The best Thai restaurants in Dubai are the perfect places to get your spicy food fix in the UAE's best-known city.
There are some cuisines out there which are just universally popular around the world, and we think that Thai food is certainly one of them. With its influences coming from surrounding Asian countries as well as further afield, Thai cuisine is beautiful blend between the spicy elements of Indian food and the more subtle aromatics which underpin Chinese cookery.
Now, when we talk about Thai food, it would be easy to quickly leap to images of a standard pad Thai that you might find at any local restaurant, but there’s a lot more to it than that. Thailand has a number of different regions, all of which have distinct differences when it comes to their food. This makes it one of the most varied cuisines of any country and means that there’s something for neary everyone when it comes to Thai food, no matter what you're in the mood for.
As you would expect with most big cities, Dubai has its fair share of great Thai restaurants. From casual hidden gems to glitzy Thai fine dining, there’s something for all tastes and occasions. As you might expect, there are also plenty of Thai restaurants with incredible views of the Dubai skyline, whether that’s from a rooftop in the city’s financial district or at a five-star hotel in Dubai Marina.
Once you’ve decided that Thai food is what you fancy while you’re in Dubai, the trickier question is which restaurant you ought to go to. To give you a hand deciding which Thai restaurant is the perfect spot for you, we’ve put together our picks of the best Thai restaurants Dubai has to offer. We’ve tried to take into account all price brackets and have included restaurants in all parts of the city. Let us know if your favourite spot isn’t on the list as we love discovering new places.
The Royal Budha
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What: Things have been kept ultra-traditional at The Royal Budha when it comes both to the décor and the menu but the quality of cooking alone makes it worth a visit. Begin your meal here with tempting treats such as deep-fried minced prawn cakes with plum sauce, before moving onto favourites like beef massaman curry and crispy sea bass. The Royal Buddha also serves a few more unusual dishes from Thailand’s Isan region, which are well worth a try.
Where: Holiday Inn Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Barsha
Book now: The Royal Budha
Pai Thai
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What: If it’s a real sense of occasion that you’re looking for in a restaurant, then Pai Thai ticks all those boxes. Accessible only by boat, this Thai restaurant, which stretches out over the Madinat Jumeirah’s waterways, is luxurious through and through so you can expect a hefty price tag to boot. However, if you do decide to visit, you’ll be treated to some of the finest Thai food in town, with dumplings proving a particular highlight. Head here in the evening for a memorable romantic meal.
Where: Al Qasr Hotel, Madinat Jumeirah
Book now: Pai Thai
Benjarong
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What: Having had a major revamp in 2020, Benjarong at the Dusit Thani hotel now looks more stylish than ever. Sleek velvet-clad interiors only compliment the 24th-floor restaurant’s incredible views of the Burj Khalifa, while Thai chef Wichit Panyo’s menu keeps things classic. Must-try dishes include the green chicken curry with Thai aubergine, and the grilled chicken burger topped with holy basil sauce and a Thai fried egg.
Where: Dusit Thani Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road
Book now: Benjarong
Little Bangkok
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What: A Thai restaurant with six outlets across Dubai, Little Bangkok is a perfect place to get your Thai fix no matter where you are in the city. Its menu is extensive, with classic Thai dishes and regional delicacies from across Thailand available. Even its dim sum offering is impressive, with over 30 different varieties to try. Visit Little Bangkok for an authentic Thai meal that won’t break the bank. Or if you’re really looking for a deal, check out the restaurant's all you can eat offer on weekends.
Where: Sheik Zayed Road; Dubai Media City; Jumeirah Lake Towers; Oud Metha; Dubai Motor City; Dubai Silicone Oasis
Book now: Little Bangkok
Charm Thai
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What: Charm Thai seeks to marry tradition and modernity, both in its menu and décor, to create an immersive Thai dining experience. You can even watch your meal being prepared in the live kitchen in the centre of the restaurant – it doesn’t get much more captivating than that. Expect classic curries and noodle dishes on the menu, as well as a good selection of vegetarian dishes. Or visit on a Tuesday evening for Bangkok Street Food Night to enjoy a set menu inspired by the very best of Thai street food.
Where: Marina Promenade, Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina, Al Yahoom Street
Book now: Charm Thai
The Thai Kitchen
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What: Don’t be deceived by the simple name of this longstanding Port Saeed restaurant. The Thai Kitchen has earnt itself a reputation over the years as one of Dubai’s most popular Thai restaurants. Watch the chefs at work in the open kitchen while they prepare dishes using ingredients imported directly from Thailand. The Thai Kitchen also has a particularly good selection of dishes for vegans and vegetarians.
Where: Park Hyatt Dubai Hotel, Dubai Creek Club Street
Book now: The Thai Kitchen
Bambooda
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What: Bambooda is a Thai fusion restaurant that promises to take diners on ‘a culinary journey to Thailand’. Enjoy classic fare in décor intended to emulate a Thai village, with tom yum soup, green curry and pad thai on the menu. Right next to Dubai Airport, visit Bambooda for a pre-flight meal if you don’t fancy eating at the airport, or if you just want to be transported to Thailand for the evening.
Where: Casablanca Road, Al Garhoud, Dubai Airport, 30880
Book now: Bambooda
Wise Kwai
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What: Movie memorabilia lines the walls in this fun Barsha Heights restaurant. Wise Kwai doesn’t take itself too seriously, as you can probably tell by its punny name, but the Thai menu certainly isn’t to be sniffed at. Although it’s great to try something new at restaurants, the pad Thai here really is worth a try, while the Thai snack menu, which includes crispy beef in roasted rice, and chicken satay, is great for keeping things cheap.
Where: DusitD2 Kenz Hotel, Al Khareef 1st Street, Barsha Heights
Book now: Wise Kwai
Café Isan
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What: Serving up dishes from Thailand’s North Eastern region, Café Isan has a wonderfully laid-back atmosphere which makes it hugely popular among locals and tourists alike. The food on offer takes its inspiration from Thai street food and is lighter than the food you’d expect at a standard Thai. As well as serving a number of Thai classics, there’s also a separate ‘farang’ menu on offer at Café Isan, which consists of playful Thai fast-food dishes.
Where: Cluster B, Jumeirah Lake Towers
Book now: Café Isan
Mango Tree Thai Bistro
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What: This JBR eatery showcases food from Southern Thailand, meaning that seafood is at the heart of the menu. Large windows ensure that Mango Tree Thai Bistro is flooded with light during the day, while the covered outdoor area means you can dine al fresco throughout the year. Expect hefty Thai seafood platters, chargrilled prawns and of course a devilishly good mango sticky rice.
Where: The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence
Book now: Mango Tree Thai Bistro
Fuschia
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What: If you’re after Thai fare but are looking for something a little bit healthier, Fuschia is a great option. All the classics of Thai cuisine are served here, as well as Thai-inspired speciality dishes such as their burger: a panko-coated chicken patty with sriarcha mayo and a papaya salad. They also have an extensive vegan menu, and a selection of dishes on their main menu can be made vegan on request, including the green and red curries.
Where: Two Towers, Barsha Heights; Bay Avenue, Business Bay
Book now: Fuschia
Tong Thai
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What: Located in the JW Marriott Marquis, Tong Thai is undeniably a restaurant for special occasions but if that’s what you’re looking for, it’s right on the money. Red mood lighting, floor-to-ceiling windows and chic décor provide a stylish setting to enjoy luxurious dishes such as lobster panang curry, grilled Thai marinated Wagyu striploin, and deep-fried seabass. Tong Thai’s Inventive Asian-inspired cocktails are perfect for a post-prandial drink.
Where: JW Marriott Marquis Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road
Book now: Tong Thai
Sticky Rice
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What: Offering an incredibly intimate dining experience with just six tables, Sticky Rice hasn’t been around for as long as some of the other restaurants in our guide but the constant queues outside tells everything you need to know about how popular it is. This casual eatery may be covered in rubber ducks but the food isn’t to be laughed at with everything from kai yang chicken skewers to stir-fried clams on the menu.
Where: Jumeirah Village Circle, Sobha Daffodil
Book now: Sticky Rice
Sukhothai
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What: Translating as “Dawn of happiness”, Sukhothai has an appropriately warm ambience as soon as you step inside, which is further complemented by the restaurant’s welcoming service. As well as an extensive a la carte, there are also various set menus on offer at Sukhothai which offer great value. Keep things traditional and go for the lamb massaman curry or if you’re looking to splash out about, why not try one of the live lobster options.
Where: Le Meridien Dubai Hotel, Al Garhoud
Book now: Sukhothai
Khun Chai Thai
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What: Khun Chai Thai offers authentic Thai classics at wallet-friendly prices. Enjoy the best Tom Yum in town in this simple, inconspicuous restaurant. Expect to see all your Thai favourites on the menu, with highlights including the Massaman curry and the wok-fried black pepper beef. Khun Chai Thai also offers takeaway, so with Jumeirah Beach and Safa Park nearby you could enjoy a Thai meal al fresco in the cooler months.
Where: B2 Mall, Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 3
Book now: Khun Chai Thai
Feeling like food from a different part of Asia? Check out our guide to the best dim sum in Dubai for dumplings to die for. Or if you fancy dinner with a view, take a look at the best restaurants with a view in Dubai.