Finding Thai food not watered down by British or American influences can be tough, especially if your palate enjoys a menu with more variety than a simple green curry. To save you the hard work, we’ve rounded up the best Thai restaurants in Manchester for a tasty – and authentic – meal. All you have to do is turn up and eat!
1. My Thai
A Thai staple in Manchester for a good few years now, My Thai has two restaurants across the city, one on John Dalton Street, and another in the Northern Quarter. The place is much-loved by Mancunians, with a company ethos of “as Thai as possible” – guaranteeing a delicious authentic meal. The spot prides itself on its affordable menu that’s perfect for lunch, with tasty meals such as green curry, Pad Thai, noodle soup and even their very own Northern Monk beer to try. The menu is pretty extensive, with a little something for all Thai food fans to enjoy.
📍My Thai, 11 John Dalton St, Manchester, M2 6WH | G19, Smithfield Buildings, 42 Tib St, Manchester, M4 1LA.
2. Rosa’s Thai Cafe
Rosa’s Thai Cafe has been a popular Thai spot in London with more than fifteen sites in the Big Smoke alone and has now become a staple in Manchester. Focused on delivering authentic Thai food using locally sourced ingredients, Rosa’s was founded by Thai-born Khao Kho – so if anyone knows homemade Thai meals, it’s this place. The food is designed for sharing, with a number of platters available to order as well as warm dishes such as curries, noodles and stir-fries for guests to dig in and try. The décor is homely and inviting, with wooden tables and neutral tones throughout complementing the vibrant dishes.
📍Rosa’s Thai Cafe, 184 Deansgate The Old Courthouse, Manchester, M3 3WB.
3. Thai Kitchen No. 6
A contemporary space near St Anne’s Church, this family-run restaurant offers fresh, authentic Thai cuisine and it’s perfect for lunch. The menu is packed with tasty options, with salads, stir-fries, soups, curries and noodles all available to order. All the traditional options are available as expected, with Pad Thai, duck, pork and chicken curries, as well as papaya salads. The homely vibe runs right through the restaurant, with the grandmother and aunts working the kitchen, creating meals straight from the heart.
📍Thai Kitchen No. 6, Chapel Walks, Manchester, M2 1HN.
4. Phetpailin
Located near the Manchester Art Gallery in Chinatown, Phetpailin offers yummy, traditional Thai food, and allow guests to bring their own booze to enjoy with it. Described as Anglo-Thai cuisine, the restaurant is in the perfect location to feel like you’ve been transported to Asia, with the bustling Chinatown surrounding. Vegan and veggie options are available for those with dietary requirements, with menu highlights such as Panang curry, Pad Kra, and plenty of seafood dishes to choose from.
📍Phetpailin, 46 George St, Manchester, M1 4HF.
5. Try Thai
A canopy bar in the heart of Manchester’s China Town, Try Thai is much-loved for not only its delicious Thai food, but also its huge cocktail menu. The restaurant offers a modern and vibrant dining experience, with colourful décor to enjoy. Try their diverse banquets for two people or more, or enjoy their lengthy main menu with all the Thai concoctions you could possibly think up. Take advantage of savings during lunch or happy hour, with three courses for just £13.50 during lunch, and deals on food, wine and cocktails during happy hour.
📍Try Thai, Upper Ground Floor, 52-54 Faulkner St, Manchester, M1 4FH.
6. Thaikhun Manchester
Lively with a street market feel, Thaikhun offers the Asian dining experience you’d expect from Manchester. Quirky touches such as a tuk-tuk inside, rustic wood décor, and eccentric street finishes feel more Bangkok than Spinningfields, and it’s not until you step outside that you realise you’re not actually in Asia. The menu features the Thai dishes you’d expect, with modern touches and a dedicated vegan menu. Street platters piled up with chicken satay, pork dumplings and all the good stuff are the sharing highlights, with classic curries, Bangkok chicken burgers, and all the stir-fries you could dream of also on the menu.
📍Thaikhun, 3 Hardman St, Manchester, M3 3HF.
7. Tampopo
While technically a Pan-Asian restaurant serving Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian and Japanese grub, it’s worth acknowledging Tampopo for their small but mighty Thai offering. There’s plenty of wok-fried dishes on the menu, as well as classic curries, Pad Thai, Laksa soup and even spicy salads to choose from, of course with a variety of Vietnamese and Japanese dishes too. The menu is all fused together rather than split out into cuisines, meaning you could quite easily try a brand new cuisine during your visit. The décor is simple, made up of huge sharing tables with lanterns creating the ambience and touches of colour throughout for that true, Asian feel.
📍Tampopo, 16 Albert Square, M2 5PF | Unit 1A, The Pavillion, 1B Parker St, Piccadilly, M1 1RG | Corn Exchange, Exchange Square, M4 3TR | The Orient, Trafford Centre, intu Trafford Centre, Stretford, M17 8EH.