I love Thai restaurants in Riyadh because they remind me of one of my most memorable trip to Bangkok back in the day.
You know what I am talking about? Those bold flavors, creamy dishes, and the heat of those green curries. Everything about Thai food is just on point and no other cuisine can match that.
I have spent too much time (and calories) to find restaurants that offer the best Thai food in Riyadh.
AND THESE FIVE PLACES?
Total Winners! If you want an upscale Thai dining experience or just a place to grab and go it will all be on this list.
The famous foods like Pad Thai, Tom Yum soup, and those irresistible mango sticky rice desserts are all here.
So grab your chopsticks (or forks, no judgments), and let me tell you everything you need to know about Thai food in Riyadh.
1. Long Chim
The restaurants name translates to “come and try” so how can you possibly say no to it? Located in the traditional Ad, Diriyah region, the restaurant blends tradition with modern food to create an unforgettable experience.
Let’s talk about the look and feel of restaurant.
The restaurants exterior design is more like a clay palace which blends perfectly with the surroundings of the area.
BUT THERE IS A TWIST!
Step inside and you will be amazed with the creative design of the restaurant. The color scheme of grey and brown gives this place a lowkey and sophisticated look while the low lights add a touch of modern and expensive feel to the restaurant.
You can also choose to dine outdoors in the shade of palm trees but I personally love the indoors.
And yeah!
There’s a bar too! You can watch those skilled guys create some awesome mocktails Infront of you.
Items I loved
The menu is quite detailed so you don’t need to worry about options here. Let me give you a bit of my experience.
Appetizers
I started the things with Chicken Sata, and let me tell you that these skewers were surprisingly delicious. The chicken was tender and juicy with the peanut sauce creating a nutty flavor in my mouth.
Let me admit that I might have licked the bowl clean because I didn’t want the flavors to end.
If you love salads then go for the Green Papaya Salad. Their salads are fresh, crunchy, and ideal for people who love vegetarian food.
Main Dishes
Now, I love curry so I couldn’t resist to order their Mussaman Curry of Chicken. The spices are right on point in this dish and if you pair it with some steamed rice you will have a match made in heaven.
My favorite dish from the mains was the Phad Thai (Prawn). It was everything a good Phad Thai should be: tangy, and slightly sweet, with perfectly cooked prawns and a generous sprinkle of peanuts on top.
Sweets
The Mango and Sticky Rice is a Thai classic, and Long Chim absolutely nails it.
The rice was perfectly sweet, the mango was juicy and fresh, you just can’t get any better dessert than this in Riyadh.
2. Baan Thai
If you are looking for a Thai restaurant in Riyadh that not only serves amazing dishes but also has a welcoming vibe then Baan Thai is for you.
The interior design is elegant with a mix of brown and white colors that give it a modern vibe and splashes of red to make things lively.
Want some privacy?
Their seating compartments come with curtains you can pull closed, making them perfect for a quiet meal. If you don’t like feeling tucked away then I would recommend grabbing a seat in their main dining center which has wooden tables and chairs giving it a down to earth feel.
One thing that I enjoyed very much was the unique transparent open kitchen. You can watch the chefs prepare your meals and get even more hungrier.
The Food
Well, the menu here has everything one can ask for so make sure you are feeling hungry because you don’t want to miss any dishes here.
What I Loved
I started off with their delicious Tod Man Goong (yup, a difficult name) which are shrimp cakes. They are golden and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Oh, and it comes with some delicious dipping sauce that which is sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy.
If you don’t like shrimp then go for their Kanom Jeep dumplings. They are stuffed with chicken and prawns which gives them a great taste.
The Meal
If you want to try everything like I did then go for their Signature Seafood Tray. It includes Prawns, squid, and fish served on a tray with a sauce that’s so good I wanted to lick the plate (don’t worry, I didn’t).
The next dish I tried was their Hor Mok, It is a kind of curry that has a creamy texture and balanced flavors. Some other dishes that their customers really enjoy are:
- Pad Med Mamuang
- Khao Suay (steamed jasmine rice)
- Pad Thai
Save Room for Dessert
I never skip desserts and you shouldn’t either.
I tried their all-time popular Mango and Sticky Rice. This is a really basic dish but the combination of mangoes and rice will leave you totally surprised.
The mangoes are fresh and the rice is perfectly steamed.
3. Thai Thai Seafood Restaurant
If you are looking for a Thai food spot in Riyadh that offers good food at reasonable prices then this restaurant is for you.
Located in Al Imam Al Shafei, Ar Rayyan, Riyadh, this place skips the fancy décor and lighting and focuses on providing the best food at low prices.
The décor and layout of the restaurant is straightforward with basic chairs and tables that get the job done.
BUT HEY!
You’re here for the food, and the unpretentious setting ensures all the focus stays on the plates in front of you.
Thai Cuisine
Thai Thai has a detailed menu that offers everything from seafood and duck to beef and noodles. All your friends will get something they like here.
Appetizers to Start
I started my meal with some incredibly delicious The Fried Wanton and Shrimp Roll. These were fried just right to have that golden and crisp texture on the outside.
If you don’t like to start your meal with fried stuff then I will recommend choosing their Tom Yum Soup or the Chicken Corn Soup.
Seafood
The name says it all. The restaurant is famous for its Thai seafood and the options are endless. I went for the Hor Mok (Steamed Thai Fish Custard) to start the mains and before it arrived I could feel its smell all over the place.
It will definitely test your patience.
How can I forget about the Garoupa with Chili Sauce and Steamed Prawns in Butter Sauce? The prawns are delicate and the chili sauce is their homemade which has a unique flavor to it.
I asked for the recipe but didn’t disclose it.
Other Dishes You Must Try
The menu options are too many so you have to plan multiple trips. I would recommend trying these dishes also:
- Pad Thai
- Shrimp Fried Rice
- Halo-Halo
- Crispy Duck in Orange-Flavored Sauce
4. Thai Soi
If you are like me who loves a combination of tradition and modern design then you will love Thai Soi restaurant. Located in Al Mathar Ash Shamali, this place feels like it’s a piece of Bangkok right here in Riyadh.
When I entered the first that instantly caught my attention was the big walls with traditional Thai art all over them (in a good way).
To complement this they have chosen a nice brown and grey color scheme which makes the whole dining area feel calm and relaxing.
BUT THAT’S NOT ENOUGH!
A place too calm usually becomes boring so to offset that they have a live mocktail bar where mocktails are prepared every second even when there are no people (who drinks them?).
The seating is comfortable and every corner of the place just says “Stay a bit longer”.
What About Food?
Thai Soi has added a nice balance in their menu with a mix of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors Thailand is famous for.
Some dishes I would recommend are:
- Pad Thai Chicken: The first bite amazed me with a nice sweet, tangy, and nutty flavor all in one bite. The noodles were perfectly cooked and soft while the crushed peanuts added a touch of crunch to the taste.
- Sum Tam Papaya Salad: For my vegetarian and healthy food lovers this dish is a no skip. This salad is light and refreshing and the heat from the bird eye chili adds a unique taste to the dish.
- Green Curry Chicken: Thai food just can’t go wrong with curry. The smell was enough to tell me that the dish would be top-notch. Pro tip: pair it with some steamed rice and thank me later.
Other Dishes
I could go on and on about their menu but let me give you some of my other favorites:
- Royal Massaman Beef
- Mango Sticky Rice
- Thai Prawn Dumpling
- Drunken Noodles
5. Thaiya
Located on the famous Tahliah Street, this restaurant has a menu that will take you straight to the streets of Thailand. The interior design of the place is minimalist with a dark brown décor which makes the restaurant feel sophisticated.
I really loved the sofa seating paired with those sleek black tiled tables giving the restaurant an upscale look without even trying too hard for it.
Let’s Talk Food
The portion sizes at this restaurant are small
But hey!
Don’t leave yet. Don’t let those small portions fool you because they have a flavor you will keep coming back for.
I started off with their special Tom Yum soup and with the first sip, you can feel the spicy and tangy flavor that will make you feel warm directly.
The curries here are thick and I won’t complain about it because I love curries like that. The rich and creamy texture of curries wraps around beef and chicken perfectly.
The Green Curry was my favorite which had that rich herby flavor I will remember for days. I would recommend pairing it with some rice to really enjoy the flavor.
Their Pad Thai is the real deal. Tangy tamarind, crunchy peanuts, and perfectly chewy noodles that just feel and taste exceptional.
Their portion sizes may be small but I would recommend trying this place at least once if you really want authentic flavors of Thailand in Riyadh.
FAQ’s
What is the most popular dish at a Thai restaurant?
Pad Thai! It’s the MVP—tangy, sweet, nutty, and absolutely delicious.
Is Thai food spicy?
It can be, but not always! Spice levels range from mild to “call-the-fire-department.”
Is Pad Thai healthy?
Mostly! Packed with protein and veggies, but the sweet sauce makes it a treat, not a cheat.
