We’ve long discussed the best restaurants in Dubai. The city has a lot to offer, satisfying all kinds of cravings for the most gourmand guests. Among the many options to try, Thai restaurants flourish throughout Dubai. This culinary tradition with millions of foodies around the world can be experienced in Dubai like nowhere else. That’s why we have gathered the best Thai Restaurants in Dubai, with 15 options that will satisfy your hunger for this delicious cooking tradition. You will find here their names, their location, their websites and social media links, the type of cuisine, and a short description of each. Let’s check them out!
Topics Covered:
- What is Thai cuisine known for?
- What are the most popular Thai dishes?
- What is unique about Thai food?
- What are the must-try Thai dishes?
- Best Thai Restaurants in Dubai
- Little Bangkok Thai Restaurant
- Pai Thai
- Thiptara
- Mango Tree Thai Bistro
- Tong Thai
- Sticky Rice
- Little Bangkok, Cluster I, JLT
- Benjarong
- The Thai Kitchen, Park Hyatt Dubai
- The Royal Budha
- Tuk Tuk Thai Cuisine
- Woks Den – Wok, Thai, Chinese & Asian
- Sukhothai
- Khun Chai Thai Restaurant -Jumeira3
- Charm Thai
What is Thai cuisine known for?
Thai cuisine is known for its complex and spicy flavors, as well as its use of fresh herbs and ingredients. Some signature ingredients in Thai cuisine include lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime, Thai basil, fish sauce, and chili peppers.
The dishes from Thailand often incorporate a balance of sour, sweet, salty, and spicy flavors. It also offers an extensive range of street food, snacks, and desserts, such as grilled satay, crispy fried spring rolls, sticky rice with mango, and coconut milk-based sweets.
What are the most popular Thai dishes?
Thai food has a variety of different flavors and components that can be found in its many dishes. Here are the top 10 of the most popular Thai dishes:
1. Pad Thai (Stir-Fried Noodles)
Pad Thai is a Stir-fried rice noodle with a sweet-savory-sour sauce scattered with crushed peanuts. It’s made with thin, flat rice noodles, and almost always has bean sprouts, garlic chives, scrambled egg, firm tofu, and a protein – the most popular being chicken or prawns/shrimp. You can find this dish in almost every restaurant Thai in the world.
2. Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup)
A famous Thai dish, this soup is a combination of spiciness, sourness, and aroma. Originating from the center of the country, the unique flavor comes from the mixture of lemongrass, shallots, fish sauce, galangal, mushrooms, kaffir lime leaves, lime juice, and red chili peppers. The most common (and tastiest) version uses shrimp (Goong), while there are other options such as chicken, fish, and a mix of seafood.
If the spiciness is too much, the northern specialty, Thai chicken coconut soup, offers a milder and sweeter alternative. The same flavors and spices are present, but the chili peppers are optional and the creamy coconut milk reduces the heat.
3. Gaeng Keow Wan Gai (Green Curry)
One of the signature Thai dishes that almost everyone loves is Thai green curry. An immaculate blend of green curry paste combined with coconut cream creates a thick curry that goes extremely well with rice.
The main ingredients are green curry paste, chicken or shrimp, thai eggplant, bamboo shoots, thai basil, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and chili peppers
4. Massaman Curry
Massaman curry is a popular Thai dish that is made with a rich, creamy sauce and a blend of fragrant spices. The dish is often made with beef, but can also be made with chicken, lamb, or tofu. The curry sauce typically includes coconut milk, tamarind paste, palm sugar, fish sauce, and a blend of spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, and cloves.
The dish may also include potatoes, onions, and peanuts, which add texture and flavor to the dish. Massaman curry is typically served hot with steamed rice or roti, a type of Indian flatbread.
Massaman curry has a rich and complex flavor profile that balances the sweetness of the coconut milk with the sourness of the tamarind and the heat of the spices. It is a comforting and satisfying dish that is popular in both Thai and Muslim cuisine, as it is believed to have originated in southern Thailand, where there is a significant Muslim population. Massaman curry can be found at many Thai restaurants and street food stalls throughout the country.
5. Som Tam
Som Tam is a popular Thai dish that is also known as Papaya Salad. It is a refreshing and spicy salad that is made with shredded unripe papaya, tomatoes, green beans, garlic, chilies, lime juice, fish sauce, and palm sugar. It is often served as a side dish or a main dish in Thai cuisine.
To prepare Som Tam, the ingredients are mixed together in a mortar and pestle or a large mixing bowl. The papaya is typically shredded using a special tool called a mandoline, and the other ingredients are chopped or pounded together to release their flavors and create a spicy dressing.
There are many variations of Som Tam, with some recipes using different types of vegetables, fruits, or proteins, such as cucumber, carrot, mango, shrimp, or crab. Some recipes may also use different types of chilies or adjust the level of spiciness to suit personal taste.
6. Pad See Ew
Pad See Ew is a very popular Thai noodle meal consisting of broad, flat rice noodles stir-fried with meat (usually beef, chicken, or pork), Chinese broccoli, egg, garlic, and a sweet soy sauce. It is often accompanied by other vegetables such as carrots, cabbage, and onions.
This dish is known for its intense flavors and fulfilling texture and is usually eaten as a fast meal or as street food in Thailand. The sweet and salty sauce gives the noodles a caramel-like taste, and the Chinese broccoli adds a crunchy texture as well as a slightly bitter flavor to counterbalance the sweetness of the sauce. Pad See Ew is frequently served hot and is garnished with chili peppers and lime wedges for a tart citrus kick.
7. Khao Pad
Khao Pad is a popular Thai fried rice dish that is typically made with cooked jasmine rice, eggs, onions, garlic, vegetables (such as peas, carrots, and corn), and protein (such as chicken, shrimp, or tofu). The dish is seasoned with soy sauce and sometimes fish sauce, and can be garnished with chopped scallions, cilantro, and lime wedges.
8. Tom Kha Gai
Tom kha gai is a famous Thai soup consisting of chicken, coconut milk, galangal, lemongrass, chili peppers, and other savory components. “Tom kha gai” is translated to “boiled galangal chicken,” as the galangal is the crucial element that gives the soup its particular flavor.
It is usually prepared by boiling chicken in a blended mixture of coconut milk and water, along with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and chili peppers. Mushrooms, onions, and fish sauce may also be included to improve the taste. The soup is regularly served steaming hot and adorned with freshly chopped cilantro and thin slices of red chili peppers.
Tom kha gai is a soothing and appetizing dish that is cherished by both locals and travelers to Thailand. It is usually eaten as a starter or entrée and goes best with rice or noodles.
9. Larb
Larb (also spelled laab or larp) is a popular Thai dish that is often made with minced meat (chicken, beef, or pork) that is seasoned with fish sauce, lime juice, chili peppers, and a variety of herbs such as mint, cilantro, and shallots. The dish may also include toasted rice powder, which adds a nutty flavor and a bit of crunch to the dish.
Larb is typically served as a salad and may be served with fresh lettuce leaves or cabbage leaves, which can be used to wrap the meat mixture. The dish is often garnished with fresh herbs and chili peppers and is traditionally eaten with sticky rice.
10. Mango Sticky Rice
Khao niao mamuang, more commonly known as mango sticky rice, is a common Thai dessert that incorporates glutinous rice, fresh mango and sweetened coconut milk.
This traditional treat is prepared by boiling sticky rice with coconut milk and sugar so that it is sticky and slightly sugary. Generally, it is served with pieces of fresh mango and a creamy coconut milk sauce. It is served either at room temperature or warm and is a beloved dish for locals and travelers alike.
The combination of the sweet mango, creamy coconut milk and the sticky rice makes for a delectable dessert that is easy to make.
What is unique about Thai food?
What makes Thai food unique is its combination of flavors and ingredients, which sets it apart from other Asian cuisines. Here are some unique features of Thai food:
Balance of flavors Fresh Herbs
Thai cuisine is known for its balance of sour, sweet, salty, and spicy flavours in a single dish. This creates a complex and satisfying taste experience.
Fresh Herbs Use of Spices
Thai dishes often incorporate fresh herbs like lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, Thai basil, and cilantro. These herbs add a unique and fresh flavor to the dish.
Use of Spices Rice is a Staple
Thai cuisine uses a wide variety of spices, such as chilli peppers, galangal, and turmeric. These spices give Thai dishes their signature heat and flavor.
Rice is a Staple
Rice is a staple in Thai cuisine and is often served alongside a main dish. Sticky rice, also known as glutinous rice, is a common type of rice used in Thai cooking.
Street food culture
Thai cuisine has a vibrant street food culture, with many food vendors offering a variety of snacks and dishes. Some popular street food dishes include grilled meat skewers, fried spring rolls, and mango sticky rice
In general, Thai food stands out due to its mix of tastes, the fresh herbs and spices it uses, and its street food heritage. All of these aspects are significant in the success and draw of Thai cooking both within Thailand and globally.
What are the must-try Thai dishes?
Wondering what Thai food you should try for the first time? We recommend some must-try Thai dishes for you:
1. Curry Based
Thai cuisine is well-known for its tasty and aromatic curries, which are an essential component of Thai food. These curries are usually crafted from a blend of herbs, spices, and vegetables, plus a protein source like fish, poultry, seafood, or tofu. A few common examples of Thai curry dishes include:
- Green Curry: A spicy curry made with green chili peppers, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and other herbs and spices. It is often made with chicken or beef and is traditionally served with rice.
- Red Curry: Similar to green curry, but made with red chili peppers instead. It is often made with pork or seafood and is slightly milder than green curry.
- Panang Curry: A creamy and slightly sweet curry made with peanuts, coconut milk, and traditional Thai seasonings. It is often made with chicken or beef and is typically served with rice.
- Massaman Curry: A rich and flavorful curry made with a blend of Indian and Thai spices, such as cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. It is often made with beef and is traditionally served with roti bread.
- Yellow Curry: A mild and fragrant curry made with turmeric and other spices. It is often made with chicken or vegetables and is typically served with rice.
2. Rice Based
- Khao Pad (Fried Rice): A classic Thai dish made with stir-fried rice, egg, and a variety of vegetables, often served with chicken, pork, or shrimp.
- Khao Mun Gai (Chicken Rice): A popular Thai street food made with poached chicken and flavored rice cooked in chicken broth, often served with cucumber, cilantro, and a side of chicken broth.
- Khao Soi (Curry Noodle Soup): A Northern Thai dish made with egg noodles in a creamy coconut curry broth, often served with chicken or beef, pickled mustard greens, shallots, and lime wedges.
- Pineapple Fried Rice: A sweet and savory fried rice dish made with diced pineapple, shrimp, cashews, raisins, and a variety of vegetables.
- Pad Kra Pao (Basil Fried Rice): A spicy and flavorful fried rice dish made with Thai basil, chili peppers, and your choice of meat or seafood.
3. Noodle Based
- Pad Thai: A classic Thai noodle dish made with stir-fried rice noodles, tofu, bean sprouts, egg, and a sweet and tangy sauce made from tamarind paste, fish sauce, and palm sugar. It is often served with crushed peanuts and lime wedges.
- Pad See Ew: Another popular stir-fried noodle dish made with wide rice noodles, Chinese broccoli, egg, and soy sauce. It is often made with beef, chicken, or pork.
- Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao): A spicy stir-fried noodle dish made with wide rice noodles, chili peppers, garlic, Thai basil, and soy sauce. It is often made with seafood, chicken, or beef.
- Boat Noodles (Kuay Teow Reua): A flavorful and spicy beef noodle soup made with thin rice noodles, beef broth, beef meatballs, bean sprouts, and herbs.
- Tom Yum Noodle Soup: A spicy and sour soup made with thin rice noodles, shrimp or chicken, lemongrass, chili peppers, and lime juice.
4. Thai Salad
Thai cuisine features a variety of fresh and flavorful salads, often made with a mix of herbs, vegetables, and proteins. Here are some popular Thai salad dishes:
- Som Tam (Papaya Salad): A spicy and sour salad made with shredded green papaya, tomato, garlic, chili peppers, lime juice, fish sauce, and roasted peanuts.
- Larb (Spicy Thai Salad): A flavorful salad made with minced meat (chicken, beef, or pork), herbs, chili peppers, fish sauce, and lime juice.
- Yum Woon Sen (Glass Noodle Salad): A refreshing and tangy salad made with glass noodles, shrimp, ground pork, cucumber, tomato, and a spicy lime dressing.
- Yum Nua (Beef Salad): A popular salad made with sliced grilled beef, red onion, mint, cilantro, chili peppers, and a tangy lime dressing.
- Pla Goong (Shrimp Salad): A zesty salad made with grilled or boiled shrimp, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, chili peppers, and a lime dressing.
- Yam Nua Yang (Grilled Beef Salad): Another variation of beef salad made with grilled beef, shallots, tomatoes, and a spicy dressing made with lime juice, chili peppers, and fish sauce.
- Lab Kai (Chicken Salad): A chicken salad made with minced chicken, herbs, chili peppers, fish sauce, and lime juice.
5. Thai Dessert
Thai cuisine has a wide variety of delicious desserts that are often sweet and refreshing, with a unique blend of flavors and textures. Some popular Thai desserts include:
- Mango Sticky Rice: A classic Thai dessert made with sweet sticky rice cooked in coconut milk, served with fresh slices of ripe mango, and topped with toasted sesame seeds.
- Khanom Krok: Small coconut milk pancakes made with rice flour and shredded coconut, often filled with sweet corn, scallions, or other ingredients.
- Tub Tim Krob: A dessert made with chewy red water chestnuts, served in sweetened coconut milk with ice and sometimes topped with jackfruit.
- Bua Loi: Small rice flour dumplings, often filled with sweetened coconut, cooked in a sweet syrup and served warm.
- Thong Yot: Small, round drops made from sweetened egg yolk, often served in a sweet syrup.
- Kao Niew Moon: A dessert made from black sticky rice cooked in coconut milk and served with sweetened coconut cream.
- Khanom Chan: A layered dessert made with pandan-flavored rice flour and coconut milk, often topped with shredded coconut.
6. Thai Drinks
Thai cuisine also has a variety of refreshing drinks to enjoy with your meal or on their own. Some popular Thai drinks include:
- Thai Iced Tea: A sweet and creamy tea made with black tea, sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk. It is often served over ice.
- Thai Iced Coffee: Similar to Thai iced tea, but made with coffee instead of tea.
- Coconut Water: The clear liquid found inside young coconuts is a popular drink in Thailand and is known for its refreshing and hydrating properties.
- Fruit Shakes: A variety of fresh fruit shakes are popular in Thailand, including mango, papaya, and watermelon. These shakes are typically made with fresh fruit, ice, and sweetened condensed milk.
- Lemongrass Tea: A refreshing and aromatic tea made with fresh lemongrass and hot water.
- Thai Herbal Tea: A traditional tea made with a blend of herbs and spices, including pandan leaves, butterfly pea flowers, and lemongrass.
- Chang Beer: A popular Thai beer, often served cold and enjoyed with spicy Thai food.
These are just examples of the many delicious Thai dishes that you might find in Thai restaurants in Dubai.
Best Thai Restaurants in Dubai
After getting a small idea of Thai cuisine, it’s time to have an actual experience with the flavors. We have compiled a list of the 15 best Thai restaurants in Dubai for you to check out.
1. Little Bangkok Thai Restaurant
Little Bangkok is one of Dubai’s Most Popular Thai Restaurants. It serves guests a delectable culinary experience, with almost every component of the meals prepared from scratch. Pad Thai, a spicy Som Tam (papaya salad), and Thailand’s famous red curry are among their most popular Thai dishes.
Type of Cuisine: Thai
Location: Little Bangkok Thai Restaurant, Near Emirates Tower Metro Station، UP Tower – Sheikh Zayed Rd – Trade Centre – DIFC – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Little Bangkok Thai Restaurant Website
Phone number: 8002264565
Little Bangkok Thai Restaurant Instagram Account
2. Pai Thai
Located in Jumeirah Al Qasar, Pai Thai is an award-winning restaurant nestled among lush greenery and tranquil waterways. It’s an invitation to experience a mix of delicious Thai flavors with a beautiful view.
Type of Cuisine: Thai
Location: Pai Thai، Jumeirah Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah، King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street، Umm Suqeim 3 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone number: +971800323232
3. Thiptara
In the luxurious Palace Hotel, you will find Thiptara. It’s a high-cuisine restaurant where you can enjoy Thai food, particularly Bangkok-style seafood. This is served at this modern hotel venue with lake views.
Type of Cuisine: Thai Seafood
Location: Thiptara، Ground Level, Palace Downtown 9770 – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone number: +97144287961
Instagram: N/A
4. Mango Tree Thai Bistro
The Hilton Dubai also has its Thai dining experience as well. Mango Tree Thai Bistro brings a creative style of Thai dining to Dubai, giving classic dishes a new spin. The menu emphasizes southern Thai cuisine. In the heart of JBR, dine on a variety of seafood dishes, signature curries, Thai BBQ grills, famous noodles, and rice.
Type of Cuisine: Southern Thai style
Location: Mango Tree Thai Bistro, The Walk – Jumeirah Beach Residence – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Mango Tree Thai Bistro Website
Phone number: +97143747555
Instagram : N/A
5. Tong Thai
Speaking of incredible restaurants in Dubai’s finest hotels, in the Marriot, you can find Tong Thai. It showcases Thailand’s rich culinary history with flavorful Thai classics like Tom Yung soup and Pad Thai, as well as cool beverages.
Type of Cuisine: Thai
Location: Tong Thai, Sheikh Zayed Rd – Business Bay – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone number: +97144146418
6. Sticky Rice
Sticky Rice is a small family-run Thai restaurant that serves only authentic Thai food and desserts. Their entire kitchen staff is Thai, and they use only the best ingredients, sourcing them locally when possible.
Type of Cuisine: Thai
Location: Sticky Rice, JVC | Sobha Daffodil | Shop No. 06 Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone number: +97145808350
7. Little Bangkok, Cluster I, JLT
If you like Little Bangkok, you’ll be happy to know they have another location at Cluster I in the Platinum Tower, Jumeirah Lake. It has the same delicacies you expect from them, in another convenient spot in Dubai.
Type of Cuisine: Thai
Location: Little Bangkok, Cluster I, JLT، Lakefront, Platinum Tower, Cluster I – Jumeirah Lake Towers – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Little Bangkok, Cluster I, JLT Website
Phone number: +9718002264565
Little Bangkok, Cluster I, JLT Instagram Account
8. Benjarong
Bejarong is another delicious Thai restaurant in a luxurious hotel such as Dusit. The best Thai food is served in their beautiful venue.
Type of Cuisine: Thai
Location: Benjarong, Dusit Thani Dubai – Sheikh Zayed Rd – Trade Centre – DIFC – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone number: +971549908007
9. The Thai Kitchen, Park Hyatt Dubai
At Park Hyatt in Dubai, you can experience authentic Thai cuisine. It’s cooked by local chefs who have received multiple awards for their work here.
Type of Cuisine: Thai
Location: The Thai Kitchen, Park Hyatt Dubai, Park Hyatt Dubai Dubai Creek Resort – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
The Thai Kitchen, Park Hyatt Dubai Website
Phone number: +97146021814
Instagram: N/A
10. The Royal Budha
The Royal Budha cooking blends flavors that evoke Thailand’s finest platters. With a distinctive identity, the food here transports you to the region, mixing culture, history, and tradition on your plate.
Type of Cuisine: Thai
Location: The Royal Budha, Holiday Inn Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Near Mall of the Emirates – Al Barsha – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone number: +97147040801
The Royal Budha Instagram Account http://instagram.com/theroyalbudha
11. Tuk Tuk Thai Cuisine
A restaurant for authentic Thai food in Dubai, Tuk Tuk Thai prepares their food with quality fresh ingredients from Bangkok to create their unique flavors. Food orders are cooked immediately upon receipt and are never premade in order to maintain freshness and control the spice levels to your liking.
Type of Cuisine: Thai
Location: Tuk Tuk Thai Cuisine, Al Qudra Rd – The Sustainable City – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone number: +97145548686
Tuk Tuk Thai Cuisine Instagram Account
12. Woks Den – Wok, Thai, Chinese & Asian
In Jumeirah, this lovely little spot with a cozy atmosphere offers delicious Asian and Thai food with excellent service. Their signature style is a more traditional flavor on their dishes. Portions are plentiful, and the variety is good.
Type of Cuisine: Thai and Asian
Location: Woks Den – Wok, Thai, Chinese & Asian, 62 Jumeirah St – Jumeirah – Jumeirah 1 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Woks Den – Wok, Thai, Chinese & Asian Website
Phone number: +971507629469
Woks Den – Wok, Thai, Chinese & Asian Facebook Page
13. Sukhothai
Sukhothai brims with culture from the moment you walk in; the friendly service and the atmosphere all contribute to an unforgettable experience. The food is equally impressive, with à la carte curries, rice dishes, and noodle specialties infused with authentic Thai flavors.
Type of Cuisine: Thai
Location: Sukhothai, Le Meridien Dubai Hotel – D89 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone number: +97147022455
14. Khun Chai Thai Restaurant -Jumeira 3
Tom Yum Seafood is Khun Chai’s specialty. It is well known for its diverse flavors. Served by the excellent staff, you can go with small as well as large parties and enjoy its different plates.
Type of Cuisine: Thai Seafood
Location: Khun Chai Thai Restaurant -Jumeira3, Jumeirah St – Jumeirah – Jumeirah 3 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Khun Chai Thai Restaurant -Jumeira 3 Website
Phone number: +97143887995
Khun Chai Thai Restaurant -Jumeira 3 Facebook Page
15. Charm Thai
Charm Thai is a welcoming urban Thai restaurant located in the heart of Dubai Marina. The restaurant, located in the Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina, blends culinary specialties ranging from spicy to sweet to sour. It is the perfect mix between tradition and modernity.
Type of Cuisine: Thai
Location: Charm Thai, Crowne Plaza – Al Yahoom St – Dubai Marina – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone number: +97143780139
Closing Thoughts on the Best Thai Restaurants in Dubai
As you can notice, Dubai is not short of Thai delicacies. Each Thai restaurant has a personality and a unique menu, ensuring memorable dining experiences among guests. Anyone who’s an authentic Thai foodie will appreciate the restaurants on this list. Both locals and international visitors know that Dubai’s gastronomy has a soft spot for this type of cuisine, and visiting this restaurant will guarantee you a good time.
