Four Local Spots Ranked "Best Thai Restaurants in NYC" By Time Out New York

Summary

Time Out New York has recently named the "Best 18 Thai Restaurants in NYC" and not surprisingly, four were chosen from Elmhurst. Below are the chosen restaurants, and what Time Out New York has to say about each one. Congratulations!

Zaab Zaab

76-04 Woodside Ave, Queens, NY 11373
zaabzaabnyc.com/

“With the recent departure of Ugly Baby, one of the city’s spiciest (and most beloved) Isan spots, many feared the city’s northeastern Thai food would lose some of its edge. But Zaab Zaab remains a bold force, pushing Isan flavors front and center. Led by Pei Wei and Bryan Chunton, this vibrant restaurant has a handful of the usual stir-fry favorites, but do yourself a favor and order the herb-packed larb ped udon, fried liver, and crispy skin. It’s spicy, but that’s what the side of vegetables are for (pro tip: chewing on raw cabbage soothes the heat!). The pla neung manow (branzino) comes steamed with a garlicky-lime sauce that you’ll want to scoop up with a spoon (I regularly do).

With a strong presence of Isan cuisine in both Elmhurst and Williamsburg, Zaab Zaab also has a spot in Essex Market that specializes in next-level Krapow burgers.”

Ayada

7708 Woodside Ave, Elmhurst, NY 11373
ayadanyc.com

“If Elmhurst houses Little Thai Town, then let Ayada be the official welcome center. The restaurant offers a broad selection of dishes from all across Thailand, including Thai sausage from the Northeast Isan region and kang som sour curry from the South. While you might be tempted to order familiar favorites like pad thai or pad see ew, this is the type of spot that you’re going to want to expand your palate to all that Thai cuisine has to offer.”

Eim Khao Mun Kai

8132 Broadway, Elmhurst, NY 11373

“It’s common to find stalls that specialize in just one dish throughout Thailand. While this concept isn’t as prevalent in the U.S., Eim Khao Mun Kai is all about one thing: khao mun gai. The dish is a Thai version Hainanese chicken and rice but is served with a spicy, fermented bean sauce. The $12 set meal includes tender steamed chicken thighs (halal), fragrant ginger rice, a savory broth-based soup, and sides of cilantro and cucumber. This tiny-but-mighty spot is cash-only, but make sure to bring a few extra dollars to get a Thai green tea (one of the few spots in the city that has it!).”

Pata Cafe

56-14 Van Horn St, Elmhurst, NY 11373

“This cafe-restaurant hybrid brought to you by a mother-daughter team is worth the trip to Elmhurst. Pata Cafe first opened in 2016 with an emphasis on various coffees and teas before becoming what it is today—a Thai food destination doling out soulful Isan fare. The interior, too, with its wood beams and lush greenery, is just as inviting.”