Amelie CameronCall me basic, but pad Thai is my favourite Thai dish. Every forkful is just a harmonious mix of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy. It also has an amazing texture, thanks to the peanuts.
When I vacationed in Bangkok, I consumed as many bowls of pad Thais as possible (yes, very touristy, I know), and now that I’m back, I’m craving it even more. Fortunately, Toronto is here to deliver because there are many Thai restaurants here.
If you’re a pad Thai lover like me, hit up these local restaurants!
Pai Toronto
– From: paitoronto
Address: 18 Duncan St
Operating Hours:
- Monday—4 pm to 9:30 pm
- Tuesday to Thursday, Sunday—11:45 am to 9:30 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11:45 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14169014724
Pai Toronto has been recommended by the Michelin Guide, so it’s safe to expect that the food here is spectacular.
Of course, the pad Thai is my usual order here. The rice noodles have a lovely soft but also chewy texture, and the sauce adds a nice kick of rich sweetness and mouthwatering sourness. I also like the inclusion of house-roasted peanuts because they make the dish extra nutty and even smoky.
| Pro Tips: If you’re planning an event and you already have a venue, you can book their catering services. Fill out this form if you’re interested. Did you know that the main chef here has her very own cookbook? It’s available now, and you can find the purchase links here. |
Khao San Road
– From: tastetoronto
Address: 11 Charlotte St
Operating Hours:
- Sunday and Monday—5 pm to 9:45 pm
- Tuesday to Friday—11:30 am to 2:30 pm, 5 pm to 9:45 pm
- Saturday—12 pm to 2:45 pm, 5 pm to 9:45 pm
Contact Number: +16473525773
What I like about Khao San Road is that they let you set your spice level. So, if you can’t handle spice, you can choose the no-spice option (0), but if you’re like me, you can choose the Chef’s Top Spicy option and have your tastebuds burned to crisp (in a good way!).
I recommend getting the Three Flavors Pad Thai. The main flavours are tangy and sweet, but it also has smoky notes. I also like that it has egg and tofu. The tofu pieces absorb the sweet-and-sour flavour of the sauce, so every bite is a delight.
| Pro Tips: This restaurant offers a vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free version of the pad Thai! If you want to book them for catering, send a request via email ([email protected]). |
Jatujak
– From: jatujakthai
Address: 1744 Victoria Park Ave, North York
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +16473521744
Jatujak is named after the largest weekend market in Thailand, best known for its vibrant and charming energy. You’ll get the same vibe here!
The pad Thai here is jam-packed with chicken pieces, onions, and bean sprouts, and everything is well-coated with the brown sauce. I love that the sauce’s sweetness is complemented by the sour and savoury notes of the other ingredients.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant has its own app for online delivery. This app is currently available for iOS. |
Chiang Mai Thai Kitchen
– From: chiangmaito
Address: 84 Park Lawn Rd, South Beach Condos and Lofts, Etobicoke
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +16477488424
If you’re in Etobicoke, stop by Chiang Mai Thai Kitchen! I love coming here for brunch, but I also come here during other times of the day just to order the pad Thai.
You have three pad Thai options, and my favourite has to be the whole lobster pad Thai. As the name suggests, this dish uses a whole lobster, and its delicately sweet meat pairs well with the tangy and nutty sauce.
The shrimp tom yum pad Thai is also great. This one is definitely more sour and spicy than the usual pad Thai, which is exactly why I love it.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant offers catering services for special events. |
Mengrai Thai
– From: mengrai_thai
Address: 82 Ontario St
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday—4:30 pm to 9:30 pm
- Friday—4:30 pm to 10 pm
- Saturday—3:30 pm to 10 pm
- Sunday—4 pm to 9:30 pm
Contact Number: +14168402754
I first heard about Mengrai Thai because apparently, local and international stars have dined here. Curious, I decided to give it a try, and now, I see what the fuss is all about.
As much as I love the original pad Thai and its sweeter version, my favourite has to be the chef’s special pad Thai. This one has a sauce that’s less sweet, bolder, and savourier. It also has a kick of sourness, thanks to the tamarind and lime.
| Pro Tips: Do you want to learn a new skill or up your cooking game? You might want to book a hands-on cooking class here. If you’re planning an event, you can book this restaurant’s catering services. |
Sala Modern Thai Kitchen
– From: salakitchen
Address: 1262 Danforth Ave
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday—4 pm to 9:30 pm
- Friday—4 pm to 10 pm
- Saturday—12 pm to 10 pm
- Sunday—12 pm to 9:30 pm
Contact Number: +14164059999
Sala’s take on pad Thai made me gasp because it looked stunning! The noodles were wrapped in an egg crepe that was delicately cut like a fishnet and then topped with green leaves. I commend the chef’s creativity and dedication in plating it!
As for the flavours, sweet and sour are the first you’ll taste, followed by savoury and nutty notes from the other ingredients.
I usually love chicken with my pad Thai, but for this one, I prefer the pork belly. I just think the fattiness from the belly enhances the dish to a great extent.
| Pro Tip: Give a fellow pad Thai lover a gift card from this restaurant. |
Pik Thai Restaurant
– From: pikthai_toronto
Address: 414 Roncesvalles Ave
Operating Hours:
- Monday, Wednesday to Friday—11:30 am to 10 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—11 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14165388988
Pik Thai Restaurant is a cozy spot in the West End, and I think it deserves more hype. The portions here are fairly generous, and the staff is friendly!
The pad Thai here is the classic version, but don’t let its simple appearance fool you. This dish is bursting with sweet and tangy flavours, and the combination of chewy and crunchy textures is so satisfying.
You can choose what meat to go with as your topping. Chicken and pork are the popular options, but you can also opt for tofu, shrimp, and even salmon.
| Pro Tip: If you want to host a group dinner here, send a reservation via email ([email protected]) beforehand. |
Thai Barn Na
– From: thaibarnna
Address: 256 Browns Line, Etobicoke
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday, Sunday—11:30 am to 10 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11:30 am to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +14162523222
Thai Barn Na is a family-owned restaurant, so the vibes here are chill and homey, which is what I like, especially on a busy day. It also helps that the food is good—all the more reason to visit every chance I get.
The pad Thai is simple and classic, but it’s still rich in sweet and sour flavours. Your meat of choice (I usually go with either chicken or beef) adds a savoury contrast, while the peanuts make your dish extra nutty, smoky, and crunchy.
| Pro Tip: Book this restaurant’s catering services to make your party extra special. |
Isaan Der
– From: isaan_der
Address: 730 Queen St E
Operating Hours:
- Monday and Tuesday—4 pm to 9 pm
- Wednesday—11:30 am to 9 pm
- Thursday to Saturday—11:30 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14164650100
Isaan Der is such a hidden gem that I’ll always be recommending this to as many people as possible. This East End restaurant has an eccentric atmosphere (the aesthetic is a combination of a tropical island and a minimalistic modern look) making it perfect for a casual get-together with friends.
I recommend the soft-shell crab pad Thai. I love how the soft-shell crab’s mellow sweetness blends with the sauce’s also sweet but very sour and salty flavour. The noodles are freshly made as well, so they have a nice al dente texture.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant doesn’t have its own parking lot, so I don’t recommend driving here. There is street parking, but it gets filled up pretty fast. |
Simply Thai Cuisine
– From: simplythaito
Address: 2253 Bloor St W
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—12 pm to 9 pm
- Friday and Saturday—12 pm to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14167698866
Simply Thai Cuisine is one of my favourite restaurants in Bloor West Village, and if you haven’t checked it out yet, this is your sign to do so!
I love that the pad Thai here is jam-packed with a lot of protein: not only does it have chicken, but it also has tiger shrimp and tofu. The tamarind sauce is also sour enough to make me pucker my face, but then, it hits me with a satisfying sweetness afterward.
For extra crunch and smokiness, I usually add a generous sprinkling of roasted ground peanuts.
| Pro Tip: If you’re dining with a group, I recommend booking your reservation ahead of time. |
Koh Lipe Thai Kitchen
– From: readytoorder.toronto
Address: 35 Baldwin St
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—11:30 am to 10 pm
- Friday—11:30 am to 11 pm
- Saturday—12 pm to 11 pm
- Sunday—12 pm to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14165999988
Named after a beautiful island in Southern Thailand, Koh Lipe Thai Kitchen is all about showcasing the vibrant dishes from the region. Their take on pad Thai is especially vibrant; the greens of the vegetables stand in contrast against the rich beautiful brown of the sauce coating everything.
The vibrancy comes in through the flavours as well. They use tamarind in their sauce, so it has a nice kick of decadent sweetness and mouthwatering sourness. The ground peanuts add a nutty contrast, while your protein of choice contributes savoury notes to the dish.
| Pro Tips: If you have any dietary restrictions, please let your server know so that the kitchen can accommodate your needs. A keto-friendly version of the pad Thai is available here! |
Thairoom College
– From: thairoomcollege
Address: 719 College St
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 2 am
Contact Number: +14165318424
Located in Little Italy, Thairoom College is a great spot if you need a pick-me-up. The vibe here is bright and energetic, so it’s easy to relax.
What I like about the pad Thai here is that it’s combined with curry. The sauce is thick and coats everything well, and it packs quite a lot of heat too. Along with the spice, you can taste strong notes of tanginess, which make my taste buds sing.
Prepare a glass of cold water, though. The more you eat, the spicier it gets!
| Pro Tip: If you want to host an event or book their catering services, you can call them to book your spot. You can also choose to email instead ([email protected]). |
Imm Thai Kitchen
– From: immthaikitchen
Address: 651 College St
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—11 am to 11 pm
- Sunday—11 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14165326888
Another Thai restaurant you can find in Toronto’s Little Italy is Imm Thai Kitchen. This is actually the sister restaurant of Chiang Mai, so it’s not a surprise that the pad Thai here hits the same.
I really like the tom yum pad Thai, which is also the signature dish. This one has one hell of a spicy kick that gets my taste buds tingling, and then right after the heat comes the much-appreciated sweet and tangy notes.
Another version of pad Thai you can get is curry pad Thai. This one is richer and creamier, though it’s definitely just as spicy.
| Pro Tip: If you want to book them for catering, contact the restaurant via the phone number above. |
sukhoTHAI
– From: flavoursinthe6ix
Address: 52 Wellington St E
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—11:30 am to 3 pm, 4:30 pm to 9 pm
- Friday—11:30 am to 3 pm, 4:30 pm to 10 pm
- Saturday—11:30 am to 10 pm
- Sunday—3 pm to 9 pm
Contact Number: +16473514612
Looking for a halal spot that serves amazing pad Thai? Don’t worry because sukhoTHAI is exactly that!
The pad Thai is the bestseller here, and it’s not a surprise. The rice noodles are stir-fried to perfection; I like that some of the noodles have a bit of a crust because they add a nice crunch. The sauce also brings the dish to life with its vibrant tangy flavours with sweet and savoury notes as a contrast.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant offers catering services for special events. Check this page to see the catering menu. |
Si Lom Thai Bistro
– From: diana.plus.food
Address: 534 Church St
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—12 pm to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14165150888
Every time I come to Si Lom Thai Bistro, I feel like I’m ready to party. The energy is always high, and the decor is just as bright.
Oh, and the food? Absolute fire! The dining experience is even better on a Friday when my work week just finished.
The pad Thai with soft-shell crab is my favourite because I love how the crab’s mellow sweetness pairs well with the nutty, tangy, and spicy flavours of the sauce.
The version with pork belly is also a great one; the belly’s fattiness makes every bite even richer and more indulgent.
| Pro Tip: You can’t just walk in here because this restaurant has a waitlist. I recommend calling them ahead of time to reserve your spot. You can also do this by emailing them ([email protected]). |
