Dalaya

I can’t believe I stumbled upon this incredible hidden Thai restaurant nestled in the middle of nowhere. The service was impeccable, and the atmosphere was simply amazing. You could even see the lake right next to the restaurant. I highly recommend their mushroom salad—it’s absolutely delicious! 10/10! The pork lion with rice is a bit dry, though.

You know a place is going to be exciting when they open at 5pm, you show up at 4:50 and there is already a line waiting to get inside. The food was delicious. We had fried tofu with the special chili sauce, mushroom salad (my fave) and beef massaman, the special this week. Outstanding food. Service was lovely as well. The restaraunt has 7 tables available and a small bar seating. Getting there early seems to be the general idea.

I dined solo once last summer and raved about it after. Finally brought some friends recently for my birthday. Everyone was pretty impressed. Dalaya has it all: complex flavors, a variety of dishes, with comforting favorites and adventurous specials. Utterly serene, cozy space. Water gently bubbling by. Laid-back, thorough service. I cautioned my friends that we might have to wait for our food, but everything took a very reasonable amount of time. We started with the Famous Fish Sauce Wings, and the Spring Roll Special. The wings are fiery and so flavorful. Layers of umami. The rolls were even better! I believe it was a ground pork and shrimp filling and it was divine. Perfect texture inside and out. I think these rolls are similar to the Kiao Khoong Todd listed on their website but maybe a different wrapper. Our entrees included the Blood Orange Branzino Special (9/10), the Red Curry with Duck Special (8/10), Plaa Todd (Catfish Curry - 10/10!!), Khao Soi (8/10), and a fifth dish I didn’t try or catch the name of. I had the branzino and loved the inventiveness. The blood orange sauce was nicely sweet and sour. The red curry and duck were very tasty, but the plaa todd, catfish curry, was the clear winner. This curry had so much depth. One of our party got an order of it to-go. Dalaya offers a good selection of beer, wine, and other beverages, but no cocktails. The ginger lemongrass iced tea was a favorite in our group. We finished with sweet corn ice cream! Reminded me of the queso ice cream at Neng Jr’s in Asheville. Not quite as good as that, but interesting. I liked it, some didn’t care for it. I will be back to try lunch very soon! Thank you for a great experience.

This hidden gem was the aftermath of a rough day. Me and my buddies got stranded in Sylva, but thankfully the car got working again. We decided to try this restaurant, having been recommended to by a mechanic, and it was truly worth it. The atmosphere was very homey and welcoming, along with the service! I will say, i just wish the workers had name tags, because i never got to know their name :( our main server was a nice man who later had returned an item i left on my seat as i walked out the door. This shows how dedicated the workers are. They gave us plenty of recommendations, knowing we are new, and i tried to Khao Soi. It was perfectly balanced in all the flavors, and a good portion that was worth the $20 in my opinion. I would definitely come here again!

What a nice surprise! I’ve been coming to this area for decades, and my parents live here. They had eaten here pre-Covid, so I was happy to try it today with my dad. The seasonal starter of three different types of mushroom was fabulously delicious! Hopefully you could try it if you come sooner than later. The main courses were equally delicious and beautifully flavored. We went for a more mild pallet, but you can get it as spicy as you want. The inside decor is very unique and intimate, accommodating a party of one to a party of eight. We ate inside because it’s rather hot these days, but the outside next to the creek looks beautiful when it’s cooler.

We spent a month and a half in Thailand a few years ago, this is absolutely the most authentic Thai food we’ve had in the States since then. The khao soi tasted just like it did in Chiang Mai. The broths were delicious. We chatted with David and Kuba for a while, they were both very personable and welcoming. This will be our first stop the next time we visit Sylva.

This is the best food in the area. Hands down. Amazing authentic Thai, so fresh and flavorful. Massaman curry is the best I’ve ever had. Not only that, but the ambience is PERFECT. I can’t explain it, it’s just a small quaint restaurant but they play nice music at a decent volume and they really know how to set the mood. We used to only eat on the patio area out of habit, sitting river front. Lately we’ve been going inside to sit at a little corner table and wow it’s been a game changer, just because the vibes are so good. Long live Dalaya, best restaurant in town. So so so good and the owner is so thoughtful and such an impressive chef. Can’t recommend enough. Also the fish sauce wings are THE BOMB (if you can take the heat!!)

My favorite Thai restaurant in the area! I’ve tried many but here at Dalaya, the aromas and flavors are authentic and the welcoming vibe is genuine and I love hearing the Thai whispers throughout the kitchen while getting lost in a lovely creekside view

I still stand by the fact it is worth the wait, but dang what a wait!! There is limited seating so we placed an order to go. We were told it would be an hour, maybe more. This was understandable. It's a tiny kitchen and it was homecoming weekend at WCU. We ordered and then went back into town for some beers at innovation. We hadn't gotten a call after about 90 minutes so we went back to check in, assuming maybe the phone number was hard to read. Nope! It was another 20 minutes or so until it was ready. They say they do tickets in order, regardless of dining in or taking to go, but I was doubtful this particular time. The food was AMAZING and reheated well the next day for lunch. I'd go again, but never when I'm concerned for time.

I was on a business trip and tried these place because of the yelp reviews. Immediately when I drove up on a Tuesday night the parking lot and dinning room was completely filled. Great sign! It's a really small dinning room but very comfortable and well lit. It was chilly outside and it was also really cold inside. The service was good. My drink and food arrived relatively quickly. I loved the coconut broth and noodles. The flavor was delicious and so authentic. I didn't realize the chicken was in drum stick. I'd prefer just cut up chicken but it was good. I was completely surprised by this place given its rural location and yet the Thai flavors were incredible and similar to what you would find in a big city.

I had the Branzino special was pretty, but it was a little too sweet and yet bland at the same time. Too much gray meat in the fish. Service was pretty good despite being a packed house. Ambiance leaves much to be desired. The creek was nice. Would I go again? Probably, but I'd order a chicken dish.

What a great little find you don't expect this level of Thai in the backwoods of NC. Very non traditional but was excellent. Best curry dish I have eaten, wait staff very friendly didn't get a 5 star cause our waiter said the wings were spicy...so hot and I like hot that we couldn't eat them....really should say spicy hot level 10...the place has indoor and outdoor seating so cute. Well decorated. Love to go back and try other dishes so unique...don't go looking for pad Thai

We just got back from Thailand and still thought this place was delicious! Home cooking tasting food. The mushroom special salad was really good combined with their specialty noodle Kao soi. The contrasting flavors worked well together. The salad was heavy on the home made fish sauce, but I like that flavor so it worked for me. It's a really cute place on the side of the river with a great view. The strange part is crossing the active railroad tracks to get into the parking lot. Can be a little dangerous so be careful. Service was friendly and fast! Definitely a must visit and best place in all of the Cherokee area.

This is great spot for a date night. The food is awesome and service was fast. I love that all their meats are locally sourced.

We visited a family member at WCU and stopped by this local Thai restaurant. One of the best Thai restaurant! We enjoyed their massaman curry and Thai tea. Will be back!

The food was so wonderful; it's hard to believe the service is even better. Waitstaff is really good at explaining the menu. Food is authentic & will make every part of you happy. The dining room is extremely small with an equally small outdoor seating area, come early.

We had been coming to Sylva for a number of years but have never been to Dalaya but this go around we finally made it. I thought we were going to eat in but I was told by the ladies that we were just doing pick up, damn. I looked over the menu and had to go with the Khao Soi. Chiang Mai Coconut Curry Soup, Dark Meat Chicken on the bone, and Egg Noodles... Sign me up. We also had to try an appetizer and we went with the Tum Kanoon. I wasn't big on the Jack Fruit but it did come in Spicy Curry Paste it had Pork Belly and I love my Pork Belly. Our food would be ready in 25 minutes so we went and picked up everything. Once home I got into it. My Khao Soi looked great and had so much curry soup which everyone knows you can never have too much of. The meat on the chicken legs just fell off the bone and the curry brought so much flavor it also had a nice kick. I did come with Chili Oil too which I of course added for more spice and flavor. The only thing this dish was missing were my Egg Noodles. This is why you don't do take out for your first time somewhere. The Tum Kanoon was just alright for me. The Jack Fruit was much better then I thought it was be and had a lot of flavor. The issue I had was the Pork Belly was pretty much just Fried Pork Rinds and since they were boxed up were a little soggy. Again, gotta eat in at your first time at a new restaurant. I would for sure come back thought since again my biggest issues would have never been an issue if we ate there and that Khao Soi was so good plus there is more to try.

Outstanding flavors! We came on Fri night around 5:30 and didn't have any issues getting seated and opted to sit outside along the creek. They had a good selection of beers and great options for appetizers. We started with the Thai Pineapple Salad ($15) and it was excellent with a little kick to it. My bride went with the Gaeng Masaman w/chicken ($19) and enjoyed it. I ordered the Khanom Jiin Naam Yaa Plaa ($20) and it was awesome! Service from Austin was spot on explaining the menu and providing prompt attention.

Delicious home style Thai food from the Chiang Mai region (my favorite part of northern Thailand!) The dishes are filled with flavor. We had wings as a starter which were unique and tasty! We had chicken curry with potatoes and cashews and a pork loin with pickled veggies and soft boiled eggs. Everything was delicious! The location along the river is beautiful too!

My husband and I visit Sylva a lot and since we don't live here we like to eat and shop local so we can give back to the community while we are here. Having said that the fact that we have not come to Dalaya is mental! I have never been to Thailand but Dalaya felt very authentic but maybe with a bit of a twist on some dishes. I ordered the masaman which was delicious (my mom called it spicy but I think she is nuts it was not spicy) it was full of flavor. I also got the mango sticky rice which I loved!!! The portions were a bit smaller than I was expecting. We ordered take out, when I go back I will be dinning in. There is limited parking but it seems like there are a decent amount of tables or at least more than I had initially thought there were. There is also an ice cream truck that a very nice person at the restaurant told me all about and the flavors sound AMAZING so if you see it definitely go, I know I will be stomping on the breaks if I see it! Ps the staff seem like incredible people that are very happy to be there!

Food & service were great! Many options and you will love every one. I highly recommend the Pad Thai

This restaurant served northern Thai cuisine. Staff was super friendly and the dining room was really cozy and friendly. You could tell this was a regular spot for locals. I loved everything I ate!

We love Thai food and had tried to eat here the past couple of visits without success, but a few days ago was different. We are vegan and we ordered 3 of the 4 dishes they had. We split them on a plate at home among 3 people within very developed vegan and Thai pallets and boom! Wow, a flavor explosion! We really loved the tofu curry, the glass noodle dish with pickled greens and the portobello mushroom dish. We all wanted to eat there a second night, haha! We sat by the creek as we waited for our takeout and met one of the owners who was very nice and said his partner is the cook, she is in my opinion a true chef! We enjoyed the first Thai beer called Singh which was also a smooth treat. It doesn't look like much and parking lot is sure to be full but you walk up to the window. Order and enjoy a tranquil creek moment in anticipation of the wow moment you discover an array of mighty tasty dishes. Don't rely on my review, try it for yourself!

They have outdoor seating but chef policy "no companion animals". So... if you have a dog; I guess spend your money elsewhere if that matters to you.

To be fair and balanced, it's not inexpensive or fast or a ton of choices .... But if you're ok with that for what it lacks in the aforementioned, it makes up with a ton of flavor! As long as you aren't on a date, try the Thai wings, they are insanely good and addictive ! The owner is the real deal authentic and there's menu items there I've never heard of in 30 years of eating Thai food. If you are Pad Thai type of person... move along , this is not the place for you and you won't find it here .... But you will find an expanded mind and palate if you are open to new experiences.

What a cute restaurant! The food is delicious and the restaurant is right beside a little creek. The interior is cozy and has a family feel to it. Because my dish was a pork curry, I expected it to be on the heavier side. I was surprised to find that it wasn't heavy at all and I could keep eating without getting tired of the flavor. The server was also very attentive, quick, and answered our questions well. If you find yourself in Sylva, then this restaurant is a must visit!

I thought the food would be great, but I underestimated the rustic charm of this restaurant, a small residential-looking building which overlooks the town's waterway. Indoor and outdoor seating was offered, but both are small and this place fills. You have to cross the railroad tracks to get there, so it is easy to miss and a bit of a bump. The menu is not standard Thai and offers a vegetarian section. Apparently a few of the other entrees can also be made vegetarian/vegan with substitutions, which the server seemed very knowledgeable about when talking to other parties but neglected to mention to me for some reason. No matter, I was quite happy with my selection, with savory noodles sauteed with dark soy sauce presented separately from some extra-crispy tofu and some pickled mustard greens. It was a delightful dish. I agreed with my server that the ginger lemongrass iced tea, while tasty, could do with less sugar. Conversely, the dessert I tried was apparently sweetened with stevia, and this mangosteen sorbet delivered noticeable flecks of the intoxicating fruit (one that is impossible to find fresh due to import restrictions, but which they somehow got some of in some form in Western North Carolina). The portion size for price is not huge, and yet they were doing significant takeout business, and I had no compunctions about checking the highest suggested tip on my check. Sadly they're only open for dinner and I don't know when I'll be in the area again.

They have very few choices to pick from and for the price you pay you should get more. Not happy. Should have physical pictures of food in menu when for first time visitors. Especially those that don't have access to internet.

Fantastic real Thai food by a native of that nation. Best restaurant in Sylva. It's out from downtown, by the railroad tracks and Scott Creek, but it's a genuine delight.

We have been coming here for years and I did not write a review because I really know how reviews can put places on the map . I see it now got nominated for James Beard Award ! The food is unbealivably delicious . Only problem is the waiters were always bad . Theres only 10 tables but you were always left with no water and your mouth was on fire from the spicy food!

The servers are nice but can only do so much with the space available, the place has gotten busy and so wait times can get a bit much but to me the food makes the wait worth it.

Stopped in on a Tuesday night after Labor Day. The restaurant was busy (inside dining room was full) but we preferred sitting outside next to the creek anyway (perfect weather). The service was friendly albeit busy (we were in no hurry). Ordered a beer and a glass of wine then waited a bit for the Krabong (delicious dipping sauces), the Khao soi (vegetarian - the curry was expertly balanced - not too "coconutty" or too spicy) and the Khao mu daeng (pork was perfectly cooked and the "gravy" was divine). Sadly, there was no room for desert. A really lovely night. Come with a little bit of time and enjoy!

Oh my goodness! I have eaten Thai food, all over the world, for 35+ years and this is some of THE BEST THAI I have ever had! It is northern Thai cuisine and the chef, Kanlaya (pronounced Gunn-ya) or "Gunn" is a sweet, adorable and TALENTED chef! Austin was our fantastic, friendly server! Everything about the restaurant is so unique, very intimate in that it only seats about 21 people ... very intimate setting , with fresh flowers on the table, bright colored chairs, and a beautiful view of the river! They were out of the Jin Som Mik, which I will try next time ... but my husband and I had the Look Chin Ping (grilled beef meatball appetizer) and Khao Muu Daeug (marinated pork loin) DELICIOUS and Gaeng Masaman Gia (sliced organic chicken breast in a rich Chiang Mai curry) FABULOUS, both served with delicious jasmine rice.

Sauces are multi- layered with complex tastes. I cannot describe the joy of eating the Gaeng Masamsn dish. The tofu appetizer is cooked to perfection found no where else I've eaten. If you order on line, be patient. It is worth the wait.

Authentic Thai food, good variety. Excellent service. Indoor and outdoor seating. Get there hen they open (at 5-they only are open for dinner), or go after 7 after the first wave of diners leave.

A must try restaurant. One of the best restaurants I've ever been to. The flavors are phenomenal.

worth the 45 minutes from Asheville. unmatched flavors and authenticity in a truly charming and gorgeous setting with the river behind. They were somehow not touched by the hurricane. homemade dairy free ice cream. I don't leave reviews. this was just delightful.

I am so happy to have a wonderful Thai restaurant close to us that serves such delicious food. This is not your average pad Thai Americanized dishes. This is very authentic to Thailand and the food is really amazing because it delivers all of that spice, sweetness and freshness. Every time I go there, I have to have an order of the wings. These are the best wings I've had in the entire south. Also, the curry is amazing but while you're there, they always do a unique or special dish or two that day and you should definitely indulge in that. The setting is simple and very meager so don't dress up just go devour delicious Thai food.

This is our third time at Dalaya. We were so excited because we had great time and food the last couple of times. We got there a little past 6pm and ordered our food ten minutes after we were seated. The appetizer came around 10-15 minutes later then our enthusiasm started to diminish as times went by. As we waited for our entrees to come, people started to leave. One table gone. Another table gone. The inside of restaurant had two tables left. Where was our food? After one hour and 20 minutes, our food had finally come. We lost all our interest because of the long wait. We are so dissatisfied and disappointed of how they managed the matter. The ribs were cold. The duck was fried for too long. There was no sincere feedback from the establishment when we complained about how long we had waited except the server (not her fault, she is nice) said they had to cook according to the time of orders. But our appetizer came 80 minutes apart from our entrees. We are not coming back at least for a long while.

Elevated Thai food. Not the typical food at most Thai restaurants. Home cooking flavors with flair and complex tastes!! Love all their dishes!!

Best Thai food I have ever had. My wife and I and another couple stumbled upon Dalaya whilst exploring Sylva and decided to give it a try. Although we were all Thai food Lovers, we had never experienced Northern Thai cuisine which is quite different from the usual Thai cuisine in practically every other Thai place we had eaten at. The server was polite and highly educated about every aspect of the menu, and patiently explained what was in all of the specials. We basically ordered one of every special, and as mentioned, we all agreed that it was the best Thai food any of us had ever had. We will definitely be back the next time we are in the area!

Literally the best Thai food I have ever had. Living in Las Vegas for 9 years and experiencing the original Lotus of Siam a 2 star Michelin restaurant and this restaurant far surpasses Lotus of Siam Thai cuisine. Small menu that focus on the quality of their unique northern Thailand dishes. The descriptions of their menu items had my boyfriend and I try a majority of their dishes and we were pleasantly surprised and satisfied with every dish we tried. I also appreciate the food quality of intergrading local and organic ingredients. Not to mention the vibe and friendliness of the entire restaurant staff made us feel like regulars on our first visit.

This place is amazing. So glad we finally got to stop and enjoy their cuisine. Great setting along the creek and intimate inside and patio area. My wife had khao muu daeng (marinated pork loin with a mystery sauce that made me wish I'd ordered it) and it l ordered the naam kaa plaa (trout and spicy yellow curry over vermicelli rice noodles) which was also outstanding. Nice heat with a slow build but wasn't overwhelming. Service was stellar plus the chef and owner came out to chat for a minute as we were finishing. Sorry, no pics. we were starving and didn't think of it until too late. Do yourself a favor and please come to this gem of a restaurant tucked into the mountains.

This place is a gem! The cute and eclectic decor is well thought out and very creative. The view out the window was really sweet and relaxing next to a babbling brook. The dining is fine with superb customer service.The staff was so knowledgeable and friendly and showed a real passion for the authentic cuisine. My dinner was delicious and they served a hefty portion that I had to take home a box of leftovers.

I make it a point to stop in and dine while traveling through Sylva, some of the best Thai food. Not your ordinary Thai restaurant for sure.

Best Thai restaurant on east coast. Try all their specials. Everything on menu delicious. Can't go wrong.

Fantastic find from the James Beard nomination list. We drove from Clayton to pick up food. Got there as they opened and ordered to go. The wings are fantastic! I wanted all 5 but thank goodness we split them. The heat builds! Over all we ordered a number of things to try a lot. Tasty options in the mountains. Friendly staff who provided hospitality for us even when we weee just enjoying the day and waiting outside. Get there at open if you are in a hurry as it is popular and fills up fast with no reservations. We plan to go back and enjoy the outdoors as it gets warmer.

So here's the deal, I am pilot for a major U.S. airline. I've been to Thailand numerous times. This restaurant, this chef, this food . . . It is all a hidden treasure. If you want the real northern, Chang Mai, flavors - this is it. In Sylva, NC!! The service is great! Sit outside by the river!! Try this place. Just don't take our table.

Always incredible hand crafted meals. A real treat in a rural setting. Friendly staff who is always helpful in suggesting what's new

Best food in Sylva. Plaa todd curry is so good. Hanger steak with veggies and sticky rice is also a go to. Their massanan gai has cinnamon sticks in it and definitely reccomend. All their specials are amazing. Everything home made by a lovely business and her very astute staff. 5 stars highly recommend.

This place serves wonderful fresh food. Try it once and you will be a regular. Great service. Very simple place

Some of the best food I've ever had. A beautiful, local business with a cozy setting and kind staff. Great recommendation on the drinks to pair with the meal. This place deserves your time & money!

Great place to get Thai food such a great horn. The war service was excellent. I love that it was right by the river put the onions it feels like you're in Thailand but never been don't like the look cute house but for the ambulance I will see number one.

Unique little Thai Place with a different from the usual selection of Thai foods. We enjoyed the homey atmosphere as well as the eclectic fare. Worth a visit if you are in the area.

I really, really wanted to like this place. We arrived and it was unclear what we were supposed to do in order to get seated. Out of the blue, a man, who it was unclear worked for the establishment, started asking us questions about our party and where we wanted to sit, so we deduced he worked there. But there would have been no way for us to know that. He then disappeared and we did not see him again. There were two waiters for a busy Saturday and the staff were frazzled. Despite this, the food came out relatively quickly. The food was okay. The hanger steak was super rare, but given how long it took for us to even get water, we didn't think it was worth bringing it up. The rest of the food was average. For $120 meal, I was hoping for better than average.

Exceptionally delicious Thai food and fantastic beer list with some uncommon selections. Interior is spartan and seating is not comfortable, but offers great views of the river below. The issues we had relate to prices and portion size inconsistencies. Certain dishes have ample portion sizes, such as the Sesame Tofu ($9) and Phat Khana fried Brussels sprouts ($14). But the Khoong Yang prawns (2 prawns - $15) were *waaaay* overpriced. They're served whole, which gives the appearance of quantity, but each tail could have been a single bite. We cut ours into 2 small bites so we could try each of the 2 accompanying sauces. There should never be more waste in a dish than edible product. $15 for 2 bites worth of food is just too much. The chicken massaman curry was very balanced and tasty ($17), but again, for the price it could have used more chicken and potatoes. There are no condiment dishes at the table that are commonly found at Thai restaurants, so I requested a small side of chili paste ($0.50) because I like my Thai food really spicy. We each had an adult beverage - me a beer ($8) and my wife a cider ($6). For dessert, the Thai tea ice cream ($9) was rich and creamy, with subtle tea flavor. Service was decent and we appreciated that the chef checked on the tables to make sure everything was prepared to customers' liking. If the food wasn't so excellent, we would have rated Dalaya 2 stars for lack of value. After tips, our date night meal for 2 was $96. That puts it on par with exceptional local alternatives like Ilda's. We're glad we tried it and I expect we'll be back someday, but not as often as we'd like.

Unbelievable hidden gem! This restaurant never, ever disappoints. Freshest ingredients, unique cuisine, sustainable takeout packaging -- but above all a consistently WOW meal. Best little treat in the Sylva/Dillsboro area. If you're in town and it's open, you do NOT want to miss this. Try one of the desserts, even if you've never heard of it; you'll be glad you did.