Thai Food in San Francisco (2025)

Pim Techamuanvivit’s elegant Japantown restaurant channels Thai flavors through California produce with family-style dishes and refined curries. Recognized with a Michelin star and frequently cited by Eater SF, it remains a destination for celebratory dinners and serious flavor seekers.

An independent Union Square fixture where bold, layered flavors meet Northern California ingredients—think rabbit green curry and mushroom hor mok. Michelin-starred and often highlighted by local critics, it’s the rare hotel-adjacent spot that’s truly for locals, not just visitors.

Siblings Tanya and Jim Suwanpanya deliver hand-pounded curry pastes, lotus stem salads, and a memorable candle-smoked coconut ice cream. Listed by the Michelin Guide and previously lauded by The New York Times, it’s intimate, focused, and proudly neighborhood-driven.

Chef-owner Tom Silargorn’s flagship pulls Thai food lovers for uncompromising spice and a sprawling menu—frog legs, quail, boar, and stellar classics. Praised by Eater SF and long respected by local critics, it’s a true cook’s favorite with deep neighborhood roots.

A Tenderloin mainstay known for fiery, homestyle cooking—most famously the barbecue pork shoulder, noted by the San Francisco Chronicle and featured on Eater SF’s Thai list. Family-run vibes, real heat, and dishes locals return for again and again.

A beloved Sunset institution since the 1980s that helped shape the city’s Thai scene. Expect classics, weekend hor mok specials, and those nostalgic coconut hotcakes. Covered by The Infatuation and longtime local press, it remains a neighborhood anchor.

West Portal’s breakout Thai spot from chef Wipada Rattanapun swings from beef tallow fried rice to pandan kaya toast and seafood hotpots. Praised by the San Francisco Chronicle and noted by local editors for energizing the area’s dining scene.

A Richmond hangout specializing in mu kratha, Thailand’s grill-meets-hotpot feast, cooked over charcoal at your table. Celebrated by Eater SF and loved by night owls, it’s a social, hands-on way to explore flavors beyond the usual curry-and-noodles routine.

Chef Kobe’s spot focuses on regional Thai street foods—nam khao tod, shrimp paste fried rice, grilled catfish—served in a spirited room decked with Thai film posters. Featured on Eater SF’s Thai list, it’s a flavorful detour from the predictable.

Family-run since the Thai House Express days, this Lower Nob Hill standby delivers dialed-up heat and depth across noodles, curries, and soulful soups. Covered by The Infatuation, it’s a reliable neighborhood choice grounded in community and consistency.

A contemporary tasting-menu exploration of regional Thai cuisines by chef Piriya “Saint” Boonprasarn. Recognized by the Michelin Guide and highlighted by Eater SF, it brings an elevated, creative lens to Thai flavors while collaborating with local producers.