime juice, shallots, and ton of fish sauce. It is topped with mushrooms and fresh prawns with coconut cream as an option. 

Som Tam- This dish is also called Spicy Green Papaya Salad and is widely popular among even Thai locals. This dish originated from the North East of Thailand and comes in different recipes. The classic version consists of tomatoes, thinly sliced raw papaya, carrots, dried shrimp, peanuts, runner beans, tamarind pulp, palm sugar, fish sauce, garlic, lime juice, and lots of chillies.

Yam Talay- Known as Spicy Seafood Salad, this popular Thai dish is not only mouthwatering but also has nutritional value for our bodies. This food is typically prepared with shrimp, squid, mussels, crabmeat, tomatoes, glass noodles, onions, or scallops all mixed together before serving. 

Pad Thai- This Thai dish is highly known not only among the local Thai people but also all over the world. It is a Thai version of fried noodles, which is typically prepared with chicken or shrimp, but it is also prepared with vegetarian options. Pad Thai is a must-try during your visit to one of these Thai restaurants in the UAE. 

Khao Pad- When it comes to Thailand and food, rice is the most important of all. And Khao Pad is one of the popular fried rice variants in Thai cuisine, which you need to try. It is generally prepared with prawns, spring onion, egg, sugar, light soy sauce, fish sauce, chilli peppers, garlic, coriander, shallot, and cooked jasmine rice. However, the recipe can vary according to the eateries. 

Kao Niew Ma Muang– This Thai dish is called mango sticky rice in English, and is usually eaten as a dessert rather than a dish. It is super popular in Thailand, and you need to try it when you visit Thai restaurants in the UAE. It is prepared with fresh ripe mango slices, sticky rice, and condensed milk. It is simple, yet very refreshing and tasty!

Frequently Asked Questions About Thai Food In The UAE