The Best Thai Restaurants in Seattle and Beyond

Last Updated: December 15, 2025

The Seattle area is spoiled with options for great Thai food.

Whether you're craving a spicy yellow curry, sweet and sour tom yum soup, or a big, heaping plate of phad thai, you'll find it here. But don't fix your eye solely on downtown Seattle alone. Some of the best Thai restaurants in Seattle are in Seattle Southside, which is the area surrounding the airport. It's where many of the region's hotels are, and it's where many travelers make their home base. So if you're visiting, you won't have to go far for fantastic Thai food. Read on to see what's around.

Mango Thai
Chontong Thai
Bai Tong
Simply Thai
Mali Thai Cuisine
Bangrak Market
E-Jae Pak Mor
8 Ping Yang
Honorable Mentions

Mango Thai

Located just across the street from Doubletree by Hilton Seattle Airport is Mango Thai Cuisine & Bar, a family-run business with more than 30 years of serving Thai food around the Seattle area. Stepping inside, you're in for a surprise you might not expect from its unassuming exterior. The modern but comfortable vibe sets the stage for a menu that's equally as modern and homey.

With fresh and delicious takes on the classics, there are no wrong choices on this menu. However, if you have a little bit of extra time, their crispy duck is more than worth the 20-minute wait they advise you about on the menu, trust us on this!

Chontong Thai

Chontong Thai Cuisine serves flavorful, made-to-order Thai dishes in a welcoming, casual setting just five minutes from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). The menu spans shareable appetizers, comforting soups, spicy salads, and hearty curries and noodle entrées—fans especially love the perfectly chewy Pad See Ew and the fresh vegetables in the Pad Pak. The peanut sauce in the Swimming Rama is another fan favorite. Along with efficient takeout and delivery, the restaurant also provides catering for larger groups. It’s an easygoing spot to settle in for a quiet meal before or after your flight.

Bai Tong

A former Thai Airways flight attendant opened the original Bai Tong in 1989 to provide her fellow Thai Airways crew members with a taste of home. She named it after the Thai word for banana leaf and brought in top chefs from Bangkok to create the menu. Decades later, the restaurant is still a local favorite (though it's now located in Tukwila's retail district). With a beautifully decorated interior and bright, festive atmosphere, it's one of our favorite spots to recommend to visitors. We highly recommend the Gai Hor Bai Toey, chicken wrapped in a pandan leaf and served with a sweet dipping sauce.

Simply Thai

Simply Thai is a classic Thai restaurant with a storied history. Executive Chef Nita Moore brings a rich culinary heritage to the table, with roots that trace back to the royal kitchens of Laos. Her family, having served the Laotian monarchy for generations, passed down their cherished recipes and traditional cooking methods to her. Nita's approach to cuisine is deeply influenced by these time-honored practices, utilizing fresh, local ingredients to create dishes that honor her ancestral legacy. The Simply Thai Noodles are anything but basic. With wide egg noodles, your choice of protein, and a mix of lime, roasted garlic, bean sprouts, peanuts, and green onions, it's a dish that takes simple ingredients and turns them into something special.

Mali Thai Cuisine

Mali Thai Cuisine is named for the youngest daughter of the family that runs this bamboo-adorned spot in Tukwila. Owner Joe Lee and his wife started out cooking at home, with everyone always asking for seconds, before they realized their dream of opening their own restaurant once the kids were fully grown.

Their Crying Tiger salad is a spicy and delicious steak salad that's refreshing and sure to satisfy.

Bangrak Market

Bangrak Market in downtown Seattle is one of those places that always feels like a party. This small-but-mighty spot delivers big on both flavor and fun, with music pumping, food flying out of the kitchen, and an atmosphere that evokes a Thai street market. People rave about the perfectly balanced Pad Thai, which is topped with crunchy peanuts, crisp bean sprouts, and a generous amount of meat or tofu. Other standout dishes include the rich, flavorful curry and bold papaya salad. Add in occasional surprises, like free shots making the rounds, and it’s easy to see why Bangrak Market comes so highly recommended.

Accessible via Link Light Rail.

E-Jae Pak Mor

E-Jae Pak Mor brings a rare and deeply personal piece of Thai street food culture to Seattle’s International District/Chinatown. (E-Jae means older sister in a Chinese-Thai family; Pak Mor is a popular Thai street food consisting of a steamed rice flour dumpling wrap, also known as "Kao Kreab Pak Mor"). The founder learned to make it from a friend's grandmother. "It is definitely not easy to make "Pak Mor" into a perfect wrap pattern, but we enjoy the rare dish we are craving for," they write on the company's website. What began as a passion sparked by family tradition and perfected through patience and practice has grown into a warm, welcoming spot serving authentic Thai street favorites like Tom Yum noodles and Kao Mun Gai.

Accessible via Link Light Rail.

8 Ping Yang

8 Ping Yang in Capitol Hill delivers an elevated yet approachable Thai dining experience. The atmosphere is calm, charming, and welcoming, and the food is consistently high quality. Standout dishes include their Khao Soi, a rich and comforting curry that’s unforgettable, even for first-timers, along with perfectly cooked satay chicken, grilled salmon, and a light and lovely lychee panna cotta. The friendly, professional staff and owner make the experience feel personal and warm. With reasonable prices and high-value lunch specials, 8 Ping Yang is an easy spot to recommend and even easier to return to.

Accessible via Link Light Rail.

Honorable Mentions

These spots may not be full-service restaurants but still deserve a mention for bringing the flavor to Seattle Southside.

Ruby Thai is tucked away in the food court at Westfield Southcenter Mall and is a great stop for Thai flavors mid-shopping spree! Their quick and friendly service makes this fast casual experience an easy way to slip in a taste of Thai flavors in the middle of your busy mall adventure.

Got an event coming up and want a taste of Thailand? Thai Street Gourmet is a company that excels at bringing Thai street food flavors to the world of catering, with a specialty in Satay-style skewers and other small bites that are inspired by your favorite Thai flavors.

Frequently Asked Questions About Thai Food in Seattle

Q: What are the most popular Thai dishes to try in Seattle?

A: Some of the most popular Thai dishes you’ll find at Seattle-area Thai restaurants include Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, Tom Yum soup, Green Curry, and Panang Curry. Many local spots also shine with regional specialties like Crying Tiger steak, Swimming Rama, and crispy duck dishes. Seattle’s Thai food scene is known for bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and customizable spice levels.

Q: Are there good vegan or vegetarian Thai food options in Seattle?

A: Yes — Seattle is one of the best cities for vegan and vegetarian Thai food. Many Thai restaurants offer tofu or vegetable versions of classic dishes like Pad Thai, curries, and noodle stir-fries. Vegan diners can often request dishes made without fish sauce or shrimp paste, and coconut milk–based curries are a popular plant-based choice. Always check with the restaurant, as customization is common and welcomed.

Q: How spicy is Thai food, and what spice level should I choose?

A: Thai food spice levels can vary widely, but most Seattle Thai restaurants allow you to choose your heat level — typically ranging from mild to extra hot. If you’re new to Thai cuisine, starting with mild or medium is a safe bet. Spice lovers can usually request Thai-hot, but be warned: it’s often much spicier than typical American “hot” dishes.

Q: Where can I find great Thai food near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport?

A: You don’t have to go far from SEA Airport to find excellent Thai food. Seattle Southside, the area surrounding the airport, is home to several highly rated Thai restaurants offering everything from quick takeout to sit-down dining. It’s a convenient option for travelers, hotel guests, and anyone looking for standout Thai flavors without heading into downtown Seattle. We might suggest Chontong Thai Cuisine, Bai Tong, Simply Thai, Mango Thai, or Mali Thai.

Annie Atherton

Author

Annie Atherton

Senior Content Writer

Annie Atherton is the Senior Content Writer at Explore Seattle Southside. As a (mostly) lifelong resident of the Seattle area, she is very proud to call the region home and to talk it up to all who will listen.

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