15 Best Thai Restaurants in LA (A Love Letter To Thai Town + A Few Detours)
Looking for the best Thai restaurants in LA? You’ve come to the right place!
Los Angeles feels like the world in one city, and if you want to understand a culture through its food, few places are as focused and generous as Thai Town in East Hollywood. But before we hit the noodle shops, a little history — because Thai Town didn’t appear out of nowhere.
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Los Angeles Thai Town – A Brief History
Thai immigration to the United States was small before the 1960s and then picked up during and after the Vietnam War era as military, educational, and economic ties to the U.S. grew; larger waves followed in later decades as students, professionals, and families made new lives here.
Over time Thai Americans created restaurants, markets and community organizations that seeded neighborhoods from coast to coast. Los Angeles, however, is home to the only officially recognized Thai ethnic neighborhood in the United States — simply known as Thai Town.
Thai Town itself was an intentional act of place-making. The city formally designated the stretch of Hollywood Boulevard as “Thai Town” in 1999 as a community-driven economic and cultural revitalization effort, creating a visible home for Thai-owned shops, temples, massage parlors, restaurants and festivals — a neighborhood that lets Thai Angelenos and visitors celebrate food, religion and commerce together.
Fast-forward to today, and the greater L.A. area is estimated to have around 80,000 people of Thai descent, one of the largest Thai communities outside of Thailand itself — a truly remarkable diaspora. And fittingly, both Los Angeles and Bangkok share the nickname “The City of Angels,” connecting the two cities in more ways than one.
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Best Thai Restaurants in LA – Thai Town
Without further ado, below is our guide to the best Thai restaurants you absolutely should try, what to order at each, and a little history to go with your bowl. In no particular order.
1. Ruen Pair — the papaya-salad and late-night icon
What to order: Som tam (green papaya salad), hearty congee/rice soups, and Bangkok-style comfort dishes.
Why it matters: A Thai Town staple for locals and late-night cravings, Ruen Pair’s menu leans authentic and regional — not just “American-Thai”. It’s beloved for dishes you might not see on a typical menu elsewhere. Locals praise its depth of flavor and comforting soup bowls. They swear by the Ruen Pair’s papaya salad, reportedly it’s the best in town.
2. Pa Ord Noodle — boat noodles done right
What to order: Boat noodles (rich, spiced broth), crispy pork, roasted duck noodles.
Why it matters: Pa Ord specializes in the concentrated, intensely flavored boat-noodle style from Thailand. It became a neighborhood favorite for fast, bold bowls and even expanded to a sister location after growing popularity. (See Pa Ord Duck below). If you want slurpable broth and small, addictive portions, this is it.
3. Jitlada — famous for southern Thai heat and depth
What to order: Southern-style curries, spicy seafood and classic dishes like crab curry; if you adore heat, ask for the house-level.
Why it matters: Open since the late 1970s, Jitlada earned national attention for bringing southern Thai flavors to L.A. — it’s a place where spice, complexity, and authenticity collide. Chefs and food writers have praised it for decades (RIP Jonathan Gold). This is the spot for adventurous palates and comfort food seekers alike.
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4. Luv2eat Thai Bistro — Phuket-born chefs bringing home recipes
What to order: Regional Phuket specialties and chef-driven takes on classics; great for a slightly elevated but still homey meal.
Why it matters: Luv2eat was founded by chefs from Phuket and blends formal technique with family recipes — a good example of how Thai Town continues to evolve while honoring roots. Their crab fried rice has developed a very loyal following among Angelenos, don’t miss it.
5. Palms Thai — old-school, kitschy, crowd-pleasing
What to order: Pad Thai, curries, and the people-watching experience (and yes — there’s a famous Thai Elvis performer history associated with the area).
Why it matters: Palms has been a neighborhood anchor for decades; its atmosphere tells the story of Thai Town’s culture and characters as much as its food does. It’s loud, it’s crowded, it’s just the right amount of rowdy. Communal style tables just add to the experience. Even though the live Elvis performances are a thing of the past, Palms remains an institution.
6. Amphai Northern Thai Food Club — small plates, big authenticity
What to order: Northern Thai specialties — khao soi-like flavors, herbal salads, and rare stews.
Why it matters: Tiny and intimate, Amphai (sometimes referred to in coverage as Northern Thai Food Club) channels Chiang Rai/Chiang Mai-style dishes rarely found on mainstream menus. It’s the sort of place Thai locals get excited about.
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7. Siam Sunset — cheap, early-morning comfort and nostalgia
What to order: Noodle soups, breakfast-style Thai dishes, homestyle curries.
Why it matters: A favourite for the Thai community who want the tastes of home at any hour — Siam Sunset has been a quiet, reliable presence for decades. It’s a window into the everyday food culture rather than food-tourist spectacle.
8. Sanamluang Cafe Hollywood — familiar favorites with a faithful following
What to order: Pad Thai, tom yum, coconut-based soups, classic crowd-pleasers.
Why it matters: Sanamluang (a family-style, approachable spot) is one of those steady places where families return again and again — the menu reads like an introduction to Thai cuisine done well. Their site and local reviews praise it as a go-to in Thai Town.
9. Mae Malai Thai House of Noodles — boat noodles that turned into a Michelin sensation
What to order: Boat noodles (dry or soup version), pandan coconut desserts, pad thai Anusawari (an old-school pad thai with dried shrimp and sweet radish).
Why it matters: Mae Malai started as a weekend street stall and grew into a permanent shop that’s been recognized by local critics and guides for its concentrated, nostalgic noodle soups. The shop’s rise — street stall to Michelin-guide attention and Eater buzz — is a classic LA culinary success story.
10. Sapp Coffee Shop — unassuming, essential, and perfect for noodles
What to order: Boat noodles, jade noodles, and other comforting noodle soups; the atmosphere is casual and authentic.
Why it matters: Sapp is one of those cash-only (check current hours) staples beloved for reliably tasty bowls and an old-school, no-frills dining room — reviewers and guides call it a must-visit in Thai Town. Beloved by Anthony Bourdain himself, go and find out for yourself what makes the humble jade noodles so regal.
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Best Thai Restaurants in LA Outside of Thai Town
11. Night + Market (multiple locations — West Hollywood / Silver Lake / Venice)
What to order: Spicy, funky Thai street-food riffs — fried chicken wings, small plates, and seasonal specials.
Why it matters: Chef Kris Yenbamroong transformed family recipes into a modern, wildly popular temple of Thai street-food exuberance. Night + Market is where L.A.’s younger, trend-driven crowd meets real Thai flavors presented with punky flair.
12. Anajak Thai Cuisine (Sherman Oaks / The Valley)
What to order: Refined traditional curries, fried chicken, and the ever-popular Thai Taco Tuesdays (a crowd-pleaser).
Why it matters: Opened in 1981, Anajak is one of the Valley’s oldest Thai restaurants. Recently refreshed under the next generation of the family, it’s gone from neighborhood staple to destination dining while keeping a strong link to its history.
13. Sticky Rice (Echo Park / 3rd Street/ Grand Central Market)
What to order: Thai comfort dishes: grilled chicken, penang curry, and a carefully considered pad thai.
Why it matters: Sticky Rice began as a mission to bring street-stall authenticity to L.A. dining, landing stalls in Grand Central Market and brick-and-mortar locations. It’s a great example of how Thai cooking in L.A. can be both comforting and carefully sourced. With a quirky, fun and highly instagrammable aesthetic, Sticky Rice is a must on any list of best Thai restaurants in LA.
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14. Holy Basil (Atwater Village/ Santa Monica)
What to order: Gra pow (basil stir fry), pad see ew with that signature smoky wok-hei, crispy 48-hour moo krob, and their rotating seasonal specials.
Why it matters: Holy Basil started as a tiny pandemic pop-up and quickly became one of L.A.’s most influential modern Thai kitchens. Chef Deau Arpapornnopparat brings Bangkok street-food roots together with global technique, creating dishes that feel familiar but hit with sharper heat, richer aromatics, and surprising twists. Their move into a permanent Atwater Village space (and soon Santa Monica) has cemented Holy Basil as a destination — creative, deeply rooted, and fiercely committed to quality ingredients.
15. Ayara Thai (Westchester)
What to order: Drunken noodles, panang curry, muay-thai wings, great lunch set menu, and the crowd-favorite lobster Pad Thai.
Why it matters: Ayara is a multigenerational family restaurant that has quietly become one of the city’s most respected Thai kitchens — even earning a Michelin Bib Gourmand. The Asapahu family cooks from a blend of Bangkok, northern Thai, and Thai-Chinese traditions, each dish balanced and polished without losing its home-style soul. Under the leadership of the next generation, the menu has grown to include thoughtful desserts and inventive specials.
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Best Thai Restaurants in LA – Honorable Mentions
The following didn’t make the top 15 best Thai restaurants in LA but totally deserve a mention:
- Sweet Rice, Gardena
- Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine, West Adams
- Celadon Thai Kitchen, Marina Del Rey
- Otus Thai Kitchen & Coffee, West Hollywood
- Roasted Duck by Pa Ord, Thai Town
- Watdongmoonlek Noodle, East Hollywood
- Ocha Classic, Various Locations
- Thai Deli, Boyle Heights
- Thai Original BBQ & Restaurant, KTown adjacent
- Civilize Thai Bistro, Beverly Hills
- Natalee Thai, Culver City
- Thai Vegan, Santa Monica
- Three Spice Thai Kitchen, Gardena
- Thai Victory, North Hollywood
- Spice Season, Studio City
- Kao Hom Thai Cuisine, Van Nuys
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A Final Note (And a Plea)
Los Angeles is rich with immigrant stories and culinary neighborhoods. Thai Town is more than a strip of restaurants — it’s a social and cultural anchor for Thai Angelenos and a rare, walkable enclave where markets, temples, and tablecloths from home are visible on the same block.
As neighborhoods shift and development pressures change East Hollywood, these mom-and-pop noodle shops and family-run kitchens are under threat of being priced out. In a city of endless culinary options, Thai Town is a jewel worth exploring — and worth supporting — while it still feels like home.
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What other places would you add to the list of best Thai restaurants in LA? Let us know in the comments or tag @eightyflavors on socials!
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