When Filipinos visit to Thailand, one of the things they most look forward to is the cuisine. Let it to the Land of Smiles to put a grin on your face every time you fill your stomach with their delicious food, which ranges from traditional Bangkok Street food to fancy Royal Thai meals.
Thai cuisine’s generally spicy profile will arouse your senses, not to mention its excellent mix of sweet, salty, and sour flavors. If the lovely scents don’t entice you, perhaps the vibrantly colored meals will. We’ve compiled a selection of places in Manila that will provide you with authentic Thai cuisine. So, whether you’re in the mood for a platter of pad thai or a steaming bowl of tom yum, these Thai restaurants are to look for!
1. PEOPLE’S PALACE
People’s Palace was designed by the same chef who established Sala Bistro and Blackbird, two of the most popular premium eating establishments in Makati’s Central Business District. Expect to pay a little more than normal but it’s all for the enjoyment of top-notch Thai food in Manila, right? This is located on Greenbelt 3’s garden side, and its elegant ambiance makes it ideal for date evenings and special celebrations. Moreover, they have red rice if you don’t like white rice, and nice cocktails simply because why not?
Dishes to try: Roast Duck Curry, Mango Pavlova, Thom Yum Goong, Prawn Spring Rolls, Crispy meat, and Sticky Rice.
Address: Esperanza Street, Level 1, Greenbelt 3, Makati
https://www.peoplespalacethai.com/
2. BASIL
Basil, named after the most often used herb in Thai dishes, conveys the perception that it is a fantastic choice for real Thai food in Manila. While its original store in White Plains recently closed, there are four more locations in Ayala Malls The 30th, The SM Mall of Asia, One Bonifacio High Street Mall, and Podium. All of the locations have beautiful looks with traces of a garden theme that will most likely remind you of your lola’s probinsya home.
Dishes to try: Thai Heavenly Pineapple Fried Rice, Pad Thai, Thai Crispy Fish with Green Mango Salad, and Green Chicken Curry.
Address: The Podium, and SM Mall of Asia, Ayala Malls The 30th, One Bonifacio High Street Mall
3. MANGO TREE
Mango Tree is a global idea with over 70 branches throughout Asia. If you have to choose a location close to home, we strongly recommend Bonifacio Global City’s Philippine flagship. It’s arguably one of Manila’s most picturesque Thai restaurants in Manila, thanks to its trendy tropical décor and spacious eating space. We also like how they divide their menu between conventional and unique cuisine. In reality, the former is highly influenced by Thailand’s four regional cuisines!
Dishes to try: Thai Tapioca Dumplings, Pomelo Salad with Prawns, Pad Thai Soft Shell Crab, Mango Cheesecake, and Gai Yang.
Address: Ayala Malls Manila Bay, and TriNoma, Bonifacio High Street – Central Square, Greenbelt 3
https://www.facebook.com/MangoTreeManila/
4. CRYING TIGER STREET KITCHEN
Crying Tiger Street Kitchen is a trendy hole-in-the-wall that quickly became a locals’ favorite in Makati Poblacion. It’s as near to the true Thailand street food scene as you can get, with its colorful décor and laid-back yet active atmosphere. Most people come here for post-work and pre-game dinners, but it’s also great for a late-night snack because it’s open until midnight! If your plans aren’t impulsive, you might want to reserve ahead of time because it becomes very busy, especially on weekends.
Dishes to try: Khao Pad Goong, Chicken Satay, and Khao Nian Mamuang.
Address: Poblacion #4986 P. Guanzon Street, Makati
https://www.facebook.com/officialcryingtiger/
5. EASY, TIGER
Tiger delivers its clear message of providing economical Thai comfort food for people who are continually on the go. And besides, it began as a small stall at The Podium’s Corner Market. However, don’t be deceived by its quick-service manner; their menu is quite well. It’s also one of the very few Manila Thai restaurants that serves dishes from Isaan, Thailand’s northeastern area whose food is generally spicier than Bangkok’s. Also, don’t forget to get their best-selling Thai Milk Tea to go with your dish!
Dishes to try: Chicken in Pandan, Pad Krapow, Green Papaya Salad with Chicken Skin, Pad Thai, and Crispy Pata served with Red Curry.
Address: Eastwood Mall, and SM North EDSA Block, The Podium, Uptown Mall.
https://www.instagram.com/easytigerph/?hl=en
6. DOON THAI AND ASIAN FUSION CUISINE
This Thai and Asian Fusion Cuisine have an interesting backstory: it was planned to be a good ol’ lutong-bahay eatery serving largely to local college students. However, when they began serving Thai cuisine, word spread about how amazing and affordable! they were, and everything else is record. This is located in the old Malate neighborhood, just next to a store, adding to the ‘neighbor hidden gem’ vibe.
Dishes to try: Pad See Ew, Tom Ka Gai Soup, Catfish Salad, Red Curry, and Butt’rd Garlic Shrimp.
Address: Malate #936 Dolores Street, Manila
https://www.facebook.com/DoonThaiCuisine/
7. MY THAI KITCHEN
My Thai Kitchen is another Thai restaurant that can be found at several malls throughout the Metro. It’s also difficult to stroll through their shops without noticing their well-lit interiors and brilliantly colored furnishings. This complements their delectable cuisine options, which are pure comfort food. What’s more, the best part is that most of these are served in substantial portions, so dive in!
Dishes to try: Shrimp Pad Thai, Pow Piet Tod Gha, Khau Kluk Gapi, Tom Kha Gai, and Khao Neaw Mamuang.
Address: SM City Fairview, BGC Stopover Pavilion, Net Park, Gateway Mall, Eastwood Mall, Robinsons Magnolia, Addition Hills, Eton Centris, Venice Grand Canal Mall, & Festival Mall
https://www.instagram.com/ilovemythai/?hl=en
8. NARA THAI
Delight your taste buds in the magnificent world of Thai food at SM Mega Fashion Hall’s newly opened Nara Thai Cuisine. Begin your meal with the Nara Thai Sampler P495, which includes spring rolls, fish cakes, chicken satay, pork wonton, and a bright and crisp pomelo salad. If you don’t mind a little burn in your mouth (the pleasant kind), go for any of their curry meals, which include green, red, yellow, and massaman curry.
One tip that we can give is to serve your choice with plain rice to bring out the hot, robust taste. Save room for dessert; the P345 Nara Dessert Set is a DIY delight with sweet Thai condiments and two scoops of coconut ice cream that you can customize.
Dishes to try: Crispy Fried Shrimp Cakes, Massaman Curry, Pla Gao Neung Ma Nao, Khao Niew Ma Muang, and Nara Thai Sampler.
Address: Mega Fashion Hall & Ayala Malls Manila Bay, SM Megamall
9. BBQ ORIGINAL RESTAURANT
Thai BBQ Original Restaurant, located in sunny Los Angeles, is a favorite among Asian-Americans. If you have experienced this elsewhere, you will probably want to try their Metro Manila branches as well. If you haven’t already, it’s about time you found out what all the excitement is about! The menu will include the following items: a plethora of delectable sauces, Tender, fall-off-the-bone meat, and meals that strike the perfect combination of spicy, sweet, sour, and salty. Still not convinced?
Dishes to trry: BBQ Spare Ribs, Tom Yum Goong, Yum Pla Dook Foo, Sate Combination, and Sticky Rice with Mango.
10. SAME SAME THAI SATAY BAR
Kapitolyo’s laid-back neighbourhood is recognized for its diverse selection of restaurants that appeal to practically every taste. Same Same Thai Satay Bar is the place to go for Thai food! Despite its diminutive size, it’s easy to notice due to the huge griller in front. You will find that the hole-in-the-wall is evocative of Bangkok’s curbside cafes, which adds to its allure. Accompanying this is their uncomplicated menu, which consists of Thai and Filipino street cuisine – all lesser than 200 Pesos!
Dishes to try: Thai Omelette, Satay Sampler, Shrimp Pad Thai, Crab Khao Pad, and Chicken Green Curry.
Address: Kapitolyo, 6b San Rafael Street, Pasig
11. BENJARONG
Benjarong in Dusit Thani is the place to go if you want to dine in an expensive and stylish setting. Because it is housed in the country’s only five-star Thai hotel, one can easily presume that it is also one of the top Thai restaurants in Manila.
This restaurant specializes in real Royal Thai cuisine, which is distinguished by meticulous preparation, mild flavors, rare and expensive ingredients, and, of course, extravagant presentation! Lastly, Benjarong features a bar where creative cocktails are served alongside complementary tom yum popcorn. Furthermore,
Dishes to try: See Sa Hai, Gaeng Massaman Nuea, Som Tam Tord Salmon Foo, Pad Thai Gung Sod, and Khao Niew Ma Muang.
Address: Ayala Centre, San Lorenzo, Ground Floor, Dusit Thani Manila, Makati
https://www.facebook.com/benjarongmanila/
12. SAMYAN
If you find yourself desiring Thai food while shopping at Power Plant Mall, make your way to The Grid, also known as their trendy food hall. Ton Tassanakajohn, one of Thailand’s best chefs with two Michelin-starred restaurants, is in charge of the Samyan stall’s food. And, if you are wondering what the name means, all meals are themed on street cuisine from Bangkok’s Samyan Market, which Tassanakajohn enjoyed as a child.
Dishes to try: Phad Krapao Moo, Tom Yung Kung Namkun, Khao Pad Tom Yum, and Thai Roast Pork.
Address: Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Stall No. 16, The Grid Food Market, Second Floor, Makati