One wouldn’t expect one of the city’s best Thai restaurants to be located off Vanowen all the way up in North Hollywood, but that’s exactly what locals find at Sri Siam. With a menu that ranges from khao soi to crispy trout, it’s no wonder it has been a local go-to for more than 30 years.

Four-decade-old Anajak Thai is more than just a family affair; during the pandemic, it became a staple dining destination for fans in the Valley and all across Los Angeles. Second-generation owner Justin Pichetrungsi has creatively played with ingredients and dishes in a series of fun events, from Thai Taco Tuesdays to his omakase dinners.

Daisy Mint on Colorado Boulevard has been a mainstay for Thai food in the San Gabriel Valley for years. In the fun space, with its hand-written menu notes on the walls, diners can enjoy everything from papaya salads to spicy fried catfish salad and robust noodle soups.

Ruen Pair has been a stalwart in Thai Town for a quarter of a century for good reason. It’s long been a delightful late-night hangout, with dishes inspired by the central and northeast regions of Thailand. Some standouts include its papaya salad with raw crab, spicy clams, and fried egg with salted turnip, all best paired with a glass of frosty beer.

One of the most exciting new additions to Thai Town is a temporary stand that exists outside of Silom Supermarket at night. It’s a spot where diners sit on plastic stools around tables covered in red and white gingham. The Sathirathiwat family’s pop-up has been a trending TikTok favorite, serving only eight dishes, ranging from rad nah stir-fried noodles in gravy to pad kra pao with a fried egg, with aplomb. 

This particular location, tucked away in the corner of a strip mall off Sunset (there’s another one on Hollywood Boulevard), has some of the best boat noodles in the business. Diners can choose between thin or flat rice noodles, egg noodles, or glass noodles and steep them in an array of soup bases and toppings. 

No essential Thai food list in Los Angeles could exclude critical darling Amphai Northern Thai Food Club. That crumbly sai oua (Thai pork sausage) pulls no punches with its heat level, and the khao soi is as good as one can find in the city.

Hoy Ka is a staple in the Thai restaurant community, with expertly crafted boat and jade noodles, as well as a raw shrimp salad dressed in a spicy lime sauce. The space it inhabits is a fun time, with wooden exposed beams, brick walls, and TVs all around a la a sports bar.

Same Same is Silver Lake’s home for wine, Thai basics, and a killer vibe. The reborn strip-mall hotspot has found new life thanks to a younger generation of hip customers that still swing through for some seriously satisfying food. Don’t skip out on the green curry or khao soi.

A newcomer to the Thai restaurant scene, April 90’s Something adds a bit of whimsy to the Silver Lake neighborhood with its Thai fusion dishes. Think tom yum seafood fettuccine and fried chicken larb, set against a backdrop of Thai movie posters and nightclub-like lighting.

Noree Thai feels just perfect for its stretch of Beverly. The restaurant is a little more subdued, a touch more upscale, and no less delicious than its competition further east, offering Grove-adjacent diners the chance to relax and enjoy food from chefs Noree Pla and Fern Kewathatip, two of LA’s best. Unique dishes include ko-lae chicken (marinated in Thai herbs, black pepper, and palm sugar) and panang lamb-chop curry. 

This former Pico Boulevard staple has been reborn after 23 years, landing a new (and very updated) location on Sawtelle. Sisters Katy Noochlaor and Amanda Kuntee are running the show, turning out vibrant Thai dishes across a broad spectrum, so expect everything from noodles and papaya salad to a portion of the menu devoted entirely to pork belly.

Downtown LA hasn’t had a splashy new Thai restaurant in years, but Holy Basil is here to bring the heat from chef Wedchayan “Deau” Arpapornnopparat and Tongkamal “Joy” Yuon. Holy Basil’s green curry is one of the stand’s signature dishes, while the fluffy omelet with basil and vegan larb mushrooms with Brussels sprouts are unique contenders. 

This just-off-the-5 Norwalk restaurant specializes in Northern Thai delicacies, but doesn’t skimp on all the more broadly familiar stuff, either. Stop by for a great version of nam kao tod crispy rice with plenty of pork sausage.

It’s hard to imagine fast-casual Thai food being done any better than at Bowl Thai, the Gardena staple spot known for extra-spicy soups and traditional noodle dishes.

Panvimarn Thai Cuisine has been Long Beach’s home for Thai specialities for the past 13 years. The bustling restaurant is home to big groups, a lively bar scene, and dishes like spicy and fried soft shell crab salad, grilled meats, and one beguilingly fiery sautéed eggplant.