Ever found yourself craving pad thai and thinking, ‘I’d settle for mediocre Thai food today’? Of course not. Whether you’re a Bethesda local or just passing through, you deserve authentic, unforgettable flavors. That’s precisely why we’ve curated this definitive list of the top Thai restaurants in town.
Thai Leaf Restaurant
$ | (703) 533-1919 | WEBSITE
Bethesda isn’t lacking in Thai restaurants, but we’re confident that Thai Leaf Restaurant is the absolute crème de la crème. Everything at this delightful spot feels like it’s made to be savored or slurped. A fork into their standout pad thai, a spoon into the mango sticky rice, a bite of eggplant into the flavorful pad kra proa. Like all the true greats, it feels like you could stay in this clean and tidy space forever. But like many greats, it isn’t as easy to get a table as you would like.
Try, try, and try again because Thai Leaf Restaurant is as delightful as they come.
SAMPANNEE
$$ | (202) 809-5004 | WEBSITE
You can sense the warmth of Sampannee before you even step inside. The glow of the window tables and hum of satisfied conversation spill onto the street like a promise you’ll want to keep. This Thai restaurant is a magnet for anyone who craves comfort and coconut milk. Inside, it’s all cozy couples, lively families, and effortlessly kind servers who move between tables offering menu suggestions.
The Khou Soi chicken is non-negotiable, the fish hot pot makes other soups look basic, and you’re definitely ordering at least two appetizers (the steamed dumplings and the Pad See Ew that altered our taste expectations). You’ll end up smiling at neighboring tables and mentally compiling a list of friends you’d like to bring here.
Neisha Thai
$$ | (703) 883-3588 | WEBSITE
Some restaurants are special while feeling like they could exist in other cities, but Neisha Thai is special and feels utterly unique to Bethesda. The Thai dining experience mixes traditional cooking with the restaurant’s cozy atmosphere, genuine warmth, and inimitable made-in-Maryland charm. The kitchen wows with Thai basil chicken fried rice and generous portions of ultimate tum yum seafood, while also welcoming with friendly staff and detailed explanations of dishes.
This is a purposefully inviting experience with food that is fresh and delicious. An uncommon combination that, together, makes a restaurant that represents the best of Thai cuisine in the area.
RIMTANG DC
$$ | (202) 525-1300 | WEBSITE
RIMTANG DC in Georgetown is that rarest of Thai restaurants—one that makes you forget about the ‘authentic cuisine’ label entirely. It’s warm, inviting, and thrums with a confidence that can only be attained when you know how to make Panang Curry this flawless. As minutes, then hours, pass within its cozy two-story space, the menu travels from northern Thai curry to spicy papaya salad and beyond, each dish entirely unique and surprising in an entirely different way to the last.
Honestly, it’s a meal best experienced without spoilers but know that everything from the attentive, friendly service to the Mama’s Fried Rice that arrives with perfectly balanced spice adds up to an unforgettable meal worthy of that $200 dinner for four.
Thai Square
$$ | (703) 685-7189 | WEBSITE
Bethesda has a solid Thai restaurant scene. But Thai Square is something special. Every dish at this cozy spot is authentic and delicious. The crispy duck with basil might seem like the star of the show, only to have the squid salad arrive and make you feel things you didn’t think you could feel for seafood. The menu will surprise people who think they’ve tried it all and please literally everyone.
When you’re sat in the warm dining room, with nostalgic Thai elements, friendly staff, and comfortable seating, there’s no way you’ll be able to pick a favorite until you’ve tried everything.
Thai Treasure Restaurant and Bar
$ | (571) 312-7795 | WEBSITE
In Bethesda, tucked away from the main drag but impossible to miss once you’re inside, is a Thai-born and Maryland-bred restaurant doing its own thing. At Thai Treasure, devour Lava Beef ingeniously reinvented with bold spices and investigate all manner of lush, layered curries. This restaurant doesn’t whisper sweet nothings with its food, it introduces itself and gives you a back-breaking embrace before kissing your forehead for good measure.
Whatever you do, don’t leave this humming room without destroying the Crab Rangoon appetizer. It’s the perfect start to a one-of-a-kind menu that goes to show that Thai Treasure is Bethesda’s new-age dining scene at its most exciting.
Sala Thai Restaurant
$ | (301) 654-4676 | WEBSITE
Meet the team at Sala Thai. They’re the friendly faces behind this authentic Thai restaurant in Bethesda, with the welcoming staff creating a pleasant environment and the kitchen team preparing favorites like the drunk noodle and red curry. It’s a large, clean space with plenty of seating we want to settle into for the evening, even if a passing thought of the beautifully presented drinks with flower petals didn’t already make us smile.
The basil fried rice carries the satisfying flavors straight to your senses, and we have no words for the pork pad Thai—only happy murmurs of ‘love you spring rolls’. Whether you come for a date night or a solo meal, the crowd is treated as one big group of friends enjoying the comfortable atmosphere.
Kapow Buddy
$ | (518) 875-2824 | WEBSITE
A lot of mall restaurants leave you feeling like the food court you’ve just walked through—very convenient but utterly forgettable, and, eventually, completely generic. But not Kapow Buddy. The cooking at this Thai spot in Montgomery Mall is vibrant, the presentation of dishes makes us feel like we’ve stepped into a bustling Bangkok street market, and the service is friendly but never fussy. The easiest time to visit is during the late afternoon lull, but don’t be put off.
The off-peak hour only adds to the feeling that you’re at a neighborhood hideaway, one with crispy, juicy wings and that Fan Favorite bowl with juicy pork belly and a fried egg. It’s a standout meal worth braving the mall parking for.
Bite of Asia
$ | (301) 656-6111 | WEBSITE
Bite of Asia is one spicy kick away from being the most authentic Malaysian spot in Bethesda—in the best way possible. At this cozy mom-and-pop restaurant, generous servings make plates overflow, groups share bowls of rich laksa, and perfect curry puffs are served to those who are one bite away from ordering seconds.
The people behind Bite of Asia understand that restaurants should be welcoming places and the soundtrack in the dining room is all friendly chatter and the sizzle responsible for your fall-apart beef rendang. The menu single-handedly rehabilitates the image of dishes like sesame tofu, which comes with crispy edges and savory plant-based goodness.
Baan Siam
$$ | (202) 588-5889 | WEBSITE
One visit to this modern Thai restaurant and you’ll feel like a crispy lotus root has lodged itself in your memory, pushing aside pretty much every other dining experience. But it’s not just that grilled shrimp salad that’s unforgettable at Baan Siam, a well-loved spot in Bethesda. It’s the surprisingly spicy beef Nahm Dtok salad, the hypnotic richness of the beef curry, and the zingy pumpkin stir-fry that’s like a postcard from Thailand.
With roots in authentic Thai cooking, it’s a friendly place that’s perfect for a casual dinner with friends, or more importantly, an urgent rendezvous with that mango sticky rice.
Esaan
$$ | (703) 288-3901 | WEBSITE
Bethesda is one of the busiest towns in Maryland, but at Esaan everyone feels like they have all the time in the world. The northern Thai restaurant isn’t just liked, it’s utterly adored. Everything from anniversaries to afternoons off are celebrated here, be it with a plate of glorious Esaan Pad Thai with Shrimp or over an Esaantini cocktail. If culinary playgrounds were a thing, they would likely look like this. All waltzing flavors and white plates begging to be stained.
Esaan offers many options not commonly found at traditional Thai restaurants, but it’s the bigger plates that you should pay most attention to at the Bethesda spot. That and the Tom Yum Soup with Chicken to start.
Bangkok 54 Restaurant
$$ | (703) 521-4070 | WEBSITE
One spoonful of Bangkok 54’s Panang Jae with tofu is all you need to be convinced. Maybe it’s the perfect spice level that dances on your tongue. Maybe it’s the rich, aromatic curry where notes of coconut, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves travel up your nose before warming your soul. Either way, the warm and attentive service of the friendly staff will make you want to return regularly.
Bangkok 54 isn’t the most elaborate of restaurants—it’s got a cozy dining area that can get busy on one side and a grocery section with ready-made Thai food on the other—but it’s undoubtedly one of the most flavor-packed spots for authentic Thai cuisine in Arlington.
Sala Thai @ Park Kennedy
$$ | (202) 290-1899 | WEBSITE
Dinners at Sala Thai @ Park Kennedy arrive with a generous side of vibrancy. At every booth, chopsticks deftly navigate through shrimp pad thai, spoonfuls of tom kha are eagerly savored, and laughter mingles between bites of kapow goong gai. There’s much to appreciate about this lively Thai restaurant in Bethesda, and everyone naturally settles into its welcoming rhythm. The live music on Fridays probably helps, and so too does the brilliant food.
Fragrant, steaming jasmine rice is satisfying alone, but even better with basil fried rice and chicken satay alongside. The same goes for the restaurant itself: while groups of friends casually gather here for happy hour, you can happily enjoy Sala Thai’s home away from home feeling on your own.
Siam Shinzo
$ | (703) 528-5833 | WEBSITE
If you’ve been fortunate enough to sample the many Thai and sushi spots around Bethesda, it can be tempting to overlook another local favorite. But Siam Shinzo is one of those restaurants, complete with a $25 pad see ew and $18 volcano roll, that will make you question whether culinary magic has been reborn in the form of a sashimi platter. The cozy eatery is dual in cuisine and generous in portions, with authentic Thai flavors playing a starring role.
The combination of these elements—dishes like fresh, flavorful sashimi and irresistible pad see ew—makes Siam Shinzo a truly unique and enjoyable dining experience.
Aroi
$ | (202) 652-0642 | WEBSITE
Let’s cut straight to the chase about Aroi: it’s the top neighborhood spot for affordable Asian eats in Bethesda. The sushi, from vegetarian fancy rolls to fresh seafood options, is excellent. The pad se ew is perfectly balanced and full of authentic Thai flavor. Yes, the quick service is consistent. And no, it isn’t a formal dining experience. But whether you settle into its comfortable seating or soak up the lively atmosphere, the food very quickly becomes a regular craving.
Specifically the kind that looks like a rotating sushi bar and has different delicious dishes constantly tempting you.
TipThai Thai Cuisine
$$ | (202) 339-2159 | WEBSITE
If you haven’t squeezed into TipThai’s tiny dining area, elbows brushing against the modern walls while inhaling the aroma of sizzling woks, you haven’t experienced proper Thai food in Bethesda. TipThai Thai Cuisine, a cozy spot with limited table settings, is the most authentic Thai restaurant in the city. Its Kanom Jeen Nam Ya Pu marries silky rice noodles with a rich, crab-infused curry that clings perfectly, while the Pad Ginger surrenders tender meat to a fiery, aromatic sauce.
Perch at the small round bar if you like or grab one of the few tables. Either way, get extra chili sauce. It’s better than gold.
Regent Thai Cuisine
$$ | (202) 232-1781 | WEBSITE
Regent Thai Cuisine is simple in appearance, but far from it in flavor and atmosphere. It’s got a neighborhood-friendly vibe, with a soundtrack of clinking plates and sizzling woks, and soft Thai music playing in the background as the staff delivers incredible pad see ew and spicy chicken pra grao.
But it’s softened by a cheery, welcoming energy, partly thanks to the friendly management and sweet, sincere staff who’ll chat with you from behind the bustling counter where curries simmer and noodles are stir-fried just a few steps away. Everything hits here: fragrant pineapple fried rice, tender, juicy cashew chicken, and crispy spring rolls with a perfect crunch.
The mango curry is top-tier—the sauce is creamy and rich, and seasoned with the perfect balance of coconut milk and spices before being poured over tender chunks of chicken and fresh mango.
Donsak Thai Restaurant
$$ | (202) 507-8207 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for the most aromatic, coconut-rich kao soi, or the crispiest, most prawn-heavy pad see ew, go to Donsak Thai Restaurant. The Woodley Park favorite is the most consistently excellent Thai restaurant in DC, and it wears its superiority lightly. The chic and cozy room suits any occasion, but the attention to detail is in everything you eat. Regulars know repeat visits are essential because the menu is so vast and appealing.
Spice-seekers will swoon at the Esan section, with fiery SomTam Taad (fresh papaya salad meant for sharing) to other unique northeastern specialties. Those preferring milder dishes are also keenly looked after with adjustments available to any order.
NuVegan
$$ | WEBSITE
Vegan recommendations can send you all over Bethesda, but you’ll find the most satisfying plant-based wings and the most comforting mac and cheese at this bustling cafeteria. If anything, NuVegan is more energetic than a food hall during lunch rush.
The vegan favourite is more akin to a community hub, with regulars lining up come dinner and groups of friends and families settling into the simple, brightly-lit dining area, ready to take down hearty breakfast wraps and generous portions of yams and greens. A restaurant with this much popularity often has a rhythm and NuVegan’s is quick service—efficient and straightforward—that keeps the line moving while ensuring everyone gets their food. Needless to say, they do.
