Thai food isn’t the first thing you think of when looking to chow down in Austin, but to much surprise, we’ve actually got some killer options. Between spring rolls, pad thai and Thai teas galore – get ready to embark on an extra spicy journey with the best Thai food in Austin where no rice gets left behind.
SEE ALSO: Best Asian Food in Austin
Table of Contents
FOR A QUICK LUNCH: DEE DEE
Craving mangos, eggs and all things rice? Dee Dee is a trailer in East Austin that serves up Northern Thai food with a spicy kick. Best Thai food in Austin? That’s what the foodies are saying. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday. Ready, set, go.
WHAT TO ORDER: Pad kapow, Om Gai, and mango sticky rice.
906 E Cesar Chavez St, deedeeatx.com
FOR BEER WITH FRIENDS: SOURSOP
Located at St. Elmo Brewing Company, Soursop is my idea of a perfect Friday night with my perfect friends (lol jk). Tour the brewery, grab a couple brews, and indulge in Southeast Asian cuisine.
WHAT TO ORDER: Sambal wings, panag eggplant, tiki tteok, roti & curry, and shrimp chips.
40 E Saint Elmo Rd Ste G2, soursopaustin.com
FOR DATE NIGHT: THAI KUN
Treat your date to an authentic Thai meal that’s almost like going to Thailand (almost). Thai Kun serves traditional Thai dishes like papaya salad, larb, fermented pork sausage, and pork rib soup that’s spicy but so good. Correction, the papaya salad is the spiciest thing on the menu and they’re not kidding around with those Thai chilies.
WHAT TO ORDER: taro crisps, larb with extra sticky rice, and whole fish.
11601 Rock Rose #100, Austin, TX, thaikun.com
SEE ALSO: Thai Kun, Best Authentic Thai Food In Austin
FOR WEEKDAY DINNER: MADAM MAMS
I’m a creature of habit, so I’ve been eating Madam Mam’s fried rice with their housemade chili oil since college. To be honest, I don’t know what else is good on the Madam Mams menu. Their chili oil is crack. Students starting stealing the chili oil so they bottled that stuff up and sell it by the jar now.
WHAT TO ORDER: fried rice with extra Madam Mams housemade chili oil.
*3 locations in Austin, madammam.com
FOR TAKE OUT: TITAYAS
I’ve been traveling in and out of town this year and the one thing I’m craving when I’m back in town? Pad see eiw from Titayas. I place my order right when I get off the plane, pick it up, go home to take a hot shower, and hop on the couch with my pad see eiw.
WHAT TO ORDER: Pad see eiw, Gang Garee curry, Kao Soi 360, Pad basil eggplant, and mango sticky rice.
5501 N Lamar Blvd # C101, titayasthaicuisine.com
SEE ALSO: Upscale Thai at Titaya’s Thai Cuisine
FOR LATE NIGHT: EAST SIDE KING
It’s midnight and you’ve had a couple of drinks, and you’re starving. Where do you go? East Side King. Brussels sprout salad with the liberty rice is one of my favorite meals in Austin – whether I’m drunk or not.
WHAT TO ORDER: Thai chicken karaage, Brussels sprout salad, poor Qui’s buns, beet home fries, and liberty rice.
1618 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702, eastsideking.com/-liberty
FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS: SWAY
For birthdays, anniversaries, and date night, I recommend Sway for a fancy Thai meal that’s sure to impress. Be warned that the tables are communal so the restaurant can get really loud. Sometimes too loud to the point you can’t hear your own date.
WHAT TO ORDER: Son in law, tiger cry, whole crispy fish, blue crab fried rice, and Thai tea affogato.
1417 S 1st St, swayaustin.com
SEE ALSO: Where To Eat For A Late Night In Austin
