This article has links to products and services we love, which we may make commission from.
Looking for the best Thai restaurants in Edinburgh? Whether you’re searching for authentic pad Thai to eat with pals, satay with a stunning view for date night, or a Thai takeaway to gorge on, this guide details the tastiest Thai options for all budgets and occasions.
Old Town Thai Restaurants
Ting Thai Caravan – Best Thai For Casual and Cheap Eats
Ting Thai Caravan is a gateway to Thai food in Edinburgh for many.
Due to its overwhelming popularity, there are now two locations in Edinburgh and one in Glasgow.
The original (8-9 Teviot Place) is always packed with students so expect a line outside to get a seat.
Ting Thai Caravan’s Lothian Road restaurant (55-57) is bigger.
The dining environment encourages quick feeds, with this ethos being backed by its no reservation policy.
The menu focuses on authentic Thai street food and according to the website, was first trialled by chefs, Ting and Ae Tapparat, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival back in 2012.
While Ting Thai Caravan is marketed as being owned by the Thai chefs, restaurateur Malcolm Innes is referred to as the owner online.
Innes also owns Ting Thai Caravan’s sister restaurant, Saboteur and The Outsider on George IV Bridge.
There are two menus, ‘sun up’ for lunch and a more extensive ‘sun down’ dinner menu.
Dry meals such as the noodle dishes are served in brown street food cartons while soups and curries come in bowls.
We like how the menu sets out exactly what is in each meal – Ting Thai Caravan knows some of their audience need this description with no surprises thrown in!
Gluten-free and vegan options are indicated on the menu.
Reviews always state that Ting Thai Caravan is great value for money, perfect for the student quarter!
If you are interested in finding out how much a trip to Edinburgh costs, check out this guide.
Soft and alcoholic drinks are available for purchase so you can sip a crisp Singha with your pad Thai and pretend you are really dining among the madness of Khaosan Road.
Look out for the moving image with the dog. No, you’ve not OD’d on rum in buckets, it’s just a trippy picture.
Ting Thai Caravan also does Thai takeaway for delivery and collection.
Nok’s Kitchen On The Castle – Best Thai For Presentation
Ask a group of Edinburgh locals what their favourite Thai restaurant in Edinburgh is and Nok’s Kitchen will be repeatedly recommended.
This family-owned Thai eatery has two locations, one restaurant in the trendy Stockbridge neighbourhood of Edinburgh and the second sits in the shadows of Edinburgh Castle on Johnston Terrace.
If you like to take photos of your food, Nok’s Kitchen’s presentation will blow you away.
Pad Thai is served in a basket, the Pad Ka Prow is stuffed into a pepper and the satay sticks come pierced into a slice of pineapple.
The food is quick, clean and creative.
The menu has all of your Thai favourites such as pad Thai, massaman curry and the signature dish is the Nok Nutty Curry.
The drinks menu includes teas, soft drinks, Asian beers and wine.
Nok’s Kitchen also has the option for online ordering on their website.
Local tip: Parking in Edinburgh is a nightmare but if you reserve a table for after 18:30 you can enjoy free parking on Johnston Terrace.
Krua Khun Mae – Hidden Gem in the Old Town
Tucked away down the narrow Craig’s Close just off busy Cockburn Street is a lesser-known Thai restaurant called Krua Khun Mae.
Expect traditional Thai decor, friendly staff and hearty portions.
Low lighting and the secret close location gives Krua Khun Mae a bit of a speakeasy feel to it which is ideal for a quiet date night with lengthy chats over good food or a lively catch up with pals.
If the conversation dries up you can always discuss what’s under the glass in your table…
City Centre Thai Restaurants
Chaophraya – Best Thai For Special Occasions and Castle Views
The whole experience of dining at Chaophraya is boujee.
Take the elevator up to the 4th floor of 33 Castle Street and follow the black and gold decor to the front desk.
Confirm your reservation and follow your server to your seat.
Hopefully, you’ve booked a table on the terrace and if you are really trying to impress your dining companions, request a seat with Edinburgh Castle views.
Chaophraya is one of the few restaurants that have castle views but it isn’t just about the location, the food is tasty.
The extensive Thai food menu includes nibbles, starters, soups, sharing platters which are ideal for first-time customers, stir-fry, salads, curry and food from the grill.
The menu indicates which meals are vegetarian and vegan.
It also identifies how hot the dish is!
If you’re not sure what to choose, just ask your server and if you have any allergies you need to let them know when ordering.
My MIL who owns a catering business is, let’s say, quite difficult to please when it comes to dining out and she adores Chaophraya so take our word for it, this Edinburgh Thai restaurant comes highly recommended.
As with the food menu, there is lots of choice on the drinks menu including an array of cocktails including classics, desserts and concoctions you’d find at a Thai beach resort!
The drinks menu also features beer such as Chang, wine, soft drinks and non-alcoholic cocktails.
Chaophraya is owned by Khun Kim and Martin who met in Bangkok when Kim was serving award-winning pad Thai from her local stall.
The couple moved to the UK and have been serving Thai food in Edinburgh since then.
It is recommended that you reserve a table, especially from Thursday to Sunday if you don’t want to miss out on Thai with a view.
Chaophraya is the perfect setting for a special family meal, celebration with friends, work event or date night, especially since it is known as the ‘rooftop Thai restaurant in Edinburgh’!
You won’t be surprised to hear that Chaophraya features in our most romantic restaurants in Edinburgh guide and hen party ideas.
Southside Thai Restaurants
If we’re being pedantic, the Teviot Place Ting Thai Caravan is technically in the Southside however, visitors would wander as far as the Meadows so we’ll leave it in the Old Town section and hope that locals give us a pass.
Passorn
Passorn (23-23a Brougham Pl) is an award-winning Thai in Edinburgh.
The word ‘passorn’ means angel, we love the halo on the logo.
First launched in December 2009 by Cindy Sirapassorn, Passorn has gone on to win a ‘Bib Gourmand’ in the Michelin Guide for 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018.
There is a set menu but there was some room to adapt a non-tofu dish to tofu which was appreciated.
Starters include your typical spring rolls and not-so-typical purple dumplings!
Look out for pre-theatre deals if you are looking to enjoy Thai food on a budget.
Passorn is minutes away from The Meadows, perfectly situated for a post-meal walk!
Soi 38 – Take Away Or Dine In
Soi 38 (38 – 40 Clerk Street) is predominantly an Edinburgh Thai takeaway but there are few tables in the room attached to the take out counter for customers to dine at.
Most mains on the menu are under £10 making this a very affordable Thai option which makes sense as it is located in the Newington studenty area of the city.
Food is quick, fresh and the staff banter is electric.
Soi 38 is next to one of our favourite pubs, The Dog House!
A few drinks and a Soi 38 pad Thai sounds like a magic night out to us.
Alternatively, stay at home and order delivery.
Stockbridge Thai Restaurants
Street Box – Thai Street Food Takeaway
Street Box (53 Raeburn Place) is a popular Thai takeaway in Stockbridge.
The small restaurant does have two small tables and a couple of window seats but since seating is limited there is no guarantee you can dine in.
Alternatively, you can take your order out to Saunders Street or Inverleith Park. Both areas have benches.
The succinct menu is overseen by The Box’s Head Chef, Jo, who has been cooking Thai food for over 20 years.
Most mains are under £10.
I’ve dined here a few times and have Street Box to thank for helping my husband finally find a Thai dish he can eat, even after five weeks in Southeast Asia!
You May Also Like Our Other Food Guides
- Best Brunch in Edinburgh
- Best Sushi in Edinburgh
- Best Pizza in Edinburgh
- Best Mexican Food in Edinburgh
- Beer Gardens and Terraces
- Lovely Afternoon Tea Spots
- What to Eat in Edinburgh
- All Food and Drink Guides