33 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.“

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

“Food is consistently great. Not many Thai restaurants have kanom jeen green curry on their menu. Kiddo and friends are particular about what they want in their food...thankful for their accomodation of omissions and additions and food still taste great 👍“

“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.“

“Chose Kra Pow cause it's street food but instead of a fried egg with a runny yolk on top of the pork, basil (not enough), and rice the egg was cooked all the way through. I was told it would be authentic but it was not. Dish was spiced right so that was good.“

“Ahairn arroy mak ka!! Kob koon ka!!“

“These are the types of food joints I look for! Authentic owners and flavor. I enjoyed the Chicken Tom Yum with some Sticky Rice and Prik Nam Pla.... But they actually serve you up with a full spice rack anyhow as they should!

The soup was flavorful plenty of protein and encapsulated all of the ingredients, sticky rice done to perfection!“

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

“I really love this place. I go to so many Thai restaurants and they make the best Tom Yum Soup the way i like it! Do yourself a favor and try this place out it has flavor I recommended. It’s my top place to go my first place. I’ll ever go here in Mission Viejo. I would say if you’re looking for a Thai place to eat this is the place you have to go The owner Thatri, he will make your food delicious I recommend it!!! Thanks for always making my meal. I appreciate it!“

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

“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“

“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“

“As a native Thai visiting Laguna beach I'm pretty surprised that I can find authentic Thai food in this area. I've been here twice already and the food is really great. They use great beef quality. They put a lot of Thai ingredients that you may not be able to find at other Thai restaurants here. Their dishes are really great qualities. I love their beef salad, Thai fried rice, drunken noodles, beef pad kaprao, and if they have mango sticky rice definitely try it! I just took my family there the other day and my family was happy with the food. Usually my dad is pretty picky with food and he only loves Thai food. Definitely come check out this place if you are in the area and crave for Thai food.“

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

“Always our choice for Thai food!“

“I had a delightful experience at this establishment. It felt very family oriented and extremely friendly. The food was amazing. I ordered the Shrimp Drunken noodles (Pad kee mao). I had them add chicken and a fried egg to my order. It tasted so fresh! Its probably the freshest Drunken noodles I've ever had in my entire life. I also ordered the Laos Sausage and was blown away at the flavor. I will become a regular customer after my frist experience.“

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

“This place seriously just made my whole week. The food came out super fast and it was all so fresh and flavorful, I basically cleaned my plate without stopping. I got the mussaman curry and it had that perfect mix of sweet and savory with huge chunks of potato and tender chicken. My friend had the pad thai and they said it was the best theyve had in a while too. We just kept talking and eating way longer than we planned because no one wanted to leave. Already trying to figure out when I can come back.“

“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.“

“What a very nice find. We travel to the OC to see an acupuncturist down the road a tad and stopped for a late 2pm lunch. Great Pad Thai and yellow chicken curry. The Thai Ice tea was delicious though a tiny bit more ice than expected, so somewhat watered down. Very nice people!!“

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

“Really impressed by how consistent this place is. I’ve ordered from multiple locations and the quality has always been solid. The Hainan chicken is flavorful, the broth is comforting, and everything tastes fresh. It’s healthy without feeling boring. Perfect quick lunch option when you want something filling but not too heavy.“

“I firmly believe every man needs a local Thai restaurant in their lives, and this is mine.

I've been in the area for over 5 years and this has been my answer every time I'm craving Thai food. Delicious, fast service, and they have great daily deals on certain dishes. It's hard not to get Pad Thai every Monday....

A word of warning to those who do not have experience with spicy food: MILD at this place has a kick more than you are expecting. It's VERY GOOD, but if you consider yourself a person who only likes a little bit of spice, you should absolutely stick with MILD and not go higher. If you're a spice fiend, climb the ranks and see what works for you.“

“What a good find.
I was driving by, starving, and I decided to try. OMG! DELICIOIS!!!

The only problem is that the portions are too small. I wish I had more time to order another one.

I will be back.“

“Thai Bite is one of the stronger Thai food options in the area, especially for takeout or a quick dine-in meal. It focuses on flavor and consistency without overextending the menu.

Dishes like pad thai, curries, and fried rice all come out well balanced. Portions are fair, and spice levels are customizable.

As someone who works locally, this is a practical recommendation when clients want something quick but still quality. Clients ask me about places like this when they’re looking for dependable takeout options.

Parking is easy, service is quick.

It’s a solid, repeatable choice.“

“We've been a Thai Bite customer for ten years and quality of food and service never diminish. They add new and delucious recipes to their ensemble every now and then that widens options and makes them more interesting.
No complaints just commendations.“

“Outstanding freshness of their fish and great service 😀“

“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!“

“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“

“Had a blast with my family 👪 ❤“