Undeniably, the land of smiles has the tastebuds of many Malaysians and spice gourmands hooked onto Thai delicacies. From mouth-watering street eats to fine dining-worthy dishes, consider us lucky to be Thailand’s neighbour as it’s easy to get authentic Thai food here!
But with so many options to choose from, which ones will really tickle your palate? We’ve narrowed down the 14 best Thai restaurants in Kuala Lumpur (KL) and Selangor that will guarantee to make you say, “Aroi maak-maak!”
1. Thai Tuk Tuk, Kuala Lumpur
Muslim-friendly: Yes
Thai Tuk Tuk cooks dishes specific to the regions in Thailand – from Hatyai to Phuket, Bangkok to Chiang Mai, these regional delights make them unique! Situated in Publika, this cosy restaurant is best known for its Hat Yai Chicken Rice, which is served with a bowl of soup and tea. Our personal favourite is also the yellow Panaeng beef curry which pairs perfectly with a bowl of steaming rice. Check out their menu to see what else you can order on your next visit.
Recommended dishes: Massaman Curry Chicken, Panaeng Beef Curry, Hat Yai Chicken Rice, Ice Cream Thai Boran
Address: A1-G2-9, 1, Jalan Dutamas 1, Solaris Dutamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +603 6201 0212
2. Dino’s Thai Food Restoran, Kuala Lumpur
Muslim-friendly: Yes
Nestled in KL’s famous food street, Jalan Alor, is Dino’s Thai Food Restoran, one of the few pork-free options available in this bustling area. Dino’s most popular dishes amongst their regulars are oysters and steamed siakap.
The best way to get bang for your buck is to order their set meals, as prices aren’t shown for their a la carte selections — after all, no one likes to be surprised with an outrageous bill at the end of their meal. If you can, come by on a weekday instead, as it tends to get hectic on weekends.
Recommended dishes: Steamed Garlic Squid, Oysters, Steamed Siakap
Address: 34, Jalan Alor, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6011 3109 2542
3. Bangkok On Top Restaurant & Bar, Selangor
Muslim-friendly: Yes
Bangkok On Top (BOT) is not your typical Thai restaurant and bar — it’s also the only restaurant in greater KL with a viewing deck shaped like a ship’s bow. Perfect for snapping an OOTD shot or recreating that Titanic moment! With an all-encompassing menu developed by a Thai chef, BOT serves up the best Thai-style steamed fish in Cheras, accompanied by an amazing view of the Cheras township.
Recommended dishes: Lime & Chili Steamed Tilapia, Seafood Red Tom Yam, BBQ Squid
Address: Jalan Tun Perak, Taman Tun Perak, 43200 Cheras, Selangor
Contact: +6010 235 1101
4. Veg Fish Farm Thai Restaurant, Selangor
Muslim-friendly: Yes
Tucked amidst the greenery and foliage at Jalan Hulu Langat, Ampang is a farm-to-table concept restaurant named Veg Fish Farm Thai Restaurant. The restaurant serves up the freshest catch, and popular dishes here are fish, chicken, and vegetable dishes, as it’s all organically grown by the restaurant.
Dining atop the floating establishment gives a rustic and back-to-nature feel that many enjoy when the sun sets. If you’re headed here with family, a few Ringgit will get you bags of fish feed that the little ones can entertain themselves with while waiting for their grub. Get them to spot the terrapins too!
To have a more thorough idea of what they serve, have a look at their menu.
Recommended dishes: Steamed Kampung Chicken, Thai-style Fried Tilapia, Thai-style BBQ Big Cockles, Seafood Som Tam
Address: KM4, Jalan Hulu Langat, 68000 Ampang, Selangor
Contact: +6016 398 6493
5. Erawan, Kuala Lumpur
Muslim-friendly: Yes
The elegant decor of Erawan at DC Mall makes it a splendid location for an opulent meal with classic Thai dishes. A must-try is the prawns with Erawan’s Signature Sauce – a lobster halved and served in a spicy and tangy sauce with a deliciously unforgettable flavour that will leave you wanting seconds. We seriously recommend dining here at least once! Though we cannot guarantee you won’t be back for more.
If you’re on the other side of town, then there’s also the option to head over to their other outlet in Avenue K.
Recommended dishes: Prawns with Erawan’s Signature Sauce, Tom Yum with Scallops (Thick), Crabmeat Omelette
Address: Lot L1-17 & L1-18, First floor DC Mall, 6 Jalan Damanlela, Bukit Damansara,
50490 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6012 278 8438
6. Baan26, Kuala Lumpur
Muslim-friendly: Yes
When in Changkat, get merry and eat the night away with lip-smacking Thai food at Baan26! This award-winning establishment prides itself as the best Thai restaurant in KL, and with good reason, as its dishes are truly authentic. They also whip up crazy spicy but oh-so-good Spicy Tom Yum Soup that will get tongues burning (in a good way).
Recommended dishes: Mieng Kam, Thai Mango Salad with Crispy Catfish, Spicy Tom Yum Soup
Address: 26, Changkat Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6019 222 0026
7. Rama V, Kuala Lumpur
Muslim-friendly: Yes
Impress your date or loved one with an unforgettable meal at Rama V, KL’s first Thai fine dining establishment. Although Rama V has been operating for two decades, they have stayed relevant through the constant innovation of their recipes, blending tradition and modernity, as seen in their signature dishes. Lunch and dinner sets start at RM160 for two, which is a decent price tag for a four-course meal!
Recommended dishes: Pandan Chicken, Smoked Duck Red Curry with Lychee
Address: 5, Jalan U Thant, Kelab Golf di Raja Selangor, 55000 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6017 679 7143
8. La Moon Thai Restaurant, Kuala Lumpur
Muslim-friendly: Yes
For 13 years, La Moon Thai Restaurant has been a landmark in TTDI. Famed for its cockles curry, this eatery recently went through a much-deserved facelift with modern furnishings and an updated menu, making it the perfect weekend brunch spot with authentic Thai food. Before dining here, remember to call ahead – this place often gets jam-packed!
Recommended dishes: Cockles Curry, Pomelo Salad, Crab Meat with Thai Basil, Deep Fried Stuffed Chicken Wings
Address: Unit No 2-1, Greens Terrace, Jalan Wan Kadir 3, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6012 289 5575
9. Thai Hou Sek, Selangor
Muslim-friendly: No
Did you know that the Chinese Thais are the largest minority group in Thailand? It’s no wonder that there’s Chinese influence in Thai food, and Thai Hou Sek weaves in the differences between the cultures seamlessly! Thai Hou Sek is best known for their super crispy, Thai-style roasted pork – and they’re not ashamed to serve it on its own, in a curry, and even in their tom yum!
Recommended dishes: Steamed Fish & Clams in Spicy Lime Sauce, Green Curry with Pork, Nam Tuk Siu Yuk
Address: 2nd floor, 1 Utama, Bandar Lot S132, Lebuh Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Contact: +603 7731 7933
10. Yexiao Canteen, Selangor
Muslim-friendly: No
Itching for a hearty bowl of tom yum instant noodles as a late-night snack? Yexiao Canteen’s got you covered! This ‘late night canteen’ (a direct translation of the restaurant’s name) serves up bowls of piping-hot instant noodles with runny yolks, seafood, or pork in a spicy (but bearable) tom yum broth.
Available at various locations in Klang Valley and open till midnight, it’s a hit amongst those who miss Michelin-starred Jeh O Chula’s legendary MAMA noodles. There are five outlets in total, so whenever you’re in the mood, find the one closest to you.
Recommended dishes: Mama Creamy Tomyam with Seafood
Address: 54, SS2/72, Seksyen 19, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Contact: +6013 230 5266
11. Boran Classic Thai Street Food, Selangor
Muslim-friendly: No
This no-frills restaurant whips up Thai street favourites ranging from noodles to skewers, served with a massive cup of Thai milk tea! Boran offers their meat dishes with a side of rice and fried eggs, which are very much inspired by the street food vendors of Chonburi.
Quick, filling, and tasty, it’s the place to be for your speedy fix of Thai street food on a busy day. Of course, not forgetting their huge cups of Thai milk tea that are only served in to-go cups!
Recommended dishes: Thai Basil Minced Pork, Pork Belly Skewers, Grilled Pork Neck, Thai Milk Tea
Address: 25G, Jalan 21/11a, Sea Park, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor; 25 Jalan SS 14/1, SS 14, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor
Contact: +603 7863 0681 (Seapark); +603 5611 3297 (Subang Jaya)
12. Frame Thai, Selangor
Muslim-friendly: No
Situated in the residential neighbourhood in Section 17, Petaling Jaya, this restaurant-cum-mini mart is the place to be for Thai nationals who miss the taste of home. They’ve got it all: meat skewers, soups, marinated meats, and healthy salads. It’s also entirely operated by Thai nationals but not to worry – there’s an English menu available.
Frame Thai also stocks Thai snacks and products that can sometimes be hard to get by, so if you’re looking for a key ingredient for your recipe or have a specific snack in mind you’re craving, chances are you can get it here.
Recommended dishes: Papaya Salad, Pandan Chicken, Pork Leg with Rice
Address: AG-3, Ground Floor, Block A, Happy Mansion, Jaya, Jalan 17/13, Seksyen 17, 46400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Contact: +603 7954 4688
13. Thai-In Mookata, Selangor
Muslim-friendly: No
Meat lovers, this one’s for you! If you fancy having Thai BBQ and steamboat at the same time, you should try mu kratha. Thai-In Mookata is best over glowing charcoal with thick slices of meat, unlimited refills for vegetables and noodles when you order their sets, and a chilled bottle of Thai beer. Chon kaew!
Recommended dishes: Mookata Set C with Tom Yum Soup
Address: 6, Jalan SS 13/3e, Subang Jaya Industrial Estate, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor ; Click here for a full list of locations
Contact: +603 5613 0033
14. Kompassion, Selangor
Muslim-friendly: No
Say what, using salmon in a Thai dish? That’s how Kompassion, a contemporary Thai restaurant, does things here! Chef Kom and his team seek to challenge conventional perceptions of Thai food in Malaysia — they’ve even won an award for their authenticity! If you want to try Thai food with a fun twist that still maintains its identity, you should definitely try this hip spot.
Recommended dishes: Duck Kedondong, Spicy Crab, Mok Pla Salmon
Address: 5, Jalan SS 20/11, Damansara Kim, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Contact: +6018 289 6953
