Best Date Night Thai Restaurants in Los Angeles
26 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Anajak Thai
LA Times Restaurant of the Year with James Beard recognition and Michelin Bib Gourmand
Essential Picks
#1
Anajak Thai
9.3
James Beard Award-winning Chef Justin Pichetrungsi transformed his family's 44-year-old neighborhood bistro into LA's most acclaimed Thai restaurant. Southern Thai fried chicken with exceptional crunch anchors a menu that pairs bold Bangkok flavors with an award-winning natural wine program featuring rare vintages from the Mosel, Burgundy, and Champagne.
Must-Try Dishes:
Southern Thai Fried Chicken, Dry-Aged Whole Fish with Nam Jim, BBQ Pork Collar with Coriander-Soy Molasses
What Makes it Special: LA Times Restaurant of the Year with James Beard recognition and Michelin Bib Gourmand
#2
Ayara Thai
9
Family-owned since 2004 and now Michelin Bib Gourmand–recognized, Ayara pairs deeply seasoned curries and noodles with chef-driven specials like whole fried branzino and lobster pad thai. The room is compact and often buzzing, but locals keep coming back for Khao Soi, Muay Thai Wings, and consistently dialed-in flavors just minutes from LAX.
Must-Try Dishes:
Khao Soi (mom’s northern curry noodles), Muay Thai Wings, Whole Fried Branzino
What Makes it Special: Chef Vanda Asapahu’s family recipes, Michelin Bib Gourmand status, and a menu that fuses tradition with thoughtful seasonal specials.
Notable Picks
#3
Ruen Pair
8.9
Since 1981, this Thai Town institution delivers Northern Thai specialties rarely found elsewhere in LA, including sai oua sausage and nam prik ong. The family recipes remain unchanged, drawing a devoted mix of Thai expats and adventurous locals who appreciate the authentic spice levels and rustic preparations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Khao Soi, Sai Oua (Northern Thai Sausage), Nam Prik Ong with Vegetables
What Makes it Special: Four decades of authentic Northern Thai cooking with unchanged family recipes
8.7
Chef Kris Yenbamroong's Silver Lake outpost serves boldly-seasoned Northern Thai street food in a bright, casual space opened in 2014. The crispy rice salad balances sweet-tart-spicy notes with textural punch, while pork toro showcases fatty pig neck perfection. Natural wine selection and no-reservation policy create energetic dining atmosphere.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crispy Rice Salad, Pork Toro, Pad See Ew
What Makes it Special: Chef Kris Yenbamroong's acclaimed Thai street food with natural wine focus
8.6
This second-floor bistro serves authentic Thai dishes with herb-forward broths and bold curries in a cozy space with both indoor seating and a charming rooftop patio. The crying tiger and panang curry draw consistent praise, while the kitchen maintains traditional spice levels rather than toning down for American palates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crying Tiger, Panang Curry, Tom Yum Soup
What Makes it Special: Rooftop patio with Hollywood sign views and authentic spice levels
8.4
Venice outpost of a modern Thai mini-group serving bold, spice-forward street-food dishes and a natural-leaning wine list in a lively room. Go for punchy salads and curries; stay for the party-atmosphere pacing and shareable plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Nam Khao Tod (crispy rice salad), Sweet Potato Massaman, Pad See Ew
What Makes it Special: New-school Thai flavors and natural wine in a high-energy setting.
8.4
Katy Noochlaor and Amanda Kuntee of the Chao Krung family blend bold Thai cooking with natural wine since 2016. The panang curry achieves rich coconut-spice balance, while papaya salad delivers proper heat. Dim-lit wine bar atmosphere makes this Silver Lake corner spot ideal for weeknight dinners with biodynamic pours.
Must-Try Dishes:
Panang Curry, Papaya Salad, Khao Soi
What Makes it Special: Only Thai restaurant pairing serious natural wine program with street food
Chef Gunn Pankum's plant-based Thai kitchen transforms vegetables into complex, layered dishes without relying on mock meats. Since 2013, this Lincoln Boulevard veteran sources from local farmers markets to create inventive takes on classics like Khao Soi and Mung Bean Pad Thai alongside unique preparations like Southern Thai Fried 'Chicken' made from lion's mane mushrooms.
Must-Try Dishes:
Khao Soi, Southern Thai Fried 'Chicken', Mung Bean Pad Thai
What Makes it Special: Pioneering plant-based Thai cuisine in LA for over a decade with no fake meats
#9
Si Laa
8.4
A family-run Robertson Boulevard dining room known for careful, home-style Thai cooking that feels more composed than typical neighborhood fare. The kitchen leans into bold herb work, clean proteins, and curries with real depth, making it a steady local go-to for sit-down Thai. Small room, focused execution, and a menu that rewards repeat visits.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy crab noodles, Crispy duck, Pad Thai
What Makes it Special: Refined, family-style Thai cooking with standout curries and noodles.
#10
La Ong
8.3
La Ong brings elevated Thai cuisine to Beverly Hills with recipes passed down through generations from the chef's grandmother. The modern space showcases authentic flavors with contemporary presentation, featuring standout dishes like the Sea Bass Southern Thai Curry and housemade noodles.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sea Bass Southern Thai Curry, Khao Soi, Organic Fresh Green Rolls
What Makes it Special: Family recipes with modern execution in an intimate setting.
8.3
Chef Kong Wijitsunthornkun brings family recipes from Bangkok's markets to Silver Lake's charming garden patio. The wonton pad thai innovates with crispy textures, while tom kha soup showcases refined galangal-coconut balance. String-lit outdoor dining and lunch specials starting at $7.95 make this Thai Select-certified spot a neighborhood treasure.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wonton Pad Thai, Tom Kha Soup, Mango Sticky Rice
What Makes it Special: Thai Select certification and enchanting garden patio with string lights
8.2
This intimate Thai restaurant brings authentic flavors from Thailand with Chef Wasana Pisaikun's traditional recipes served in an elegantly decorated space with crystal chandeliers. The menu balances familiar favorites like pad thai with more adventurous fusion dishes and house specialties.
Must-Try Dishes:
Yellow Curry with Coconut Milk, Pad Thai Bangkok Roll, Emperor Duck Rolls
What Makes it Special: Authentic Thai chef creating traditional dishes in an upscale intimate setting
#13
The Thai Thing
8.2
The Thai Thing at the Original Farmers Market is a counter-service operation that cooks far above its footprint, earning Bib Gourmand recognition for focused stir-fries, noodles, and curries. Market regulars rely on it for quick, seriously seasoned Thai plates before or after shopping.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pad Thai, Green Curry, Pad See Ew
What Makes it Special: Bib Gourmand–recognized Thai stall delivering restaurant-level cooking inside a historic market.
#14
Chao Krung Thai
8.1
Chao Krung Thai, operating on Fairfax since the 1970s, is one of L.A.’s oldest Thai restaurants and now leans into curries, Northern-style specialties, and small plates. Locals come for dishes like kaeng hung-ley and panang red curry that blend family recipes with a slightly modernized dining room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kaeng Hung-Ley Braised Pork Belly Curry, Panang Red Curry, Lunch Khana Moo Pork Belly Over Rice
What Makes it Special: Decades-old Thai institution pairing family recipes with standout curries and Northern dishes.
#15
Talesai
8.1
Three-generation Yenbamroong family restaurant serving refined Central Thai cuisine since 1992, predating their more famous Night + Market offshoot. The elegant dining room with white tablecloths and art-lined walls delivers Grandmother Vilai's recipes through precise execution and attentive service.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hidden Treasures, Shaking Beef, Crab Noodles
What Makes it Special: Family legacy restaurant with recipes from acclaimed matriarch Vilai Yenbamroong
#16
Thai Talay
8.1
Thai Talay is a wood-accented, full-service Thai spot where cocktails, seafood specials, and polished noodle and curry plates meet a comfortable neighborhood vibe. Regulars lean on dishes like pineapple fried rice, massaman curry, and ‘awesome asparagus’ shrimp for sit-down dinners and relaxed celebrations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pineapple Fried Rice, Massaman Curry, Awesome Asparagus Shrimp
What Makes it Special: A sit-down Thai restaurant with a full bar, seafood-leaning menu, and a slightly dressier feel than most strip-mall options nearby.
#17
White Elephant
8.1
A polished Historic Core Thai spot that leans modern without losing the backbone of bold, balanced flavors. The menu mixes elevated takes on classics with a few fusion-leaning plates, and execution stays clean across curries, grilled items, and stir-fries. The room feels like a real sit-down destination for Downtown rather than a quick counter stop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Royal River Prawn, Tom Kha, Crispy Branzino
What Makes it Special: Modern Thai cooking in a Downtown dining-room format with confident technique.
#18
Cobi's
8
Chef Tin Vuong's Southeast Asian and African fusion menu leans into high-impact dishes—rendang, curry puffs, branzino—served in a moody, design-forward room on Main Street with a soul and reggae soundtrack that sets the energy level. It draws couples and adventurous eaters who want bold, globally inflected cooking without the stiffness of fine dining. Expect a lively room better suited to a fun night out than a hushed conversation.
Must-Try Dishes:
Butter Chicken, Curry Puffs, Short Rib
What Makes it Special: Southeast Asian and African-inspired dishes from chef Tin Vuong, served in a moody, design-forward Main Street space
8
Noree Thai on Beverly is a chef-driven Fairfax District restaurant from the team behind Luv2Eat, known for punchy flavors and more composed plates than a typical takeout spot. Specials like pad see ew with beef tongue and crispy pork belly with Chinese broccoli make it a magnet for food-obsessed diners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pad See Ew with Beef Tongue, Crispy Pork Belly with Chinese Broccoli, Pumpkin Stir-Fry with Egg
What Makes it Special: Chef-led Thai cooking with bolder dishes and riffs like beef-tongue noodles.
Worthy Picks
#20
Pink Pepper
7.9
Pink Pepper is a long-running Hollywood Thai restaurant just off the Walk of Fame, with a slightly dressier room than many Thai Town spots. The menu mixes familiar curries and noodles with steak and seafood plates that skew a bit more upscale.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crying Tiger Ribeye, Green Papaya Salad, Green Curry Salmon
What Makes it Special: A decades-old Hollywood Thai spot with a cocktail-friendly dining room and a menu that suits both pre-show bites and full dinners.
7.9
Thai Town's first all-vegan restaurant blending traditional Thai dishes with creative international fusion. Quality-obsessed owners deliver surprisingly convincing plant-based versions of orange chicken, duck curry, and Thai favorites using fresh vegetables, homemade vegan sauces, and sophisticated mock meats that satisfy omnivores and vegans alike.
Must-Try Dishes:
Plant-Based Orange Chicken, Duck Curry, LA Burger with Caramelized Onions
What Makes it Special: First all-vegan Thai restaurant in Thai Town with convincing mock meats
#22
Thai District
7.9
Northern Thai specialist in downtown Long Beach where the kao soi and hung lay pork curry represent the regional focus. Chefs with backgrounds from the old Frenchy's Restaurant bring French technique to Thai flavors. The pineapple curry with black grapes surprised reviewers who expected standard fare; the menu accommodates vegetarians and allergy concerns. Parking near downtown Long Beach requires extra buffer time.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kao Soi, Hung Lay Pork Curry, Panang Curry
What Makes it Special: Northern Thai specialist in downtown Long Beach with photogenic plating
7.8
A Northridge Thai spot that treats plate presentation as part of the meal, giving weeknight curries and noodle orders a visual lift that most neighborhood Thai kitchens skip. The spacious patio pulls double duty—date-worthy enough for two, roomy enough for a group of six—making it a flexible pick across the Tampa Ave dining strip. Expect polished execution on the classics rather than boundary-pushing experimentation.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pad See Ew, Mango Sticky Rice, Pad Kee Mao
What Makes it Special: Northridge Thai standout known for striking plate presentation and a spacious patio that elevates weeknight dinners into occasions.
7.7
A compact Palms cafe running Thai Town-caliber specialties—boat noodles, soft shell crab curry, and a weekend-only breakfast menu with items like jook topped with crispy noodles—in a neighborhood where options beyond basic pad thai are thin. The teal-and-white space is charming but genuinely small, so expect to wait during peak hours and know that portion sizes on some dishes run lean for the price point.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, Tom Kha
What Makes it Special: Tiny Palms café bringing Thai Town-caliber specialties like boat noodles and soft shell crab curry to the Westside, with a weekend-only breakfast menu you won't find elsewhere in the neighborhood.
7.6
Intimate kosher Thai restaurant established in 2012, bringing authentic Thai flavors to the kosher community. Located across from the Four Seasons, this hidden gem specializes in carefully crafted curries and traditional dishes with kosher certification.
Must-Try Dishes:
Green Curry with Eggplant, Crying Tiger Beef, Pineapple Chicken Curry
What Makes it Special: Rare kosher-certified authentic Thai cuisine.
#26
Star Leaf
7.5
Upscale Southeast Asian fusion in Playhouse Village combines Thai classics with modern presentation. While part of an international chain, the kitchen delivers competent versions of pad thai and curry dishes in an elegant setting perfect for pre-theater dining.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Thai Som Tum Salad, Royal Crown Fried Rice, 12-Hour Braised Short Rib
What Makes it Special: Elevated Thai dining with craft cocktails and valet parking