34 Best Thai Restaurants near Lake Forest

“Thai Garden Restaurant offers an exceptional dining experience that’s hard to beat. The Thai tea here is a must-try—smooth, flavorful, and perfectly balanced, making it a great start to any meal. The food is amazing, with standout dishes like the chicken dim sum, which was deliciously tender and packed with flavor. The drunken noodles were equally impressive—perfectly spiced and full of vibrant textures. Beyond the food, the service was attentive and friendly, enhancing the overall experience. The restaurant itself was spotless, maintaining a welcoming and clean atmosphere throughout. On a Tuesday evening, the place was bustling with patrons, a testament to its popularity. This speaks volumes about the quality of food and service they offer. With such a positive experience, I’ll be back. Highly recommend Thai Garden Restaurant for anyone craving authentic Thai cuisine in a comfortable setting.“

“Hidden gem for Thai food. The quiet and nondescript building doesn't bear witness to the quality of food served.
Very genuine food and polite servers who aim to please.
We shared the Pad See-Ew with Pork and Yellow Curry with Chicken and rice. We also ordered the rare Mango Sticky Rice.
This is highly recommended but save room for dessert. The meals are hearty and the mango and sticky rice are plentious.
Service is excellent and helpful.
The atmosphere is very authentic with the ongoing elephant theme throughout.“

“My favorite place for Thai food. The taste is always on point. Smaller menu than other Thai restaurants but everything is good and fresh. Service is quick and friendly. The ambiance is cozy and tastefully decorated. Small cafe type restaurant, no frills, just good food. They were under rennovation for a while but recently opened up for dining again. I saw a lot of people order carry outs while I was there.“

“Today was my first time here but the Volcano Seafood I ordered is absolutely amazing“

“Still really good food, service and atmosphere but prices continue to rise and sadly we’ll have to find another Thai restaurant that’s more affordable. Thought it was strange that Panang curry with chicken does not come with rice; we had to pay extra for a bowl of rice…?“

“It was a distinct pleasure to finally experience this highly anticipated Thai establishment. The ambiance immediately transported me to Thailand, a feeling unequivocally reinforced by the exceptional cuisine. Each dish showcased an impressive authenticity of flavor. The Green Curry with chicken was a particular highlight, perfectly satisfying a long-held craving. Additionally, the shrimp fried rice was a masterclass in balance, offering a delightful texture and exquisite taste. Beyond the culinary delights, the staff's remarkable hospitality and the impeccable cleanliness of the premises further enhanced the overall experience. I eagerly anticipate a return visit to savor the green curry again and explore more of their enticing menu.“

“I’ve been going here for over 20 years and the owners make you feel like family. Every time I call as soon as I start giving my phone number, they already know who it is. Food is amazing and my favorite is crispy orange chicken and the glass noodle soup but there are plenty of other dishes that are just as good. That’s just my top two.“

“Everything was good but the drinking water they used out of container on back counter had a bad taste just recommend getting bottled water otherwise excellent meal“

“My family orders from Diho Siam probably about once per week. Would absolutely be 5 stars as I love their food and the employees are super friendly, but it’s really disappointing how dramatically they’ve raised their prices (literally from last week to this week). Orange chicken went from $13 to $18 overnight, cream cheese wontons went from $9.50 to $12.50 etc. To raise prices so significantly really sucks for your customers.“

“Ahairn arroy mak ka!! Kob koon ka!!“

“My husband and I stopped in on a Friday evening. We were the only patrons which made me a little concerned at first but there was consistent takeout pickup the whole time we were there. Our apps were fresh and prepared to order. I had the green curry and my husband had the KUA-KRING SIAM, both had incredible flavors and just straight up delicious!“

“I ordered the Chicken pad thai (Medium Spice) not thai level spice so if I do come back, definitely getting spicy with extra spice on the side. The space inside makes you feel like you're transported back to Thailand (there was a cab in the front of the menu screen) and limited seating, a couple of tables outside. Overall rating, 4.6 stars for me, I know google doesn't give me the options for the point six. The pad thai was really good, not too mushy, chicken not over done and love that they added the Vietnamese chives ( hẹ) and bean sprouts along with peanuts, gives an extra crunch in every bite. (Menu are as of June 7, 2024)“

“We all enjoyed our food. The chicken appetizer was ok. Beef satay was good. The pad Thai, pad khee mao and massaman curry were all good. The curry had rich, warm flavor. I wish the carrots and potatoes had been a little softer (cooked longer)
There was a bit of confusion with how the spice levels worked and also what we were ordering for an appetizer and wanted to come out first versus what we were ordering for the main course.
The refrigerator makes a loud buzzing noise and it vibrates the restaurant. The wall next to us was shaking“

“Thai Brothers was recommended by our Casa Laguna concierge for a late, easy dinner. What a terrific recommendation! We enjoyed the clean, low key environment and delicious food. We were a little disappointed to learn they do not serve alcoholic beverages. A drink with dinner after our long trip would have been welcome.“

“Delicious food, great service and family own business. I try Tom yum noodle soup (Thai style). Yum!!!“

“The Pad Thai here is the best one I have tasted so far“

“Always our choice for Thai food!“

“Kinaree serves delicious Thai dishes that can be more difficult to find elsewhere and does them well with their own little twists. A friend and I stuck to the “Chef’s Highlights” portion of the menu, but we would definitely like to return to try their breakfast and brunch items if we can resist reordering some favorites. The waitress had shared that since there was a thai restaurant in the plaza, they had to make a unique menu to set themselves apart which is how the thai fusion brunch menu came to be.

We visited on a Monday afternoon and they only had a few other tables. The pandan sweet tea was subtly sweet and had the right amount of aroma from the pandan. The crab cakes were crispy on the outside and packed full of flavor. The tom yum hot pot had tons of seafood and packed with ramen noodles. Definitely tasted better warm, so try this one first if ordering multiple dishes. Khao soi had the depth of flavor you would want from the curry, although I found it to be slightly on the more watery side. I like the array of proteins you can choose from chicken, beef, blue crab, etc. The STAR of the meal was the fried fish with apple salad. As a big fan of this dish, I can say that they made this perfectly crispy with tender fish inside and a fresh apple salad packed full of herbs that just hits the spot! A def must try! I even ordered one to go as well as their crab fried rice that was super fresh and scrumptious! Unfortunately, they were out of their thai tea cheesecake, but the roti with coconut ice cream was a yummy way to end the meal. What can go wrong with indulging in a warm crispy dough topped with creamy coconut ice cream. Cannot wait to return!“

“We’re so lucky to have this Thai restaurant in our local neighborhood! Every dish is packed with authentic flavor from the perfectly balanced Pad Thai to the rich and creamy Panang curry, it’s clear the chefs take pride in every plate. The ingredients are fresh, the portions are generous, and the spice levels are just right (with options to adjust if you like it milder or hotter).

Our go to favorites are their house fried rice and the spicy eggplant curry beef both absolutely delicious and full of flavor. We also love their Thai Iced Tea, which is always perfectly chilled and creamy a great way to round out the meal.

The staff are always welcoming and treat you like family. Service is quick, friendly, and attentive without being intrusive.

Whether you’re grabbing a casual lunch or celebrating a special dinner, this place never disappoints. A must-visit spot if you love Thai food or if you’re just ready to fall in love with it!“

“Whenever I get a craving for Thai this is my go to spot. The food is authentic delicious and Just plain beautiful. The prices are reasonable the portions are large. The atmosphere can be busy, but comforting and relaxing, like a coffeehouse. The hustle and bustle of people coming in doesn’t distract from the atmosphere. In fact, it adds to it. I have always judged a Thai restaurant by their Tom kha kai. The first time I had it here I knew I was in for some good Thai. I’ve been making Tom kha gai at home for years now I know how it’s done and the subtleties of the ingredients. I highly recommend this restaurant.“

“From the service to the food, everything was amazing! My new favorite restaurant!!!“

“I had an amazing meal at Thai Spice! The Shrimp Fried Rice was perfectly seasoned — flavorful without being greasy, and the shrimp were fresh and tender. The Shrimp Chow Mein had just the right balance of savory sauce, crisp veggies, and chewy noodles — so satisfying. And to finish off, the Mango Sticky Rice was absolutely delicious — the mango was sweet and ripe, and the sticky rice was perfectly creamy with coconut flavor.

Great portions, friendly service, and a cozy atmosphere. Definitely one of my new favorite Thai spots in Irvine!“

“This is a hidden gem that you initially think is a generic chain, but it isn't. There are only two locations and the flavors are out of this world. This took Thai from being a place I'd rather not eat at to being my #1 type of food. It's simply that insanely delicious. If you aren't sure what to get, try the Crying Tiger, it's my favorite. Their lunch special is very generous: soup, salad, huge pile of rice, veggies and meat for ~$15. I usually get a to-go container and have it for lunch again the next day, it's easily two portions.“

“The food is delicious...and the staff at the restaurant are very good. The owner is friendly and lovely.“

“Thai Bamboo Bistro has great food and nice decor. Their Thai Iced Tea is really good, as has been everything I have ordered there, whether it be a shrimp, beef, or chicken dish. Their soups are good too. This cute place has good, prompt, friendly service and good prices. They have a large TV on mute for watching sports or other programs. This place is highly recommended for a delicious lunch or dinner. They have a loyal clientele and quick seating.“

“I’ve previously ordered take out from Thai Kitchen and enjoyed the generous portions and great options. I dined in-person and the service was great — very friendly and proactive with making sure I had everything I needed. Bamboo Royale and Pad Kee Mow are my favorite dishes. Highly recommend!“

“Went here after the beach, first time trying Thai food and wasn’t too impressed with the food. Nothing was bad but nothing crazy good, it was moderately good. Had a lot of variety and came with 7 people( including myself ) it costed around 210$. The price is a little bit ridiculous. It should’ve been around 170-180$ before tip. Overall not too impressed with the quality and taste of the food but did enjoy my time there.“

“I enjoyed the smoked spare ribs and the spicy stir fried prawns with veg Dessert was great too“

“As others have said, tastes great, but the value isn’t there with the tiny portions. Owners, Please take a look at your portions and cogs. At the current price point, I don’t understand why a healthy serving isn’t possible. Even the soup is only half the container… come on.“

“This is one of the best Thai restaurants I have been to. The Drunken Noodle is always our top priority, SUPER DELICIOUS!!! Because they use FRESH ingredients. Usually, I ask for less oil and they did it. The service is also wonderful!!!The Crying Tiger is yummy.......Ask for medium rare. The Thai sampler is also great !!!.....You can taste many kinds of appetizers in 1 order. The Thai ice tea in this restaurant is the best Thai tea compared to other Thai teas in other places. One more thing, the Angel Wings are super big and inexpensive. We ordered Pineapple fried rice for a friend and he said it's delicious!!!We have been a regular going to this restaurant for more than 10 years with those same orders and never get tired of the food.“

“Nara is a top-tier experience! The food is authentic to the true flavors of Thailand, and every dish is rich and layered with flavors.

It’s clear that every detail was highly considered, from the atmosphere of the setting, to the authentic Thai dishes, to the presentation of each plate. And the team is amazing! Fiona and Michael are wonderful hosts, Joel is a humble and skilled chef, and Sofia and Tara are a lovely, attentive, and beautiful presence. I will absolutely return again!“

“Outstanding freshness of their fish and great service 😀“

“Had a blast with my family 👪 ❤“

“I don’t get why this place doesn’t have more people come in , owner is really friendly, food is amazing especially the chicken pad Thai and coconut curry. It has the vibe and atmosphere of such a homey and comforting place; I only get this food as comfort and every single time it guarantees me that I feel better. Such an amazing low-key gem thay I hope more people discover“