Thai food makes the world—and, in particular, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland—a better place. From table-bending banquets to takeaways in your pjs, the gastronomic delights of Thai food flourish across the dining spectrum.
Whether you’re seeking somewhere you can bring your own tipple, celebrating with a classy crew or just fancying a night of binge-watching with Pad Thai; we’ve got you covered. Without further ado, here are Urban List’s picks of the best Thai restaurants in Auckland.
Bona’s Thai Cuisine
47 Customs Street East, Auckland CBD
While the store itself is small, Bona’s Thai Cuisine is big on both flavour and portion sizes. This hidden gem on Customs Street East serves generous portions of all your fave authentic Thai dishes.
Bonus: most of the menu is under $20 and you can expect service with a smile. They say good things come in small packages and we reckon Bona’s fits the bill.
Kiss Kiss
1 Rocklands Avenue, Mount Eden, Auckland
Image credit: Kiss Kiss | Facebook
With its neon lights, retro beach umbrellas and funky communal tables, this is not what you’d expect from a restaurant smack dab in the middle of Balmoral. Kiss Kiss brings the vibes of a bustling Thai dining hall, so you can experience Chiang Mai without even stepping on a plane.
Enjoy some pork belly bao buns or grab the juicy and tender pork ribs to share. But make sure there’s room for dessert; the coconut sticky rice with mango is seriously *chef’s kiss*.
Khu Khu
171A Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby & 91 Kitchener Road, Milford, Auckland
When you think of vegan food you may expect bland, boring salads. But at Khu Khu, there isn’t an unseasoned raw vegetable in sight. Instead expect flavoursome curries, saucy stir fries and noodles perfect for slurping.
For appetisers, the crunchy kumara spring rolls with moreish sweet carrot sauce are a must. The ‘duck’ drunken noodles are so good that they’ll convert even the most hardcore carnivores. As for dessert, the salty-sweet, coconut, caramel delight that is the pandan cheesecake is a feast for both your eyes and your tastebuds.
We can’t sing the praises of Khu Khu enough, so whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or just open to trying new things, get your grub on at their Ponsonby and Milford locations.
E-Sarn Wok
35 Tamaki Drive, Mission Bay, Auckland
Ah Mission Bay. With its popular beach and superb view of Rangitoto, you wouldn’t expect it also to house some of the best Thai food in town. E-Sarn Wok is hidden away from the main strip, and dishes up seriously tasty authentic Thai fare.
Our top pick is the mango curry—the flavours of sweet mango, savoury spices and creamy coconut is hard to beat. E-Sarn Wok also does takeaways, making it ideal to eat at the beach on a perfect summer’s day or cosy up at home for a Netflix binge in your pyjamas.
Thaiger
2 Surrey Crescent, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Image credit: Thaiger | Facebook
Fancy a fresh take on Thai fusion? Grey Lynn restaurant Thaiger has got you covered. Run by the couple behind Asian takeaway chain Wok Express, their latest offering is just as easy and delicious.
These dishes are based on traditional Thai recipes passed through the family for generations, but have been elevated with a modern twist. The menu is designed to be shared and features a handful of cocktails created especially for the restaurant itself.
With options like sweet and sour crispy pork belly washed down with peach and chilli margs, Thaiger is bound to be your new Friday night fave.
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Nahm
39 Elliott Street, Auckland CBD
There’s no better place to stuff yourself silly with Thai food than at Nahm. This secret spot on Elliot Street has massive tables and an extensive menu of shared plates, making it the perfect place to go for a ridiculously huge feast with mates.
Nahm has all your favourites and then some; we recommend the tom yum hot pot and the slow-cooked lamb shank in Massaman curry. Make sure to order a Thai milk tea while you’re there—this rich, sweet and creamy drink is not to be missed.
SOHO Thai Kitchen
B:Hive, Building Unit E/72 Taharoto Road, Takapuna, Auckland
Image credit: SOHO Thai Kitchen | Facebook
For those seeking exceptional Thai food north of the Harbour Bridge, SOHO Thai Kitchen is hard to beat. This funky eatery draws inspiration from all across Thailand and places its own Kiwi spin on it.
Think Thai pork croquettes, crispy pork belly with apple and tamarind puree and BBQ beef short ribs. SOHO Thai Kitchen also has a mouthwatering list of cocktails featuring ingredients like pandan syrup, lychee liquor and kaffir. Drool.
Sunflower Thai Vegan Restaurant
6/50 High Street, Auckland CBD
Catering to the vegans and vegetarians amongst us is Sunflower Thai Vegan Restaurant. Despite serving dishes with ‘chicken’, ‘duck’ and ‘pork’, the entire menu is plant-based. Say whaaat?
The answer, our friend, is soy. Our go-to dish is their crispy ‘chicken’ on rice with veggies but we can also vouch for their mammoth tofu Pad Thai. Cheap and cheerful, this High Street joint will delight vegetarians and carnivores alike.
Ginger
602 Remuera Road, Remuera, Auckland
Image credit: Ginger | Facebook
Want a contemporary take on authentic Thai cuisine? Ginger is where it’s at. This Remuera gem uses traditional sauces and curry pastes made in-house, meaning their food is the real deal.
On top of that, Ginger has a gorgeous sleek fitout and presents ‘Gram-worthy dishes, making it the perfect spot for date night or for when you’re trying to make a lasting impression.
@Bangkok
438 New North Road, Kingsland, Auckland
You get more bang(kok) for your buck at @Bangkok. The friendly Thai local plates up your fave dishes around the $20 mark. They’re renowned for a badass Pad Thai and their ‘ugly puffy roti’ is just the way we like it—crispy, flaky and oh-so-delicious. @Bangkok is located just down the road from Glengarry, which is particularly convenient considering they offer BYO. Your next Friday night plans with the gang are sorted.
Thai Street
3/12 Jellicoe Street, Wynyard Quarter, Auckland
Image credit: Thai Street | Facebook
If you’re all about authentic Thai street food, pop into Thai Street in Wynyard Quarter. There’s no such thing as ‘Thai fusion’ or ‘Thai with a twist’ here.
Instead, you’ll find your fave street food: chicken satay skewers, papaya salad, massamun beef curry and ye ol’ faithful spicy chicken larb. Thai Street also dish up the best green curry in town (big call, we know).
Joy Bong Thai
531 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD
Bringing joy to Karangahape Road is Joy Bong. The Thai restaurant is a popular BYO spot, catering for up to 60 people. While we realise a lot of BYO spots can be terrible and tacky, Joy Bong is far from being either of the two.
Here you’ll find cosy booths, a wine cellar and of course, delish Thai eats. Start with mixed appetisers starring all the classics (a spring roll, money bag, curry puff and satay chicken), then get amongst the stir-fried beef with basil, garlic and chilli.
KIIN Thai Kitchen
360c Dominion Road, Mount Eden
Image credit: KIIN Thai Kitchen | Facebook
Fans of KIIN Thai Kitchen rejoice—this charming eatery has recently upped sticks to a larger, airier space on Dominion Road. Expect punchy, aromatic flavours in each mouthful thanks to the restaurant’s homemade sauces, marinades and use of fragrant fresh herbs.
Be ready to be blown away by the som tum platter. This green papaya salad has all of the major food groups—fried chicken nibbles, sliced ham and pork crackling—as well as pickled cabbage, vermicelli noodles and boiled egg. It’s a spicy, sweet and sour delight that you won’t be able to get enough of.
Blue Elephant
237 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland & 26 Clevedon-Kawakawa Road, Clevedon
For some of the best Thai food in Auckland, check out Blue Elephant in Parnell and Clevedon. The extensive menu features all the classics as well as some more innovative dishes such as deep-fried salmon served on a bed of steamed beans, carrot and courgette, topped with flavoursome red curry.
Enjoy a table for two at the cosy restaurant or round up the troops and opt for a banquet dinner.
Secret Thai Garden
25 Station Road, Ōtāhuhu, Auckland
Image credit: Secret Thai Garden | Facebook
The secret’s out: Secret Thai Garden is the place to go for great Thai food in Auckland. Located in Otahuhu, the restaurant is a bit off the beaten track—but let us assure you that the trip is absolutely worth it.
The décor of the garden restaurant will have you questioning whether you’re in South Auckland or if you’ve been magically transported to Chiang Mai. Think fairy lights, beautiful archways, wooden furnishings and plenty of Buddhas.
Pla Thong Thai
609 Mount Eden Road, Mount Eden, Auckland
Fantastic customer service makes a dining experience that much better. The friendly folk at Pla Thong Thai are nothing but smiles as they serve up some of the best panang curry in town.
And, if you’re all about your snapper, Pla Thong is the place to be. They have a number of snapper offerings including one deliciously flavoured with garlic, basil, chilli and chicken mince.
Fancy exploring more of Auckland’s food scene? Check out:
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- Auckland's Indian Restaurants You Need To Know
- The Best New Restaurant Openings In Auckland
Main image credit: Khu Khu Milford | Urban List Dave Marano
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