This Northside counter-to-table spot is known to offer Thai with a Laotian influence, with dishes like drunken noodles, Thai red curry, and chicken basil. Its traditional boat noodle soup, however, is its signature. This iconic dish, which sells out often, is composed of a deeply flavorful beef broth base with rice noodles, rib-eye steak, and pork balls. Have a great pairing for Thai? Take advantage of Its BYOB policy, which comes with a $5 corkage fee.

It’s common knowledge that no one should ever grocery shop hungry, and here, you don’t have to. Stop in at the restaurant for big portions of Northeastern Thai and Laos-style classics like the green curry, fried rice, and the pad see ew or stir fry, or go for the “all-time favorite” deep-fried whole white pompano that’s served with a special Thai sauce. Finish the meal off with Street Food’s mango sticky rice, and then shop in its mini market for ingredients where you can test your cooking skills at home.

This longstanding, cozy, hole-in-the-wall in Spring Branch dishes out a solid pad see ew, tom yum soup, flavorful boat noodles, and Tiger Cry, a dish of delicious grilled steak served with a spicy dipping sauce — all at an affordable price. Vegetarians can also take heart — Vieng Thai features a whole page of menu options that are meat-free. Be sure to bring your own drinks, Vieng is BYOB, sans corking fee.

Housed inside a market just off of I-45, this quaint restaurant boasts some of the best Thai and Laotian food in Bayou City. The lemongrass chicken nuggets and fermented sausage are a perfect snack before diving into a main course like the red curry with pineapple or a classic pad Thai. Don’t leave without perusing the aisles in the market. You’re sure to find something fun to elevate your next at-home meal. 

Robust flavors takeover at this Memorial Drive hotspot, which promises all the usual suspects, like pad Thai, a variety of curries, a picturesque papaya salad that you eat with your eyes first, and one of the best Tiger Cry dishes in the city. Be sure to shop for your favorite bottle beforehand. Zaab Der is BYOB with no corkage fee.

Located inside the POST Market food hall, Thai Kun serves Thai street food with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options. The TK fried chicken and waterfall pork with tiger cry sauce are served with a gang of herbs and rice that complement the spicy, savory meats. The crab rice and black noodles are also must-try items.

With locations in Montrose and Willowbrook, this cafe doesn’t skimp on its menu. Tom yum and tom kha soups, offered with your choice of either chicken or shrimp, and the seafood-heavy poh taek seafood soup with lemongrass and tomatoes are sure to tickle the senses. Equally as satisfying are the stir-fried dishes ranging from crispy fried chicken to the vegetarian eggplant and basil dish. Cool down and indulge in a sweet finish with desserts like Thai tea creme brûlée and Thai coffee affogato, which strays from tradition.

This elegant Uptown Park spot serves fresh, traditional Thai dishes alongside an impressive wine, cocktail, and liquor selection. The crispy red snapper, served whole will certainly make heads turn as it arrives at your table, and house specialties like the heavenly beef should not be missed. Have a sweet tooth? Don’t miss out on its lychee and jackfruit creme brulee or the fried banana rolls.

One of Houston’s oldest Thai restaurants, the newly renovated Nidda can be found deep in the heart of Montrose, with all your Thai favorites like green papaya salad, Thai pepper steak, drunken noodles, and green curry done right. Chase the spice down with a sweet Thai tea and mango sticky rice.

Though this East End neighborhood gem is just getting nationwide acclaim, Houstonians have known since its 2020 opening that Street to Kitchen (which is housed next to a converted gas station) serves up some of the best Thai cuisine in the state. Chef Benchawan Painter, best known as “chef G,” harnesses her upbringing in Thailand, making everything in-house — from the curries to the sauces. Go for lunch to experience the creamy, spice-laden Massaman curry and the drunken noodles — all served at “Bangkok medium” heat level, or get a full menu of dishes during dinner, including its pad see ew, its traditional tom yum soup, pad Thai, tantalizing curries, plus the essential mango sticky rice. The Thai tea is stellar, but be sure to ask co-owner Graham Painter for a drink suggestion — he specializes in unique wine pairings, available in-house, that perfectly complement STK’s spicy dishes.

River Oaks’ Rim Tanon serves modern Thai dishes that deliver a perfect balance of sour, spicy, savory, and salty. The Rim Tanon noodle is a flavorful and hearty dish, loaded with fish balls, baby bok choy, and bean sprouts, and topped with crispy fat barbecue and minced pork, crushed peanuts, chili powder, cilantro, onions, and crispy wontons. Its Thai-style shaved ice, layered with coconut jelly, herbal jelly, red bean paste, and milk, is a sweet way to take the edge off the heat.

At Thai Bistro, proceed with caution. Diners can choose between pice levels ranging from “mild and “comfortable medium burn” to “professional-only Thai hot.” Try the fiery roasted duck red curry or consider the more mild pineapple curry with shrimp. Cool down with the sweet rice custard.

Located in the Saigon Houston Plaza, this family-run restaurant serves some of the most flavorful Thai dishes in the city that are perfect for groups to enjoy family style. The namesake sweet, savory, and spicy Tony wings are not to be missed.

This Sugar Land spot is unique in that it doubles as an all-day cafe, serving specialty coffee and tea, plus Thai breakfast dishes like its Siamese pan-fried egg, Thai-style fried eggs served with minced chicken, sweet chicken sausage, chicken bologna, and chicken sausage. Stay for the “Dunch” menu. Available for lunch and dinner, it offers traditional options like pad see ew and massaman curry. The signature Dunch Noodle, a noodle soup with fish balls and ground meat, is a must-order item.

With locations in Sugar Land, The Woodlands, and the Heights, Zapvor offers Thai in the form of street food and tapas, or “finger food” style, meaning items like its chicken curry puffs, Thai pork jerky, steamed Thai dumplings, and fried spare ribs are all meant to be shared. The special Zap shaved iced dessert — made with tapioca, coconut, palm seed, and jackfruit — offers a refreshing and cool end to a meal.

Street to Kitchen’s chef G has teamed up with Eculent genius and Choctaw chef David Skinner to take diners on a journey through Indigenous foodways. The tasting menu experience starts around 2400 BCE, offering dishes that trace back to both Thai and Native American cuisine in its earliest stages. Start with pickled veggies, a display of the Thai fermenting technique, then experience red snapper with a sweet orange curry with hints of citrus, before moving on to a more modern tender venison made with a peppery red curry.