With its heady aromas of lemongrass, coconut, lime leaf, chilli and coriander, Thai food is some of the most flavour-packed around.
From pad thai and green curry to tom yum soup and green papaya salad, you’re guaranteed bold dishes with a big wallop of herb and spice.
Here, in no particular order, are 11 of the best places to eat Thai food in Cardiff.
1. Brother Thai
One of the breakout stars of Cardiff’s street food scene, Brother Thai’s roti bar offers a very different take on Thai cooking. Their signature flaky and buttery rotis are served with a range of spice-laden toppings including sticky spicy beef and roasted jackfruit whilst sides include Thai fried chicken and crispy mushroom larb.
Where: 35 Whitchurch Road, Cardiff CF14 3JN
2. Hug Paeng
Operating from a residential home in a Roath side street, Hug Paeng’s compact menu focuses on excellent red and green chicken curries. The secret to their success is their homemade curry pastes which are made with fresh herbs, some of which are imported from Thailand.
Where: 23 Donald Street, Cardiff CF24 4TJ
3. Moo Moo Thai Tapas
This City Road restaurant actually serves a menu of starters and mains instead of tapas. But, naming issues aside, they serve delicious Thai food with standout dishes including stupendously crisp and tender duck breast bathed in panang curry sauce and a lamb shank massaman curry.
Where: 244 City Road, Cardiff CF24 3JJ
4. Malai Thai
One of the most recent additions to Cardiff city centre, Caroline Street’s Malai Thai has just three tables. They serve a cracking value lunch deal for £6.99 but if you want to explore their wider menu then dishes include stuffed chicken wings and crispy sea bass with tamarind sauce.
Where: 33 Caroline Street, Cardiff CF10 1FF
5. Bangkok Cafe
A long-time fixture of Cardiff’s restaurant scene, Bangkok Cafe’s bright and modern interior is a good match for their bold flavoured cooking. Each dish is served with multiple components so, for example, roast duck with basil and chilli is accompanied by yellow rice and steamed green vegetables with a coconut dressing.
Where: 207 Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff CF11 9AJ
6. TukTuk
Crwys Road’s TukTuk has recently undergone an interior transformation with exposed brickwork on show and plants hanging from the ceiling. It means it’s now a popular choice among Cardiff’s Instagrammers and photos of the restaurant’s decor are just as coveted as photos of their dishes.
Where: 22 Crwys Road, Cardiff CF24 4NL
7. Chilli Basil
This tiny and basically-decorated City Road restaurant serves great value classics. A particular highlight is their ferociously spicy and citrusy green papaya salad.
Where: 232 City Road, Cardiff CF24 3JH
8. Thai Asian Delish
A cracking value Cardiff market stall, Thai Asian Delish is a delicious lunchtime pit-stop. Their pad Thai will set you back a mere £5.50 whilst a Massaman curry with rice, chips or half ‘n’ half is only £5.60.
Where: 13 Central Market, Cardiff CF10 1AU
9. Praya Thai
This city centre Thai restaurant has been a low key arrival to Cardiff’s restaurant scene since it opened last year. Visitors have praised it as a “hidden gem” which serves “super authentic Thai” food. Dishes on their menu include minced chicken and Thai herb salad and Thai-style sirloin steak.
Where: 22-24 Churchill Way, Cardiff CF10 2DY
10. Nok and Roni’s
Nok and Roni can be found at street food events and pop-ups across south Wales where they serve Thai curries and falafel filled pitta breads. Named after its owners, Nok handles the Thai food whilst Roni’s speciality is the falafel.
Where: Roath and Riverside markets and across south Wales
11. Thai Village
Located in Whitchurch, Thai Village won multiple awards under its previous name of Thai Lounge. Popular classics on the menu include tamarind duck, massaman curry and king prawn pad thai.
Where: 73B Merthyr Road, Cardiff CF14 1DD
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