Sorn Thai Restaurant & Bar

I love this place!!! Boom and her team have created a beautiful environment for my favorite new restaurant in the area. Every dish I have tried has been fresh, colorful, flavorful, and not too heavy. The staff have been lovely to me, my kids, and any friends I take to Sorn. So grateful to have this delicious, beautiful and friendly spot so close to home.

Such a great new addition to the neighborhood.

They gyoza are fantastic, the curry’s are delicious. We really have enjoyed this place every time we’ve gone.

This is one of the two best Thai restaurants in Arlington and McLean combined. The other is Soul Thai Kitchen on Wilson. Sorn is just as good but I would say Sorn has a slightly more elevated experience in the restaurant as well as each dish seems slightly more chef curated with its taste and presentation. I usually get drunken noodles, which is phenomenal. But the family also tries new dishes. Every dish is superb. I do agree with some of the other reviewers that the portions are somewhat smaller than a typical Thai restaurant, and also smaller than the portions at Soul Thai Kitchen. However for me, the thought and curation of each dish makes up for that- so I don’t deductible a star because of it.

Tying to give a new place a shot. The portions were incredibly small. My panang curry had one slice of pepper and two pieces of broccoli. The papaya salad app was larger. I called to share my feedback, gently, and I was told, “this is how we do it.” Well. Ok, then.

UPDATED REVIEW

Had dinner here last night and noticed a few changes
Ordered veggie spring rolls which were still good but were placed in the sauce instead of the sauce being served on the side which makes the bottom of the roll soggy.

Green curry chicken also good but less of it and didn't taste quite as fresh as before.

Bartender and wine were great!

Do we have a new chef in the building???

Just finished dinner here. What a lovely space. Love the tile on the walls. You can see the kitchen in the back and it is so clean! This makes the restaurant even more appealing.

I had a glass of pinot grigio (very good). We ordered fried green beans (delicious), chicken and veggie egg rolls (both could have been hotter inside but good).

Entrees were green curry chicken (delicious), chicken ka pro (delicious), eggplant (delicious), and branzino (good). The portions are small.

No dessert.

The wait staff is very friendly.

They have a nice bar.

One big turn off was that there was a dog in the restaurant. It was not an emotional support dog or a work dog. There is no place for dogs inside a restaurant. Keep them outside. In Fairfax County, Virginia, having dogs in restaurants generally constitutes a health code violation, as Virginia food laws prohibit live animals on food establishment premises, with exceptions for service animals and certain outdoor dining areas with specific conditions. Maybe the new owners don't know this regulation but they need to learn quickly in order not to be cited.

Would I go back? Absolutely....can't wait! This restaurant is a much needed wonderful addition to the McLean dining scene. THANK YOU and good luck!

This modern Thai restaurant in Chesterbrook Shopping Center, McLean, stands out with its trendy atmosphere. The clean white walls, natural wood tones, and inviting large windows create a relaxing environment. The service here is exceptional—attentive and friendly, with food that is promptly served and bursting with authentic flavors. The sauces and fresh vegetables elevate the dining experience, making it clear that this establishment is a cut above the rest of the Thai restaurants in Northern Virginia.

We enjoyed several outstanding dishes that truly impressed us. The Thai Dumplings, highly recommended by the staff, are a must-try. They feature marinated minced shrimp and pork wrapped in delicate wonton skin, perfectly paired with a sweet garlic soy sauce. The Tum Luang Prabang salad is another highlight. It showcases refreshing, wide slices of green papaya and carrots, enhanced with shrimp paste and a zesty, spicy lime vinaigrette.

The Garlic Pepper Maine Lobster was a standout dish, bursting with rich savory garlic sauce, crunchy cashews, and a vibrant mix of vegetables. We also indulged in the Kua Gai, which features wide rice noodles stir-fried with chicken, squid, scallions, and preserved radishes; adding a touch of sriracha sauce elevates the flavors even further. Lastly, the Grilled Sirloin Steak Num Tok was exceptional—tender and expertly seasoned, it was served alongside fresh veggies and a delicious chili lime sauce that beautifully brought everything together.

Second visit was just as good as the first. We have tried several items and have enjoyed everything we have had so far.

Ordered take-out recently. Was impressed they called me to confirm an allergy I disclosed in my online order. The yellow curry was very good, and they made it according to the level of spice I requested. Nice to have a restaurant like this in the neighborhood.

Food is delicious, service amazing, and the restaurant itself is so cute!!! Love love love and highly recommend!!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Sorn Thai just had their soft opening and delivers an incredible mix Southern Thai flavors with creative twists, drawing from southeast asian neighbors. We tried the shrimp croquette—crispy, flavorful, and a perfect start—and a soup for which I forget the name, Po-Teak maybe, but sour and savory full of mushrooms and shrimp.

We also enjoyed the Kanom Jeen Namya, a traditional Thai noodle dish featuring delicate rice noodles bathed in a flavorful fish curry sauce. Thier twist was to use a filet of fish rather than balls. We also had a unique pork belly dish, Moo Ping, prepared with rich cinnamon and star anise Instead of rice, the starch was a bun that fused the Chinese mantou and a French croissant.

Their cocktail menu is top-tier, crafted by their head bartender, Liz, who we've followed from Sister’s Thai to Kiin Imm—each drink was unique and beautifully presented. She provided service that was warm and attentive, and the ambiance made for a great dining experience. We’re already planning our next visit with our sons to put them to the real test!

One thing to keep in mind is that they are still in their initial opening so please measure expectations, but don't let that prevent you from giving Sorn a try!

Parking: Enteance is behind the Starbucks.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I read a news article online and decided to come here on opening day. I always try to give any restaurants I try a chance but usually end up disappointed over 90% of the time. This was sadly the case here at Sorn Thai.

Our menu for the evening included the following:

Grilled Steak NumTok
Kua Gling
Kanom Jeen NamYa
Yen Ta Four Noodle

The food here is oddly very sweet; maybe it was intended to be catered to Americanized palates but it didn’t sit well with my Asian palate. The steak on the numtok was fairly tough while difficult to chew and would not be a dish I would order again; it was served with a sickly sweet chili lime sauce. The kua gling had good flavor but was on the sweeter side. The kanom jeen namya was tasty (along with the picked vegetables) but the portion size was severely lacking, especially with the rice noodles and fish fillet. I could’ve consumed three portions easily given the volume of food on the dish. The yen ta four noodle featured (you guessed it) a very sweet pink broth.

The portions were quite small (for all the dishes) which makes it difficult for Sorn to compete with every other Thai restaurant in the DMV area that generally serves healthier portions. Regarding the service, it was fairly good but was slow (both in food delivery and attentiveness) due to the large number of customers that started to trickle in heavily by 5:30 to 6 PM.

The best option in the DMV for casual Thai food still seems to be Padaek. Solid, reliable, and consistent. I also enjoy the pad thai at MyHome Thai Bistro in Reston as well.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 3

Excellent overall experience. The food was cooked exactly as we like it. The chive cakes we amazing with a very interesting texture. Tried the yellow curry which was fragrant and very tasty. Also had the shishito peppers, bursting with flavor and just a delight to eat. That was just the appetizers. Main dishes were also phenomenal. This will definitely be a go to place for us. Well done to the Sorn team !!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Authentic, delicious, and worth every bite!

Can’t wait to go back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Stopped by for the soft opening, drinks and food were amazing! The server said they will be open for breakfast. I can't wait to try THAI breakfast.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great addition to Chesterbrook shopping center

Kid-friendliness: Kids menu would help but they were great with kids :)

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5