‘Cause nothing hits the spot like good ‘ol Thai food in Singapore.
Confession: we’re pretty obsessed with Thailand. The islands, the mountains, the hip ‘hoods, the shopping and, of course, the cuisine – we love it all. Not travelling anytime soon? Tasty Thai food in Singapore is the next best thing. If you need help narrowing down your choices (since we’ve got Thai restaurants in almost every corner of Singapore), bookmark this list right now.
Best restaurants in Singapore for Thai food
1. The Beer People Co.
We know the name of this establishment doesn’t scream Thai food, but hear us out. This hidden gem located in Jalan Besar serves delectable dishes at incredibly affordable prices. You can find classics like pad Thai and basil pork rice to go along with sides like grilled pork and spring rolls. But you must try the Southern Thai boat noodles here. Don’t expect the typical tom yum flavour – it leans a little more sour and spicy than sweet. Pick one of the 150 Asian-label beers to go along with your food and that’s your Thai feast sorted.
The Beer People Co., 21 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208793
2. Koh Nangkam
Pop by for a home-style feast at this halal eating spot that focuses on Southern Thai food. The portions are generous and dishes like the clear tom yum soup and chicken basil with rice are well-executed. Be sure to keep room for the steamed seabass to enjoy the ultimate dinner treat.
Koh Nangkam, 4 & 6 Jalan Kledek, Singapore 199261
3. Time for Thai
Located in Bukit Timah, halal-certified Time for Thai is authentic as it gets. The menu includes all the classics you’re familiar with – think pad Thai, beef soup and stir fry basil chicken – with unique ones we promise you’ll be excited about. We’re salivating just thinking about the mango sticky rice.
Time for Thai, multiple locations including Northpoint City and Woodleigh Mall
4. Sawadee Cuisine
Find yourself in old world Siam at Sawasdee Cuisine, a long-time Thai restaurant in Singapore. Dine in elegance within its woody interiors adorned with wall art, ornaments and inscriptions on the pillars with royal golden drapes on the ceiling. Expect classics with a twist, like grilled Kurubota pork collar, sliced beef in green curry and Mao Shan Wang durian sticky rice.
Sawasdee Cuisine, 9 Tan Quee Lan Street, Singapore 188098
5. Sarai
Standing tall with decades of experience behind it, Sarai credits its success to constant innovation. With Isan-born chef Lisa at the helm, expect elements of her Thai heritage to permeate through the restaurant’s cuisine. Settle into the traditional Thai-style dining room and select dishes from a meticulously crafted menu. We’re talking classics like Pad Thai and tom yum soup, as well as highlights such as Isan-style spicy beef short rib soup, red curry with roasted duck, and egg yolk meringue dessert.
Sarai, #03-121, Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Road, Singapore, 247933
6. Korat Thai Cafe
Never mind its seedy location (ahem, Orchard Towers) – this joint is one of the best Thai food spots in Singapore. It’s so beloved that even Class 95 DJs The Muttons decided to buy the spot over when the original owner retired! Have no fear though, the original chef is still behind the stove cooking flavours that you know and love. But you can’t miss out on trending new faves like the Tom Yum Mama Ultra Pot and Leng Saap Volcano Pork Spine.
Korat Thai Cafe, #03-28, Orchard Towers, 400 Orchard Road, Singapore 238875
7. Sabai Fine Thai on the Bay
Overlooking the stunning Marina Bay skyline, the dining experience at Sabai Fine Thai is a feast for the senses. The philosophy of this resto is underpinned by the belief that only the best ingredients can invoke a real Thai culinary experience, and it definitely shows in the dishes. Start your alfresco dining experience with a dish of pat gaproa moo: the spicy pork, peppercorns, and holy basil leaves will leave you a little giddy from its potent taste. For dessert, try the kao niew durian nahm gati – essentially a scoop of durian served atop sticky rice. Its savoury taste is a welcome surprise!
Sabai Fine Thai on the Bay, #01-02, Customs House, 70 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049323
8. A-roy Thai
Serving authentic Thai food for over 20 years, A-roy Thai is where it’s at. If you’re feeling brave and in the mood for fiery chilli, the northeast Thai style spicy and sour soup will certainly rile your tastebuds. The gai pad met mamuang stir-fry is also worthy of praise, as is the delish dessert of mango with sticky rice – a perfectly sweet ending to any meal!
A-roy Thai, multiple locations including Novena and East Coast Road
9. Blue Jasmine
Thai classics and street food staples are what Blue Jasmine is known for, with a menu of communal plates brimming with fresh flavours. Signatures include the roast chicken and the crispy lemongrass seabass. For a fuss-free meal at home, get the bento boxes and savour a little bit of everything. The pad Thai set features prawns, Thai fish cake, cha om fried egg, and a scoop of mango sticky rice. For a dish with a kick, try the basil chicken kaprao set. Oh, and vegans can get in on the action with the basil meat-free kaprao set.
Blue Jasmine, Level 5, Holiday Inn Singapore, 10 Farrer Park Station Road, Singapore 217564
10. Took Lae Dee
All hail Bangkok’s famous Thai restaurant. Meaning “cheap and good”, Took Lae Dee has the most pocket-friendly prices in Singapore. Its star dish is pad krapow: minced chicken or minced pork tossed with fragrant Thai holy basil leaves. Other classics include boat noodles, papaya salad and Thai fried rice noodles.
Took Lae Dee, #01-34, 18 Tai Seng Street, Singapore 539775
11. Joe’s Thai Kitchen
One part of the husband and wife team, Thailand native Joe helms the kitchen at his namesake restaurant. Having worked at Parkway Thai Restaurant for six years, you can expect his authentic Thai dishes crafted with finesse. Highlights include green curry beef, Thai prawn cake, omelette with minced pork, basil leaf chicken and the fiery tom yum soup.
Joe’s Thai Kitchen, #01-182, 125 Bukit Merah Lane 1, Singapore 150125
12. Noodle Cafe – Thai Boat Noodle
Traditionally sold by boat hawkers in Thailand’s floating markets, Thai boat noodles can be found right here in Singers. Prices for a bowl start from $1.90 (yes, really!) and you can customise your order the way you like it (your choice of meat, soup or dry, level of spiciness).
Noodle Cafe – Thai Boat Noodle, 96 Sims Avenue, Singapore 387424
13. Jai Thai
A personal fave, Jai Thai offers all the dishes you need for a quintessential Thai feast. We’re fans of the fish dishes. Available in tilapia and sea bass, they come with bags of flavours: sweet and sour, tamarind, chilli sauce, and pepper and garlic.
Jai Thai, multiple locations including Purvis Street and SingPost Centre
14. New Udon Mookata
Mookata (aka Thai barbecue steamboat) is the main idea here so don’t expect anything too fancy or glamorous. Grill well-marinated meats like chicken and pork on a lard-greased metal skillet and cook other ingredients (like the glass noodles) in the soup. The prices are a bit steep for a Mookata joint but trust us when we say it’s worth it.
New Udon Mookata, 119 Lavender Street, Singapore 338731
15. Tamarind Hill
It’s all about old world charm – think high ceilings, candle-lit wall lamps and exquisite antiques galore – at this chic Thai restaurant perched atop Labrador Nature Reserve. Housed in a standalone restored colonial bungalow amidst lush greenery and quiet waters, Tamarind Hill serves up a mix of traditional and contemporary tantalising Thai dishes like red curry with a choice of beef, pork, chicken and veggies.
Tamarind Hill, Labrador Nature Reserve, 30 Labrador Villa Road, Singapore 119189
16. Nakhon Kitchen
Find Nakhon Kitchen and its incredibly delicious (and affordable) Thai food in the heartlands of Singapore. Practically every dish is flawless: mango salad, prawn cakes, tom yum, green curry, mango sticky rice… you’ll be spoilt for choice!
Nakhon Kitchen, multiple locations including Bedok and Sengkang
17. Diandin Leluk
Previously one of the largest Thai restaurants in Golden Mile Complex, Diandin Leluk has been a crowd favourite for the longest time. It’s now moved over to City Gate to continue bringing you flavours you know and love. Order dishes like the stir-fried chicken with cashew nuts, raw prawn laksa, and hotplate oyster omelette to share with your pals.
Diandin Leluk, #01-17/18, City Gate, 371 Beach Road, Singapore 199597
18. Aroy-Dee Thai Kitchen
Aroy Dee is a great Thai joint that does amazing classics like pineapple fried rice and green curry. What do we like about ’em? These folks don’t hold back when it comes to spice. So if you can handle the heat, order items like clear tom yum soup and say “extra spicy” for a real kick.
Aroy-Dee Thai Kitchen, multiple locations including Bencoolen Street and Boat Quay
Get ready to feast on amazing Thai food at these restaurants in Singapore!
[This article was originally published by Sam David and updated in 2023 by Ashe Liao.]
