Pad Thai is one of the must-have dishes if you ever visit Thailand. It is a mix of sweet, spicy, savory, and sour flavors that come together exceptionally. And if you're a noodle lover, you would love the chewiness of the rice noodles. But though the dish may be popular, everyone has their take on which place serves the best Pad Thai. Since personal preference dominates in the food region, there's no saying which is the best. But we can give you some ideal choices to find out yourself.
What is Pad Thai?
Pad Thai is a noodle dish known for its quick-making procedure and unique flavor profile. It gets made from rice noodles that are flat in shape. After boiling and cooking them, chefs toss the noodles with veggies and other ingredients. Essentially, it is like a Thai noodle stir-fry dish. But it has a unique-tasting sauce with tamarind, fish sauce, garlic, onions, etc. The vendors stir-fry all the veggies, add in the noodles, and toss them all with the sauce to make it. It also comes with multiple toppings, which you can choose. But some scrambled eggs spread over the top, and some shrimp is a fan-favorite. It is undoubtedly one of the must-try dishes while visiting Thailand.
10 Best Spots for Pad Thai in Bangkok
1. Thip Samai
Thip Samai is arguably the best Pad Thai according to most foreigners and locals. If there is one representative place everyone knew for Pad Thai in Bangkok, Thip Samai would undoubtedly be it. It has a special sauce that makes an unforgettable Pad Thai experience for users. The shop has been operating for many years and is a tourist hotspot. So, you can expect some waiting time, but it is all worth it when you try the noodles. The store offers multiple accommodating options- like vegetarian ones to cater to all kinds of customers.
Address: 313 315 Maha Chai Rd, Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon, BangkokTimings: Wednesdays to Mondays 10 am to 12 am; Closed on TuesdaysPrice Range: Affordable/ Moderate
2. Sawasdee Ratchawat
Unlike other contenders on this list, most tourists do not know much about this place for Pad Thai. Though it has been around for decades, its popularity is not as wild as others. However, the store deserves all the hype as it is immensely popular with all the locals that visited. It also offers various types of the dish at reasonable rates. It is more of a casual Thai-style eating-out experience than a formal restaurant one. The only disadvantage is that the shop closes early and is slightly far from the city center.
Address: 955 11 Thanon Nakhon Chaisi Rd, Thanon Nakhon Chai Si, Dusit District, BangkokTimings: Everyday 7 am to 4 pmPrice Range: Affordable
3. Baan Phad Thai
Although Pad Thai is most famous as a street food dish, the reputed restaurant also has its takes on it. One such restaurant is Baan Phad Thai, which has received a Michelin star for its excellency. It serves the fine dining version of Pad Thai with some modern additions to its ingredients. So, if you are looking for a more formal place to eat out, this might be the one for you. It will yield some of the most Instagram-worthy dish pictures and a unique take on Pad Thai. It is more frequented by tourists as it gets catered to their taste and is expensive.
Address: 21-23 ถนน เจริญกรุง 44 แขวง, N Sathon Rd, Bang Rak, BangkokTimings: Everyday 11 am to 9 pmPrice Range: Expensive
4. Pad Thai Fai Look
Sometimes also referred to as Blazing Pad Thai, this shop is another stunner. It has some unique versions of the classic street food dish for foreigners. Moreover, the chef cooks some dishes in a hot wok over a fire for everyone to see. So, the spectacle is as responsible for its popularity as the dish is. Since it is placed in a usually busy area, you can enjoy it without traveling too far. But beware, as the shop's opening and closing times are pretty tight- so you must make it in time to get the Pad Thai.
Address: 32 Sukhumvit 38 Alley, Phra Khanong, Khlong Toei, BangkokTimings: Everyday 5:30 pm to 11 pmPrice Range: Moderate
5. Loong Pha Pad Thai
If you are looking for authentic Pad Thai, that is delicious and classic yet affordable, look no further. Loong Pha Pad Thai offers some of the most affordable dishes but with all the flavors on point. They even make their tangy and enjoyable sauce which locals admire, so they do not skimp on flavor. The vibe is a chill Thai vibe in the local market, and you can have your food in an open or enclosed space. Moreover, the liberal opening hours let you have a delicious bowl of Pad Thai even at night.
Address: QG33+5W5, Maha Chai Rd, Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon, BangkokTimings: Everyday 11 am to 12 amPrice Range: Affordable
6. Pad Thai Mae Am
While some prefer fusion dishes and new takes, most enjoy the classic version of Pad Thai. And even the classic dish is so flavorful and complex that it makes people a fan instantly. And if you are one such person looking for the authentic dish as it was years ago, you should check out Pad Thai Mae Am. It is a local-favorite spot that sells old-school Pad Thai with all the traditional flavors and toppings. It may not be as popular as others on the list, but it still offers a complex flavor experience for a reasonable price.
Address: 2879 Rama IV Rd, Khlong Toei, BangkokTimings: Everyday 11 am to 8 pmPrice Range: Affordable
7. Pad Thai Sala Daeng
Sala Daeng has to be one of the most underrated spots to get Pad Thai on this list. Since it is a local food spot relatively unknown to most foreigners, most people don‘t even know it exists. And even if they do, they have a hard time finding it. However, the place offers some of the most delicious Pad Thai made from scratch. You must try them out to taste the flavorful noodle dish with a unique flavor. However, finding the place on the map can get very tricky. So, it is best to ask some locals for accurate directions, and they will lead you to arguably some of the most delicious noodles in Bangkok.
Address: 47, 2 Silom, Bang Rak, BangkokTimings: Mornings to afternoons (Since it is a hawker-style place, timings are not fixed)Price Range: Affordable
8. Pad Thai Fai Ta Lu
This centrally located spot has gotten mentioned in the Michelin Guide for years. It shows just how exceptional the food and service quality in the restaurant is. It serves authentic dishes like Pad Thai and many other options. You can be reassured that the chefs use the freshest ingredients to make a hearty meal. Andy Yang, a celebrity chef, helped bring the idea to life and ensure high-quality food. You can easily access the restaurant and enjoy a fine dining experience with Thai food in a more relaxed environment.
Address: 115/5 Dinso Rd, Baworniwet, Phranakorn, BangkokTimings: Everyday 10 am to 7 pmPrice Range: Expensive
9. Nara Thai Cuisine
Another one of the high-end dining locations in Bangkok, Nara's Thai Cuisine restaurant, is popular among tourists. The authentic and flavor-packed Pad Thai is sometimes too overwhelming for some tourists. So, this place offers a more subtly flavored option to ease you into the world of Thai flavors. You can find everything from all-time favorites to new fusion cuisines. Since the restaurant caters to the western flavor palate, beginning from hear would be ideal. However, it is like a proper dining experience- so it is pricier than others.
Address: Ratchadamri Rd, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan, BangkokTimings: Everyday 11 am to 10 pmPrice Range: Expensive
10. Pad Thai Aree
Pad Thai is a dish accessible to all people and flexible in most ways. Though it has set flavor profiles and ingredients, people can always play around with the flavors to create something new. And it is what Pad Thai Aree aims to do- to provide more innovative takes on Pad Thai. You can find conventional and unconventional types of Pad Thai and their toppings on the menu. They are also inclusive of vegetarians and have multiple meat options. They even sell their Pad Thai sets and pre-mixes so you can prepare the yummy Pad Thai at home.
Address: Charoen Nakhon Rd, Khlong Ton Sai, Khlong San, BangkokTimings: Everyday 10 am to 9 pmPrice Range: Moderate
When visiting Thailand, you cannot leave without trying the incredible cuisine. Like most Asian countries, Thai cuisine boasts unique flavors and combinations to tantalize flavor buds. And one of the most known dishes is the classic- Pad Thai. And you may get some loved spots as you roam around, but you must also know about the most known ones. We hope our list has helped you find new locations to check out on your next trip to Bangkok.