Mountain View has roughly two dining moods: ‘Craving pad thai’ and ‘Need green curry STAT.’ But sometimes, even when your spice tolerance feels questionable, you still want authentic Thai. And at the spots on this list, which all deliver bold flavors without compromise, that’s entirely possible. You won’t even need to chug a gallon of water or question your life choices.
Kurated Kitchen
$ | (408) 430-3450 | WEBSITE
Kurated Kitchen is a Mountain View staple, where there’s almost always a line of cars waiting to pick up tofu pad thai, fried tofu rice bowls, burgers, garlic fries, and more. If you don’t feel like waiting in that line of cars, park at the back, head inside, order at the counter, and eat your food there.
They have a great modern dining area that’s so much less stressful than the drive-through, and a perfect place to dig into some papaya salad while enjoying a quick bite or working on your laptop.
A Thai Express
$ | (510) 659-1303 | WEBSITE
A Thai Express feels like that reliable neighborhood spot where you’d grab dinner after a long day. But unlike some takeout joints with fluorescent lighting and sticky floors, it has a quiet, family-run atmosphere that’s a welcome relief. Here, you can settle into a simple booth with loved ones under the soft overhead lights and catch up on the week while sharing generous portions with authentic flavors—like sesame chicken and Kung Pao chicken.
Listen to the quiet hum of the kitchen after filling up on a heaping plate. Then debate whether to save room for more, since the fast service means you’ll be home with leftovers in no time.
Bai Tong
$$ | (408) 872-1319 | WEBSITE
Bai Tong is a cozy Thai spot tucked away in Saratoga, where the parking lot behind the building feels like a secret treasure map leading to authentic flavors. While we really enjoy Bai Tong’s interior—which feels like eating inside a warm, spice-scented hug—the overall vibe is every bit as inviting. It has simple wooden tables and friendly staff that make you feel like you’re on a culinary adventure even if you’re just grabbing dinner.
It’s all within a modest space too, which keeps just about every table feeling intimate and personal. It’s a perfect setting to enjoy some standout Pad Khee Mao with beef, chicken satay, or savory laab while you try not to think too hard about the fact that it’s a bit pricier than other Thai places, but the quality makes every dollar sing.
Thaiphoon Restaurant
$$ | (650) 323-7700 | WEBSITE
This Thai spot is no ordinary takeout joint. Thaiphoon serves authentic Thai cuisine but doesn’t let you forget you’re in Mountain View either. The dining area has large windows that blend in with Thaiphoon’s covered patio lined with simple greenery. Overhead, soft lighting keeps things bright as you eat the kind of fresh, flavorful dishes you’d expect at a great neighborhood restaurant: vibrant Red Bamboo Curry dotted with tender chicken that looks like a colorful masterpiece.
And no visit to Thaiphoon is complete without the dessert you almost don’t even have to ask for: sweet mango with sticky rice and a refreshing young coconut.
Thai Bangkok Cuisine
$$ | (669) 342-7300 | WEBSITE
Since opening its doors, this spot has been a reliable choice for authentic Thai food in Mountain View, where you can enjoy a satisfying meal in a colorful, welcoming atmosphere. And after all these visits, it’s still a good option because it’s flavorful, straightforward, and wonderfully unpretentious. The homey, old-fashioned setting (our favorite place to dine) provides a comfortable backdrop for a meal when you’re craving something hearty and homemade.
Start with some chicken satay, listen closely to the friendly staff’s recommendations, and if you’re in the mood for something rich and creamy, you know what to do.
Khao Kang Thai Kitchen
$$ | (650) 960-7100 | WEBSITE
Not every single table at Khao Kang Thai Kitchen is spacious—but the majority of the seating at this Castro Street favorite (as well as the entire counter area) is arranged in a cozy layout. And you can still enjoy the fantastic Thai flavors from those compact tables, too. Khao Kang is a sort of hybrid between a quick-service spot and a casual dining destination.
We like their samosa and pretty much anything that involves the word “curry.” There are also a ton of regulars, and chances are they’re ordering whatever dish you want to try.
Dusita Thai Cuisine
$$ | (408) 247-5199 | WEBSITE
Dusita Thai Cuisine is always one of the first places we recommend for Thai food in Mountain View. The reason: this place is great, in so many ways. The Thai menu—with dishes like yellow curry, basil fried rice, and more—never disappoints. Plus, their dining room is so welcoming. The Mountain View restaurant looks like it got transported straight from Bangkok and dropped into California, magic carpet-style.
And thanks to friendly service, generous portions, and adjustable spice levels, it’s possible to enjoy authentic flavors here anytime.
Indochine
$ | (650) 853-1238 | WEBSITE
Not only does Indochine have one of the best menus for dietary restrictions in Mountain View—gluten-free, dairy-free, onion-free, and garlic-free options abound—but it’s casual enough to stop by here after work or on a weekend afternoon. The restaurant is located in a cozy family-run space and is completely relaxed, which is good because this is mostly a lunch and early dinner spot.
To sit inside, have some Honey Walnut Prawns or Velvet Walnut Shrimp, and watch the friendly owner serve regulars is really why you should come here. But the food—mostly curries, chicken dishes, and noodle plates—is solid.
Amarin Thai cuisine #2
$$ | (650) 282-5434 | WEBSITE
Amarin Thai Cuisine #2 makes some of the best authentic Thai food in Mountain View. They serve Panang curry, Pad Kee Mao, basil chicken, yellow curry, beef noodle soup, crispy fried chicken, satay chicken, and samosas that come in very big portions with sides of rice. From the street, it looks like a smaller space than the original location. But after you enter, you’ll find the quiet dining area.
It’s a really peaceful space with limited tables, a couple of attentive staff members, a flexible menu for modifications, and a few cozy corners you’re welcome to use in case you overdid it with the Panang curry. There’s lots of efficient service too, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a table safe from the papaya salad disappointment.
Thai House Restaurant
$$ | (650) 299-9495 | WEBSITE
Thai House Restaurant feels like it might wrap you in a warm blanket and tell you a comforting story at any moment. The intimate establishment is known for its delicious Thai food, and it has a cozy atmosphere that extends throughout the dining room. This means the indoor seating here (which is pretty much the only place to sit) is always inviting. So it’s a good place to be on a chilly evening, especially if you’re craving curry.
The green curry (with its wonderful balance of sweet, sour, and savory flavors) is a good one to order if you believe a dish can never have too much flavor.
Thai Basil Restaurant
$ | (408) 773-1098 | WEBSITE
The dining space at this Thai spot in Mountain View is cozy and straightforward. Your main seating options are at simple wooden tables or along a narrow counter by the window. Both areas are clean and functional, and the counter offers a slightly better view of the street activity. But if you choose a table near the back, you’ll have a view of the kitchen pass-through—where there’s a steady flow of steaming plates and servers move with practiced efficiency.
If it’s one of those evenings where you crave something comforting, warm up with a bowl of tom yum—aromatic broth, plump shrimp, mushrooms, lemongrass, and lime.
Siam Taste
$$ | (408) 245-8585 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for authentic Thai food in Mountain View, Siam Taste is always an option. This cozy, inviting restaurant feels a little more like a neighborhood gem than a typical strip mall spot. And that can be a good thing, if you’re in the mood for rich curries, perfectly cooked rice dishes, and friendly service.
The Green curry with prawns remains a popular choice, but no matter what you order, you’ll be satisfied thanks to the clean environment and pleasant atmosphere that fills the entire dining room.
Karakade Thai Cuisine
$$ | (650) 365-4079 | WEBSITE
Karakade Thai Cuisine is located in a bustling Mountain View strip mall. And the authentic Southern Thai flavors are definitely the main attraction (the atmosphere isn’t quite as impressive). The bulk of the seating is at simple wooden tables, and the ones that aren’t usually have their own little cushion to help soften the experience. Stick to traditional dishes or simple stuff like the green curry.
This is a genuine Thai spot in Silicon Valley (a flavorful one, nonetheless) so be prepared for that curry to be around $18.