With large populations of each, the greater Dallas area is teeming with Thai and Lao culture, and in turn, great Thai and Lao food. The neighboring Southeast Asian countries share many similarities when it comes to their cuisine, with a spotlight on rice and noodle dishes, aromatic curries, and meat dishes spiced with fresh herbs and peppers.
Whether a hearty meal of street eats is calling your name, or simply a comforting platter of sweet and savory pad Thai, this list of seven Thai and Lao establishments will satisfy cravings every time.
Ka Thai
There’s a reason this place has three outposts around Dallas. Ka Thai is a reliable go-to for consistently tasty Thai food in a modern and attractive setting. The Uptown location is especially pretty, with wicker furniture and lots of natural light and greenery, but the main draw for all of the restaurants is undoubtedly the food. Find Thai traditions like crab fried rice ($19) packed with white onion, scallions, and tomatoes; fragrant tom yum soup ($7); and noodle dishes like pad see ew ($15) and pad Thai with chicken and shrimp ($17). Add one of Ka Thai’s tropical cocktails to take the edge off those fiery Thai chiles. Multiple locations, kathairestaurant.com
Ly Food Market
You may not know by looking at it, but this small family-run Southeast Asian supermarket in Oak Cliff serves up some of the spiciest, most delicious Thai and Lao food in Dallas. Order at the register, and pick up your order at the little window in the back. Pull up a seat, and prepare to get hooked on dishes like crispy spring rolls, papaya salad, and Lao sausage. Meals at Ly Food Market may soon become a weekly ritual. 4440 Illinois Ave. #400a, Dallas
Zaap Kitchen
This little fast-casual Lao and Thai chain has nine outposts around the Metroplex that are open for lunch and dinner daily, making it a convenient place to get your fix. Enjoy dishes like laab salad, yellow curry over sticky rice, and the restaurant’s famous homemade beef jerky. Soothe your palate with a sweet Thai iced tea, and save room for the sticky rice with mango for dessert. Multiple locations, zaapkitchen.com
Ka-Tip Thai Street Food
Ka-Tip started as a tiny operation in the Dallas Farmer’s Market, a stone’s throw from what is now its brick-and-mortar location. The counter-service restaurant, known for using family recipes, features dishes that will transport you to the streets of Bangkok. Indulge in fried chive cakes ($8), spicy chicken larb ($15), and sate with peanut dipping sauce ($13) served in little cardboard boats. 1011 S. Pearl Expy Ste. 190, Dallas katipthaidallas.com
Sikhay Thai Lao Restaurant
Sikhay Thai Lao has all of the comfort-food favorites. Find pad Thai, drunken noodles, shrimp fried in wonton paper, along with Lao dishes not often seen on restaurant menus, like beef soup and vermicelli noodle salad. In addition to Thai and Lao cuisine, Sikhay is known for its extensive menu of bubble teas. Grab a cozy booth and dig in. 3301 NE 28th St., Fort Worth, sikhaythailaorestaurant.cfd
Trinity Street Food
Very much off the beaten path, Trinity Street Food in Euless is a delightful surprise. Enjoy pad Thai, pad kee mow, pad see ew, and other beloved noodle dishes, along with specialty dishes like baked mussels on the half shell and deep-fried soft-shell crab in a homemade pepper-garlic sauce. Leave room for dessert because the mango sticky rice is just as marvelous as it looks. 135 S. Ector Dr., Euless, trinitystreetfood.com
Crushcraft Thai Eats
This casual neighborhood restaurant in Uptown famously appeared on an episode of Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, and is a favorite among many Dallasites. One of its major draws is that Crushcraft is easy on the pocketbook, with a number of $10 noodle dishes and $12 curries. Other standouts include wok-fired crispy garlic chicken ($12) over jasmine rice and grilled beef and pork meatball skewers ($6). It doesn’t skimp on the spice, so spring for a Singha beer to pair with your meal. 2688 Laclede St. #100, Dallas, crushcraftthai.com
