Thai Food in Kansas City (2025)

Waldo Thai - Review - Waldo - Kansas City - The Infatuation

Waldo Thai creates a whole new small plate menu every Wednesday. So really, one visit just isn’t enough to do this excellent Northern Thai spot justice. You’ll want to try as much as you can, so go for the Lanna Samplers, which allow you to create a combo of their chili dips and pork sausages with sticky rice. Always throw one of their excellent curries and noodle dishes in the mix too, especially the brisket kow soi. We also like coming for an after-work drink to fill up on herbal Thai liquor mekhong and rice before a long evening at the nearby KC Bier Company’s Biergarten. The Waldo Thai family also owns the Thai-fusion restaurant Buck Tui, which happens to be one of our favorite BBQ spots. - Ryan Bernsten

A Crossroads favorite serving Northeastern Thai staples—papaya salads, fish curries, and hearty stir-fries—by a husband-and-wife team. Covered by the Kansas City Star and Feast Magazine, it’s a reliable pick downtown for balanced heat and comforting soups.

Nearly three decades in, Lulu’s still channels Bangkok street fare with wok-fired noodles and curries. Featured by Startland News and tapped by the Kansas City Current for CPKC Stadium in 2025, it remains a locally loved, women-owned fixture with multiple metro locations.

A South KC classic recognized by Thai Select for authenticity and recommended on KCUR’s local food roundup. Expect dependable curries, noodle dishes, and a neighborhood-friendly dining room that’s been welcoming regulars for years.

Thai flavors meet Kansas City smoke—Isan sausage, red-curry brisket, and an X-Man sandwich riff. Celebrated by Condé Nast Traveler and reviewed by The Infatuation, this independent spot captures KC’s cross-cultural spirit in a lively, family-run setting.

Chef Penny Mufuka’s tropical-leaning Thai menu—mango duck, curries, and a rooftop Bamboo Room—draws consistent praise from local critics. In Kansas City Magazine’s dining guide and covered by the Kansas City Star, it’s upscale yet personal, with deep community ties.

Serving Johnson County since the early 1990s, this independent stalwart leans classic—panang, massaman, and a vegetarian-friendly menu—with a welcoming dining room. Its longevity and steady following keep it woven into the neighborhood’s dining fabric.

A southside, family-run spot with honest flavors, lunch specials, and occasional khao soi. It’s the kind of neighborhood Thai restaurant locals recommend for weeknight comfort and reliable takeout.

From the team behind Thai House, KC Thai blends familiar favorites with regional specialties like boat noodles and crispy pork dishes. Covered by Feast Magazine, it’s a modern, independently owned dining room that pushes flavor without losing comfort.

A family-owned North-of-the-Loop option named for Thailand’s Lanna region. Guests come for warmly spiced curries, wings, and khao soi, served with the kind of personal touch that keeps suburban regulars returning.