There really isn't anything like some good Pad Thai, is there? Well, there isn't anything like Pad Thai besides a steaming plate of Beef Panang Curry, right?
New York City is known far and wide across the universe as a town that satisfies a diversity of palates, and if you're craving Thai food, you'll find its selection is no exception.
What we're saying is that there's some pretty effing good Thai food in this city.
Want some curry puffs? How about spring rolls? Delicious salted duck egg? Pineapple fried rice?
We could keep going, but our stomachs are rumbling far too loudly and people all throughout the city are starting to notice. So we'll suffice it to say that there are plenty of great places to get Thai food in NYC, places that are hot spots for amazing food, great dates, and hangouts with friends.
Read on to find out where to get the best Thai food in NYC.
1. Up Thai (1411 2nd Avenue)
Up Thai is a lovely Thai restaurant on the Upper East Side. We're really not sure whether we're more into the delicious quality of the cuisine or the excellence of the atmosphere, because both are pretty on point.
Some would even say it's the best Thai food in our whole, huge city. If you're from Thailand or you've visited, Up Thai will give you flashbacks with their amazing rendition of Red Curry and Chicken. It's also extremely reasonably priced by NYC standards.
The fried rice at Up Thai is extremely delicious, as is the Pad Thai and steamed dumplings. If you're craving some really great Thai food, Up Thai is probably your move.
2. East Village Thai (32 East 7th Street)
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East Village Thai is resolutely the best Thai place in the East Village. Every option we've tried from their menu has been an absolute delight.
It's a cozy little hole-in-the-wall, and it's got the best massaman curry in the whole city ... Possibly the world. We're also pretty crazy about East Village Thai's Pad See Ew, which is so well-seasoned. The Pad Kee Mao is also worth your time, as the shrimp in it is so tender.
They're cash only, so hit the ATM before you hit this lovely little Thai restaurant.
One last point is that it's clear that the people who work here work so hard to bring you a great dining experience. Plus, the Pad Thai tastes exactly like the way they make it in Thailand, so we're all about it. East Village Thai is your place to hit for an entirely authentic Thai food experience.
3. Andaman (1843 1st Avenue)
Andaman is truly an Upper East Side gem, with some of the best Pad Thai in the whole city. Really, it's the perfect amount spicy, savory, and sweet, and it's packed with a perfect ratio of noodles, to chicken, to scallions.
Plus, their spring rolls are also where it's at, and we found ourselves addicted right off the bat. Seriously. We have a problem.
Also, it's low-key enough that you can come to enjoy a meal and actually be able to have a conversation where you can hear what the person across from you is saying.
Our point is, the food at Andaman is quite simply amazing. Try the Sticky Rice. Like, we haven't found a single thing as delicious as Andaman's Sticky Rice in the entirety of the city.
Plus, we really haven't ever had Calamari Pad Thai that was this good in our entire lives.
4. Zest (249 Broome Street)
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This BYOB has great food, and great service to match. They don't charge a corking fee on the first bottle, which is another huge plus.
We're mostly obsessed with Zest's pineapple fried rice (which they serve inside a pineapple!), but we're happy to talk about other other dishes here, too.
They've got this really innovative roll called the Passion Roll, which is lobster salad, spicy tuna, mango, avocado, and crunch wrapped in soy paper. It's a totally different take on sushi if you want a break from the typical rice and seaweed rolls.
Also, come to Zest for happy hour. Like, really, you won't regret it. Pretty much the entire menu of food and drinks for $3.50 a pop before 7 p.m. on weekdays, and from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the weekends.
So you can get plenty of food for not a ton of money, which is exactly what we need in this expensive city.
,5. Love Mamak (174 2nd Avenue)
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Love Mamak's got huge portions for its price, and it's entirely tasty on top of that. It gets way crowded, but that's just because they're churning out quality food. In addition to Thai food, they also serve Vietnamese and Malaysian food, and all are equally delicious.
The Roti Canai at Love Mamak is deliciously flaky and buttery, and it's more bread than ones you'd get at other places. The Beef Rendang here is the highlight of our eating decades, and we're not exaggerating. Okay, maybe we're exaggerating a little, but still, it's extremely delicious.
The beef is incredibly tender and the sweet curry isn't overwhelming. It's famous for a reason. Plus, their BBQ Pork Buns are also where it's at.
All obsessions aside, our point here is simple: Love Mamak is a great place to come to satiate any Thai food craving you possibly have.
6. Spice (various locations)
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There are Spice locations scattered all throughout the city, and all of them are equally awesome. They've even got two locations in Midtown West, which makes escaping the tourist trap woes in that part of town so much easier and more pleasant than ever before.
The Red Curry and Shrimp Fritters at Spice are just so good, there really isn't another way to put it. Dining at Spice is just a really lovely experience all around, from delicious food to a casual-to-upscale atmosphere and very stiff mango and lychee martinis for some partying.
It's also a pretty sweet date spot.
The spring rolls and fried rice is really tasty, and of course the Pad Thai here is completely on point. Like, we wouldn't hate eating it every day. The pork belly is salty, and the atmosphere is bumping. It's some of the best Thai food in the city, but that's why they're on this list to begin with.
7. Somtum Der (85 Avenue A)
Want to order like a pro at Somtum Der? Then you've got to try the papaya salad with salted egg, the duck larb, coconut rice, and Pad Ki Mao.
Also, the fried chicken here is completely delicious, and we order it almost any time we go. Which is a lot. Maybe too much. Should we stop? Not likely.
They're a little reckless with their Thai Red Chillies, which are sometimes so hot that if you use your hands to pick up a dish, you shouldn't touch your eyes for several hours. Recklessness is okay though. Take more chances. If you love spicy food, Somtum Der will essentially become your heaven.
The food here is so tasty you'll basically become blind to the pain of spiciness. They've got a nice selection of Thai food, complimentary dipping sauces, and satisfying rice and noodle dishes. Don't believe us? Come get some for yourself.
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[Feature Image Courtesy Instagram]