Dok Khao Thai (Columbia)
Thai restaurant · Columbia ·

Dok Khao Thai (Columbia)

Thai restaurant · Columbia ·

Creative Thai dishes and delicious drinks, always busy

drunken noodles
beautiful decor
friendly service
great food
pad thai
cocktails
spicy eggplant
mango sticky rice
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia) by null

Information

6000 Merriweather Dr Suite B155, Columbia, MD 21044 Get directions

$20–30

Order delivery
See Menu
Restroom
Popular for dinner
Dinner reservations recommended
Cozy
Romantic

Information

Static Map

6000 Merriweather Dr Suite B155, Columbia, MD 21044 Get directions

+1 410 997 8899
dokkhao.com
@dokkhaothai

$20–30 · Menu

Features

•Restroom
•Accepts reservations
•Popular for dinner
•Dinner reservations recommended
•Cozy
•Romantic
•Trendy
•Fancy

Last updated

Jan 31, 2026

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NYC New Restaurant Openings, January 2026 | Eater NY

"A Thai restaurant and bar in Park Slope, it serves classics like pad Thai and basil fried rice, heartier options such as lenk zab, a tart and herbal pork rib soup, and a selection of drinking food including kai yang, grilled chicken paired with a spicy tamarind sauce." - Melissa McCart

https://ny.eater.com/restaurant-openings/408364/nyc-new-restaurant-openings-january-2026
Dok Khao Thai (Columbia)

Rosie Y.

Google
This place is very busy, and while they have a wide variety of food and drinks, the overall experience felt just okay. The atmosphere leans more fusion than authentic Thai. The papaya salad was fresh but ordinary. The lychee duck curry was interesting, with a sweet note, but the duck flavor didn’t come through. Nam tok stood out the most with its spice and sticky rice pairing. The crispy pork, however, was tough to chew, though the sauce helped a little. The restaurant is nicely decorated, but service felt rushed since they were so busy. Our server mixed up the order—bringing crispy duck instead of pork—but they corrected it quickly. Overall, nothing we ordered really stood out to make it memorable. It’s not bad, but there are definitely better Thai restaurants around.

Laura F.

Google
I love this place! I usually order take out (for the past 2 years) and it never disappoints. I was finally able to dine in though and it was great. Food is amazing, the drinks were delicious and beautifully presented. The service was also great, our server was really attentive. My go-to is Pad Thai and Crab Rangoons, but everything else we tried on the menu was always delicious. My only note would be, the music inside was a bit loud (however we were still able to talk comfortably, so this might be just a personal preference). 100% recommend trying this place out and I can’t wait to be back again.

G M.

Google
I try Thai food all over and Dok Khao is the best Thai food in the area and is one of the best Thai food restaurants period. The food is fresh, flavorful, spicy and presented well. The Massaman curry holds its own and has the perfect balance of flavors. The ambiance of the restaurant is also fantastic and the service is always good. I would highly recommend this place for anyone who loves good Thai food.

Sanjana K.

Google
Such a great spot! We really enjoyed everything we ordered. The spring rolls were crispy and tasty, the street noodles were super flavorful, and the kapow fried rice was a standout. The pomogranate lemonade was refreshing and paired perfectly with the meal. The vibe was welcoming and the food hit the spot. Would definitely come back again!

Mona L

Google
Our group of 12 joined together at this popular neighborhood restaurant located in the Merriweather district in Columbia. We went on a Tuesday evening for dinner and it felt like a weekend crowd. ****Food was delicious and appetizers and main meals were well received. **** Service was friendly and explanations about the menu and ability to tone the spice level up or down was very helpful. ****Decor without the summer decorations were cute but a bit distracting. The regular decor is bright and colorful on its own. The noise level was quite high and the volume of piped in music made carrying a normal level of conversation difficult. I would maybe try to come back for a weekday lunch to see if it would be crowded then too however being popular is usually a case for a restaurant where the food is much enjoyed.

Brianna B.

Google
This was my first time eating at Dok Khao Thai and I absolutely love the food! The service was very fast but me and my friends were served by Khoa and there was no hi or hello, how are we doing? Just are you ready to order? We ordered and the food came really fast which I appreciated however whenever when we had conversations with Khoa his responses were very rude and with attitude which was strange because the rest of his co workers were very sweet!

K. C.

Google
Delicious and delightful. I’ve never had a bad dish here. Their food is creative and tasty. Be mindful the line may be out the door because a lot of people go here and it’s not a lot of space inside. It’s very quaint.

michelle

Google
Food was better than most other Thai I've had. Typical wait time on a Saturday (45 min). Parking was difficult to find due to busy area. Prices were a bit high for the level of Thai. Family friendly. Very crowded seating, difficult to have a conversation due to noise level. We would go back on a less busy day.
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Marin F.

Yelp
i know this place based on a coworker's recommendation and we've eaten out here as a group twice because we keep coming back to this place! this place is nestled in the popular hub in columbia, md with a bunch of other food spots. however, this thai place stands out as one of the best in the area. as soon as you walk in you feel like you're transported to another place. the decor and the lights inside give such a welcoming and fancy feeling. we got seated right away with out a reservation and as a party of 6. my coworkers ordered the green curry and raved about it, and i got the drunken noodles with a good level of spice. don't skip out on dessert!! they are most famous for their lava thai tea bingsoo shaved ice! this is the best dessert on the menu and my coworkers levitate every time we order this. the way they present this is they take the plastic off the shaved ice and the condensed milk just spills all over. this is the most delicious dessert between the condensed milk, the thai tea bingsoo, and the fresh fruit that is accompanied by it. overall, i would recommend this place for some delicious thai food and especially the dessert! the dessert definitely stands out the most
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Maria B.

Yelp
My husband and I came here on VDay this year with plans on getting a table. We settled for seats at the bar due to the long wait( which was to be expected on this busy holiday). I'm glad we opted for the bar instead of going elsewhere. The decor inside was so pretty. They have a fountain in the middle of the restaurant which drew my attention. The bartender was very friendly and efficient. We didn't wait long for drinks or food. The food was so fresh and delicious. We started with the crab Rangoon and the curry puffs. I love crab Rangoon so it was a hit for me. The curry puffs were good too. I liked the sauce that it came with. They were very filling. For mains, I ordered the Pad Thai with shrimp. It was a huge portion for the price you pay. I definitely had leftovers the next day. My husband ordered the lychee duck curry. It was so flavorful. He said he would order it again. We shared the crab fried rice because hello?! This is MD. We love crab. It was so much rice and the flavor was really good. If you don't like tomatoes, order it without. The drinks were delicious and they have cute names and different cute cups. We ordered the Thai tea crème brûlée for dessert and it was also delicious. My husband said it was too sweet for him but it was perfect for me. We both said we will come back. You definitely should check them out!
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Sharon O.

Yelp
The food is DELICIOUS! Fresh and prepared just right. However, during the summer or warmer months, the flies that come into the restaurant are out of control and needs to be better managed. Hence why I prefer to order take out
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Judy N.

Yelp
Wow- I wish I lived here in the DC area because this Thai is so delicious!! We came on a Sunday at 1pm and it was jammed packed. (They told us it would only be a 10-15 mins wait but it took actually around 30-35 mins...). But anyway, once we were seated we ordered and got our appetizer pretty quickly. I ordered the drunken noodles with chicken (spicy) and wow, it was spicy! I like spice so I was happy with it but might just get medium spice next time if I don't want too much;). The noodles are nice and thick plus they give a good amount of chicken with the dish. We had plenty of leftovers. My sister really enjoys the Pad Thai (comes out not spicy which is the way she likes it). We also got a couple desserts- the mango sticky rice is perfect because it's not over the top sweet but just the right amount. Our friend got the Thai Tea Crème Brûlée which is quite innovative and was also very good. The ambience is very instagram-y (which is why I was worried the food might not be great) but I was so happy to be in a beautiful atmosphere WITH good food. Note this restaurant is SO LOUD tho since it's so busy. I really enjoyed it and will definitely come back when in town!
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Kimberly K.

Yelp
Visited Dok Khao for a family birthday and had a wonderful visit! The decor inside is very pretty, with all the florals. It almost feels like a nice tea room. The staff is very friendly! They helped give recommendations on the menu and were quick with service. We started off with the Chicken Satay and Crab Rangoons; both were delicious. I had the Panang Curry, which was SO good! We ended the night with dessert, which was beautifully plated and a great ending to our meal. I know we'll be back again soon!
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Kelly P.

Yelp
Dok Khao was a 5 star experience from start to finish. We walked up and saw it was PACKED - but I was undeterred. We were told there'd be a 30 minute wait, and they texted a link that allowed us to efficiently track where we were in line. The 25 minutes of watching happy diners and busy bartenders ensured our appetites could remain primed and ready. The decor was aesthetically pleasing and well selected, the dining room energy was thrilling, and I can see why so many people opt to have their birthday there! There were so many enticing menu items that we had a hard time choosing, and truth be told - I'd order every single item again. Starters: Bangkok wings, curry puffs, and nam tok. Mains: Lychee Duck Curry special, Pad Ka Pow Desserts: Thai tea crème brûlée, sweet sticky rice with Thai custard I am salivating over everything just writing about it. We truly ate like kings and the bill wasn't as painful as one would think. I can't wait to come back!!
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Bianca S.

Yelp
Beautiful restaurant! We sat at the bar to eat. The bartender was so friendly! The food was delicious!! Generous portions and full of flavor! My boyfriend wanted to try his food a little spicier--the bartender brought out 3 different spicy options. Can't wait to go back!!
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Sandra K.

Yelp
Can't believe I haven't heard of this spot until now! The decorations are fun and floral, setting a nice atmosphere for your meal. Drink: Midnight Mermaid: 3/5 came in a fun mermaid glass. Tasted like a melted popsicle though, very syrupy and sweet Food: Lychee duck curry: 4/5 whole lychee inside that provided a nice sweet flavor! duck was quite tender considering it was cooked in a stew Cry baby noodles: 5/5 shrimp and sausage and it was packed full of flavor!
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Carroll N.

Yelp
1.2.25 Service Top notch service with attentive servers. Staff took turns attending to us. They came around frequently to check if everything was ok and to see if we needed anything. The servers boxed our leftovers at our table for us. Decor/Ambiance The interior is stunning with elegant and opulent decor. For the holidays the restaurant was adorned with festive decorations including Santa, a Christmas, balloons, gift boxes and garlands. Food My friend, and I ordered the following: -Duck Roll: I ordered based on great reviews, however, was a bit disappointed. It was cold, dry, and overcooked. The Roti and plum sauce may have overpowered the duck. I couldn't really taste it. -Som Tum (papaya salad): My friend ordered this and said it was her favorite of everything we ordered. -Drunken noodle: Initially she thought her dish was going to be dry based on its appearance, but after trying it, said it was really good. -Garlic lover with Beef: Beef was overcooked and chewy. I ordered a side of sticky rice for an up charge of $3. I thought it was hard and dry too. -Chambord Raspberry: My favorite of everything I ordered. It was indulgent and perfection. Also, the presentation is very pretty. I highly recommend this!
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Arrt T.

Yelp
Came here two weekends in a row during the '24 holiday season. Love the decor, the ambiance, and the food! Which made us go there twice in a span of a few days. Our favorite is the soft shell crab curry, but we also loved everything else. Didnt order anything we disliked. One thing is that we wished the soup was hotter than lukewarm.
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Anya R.

Yelp
100/10 would definitely recommend. My mom on I went on an early dinner date tonight and we were blown away by both the dishes and every drink. Our server was Earth, pretty cool name and he was so awesome! He recommended all of his favorite dishes (which we went with) he took really good care of us. Cindy is the manager and she was walking around checking in on tables and stopped to recommend the Love Youzu since I don't drink alcohol very much. It is now MY FAVORITE DRINK. It wad so tasty and fleshing! The place is decorated with a holiday theme, it's gorgeous inside. I could not stop taking photos. Literally from the time you walk in the door, the entire restaurant is beautifully decorated. Crab Fried Rice Branzino Kapaw (chicken) Spicy Eggplant (pork) I would never order this but my mom wanted to try it -- 10/10 easy. It's delicious Dump cake Chocolate lava Dump cake -- flavor was so unique and I couldn't stop eating it!! Everything we ordered was hit and tasted so fresh! I cannot wait to check out some other menu items! They have a forever customer in me!!
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Mark E.

Yelp
Five stars for the food and five-plus for the service. Three, at best, for the value proposition for lunch. We love Thai food and we seek it out often. For Americans, we think we have a somewhat refined palate for this cuisine and we can recognize food as an art form when we encounter it. Dok Khao is all that and more. Our Lamb Massaman Curry and Beef See Ew lunch entrees were both outstanding. Thai food can easily be inadequately or overly spiced. The kitchen at Dok Khao employes the perfect touch of heat-with-moderation. We recognized the cuisine in the spices without having our doors blown off. As we visited between Christmas and New Years (and during Chanukah!), the restaurant was decorated beautifully - extremely festively - for the holidays (see pics). Service was beyond prompt and super polite - we were in, seated, ordered, fed, finished and out in perhaps 35 minutes. Without feeling rushed. On a Friday for lunch, the restaurant was completely full by Noon. Now perhaps this was the holiday season, or perhaps this is customary. We do not know, but a word to the wise would be to make a reservation or come early. Those two entrees and one diet coke set us back $61, with tax and a 20% tip. This is way too much for lunch IMO. Hopelly Dok Khao develops lunch specials. Otherwise, on economics it would be dinner only here for us.
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Nigel M.

Yelp
I recently had the pleasure of dining at Dok Khao Thai Eatery, located in the vibrant Merriweather District of Columbia, MD. The area is bustling with modern apartments, restaurant bars, and even an ice-skating rink, making it an exciting destination. From the moment I walked in, I was captivated by the restaurant's beautiful interior. The green accents create a fresh and inviting atmosphere that perfectly complements the extensive menu. Dok Khao Thai offers a wide range of options, including plenty of gluten-free and vegetarian dishes, ensuring there's something for everyone. I visited with my parents for drinks and light appetizers, and I was thoroughly impressed. The prices reflect the quality and taste of the food, making it a great value. The quick service was an added bonus, allowing us to enjoy our time without feeling rushed. Already adorned for the holidays, Dok Khao Thai has a fantastic ambiance that's perfect for any occasion. I can definitely see myself becoming a regular here. Overall, it's a delightful spot with great food, a welcoming atmosphere, and prices that won't break the bank.
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Chintan D.

Yelp
Always busy and bustling place with tons of flavorful choices. I like Dok Khao as it is in prime location at Merriweather, offers lots of vegetarian and vegan options, and serves awesome drinks. However, it's usually packed and gets harder to get a table for a large family. The inside does not scream Thai at all, the setting is indicative of upscale decor, perfect for business lunches or dates. The service is usually great but kind of tapers off when they are really busy. But they are busy for a reason. Their food is great quality. There hasn't been anything that I have disliked so far in my 5-6 times visiting the store. Drunken noodles are my go-to option as a vegetarian but their basil-eggplant is great as well. My wife always orders the papaya salad as a starter which is a staple for her. I would rate it 4.5 just due to some mix services I've had but otherwise it's a great place to be.
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Katrina F.

Yelp
What a beautiful restaurant, filled with details and whimsical accents that make the experience that much more special. I came for the duck noodle soup and added some steamed dumplings (shumai style). Both were fresh and delicious, and you could taste individual ingredients as well as the flavor profile as a whole. I asked for chili sauce and was given a condiment tray with pickled Thai chilies and pepper flakes. These were the perfect addition if you like spicy food. (my nose is still running in the best way possible) The service was excellent. Friendly, smiling faces from beginning to end. Prompt and friendly is their way to go. The price is on the higher side but with the flavors and service, I didn't mind at all.
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Aisha F.

Yelp
Casual spot, service was fine, but the star of this show is the food. Some of the best Thai food I've ever had. Cocktails were delicious too. My first time having red curry, the lamb curry noodles was delicious. But the start of the show is what we split as our appetizer. The crispy pork basil. My goodness, the pork was fried to perfection and that chef's special spicy basil sauce. MY GOODNESS. Think a mixture between garlic sauce from and general tso's with a burst of basil. I can't even describe it, that's how good the sauce was. I want to bathe in it.
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Victoria E.

Yelp
Dok Khao is a reliably good Thai spot in the Columbia area, and perhaps Howard County. I started coming here a few years ago when they first opened, and remember being so impressed that I made the hike up here. The interiors are unique with the unused fountain in the center and emerald green booths. Around the holidays, they decorate and it looks really festive around this time of year, complimenting the holiday decor outside. I usually order the drunken noodles or panang curry from here and they are always so delightfully yummy each time. Recently I tried the cry baby noodles and the beef noodle soup on their specials menu. I was surprised by the cry baby noodles! I was skeptical because it looked bland when it first came out (no color or spice in sight), but I was happy to be wrong. The dish was tasty and quite fulfilling. The beef noodle soup was also good, it really just reminded me of pho but a step up. I asked to add spice and they gave me a spice blend that I added spoonfuls of. I appreciate the wide variety of dessert options here. Each one is delicious! The last few weekends I've been here I noticed that it gets pretty busy at Noon (and they open at 11). Well worth the wait though! Evenings are nightmares because the wait times are upwards of 45min to an hour.
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Nikita J.

Yelp
Such an excellent birthday dinner. It's beautiful inside but also busy so if you are coming for dinner come armed with some patience and flexibility because they don't do reservations. Despite the business the food is excellent and the service was friendly and patient while we waited for our party to find parking and come inside. Hits: - Lycheetini: SO good. Your go-to if fruity and slightly floral drinks are your thing. - Chicken satay: excellent, 9/10. No notes. Use that same sauce for the spring rolls - Veg pad Thai: delish, classic pad thai flavors with quality veggies. - Spicy Eggplant: actually spicy, actually a good eggplant to tofu ratio, actually perfect texture and flavor - Chicken and cashew nuts:: plenty of chicken, cashews add just the right amount of interesting texture. - Thai coffee mille feuille (totally spelled that wrong): lovely fusion end to the meal, coffee flavor came through but didn't overpower - mango sticky rice: classic flavors, classic textures, just very comforting. Misses: - Tofu wings: bland AF. Don't get. Absolutely not worth it. Really looking forward to coming back and trying more items!
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Michelle D.

Yelp
Love this place second time here. The wings are so saucey and flavorful definitely recommend. The serving portions are also huge which is a plus. Was so full for dessert but the menu looked delicious. I love the set up and aesthetics of the place. Server was very quick and attentive!
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Ieshia T.

Yelp
I'm still not impressed with Dok Khai. I have been multiple times and the food is mediocre for me. Some of their dishes are very sweet including the crab fried rice and yellow curry. I'm excited to see they added a HH and will visit to take advantage of that.
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Aviana B.

Yelp
This establishment is Amazing. The cuisine is of high quality. My significant other and I dined here less than a month ago and have returned twice since then. The atmosphere is superb.
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Jung P.

Yelp
A bunch of us came here for lunch. We were mostly couples but we kind of scattered a bit and sat a lot of men on one side and women on the other as we had not seen each other in awhile and wanted to catch up. That was the first mistake. You see, most of the women were quite familiar with this place while most of the men had never been here. When they say we can't take them anywhere, they mean they won't take us anywhere. Anyway, my side struggled to order our dishes while the women's side knew the exact game plan, which my wife shared with me only on our way home. She and my daughter spoke about how good this and that was and I felt like I missed out and was left hungry! The pictures below are some of the dishes our side had. Can't even imagine how good the women's side were. They came in with a clear mission. As soon as they sat down, the ring leader stated "we are doing this family style." Each person stated their preference and the table they assembled put ours to shame. They tasted every single flavor and texture this place had to offer. The men did something similar but wasn't nearly as organized or well thought out. I mean, listening to my wife and daughter talk about the dishes I have not even glimpses made me think we were at different restaurants. Every dish was exquisite! The flavor and texture were extraordinary. Me, being a pho guy, ordered one of the soup dishes and had 3 small bowls to share with friends. But I have to say, it was good but I still prefer the Vietnamese pho much better. In fact, it was probably the least flavorful dish at the table. Even with all the great dishes, couple stood out. The drunken noodles and the tilapia dish. I could have eaten both of them all day, every day. You can never go wrong with Thai food but this stood out for the fun and flavorful gathering we had. Or we men just need to go out and eat more. On other note, there were like 20 of us and he engaged and educated us about the dishes and when we placed our orders, he didn't write a single item down. And he got every single order perfectly. It came out to each individual. That blew my mind! Either that or they have some communication system with an assistant waiter hovering nearby and writing it down. However they did it, it was flawless and impressive. Do I recommend this place? Absolutely. Just don't wait to be invited out.
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Toya J.

Yelp
Dok Khao Thai Eatery is super cute! If I were in high school, I would come here for my sweet 16 birthday. The mint green color palette and bright tropical flowers scream girl's night out! I always see these types of places on IG and I never get around to going any of them. This is a lively spot with lots of families and friend groups. Its vivacious and noisy, in a good way. They bring out the sparklers for special occasions. The staff is nice and very prompt. I enjoyed the drunken noodles with beef, they ask you "how spicy", a plus. The cocktails are refreshing and PRICEY, not sure if they even have happy hour, the only reason why I wasn't sad, was because I didn't have to pay! Cocktails were $15 and up. The whole area is enjoyable; outside you can walk around or sit outside, there's a community fountain for kids to play in. Another win for the Columbia, Maryland restaurant community.
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Shawnta B.

Yelp
This is our second visit and we went early so that we didn't have to wait in line. Our server was very attentive and made suggestions to our orders that were great! For appetizers we had the chive cakes, jacketed shrimp, wonton soup and crab ragoons. Each was delicious and we truly loved the chive cakes. For our meals, my daughter had the whole bronzini, I had drunken noodles with shrimp and spice level 1 and my husband had the sesame beef. Also had a side of fried rice with egg. Everything was delicious. My daughter also had the sticky rice with mango also really good. The restaurant is decorated so eclectically. I'm glad it was toned down from the Christmas decorations. I'll definitely be back.
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Cathy H.

Yelp
This is hands down my favorite Thai restaurant in the area. There is no parking in front so you would need to park in the parking lot that is about 2 blocks away. The decor inside is very green and pretty. They have delicious dishes and a great drink menu.
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Tonia S.

Yelp
I've come here about 4-5 times and each time has been consistently pleasant. The staff are friendly and the service is fast. The restaurant seating area has nice decor and it typically doesn't take long to be seated, even when it's busy. All of the entrees I've tried were great and the portion sizes are more than fair.
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LaTia S.

Yelp
We visited on a holiday Monday for lunch, it was quite busy in the restaurant about 1pm. There were chairs available at the bar, but I hate stools, I need back support so we opted to wait for a table. The host staff were welcoming and placed me right on the wait-list. Our wait was a little less 10 minutes. We were then led to a table in the back, close to the restroom with one side being a booth seat. Our waiter immediately greeted us very friendly and eager to assist. We first order drinks and asked for assistance in narrowing down our selection for an appetizer and we settled on the fried scallion cake. While waiting on the appetizer we looked through the menu with all the great offerings from chef recommendations to chef specials and the regular menu, there are a lot of options. While trying to narrow down our entrees we were able to take in the Halloween decor in the restaurant, very tastefully done! We settled on fried bronzino and whole fried flounder. Every single thing we had was delightfully delicious The chili tamarind sauce was to die for!!! I promise I made a sound with every bite of my food, it was that good. Everything was fresh and clearly cooked to order. If I had to complain about anything it would be the mai tai I had was a little too sweet for my liking and I'm used to a stronger, less sweet mai tai. Outside of that I am definitely excited to get back to taste their other offerings, something tells me that I won't be disappointed no matter what I choose. Please note the whole fried flounder is market price and we paid about $70, it was 3lbs.
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Kadeem S.

Yelp
The food was soooo good. We were visiting from out of town and were not expecting such a nice establishment. The service was pretty fast despite being pretty busy. The restaurant it self it beautiful and the ambiance can fit so many occasions, from date night to birthday celebration. The Thai tea was excellent. Our dishes were amazing, watch out for the spice levels. My dish was a little spicier than i would like but it the flavors alone made up for my mouth being on fire (it was my fault it was too spicy)
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Janelle M.

Yelp
Dok Khao is located in the Merriweather District, a newer development in Columbia. It was especially nice to see families ice-skating right outside the restaurant which is sandwiched between Blackwall Barn & Lodge and Yoga Six on an abnormally warm Sunday in December. As soon as you entire the restaurant, you're greeted by warm faces and even warmer temperature. The decor was lovely and match the Thai aesthetic. Our food was so flavorful! We started with wings and crab rangoons - perfect portion sizes. We ordered sesame ginger beef and drunken noodles, and chicken fried rice and lo mein for our kiddo. This was my first Thai meal in several years so I didn't remember how powerful a punch the flavor can be. The sesame ginger beef packed a lot of the ginger flavor, almost too much, but the sweetness cut it down a bit for me. My husband loves his drunken noodles and asked for medium heat, which was plenty. Our waiter keep our water filled and checked in often. The food was prepared quickly and correctly. Would we come again? Absolutely!
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Maggie L.

Yelp
Whoa this place is legit! Having recently returned for a trip to Thailand, the flavors are definitely authentic (although spice level is nicely turned down for us Americans). All the 3 dishes I had were solid and would get again. Very bustling environment that can come with a bit of a wait but it's worth it! The service was also above and beyond. Our server was very attentive to our needs for hot/cold water and making sure that we were looked after. Many people were also getting serenaded for their birthdays which was entertaining. Worth a trip out here!
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Emoni S.

Yelp
My friend and I were in the area and really wanted to find something to eat. We found this Thai restaurant and it was an instant yes for me. The reviews were great and the pictures looked really nice. The wait was fast and we were seated immediately. Couple friends joined us later and they had no issues with seating them. I started off with the wings and the fried calamari. The wings were presented very well, but they weren't as good as I expected. The fried calamari was delicious and the sauce that came with it was great. I ordered the seafood drunken noodles and it was great. The server was nice and the food came quickly. The restaurant was decorated so cute and it was very clean. Overall I had a great experience here and if I'm back in the area I would return to try more on the menu.
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Cynthia F.

Yelp
Re reviewing after a couple years! I recently visited again with a large group (8). When we called in advance, they said they weren't taking any more reservations and we would need to be a walk in. I arrived in advance to put our names in. The waiting area is very cramped- it was really hard to find the right person to get our names in. They quoted us an hour and a half wait so we went to kill time at a different place and get a drink. Our wait did take the quoted time. When I think of Dok Khao I think upscale Thai with a nice ambiance/aesthetic. So, I expect a little bit of a higher price for their dishes due to this. My main reason for docking stars is my husband and I got the seafood garlic lovers to share, and it was a pitiful amount of seafood for $21. Definitely felt a little ripped off for what we got! We also got some noodles which were a decent portion. A little disenchanted with the restaurant after this experience but would still give it another try if other people wanted to go!
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Ravon H.

Yelp
Service is always great. Came by unexpectedly on a Sunday night. Had reservations at another place in the area but after sitting in there for a while without ever having a waiter come to my table I left. Luckily Dok Khao was right across the street. As soon as I walked in I was greeted with a smile by the friendly hostess. I was immediately taken to a table and before I sat down the water brought over. The waitress took my order and I had a appetizer of gyoza. It came out quickly as well. My main I had the special drunken noodles with seafood. Delicious. The food was absolutely delicious. I enjoyed it all and didn't even have anything leftover lol. Great experience. It's very family friendly inside as well. It's my daughter's favorite place to go so we will definitely be back soon.
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Tatanisha L.

Yelp
A restaurant that always has delicious food and a great ambiance, today, I ventured out and tried a new dish, lamb in two seasons. It was delicious. From the tender lamb to the flavorful sauce, I was overjoyed with the dish. My table mate had the lamb curry. Filled with tender lamb, the curry sauce had just the right amount of spice. We also enjoy crispy salmon rolls. Yum. Based on the input of the server, I ordered the yuzu matcha. A delicious, crisp drink, it was complemented by the added matcha and met my caffeine craving without taking it overboard. If you are looking for a wonderful food experience with a creative drink menu, go to Dok Khao Thai Eatery.
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Kimberly W.

Yelp
Everyone really loves Dok Khao Thai because it is packed every time I go. It also has over the top decorations and I love it. The staff is very nice and efficient. Tonight was a Tuesday. My mom and I started at the bar for happy hour. Happy hour is from 4-6pm at the bar. $9 margaritas and mojitos and a $10 martinis. There are also $8 bar apps. My mom loved the jacketed shrimp (shrimp wrapped in an egg roll wrapper) and got another order for dinner with a salad. I enjoyed the dumplings. For dinner I got Lamb Massaman. The lamb was so tender. The Massaman curry was also wonderful. Not too sweet and a small heat that lingered. The most important thing is I just got back from Thailand and thought I would never be able to have Thai food in America again. I can eat here everyday.
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Kyle L.

Yelp
Dom Khao has been recommended to me for years, so I knew it was time to finally try this place. The restaurant is decorated so beautifully and festively. Their menu is fun, loaded with special drinks and desserts. Their entrees are pretty similar to what you would find in any Thai restaurant, but the dishes have an addd flare to them. The serving sizes can be shared among two-three people, but you definitely need to order a few more items to be filled. I enjoyed the duck roll and mango sticky rice, but u felt like the chicken dish and drunken noodles I had fell short. This restaurant isn't bad, don't get me wrong. I just equally enjoy my local take out place (and their bigger portions).
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Temima N.

Yelp
This is the 3rd time I've been here & this time it really blew me away! They added a soft shell crab curry on the menu & it definitely the best things I've eaten in a while! I hope they keep it on the menu or at least bring it out for the season. The drunken noodles were well seasoned & a nice level of spice. We go the Thai coffee dessert. Visually appealing but a little hard to eat since it was flaky. All in all we've enjoyed everything! I tried few things before but this meal definitely worth it! Would definitively go here anytime to try more of the menu.
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Leigh D.

Yelp
Been here twice. This represents June 2024 in my photo series. The first time I went was in March 2022 when a friend was in town, and we went here to visit his wife's family. I had no appetite, so I barely ate anything and just took the leftovers. Turned out I had gotten the Flu. But I could tell the Thai food was of quality and a nice atmosphere, fancy looking place. The 2nd time I went was a Tuesday in June 2024 with my g/f. We were both impressed with the quality of our Pad Thai. I feel the portions could be more here. I go to some Thai places, and I have enough for 2 meals. Here is just enough for one meal. I was pretty hungry on that Tuesday too though. We like the gold "silver"ware, that's fancy! Server was cordial and was fast. Afterward we ended up going to the worst movie of 2024 (to date) at nearby AMC Columbia, called Tuesday (coincidentally on a Tuesday, just worked out that way for scheduling). We would definitely consider this as a good option.
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Clara K.

Yelp
I love Thai food and it's so hard to find the right one. I am glad that we have one in Columbia area so I can get my Thai fix before I head to Nashville every month. Planning on trying every food on their menu!
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Kim J.

Yelp
I love Dok Khao. My friend and I stopped by on a Friday evening around 8:30 and it was packed. It was a 25 minute wait and we were lucky to grab a spot at the bar because I was hangry and couldn't wait. The place is cute and nicely decorated. We had the crispy Salmon rolls to start and shared Pad Thai and Siam Chicken. Everything was AMAZING! The Siam Chicken was my favorite...everything was delicious and flavorful, even the rice. The Pad Thai was good too. It wasn't dry and flavor was solid. Portions are a good size too. I'll be back again soon for some more Siam Chicken.
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Puja P.

Yelp
This place was so gorgeous, inside and out. The food was outstanding and super tasty. We got the Dok khao pad Thai and red curry and the portions were also massive. I was amazed how fast our food came out. They were very accommodating to our dietary restrictions. The complex this restaurant is located in also has a lot going on. There is even an ice rink in the winter.
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Josephine K.

Yelp
Arrived on a Saturday afternoon and it was busy! The interior decor was nicely decorated to the upcoming Christmas holidays and we were seated at a booth. We ordered the Crab Rangoon and Duck Roll to start with the Pad Thai (shrimp) as our main entree. The crab rangoon had mostly cream cheese in it, but it was delicious. The fried duck roll came with a sweet plum sauce and mustard which paired nicely with the duck. It honestly could have been an entree on its own. The Pad Thai was delicious with the traditional flavors and the shrimp was paired nicely with it. My husband got the Thai Milk Tea which he really enjoyed and they also have plenty of dessert options which we didn't get to try. Hoping next time we can bring some friends and fit in dessert!

Jim C.

Yelp
I was in town for business a couple of weeks ago and wanted to try something different and found this restaurant. It is located near the Columbia mall in what looks to be a newer development of apartments and shops. Parking is a little unusual as it is removed from the restaurant, but not difficult I was quickly seated at a table near the bar, which is very busy. Actually the main dining room was pretty busy as well. Service was friendly impromptu I had chicken sate for an appetizer. The peanut sauce that it was served with was a thick sauce with actual peanuts in it as opposed to the watery sauce often served with this dish. It was very tasty. I then had yellow curry with chicken that was served with rice The dish was piping, hot and full of chicken and potatoes The sauce was absolutely delicious and the waitress offered to bring me another side of white rice to be able to soft up all of the sauce I actually returned to this location this past week and sat at the bar and had the same exact items it was just as good the second time The only downside of this location is that it is a bit on the loud side and reminds me more of a French café rather than a Thai restaurant, but the food and service more than makes up for this
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Jacob F.

Yelp
Service was good enough. Busy spot, so when we went they only had outdoor seating. Their non alcoholic drinks are innovative and delicious- beautiful colors, tastes and flavors The first set of wings came out ice cold, we had to send it back. It was good when we got our second serving, though. The crab Rangoons were good, however, I don't like too many pieces of food with an abundance of creamy filling. My guest enjoyed them though My noodles were delicious. I was told it was a 3/5 for spice, but it ended up being a 2/5. Delicious food overall
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Nancy L.

Yelp
This is one of my go to restaurants when I am in the area. They do not take reservations for small groups and there is always a line on the weekends but if you go before 12 pm, you can typically avoid a wait. The restaurant is beautifully decorated to be the quintessential IG restaurant. The servers are always friendly and helpful no matter how packed it gets. Cocktails are beautiful and there are little illustrations of each drink on the menu so you can see if it not only fits your tastebuds but your aesthetic. I got the Khao San Rd last time I went. I would definitely recommend if you like the Thai tea flavor with a bit of tartness and no milk. I really loved it, my friend preferred the kind with milk. For appetizers we usually get the curry puffs and salmon rolls. The curry puffs have what tastes to me like a massamun curry filling and the salmon rolls are cooked salmon, rice, and seaweed deep fried in a tempura batter and topped with tobiko. I would also recommend the duck rolls! This time we also tried the nam tok which we really enjoyed with the bed of salad it is served on. It is also served either sticky rice by the rice was a little dry and not very sticky. For my entree I got the whole Fried Branzino which was enough for 2 people to enjoy. It was served with rice and a sweet soy based sauce. I appreciated that it was served on the side to preserve the crispiness of the fish. It was also extremely sweet so I only took very little. My leftovers packed very well. The server made sure I was able to take every component of my dish home. The reason I gave this place 4 stars is although I love this place, every time I come here I find that most dishes are too sweet. For some reason, each time I go it gets sweeter and sweeter.
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Jason M.

Yelp
"Underwhelming Food, Over-the-Top Decor" This Thai restaurant has its charm, but it didn't quite hit the mark for me. First off, the decor is wild--like stepping into a Thai street market that exploded with colors and trinkets. It's fun at first but feels a bit overwhelming after a while. The food, unfortunately, didn't live up to the atmosphere. The flavors were decent, but everything felt way too mild, even after asking for extra spice. Isn't Thai food supposed to bring the heat? Portions were also pretty small for the price, which left me feeling like I didn't quite get my money's worth. On the upside, everyone working there is actually Thai, which shows in the authenticity of the ingredients and recipes. You can tell they care about what they're doing--I just wish the food had a little more punch and generosity. Three stars for the effort and vibe, but I wouldn't rush back unless they crank up the spice and size.
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Ebonie C.

Yelp
Such a beautiful place! The decor is absolutely stunning and has lots of florals! I tried the ube latte, the salmon spring rolls and the volcano dessert (crowd pleaser). The volcano dessert was so cool to watch and it was filled with robust thai tea and topped with a cracker crumble with walnuts! So elegant and classy. The service was quick and they accommodated my group which was hugggggge effortlessly!
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Linda V.

Yelp
Dok Khao features a cozy, stylish atmosphere that blends modern and traditional Thai decor. The inviting environment, coupled with friendly and attentive service, makes for an overall positive dining experience! I've tried Dok Khao several times and can definitely say that several of their curry entrees are delicious!! I've had the green, red, and lychee duck curry, all of which boast rich and aromatic flavors! The perfect mix of spices and creamy coconut milk creates a comforting and satisfying dish. As for their noodle dishes, such as their house pad Thai and pad see ew, although well-seasoned and flavorful, their noodles tend to be slightly too oily. The excessive oil takes away from the dish's enjoyment, despite its good texture and taste. I would recommend trying out Dok Khao when in the Columbia area, especially try out their curry dishes!
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Elizabeh A.

Yelp
Ambience inside is very nice. The welcome host was not that nice & welcoming. We requested a booth seating & he said we cannot sit there because it's a table for 6 & we were only 4. However there were many other guest sitting at tables that did not fit their party size. (Photos attached). It's not until our waiter "Shu" (shoe) happily reseated us at the requested table. Food portions were large & pretty tasty. Cocktails & Zero-Proof drinks were yummy as well! Very pretty! I'm not in a rush back due to the host but it is a nice, clean place.