Last Updated: Apr 17, 2025.
When it comes to exploring Toronto’s culinary diversity, there is a staggering variety of options, thanks to the large number of immigrants who call this city home. Although many different ethnicities are represented in the city these days, there’s one option that has been popular for a long time and continues to be a local favourite – Thai food, celebrated for its bold combinations of sweet and spicy flavours. Whether you’re a fan of the classic Pad Thai or adventurous enough to try something new and unique, these restaurants are sure to satisfy your cravings.
Table of Contents: The Best Thai Restaurants in Toronto
- Salad King – famous for their secret menu
- sukhoTHAI – the place for homestyle Thai cooking
- Pai Northern Thai Kitchen – experience Chef Nuit’s unique twist on Thai cuisine
- Koh Lipe – true Southern Thai cuisine
- Yeah Yeah Thai – best known for its contemporary fusion of Thai classics
- Favorites Thai BBQ – a favorite with a seasonally rotating menu
- Wylie’s Pub – classic pub fare and authentic Thai dishes
Salad King
Famous for their secret menu
224 Queen St W | saladking.com
A favourite featured on our Must-Do Toronto Food Tour, Salad King is a beloved, long-standing Thai restaurant that has been serving Torontonians for over three decades. Originally opened in 1981 on King Street as a salad restaurant, Salad King has undergone significant transformation under the ownership of Ernie and Linda. They have guided the evolution of both the shop and its menu into the beloved Thai restaurant we know today.
When visiting, don’t miss the chance to order the Islamic Noodles from their not-so-secret menu. This dish is a local favourite, combining the best of Bangkok Stir Fry and Panang Curry. Or you can indulge in one of their signature curries like the Evil Jungle Prince, which features a mix of vegetables such as eggplant, baby corn, and bamboo shoots, all in a flavourful chili sauce.
Local tip: Their Queen St location has some exclusive menu items only available there, such as their Thai Lettuce Wraps or a soft serve cone topped with caramel and peanuts.
sukhoTHAI
The place for homestyle Thai cooking
460 Front St E | sukhothaifood.ca
Sukhothai’s origins trace back to Northern Thailand, where owner and chef Nuit ran a restaurant after her shifts. Bringing her passion for authentic Thai cuisine to Canada, Nuit established Sukhothai in 2008 with a mission to deliver genuine Thai flavours.
Today it is a local favourite with locations across Toronto. Indulge in their signature Khao Soi—a delectable blend of egg noodles in a curry gravy topped with crispy noodles. Alternatively, sample one of Thailand’s most beloved dishes, Pad Gra Prow, for a taste of authentic Thai street food culture.
Local tip: Try to go during a nice sunny day, all four of their locations across the city have a lovely patio to be seated at.
Pai Northern Thai Kitchen
Experience Chef Nuit’s unique twist on Thai Cuisine
Pai Northern Thai Kitchen is a cornerstone of Northern Thai cuisine in Toronto, created as a sequel to Sukhothai. This popular hotspot has garnered recognition, including nods from Michelin. The first location opened on Duncan Street, right in the heart of the Entertainment District but now it can be found across the city.
The menu is made up of classic Thai eats, but with unique spins developed by Chef Nuit. One of Pai’s standout dishes is Chef Nuit’s Pad Thai, made with a rich sauce of tamarind and palm sugar. Another favourite is the classic Green Curry, served in a coconut shell to impart a delightful sweetness and crunch.
Local tip: Despite the praise from Michelin, this isn’t a daunting reservations-only restaurant but a much comfier joint that encourages walk-ins.
Koh Lipe
True Southern Thai cuisine
Koh Lipe stands out in Toronto’s culinary scene with a coveted star from the Michelin Guide, a testament to its excellence. Named after the island in Southern Thailand where owner Patrick hails from, Koh Lipe proudly claims the title of the city’s only Southern Thai restaurant.
At Koh Lipe, explore the tantalizing flavours of their special menu, featuring unique creations like the Khao Neow Gaeng—a spicy stir-fried pineapple chicken curry which they serve within another pineapple. This inventive dish combines the sweetness of pineapple with the savory heat of Thai spices, creating a delightful explosion of flavours. Another must-try is the Goong Moun, where crispy fried tofu skin is stuffed with shrimp and complemented by a refreshing cucumber-based Arjad Sauce.
Local tip: Koh Lipe is a reservation only experience, so be sure to call ahead or book online before visiting. If you can’t get a table they also offer takeout, and you can have a picnic at McCaul-Orde Park just a 4 minute walk away.
Yeah Yeah Thai
Best known for contemporary fusion of Thai classics
385 Spadina Ave | yeahyeahthai.ca
Yeah Yeah Thai is a newcomer to Toronto’s dining scene, having opened its doors in 2023. Despite the fierce competition from its neighbours in Chinatown, it has quickly gained popularity as a go-to spot for both good food and drinks.
Indulge in the Thai street food classic, Banana Roti, where crispy roti is generously topped with condensed milk for a decadent treat. For a more contemporary twist on traditional Thai flavours, try out the Tom Yum Style Instant Noodles, served with a gravy boat brimming with sauce and a cup full of seafood.
Local tip: Their drink menu is the other major highlight. Complete your meal with the refreshing Thai Iced Milk Tea or their signature Cinnamon Iced Coffee.
Favorites Thai BBQ
A favorite with a seasonally rotating menu
141 Ossington Ave | myfavethai.com
Favorites Thai BBQ is a high-class establishment with its own Michelin recognition. Opened by restaurateur Jonathan Poon. Featuring a gourmet menu curated by Toronto-born chef Palcu-Chang, this restaurant has developed a unique cuisine that blends traditional Thai flavours with a distinctly Torontonian twist.
Explore the rotating seasonal menu, where dishes like the Curried Mussels shine with seafood sourced from the Atlantic provinces, spiced with galangal and lemongrass imported directly from Thailand. Or go for the Charred Eggplant Salad, plated to perfection with oyster mushroom and a soft boiled egg.
Local tip: The Chef’s Choice tasting menu is worth the splurge, giving you a little bit of all the best that Favourites has to offer.
Wylie’s
Classic pub fare and authentic Thai dishes
Just outside Summerhill Station is a local pub that is favoured by many in the neighbourhood. But this is no ordinary bar—it’s a pub that combines classic pub fare with authentic Thai cuisine, making it the perfect spot to enjoy both nachos and pad Thai while watching your favourite team on the big screen.
There are a number of classic Thai dishes you can order off the menu, such as the Thai Coconut Cashew Vegetables, a comforting and flavourful dish featuring stir-fried cashews, cauliflower, mushrooms, and a medley of other veggies, all tossed in a creamy coconut sauce. Wylie’s also still offers your classic pub food too, letting you pair a pound of wings with Thai Chicken Wraps, and enjoy a mosaic of shareables as diverse as Toronto itself.
Local tip: Officially, there are no fusion dishes on the menu… But the Thai peanut sauce can be ordered on the side, and adds a certain richness when used as a dip for both nachos and fries.
Experience Toronto’s food scene with Tasty Tours
If you are looking to get out and explore more of Toronto’s rich, diverse culture, join us on one of our Toronto food tours. You can hit up our Must-Do Toronto Food Tour featuring Salad King and its famous Islamic Noodles. This is always a great experience to dine out for a diverse lunch where you’ll also get to discover a plethora of amazing treats beloved by the citizens of Toronto.
