Recorded totals include starter data and votes from members and guests. They are not counts of verified diners or star ratings. How rankings work
Ordering guide
What to order at a Thai restaurant
From the punchy heat of a green curry to the sweet-sour balance of pad thai, Thai menus reward people who know what to order. Here are editorial suggestions to help you explore the menu.
Must-try Thai dishes
- Pad thai with prawns
- Green curry with chicken
- Tom yum goong
- Massaman beef curry
- Som tam (green papaya salad)
- Mango sticky rice
Frequently asked questions
What should I order at a Thai restaurant for the first time?
Start with pad thai or a green curry, both are flavour-forward but approachable. Add a tom yum goong soup to share and finish with mango sticky rice. These four cover the sweet, sour, spicy and savoury spectrum that defines Thai cooking.
What is the most popular Thai dish?
Pad thai, green curry, tom yum soup and massaman curry are familiar starting points. We do not have verified worldwide ordering figures or evidence that one dish leads at every restaurant.
What is the best Thai dish for someone who doesn't like spicy food?
Massaman curry, pad see ew, chicken satay and pad thai are mild by default. Ask for 'no spice' or 'Thai mild', most kitchens will adjust. Avoid green curry, tom yum and any salad with the word 'yum' if you're heat-averse.
What is a good vegetarian dish to order at a Thai restaurant?
Pad see ew with tofu, vegetable green curry, som tam (ask for no fish sauce), and fresh spring rolls are reliable picks. Always confirm the kitchen can swap fish sauce for soy, it's the single ingredient that makes most Thai dishes non-vegetarian.
How do I know which Thai dish is best at a specific restaurant?
Compare the listed dishes and descriptions on the restaurant page. Recorded totals include starter data and guest and member votes, so confirm the current menu and seek recent independent feedback too.
Top Thai restaurants right now
Ranked by community votes on DishVote.
