Fresh ingredients often using fish sauce, lemongrass and coconut milk. Spicy. See Indian and Vietnamese listings for additional Thai choices.
Banana Leaf
Some have described it as Disney on speed, still somewhere amidst a river crawling with fake alligators, harboring long tail boats and overflowing with exotic plastic fruits, lies the answer to your Thai food cravings. Daily 11am-11pm. 4 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District. (6506 8855) 蕉叶, 朝阳区工体北路4号院内，三里屯南口凯富酒店后
Lan Na Thai
A suave Thai eatery decked out with a collection of authentic Southeast Asian artifacts and serving good quality classic Thai dishes at expensive prices. Daily noon-2.30pm, 6pm-10.30pm. 26 Dongcaoyuan, Gongti Nanlu, Chaoyang District. (6551 6788) 朝阳区工体南路东草园26号
Lemongrass Thai and Indian Restaurant
Their RMB 38 lunch buffet with Thai and Indian dishes keeps the crowds coming. Daily 11am-11pm. 17 Jianguomenwai Dajie, behind the Friendship Store, Chaoyang District. (6591 3100, 6586 3150) 香兰叶餐厅, 朝阳区建国门外大街17号友谊商店后
Lemon Leaf
Sleek Thai hot pot eatery with a choice of eight different broths. Daily 11am-1am. 15 Xiaoyun Lu, Chaoyang District. (6462 5505) 柠檬叶子, 朝阳区霄云路15号
Lotus Root
Tasty Southeast Asian favorites with a coffee and bar menu. Elegant and intimate. Daily 10am-midnight. 29, 32 Yandai Xiejie, Xicheng District. (6407 7857, 8401 5544) 莲花, 西城区烟袋斜街29，32号
Phrik Thai
The patrons’ exclamations of delight tell you all you need to know. Favorite dishes include the papaya and cucumber salads, the red, green and yellow curries, the pad Thai and the spicy tom yang kung soup. The restaurant is busy but you can usually get a table. Outdoor seating is available when weather permits. Daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30-10.30pm. The Gateway Building, 10 Yabao Lu (across from the Bank of China building), Chaoyang District. (8561 5236) 泰辣椒餐厅, 朝阳区雅宝路10号凯威大厦一楼
Pink Loft
Awarded “outstanding Thai” in Reader Restaurant Awards for three years running. Pink Loft offers a flamboyant setting for authentic Thai food. In addition to the standard beers and drinks, they have a long wine list and a RMB 38 set business lunch menu. Daily 11am-2am. 6 Sanlitun Nanlu, Chaoyang District. (6506 8811) 粉酷, 朝阳区三里屯南路6号
Purple Haze
Thai cuisine served amongst purple hues. Books, coffee and wi-fi create the perfect atmosphere for a lazy afternoon. Daily 11am-1am. 1) 1/F, Bldg 6, Yigou Actliving, 16 Baiziwan Lu (next to Hou Xiandaicheng), Chaoyang District. (8774 6387); 2) Opposite the North Gate of the Workers’ Stadium, in the small alley behind the ICBC Bank, Chaoyang District. (6413 0899) 紫苏庭, 1) 朝阳区百子湾路甲16号，易购空间6号楼底层; 2) 朝阳区工体北门对面胡同，工商银行后
Red Basil
Expensive, very smart and great food. The oldest Thai place in town. Worth a visit with someone else’s credit card. Daily 11.30am-2pm, 5-10pm. Inside Sanyuan Dongqiao (on the west side, opposite Jingxin Dasha), Chaoyang District. (6460 2339)紫天椒, 朝阳区三元东桥内侧西边, 京信大厦对面
Serve the People
Voted “Best Thai” in our 2006 Reader Restaurant Awards. Easily the hippest Thai place in town. One of Sanlitun’s spots for seeing and being seen. Daily 10.30am-10.30pm. 1 Sanlitun Xiwujie (next to Athena), Chaoyang District. (8454 4580) 为人民服务, 朝阳区三里屯西五街1号
Sukhothai
From the decor to the food, Sukothai is pure Thai splendor. The restaurant serves the same tried-and-true menu as their main branch across from the Friendship Hotel in Haidian: Thai-style lobster, abalone, shark’s fin and other less exotic and more traditional staples. Daily 11.30am-10pm. 1) 19 Haoyun Jie, Zaoying Lu, Chaoyang District. (5867 0211); 2) 2/F Zhongdian Xinxi Dasha, 6 Zhongguancun Nandajie (opposite the Friendship Hotel), Haidian District. (6250 1286) 粟库泰泰式餐吧, 1) 朝阳区枣营路好运街19号; 2) 海淀区中关村南大街6号中电信息大厦2层(友谊宾馆对面)
Taihaowei Thai Restaurant
Feels like a Chinese restaurant but the food itself is quite good and reasonably priced. Try the chicken tom yum soup and the tapioca pudding. Daily 10am-11pm. 107 Chaoyangmennei Beixiaojie, Dongcheng District. (6402 5346) 泰好味泰式餐厅, 东城区朝阳门内北小街107号
Thai In
Offering a mix of Thai and Hong Kong cuisine. Daily 10am-midnight. 1 Gongti Nanlu, Chaoyang District. (6552 6036, 6552 7012) 新口岸, 朝阳区工体南路甲1号
Very Siam
Treat yourself to Thai at this exquisite establishment. Capacity to host parties of up to 30 people. English menu available. Daily 11.30am-11.30pm. 10A Xinyuan Xili Dongjie (in the alley northwest of Yuyang Hotel), Chaoyang District. (8451 0031) 非常泰, 朝阳区新源西里东街甲10号渔阳饭店西北胡同内