15 Best Thai Restaurants In Los Angeles, Ranked

There's nothing quite as comforting as a pad see ew on a cozy night in. While Chinese takeout reigned supreme for many decades, Thai takeout seems to be the more popular indulgence as of late. However, whether you're looking to order in or go out, Los Angeles is home to an authentic Thai cuisine scene that is well worth exploring. From Thai town to more modern Thai eateries on Sunset Boulevard, finding some solid pad Thai or Panang curry isn't too difficult. Whether you're craving noodles or a more refreshing and light papaya salad, even those who aren't too familiar with Thai food should branch out and give it a try.

The flavors are fresh, the spice levels range, and there are also plenty of vegetarian options for plant-based diners. Regardless if you're a seasoned Thai food connoisseur or you're simply looking for your next favorite takeout spot, we've created this ranked list of the best Thai restaurants in Los Angeles so you can cure your craving.

Sanamluang Cafe is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 1:45 a.m., so it'll be there for you nearly every time your Thai food craving hits. The restaurant serves up an impressively massive menu, with impressively consistent service and quality — Sanamluang does the Thai American staples justice. The nutty and salty-sweet pad Thai is the most popular dish on the menu, followed closely by the caramelized pad see ew and the tangy pad kee mao.

You can also take a baby step off the beaten path with Sanamluang's roasted duck noodles, served with flat noodles, BBQ duck, lettuce, and a rich warming broth. If you're craving a more substantial soup, the roasted duck curry is another local favorite, complete with red curry paste, tomatoes, pineapple, and basil in coconut milk. If you want to bring more seafood into the mix, the Sanamluang noodles are served with a fish ball fish cake, shrimp, pork, and a crisp fried wonton.

Located on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, Galanga Thai Fusion is known for serving up simple yet classic Thai food in a very casual and cozy setting. This is definitely a neighborhood spot that is loved by locals, and you can always expect consistency and quality. Best of all, the prices are incredibly fair when compared to many other Thai restaurants in Los Angeles. Snag a spot on the back patio and start off with a Thai iced tea and the tornado starter.

The tornado starter lets patrons enjoy a taste of everything and includes crispy shrimp, calamari, wontons, and crab rangoons. When it comes to entrées, you can't go wrong with any of the noodles or curries, but the panang chicken burrito is a unique favorite that is both comforting and hearty. The pra ram with peanut sauce, spinach, and your choice of protein is a lighter option that pairs wonderfully with tofu.

To put it simply, there is nothing else like KinKan in Los Angeles. The restaurant's dining room is eclectic, yet minimalist, complete with an array of hodgepodge cherry wood chairs, an intimate sushi bar, and walls adorned with bundles of dried flowers. KinKan describes its food as Japanese Thai fusion, but with a boundlessly creative set of dishes that changes from night to night, the food that you'll be served at KinKan takes on a genre of its own.

The restaurant offers three different menus. Its original take-out offerings of bento and chirashi boxes, a 20-course omakase tasting menu served at the sushi bar, and Sun-Moon-Shine, which is a multi-course tasting menu that pays homage to Chef Nan's father's Thailand tour company of the same name. The experience guides guests through the four essential culinary regions of Thailand, with courses like an uni martini, A5 Wagyu tartare, creamy tom yum, rich panang bolognese, coconut panna cotta, and lychee yuzu sherbet.

This unassuming strip mall spot has slowly become the sleeper hit of the Los Angeles Thai food scene. Its two lead chefs have roots in Phuket and a menu chock-full of Southern Thai staples. They are also the masterminds behind Noree Thai on Beverly. When in doubt, order one of the Chef's Specials. Its most popular dish, the Phuket-style crab curry kanomjean, is an excellent place to start. The spicy pot of crab meat curry is served with Vermicelli rice noodles, a hard-boiled egg, pickled carrots and papayas, and chopped veggies.

The dried jade noodle with 3 BBQ is another must-order special. The dish is composed of three different types of mouth-wateringly delicious BBQs — pork, crispy pork, and roasted duck — bean sprouts, broccoli, crushed peanuts, and jade noodles, perfect for mopping up the savory sauce. Round out the trio of house favorites with the sweet and spicy hat yai fried chicken. But, make sure to order it early. When the restaurant is busy (and it usually is), the dish takes roughly 30 minutes to hit the table.

If you're ever in need of a quick bite in Downtown Los Angeles and don't feel like braving the sprawl of Grand Central Market (or just want some amazing Thai food), Holy Basil is the place to go. It's located in a small food hall off Los Angeles Street. Make your way there, and allow yourself to be beckoned in by the red neon glow of Holy Basil. Ordering the pad Thai may seem simple, but you'll definitely want to try this one. The wok-fried rice noodles are finished with a mouthwatering sweet and slightly sour combination of paprika, sweet radish, tiny dried shrimp, and tamarind fish sauce.

The tom yum soup is another surefire hit. When chefs reference that perfect blend of salt, fat, acid, and heat, this bowl is what they're talking about. It's cooked up with oyster mushrooms, lime, roasted chili jam, lemongrass, herbs, and cream, and even on LA's hottest summer days, it's a must-order. Also, make sure to pick up a can of Joy's Thai Tea. Each can is brewed by Holy Basil's own Joy Yuon to the perfect amount of sweetness, with dairy and oat milk-based options for sale.

Jitlada is a legendary Thai eatery that is known for having some of the spiciest Thai food in all of Los Angeles. The restaurant even offers a spicy dynamite challenge that gives patrons the chance to try one of the spiciest dishes ever created by Chef Tui. The spicy meal in question is a savory stir fry that can be prepared with your choice of meat and is cooked in a fire-hot mix of fresh and dried Thai chiles. Those wanting to partake in the challenge must be 18 years or older, and we're warning you — it's not for the faint of heart (or heat).

If spicy food isn't your thing, there are plenty of other options that are sure to satisfy. In fact, the massive menu boasts over 300 different dishes, making Jitlada one of the best places to take a large group with a variety of tastes and diets. That said, if you're looking to branch out, give one of the spicy smoothies a shot. Choose up to four flavors ranging from mango to ginger to rambutan.

Between the warm and modern interior and the diverse menu, it's no wonder why LA locals have been flocking to Sri Siam Cafe for almost 40 years. Whether you're looking to grab a Thai tea to-go or are planning on sitting down for a full meal at lunch, Sri Siam Cafe deserves to be at the top of your list when you catch a craving for Thai food. From the decadent soft-shell crab to the light yet filling crispy rice salad, this legendary eatery always impresses, making it our second-favorite Thai spot in LA.

Some other menu highlights include the hearty pad see ew, spicy seafood soup (that is perfect for sharing), and crispy pork fried rice. In addition to classic Thai teas, you can also go for something a bit more modern like matcha milk tea. For a little texture, add some boba for only $0.50. Though you can dine in for dinner, Sri Siam Cafe offers some solid lunch specials that are worth taking advantage of.