There has never been a better time to indulge in Thai and Laotian food in Houston. While the city has long played host to a myriad of family-run restaurants, Houston has recently seen an influx of chef-led eateries that have provided much-needed variety to the local food-scape.
Laotian food often falls under the umbrella of Thai cuisine, but it hails from Laos, the Southeast Asian country that borders Thailand. While there is plenty of overlap between dishes, there are certain distinctions, from differing ingredients and flavor profiles to cooking methods. Today, the cuisine is better represented in Houston, with restaurants like Sao Lao in Garden Oaks and Lao’d District in Asiatown making their mark.
James Beard Award-winning Thai? Check. Street food-style Laotian? You’ll find that aplenty. Royal Thai cuisine? Houston has that now, too. Whether you’re in the mood for a casual evening spent sipping Singha beer and dining on classics, or rather jonesing for a luxe night out where caviar-topped dishes entice, there is something to please your palate. Consider this list of Houston’s top Thai and Laotian restaurants when a craving for fiery panang curry or steamy boat noodles hits.
Nidda Thai Cuisine
Nidda Thai Cuisine, one of Houston’s oldest Thai restaurants, has had many names since it first opened in the early ‘80s. What has remained the same is the community the restaurant has built around all things Thai food. The Montrose retail strip gem is a reliable place to sip on Singha beer, while relishing in classics like green papaya salad ($12); deep-fried fish cakes ($8), called tod mun pla; and a dizzying variety of curries. If you’re looking for a real delight, treat yourself to the basil duck ($23), a potent dish served in basil sauce with carrots, bell peppers, and crispy basil leaves. 1226 Westheimer Rd., Houston, niddathaicuisine.com
Street to Kitchen
Few Thai restaurants in Houston are as hallowed as Street to Kitchen, chef Benchawan Jabthong Painter’s East End staple. The restaurant, which was previously housed in a gas station strip center before relocating to more spacious digs within the Plant development in Second Ward, was thrust in the national spotlight when Painter snagged the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Texas in 2023. It’s easy to see why. Street to Kitchen’s “unapologetically, authentically Thai” menu doesn’t skimp on spice. Expect fiery renditions of tom yum soup ($22), drunken noodles ($20), and massaman curry ($24) that will leave you downing every glass of water within reach—and perhaps a frozen Thai Tea cocktail or two for good measure. 3401 Harrisburg Blvd. Ste. G, Houston, streettokitchen.com
Sao Lao Thai Cafe
Sao Lao is a casual, counter service restaurant, suitable for a fast lunch or a low-key or an intimate date night. There are a number of worthy curry and rice dishes, but it’s the restaurant’s signature boat noodles ($18) that should be on every Houston foodie’s bucket list. The 40 ingredient-soup features everything from ribeye steak and rice noodles to beef broth cooked with pig’s blood. The hearty dish is a testament to the brilliance of chef and owner, Souli Phaduangdet, who is of mixed Thai and Laotian heritage. Did we mention it’s BYOB? 5013 N. Shepherd Dr., Houston, saolaothaicafehtx.com
Thai Kun
Thai Kun originated in Austin, from Bangkok native Thai Changthong and James Beard Award winning chef Paul Qui, who met while working together at Uchi and Uchiko. Although its Houston outpost is housed in a seemingly diminutive stall in Downtown’s POST Market, it’s garnered impressive laurels over the years. It has a minimalist menu centered around the classics. Consider starting with the tamarind chili wings ($12) and chive cakes ($8), before settling with the slow-cooked beef panang curry ($17), one of the spiciest renditions of the dish to be found in town. 401 Franklin St. Ste. 1225, Houston, thaikun.com
MaKiin
Housed on the street-level of luxury residential tower, Hanover River Oaks, MaKiin is the brainchild of Lukkaew Srasrisuwan, who also operates Kin Dee in the Heights and Thai Tail in Montrose. It is among Houston’s only Thai restaurants that showcases “Royal Thai” cuisine. What is Royal Thai? Renowned for its meticulous balance of flavors and striking presentation, the cuisine was traditionally reserved for Thai royalty. At MaKiin, a luxe menu created by Thai chefs Aphassorn Predawan and Eakkapan Ngammuang, highlights dishes like soft shell crab papaya salad ($23) and an uber-fancy pad Thai with lobster ($32). Here, you’ll want to have your camera ready. 2651 Kipling St. Ste. 101, Houston, makiinthai.com
Lao’d District
While Houston has a handful of Lao-Thai restaurants, it wasn’t until Lao’d District opened on Bellaire in Asiatown in 2022 that the city gained its first truly Lao-focused spot. While Thai food tends to be spicier, Lao food centers more around fermented ingredients and can lean sour, or bitter. At this fast-casual spot, must-haves include the Thai roti canai ($7); traditional curry soup, called khao poon ($14); and a crispy rice salad, called nam khao ($14). Lao’d District also has an extensive beverage menu and hard-to-find desserts like durian ice cream ($4)–don’t knock it until you try it. 9393 Bellaire Blvd. Ste. B, Houston, laoddistrict.com
