The Smiling Elephant
Thai restaurant · 8th South ·
Authentic Thai classics, Pad Thai, curries, spring rolls, ginger tea
Authentic Thai classics, Pad Thai, curries, spring rolls, ginger tea
"If you want amazing Thai food in a no-fuss environment, this is your spot. The Smiling Elephant is a local favorite that’s been around for years and never disappoints. If dining in, look for the small handwritten notes around the restaurant. If you’re in a hurry, their carryout service is always fast and hits the spot." - GS&F
"This little family-run restaurant has long been a neighborhood fixture—even before it opened, the original owner worked in Melrose out of an auto repair shop on the same plot of land as the restaurant’s current location. Plus, the Smiling Elephant crew is related to the chef behind Suzy Wong's House of Yum and International Market, so they're a part of Nashville's royal family of Thai food. The menu features all the classics, and the excellent pad thai is light and fragrant, trading the sticky-sweet iteration you might find at other joints for an herb-forward sauce, fresh vegetable textures, and bouncy rice noodles. The pad kra pao features a beautiful amount of thai basil, and everything can be served with eye-watering “Thai spice.” No matter your heat preference, Smiling Elephant delivers every time." - bailey freeman, jackie gutierrez jones 2, ann walczak
"One of Nashville’s more popular Thai restaurants, the Smiling Elephant packs in hungry patrons, serving up traditional Thai dishes like panang curry, shrimp pad see-ew, and a pad thai using green bean noodles. Just keep in mind a few house rules: no reservations, no cash (it’s debit and credit card only), and no BYOB." - Clara Wang
"Smiling Elephant's pad thai definitely gives bigger-city Thai spots a run for their money. The cozy spot operates out of a tiny cottage on 8th Avenue South, with a little stone porch out front for al fresco dining in the summer; it's also owned by the sweetest family imaginable. Pad Thai is the obvious order, but their curries are excellent, as are the spring rolls and the warm, soothing ginger tea."
"The Smiling Elephant, 8Th Avenue South by GS&F. If you want amazing Thai food in a no-fuss environment, this is your spot. The Smiling Elephant is a local favorite that’s been around for years and never disappoints. If dining in, look for the small handwritten notes around the restaurant. If you’re in a hurry, their carryout service is always fast and hits the spot."