Do you crave the perfect pad thai more than your morning coffee? Is a green curry the highlight of your week? Do you measure cities by their tom yum soup? If you nodded yes, this list is for you. From fiery Isaan dishes in a Clintonville strip mall to delicate royal cuisine downtown, these Columbus spots make Thai food not just a meal—but a destination.
Pho Asian Noodle House & Grill
$ | (614) 488-8886 | WEBSITE
The best comfort food in Columbus? A steaming bowl of Beef Spicy Noodle Soup from Pho Asian Noodle House & Grill, the reliable Asian spot that’s become a neighborhood staple. We love customizing our order with round eye from the pho instead of beef chunks (our go-to is the version with extra chili oil). That rich, sweet broth, simmered for hours, is the stuff of cravings—specifically those cravings that hit right when you’re stuck in traffic on the highway.
Erawan Thai
$ | (614) 237-9310 | WEBSITE
Just like their authentic massaman curry, each spoonful of drunken noodles at Erawan Thai defies expectations. The Thai-inspired, generously-portioned take on classic street food is spicy but balanced, savory with a hint of sweetness, and substantial enough that the hot, fresh preparation has something to build upon. It’s a meal that is, ahem, loaded-up. Plan on leftovers, and if you order the pad thai for your dinner, accept that all future Thai takeout will disappoint.
MaiThai Bangkok Street Food
$ | (614) 982-1690 | WEBSITE
The best thing about the veggie spring rolls at MaiThai Bangkok Street Food isn’t even the perfectly crisp wrapper, though that’s near the top. It’s the filling: fresh but also flavorful and balanced, with a taste satisfying enough to make you actually finish the surprisingly generous portion they put on the plate. You’ll be tempted by the Pad Ka Prao with tofu or mango sticky rice, but these spring rolls can, and deserve to, stand on their own.
Nong’s Hunan Express
$ | (614) 486-6630 | WEBSITE
You can’t leave Nong’s Hunan Express without ordering the egg rolls. All the dishes are delicious thanks to the flavorful sauces, but the Sesame Chicken—coated in that perfect sweet-savory glaze, served with crisp vegetables, and finished with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds—is our go-to. Our only regret is that they don’t offer more ingredient options for the fried rice, but maybe if enough customers ask, they’ll expand the selection.
Not that we need it with everything else being so consistently great.
Bamboo Thai Kitchen
$$ | (614) 326-1950 | WEBSITE
Bamboo Thai Kitchen’s ordering process is one of those divisive things that people argue about for the sake of arguing, but we’ve never heard anyone badmouth the Pad Thai. The base of this takeout staple is a generous tangle of rice noodles tossed with tofu or protein of choice, topped with a tamarind sauce that doesn’t overpower the fresh bean sprouts and crushed peanuts. Each bite is flavorful and balanced and perfect with a container of Tom Yum soup on the side.
Chi Thai Restaurant
$ | (614) 471-8989 | WEBSITE
It’s true—one of Columbus’s best Thai meals lives in a clean, casual space. But not just any space: Chi Thai Restaurant. Their dining area is home to white tablecloths, soft lighting, and a tucked-away bar that sets the scene for dishes like spicy noodles with chicken and spicy greens. They’re generously portioned, beautifully displayed, and served hot with great textures and flavors.
The crispy duck is the most praised, but they also have a slightly milder version with Singapore noodles and one jam-packed with tender Hunan lamb and fresh veggies.
Bangkok Grocery & Restaurant
$ | (614) 231-8787 | WEBSITE
Bangkok Grocery & Restaurant serves some of our favorite Thai food in Columbus, so it should tell you something that the best dish at this cozy spot might be the pad ba mee. Arriving steaming hot from the kitchen, it’s a noodle dish prepared with clockwork precision, with strands of chewy egg noodles, tender chicken, and crisp vegetables. The finish is a savory-sweet sauce that makes the whole thing taste like a culinary trip to Bangkok.
The quiet atmosphere lets you focus completely on the flavorful experience, while the adjacent grocery store offers hard-to-find ingredients that make the visit doubly worthwhile.
Lemongrass Fusion Bistro
$$ | (614) 224-1414 | WEBSITE
Since its arrival on the Columbus scene, Lemongrass Fusion Bistro has been the answer to every local’s craving for vibrant fusion cuisine and a lively night out. This popular spot’s menu offers a range of delicious options, from the chicken fried rice to the seafood Rangoon, but together they make a deeply satisfying meal that puts your taste buds on autopilot for the entire evening. And don’t forget to ask about happy hour deals.
The sampler plate starts disappearing the moment it hits your table, with the Zucchini Tofu Green Curry and Spicy Avocado Roll being particularly well-received standouts. Servers like Lucas provide impeccable service in the great-music-filled atmosphere, going above and beyond to ensure a pleasant dining experience that feels both affordable and special.
While the cherry blossom drink might not be for everyone, the overall combination of tasty food, vibrant energy, and exceptional service makes this bistro a reliable choice any day of the week.
Taste of Orient
$ | (614) 263-3888 | WEBSITE
People come to this unassuming spot in Columbus for steaming hot wonton soup, ultra-garlicky egg rolls, and especially mouthwatering dumplings—plump parcels filled with seasoned pork and shrimp. The wrapper is delicate yet sturdy, and gives way to a juicy, flavorful center that tastes like a cross between comfort food and culinary artistry. Just be careful: The savory filling spills when you bite in, and it does stain.
The green Thai curry arrives in generous portions, with tender chicken swimming in a fragrant coconut broth that warms you from the inside out. For only $4, the quart of wonton soup feels like a steal, each beautiful dumpling bobbing in a clear, savory broth. Sometimes they throw in a free egg roll, crispy and golden, which is much appreciated. The chicken and broccoli dish comes piled high, the broccoli still crisp-tender, the sauce clinging to each piece.
It’s all served fast, hot, and fresh, making this a go-to for reliable, tasty Asian takeout that never disappoints.