A Thai American Love Letter to the Classic Diner
I recently made my second visit to Thai Diner, a restaurant situated on the edge of Little Italy, a somewhat unexpected location for a Thai establishment. Despite its location, the diner was busy with both patrons and staff.
A word of caution for those who dislike spicy food: Thai Diner's dishes tend to have a significant kick. Personally, I enjoy spice and thoroughly enjoyed my crabmeat fried rice. I did notice what appeared to be a price increase, likely attributable to the current egg shortage.
While I have no complaints regarding the quality of the food itself, the service was notably slow. Our first dish took 30 minutes to arrive, and the Tom Yum Bisque I ordered was initially forgotten, requiring an additional wait. Furthermore, a request for sweet chili sauce resulted in a bottle of sriracha being placed on the table, making it difficult to identify the sauce. Our server appeared overworked, which may explain the forgotten items and lack of communication.
In summary, while the food at Thai Diner is undeniably flavorful, the extended wait times, both for a table and for the food itself, combined with the service issues, unfortunately detract from the overall dining experience. While I enjoyed the meal, the lengthy waits and mediocre alcohol infused drinks may prevent me from returning in the future.
We visited Thai Diner on Mott Street and had to wait about an hour for a table, which was a bit disappointing. The Thai iced tea was refreshing and tasty, but the Tom Yum soup was far too sour and didn’t have the right balance of flavors. My husband ordered the lobster omelette, which was decent, though we found a large piece of shell that hurt his gums. The manager was very kind and offered us a dessert to make up for it, but at that point, the experience had already been soured. Overall, while the place has a lot of hype, I don’t think it lives up to the expectations.
Man oh man where do I even start.. First of all if you plan to eat here on a weekend or even during business hours be prepared to wait! We didn’t have any reservations so we ended up having to wait around 1-1.5 hours for a table (understandable because they were extremely busy) I was hesitant waiting at first but ended up saying screw it and waited! Finally got in and started ordering what we could to finally dig in. The TOM YUM BISQUE is absolutely delicious. It’s sweet, citrusy, and a little spicy, absolutely perfect combo. Broiled/charred Octopus absolutely amazing, not fishy and very tender and soft and now chewy and plastic feeling. PHAT THAI was absolutely nearly perfect. Noodles were cooked perfectly, seasoning was just right not too salty and not bland, has a very nice char taste to it. Papaya Salad was amazing wish it did have a little more spice to it but overall great plate. The Beef noodle soup was super rich in flavor and tasted super clean. Overall the experience was amazing i would highly recommend this place to everyone. Just remember there might be some waiting, but it will all be worth it in the end!
After hearing great things upon our arrival to NYC, we arrived right at opening on a Friday to guarantee ourselves a seat. The coolest interior, friendly staff and fantastic food. We shared the crispy rice eggs and French toast. I think next time I would try the pancakes instead, but still delicious.
Tried brunch with my girls here today and it was incredible. We shared the egg sandwich, fried eggs, and coconut pancakes. They were each unique and delicious, new take on brunch food I’ve never had before with thai basil and spices. Will definitely be back! Recommend going on a weekday to avoid the line
Such a cute place that really prioritizes attentive service. We went for the khao soi and crab fried rice, and both were delicious. The crab fried rice in particular had the perfect balance of juicy flavors that brought me back to Bangkok. Additionally, our waitress recommended what may have been a more seasonal dish, the crispy eggplant maytinee dish, and that was truly a unique experience. Would definitely come back here to see what other things they're experimenting with!
Came here for a weekend brunch - yes a line builds up but they do seat you quickly once your full party is here. Brunch menu isn’t actually very large but the Thai sandwich is very good. Didn’t love the disco fries but I get its appeal for others. Appreciated that they were quite friendly to pets/service animals and had outdoor service for those with them.
I had an amazing time at this unique and cozy spot! The disco fries were definitely worth trying. The phat see ew was just as delicious, and the tom yum bisque had a vibrant citrusy kick but was a little too spicy for my taste, so be cautious if you’re sensitive to heat. The broiled octopus was incredibly tender and cooked to perfection.
We visited on a weekday, and there was no line. Service was top-notch—attentive and friendly throughout our meal. I will definitely be back.
Had some sides and appetizers here and everything came out screaming hot and delicious. Great meal.
Thai Diner is currently one of the most popular restaurants in the city and I was thrillllllled to be able to give it a try. I must say though- for me, it didn't quite live up to all of the hype. I tried the curry fries, Thai tea French toast, and the Thai diner egg sandwich. The highlight for me was the curry fries- I wasn't sure what this would look or taste like but I was so pleasantly surprised with how they melded these two classics together. A really solid choice for an appetizer! As for mains, I thought that the French toast and egg sandwich were just okay. I found the French toast to be on the dry side and really would have appreciated some syrup along with the two condiments provided. The sausage that came in the egg sandwich was juicy and flavorful but I found the Thai basil in the sandwich to be overpowering. Another con to be unfortunately was the wait. Thai Diner does not take reservations and getting a table was toughhhh. Be prepared to be walking around the neighborhood or waiting outside until your table is called. If you're lucky enough to get in, please give it a try! I'm excited to see how this place and its menu develop over time
We used the Michelin guide to find this place. Although the food was great, I must be honest and say that I wish it was more authentic but Thai food is my favorite so my opinion is based off some smaller, family owned home style Thai restaurants. Definitely try this place because it’s an experience. We ordered 6 different items off of the menu and the only thing I can say was not great was the Thai tea. The service was great, the atmosphere is great.
thai diner is a unique and funky place. this place unexpectedly served one of the most flavorful things we had on this trip (and eaten in general). the thai cheesesteak was immaculate. it was a flavor explosion and each bite was just better and better. the meat was tender, the spices were on point, and the bread was just a nice vehicle for the juicy ribeye. the pad thai was another stand out dish. we thought it was fun that they keep the prawn heads on as a nice decorative touch (except i did accidentally bite it, but that was a fault of my intrusive thoughts 😂) it was flavorful and the peanuts added a great crunch. the drinks were also great, the thai tea was one of the best i have had and the green tea is an. unskipable drink.
the atmosphere was fun and decorative! had a nice ambiance and good vibe. the service was great, our waiter was attentive and engaging even with being busy.
overall this place was incredible! would definitely come back to try more menu items in the future if i ever make my way back to nyc!
Markets are efficient and it is no surprise that this place is always packed. We went for dessert after not enjoying a new restaurant nearby with 3x the prices and 2x the attitude. Thai Diner staff was welcoming, the food was delightful as always. Highly recommend.
Absolutely superb in every way
Very busy Thai spot in Nolita that does primarily walk ins, lots of meat/shellfish options, also does brunch service as well
the best!
Disco fries were so good! Everything else was pretty mid tbh. I would go for the ambiance
I couldn’t speak more highly about this place and our experiences there. Second time. Two of us. Seated right away Thursday lunchtime. Service was great, sure she was upselling but made some great plus up recos as we were ordering and they were fantastic. Like adding fried tofu to our BAAN salad - a salad big enough to split. And I’m not even a fan of tofu but it was great - killer salad with or without the tofu. Husband got the bisque and liked it. We split the thailandese coconut chicken and was great.
Schade leider total enttäuschend
Conflicted on whether to give this place a three or four, but I’m giving a three and here’s why: although the food is great, the waiting is ridiculous. They don’t allow solo diners to book on Resy - why? Discrimination against solo diners. Another reason is the hostess doesn’t allow anyone to wait inside so we have to wait outside in the freezing cold. Even after I got a text saying my table was ready, she still told me to wait outside - what the heck?! Had to wait another 10 mins before it was ready. Don’t text me telling me it’s ready when it’s not.
To the food — it’s delicious for sure. The red snapper has a wonderful spiciness to it. The sundae is to die for. It’s not authentic at all. If you go to other Thai restaurants in the city, the famous ones (think of one on the upper east side at 74/2), they have all Thai workers from Thailand. The food at that place is authentic. Here at Thai diner, they have cheesesteak and fries on the menu - two things you would most certainly not find on a menu at an authentic Thai restaurant in Thailand.
To the service — not great at all. Minimal interaction but not in a good way. Only hey what do you want to order and oh here’s your check, bye.
I had to wait about 30 mins on a Monday night.
Would I come back? Maybe to try another dish, but otherwise, no until they fix the hostess/reservation issue for solo diners.
Bustling spot with delicious food that leaves you stuffed. The disco fries were a creative take on loaded fries, with thick fries smothered in a rich sauce creating a perfect comfort food.
While the Khao Soi with chicken was a tasty, filling dish featuring tender meat in a creamy curry broth, topped with crispy noodles that added a satisfying crunch.
Might be hard to get a table but well worth it!
My recent visit to this kitschy Thai-themed spot for their much-talked-about breakfast sandwich proved well-justified. The chewy roti, a delightful departure from the usual bread options, enveloped a generous helping of scrambled eggs. Nestled within was a truly exceptional sausage, bursting with both herbaceous and savory notes, a testament to the chef's skill in balancing flavors. The scallion crème fraîche added a cool, creamy counterpoint to the richness of the sausage and eggs. However, the star of the show, in my opinion, was the chili fish sauce. Its complex blend of salty, sweet, spicy, and funky notes elevated the entire sandwich to another level. The interplay of texture: The chewy roti, the soft eggs, the substantial sausage, and the smooth crème fraîche created a harmonious mouthfeel. The execution of the sandwich was notable. The ingredients were fresh, and the components were assembled with care. At $15, this breakfast sandwich offers considerable value, especially given the quality of the ingredients and the thought put into its construction. The service was friendly and efficient, and the restaurant's quirky decor added to the overall pleasant dining experience. I would enthusiastically recommend this spot to anyone seeking a memorable and delicious breakfast sandwich.
Was having the worst morning ever and eating here turned my whole day around. The food had my partner and I smiling and dancing in our seats. Please fight for a reservation or wait in line because the food and service is absolutely worth it!
Thai Diner in Nolita is worth the hype and the hard-to-get reservation! My wife and I had an incredible meal—highlights were the Disco Fries, Crab Fried Rice, and Khao Soi. The Crab Fried Rice took me back to the Uncle Boons Sister days (pre-COVID nostalgia!), and the Khao Soi's broth was rich and flavorful, with perfectly tender chicken. The staff was friendly, though the seating was a bit cramped and uncomfortable. On colder days, the tiny coat racks are a struggle—I kept getting whacked by sleeves! Still, the food alone makes this spot a must-visit. Can’t wait to return!
I have a love-hate relationship with this place. The wait times are crazy— we put our names on the list, grabbed a coffee, went for a walk, had a whole lunch elsewhere, and just as we were eyeing the dessert menu, our table was ready. By then, we figured, why not treat ourselves? We’d already waited over two hours. We ordered the egg sandwiches, and let me tell you—these things need to be HOT. If they sit around too long, they get soggy and gross. But when they’re fresh, the golden toast on the roti is a genius choice, holding everything together perfectly. The dipping sauces were heavenly, with savory notes that danced on the tongue, complemented by a subtle sweetness and a hint of spice.As for the French toast, we had high hopes, but it was a letdown. The toast was dry and bland, the Thai butter didn’t have that distinctive Thai flavor, and the only thing that brought sweetness was the condensed milk. What a missed opportunity.
I recently made my second visit to Thai Diner, a restaurant situated on the edge of Little Italy, a somewhat unexpected location for a Thai establishment. Despite its location, the diner was busy with both patrons and staff.
A word of caution for those who dislike spicy food: Thai Diner's dishes tend to have a significant kick. Personally, I enjoy spice and thoroughly enjoyed my crabmeat fried rice. I did notice what appeared to be a price increase, likely attributable to the current egg shortage.
While I have no complaints regarding the quality of the food itself, the service was notably slow. Our first dish took 30 minutes to arrive, and the Tom Yum Bisque I ordered was initially forgotten, requiring an additional wait. Furthermore, a request for sweet chili sauce resulted in a bottle of sriracha being placed on the table, making it difficult to identify the sauce. Our server appeared overworked, which may explain the forgotten items and lack of communication.
In summary, while the food at Thai Diner is undeniably flavorful, the extended wait times, both for a table and for the food itself, combined with the service issues, unfortunately detract from the overall dining experience. While I enjoyed the meal, the lengthy waits and mediocre alcohol infused drinks may prevent me from returning in the future.
After hearing great things upon our arrival to NYC, we arrived right at opening on a Friday to guarantee ourselves a seat. The coolest interior, friendly staff and fantastic food. We shared the crispy rice eggs and French toast. I think next time I would try the pancakes instead, but still delicious.
Such a cute place that really prioritizes attentive service. We went for the khao soi and crab fried rice, and both were delicious. The crab fried rice in particular had the perfect balance of juicy flavors that brought me back to Bangkok. Additionally, our waitress recommended what may have been a more seasonal dish, the crispy eggplant maytinee dish, and that was truly a unique experience. Would definitely come back here to see what other things they're experimenting with!
It’s a popular spot, Saturday at 5 pm even in the freezing cold was still a packed house. We waited for around 20 minutes for a table of 2, and as we dined, we overheard the wait for 2 got to 45 minutes and 1-2 hours for parties of 4. In terms of food, I’d say the appetizers were pretty good, we got the disco fries and the roti dish. Both had good spice flavor and served with curry.
For entrees we got the Pad See Ew and the Crab Fried Rice and it kinda went downhill from here. The Pad See Ew was decent and we got it with fried chicken but I’d say it wasn’t as good as other Thai spots. The Crab Fried Rice was kinda mid. While they didn’t skimp on crab, it was very bland and lacked any flavor. Rice was also a bit mushy and lukewarm.
Final bill was around $50 per person and the minimum tip option started at 20%. Overall it’s a decent place but nothing special. Definitely overhyped. I definitely would not wait 45 mins + for a table and it’s overpriced for the quality of the dishes.
This place is overrated. We started with the roti and the disco fries. The roti was a big let down as it was chewy and a bit tough, the pumpkin curry had a nice flavor and heat. The disco fries were pretty good.
For entres we had the pad see ew with fried chicken and the crab fried rice which is highly recommended. The pad see ew was all right, it wasn’t bad but it didn’t live to the hype. The crab fried rice was a huge disappointment! It was bland, it didn’t feel like “fried rice”. Honestly, for the huge lines, wait times and hype, we were expecting much more.
Llegamos un jueves en la noche y estaba full de gente, como no teníamos reserva decidimos esperar. El lugar es agradable, para ser un diner y en Nueva York, el ambiente está muy bien, amplio y acogedor. El servicio del personal siempre estuvo bien, aveces te atienden rápido y luego no.. la comida si estuvo rápido. Pedimos diferentes platos, la textura del purple sticky rice para acompañar nos gustó mucho, la sopa de res tiene muy buen sabor, y los arroces con la proteína que elijas son generosos!
Lo recomiendo si les gusta la comida thai! Porque si tus amigos o familiares son de otros gustos de comida, puede que no sea el restaurante ideal.
Incredible food! Very flavourful.
We visited Thai Diner on Mott Street and had to wait about an hour for a table, which was a bit disappointing. The Thai iced tea was refreshing and tasty, but the Tom Yum soup was far too sour and didn’t have the right balance of flavors. My husband ordered the lobster omelette, which was decent, though we found a large piece of shell that hurt his gums. The manager was very kind and offered us a dessert to make up for it, but at that point, the experience had already been soured. Overall, while the place has a lot of hype, I don’t think it lives up to the expectations.
This is my second visit, and I absolutely love this place!
I live in Woodside, which is known for its amazing Thai restaurants, but this spot has become another favorite of mine. The Pad Thai with grilled chicken was exceptional—the chicken was juicy and tender, perfectly complementing the sweet and flavorful Pad Thai.
The staff is friendly, and the service is great. I’ll definitely be back!
everything is great from the cocktails to the surprisingly shaving cheesesteak you can't go wing here
The BAAN SALAD 🥗 is very good‼️ It's a lot of details that I love and a presentation that surprised me🤎 and one is the avocado 🥑
I’ve never been a big fan of Thai food, so I wasn’t sure what to expect when I visited this spot during my trip to NYC from California. Let me just say—this place completely changed my mind! The flavors were out of this world, unlike anything I’ve tried before.
The crab fried rice was incredible—light, flavorful, and packed with fresh crab that didn’t overpower the dish. And the phat see ew? Absolutely perfect. The noodles were tender, the sauce was rich and savory, and the balance of flavors was spot on.
As someone who’s never really liked Thai food, I was shocked by how much I enjoyed everything. The staff was super friendly and helped with recommendations, which made the experience even better.
If you’ve been hesitant about Thai cuisine or just want an unforgettable meal, this place is a must-visit. Hands down, the best Thai food I’ve ever had!
Always awesome. Love that beer slushie
Always a go to spot for delicious Thai flavors. They are home to my fave papaya salad (bold flavors with spice and crunch), crab fried rice, and dessert (I’m not a coconut fan but their coconut sundae always surprises me with how much I enjoy it). The only note is to expect at least an hour to hour and a half wait for a table, but at least they make it easy enough for you to just put your name in at the window and they will text you when your table is ready. Enough time to go for a wander through nearby Chinatown and be back in time for your table.
Amazing food for sharing with friends and lovely atmosphere. The service was quick and caring. Decent amount of menu options - all came out so good. A bit more pricy than a casual spot but great for a night out on the town. Great beverage and dessert selection as well. The lobster friend rice, disco fries, and massaman were my faves.
Avoid; not worth price
Worth the wait in line!!!! It's every bit as amazing as it looks on their website.
Had a frustrating experience trying to dine here with my sister and baby niece. Everything is a tight fit (understandably, it's Manhattan), so there was the challenge of where to fit the stroller. We offered to sit outside, but they seemed wary of the optics of forcing a newborn onto the sidewalk in January weather.
They made room by moving a table by the hostess stand, but then it was on us to contend with the glares and snide comments from the hostess whose workflow my baby niece was impeding.
We felt uncomfortable enough that we opted to just leave, apologizing for the imposition on our way out. Their response was a collective "mmmkay bye". Pretty jarring reminder that hospitality cannot be taken for granted.
So this review is a bit conflicting because there's nothing I can say about the food here. Everything was very well cooked and delicious, but the service was terrible. We ordered the fried eggplant, which was really good, and sat in some sweet chili sauce that was perfect. The crab fried rice was very well cooked and definitely filled with crab, and the cheesesteak didn't disappoint. But the person who served us seemed to be bothered and made us feel like uncomfortable. Listen, I've been to busy restaurants in NYC, and they like to turn over tables quickly, but they literally were taking plates off the table while we were still eating. I'm personally not a fan of this kind of atmosphere or service, I eat, chill for 10 minutes, and in the process of relaxing after a good meal, ask for the check, I never linger as if unaware other people are waitingbto be seated but this was so uncomfortable plus there weren't many people waiting. The person serving us never even asked if everything was ok or if we enjoyed our meal, refills of water at every other table except ours. I looked at the person I was with and asked, " What's happening here? Are they trying to get us out? Are they under some impression that we can't afford the food? I know it's not how we were dressed?" I looked around the whole place, didn't seem attire was an issue even though we were dressed very well. Eating out in NYC is not only based on the food but as well as service. It's a feel-good experience, and your appreciation for that comes in a TIP cause I already paid for the food. I think next time I'll order to go and eat across the street and save on the tip instead of going through something like this, it's not worth the price of food to sit there and have your meal ruined, because for as much as I enjoy a meal, it's not worth the price to walk out of an establishment and be pissed off right after eating food.
I feel like it's overrated and no one can convince me waiting often around an hour and ordering the fries which seem indistinguishable from frozen crinkle fries, which even from the picture you could see .. they're clearly frozen crinkle fries! Lmao at least they look exactly like and taste like.
They have some good dishes but the very limited reservations combined with things like that (and one bathroom only I believe) make it a little bullshitty overhyped 🥶
Delicious brunch!
Good food but nothing to write home about. Service is obnoxious and pushy. Not worth the insane wait times.
The French toast is 🔥
I had great pleasure visiting Thai diner for the holiday with a friend. I enjoyed my food, price was reasonable and felt full & satisfied afterward. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a nice Thai place. But get ready for the long wait, that’s my only con!
This is my favorite restaurant. The food itself is not only ALWAYS on point, the music of the restaurant immerses you into the experience. The vibe, the decor, the seating, the plates, the amazing service- im not gonna lie, one time (out of the tens of times I've gone) my food was cold and they forgot about my dish for a bit, but every time Ive gone, the food and vibe are so good that I'm genuinely just having a good time.... all love ❤️
Went to Thai Diner with a group of 15 people which was coordinated in advance with their staff (check their website on how to book for large groups). For groups, it’s a fixed menu and fixed arrival time—they’re inflexible on that but will accommodate food restrictions.
We ordered Sum Tum Papaya Salad (vegan), Spice Shrimp Tom Yum Bisque (can be substituted with a vegan soup), Vegan Phat See Ew, Chicken Khao Soi, and Uncle Boon’s Coconut Sundae. The chicken was a big hit for the non-vegans, and all the vegan dishes tasted great.
The staff took drink orders and double checked who had the vegan restriction. They made a vegan substitution for the soup. Everything came out quickly and the food was well made all around.
Only issue was that the table was right next to the bathroom and they really need more bathrooms for the size of the restaurant. There is often a line of people waiting to use the restrooms.
The disco fries were good and the curry was nice. But everything else from the service to all the other food we ordered was a massive flop. We got dishes with no meat that were supposed to have short rib. We got hot water when we asked for lemons. So many things just made this experience less than desirable.
Wouldn’t recommend.
Fantastic vibe and service with absolutely delicious food ! We each had a tea and disco fries to start. 💯 GET THE DISCO FRIES !!! Steak noodle soup was the fave at the table while my chicken thailandese was like a Thai version of chicken parm. Loved the cucumber avocado salad which accompanied the chicken.
Just okay. Not worth the hype or insane wait time. Super cute interior, delicious drinks. Food was comparable to any other decent Thai spot where you wouldn’t have to wait an hour.
Incredible Thai food here!
All the food is amazing and I have nothing bad to say about this place. The ambiance is welcoming and warm, and the service is great.
Busy place, but worth the wait.
An absolute must try!
Me and my wife went here on a busy Sunday night around 7pm. The place was packed and we went with no reservation, got quoted 15 minutes and waited maybe 10.
The service was attentive and all of our food and beverages came out quickly. Both our apps and mains were incredible; I truly thought I couldn’t eat more till I saw the dessert list. Got the Coconut Sundae and was in desert heaven.
10/10, this will forever be a go to place to grab a meal.
Delicious and flavorful thai food, though not every dish was as good as my fav cabbage rolls. If i come back i hope its 5 star worthy
In short, the stuffed cabbage rolls were fresh, with seasoned turkey and delicious galangal coconut milk. Id come back here just for this dish, it was really nice and im glad our waiter recommended it
The vegetarian khao soi was not as good. It wasnt especially flavorful or fresh, had a dull mushroom taste overall and got tiring to eat. It was also mostly noodles compared to the curry. I understand this is likely the vegetarian version specifically i have trouble liking, since the dish usually is well rated.
The interior vibe is nice and its easy to check in, just be prepared to check in early and wait for a while at busy times. We went early at around 4 on a saturday, with just 2 people, and had to wait around 30 mins for a table. Their reservation system works well once you check in so you can walk around while waiting.
Hostess at the door were rude and did not let me sit and wait inside and it was cold outside and on top of that there was a roach in my table while I was eating the chef came and smashed the roach with his bare hands and did not disinfect the area. Totally don't recommend this place
We dined here a few times and hands down the best time to go is on a weekday for breakfast (that may apply to all places in NYC). The congee and babka toast were both delicious...service- very warm and friendly...we sat at a bar and took in the ambiance in all it's Thai glory.
Endroit chaleureux, propre, gérant très sympathique, bonne cuisine
Wish i could give 0 stars. This morning glory was so salty i almost died. Disgusting. The roti is fine, overpriced for what you're getting. Not to mention i got some of the worst service of my life here. Never experienced blatant and displaced rudeness like this before ... rude since getting seated, then waitress forgot to put in part of our food order, and we waited patiently, finally asked about it after ~ 25 min to which she didn't admit that she forgot it and we were further made to feel like problems. Nothing was comped, no true apologies or admittance to wrongs was given. Could not get out fast enough. So unprofessional and impious take on Thai cuisine.
I had an amazing time at this unique and cozy spot! The disco fries were definitely worth trying. The phat see ew was just as delicious, and the tom yum bisque had a vibrant citrusy kick but was a little too spicy for my taste, so be cautious if you’re sensitive to heat. The broiled octopus was incredibly tender and cooked to perfection.
We visited on a weekday, and there was no line. Service was top-notch—attentive and friendly throughout our meal. I will definitely be back.
Came here for a weekend brunch - yes a line builds up but they do seat you quickly once your full party is here. Brunch menu isn’t actually very large but the Thai sandwich is very good. Didn’t love the disco fries but I get its appeal for others. Appreciated that they were quite friendly to pets/service animals and had outdoor service for those with them.
One of the worst meals I've had in NYC and I've lived here since 1951. it was certainly crowded, so I'm obviously in the minority. I'm thinking that the crowd were tourists here for a one and done; I can't see anyone eating here twice.
Food was life affirming
One of my FAVORITE restaurants in all of NYC!✨ Do your tummy-soul a favor and treat yourself to an incredible meal here! You cannot go wrong with whatever you order! My absolute favorite dish was the Kaeng kieow waan spicy green curry braised short rib I had back in 2023 which is no longer on the menu 😭, but my current fav is the Lobster Omelette Chu Chee—so rich and creamy! Cocktail: Siam Fizz foreverrr! Love that the menu changes so there’s always something new to try! Wonderful staff (should out to Nana—thanks for being so attentive and kind!) and cozy, whimsy, retro ambiance that transports you to another place and time! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!!!👏🏽I I NEED to try their breakfast!🤤 LOVE YOU GUYS!😍
everything was mid. roti was obviously frozen and not authentic. there’s better thai places in the city. very cute decor though
Overrated place , not worth the wait
Such a fantastic experience, exceeded my high expectations based on reviews. Our server (didn't catch her name, tall with dark hair, working Monday 01/06 night) was so knowledgeable and accommodating with a gluten allergy in my party. Fantastic food- both noodle dishes are excellent, as is the papaya salad, and we are so glad we opted for dessert. The banana pudding is outstanding! I can't wait to return!
Great meal. Cool atmosphere & fun menu. Easy to share & super flavorful dishes. A nice spot to bring out of town visitors. We also had really great service. Knowledgeable of the menu (esp allergy issues) & pleasant.
The Thai Cheesesteak was one of the most flavorful things I've eaten in i don't know how long. The bread was a little soaked from the juices. I would have like meatier chunks but not sure if that would have changed the flavor. Just enough spice. Did I mention the flavor? Get it, you won't be disappointed!
🌎Best French toast🤌
Horrendous
Do it. Haven’t been all over manhattan. But we’re certain this is the best. 11/10
The Thai Diner is a must visit for people in love with fries. We ordered Thai disco fries and they are the best fries I have ever had. We also ordered Thai tea Babca French toast, Thai iced coffee, Stir fried rice noodles and Thai chocolate iced tea. Everything was yummy. A great place for brunch.
We had been wanting to come for the longest time and had the BEST food in a long time.
The Khao Soi was in our opinion the best thing we ordered. It is so yummy, balanced and fresh! You cannot leave without ordering it.
Other highlights, Uncle Boons Khao Pat Puu (crab fried rice), the disco fries and the Pad Thai.
Just keep in mind that the Tom Yum Bisque is delicious but veeeeeery spicy, as well as the turmeric rotis.
We will for sure be back.
From the moment you walk into this place, you’re instantly transported 30 years back to the warmest coziest diner setting you’d watch in a movie. Even though this place goes by the name ‘diner’, the interiors are well thought out even on the ceilings. The customer service easily complements the warm vibes here too.
All of the meals we ordered were amazing, from the tom yam bisque to the octopus bites, to the salad (can’t remember the name) which we added fried chicken to, and the coconut chicken. Strangely, we didn’t enjoy the famous French toast but we will definitely be coming again for the rest of the food.
I am extremely disappointed with the service and lack of care at this establishment. Having dined here twice before (as well as at Uncle Boons), I was impressed enough to recommend this place to a friend. Unfortunately, from the moment we sat down, it went very downhill!!
I understand and respect the policy of no outside drinks, but the way it was enforced felt unnecessarily rude. My friend and I stepped outside to finish our coffees without complaint. However, the behavior of our waitress regarding my friend’s service dog was shocking and completely unacceptable, especially considering my friend has a disability....this lack of understanding and empathy was deeply disappointing. Despite arriving before the tables next to us, they received their appetizers, sandos, and drinks well before we did. In contrast, it took over 45 minutes for us to receive just one appetizer, one sandwich, and a side of greens! When we politely inquired about the delay, we were brushed off with a curt, “It’s coming" The inconsistency in service was baffling!!
To make matters worse, as soon as we finished eating, the staff cleared every piece of tableware, including serving papers, without asking if we wanted dessert or additional drinks!! Regarding the food, it was underwhelming... the “best breakfast sandwich” was greasy, with a side sauce that did nothing to enhance the dish. My friend’s roti and greens were mediocre at best .. salty
The only redeeming part of the experience was the hot chocolate, which remains as exceptional as ever! The pandan marshmallow and rich chocolate flavor were delightful
I strongly urge the management to take accountability for the poor service we experienced... at the very least, an apology for the delays, rudeness, and overall lack of care would have been appropriate from the manager who OBVIOUSLY saw the issue. This experience has been truly disheartening and not reflective of the standard I previously associated with this restaurant
I am always on the lookout for good Thai food on the road and the ‘Thai diner’ in the heart of nolita did not disappoint. A reservation here is a must but you will not be disappointed with the food although the restaurant hardly resembles a diner. The cuisine is certainly Thai at heart but modified to cater to east coast tastebuds and I think they have certainly hit on a winning formula with the crowd that we encountered.
The decor is biased towards the vintage far east with its bamboo walls and thatched ceilings but few new far east restaurants would dream of making their decor look this way in this day and age. But sitting at the corner of mott street in New York I guess this works well.
The service was friendly and efficient. But the star is the food. We came for lunch on a cold winter afternoon and were suitably impressed. The Tom yam bisque, som tom, phat Thai and uncle boons khao pat puu were well executed . I especially enjoyed the wok heaviness on the khao pat puu. The Thai taste here would suit those with slightly stronger taste buds.
We will be back the next time we are in the city . The staff told us to come back for breakfast but not to forget to make a booking ! Highly recommended!
Overall, an okay thai restaurant experience. Although the decor was top notch, it was excessively crowded with tables way too close to each other. We found ourselves having to nearly yell to hear one another to speak over the loud voices next to us. Drinks were spilled because folks were bumping into tables as they were attempting to sit down or get up from their seat. This detracted from the ambiance, so I would not suggest this restaurant for a date. The food quality was average. I had their Phat See Ew as my main dish. I was hoping for a much more flavorful experience - it was bland. We started with their Thai Disco Fries. A neat concept, but fries were wet and soggy. Surprisingly, the best part of the meal was the shake - the Minty Milo - absolutely delicious!
I live in NyC, am mid-fifties and went to eat alone at the bar — always a “tentative” experience. From start to finish, the super cool, much younger staff — from the host to the waitstaff to the manager — were so kind and not even remotely condescending or cooler than thou, and it was the highlight of my holiday week. Decor, drinks and food were also delicious! Thank you so much for a wonderful experience!
We had a great meal that was flavourful, beautifully presented (and of course spicy), and the service was impeccable...hence 5 stars. That said, there are plenty of other exceptional Thai restaurants that deliver an equivelent experience, so we'll think twice before spending a few hours in line.
Great food! Friendly service and overall a very unique and enjoyable place to spend some time with friends.
I would say a little more on the pricey side compared to what you can get in the area, but definitely worth it.
The only negative point: No reservations and waiting time can be quite long.
Fav Thai in the city, every dish is great so start exploring. Staff is incredibly kind and keeps me coming back.
We waited for one hour to get seated , we got super excited as when we got the seatin g. We had a bad experience as we had a cockroach in water bottle what they have put on table and in the glasses they had a bug. This ruined our whole experience
delicious lives up to the hype
Really nice place for fusion Thai food. This is my son’s favorite place for Thai food. We were lucky to get a reservation in the morning but got late. We still got a seat after 20 minutes of waiting. Keeping my Celiac in consideration- we ordered GF food - Tom Yum Bisque, crab fried rice and beef panang curry. We had to ask for spicy sauce for the fried rice.
We had such a great time here! We LOVED the food, and our waitress was professional and super friendly. Will definitely be back!
It's indeed a long wait (1hr). Service and environment is good. But upon tipping, waiter was gross. He stared at your tip bill and would not leave.
I came in to dine after my appointment and ordered crab rice with a side of greens (I can’t remember the exact name). Halfway through my meal, I noticed a strand of hair. I informed the waiter, and he asked if I wanted anything else. I told him it was fine; I just wanted to point it out since I was already halfway through my meal. He went to get the manager, who approached me and said she heard I found something in my food. I confirmed and showed her the hair, mentioning that I was already halfway done. I honestly didn’t expect anything to be replaced, but her response surprised me. She put on her glasses to examine it and remarked that it didn’t look like it came from her kitchen. I asked where else it could have come from, and she looked at my head, which was in two braided cornrows, and said, “Maybe from you.” Excuse me? Before I could respond, she said, “I’ll take it off the bill,” and turned away with an attitude, no apologies offered. I found that incredibly unprofessional and disrespectful. It felt like she underestimated my intelligence, possibly because I’m Black and wearing a wig. My hair and the strand I found had completely different textures. Instead of handling the situation professionally, she made a dismissive comment.
(I honestly don’t know if she a manager or what is her actual position)
Coconut chicken is amazing!! Would go back to order just that. Cocktails were also very good. The laab lamb was not for us…had an odd aftertaste, would choose something else.
Man… I haven’t given out a 10 in NYC in a whileeeee. When I tell you how REFRESHING the food was. The taste palette was palettinggg. The creamy peanut Panang sauce. To the melting braised beef. To the tamarind marg. To the cheesesteak?!!?? Ridiculous. Also the duck dumplings were amazing. And the French toast is the perfect blend of salty and sweet. APPROVED APPROVED APPROVED.
Absolutely amazing food. Mediocre service.
Tried brunch with my girls here today and it was incredible. We shared the egg sandwich, fried eggs, and coconut pancakes. They were each unique and delicious, new take on brunch food I’ve never had before with thai basil and spices. Will definitely be back! Recommend going on a weekday to avoid the line
The weekday breakfast is definitely worth checking out, but they're also great for dinner.
great place for fusion cuisine
Definitely a place to go for the atmosphere, which is pretty spectacular. The food isn’t bad, but it isn’t the best Thai I’ve had, and it’s certainly not authentic.
Man oh man where do I even start.. First of all if you plan to eat here on a weekend or even during business hours be prepared to wait! We didn’t have any reservations so we ended up having to wait around 1-1.5 hours for a table (understandable because they were extremely busy) I was hesitant waiting at first but ended up saying screw it and waited! Finally got in and started ordering what we could to finally dig in. The TOM YUM BISQUE is absolutely delicious. It’s sweet, citrusy, and a little spicy, absolutely perfect combo. Broiled/charred Octopus absolutely amazing, not fishy and very tender and soft and now chewy and plastic feeling. PHAT THAI was absolutely nearly perfect. Noodles were cooked perfectly, seasoning was just right not too salty and not bland, has a very nice char taste to it. Papaya Salad was amazing wish it did have a little more spice to it but overall great plate. The Beef noodle soup was super rich in flavor and tasted super clean. Overall the experience was amazing i would highly recommend this place to everyone. Just remember there might be some waiting, but it will all be worth it in the end!
Underwhelmed unfortunately. Flavors are very salty and heavy, spice and acidity are very much lacking. Menu was surprisingly uninteresting.
Didn’t have a great service experience with things being spilled/forgotten. Hidden charges if you request much needed spice and lime. There are many better Thai restaurants but would give it another shot.
What a meal!! My husband had the Thai Chai French Toast that was indulgence on a plate. Pillowy, full of flavor, accompanied by Thai-spiced butter and sweetened condensed milk. Other worldly. I had fried eggs on crispy rice on a bed of Thai basil and cucumbers with sweet chili sauce on the side. An incredible balance of textures and flavors. Inspired food combined with a 60s Thai vibe and gentle, attentive, and genuinely appreciative service made this a perfect cap to our NYC 3-day romp. The Thai Diner is must try for those who prefer to stay off the beaten path.
Atmosphere and service are fine here, it’s a little small but that’s how NYC dining is.
The food? UNBEARABLY salty and expensive for the portion size. I heard of the hype online and through friends and I cannot say I had a pleasurable taste experience here.
The sauce on the dishes I chose (dumps and crispy red snapper) were sooooo salty to the point where I couldn’t even finish my plate (that’s extremely rare for me). I can’t comment on the other dishes but the two I chose left a bad impression on me.
In NYC, of course everything is expensive, but I expect larger portion sizes from this Thai restaurant if you gonna ask me to pay over $50 for lunch.
Overall? Don’t believe the hype. Go somewhere else for food unless you love egregiously salty foods ✌🏻
This was our first stop after dropping our bags at the hotel. We came in for lunch on Thursday afternoon around 2:15 and were seated right away on the enclosed patio. Service was quick and friendly and the patio was warm but I can’t speak to the vibe inside the restaurant because we didn’t go in. For lunch we shared the Palo Dumplings, my husband ordered the Beef Phat Thai and I ordered the Mushroom Laab. The dumplings and the phat thai were great but the laab was pretty underwhelming. I really wish I had ordered the breakfast sandwich. I heard it was spectacular, but it was lunch time so I didn’t. Big mistake. I would happily come back here, but next time I wouldn’t let the time of day dictate my order.
There was already a waiting list at 11:30am on a Sunday but luckily we only had to wait about 20-30 minutes for a group of four. We were originally told it'd be almost an hour wait so this wasn't bad at all. Reservations are also available but I heard they usually get snapped up quick. There were many waiting outside but I think the table turnover is pretty quick.
We were seated near the entrance in a small booth. After looking through the expansive menu we decided on 4 dishes and of course had to also get thai iced tea! They also offer coconut milk (extra fee) as an alternative to condensed milk for thai iced tea. I really liked all the dishes but my favorite dish had to be a toss up between Uncle Boon's khao pat puu (crab fried rice) and khao soi (northern style golden curry). The crab fried rice had so many pieces of crab meat and was a very generous portion. The chicken leg in the khao soi was so tender and the meat literally fell off the bone. The curry also did not have too strong of a coconut taste nor was it too spicy. It was a great pair with the crispy egg noodles. Phat see ew with fried chicken was pretty good too but I wish the wok hei flavor was stronger. The coconut chicken thailandese's chicken cutlet was crispy and juicy and paired well with the sauce. Wasn't a fan of the zucchini noodles that had a lot of cilantro mixed with it.
Ottimo pad thai, buonissimo davvero! Purtroppo non è facilw prenotare quindi conviene andare li a inizio serata e ti dicono di tornare dopo un oretta o un ora e mezza. Qualità super e prezzo ok.
I can’t recommend this restaurant highly enough. The vibes simply can’t be beat—it’s like a funky fun Polynesian diner, and you feel instantly cool when you are brought to your seat. The food is incredible—hope you like spice! And OMG the monster cake—one of my favorite desserts in the city. So fluffy and satisfying, but also so unique and tasty. Order lots of things to share! They also have amazing brunch, the roti wraps and Thai tea French toast!
This review was made in connection with a Toast promotion.
Absolutely delicious!! A must if you’re looking for great thai food and fun vibes
Delicious egg sandwich, cheesesteak and iced tea - interesting with the Thai flavours and the light spiciness. Warm service and comfortable restaurant.
Amazing deserts my go to is the pad tai and the Thai iced tea. My host Kelly was and always is Amazing go check her out asap
Service is amazing. The place is beautiful. The Thai tea is perfect. First.
Great food. Must try: fries…it is unique.
Overall the restaurant is on the expensive side.
The food tasted absolutely amazing from the french toast to the cheesesteak to the phat see ew. For the french toast you have to come Monday thru Friday from opening to 11am. The fruit on the french toast in the picture is dragon fruit. For the cheesesteak you have to come from 11am to 4pm and I believe it is on all days. The eggs were good. The homemade pork sausage was good, but it wasn't for my flavor profile. The seasoning is not what I expected. The Thai-rish coffee was really good if you want something hot with Irish whiskey (mine wasn't too strong). The Baan Salad was unexpectedly good. I did not expect it to taste like that. It had fried rice on it and some type of dressing that really brought the salad to life. The coconut Sundae looked and tasted amazing. It had the right amount of crunch and creaminess. It wasn't too sweet from the coconut and the peanuts did it justice. Everyone stared at me when I received it at the bar seating, they said they would order it next time. The cheesesteak has Asian flavored seasoning and you don't have to add nothing. The latte tasted normal. The Disco Fries were good, but I don't see why some people rave about it. It might be because it tastes different from everywhere else. It has a crunchy peanutty sauce that tastes great. I had the spicy tamarind mocktail because I don't like Tequila and I wasn't sure if I was going to like Mezcal. It tasted nice and spicy with some lime flavor. The phat see ew was good but I didn't use the green Chiles because it threw off the flavor profile for me even with the fried chicken. The fried chicken was not to my liking. I would love if they took the time to give it a variety of seasonings instead of just salt and pepper. It tasted like homemade chicken nuggets. The waitress and waiter that I had, since I did go on multiple occasions was Jung and Jose, both of them were superb in their customer service skills. They handled being really busy and didn't forget anything and was so attentive and kind. The atmosphere is a normal dining experience, except they give you a blank postcard with the bill for some reason.
Phenomenal Khao Soi!
Smells wonderful thru out the establishment. Friendly staff, great food and delicious cocktails. Great spot for a first date, you'll definitely impress them
One of a kind experience. Amazing food, knowledgeable and friendly staff, creative and delicious drinks, and thoughtfully designed ambiance.
Best breakfast sandwich
Been here a few times now. Generally it's been good but more recently it's becoming insufferable. Two separate waitlists for outside and inside, and if you ask to be able to be switched to inside if something opens up you're dismissively told that you have to start over on a new waitlist. In fact the service overall is now quite snotty. And they don't let parties pay with more than two credit cards. In short, it's got an attitude. Just not worth it. I personally won't be going back. The food is good though I guess
They let people skip the waiting queue.
Yesterday, was my third visit. With each visit, the service and food has been about the same. Overhyped on social media and then falls short of expectations in reality.
The food is good but not great. Servers are very friendly but the service feels rushed. All in all, I don’t think it is worth waiting for but I do think it is worth trying when there isn’t a wait.
With each visit, I ordered 1-2 Thai American dishes and 1-2 traditional dishes. I recommend ordering the Thai American dishes over the traditional dishes. I thought they did a great job with the fusion.
I’m a lover of Thai food. So I had been looking for a space in this place for a long time but it always seemed busy so I finally had the opportunity to get a table. I had high expectations but in the end I realized that I don't understand the New York hype with this place, it is an overpriced place for the portions they serve. I had a shrimp pad woon sen but the taste was too bitter, I also tried the style of fries at this place which I recommend. I ordered a som tum salad that had too much fish flavor. The best part was the dessert. The service was okay. Personally, I would not return having options that are really worth it in all aspects.
Satisfying every time. My go tos are the baan salad with tofu, the coconut chicken thailandese, and the sundae.
Sadly, this restaurant has fallen victim to its own hype.
My first visit about a year and a half ago was impressive—every dish we ordered was great.
However, after dining here yesterday, it’s clear that the focus has shifted to cranking out dishes for the masses with little TLC.
The disco fries were a particular letdown: incredibly spicy but completely devoid of flavor—just heat. And I don’t have a 'gringo' palate. I kept hoping the crispy bits were bacon to add some flavor, or that at the very least the fries would be salted. How do you manage to make fries both bland and overly spicy?
The limeade was nothing more than seltzer with a hint of lime.
The French toast was dry in the center, clearly not soaked long enough in the custard. The only thing that saved it from being plain toast was the condensed milk.
Finally, waiting 52 minutes for a table and watching the party behind us (with the same number of guests) get seated before us, only to be shrugged off by the hostess, was frustrating.
As the kids say, this restaurant is very mid.
Thai Diner has become an overrated TikTok restaurant, and I’m here to give an honest review and hopefully de-influence you from making the mistake of wasting your time here for mid food.
The insane wait time is crucial to mention. The restaurant self titles itself as “primarily walk in” probably to keep up the hype. I tried everything to make a reservation but they don’t actually disclose when they drop available reservations on Resy, so you’re stuck waiting in person if you want to dine. We put our name down on an early Sunday evening and were still met with a hour and a half wait time. Be prepare to receive your text that your table is reading and proceed to wait another 15-20 minutes to get seated?!
We started off with the disco fries that everyone can’t stop raving about, but they were just so mediocre. The gravy and peanuts added a unique twist, and overall the only way to describe them is uniquely flavored. A little spicy tang here and there, but nothing mind blowing.
The entrees my party of 3 got were the: Pad See Ew with grilled chicken, Crab fried rice, and Laab with fried chicken. The Crab fried rice and Laab were not too bad. They had each a unique enough taste where it was enjoyable but still lacked that wow factor. On the other hand, the Pad See Ew was just plain disappointing. Whatever you do, DO NOT order the grilled chicken. It tastes faker than a chicken nugget, go for the fried chicken instead, you’ll be saving yourself.
Finally, the Monster Cake was just a sweet mess of pineapple and whipped cream. There was no jiggle that they flex on their online menus GIF, and no green lime layer as seen online. It just tasted sweet, with a hint of candied pineapple chunks dowsed in cream. Not to mention the un-ripe pineapple slice on top, you bit it to the most acidic hard pineapple slice ever!!
Overall, if you’re looking to be seated in a tiny hallway metal box that’s still let over from the outdoor dining pandemic booths with a broken speaker playing static and sharp noise every few seconds, this is the place for you! The service was lacking as it’s too narrow for more than one staff member to walk through, you get left with the appetizer plates clogging up your TINY BOOTH TABLE. Save yourself the time and go to different Thai restaurant where I’m sure you will enjoy yourself much more than at this TikTok trap.
This place is delicious
Excellent authentic Thai breakfast with a tasty twist! All the food was excellent. The Thai American Breakfast Plate was delicious. The sausage had good spice. Order the Nam Jim to add flavor and spice for the eggs. The French toast was delectable, especially when dipping it into the condensed milk. The Jok was delicious also. We really enjoyed the atmosphere and the service was excellent. If the lunch and dinner are as good as the breakfast then this should be your “to go” place for all meals! Highly recommended!
Cozy spot to have some fun cocktails and food! I’d recommend the disco fries and the coconut chicken!
Good food but slightly overrated . I enjoyed the ambience and service was attentive and personable. Be prepared to spend!
Love the crab fried rice here! Very solid
Great atmosphere! Amazing service! Food is pretty good and def overhyped, but it’s a great experience to go. Thai people wouldn’t like the food though lol
Arrived on a Saturday late afternoon, hoping to get a table for two around 8 pm. With an average wait of about 1.5 hours, the friendly host suggested we return by 6:30 to put our name down—great tip! Food was solid and reasonably priced. Despite the hype around the disco fries, I’d skip them. The stuffed cabbage, however, was outstanding. I’ll definitely be back to try more.
- 16 photos
- 200 reviews
- 4.4 Health Rating
- Contact: +1 646-559-4140
- Website: http://www.thaidiner.com/
- Location: 186 Mott St, New York, NY 10012, United States
- Map: 40.7207143, -73.99565
- Thai restaurant
- Monday: 8:30 AM–10:30 PM
- Tuesday: 8:30 AM–10:30 PM
- Wednesday: 8:30 AM–10:30 PM
- Thursday: 8:30 AM–11:30 PM
- Friday: 8:30 AM–11:30 PM
- Saturday: 10 AM–11:30 PM
- Sunday: 10 AM–10:30 PM
- Identifies as women-owned: Available
- Outdoor seating: Available
- Delivery: Available
- On-site services: Available
- Takeaway: Available
- Dine-in: Available
- Fast service: Available
- Great dessert: Available
- Breakfast: Available
- Lunch: Available
- Dinner: Available
- Solo dining: Available
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance: Available
- Wheelchair-accessible seating: Available
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet: Available
- Wheelchair-accessible car park: Available
- Alcohol: Available
- Beer: Available
- Cocktails: Available
- Coffee: Available
- Comfort food: Available
- Healthy options: Available
- Late-night food: Available
- Small plates: Available
- Spirits: Available
- Vegan options: Available
- Vegetarian options: Available
- Wine: Available
- Breakfast: Available
- Brunch: Available
- Lunch: Available
- Dinner: Available
- Dessert: Available
- Seating: Available
- Bar on site: Available
- Gender-neutral toilets: Available
- Toilet: Available
- Casual: Available
- Cosy: Available
- Trendy: Available
- Family friendly: Available
- Groups: Available
- LGBTQ+ friendly: Available
- Tourists: Available
- Transgender safe space: Available
- Lunch reservations recommended: Available
- Dinner reservations recommended: Available
- Accepts reservations: Available
- Usually a wait: Available
- Credit cards: Available
- Debit cards: Available
- NFC mobile payments: Available
- Good for kids: Available
- High chairs: Available
- Free of charge street parking: Available
- Paid street parking: Available
- Parking: Available