In search of a new favorite Thai spot? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top Thai restaurants around Minneapolis, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best eateries to meet your needs.
1. Khao Hom Thai
Topping the list is Khao Hom Thai, situated at 2411 Central Ave. NE in northeast Minneapolis. With four stars out of 218 reviews on Yelp, the Thai restaurant has proven to be a local favorite.
On the menu, offerings include seafood basil with shrimp, mussels and squid in a spicy sauce; green curry with coconut milk, eggplant, bamboo shoots and bell peppers; and sweet and spicy duck with tomatoes and pea pods. Finish off your meal with a dessert like sweet and sticky rice with mango, Thai custard or fried banana with coconut ice cream. See the full menu here.
2. Naviya's Thai Brasserie
Tucked away in Linden Hills you'll find Naviya's Thai Brasserie, located at 2812 W. 43rd St. Yelpers give the Thai and Asian fusion spot four stars out of 137 reviews. Owned by Naviya and Kim Labarge, the restaurant has been serving up its Southeast Asian cuisine since 2004.
The menu features house specialties, hot plates, and rice and noodle dishes. Noteworthy options include the Rama Thai with peanut puree and red curry sauce over wok-caramelized vegetables; spicy pad kee mow (drunken noodles) with vegetables and hot basil over rice noodles; and pineapple duck curry. Thirsty? Wine and beer are on offer. View the full menu here.
3. Khun Nai Thai Cuisine
Khun Nai Thai Cuisine at 2523 Nicollet Ave. in Whittier is another go-to, with four stars out of 66 Yelp reviews. On its website, the restaurant boasts its "signature dishes are cooked from scratch from time-honored Thai recipes and American fusion innovations, always made fresh to order."
Try a spicy salad, like the som tum with green beens, tomato, eggplant and salty crab; a fried rice dish such as the khao pad bai horapa with rice, egg, onion, green beans, Thai chiles and bell peppers; or the stir-fried flat noodles with sweet soy sauce, Chinese broccoli and egg. Check out the full menu here.
4. Sweet Chow
Over in North Loop, there's Sweet Chow, which has earned four stars out of 60 reviews on Yelp. You can find the Korean, Vietnamese and Thai spot at 116 N. First Ave. The restaurant is inspired by Asian street food and "pairs the humble dishes from Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Korea, with a modern interpretation," per its website.
Look for menu options such as the chilled glass noodles with lemongrass chicken, pickles and ginger tamari dressing; the beef larb served with lettuce, crispy rice, pickled lemongrass and chili powder; and a whole fried fish with sticky rice. Happy hour is from 3-6 p.m. every day.
5. Pad Ga Pow
Finally, there's Pad Ga Pow, a downtown favorite with four stars out of 45 reviews. Stop by 811 LaSalle Ave., Suite 207, next time you're craving Thai fare. From the team behind the award-winning On's Kitchen in St. Paul, this restaurant serves up lunch combo bowls, appetizers, salads, rice and noodle dishes, as well as stir-fried choices.
On the menu, offerings include papaya salad; seafood noodle soup with calamari, shrimp and imitation crab; pad king with shredded ginger, mushrooms, onions and bell peppers in soybean sauce; stir-fried crispy catfish in creamy red curry sauce; and Boat Noodle Soup, with choice of protein in savory beef blood broth served with a side of bean sprouts, basil, sliced jalapeños and lime. Visit the restaurant's website for more information and menu options.
