Top Spice Thai & Malaysian Cuisine in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

If you’re craving Thai and Malaysian food in Atlanta, Top Spice Thai & Malaysian Cuisine is one of the better-known options, especially for people who live or work around Emory, Decatur, and North Druid Hills. Below is a clear, practical guide to what this restaurant offers, how it fits into Atlanta’s international dining scene, and how to get the most out of a visit.

Where Top Spice Fits in Atlanta’s International Food Scene

Atlanta has a growing international cuisine landscape: Buford Highway for pan-Asian food, pockets of great Southeast Asian dining in Decatur, Chamblee, and Doraville, and more Southeast Asian options scattered around Midtown and Virginia-Highland.

Within that mix, Top Spice Thai & Malaysian Cuisine is a sit-down, casual restaurant known for:

  • A mix of Thai standards (curries, noodles, stir-fries)
  • A smaller selection of Malaysian-influenced dishes
  • Being relatively approachable for diners new to Southeast Asian flavors
  • Serving residents, Emory staff and students, and nearby neighborhoods

It’s a useful option if you’re near Emory University, Toco Hills, North Druid Hills, or Decatur and want Thai food without driving across town.

Location, Contact Info, and Practical Details

Top Spice Thai & Malaysian Cuisine has long been associated with the Toco Hill / North Druid Hills area. Because individual restaurants can change hours or even move, it’s wise to check basic details before you go.

You can typically expect:

  • Area: Near the Toco Hill / North Druid Hills corridor, convenient to Emory and Decatur
  • Parking: Usually surface-lot parking shared with nearby businesses
  • Dress code: Casual
  • Dining style: Sit-down table service, with takeout and call‑ahead orders commonly available

For the most reliable, current information (hours, reservations, takeout options), Atlantans often:

  • Call the restaurant directly via a quick online search
  • Check recent listings in local directories or maps apps
  • Confirm weekend or holiday hours before driving over

Because restaurant openings, closings, and locations do change around Atlanta, verifying the latest address and contact information online is important, especially if you’re visiting from out of town.

What’s on the Menu: Thai & Malaysian Highlights

Top Spice focuses primarily on Thai dishes, with a complementary selection of Malaysian-style items. Names and exact offerings can shift, but you’re likely to see versions of the following:

Popular Thai Dishes You’ll Commonly Find

Curries (served with rice):

  • Red Curry – Typically coconut-based, medium heat, with bamboo shoots, bell peppers, and basil
  • Green Curry – Often a bit spicier and more herbaceous, usually with eggplant and basil
  • Panang Curry – Thicker, richer curry; usually less soupy, with a mild to medium spice level
  • Massaman Curry – Mild, slightly sweet curry with potato and onion, sometimes peanuts

Noodle Dishes:

  • Pad Thai – Stir-fried rice noodles with egg, bean sprouts, peanuts, and your choice of protein
  • Pad See Ew – Wide rice noodles with egg, Chinese broccoli, and a savory soy-based sauce
  • Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao) – Wide noodles, basil, peppers, and chili; usually spicier

Stir-Fries and Rice Dishes:

  • Basil Stir-Fry – Ground or sliced meat with basil, chilies, and vegetables, served with rice
  • Cashew Nut Stir-Fry – Wok-fried with cashews, peppers, and onions
  • Thai Fried Rice – Rice stir-fried with egg, vegetables, and a protein

Malaysian-Inspired Items

Top Spice’s Malaysian offerings are more limited than its Thai menu but often include dishes such as:

  • Roti Canai (or similar roti dish) – Flaky flatbread served with a curry dipping sauce
  • Malaysian Curry or Rendang‑style dishes – Slower-cooked, aromatic curries with deeper spices
  • Noodle dishes with Malaysian-style sauces – Sometimes with coconut milk, curry, or sambal influences

If you’re specifically interested in Malaysian cuisine, it’s worth asking your server which dishes on the current menu lean most Malaysian, because that segment tends to be smaller and may rotate.

Customizing Spice Level & Dietary Needs

Atlanta diners often have very different spice tolerances. At Top Spice, you can usually request a spice level such as:

  • Mild
  • Medium
  • Hot
  • Extra hot (sometimes by request only)

To keep things comfortable:

  • 🌶️ If you’re unsure, start at mild or medium. Thai and Malaysian “medium” can feel hotter than typical American medium.
  • Ask your server how spicy certain dishes are by default; curries and drunken noodles often start hotter than fried rice.

For dietary preferences, many Thai and Malaysian dishes can be:

  • Made with tofu instead of meat
  • Adjusted to avoid certain ingredients when possible

If you avoid fish sauce, shellfish, peanuts, or other allergens, tell your server clearly. Not all dishes can be modified, but staff at Atlanta Thai restaurants are often familiar with these requests and can guide you to safer options.

Price Range and What to Expect

Top Spice typically falls into the moderate price category for Atlanta sit-down dining. Most Atlantans compare it to other neighborhood Thai restaurants in terms of cost. Expect:

  • Appetizers: Usually in the lower price range for shared starters
  • Main entrées: Typically mid-range, with curries and noodle dishes priced similarly
  • Lunch vs. dinner: Many Thai spots in Atlanta offer lunch specials with smaller portions and slightly lower prices than dinner; check if Top Spice is running a lunch menu on weekdays

Tax and gratuity are not included, so budget accordingly, especially for group meals.

Eat-In vs. Takeout: What Works Best

Many Atlanta residents use Top Spice both as a dine-in restaurant and a takeout option.

Dine-In Pros:

  • Hot dishes arrive at the correct temperature and texture
  • Better experience for shared appetizers and multiple curries
  • Opportunity to ask detailed questions about dishes and spice levels

Takeout Pros:

  • Convenient for Emory students and nearby residents
  • Works well for noodle dishes, fried rice, and stir-fries
  • Easy option if you’re staying at a hotel in the Emory/Decatur area

For takeout:

  • Call ahead or place an order through your preferred platform, then verify the pickup time
  • Check your order before leaving, especially if you requested special spice levels or substitutions

Tips for Atlantans and Visitors Planning a Visit

A few practical pointers help the experience go more smoothly:

1. Time Your Visit

  • Weeknights are often calmer than Friday and Saturday evenings.
  • If you’re coming from Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead, account for I‑85 and North Druid Hills traffic, particularly around rush hour.

2. Parking and Access

  • Expect surface-lot parking shared with other businesses.
  • Lots in this part of Atlanta can be busy during peak meal times; allow a few extra minutes to park.

3. Group Dining

If you’re planning a group dinner:

  • Consider calling ahead to see if they can accommodate a larger party at your target time.
  • Family-style ordering (several curries, noodles, and stir-fries to share) works well for trying more of the menu.

4. If You’re New to Thai or Malaysian Food

For newcomers, a combination like this is usually a safe, flavorful start:

  • Appetizer: Roti canai (if available) or spring rolls
  • Mild Curry: Massaman or Panang with chicken or tofu
  • Noodles: Pad Thai or Pad See Ew at mild or medium spice
  • Side: Steamed rice (especially with curries)

This gives you a good overview of the Thai side of the menu, with a taste of Malaysian influence if roti or Malaysian curry is available.

How Top Spice Compares to Other Atlanta Options

Without ranking or promoting, it helps to know where Top Spice sits among Atlanta’s broader options:

  • It’s a neighborhood-friendly choice if you’re already in the Emory / North Druid Hills / Decatur area.
  • For broader Southeast Asian exploration, some Atlantans also look to Buford Highway, Doraville, and Chamblee, which host a large concentration of Asian restaurants, though not all are Thai or Malaysian.
  • If you’re staying near Downtown or Midtown, Top Spice is more of a destination drive; you’ll want to weigh the drive time against Thai restaurants closer to your hotel.

For many local residents, Top Spice is simply a reliable, familiar option for Thai cuisine with a nod to Malaysian flavors, especially convenient if you live or work nearby.

How to Decide if Top Spice Is Right for You in Atlanta

Top Spice Thai & Malaysian Cuisine may be a good fit if:

  • You’re near Emory, Decatur, or North Druid Hills and want Thai food without crossing the city
  • You’re interested in Thai standards with the option to try a few Malaysian-style dishes
  • You prefer a casual, sit-down restaurant with the flexibility of takeout
  • You appreciate being able to control your spice level and request common dietary adjustments

Before you head out, a quick call or online check for current address, hours, and menu details will help you avoid surprises and make the most of Atlanta’s Thai and Malaysian dining scene.