Best Thai Food in Atlanta: Where to Go and What to Order

Atlanta has quietly become one of the best cities in the Southeast for Thai food. Whether you’re craving fiery Issan-style street dishes, comforting noodle soups, or a polished Thai tasting menu, you can find it somewhere along the BeltLine, Buford Highway, or tucked into an in-town neighborhood.

This guide focuses specifically on Thai restaurants in Atlanta, Georgia—what they’re known for, where they are, and what to order if you’re not sure where to start.

How to Choose the Best Thai in Atlanta for You

Before picking a spot, it helps to know what kind of Thai experience you want. In Atlanta, most top Thai restaurants fall into a few useful categories:

• Neighborhood comfort spots – Casual, reliable, great for takeout or low-key dinners
• Modern & upscale Thai – Creative menus, craft cocktails, date nights
• Authentic, family-run Thai – Often on Buford Highway or in smaller plazas, bold flavors
• Thai with a view or vibe – Great patios, BeltLine access, or nightlife energy

Think about:

• Spice tolerance – Many Atlanta Thai kitchens will adjust spice levels; ask clearly for mild/medium/hot.
• Dietary needs – Thai food can be very friendly to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-sensitive diners if you ask for substitutions.
• Location & traffic – Atlanta traffic is real; you may want a spot close to you or along MARTA lines (Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, Decatur).

Standout Thai Restaurants in Intown Atlanta

These are some of the most talked-about and widely visited Thai restaurants within the Atlanta city core. They’re popular with both locals and visitors and are good starting points if you’re exploring the city.

Nan Thai Fine Dining (Midtown)

Area: Midtown Atlanta, near Arts Center
Vibe: Upscale, polished, special-occasion friendly

Nan Thai is often mentioned when people talk about “best Thai in Atlanta” in terms of presentation and atmosphere. This is a white-tablecloth setting with refined versions of classic Thai dishes.

Good for:

• Celebrations and business dinners
• Anyone wanting a more formal Thai dining experience
• Pre- or post-show meals when visiting the Woodruff Arts Center or Alliance Theatre

What to try:

• Tom Kha Gai (coconut chicken soup) with aromatic herbs
• Panang or Massaman curry with slow-cooked meats
• Grilled seafood or lamb with Thai herbs and sauces

Be sure to reserve ahead for weekend evenings, especially if you’re coordinating with Midtown events.

Tuk Tuk Thai Food Loft (Peachtree & Peachtree Battle area)

Area: Between Buckhead and Midtown, off Peachtree Road
Vibe: Loft-style, city views, casual-upscale

Run by the same family as Nan Thai, Tuk Tuk offers a more relaxed, Thai street-food–inspired menu with a great view over the city.

Good for:

• Date nights or friend groups who want shared plates
• Trying small plates and snacks you may not see at every Thai place
• A bit of a “night out” feel without being too formal

What to try:

• Thai street snacks like crispy dumplings or skewers
• Pad See Ew or Drunken Noodles
• Stir-fried dishes with basil and chili (often labeled “Kaprao” or “Krapow”)

Parking in this area can be busy; allow extra time if you’re driving at peak dinner hours.

Little Bangkok (Lindbergh / Cheshire Bridge area)

Area: Lindbergh/LaVista, near Cheshire Bridge Road
Vibe: Old-school, no-frills, very popular with locals

Little Bangkok is a longtime Atlanta staple. The space is modest and often busy, but many Atlantans consider it a go-to for comforting, familiar Thai dishes at reasonable prices.

Good for:

• Casual dinners, solo meals, and takeout
• People who want well-known Thai standards
• Quick but satisfying meals near Lindbergh MARTA or I-85

What to try:

• Pad Thai and Pad See Ew
• Green or Red Curry with your protein of choice
• Tom Yum soup if you like something tangy and spicy

Expect a simple setting—this is about flavor and habit, not ambiance.

Buford Highway: Atlanta’s Thai Flavor Powerhouse

If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting specifically for food, you’ll hear about Buford Highway. It’s one of the city’s most diverse food corridors, stretching north from the city toward Chamblee and Doraville. It’s home to some of the most authentic and adventurous Thai options in the metro area.

Below are a few types of Thai spots you’re likely to find there (names and exact lineups can change, but the overall pattern of small, family-run Thai restaurants along Buford Highway is very consistent):

What to Expect from Thai Restaurants on Buford Highway

• Family-run operations with recipes reflecting specific regions of Thailand
• Modest interiors but complex, bold flavors
• Menus that go beyond pad thai—think larb, papaya salad, grilled meats, boat noodles, and more
• Often better value for money than more central, high-rent neighborhoods

If you’re driving, many plazas have ample parking, though weekend prime times can still be busy.

Neighborhood Thai Favorites Across Atlanta

Beyond the major names, you’ll find beloved neighborhood Thai restaurants throughout the city. These spots often become regular weekly stops for people who live nearby.

Here’s a quick neighborhood guide to help you narrow down options by where you are in Atlanta:

When you search for “best Thai near me” from within Atlanta, you’ll usually see at least one strong option in each of these zones.

What to Order: Classic Thai Dishes You’ll See All Over Atlanta

If you’re unfamiliar with Thai food or just want a reliable starting point, these dishes appear at most Atlanta Thai restaurants and are popular with a wide range of diners.

Noodle Favorites

• Pad Thai – Stir-fried rice noodles with egg, peanuts, bean sprouts, and a tangy-sweet sauce. Most Atlanta spots offer chicken, shrimp, tofu, or mixed options.
• Pad See Ew – Wide rice noodles stir-fried with soy sauce, egg, and Chinese broccoli; usually a bit less sweet, with a smoky “wok” flavor.
• Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao) – Spicier, with basil, peppers, and often more vegetables. If you like heat, this is a good pick.

Curries (Usually Served with Rice)

Most Atlanta Thai menus offer Green, Red, Panang, and Massaman curry. Differences to know:

• Green curry – Often the spiciest by default; coconut-based with green chilies and herbs.
• Red curry – Balanced, slightly spicy, with red chilies.
• Panang curry – Thicker, richer, often slightly sweeter.
• Massaman curry – Milder, with potatoes, peanuts, and usually beef or chicken; good for people who don’t love strong heat.

You can usually request:

• Mild – Very little heat
• Medium – Noticeable spice but manageable for most
• Hot – Serious heat
• Thai hot – For diners truly used to Thai-level spice; in Atlanta, this can be very intense.

Salads, Soups, and Street-Style Dishes

• Som Tum (Papaya Salad) – Shredded green papaya with lime, fish sauce, chili, and peanuts; often quite spicy and tangy.
• Larb or Nam Tok – Minced or sliced meat salad with lime, roasted rice powder, mint, and herbs, usually from the Issan (northeastern) tradition.
• Tom Yum – Hot-and-sour soup with lemongrass and lime; often served with shrimp or chicken.
• Tom Kha – Coconut-based soup with galangal and lime leaves; richer and creamier than Tom Yum.

If you see unfamiliar dishes on a menu, many Atlanta servers are happy to describe them and help choose a spice level that fits you.

Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten-Sensitive Thai Options in Atlanta

One of the advantages of Thai cuisine in Atlanta is how easily many dishes can be adapted:

• Most places can swap in tofu and extra vegetables for meat.
• Many curries are naturally gluten-free, though you may want to confirm ingredients like soy sauce and certain pastes.
• Fish sauce and shrimp paste are common in Thai cooking. If you’re vegan or strictly vegetarian, ask clearly for dishes without fish sauce, oyster sauce, or shrimp paste.

When ordering, phrases that help:

• “Vegetarian, no fish sauce, please.”
• “Gluten-free soy sauce, if available.”
• “No egg, vegan preparation.”

In areas like Decatur, Midtown, and parts of Inman Park, you’ll often find Thai restaurants especially accustomed to these requests.

Takeout, Delivery, and Late-Night Thai in Atlanta

For many Atlantans, the “best Thai” is the place that delivers reliably on a busy weeknight.

Takeout & Delivery

• Most Thai restaurants in Atlanta offer takeout, and many partner with major delivery apps.
• If you’re ordering curry for delivery, ask for rice packed separately so it doesn’t soak up all the sauce in transit.
• For noodles, you can request less sauce if you want to avoid sogginess by the time it arrives.

Late-Night Options

Late-night Thai availability depends heavily on neighborhood:

• Midtown and Buckhead – More likely to have Thai spots open later, especially on weekends.
• Suburban or quieter in-town neighborhoods – Often close earlier on weeknights.

If you’re out late, it’s worth checking hours the same day, as they may shift seasonally or around local events.

Tips for Getting the Best Thai Experience in Atlanta

A few simple habits can greatly improve your meal, no matter which restaurant you choose:

• Ask about spice clearly – Atlanta kitchens see a wide range of spice tolerance; they’ll usually adjust if you speak up.
• Try at least one dish beyond pad thai – For example, a curry, papaya salad, or larb; this is often where regional character shows up.
• Share family-style – Thai food is designed for sharing; ordering 3–4 dishes for a group lets you explore more of the menu.
• Check lunch specials – Many intown Thai spots offer lower-priced lunch combos with soup or salad, especially in Midtown and Buckhead.
• Plan for traffic and parking – If you’re headed to a popular spot near Peachtree, the BeltLine, or a big shopping center, build in extra time.

For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, Georgia, exploring the city’s Thai restaurants is one of the most rewarding ways to get to know its neighborhoods—from polished Midtown dining rooms to Buford Highway’s strip-mall gems. With an idea of where you’re staying, how spicy you like your food, and whether you want casual or upscale, you can quickly narrow in on the best Thai in Atlanta for your particular night out.