The Best Thai Restaurants in Seattle and Beyond

Last Updated: February 8, 2024

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.

Chontong Thai
Bai Tong
Simply Thai
Mango Thai
Mali Thai
Honorable Mentions

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 especially delicious, but you can't go wrong with the menu. 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--a modest restaurant close to the Seattle Tacoma International Airport--and named it after the Thai word for "banana leaf." Initially designed to serve Thai Airways crew members authentic Thai meals prepared to remind them of home, this spot may not look like much from the outside, but the luxuriously appointed interior will make you feel like you've taken a step outside of your everyday.

Today, you can enjoy this elevated taste of home as both dine-in and take-out. We highly recommend the Gai Hor Bai Toey, chicken wrapped in a pandan leaf and served with a sweet dipping sauce.

Simply Thai

The name Simply Thai is very fitting, with their straightforward menu of Thai standards that satisfy. But don't let the simplicity fool you, as that simple menu ensures a high level of quality on every dish, with standards set by royalty. 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.

Their signature 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 turns simple ingredients into something special.

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!

Mali Thai

Mali Thai 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.

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.

Christy Maggio

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