Olay's Thai Lao Cuisine

Olay’s Thai Lao Cuisine a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Chinatown on Hotel St. The restaurant front looks deceptively ordinary but once you get inside you’ll be transported to a magical place with an amazing garden. Mother and daughter run an authentic Thai / Lao restaurant. Cooks are from the orient and bring with them authentic dishes from the orient. Service is top notch. Very attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly. We ordered the sampler platters of appetizers and entrees to get a taste of what they were offering. Everything was delicious. Highly recommended

Sadly, the atmosphere was the only part I truly liked. While the setting is visually appealing, even that had drawbacks, the fish felt far too large for the small pond, which made the space feel uncomfortable rather than serene. Unfortunately, the food did not live up to the ambiance. The fried calamari had very thick, heavy breading, with dry, overcooked squid inside. There was far more breading than calamari, and the pieces were thin and tough, as shown in the photos. Serving hot food on plastic dishes felt completely wrong and detracted further from the experience. The drunken noodles were ordered mild, but came out closer to medium spicy. The fried rice, ordered medium spicy, was very spicy, significantly hotter than expected. Spice levels were inconsistent and did not align with what was requested. As shown, we barely finished the food. I also asked for light ice in my drink because it dilutes quickly, but it arrived filled with ice, and watered down fast. The waitress denied that I was wrong...?! Overall, the restaurant has an attractive setting, but the food execution, spice accuracy, and attention to detail were disappointing, especially given its reputation.

It was a pleasant suprise to find an open yet private outdoor set up restaurant in middle of China town. Serene astmosphere with water, ponds, greens, and open seating. Feel like we were in Thailand again. Food was supringly flavorful. We had tom-yum, papaya salad, garlic pork stick, chicken wings, padthai, penang curry. Its recommended to get Thai coffee or tea if you'd need to cool down eating medium spicy food. The drinks were good. This is the 3rd best Thai restaurant we tried. I gave it 4 stars on food because even though I found them exceed expectation, the 3 dishes I always order at Thai place were short of their signature taste. Tom-yum missed its significant contrast between sour and salty and mam ruoc hint. Papaya salad also missed its mắm taste, and the green beans werent smashed for earthy taste and the fish sauce they used wasnt strong enough. Penang is lighter than I expect, the other place in Orange I tried has a very deep curry taste where its richness just enough to stay on your taste bud without overpowering everything else - feeling like the dish was simmered for hrs before uts served. This one doesnt have that. But I would come back because in the end, it is very fulfilling.

Olay’s is not your average Thai restaurant. It gives you something a little extra, with their unique decor, extensive menu, and outdoor dining, the whole experience is a great one. Keep in mind, it’s BYOB. There is a liquor store/market directly next door so if you forget, you can pop over to grab drinks. They don’t have a cork fee so you don’t have to drink it all. The atmosphere is vibrant and lively. There was a wait when I went on a Thursday at 7:30pm. Next door there is a very unique bar that you can pop into if there is a long wait. The food is absolutely delicious and comes out hot hot hot! A recommend place if you’re in the Chinatown area of Honolulu.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We had such a lovely lunch at Olay’s Thai Lao Cuisine in Chinatown! The place has a warm, welcoming vibe with beautiful decor and a relaxed atmosphere. The food was delicious and the portions were generous. The staff were so kind and patient with our toddler, which made the whole experience even better. A perfect spot for a family-friendly meal in the heart of Honolulu! 🤩 Definitely going back!!

Olay’s Thai Cuisine in Honolulu is one of those places that makes you forget where you are once you sit down which is impressive given the surrounding area. Parking takes a little planning. There is street parking and nearby lots but make sure you pay using the app because they hand out tickets all day. I chose a nearby lot for $13 and avoided the stress. There is also curbside meter parking if you get lucky. This part of town can feel sketchy at night so we went for an early lunch which felt like the right call. Once inside the vibe completely changes. The staff were friendly right away and the space is smartly decorated with a tropical feel that makes you want to slow down. We were seated next to a koi pond with a waterfall and two turtles and honestly I could have sat there talking story all day. It was calm peaceful and surprisingly relaxing. The food was solid and flavorful. Plates run about $20 to $30 each and for two people our total came out to $102. That included two drinks an appetizer sampler two main plates and dessert. The drunken noodles were a bit spicier than expected but still really good. The Pad Thai was packed with flavor and easily a standout. Thai tea and the other drinks were flavorful and refreshing at $7 each. The mango sticky rice was perfect for sharing and a great way to finish the meal. Overall Olay’s Thai Cuisine delivers good food friendly service and an atmosphere that makes you want to linger. I would absolutely come back and could easily sit here chatting for hours. Just plan your parking and timing wisely because the food and setting are worth it even if the area itself is a little rough.

We had a really enjoyable experience at this place and there were quite a few highlights that made it worth visiting. The food was flavorful and well prepared. The Pad Thai I ordered mild was perfect, and I was able to fully enjoy it. It had a nice balance of flavors and the ingredients were fresh and well cooked. The Pad Sew Ew was also really good, and the Thai iced tea was just perfect, refreshing and well sweetened. Our friend tried the pineapple fried rice and while they felt it could have been a little more flavorful, the overall quality of the dishes was very solid. The atmosphere was pleasant, and the restaurant had a welcoming and comfortable vibe. The attention to detail in the presentation of the food and the taste of the dishes really showed that the kitchen put effort into their work. The only area that felt like it needed improvement was the service. We did not have enough cutlery for our appetizer and when we asked, it never arrived. When we went to grab it ourselves, the server said it was about to be brought with the main course, which was a bit confusing. Also, when deciding on the spice level for the salad, the server recommended medium for a little bit of spice, but it turned out to be very spicy for all of us. It still had amazing flavor, but the recommendation did not match the experience. Overall, it was a good visit with excellent food and drinks, and with some small adjustments in service, it could easily be a five star experience.

GO HERE. First, the food is phenomenal. I couldn't help but steal half of my husband's Tom Kha in between my also mouthwatering drunken noodles. I was making audible yummy noises. Absolutely delicious. The service was amazing, so warm, inviting and attentive without being too much. The staff here is so awesome. The setting itself is honestly one of the most beautiful restaurants I've ever dined in. Between the lights, trees, plants and whole stunning koi pond and water fall I felt like I was in a whole different world. The BYOB aspect is also awesome, we grabbed some beer and soju before coming in. Absolutely stunning and delicious, I will absolutely be making this incredible restaurant one of my frequent haunts. My left over noodles are highly anticipated for tomorrow.

This is my favorite Thai spot in Honolulu-- best value for price. Not overpriced, good fresh ingredients and portions, cutest date night garden ambiance ever. Do not recommend lilikoi spritzer, go next door to Lucky Belly for the best lilikoi spritzer. Highly recommend kabocha curry. Seafood curry is usually great, once a little fishy. Reservations recommended.

I feel so blessed to have come across this Olay's pop up stand that was set up in front of Kaiser Mapunapuna where there was a bunch of prepared containers of Thai food. I was pretty hungry and working at the time so it was a perfect surprise since they are not always there. I asked for a recommendation from the woman behind the table because I have a favorite (GO TO) Thai place in Pearl City and if I'm feeling for curry I always grab their green curry and really wanted to give Olay's a fair chance by not playing the comparison game; first thing the women behind the table recommended was the pumpkin curry which had some chicken inside as well and since I've never tried pumpkin curry I thought, what a perfect opportunity. I am so glad I gave it a try, this pumpkin curry was bangin, very flavorful, tender meats and veg inside and because I didn't eat it until much later when I was in my office settled I could only have a faint regret that I decided against grabbing the papaya salad that I was eyeballing as well. I'll be honest I was being cheap haha The curry was $8 and the papaya salad was $10 so I opted for $8 instead of $18, if you know me you know I usually will get all the things because hey when it comes to food, options and variety just speaks to my soul. I can't fully give a rate on customer service it was a super quick exchange but nonetheless the women was helpful and it was pleasant experience overall, plus unrelated but there was the cutest little baby taking a nap behind the table as the mom (I'm assuming) sold the food, so Bonus because that cutie warmed my heart. Wish I would've got more pictures of the selection. Overall I can't wait to run into this pop up stand again or to find my way to check out their regular location next time I'm craving some Thai Deliciousness.

A little pearl hidden in the hustle and bustle of Chinatown. When you walk through the doors, you are taken out of the chaos and into the calm of an outdoor seating area strewn with fresh and artificial foliage. The atmosphere is set... now for the food. We tried the pad Thai, Ong choy, Penang curry, and the fresh bamboo stew. The pad thai has a soft and chewy QQ texture, which is perfect as it means it's not overcooked. Flavors leaned towards fish sauce, which is delicious. Ong choy serving is large. The panang curry is the creamiest I've had anywhere. It's coconut and fish sauce.. and maybe peanut butter? The bamboo stew is made from fresh bamboo and has an assortment of veggies. It definitely leans towards a funky fishy flavor that is almost similar to Vietnamese fermented fish stew. It's definitely a unique dish for the adventurous. Parking is in a paid lots or street meter parking. Casual. Outside seating. Service is good. Please come and creat your own experience.

My friend loves Thai food. For her special year birthday, I wanted to treat her to lunch. I considered several restaurants and ultimately chose Olay's for its good service and festive atmosphere. It was my friend's first visit to Olay's. She was delighted by the cozy, quiet location sheltered from the hubbub of busy Downtown. A perfect spot to celebrate her birthday. My friend and her husband loved the food. And she seemed to like the outdoor seating, and she said I will definitely bring my husband to Olay's. By the way, she doesn't eat meat, yet Olay's extensive menu offered her a wide variety of tasty meatless choices. We ordered a lot of food, so the table was full of bowls and plates. Especially, I didn't forget to order my favorite, the pumpkin curry. The waitress immediately added one more table to hold all the food. Our super friendly waitress, whose middle name is Keiko, loves Japanese people. For dessert, the restaurant gave us complimentary mango pudding and sticky rice, and even brought a birthday sparkler to the table! We enjoyed friendly talk with her as part of her excellent service. My friend said "I plan to continue returning to Olay's!" again! I was very happy to hear that her word! After lunch we enjoyed a chattering and coffee in the garden. Thai coffee is very sweet, but Keiko offered it in half the size for us, so we were able to easy to enjoy it. Actually 10:50a.m. to 4:20 p.m., we stayed at the Oley's restaurant?! OMG! Even though we stayed long time like this, nobody complaining, even just lovely feeling to watch us. It was a very cozy and comfortable time for us. And when we finally realized the time, we left the restaurant in a hurry! lol Even though the prices have risen somewhat lately, I'm so happy that we received their wonderful service from the bottoms of their hearts It was priceless and hugely valuable to me. 私は親友の還暦誕生日をお祝いする為に、タイ&ラオスフードで人気のOlay'sに招待しました。ここに決めた理由は先ず彼女がタイフード好きな事と、肉を食べない彼女にも選べるメニューの種類がとても多い事でした。 そして明るくフェスティブなフィーリングは彼女の特別な日を盛り上げるには充分な雰囲気です。 広くてエアリーな屋外席に着いた彼女は「ダウンタウンの喧騒を感じない素敵な場所ね〜！」ととても喜んでくれました。 我々は早速数あるメニューの中から先ずは彼女が食べたい物を幾つかチョイスし、私がお勧めのメニューも数点オーダーしました。 我々のテーブルはミドルネームがKeikoと言うフレンドリーで気配りのある女性が担当してくれました。 料理は次々と直ぐに運ばれて来て見る見るうちにテーブルはお皿で一杯に！ するとKeikoさんはすかさず隣のテーブルを我々のテーブルにくっ付けてくれました。 お料理はもちろん飽きのこない安定の味で、私が大好きなパンプキンカレーは親友もも絶賛してくれました。 そしてKeikoさんが親友のお誕生日の餅米マンゴーケーキを運んでくる時は、実は2人とも既に完璧な満腹状態でした(笑) 私はサプライズで用意して来た紅ベストと帽子を彼女に着てもらいお約束のお祝いデザートを待ちました。 するとKeikoさんはケーキとテーブルの上で華やかな演出をするスパーク花火も運んできてくれたのです。 この演出は事前に聞いて居なかったので私もびっくりしました。 素敵なお店の心遣いのお陰で私たちのお祝いの時間はより一層盛り上がった事は言うまでも有りません！ そしてSNSにアップしたタイムラインも私達の忘れられ無い素晴らしい記念になる事でしょう。 結局私達は11時前から午後4時過ぎまでのんびりお庭で寛ぎながら積もる話しをしながらお食事を楽しませて貰いました。 激甘のタイコーヒーは私達には多過ぎましたがKeikoさんが半分のサイズにして提供してくれたので無理なく頂く事が出来ました。 こんなに長時間居座ったにも関わらず、スタッフ全員が私達をそっと見守って居て下さっていた様に感じとても居心地が良く快適でした 久しぶりにこんなにのんびりと親友と過ごす事が出来たのは、レストランの雰囲気とスタッフの皆さんの応対が素晴らしいからだと思います。 メニューお値段は少しアップして居ましたが物価高の折りなのでそれはよく理解出来ます。 それ以上に心からのおもてなし受けたことの方がもっと価値があると感じました。

This is a fun place in Chinatown that transports you to a different place as soon as you walk in. Love the ambiance and decor. Most of the seating is outside, so it's lovely on a beautiful day. The staff has great energy and gives just the right level of attention. The food though is hit or miss. * Nan Khao was terrific and a wonderful start to the meal. Just the right level of sweet, tang, salt, and crunch. * Penang curry was also delicious. The curry is thick which we enjoyed. * Ginger Stir Fry with Tofu was nice. We especially liked it because we have been a bit veggie starved and it had an excellent variety of veggies. It was a nice break from the string flavors of the other dishes. * Pad Thai had good flavor but was way too saucy. The bites with little sauce were great but the ones with more sauce were too salty. * Drunken noodles also had good flavor but the noodles seemed a bit overcooked.

Olay's Thai Lao Cuisine is a must-try! Ordered takeout, and the service was quick and easy. The Panang Curry and Pad See Ew were bursting with amazing flavor. Perfect for a picnic with friends--plenty to share! Great food, excellent service, and a wonderful experience. Highly recommend!

What an unfortunately terrible experience at this restaurant. I would definitely not recommend coming here until their service as well as food quality are improved. We called in about a group of 13 and the hostess asked to put us on hold, which she proceeding to leave us on hold for 20 minutes because she forgot, so we ended up just walking to the restaurant to put our names down. We waited 2 hours to be seated even though we said we could be split up into smaller groups, whichever was faster. They sat us after 2 hours and proceeded to list out all the extra surcharges that come: 20% for groups 6 or more, an extra $50 on top of that for groups of 12 or more, and if you want to pay by card- an extra 4% charge. They could have done us the courtesy of telling us those charges before we waited for 2 hours. They were is a disorganized mess and not courteous at all considering we waited for that long. Then the food came out- you'd think the food would be AMAZING if you waited that long. But no. This is a pretty mediocre Thai restaurant. None of the dishes had any spice to it and the flavors were unoriginal for the price. I hope this restaurant improves, but for now I'd try your luck at any other place around china town.

One of the best Thai places on the island. The price is a little of a sticker shock bc it is more expensive than other Thai places. We wanted to grab a quick bite before our afternoon flight. We let the server know that we were in a bit of a rush and they were very accommodating. We got the best seat in the restaurant right next to the koi pond with koi fish and turtles. We ordered the Thai basil with tofu and vegetable. And the vegan pad Kee mao. Both dishes were delishish. However, we requested medium spice and felt it was lacking. Even after asking if their spice level is based on Thai spice. But overall, we were happy with the dish and even had some Togo as leftover. Definitely recommend this Thai place to others. Definitely worth the cost. And if you're into Instagram, you'd love this place.

This review is mainly for the grilled squid! I didnt try it at the restaurant but had it at their tent at the lunar new year festival! Ive never had this style of grilled squid so i figured i had to try it. The dish is a vibrant orange/red that really stands out and was probably why it was the first thing i grabbed today. So some positives about this is that it was very unique and the herby, citrusy, tangy, sauce they used was addictive. I could put that stuff over anything. The squid was also for the most part decently cooked. Not over and mostly not under... buuut there was the part where the squids mouth would be that seemed way too chewy and maybe that was under. Besides that tho, I saw that they didnt put the squid on the grill very long and after pouring some cold sauce on it, it wasnt nice and warm like i was hoping. Also this thing is extremely hard to eat and i can't imagine how others did it of it was uncut and on a stick. So i think flavor wise its a good dish but execution could use some finesse

The ambiance here is so cute! Lots of outdoor patio seating with umbrellas and cute lights and a koi pond with a waterfall. The menu is huge it was so hard to decide what to order. I got the pad siew which I really enjoyed. We also got the appetizer platter which was okay, it consisted mostly of fried food (calamari, wings, spring rolls), which I could have passed on. Overall I enjoyed Olays and would like to come back and try more dishes!

Had a delicious meal with lots of flavor at Olay's. We had the appetizer platter, the pork skewers, Laotian pad Thai and Thai loco moco. The names may make you think you're getting something special but the Laotian pad Thai's difference is the fried egg on top vs stir fried in. The Thai loco moco was nothing more than beef kaprow. The salad was a little too sweet. Nothing was especially spicy and I loved spicy. Especially Thai spicy so that didn't hit for me. Very cute outdoor seating section and service was quick and friendly.

Hubs was missing his mom's cooking so he wanted to give this place a try. Arrived around 11:30am and there were quite a few tables filled. Cute garden area where we were seated. Hubs ordered: 1) Laotian Platter - Comes with Papaya Salad (Lao style), beef jerky, and Lao sausage. Everything was flavorful. I liked the sausage, especially. 2) Sticky rice and Jeow Bong - Hubs had to have these sides to go with his meal. 3) Cucumber salad (Lao style) - Refreshing 4) Stuffed chicken wings - The wings were crispy but, for me, they didn't have a lot of stuffing like other ones I've tried. 5) Garlic pork sticks - tasty. Good with the sticky rice. 6) Nam Khao - Love the crispy bits. Hubs would've kept ordering if we didn't stop him. Everything had good flavor. We were too full to try any of the desserts. Service was friendly and attentive. Hubs noted that he was very satisfied with the meal.

This place is a must try when you visit Honolulu! This is one of the best Thai restaurants that I have ever tried, given I am from Southern California, where there are lots of Thai restaurants. We couldn't help but compliment the food nonstop ever since the first bite. Seriously, you have to come here and try! Some of my recommendations would be Pad Thai, Fried Calamari, Papaya Salad Lao style. The others are okay, but those 3 stand out the most for us. Definitely recommend trying this!

I never knew a place like this existed. Located in chinatown it has a small storefront but expands to this beautiful tranquil tai like open air patio in the back.....I imagine this is what it looks like in Thailand ...but I dunno never been there....so anyways There is outside seating for an estimated 70 to 80 people all outdoors patio furniture and chairs with tarps or umbrellas they really did a great transformation of the place!! The menu was all Tai offerings (I not familiar with Tai food) and it was all good and prices was moderate....staff was cool and did their jobs best as they could..The place gets busy....They have an outside bathroom and it was clean and well maintained.. If you are looking for a unique dining experience and dont mind hunting for street parking around china town at night this is a must do dining experience.

Beautiful environment once you get into the restaurant and step into the luscious back yard. Feels like you're stepping into a local restaurant in the Thai countryside. Note: they do not serve beer, wine or alcohol at this restaurant so you need to bring your own. This is perfectly fine as long as you're aware, which we were not. Seems like they could make that clear when you make a reservation. What they recommend when you arrive is that you pop next door to the liquor store for whatever you need. What they don't tell you is that this store is an absolute dive with a terrible selection and some unsavory characters inside and the cashier behind a glass protection. Not a good option. Onto the food - as others have noted, the food seems to take a long time to exit the kitchen. Once it arrives, it is good - but is it great? Not really. The spring rolls were crispy but a little overcooked. The curry was okay. The seafood dish was the best but by the time it finally came out, we were getting pretty full. In fairness, we live in a city with outstanding Thai food and lots of it, so this restaurant choice was probably not the best one for us. Having visited many establishments in Chinatown during both daytime and night, we know it can be a little seedy. Outside this restaurant though, was the only time I actually felt a little uncomfortable safety-wise. For all of the reasons, I would not return to Olay Thai.

First time trying the restaurant and ordered 2 items to-go for the first time. Found out when we got there that Okay's had great ambiance with a cute, hidden dining area in the back. Thai Style loco moco was essentially a tasty pad prik with a fried egg. The House Special Garlic Pepper Ribs were a bit tough though the "essence" and sauce were tasty. We will dine in to enjoy the whole experience next time and try more from their menu.

Excellent Thai food in downtown Honolulu! Spring rolls : 5/5 (crispy,GBD Eggplant stirfry : 4/5 (very oily, but otherwise delicious) The outdoor seating was nice with flowing water and umbrellas. The server was very friendly and happy. Everything was great!

I've dined in at this restaurant before and absolutely loved the food, so I decided to try takeout this time. I ordered the pad Thai and papaya salad, and both were delicious--even after the hour-long drive home! The noodles stayed perfectly firm, not soggy like at some other Thai takeout spots I've tried, and everything tasted super fresh. I asked for the papaya salad to be a little spicy, but it ended up being very spicy for me--still, I couldn't stop eating it! I like the vegetarian/vegan options as well! I placed my order midday, and the takeout process was quick and easy. Definitely looking forward to coming back

Still as good as ever! Love their outdoor dining space with beautiful koi pond and waterfall. A their lao food so delicious. Had their crispy rice salad and lao sausages...which was plenty for 2 people. It included the sticky rice. So delicious flavors and textures.

Such a great find -ordered the seafood soup which was sooo flavorable! My friend brought me here-she always takes me to these off the beaten path places which have always been so yummy. Parking can be. Challenging but it is so worth it

Who knew there was dining in a garden oasis in the middle of Chinatown? Not only is the food delicious but the ambiance is so peaceful in the outdoor dining area out behind the back of the restaurant. It has a waterfall and a little pond with fish and turtles. The kids dining outside enjoyed it, (even more than I did). It's also nice and shades from the sun. The inside is also decorated cute with some great Instagram photo ops. I love that they have healthy options, including oh-so-many menu items with veggies, and pretty much all items have a vegetarian option that includes tofu plus more veggies. Most items have a full range of protein options (vegan, tofu, mushroom, chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, & seafood). I was recommended to go here by a new friend, he said the sausage here is the best. I didn't see sausage, but there were pork sticks/skewers, which sound delicious. I can't eat pork, so I had the Thai basil with tofu option, medium spicy. It was delicious. It was the perfect amount of spicy for me. (They also have Coke Zero, which makes me very happy! ) Their menu is EXTENSIVE. I definitely will be back to try more options.

Excellent Thai Food. Great service. Ambiance was tropical yet intimate. What else could you ask for? Located downtown and hidden in plain sight, the restaurant looks like a take away place from the door. Once you enter through the front area, you find a tropical dining area that is unexpectedly expansive. There is a mini waterfall with a koi pond as a backdrop to the dining area. We ordered laab, mama Olay salad with beef, fish patties and an appetizer platter. The platter offered spring rolls summer rolls with shrimp and chicken wings. Laab was tasty and vinegary with chicken. Mama Olay Salad with beef was yummy with an incredible sauce. Fish patties were delicious and tangy. Great for dates, family gatherings or hosting visitors, Olay's Thai covers all your bases.

I could've made this for $2. What a disappointment in portion size. Great flavor, good customer service, but they skimped on the portions. Not coming back.

I love thai food and while looking for other places the the ones i usually go to i recently started coming to Olays. It's pretty good and your standard thai fare. I really enjoy their Pad Thai it's very flavorful and kind of addictive. The other go to for me is the Panang Curry which I love it's delicious and the nuttiness really shines through. The service is also good the older gentleman is really nice and always has a smile. The place itself is cool I'll definitely come back whenever I see there's parking when passing by.

HIDDEN GEM ALERT! Don't let the location stop you from trying out this PERFECT date night spot. It's hidden and intimate and if you make reservations for a date, ask for a spot next to their waterfall/water fountain. I don't know what to call it because it's too big to call it a water fountain but too small to be a waterfall and of course it's not a natural waterfall. But the cutest part is the live turtles! You really are transformed to a different world as you're guided to your table. The food is various and the dishes are delicious. We had a sampler appetizer platter and also on our bill was the pad siew, curry, and simmered pork. All three were on my radar of what to order, but since it was a company lunch I wanted to make sure I order something different so I could see what my bosses get and come back to try them; they stuck to what they know. The chicken pad siew was flavorful and portioned well. The curry comes instragrammable and good portion of rice. But my favorite (that I know I'm ordering next) is the pork! Again, large portion so prepare for leftovers and pork soaking in flavor. Definitely a must-try in my book! Looking forward to coming back here for multiple date nights and lunch breaks so that I can conquer the rest of this menu!

This place has a great ambiance, making it the perfect spot to step out for lunch and unwind. A hidden gem in downtown Honolulu--Olay's Thai is the best choice!

We had such a great time! Super simple. Enjoyed an appetizer platter, their Mee Krob was superb, and a Thai hot Pad Thai. We dreamt of going Lao hot, but that means Lao hot butt hole. Cooled the palate with an order of mango sticky rice. Do yourself a favor and add coconut ice cream to the pile.

We walked-in (no reservation), requested to sit by the outdoor patio area and we were seated by the "waterfall." The ambiance was lovely and decorated for Halloween. We ordered pad krapow (Thai loco moco), Panang curry and pad Thai with shrimp. BYOB! There's a convenience store next door Somewhat pricey but a good experience overall. Definitely recommend!

From the outside the restaurant looks small but once we went in, we saw the beautiful outdoor with lights and a mini koi pond and waterfall. I would rate the ambiance 4.5/5. They could improve on their service though as I felt like we had to wait a while for the server to come to our table. Our table got drunken noodles, lemongrass fried chicken wings, fish patties, pickled sausage (forgot what it's called in the menu), Laotian pad Thai, peanut curry and yellow curry. The Lao pad Thai taste kind of bland, like the healthy version of pad Thai. The drunken noodles were so good though that was probably one of my favorite. The noodle was mild but it was kind spicy for me, and each bite was flavorful. The lemongrass chicken was pretty good but my preference would be to have more of the lemongrass flavor as it was very subtle. The curries both were good with creamy texture with rich coconut and peanut flavor. The vegetables they used were also fresh.

Been wanting to try this place and my friend and I decided to come here on a whim if they have any seats. We were able to get a table (I've heard usually you need a reservation to be seated!) I got a Thai tea and the pad ki mao (drunken noodles) and my friend got the coconut water and a green mango salad. I got my drunken noodles medium spicy and it wasn't too spicy for me and there was good flavor! The veggies were a little tough for me and the Thai tea was a little on the sweeter side for me. My friend really likes the salad she ordered (it's her second time ordering it). The seating is outdoors and covered which is great! They also have such an aesthetically pleasing background with a mini waterfall. Already made plans to come back :)

Olay's has always been a go to for high quality door, service and ambiance!!! They also come to some farmer's markets and we eat them too!!! Hummers!

Delicious food truck options placed in front of the banks downtown on Thursdays. Today I chose to stop at Olay's Thai and grabbed the vegetables pad Thai and garlic pork skewers. So ono. To go, the two items were $33, ready in less than 3 minutes, and hot! A huge portion, I was able to share some with a colleague, was stuffed, and took leftovers home!

My husband and I came in for the first time last night with our little toddler. As we walked in, we were greeted promptly. Each worker greeted us as we passed by on our way to be seated at our table. We felt so welcomed by everyone and was surprised by the outdoor seating area. Ambience was beautiful with cute waterfall ponds with koi fish. Our server, Drew, was not only extremely knowledgeable with the menu, but his hospitality was top notch. I am currently pregnant and am dealing with severe prenatal depression. The day I was having was horrible as I experienced a huge meltdown earlier in the day. Drew's bright personality and his ability to make us feel like family, truly made my whole day. I cannot thank him enough for being so kind and sweet to us. Even my toddler gave him a huge smile by the end of our meal. So Drew, I just wanted to thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.. You being YOU, has really helped brighten up my day. Thank you!

I had a mix of various dishes the time I visited, and anything that has peanut sauce is really good (so long as you don't have an allergy or anything) ! I love their skewers and yellow curry with rice! They also have a super cool ambiance for their dining, very natural and open air. A must-visit in Chinatown - Miguel Morales Photography

Wonderful! I eat their food at food truck regalas all the time so to be able to try their brick and brick and mortar was great. Cute inside there. Wasn't expecting it to be that spacious inside. Reminded new of the old Indigo's. We got chicken satay 10/10. Perfect grilled. Stewed pork belly. Just like Japanese kakuni buta. Nice presentation. Panang curry and phad Thai were delicious. I'm like the other reviewers. The sticky mango rice was not for me. I don't think I liked the jasmine fragrance with the sticky with the mango. Attentive service. BYOB. Make reservations. Gets very crowded.

The pictures don't do these dishes justice but just imagine them without the red tint. Came here with friends last night and got a bunch of stuff for a family style dinner. We also got a couple currys which I forgot to photograph. I ordered some of my favorites like Thai fish patties and one thing I haven't seen on many Thai/Lao menus was the pickled pork. I've had them in Vietnamese cuisine before but most of my friends hadn't so it was new to them. Not all of them liked it but at least they tried it. The chicken wings and the pad ki mao were also favorites of the night. Their mild spice is still quite spicy but still tolerable to eat. Service-wise was a little slow in the beginning. There was only one person covering the multiple tables so it took a bit to flag someone down but it got better as the night went on so it might just be a staffing issue. We were seated outdoors which is something I low-key worry about because mosquitoes love me and there was a waterfall with a koi pond too. But there wasn't an issue and it was cool in the back too because of the fan situated under our coverings. Definitely recommend going with a group so you can order family style and try more things.

Olay's Thai Lao Cuisine is an outdoor dining restaurant. It was cool to see a mini waterfall pond in the dining area. The koi fish are big. The appetizer prices might make you pause but they're worth it. The beef jerky with the spice dip was so good. The stuffed chicken was great, and my favorite appetizer were the fish cakes. I had the yellow curry with a choice of mild as my spice level. My friends and I loved eating at Olay's, and we'll come back again.

Great service and cute patio at first glance. The summer rolls and the clams were good. The Laotian bamboo special was not very well balanced in flavors, so it was just ok. I wouldn't get that one again. The most stressful part was sitting next to the waterfall and watching all the koi fish and turtles struggle. While it seemed nice when you first sit down... There are at least 4 turtles but there is no place for them to lounge in the sun and walk around. There is a tiny rock in the middle where only 1-2 fit. The oldest/biggest turtle couldn't even get on because there is no slope to get to it like there should be. Turtles breathe air like people. They need a good place to be on land. There are way too many koi fish for the tiny pond. Imagine living in such a crowded place. I wish the management would bring in a marine professional to make recommendations for the welfare of the animals and not just throw them all in there for decoration. Remember the Willows restaurant? They had a beautiful ambiance with the waterfall but no need to throw animals in it and make them suffer. The waterfall and maybe 3 koi is enough for such a small area.

10|10 For Papaya Salad Lao Style Spicy in a tray full of side dishes like beef jerky, sausage, rice vermicelli noodles, cabbage and crunchy chicharron!!! Nom nom Me & my friend went there for lunch and the service was amazing. 10|10 Love the ambiance so much 10|10

Ambiance might surprise you, it is like walking into a tiny slice of Thailand. The food is also incredible but I've been here like 3 times and every time the servers take AGES to serve us. I remember the last 2 times we waited 30 min just for water to come to the table!!! I do recommend Olay's if you want a super delicious Thai spot but maybe they have a better time of day for faster service? Like not at 8 pm?

I swear I'm not hating but this place is overhyped. The food isn't all that great. I only tried their Thai pho noodles here although my party of 9 ordered a lot of different dishes. I was thinking Thai pho would be or close to Boat noodles but it was nothing near. It tasted like regular Lao pho. The Lao platter which is an appetizer platter also took the longest to come out when we were all done eating the entrees. Its right in the heart of Chinatown. We sat outside and it was hottt. Service was really slow as there was only 1 guy waiter who we kept having to waive down since he was tending to all the outside tables by himself. And honestly that red tent outside does not help it looks dark and muggy with that overhead and hard to get decent pictures.

Thanks to my Yelper friend Li Y for recommending Olay's Thai Lao Cuisine, when I visit the island. I was so excited to go back to the old Honolulu Chinatown. My friend and I came during lunchtime on Valentine's Day. Hostess already warned us about a 20-minute delay. I was a little upset about the longer than 20-minutes wait to get the beef salad. We didn't get iced water until we almost finished the first dish. Then, the waitress brought 3rd and 4th dishes after we finished 2nd dish. At that time, my friend canceled those 2 dishes. Very disappointing. I was looking forward to try more food. I guess I should come back on a better day. We were sitting next to the waterfall and it was beautiful watching the koi in the pond while waiting for food. But I really wanted to have a full stomach to enjoy the scenery, not waiting for food forever.

5:19pm. Tables were visibly empty. "Waiting tables" were also visibly empty. Given wait time of 2.5 hours. Reservations get missed all the time. It was not a conceivable idea that someone might miss their reservation. Got a we are too trendy to accommodate a kid vibe. The chef will be making pad thai mild spicy all night...

Came to try this due to reviews, the seating is in backyard with canopies. Ask waitress for recommendations, told to try tum thadi lao platter papaya, nam khao crispy rice, and Kapoor curry noodles. The platter had papaya, assorted vegetables, vermicelli, pork rind, beef jerky, and lao sausages . This was a huge platter, the beef Jerky was hard and unable to chewy. The crispy rice plate and fish curry noodles soup was good.

This was just off the wall phenomenal. Decided to come here for lunch and it just was mind blowing delicious. Everything ordered was medium spicy. We added more spice with a spice rack they serve you on the side. Thai hot is just too much for me. Started out with a crispy rice. It comes with lettuce and mint. Please squeeze the lemon all over for it pops those flavors out so well. We then had green curry (so so good) with sticky rice, lemon grass chicken (nice and crispy), however the flavors in this dish were mild compared to the rest. We indulged in pad see ew and that was divine. We celebrated a birthday and they generously gave us a mango sticky rice and Andrew also helped sing with us. Just an all around experience. The flavors popped and if you like spicy, you tell them medium hot. Then ask for spices on the side. If you like Thai hot, go ahead!!!

Such a lovely little gem! BYOB- which makes this place SOOOO great! My girl squad loves to meet up here. We park at Marks Garage outdoor lot, super easy and it's a short little walk. Do not get worried about the homeless you will for sure see. China Town sometimes gets a bad rap but just stay with your friends and nobody bothers you. They are so considerate here. Glasses, ice, whatever you need for the drinks you bring. Feel free to bring your little cooler! Anything is fine really. The food.. oh yum yum yum. Just good good food. Try it all! We always sit in the outside back area, such a tranquil spot away from the hustle and bustle of town.

We stumbled upon this place and I am so glad we did. Their outdoor space is so beautiful, and the food is out of this world. My boyfriend ordered the garlic shrimp curry and it was the best curry I've ever had (and we've had lots of curries before). Our waitress was super nice! They don't serve alcohol but she invited us to bring our own bottle, and we did! I will come back here every chance I get!

Soooo yummy. Very popular spot so you may want to make a reservation. Cute outdoor patio setting with small waterfall & koi fish pond. Every dish we got was yummy! We love the Thai Basil Wok Fry, Ong Choi, & Pad Siew! And we lived our sweet waitress Makayla .

This restaurant was the first stop on a city crawl. Well it was supposed to be, but I didn't make a reservation so there was a bit of a wait. Luckily it's around many locations so we were able to wait somewhere else until the table was ready. About an hour later I got a text saying my table was ready. The outside area is decorated so nicely. It has a cool relaxing feel like being out at someone's backyard party. They were busy, like no tables, big parties busy. So it took a minute for the server to come to us, but the menu is huge so that was okay. Since it was the first stop on a long night, I knew I had to get only one thing to avoid leftovers. I went with the spicy Thai rice with shrimp. This was some of the best rice I've had! The shrimp were the perfect size, the rice had so much flavor though I could have asked for spicier because what they called Hot wasn't at all to me. The portion was big enough to share, so I left some behind but I definitely didn't leave hungry. I'm ready to go again and sample a lot next time.