The Best Thai Restaurants In Abu Dhabi

While there are many Thai restaurants in Abu Dhabi, these ones stand out as most regularly recommended and reviewed by the Best Bites community. Lots of these restaurants are founded and managed by Thai women with a passion for their home country and its food and the authenticity factor is high.

We recommend you try them all, and find your favourite dish at each!

‍

THE PHUKET KITCHEN

AL NAHYAN CAMP

Phuket born Orawan has made an artform of Thai food at this glorious little Thai eatery, which entered the Abu Dhabi Thai food scene in 2023.  

We recommend the chicken cashew nut (AED35) sporting perfectly crispy vegetables and a sauce that hits all the right notes as well as the possibly unbeatable chicken massaman (AED35) which is rich and filling.

The mango sticky rice with coconut ice cream (AED30) – is one of the best we’ve tried in Abu Dhabi - served in a glass dish, it feels like a lovely treat to finish your meal.

Best of all, for all this high quality, authentic food including a starter, three mains, dessert, and water you'll pay less than AED170, which is a bargain in our books!

Open: 11AM - 11PM

Booking: 02 884 0998

‍

SILK & SPICE

SOFITEL ABU DHABI

The restaurant has a charming blend of traditional Thai decor with a modern elegant twist. Snag a table next to the windows looking out to sea or go with a group and sit at one of the sunken tables - proper Thai style!

We enjoy the crunchy moneybags, the tom kha soup and of course Thai staples green curry and pad Thai. And, as a sidenote, we think the mango sticky rice might is too good to miss. Service here is phenomenal and we always feel truly welcome, completely Thai style!

Time: Daily from 12PM - 3:30PM

Booking: 02 813 7777

Parking: Valet parking at Sofitel Hotel

‍

BUA THAI

YAS BAY WATERFRONT

Bua Thai, named after the indomitable owner herself, is one of the best places to dine out for lunch or dinner at Yas Bay. Tucked in beside Pop City, Bua Thai serves light dishes, almost in a Thai tapas style and we can tell you, there’s not a bad dish on the menu!

Our favourite is the quirky wonton pad Thai, with sizeable wontons mixed in with the usual noodles, nuts, sprouts and gorgeous lime overtones. Enjoy cocktails and mocktails for around AED35 and bottled beer which is our preference to go with Thai food.  

In the winter, sit outside and watch the world go by under the lanterns and enjoy excellent Thai hospitality.

Open: 12PM - 11PM

Booking: 02 575 3158

‍

‍

BENJARONG

DUSIT THANI ABU DHABI

Representing the beating heart of the very Thai Dusit Thani, Benjarong impresses with its broad menu offering something for everyone.  

The yum goong is nothing short of impressive and the gaeng keow wan gai - green chicken curry - makes you feel like you’re on the streets of Bangkok. While we love it all, the banana fritter dessert is a must-try.  

Side note: Benjarong runs the most fabulous cooking classes - a great way to spend a morning!

Open: 12.30 - 3PM, 7PM -11.30PM

Booking: 02 698 8137

‍

DESERTLOTUS

AL BANDAR

This is Bua’s mother ship, where the fantastic Thai food helped along by gorgeous sea views over to Yas Bay.

The menu at Desert Lotus offers a mix of Thai and Japanese, but the Thai is what brings joy to people. Bua and her team serve food that's fresh and complex of flavour, making it an authentic experience for diners. Stand out dishes include delicious pad Thai, a spicy and smooth green curry, tom yum soup, larb, amazing Thai chicken wings and a superb Thai basil flavoured squid.

Prices are reasonable for both food and drinks (a beer or a superb mocktail is a must when eating Thai food!) and the whole package brings diners back to Desert Lotus again and again.

Open: 12PM - 11PM

Booking: 056 583 5591

‍

TUK TUK

AL ZAHIYAH AND KHALIFA CITY A

According to everyone in the know, this is one of the most authentic Thai food outlets in town and also great for delivery!

Order the pad kra pao, the pad talay and gai tod (fried chicken) and ask for it to be spiced to your taste. Flavours are balanced, with subtle hints of nam pla (fish sauce) and excellent dipping sauces - the sauce on the satay is incredible!

Wash it all down with Thai tea or coffee and pronounce the meal aroi mak!

Open: 11AM - 11.30PM

Booking: 02 550 4418

‍

THAI NOODLE - new September 2024

REEM ISLAND

Never has a restaurant been so welcome on Reem! Reemies already love Thai Noodle for its great delivery and superb pad Thai, done the traditional way with the egg in a web over the rice. And take it from us, the mango sticky rice will keep you coming back for more!

‍

Open: 11AM - 11PM

Booking and orders: 02 447 3731