Where to Eat Laotian and Thai Food in Philly Right Now
From upscale BYOs to casual takeout shops to perfect little markets, Philly's small (but mighty) Laotian and Thai restaurant scene will satisfy all your khao soi and bitter melon soup cravings.
Chatayee serves some of the best Thai food in Philly right now | Photo by Claudia Gavin
Despite a relatively small Thai and Laotian community here in Philly, this city has been blessed with excellent restaurants serving all the vivid curries and sour noodle soups and fried street food snacks we’re almost always craving. Bonus: Both cuisines lend themselves to great takeout and delivery options.
Tom yum goong at Kalaya. Photograph by Michael Persico
Kalaya
Chef Nok Suntaranon does not mess around in her Bella Vista BYO. Her cooking is uncompromisingly bold, and it’s always served with a side of excellent hospitality (the kitchen won’t bring down the spice level for you, but they will guide you through the ordering process to make sure you have dishes on the table to bring each other into balance). Try the Tom Yum Kalaya, a spicy and sour lemongrass soup (shown above) through the dining room — or down the sidewalk — with steaming giant river prawns sticking out in every direction. 764 South 9th Street, Bella Vista.
View this post on Instagram
Kalaya Thai Market
This is Nok Suntaranon’s second spot, a Thai market just a few doors down from her BYO. Here, you’ll find traditional Thai ingredients and produce, including Suntaranon’s hand-pounded curry pastes, condiments, and affordable to-go meals for the casual weekday dinner. 922 South 9th Street, Bella Vista
View this post on Instagram
Circles Thai
Every city needs a dependable delivery and takeout spot that will be there for you when you need a quick hit of pad Thai, fried rice, or crispy crab rangoon. 812 North 2nd Street, Point Breeze
View this post on Instagram
Cafe Ayla
A cozy, homespun Thai spot with the biggest, crunchiest wings we’ve ever eaten. They’re currently takeout- and delivery-only, but sometime they offer a small discount for calling the restaurant and ordering directly. Make sure to ask about specials, and if the shiitake tofu lettuce wraps are on the menu, do yourself a favor and order them. 1700 South 6th Street, South Philly
View this post on Instagram
Sawatdee
You can’t miss this tiny Thai BYO in Graduate Hospital, painted bright green, wafting the aromas of lemongrass and chili all the way down South Street. 534 South 15th Street, Graduate Hospital
View this post on Instagram
Vientiane Cafe
West Philly’s favorite Laotian restaurant that specializes in dishes like laab and Lao porridge — but they’ve also got a variety of Thai classics available for those looking for a little bit of everything. 4728 Baltimore Avenue, Cedar Park
View this post on Instagram
Vientiane Bistro
After working alongside her mother at Vientiane Cafe for years, Sunny Phanthavong took her show on the road up to Kensington, where she opened Vientiane Bistro. The menus have lots of crossover, but here, the house-made grilled Lao sausages are a standout. 2537 Kensington Avenue, Kensington
View this post on Instagram
Pattaya
Inexpensive, fast, and a place that serves consistently excellent tom yum and tom kha soups, as well as specialties like their raspberry duck or salmon in red curry. 4006 Chestnut Street, University City
Chatayee Thai
The menu varies from familiar items like pad thai to lesser known dishes, like their mara yad sai, a bitter melon soup that will wake your palate up from all these months of the same old takeout. 1227 Walnut Street, Midtown Village
View this post on Instagram
Ratchada
Sort of an unsung hero of our Thai and Laotian scene, Ratchada stands out with house specialties, like a a crispy deboned half duck, or eggplant stuffed with noodles, seafood and topped with curry sauce. 1117 South 11th Street, East Passyunk
View this post on Instagram
Ban Bamboo
Up in Roxborough, Ban Bamboo covers both Thai and Lao favorites, specializing in Thai noodles like pad thai and drunken noodles. They also serve regional specialties like a whole fried fish and khao soi, a northern Thai style curry soup with noodles. 6190 Ridge Avenue, Roxborough
View this post on Instagram
Bualoy Thai Laos Food
Look for special like Mok pa, steamed salmon served inside an intricately folded banana leaf, or Khao Piak Khao, a comforting porridge perfect for the upcoming winter months. 300 West Lancaster Avenue, Devon
