The food was spectacular, the beef stir fry they have (which I was skeptical of when my family ordered, sounded good but sorta basic) was my favorite dish of this year and last year, it was sooooo good!!! It was incredibly flavorful and so tender.To top that off the owner was walking around the room, charming folks and checking in, all the service felt attentive but not invasive or overbearing, I felt incredibly respected and appreciated while there. I told them it was my parent’s wedding anniversary and they complimented them on it multiple times, all of the staff suddenly knew and they got a free appetizer to congratulate them. It really was a special experience from start to finish. I don’t go to a lot of fine dining but I expected the portions to be tiny and the atmosphere to be haughty, it was not! Very bubbly and fun atmosphere, good spacing between our table and others, the portions were perfect and the kitchen was a machine with cranking out spectacular dish after spectacular dish! I am moving out of town soon, but I would come back and eat here as a special event. It was really that good.My knowledge of Thai food is limited to pad Thai and Tom Yum, this experience has made me want to try more Thai food and branch out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Goong Ob Woon Sen, Shaw Muang Dumplings, Tom Kha Colada, Gui Chai
Rachel
While expensive, loved the tom yum soup and pork belly!!
Samantha Thorne
SPICY! Very limited food options with mild spice level. The shaved ice for dessert stole the show. Highly recommend the shaved ice!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
behn farahpour
It's a really good thai meal. the lychee negronie was amazing. the barramundi dish was to die for. just word advice the yellow curry with chichen is super spicy. the interior was super airy and tropical feel to it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeff Little
Exceptional service food came out rapidly definitely recommend this
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anne Disalvatore
Not many vegan options but what was, was delicious ! My partner said that the flavors are just like the food they've had in
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kia Hicks
Wow, I can't say enough. Great date spot for lunch. Soooo delicious. I will be back for more!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crabmeat Curry
Mark Henninger
I almost thought the food and service was decent.But the price versus portion equation squashed that. Big bucks for pork and chicken.The selection of beers is inexplicably poor. The lack of any hot coffee to finish the meal is another minus, our server joked it’s because it is hot in Thailand so they only have cold drinks. Which, OK but it’s early March in Philly. That’s where we actually are, and stocking good beer plus hot coffee is not so tough.For the money you should get something more than what (to my sensibility) came across as a Las Vegas restaurant trying super hard to not be a Las Vegas restaurant. I don't know how else to put it.Overpriced form over function in a very attractive space. Lots of date night couples at the two seat tables. If you are OK to pay too much for food in order to people watch then it is 5 stars.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Jaana Ras
We sat at the bar, and had amazing time with our Bartender Ali! She’s very knowledgeable of the menu, and will definitely provide great advice on how to best utilize the menu to have an amazing meal! The flavors are amazing, the service is prompt, and all the attention to detail is present! A must visit if you’re in Philadelphia and love food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crabmeat Curry
Grant Austin
My sister and I had the pleasure of dining at Kalaya recently, and it was an experience that left us both thoroughly impressed. Given my sister’s shellfish allergy, we’re always a bit cautious when trying new places, especially ones known for their seafood. However, Kalaya’s staff were incredibly accommodating, making sure she could enjoy the meal worry-free.We started off with the Shaw Muang and Gui Chai, both of which were delightful. The dumplings were a hit with us for their unique presentation and taste, and the crispy rice cakes were just the right blend of spicy and sweet.One of the highlights was the Moo Yaang Prik—a Berkshire pork chop that was just divine. The blend of flavors was spot on, making each bite better than the last. I also indulged in the Ngob Khao Ping, which was a wonderful mix of curry, shrimp, and coconut. It’s not often you find a dish that balances its ingredients so well, but this one did just that.The main dishes, Nua Pad King and Sua Rong Hai, were both spectacular. The beef tenderloin and grilled skirt steak were cooked perfectly, and the flavors were rich and satisfying. It’s clear that Kalaya puts a lot of thought and care into their dishes.We couldn’t resist trying some of their signature cocktails, and I’m glad we did. The Mora and Tani were both unique and refreshing, and the Ya Dong shots were a fun and adventurous way to end our meal.What made our visit to Kalaya truly special wasn’t just the delicious food but the warmth and hospitality we received. It’s rare to find a place that not only meets but exceeds your expectations in every way. I loved everything we ordered, and the care taken to accommodate my sister’s allergy was beyond what we’ve experienced at most restaurants.In all, Kalaya isn’t just about great Thai food; it’s about creating a memorable dining experience that makes you feel welcome and valued. I can’t recommend it enough and can’t wait to return. Five stars for an unforgettable evening.Vegetarian options: There were optionsDietary restrictions: Was able to handle a shellfish allergyParking: It’s philly. It’s hard to park
We went here for a birthday dinner for one of my girlfriend's birthdays! The food was amazing and very flavorful with every bite (very spicy but we love spice). We will be coming back again for sure.I had to deduct a star for the cake cutting fee. We brought a cake to celebrate our friend's birthday and I was told of their "cake cutting fee" but I assumed it was a one time flat fee, but it was actually a $6 fee PER PERSON (this totaled more than the cost of our cake as there was 7 of us....). Oh well, it was my fault for not clarifying but I wish this was stated somewhere on their websites or social medias so I we wouldnt be hit with this fee by surprise. Next time when we come back for dinner, we probably won't be bringing our own cakes anymore or celebrating special occasions here. If you plan about bringing a cake to celebrate something I would think twice about it.
Ryan Becker
Sat at the bar. Food and service was superb. Barramundi was excellent. Reservations required. Eat here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Robert Mallard
One of the best dining experiences I’ve had in
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Susie Su
Food was a little bit on the sweeter side but delicious nonetheless. We recommend the:- pork chop appetizer- crab fried riceNote that the lunch and dinner menu are drastically different, I recommend reading the menus first before deciding what time of day to go.Open air and beautiful space. Great for friends gatherings.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crab Fried Rice
Harshal Shah
Not many vegetarian options. Not your traditional Thai
The food was spectacular, the beef stir fry they have (which I was skeptical of when my family ordered, sounded good but sorta basic) was my favorite dish of this year and last year, it was sooooo good!!! It was incredibly flavorful and so tender.To top that off the owner was walking around the room, charming folks and checking in, all the service felt attentive but not invasive or overbearing, I felt incredibly respected and appreciated while there. I told them it was my parent’s wedding anniversary and they complimented them on it multiple times, all of the staff suddenly knew and they got a free appetizer to congratulate them. It really was a special experience from start to finish. I don’t go to a lot of fine dining but I expected the portions to be tiny and the atmosphere to be haughty, it was not! Very bubbly and fun atmosphere, good spacing between our table and others, the portions were perfect and the kitchen was a machine with cranking out spectacular dish after spectacular dish! I am moving out of town soon, but I would come back and eat here as a special event. It was really that good.My knowledge of Thai food is limited to pad Thai and Tom Yum, this experience has made me want to try more Thai food and branch out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Goong Ob Woon Sen, Shaw Muang Dumplings, Tom Kha Colada, Gui Chai
While expensive, loved the tom yum soup and pork belly!!
SPICY! Very limited food options with mild spice level. The shaved ice for dessert stole the show. Highly recommend the shaved ice!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
It's a really good thai meal. the lychee negronie was amazing. the barramundi dish was to die for. just word advice the yellow curry with chichen is super spicy. the interior was super airy and tropical feel to it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Exceptional service food came out rapidly definitely recommend this
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Not many vegan options but what was, was delicious ! My partner said that the flavors are just like the food they've had in
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wow, I can't say enough. Great date spot for lunch. Soooo delicious. I will be back for more!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crabmeat Curry
I almost thought the food and service was decent.But the price versus portion equation squashed that. Big bucks for pork and chicken.The selection of beers is inexplicably poor. The lack of any hot coffee to finish the meal is another minus, our server joked it’s because it is hot in Thailand so they only have cold drinks. Which, OK but it’s early March in Philly. That’s where we actually are, and stocking good beer plus hot coffee is not so tough.For the money you should get something more than what (to my sensibility) came across as a Las Vegas restaurant trying super hard to not be a Las Vegas restaurant. I don't know how else to put it.Overpriced form over function in a very attractive space. Lots of date night couples at the two seat tables. If you are OK to pay too much for food in order to people watch then it is 5 stars.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
We sat at the bar, and had amazing time with our Bartender Ali! She’s very knowledgeable of the menu, and will definitely provide great advice on how to best utilize the menu to have an amazing meal! The flavors are amazing, the service is prompt, and all the attention to detail is present! A must visit if you’re in Philadelphia and love food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crabmeat Curry
My sister and I had the pleasure of dining at Kalaya recently, and it was an experience that left us both thoroughly impressed. Given my sister’s shellfish allergy, we’re always a bit cautious when trying new places, especially ones known for their seafood. However, Kalaya’s staff were incredibly accommodating, making sure she could enjoy the meal worry-free.We started off with the Shaw Muang and Gui Chai, both of which were delightful. The dumplings were a hit with us for their unique presentation and taste, and the crispy rice cakes were just the right blend of spicy and sweet.One of the highlights was the Moo Yaang Prik—a Berkshire pork chop that was just divine. The blend of flavors was spot on, making each bite better than the last. I also indulged in the Ngob Khao Ping, which was a wonderful mix of curry, shrimp, and coconut. It’s not often you find a dish that balances its ingredients so well, but this one did just that.The main dishes, Nua Pad King and Sua Rong Hai, were both spectacular. The beef tenderloin and grilled skirt steak were cooked perfectly, and the flavors were rich and satisfying. It’s clear that Kalaya puts a lot of thought and care into their dishes.We couldn’t resist trying some of their signature cocktails, and I’m glad we did. The Mora and Tani were both unique and refreshing, and the Ya Dong shots were a fun and adventurous way to end our meal.What made our visit to Kalaya truly special wasn’t just the delicious food but the warmth and hospitality we received. It’s rare to find a place that not only meets but exceeds your expectations in every way. I loved everything we ordered, and the care taken to accommodate my sister’s allergy was beyond what we’ve experienced at most restaurants.In all, Kalaya isn’t just about great Thai food; it’s about creating a memorable dining experience that makes you feel welcome and valued. I can’t recommend it enough and can’t wait to return. Five stars for an unforgettable evening.Vegetarian options: There were optionsDietary restrictions: Was able to handle a shellfish allergyParking: It’s philly. It’s hard to park
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Shaw Muang, Shaw Muang Dumplings, Chicken Dumplings, Coconut, Beef
Restaurantji Recommends
We went here for a birthday dinner for one of my girlfriend's birthdays! The food was amazing and very flavorful with every bite (very spicy but we love spice). We will be coming back again for sure.I had to deduct a star for the cake cutting fee. We brought a cake to celebrate our friend's birthday and I was told of their "cake cutting fee" but I assumed it was a one time flat fee, but it was actually a $6 fee PER PERSON (this totaled more than the cost of our cake as there was 7 of us....). Oh well, it was my fault for not clarifying but I wish this was stated somewhere on their websites or social medias so I we wouldnt be hit with this fee by surprise. Next time when we come back for dinner, we probably won't be bringing our own cakes anymore or celebrating special occasions here. If you plan about bringing a cake to celebrate something I would think twice about it.
Sat at the bar. Food and service was superb. Barramundi was excellent. Reservations required. Eat here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of the best dining experiences I’ve had in
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was a little bit on the sweeter side but delicious nonetheless. We recommend the:- pork chop appetizer- crab fried riceNote that the lunch and dinner menu are drastically different, I recommend reading the menus first before deciding what time of day to go.Open air and beautiful space. Great for friends gatherings.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crab Fried Rice
Not many vegetarian options. Not your traditional Thai
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Gui Chai