The Best Pad Thai in Bangkok: Authentic Eats in Thailand’s Capital

“Yeah bro, I know the best spot for Pad Thai in Bangkok.”

We know that sometimes you just need a hit of that noodle goodness, so we’ve put together our top picks for where to get the best Pad Thai in Bangkok. Tangy, chewy, fresh and filling, this god of foods is one of Thailand’s delights and the capital boasts as many versions of it as there are cafes and restaurants! Don’t worry though, we’ve tried the rest so you can go straight to the best.

PS: If you want to learn how to order food in Thai, read out quick guide. It’ll help you in a pinch!

Pad Thai Thip Samai

The queue outside will probably give you a clue about how good the pad thai is here. This place is always busy, and at peak times you’ll have to wait over an hour for a table. Don’t just walk past though, the food is worth the wait! The pad thai comes wrapped in a delicate layer of omelette that breaks apart to reveal the steaming hot, delicious stir fry inside. If you’re a fan of seafood then the prawn version is divine, or if you want to keep it simple then the veg version is highly recommended. Grab one of their fresh squeezed orange juices to top off a great meal.   

Hours of Operation: 5pm – 3am daily

Address: 313-315 Maha Chai Road, Khwaeng Samran Rat Khet Phra Nakhon 10200

Phone: 02 226 6666

Pad Thai Mae Am

If you like your pad thai experience to be traditional then check out Pad Thai Mae Am. This is more down the street food end of the scale, with a local family running the place and no added frills in the restaurant, just a focus on good food. The seating is on plastic stools and the menu is fixed price; no dual charging system here! The noodles are pre-marinated in a special sauce to give the extra tang and it shows in the flavorful final product. Add in the fact that a basic pad thai is only 40 baht ($1.25) and you can’t go wrong!

Hours of Operation: 11am – 22pm Monday to Friday, 2pm – 22pm Sunday

Address: Rama 4 Road, Khlong Toey 10110

Phone: 089 230 4302

best authentic Pad Thai in Bangkok
Nara Thai Cuisine

Our next pick is up the other end of the size scale, because Nara is a chain of Thai restaurants found all over Bangkok. What that means is that you know what quality you’re getting though, and the pad thai quality here is very good indeed! The portions are big so you won’t walk away hungry, and there’s a great selection of accompaniments like raw shrimp cocktail and Thai pork with basil if you fancy mixing it up a bit. Finish your meal with a creamy coconut icecream and you’re laughing.

Hours of Operation: 11am – 23pm daily

Address: Central Embassy branch, Central Embassy 5/F, 1031 Ploenchit Road, Lumphini Pathumwan 10330

Phone: 02 160 5988

Baan Pad Thai

The clue’s in the name for our final pick. Baan Pad Thai specializes in offering varieties of pad thai that you won’t find elsewhere- how about a mud crab version? Or Thai-style BBQ pork! You’re spoilt for choice here and local people return week after week to make the most of what they have to offer. The décor is bright and fresh, with smart painted walls and friendly professional staff. You’ll pay a bit more than a hole in the wall joint to eat here, but a prawn pad thai is still only about $7 so it won’t break the bank. Highly recommended.

Hours of Operation: 11am – 10pm daily

Address: 21-23 Soi Charoen Krung 44, North Sathorn, Bang Rak 10500

Phone: 02 060 5553

Bangkok Pad Thai restaurant
Did we miss your favorite place for Pad Thai in Bangkok?

These are our recommendations for a banging pad thai in Bangkok, but we always want to hear about where Bodegans have had a great time. If you find somewhere else that you think should make the list then let us know and we’ll check it out!

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