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11 Top-Notch Thai Restaurants to Try in Nashville

The city’s finest pad Thai, drunken noodles, and more

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Nashville makes a solid (and ever-growing) showing when it comes to quality Thai restaurants. From extreme heat to tangy sweet plates, these restaurants offer up a wide range of options for both the traditionalist and the adventurous diner.

Many Thai staples, like pad Thai or boat noodle soup, are fun kitchen projects to take on at home, but when trying out more intricate dishes, it can be hard to find the essential Southeast Asian spices and herbs at the local supermarket. Thankfully, plenty of the city’s finest Thai establishments are still serving their chile-laden goods for patio dining, takeout, delivery, or all of the above.

Have a favorite Thai restaurant we missed? Tag it on social media or email us at Nashville@eater.com.

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Smiley Thai and Sushi

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It’s well worth a trip to Mount Juliet to sample the Thai offerings that Chef Ao is dishing out at Smiley Thai and Sushi. Jumbo prawn-topped pad Thai, pla rad prik, panang curry, and Thai beef salad are all popular options here (as is the sushi).

Smiley Thai and Sushi/Facebook

Thai Ni Yom

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Found inside L & L MarketPlace on Charlotte, Thai Ni Yom is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday. Popular offerings include pad see ew, beef salad, pad Thai, minced pork Thai omelets, and Thai iced tea.

*Takeout and ample parking available.

Basil Chicken
Thai Ni Yom/Facebook

Thai Esane

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With the move to Music Row, Esane has a bit more room to stretch its legs... along with its patio space and, more importantly, its bar menu. Walking into the elevated 3,500-square-foot location, diners are greeted with a six-foot-tall golden Buddha, shipped straight to Music City from Thailand. The menu will still feature favs from the 12 South location (hello, dumplings and papaya salad) along with new dishes from Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Singto also just added two new locations in Brentwood and at newly opened Fifth + Broadway for her long-time regulars.

*Takeout, patio dining, and some free designated parking available + select paid/street parking.

Thai Esane/Facebook

King Siam Thai Cuisine

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The new Thai spot that replaced the old Thai Esane on 12th packs the heat, so start with mild if you’re not ready to sweat. People rave about the King Siam sausage, Malaysian Street noodles, and panang curry.


*Lot parking, takeout, and patio seating available.

Drunken noodles
King Siam/Facebook

The Smiling Elephant

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One of Nashville's more popular Thai restaurants, The Smiling Elephant packs in hungry patrons, serving up traditional Thai dishes like panang curry, shrimp pad see-ew and a pad thai using green bean noodles. Just keep in mind a few house rules: no reservations and no BYOB.

*Takeout, patio seating, parking available.

This Woodbine restaurant serves up all the classics and offers a great value. Nearly all of the generous portions of classic Thai fare—like simmering bowls of Tom Gah Kai, crispy duck in a red curry sauce, and coconut massaman with beef) fall under $15.

Degthai

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Open since November in a new brick-and-mortar location on Nolensville Pike, Degthai is a long-time fan-favorite food truck. Find the food truck at 1001 19th Ave S in Nashville, Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Popular options include the pad Thai, steamed dumplings, and the shrimp tom yum soup.

*Patio seating, parking, and takeout available.

Tiew tom yum goong
DegThai/Facebook

Siam Cafe

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Tucked just off Nolensville Pike, Siam Cafe has been a trailblazer when it comes to Thai food in Nashville since the Silpacharn family opened it in 1972. Hit the buffet or grab a table on the full service side of the restaurant for some cant-miss hung ray curry, sweet and spicy Siam duck, or disco chicken.

Lemongrass Sushi & Thai

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This Thai staple in Bellevue has been going strong for several years, and with good reason — generous portions of creamy curries, filling noodles, light spring rolls and their signature tray of sauces keep locals coming back for seconds and thirds. The tea menu is extensive, featuring soul-warming cups of chocolate hazelnut black tea, Moroccan mint green tea and mango passionfruit.

King Market Cafe

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King Market flies a bit under the radar thanks to its location, but its authentic Lao-Thai cuisine makes for one of the more interesting meals in town. Case in point: fried pig intestine, pork ears and blood cake are all standard menu items.

Bangkokville Thai Restaurant

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Venture down Nolensville Road and you'll find Bangkokville tucked away on a side street. This cozy, yet homey hidden gem offers high quality Thai cuisine at affordable prices.

Smiley Thai and Sushi

It’s well worth a trip to Mount Juliet to sample the Thai offerings that Chef Ao is dishing out at Smiley Thai and Sushi. Jumbo prawn-topped pad Thai, pla rad prik, panang curry, and Thai beef salad are all popular options here (as is the sushi).

Smiley Thai and Sushi/Facebook

Thai Ni Yom

Found inside L & L MarketPlace on Charlotte, Thai Ni Yom is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday. Popular offerings include pad see ew, beef salad, pad Thai, minced pork Thai omelets, and Thai iced tea.

*Takeout and ample parking available.

Basil Chicken
Thai Ni Yom/Facebook

Thai Esane

With the move to Music Row, Esane has a bit more room to stretch its legs... along with its patio space and, more importantly, its bar menu. Walking into the elevated 3,500-square-foot location, diners are greeted with a six-foot-tall golden Buddha, shipped straight to Music City from Thailand. The menu will still feature favs from the 12 South location (hello, dumplings and papaya salad) along with new dishes from Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Singto also just added two new locations in Brentwood and at newly opened Fifth + Broadway for her long-time regulars.

*Takeout, patio dining, and some free designated parking available + select paid/street parking.

Thai Esane/Facebook

King Siam Thai Cuisine

The new Thai spot that replaced the old Thai Esane on 12th packs the heat, so start with mild if you’re not ready to sweat. People rave about the King Siam sausage, Malaysian Street noodles, and panang curry.


*Lot parking, takeout, and patio seating available.

Drunken noodles
King Siam/Facebook

The Smiling Elephant

One of Nashville's more popular Thai restaurants, The Smiling Elephant packs in hungry patrons, serving up traditional Thai dishes like panang curry, shrimp pad see-ew and a pad thai using green bean noodles. Just keep in mind a few house rules: no reservations and no BYOB.

*Takeout, patio seating, parking available.

Ginger

This Woodbine restaurant serves up all the classics and offers a great value. Nearly all of the generous portions of classic Thai fare—like simmering bowls of Tom Gah Kai, crispy duck in a red curry sauce, and coconut massaman with beef) fall under $15.

Degthai

Open since November in a new brick-and-mortar location on Nolensville Pike, Degthai is a long-time fan-favorite food truck. Find the food truck at 1001 19th Ave S in Nashville, Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Popular options include the pad Thai, steamed dumplings, and the shrimp tom yum soup.

*Patio seating, parking, and takeout available.

Tiew tom yum goong
DegThai/Facebook

Siam Cafe

Tucked just off Nolensville Pike, Siam Cafe has been a trailblazer when it comes to Thai food in Nashville since the Silpacharn family opened it in 1972. Hit the buffet or grab a table on the full service side of the restaurant for some cant-miss hung ray curry, sweet and spicy Siam duck, or disco chicken.

Lemongrass Sushi & Thai

This Thai staple in Bellevue has been going strong for several years, and with good reason — generous portions of creamy curries, filling noodles, light spring rolls and their signature tray of sauces keep locals coming back for seconds and thirds. The tea menu is extensive, featuring soul-warming cups of chocolate hazelnut black tea, Moroccan mint green tea and mango passionfruit.

King Market Cafe

King Market flies a bit under the radar thanks to its location, but its authentic Lao-Thai cuisine makes for one of the more interesting meals in town. Case in point: fried pig intestine, pork ears and blood cake are all standard menu items.

Bangkokville Thai Restaurant

Venture down Nolensville Road and you'll find Bangkokville tucked away on a side street. This cozy, yet homey hidden gem offers high quality Thai cuisine at affordable prices.

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