13 of the best Thai restaurants in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is home to many excellent restaurants - here's where to find some of the capital's best Thai food.

Published 11th May 2023
Updated 18 th Sep 2023

Scotland's capital is home to many amazing restaurants and a variety of cuisines and Thai food is no exception.

From casual dining to formal dinners, Edinburgh's selection of Thai restaurants is sure to satisfy.

So if you're looking for excellent food, here are 13 of Edinburgh's best Thai restaurants. 

Chaophraya

(4th Floor, 33 Castle Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3DN)

One of Chaophraya Edinburgh's Thai dishes, with drinks and a view from its balcony.

Why not enjoy your Thai food with a view? Picture: Chaophraya (Edinburgh)/Facebook

Starting off strong with this chain restaurant, Chaophraya is perhaps one of the best known Thai restaurants in Edinburgh (and Scotland). 

Family owned, Chaophraya's Edinburgh venue is nestled away on a rooftop just a short walk from George Street.

With views towards Edinburgh Castle and the Firth of Forth, the contemporary restaurant is perfect for a celebration dinner with friends and family - especially with both vegan and gluten free options. 

Dusit Thai Restaurant

(49A Thistle Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1DY)

Opened in 2002, Dusit's take on Thai food has been gathering fans in Edinburgh ever since.

Very often listed as a must visit for both its food and service, this is definitely a restaurant worth booking in advance if you're looking for somewhere to dine near Edinburgh's Thistle Street.

Ka Pao Edinburgh

(Floor 4, St James Quarter, Edinburgh, EH1 3AE)

A chef garnishing two Ka Pao dishes with lime.

Enjoy some of Edinburgh's best Thai food at Ka Pao. Picture: Ka Pao/Facebook

Perhaps not a location which would immediately scream Thai food, this restaurant in Edinburgh's St James Quarter will certainly satisfy.

The sister to Glasgow's Ka Pao, which holds the prestigious Michelin Bib Gourmand, there is often a waiting list to dine in this south east Asia-inspired food.

8 easy recipes for Easter - including perfect roast potatoes, Good Friday fish and chocolate cocktails

Don't let the booking scare you however, as there are always a number of spaces reserved for walk-ins - though you may need to sit at the bar. 

Nok's Kitchen

(8 Gloucester Street, Stockbridge, Edinburgh, EH3 6EG)

After opening in 2016, Nok's Kitchen has firmly cemented its reputation for serving authentic Thai food in Edinburgh. 

With two locations, Stockbridge and On The Castle, there are plenty of excellent menu options from noodles to curry. 

Ting Thai Caravan

(8-9 Teviot Place, Edinburgh, United Kingdom)

A series of Thai Ting dishes waiting to be served at one of their Edinburgh restaurants.

Thai Ting Caravan have two Edinburgh locations for you to choose from. Picture: Thai Ting Caravan/Facebook.

After first serving up authentic Thai street food at Edinburgh Festival in 2012, Ting Thai Caravan has grown leaps and bounds. 

After setting up a permanent base on Teviot Place, demand saw Ting Thai Caravan set up a second location on Lothian Road and eventually expand with two Glasgow venues. The restaurant also received a Trip Advisor Travellers' Choice award in 2022.

Edinburgh’s Kilted Donuts are popping-up at Bonnie & Wild Food Hall for Easter

So whether you're after a casual meal or a pre-theatre bite, we hope Ting Thai Caravan will delight you as much as it delighted our reviewer

Thai Express Kitchen

(Level 1, St James Quarter, Edinburgh EH1 3AD)

Someone holding a bowl of curry from Thai Express Kitchen.

This chain restaurant offers tasty Thai food done quickly. Picture: Thai Express UK/Facebook

They may be a chain, but Thai Express Kitchen is absolutely worth a try if you're looking for somewhere cheap, cheerful and tasty.

Edinburgh is the only Scottish location of this quick service restaurant, but don't let that stop you from trying it out. Thai Express Kitchen uses only family recipes and its playfully decorated restaurant will allow you to enjoy your meal in style. 

Phuket Pavilion

(8 Union Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3LU )

Just a ten minute walk from Princes Street, Phuket Pavilion first opened in 2003. Since then, it has become a staple of Edinburgh's Thai food scene. 

Great for a meal before the theatre, Phuket Pavilion is worth a visit. 

Why do we eat fish on Good Friday? Christian meat abstinence explained - and recipes for fish and chips at home

Gratitude Thai Lounge Bar

(45 Morningside Road, Edinburgh, EH10 4AZ)

A restaurant which isn't as established as some on this list, Gratitude Thai Lounge Bar is a family-run restaurant in Morningside. 

Since opening in 2020, this restaurant has gained a reputation for its relaxed atmosphere and great service. Worth a visit even if just to try out its drink menu which includes a great range of mocktails. 

Thai Lemongrass

(40-41 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh, EH10 4HJ)

A waving cat which sits at the Thai Lemongrass bar.

This restaurant is great for a more laidback meal. Picture: Thai Lemongrass/Facebook

One of Edinburgh's longest standing Thai restaurants, Thai Lemongrass promises authentic Thai cuisine - something which isn't hard to believe considering its head chef has been with the restaurant since it opened in 2002. 

Looking directly over the Meadows from Bruntsfield, this restaurant is a great place to dine with family and friends if you're looking for some delicious food. 

Bluerapa Thai

(6 Torphichen Pl, Edinburgh, EH3 8DU)

Another family run restaurant, Bluerapa Thai is a cosy venue in Haymarket. Its informal setting makes it an ideal place for a cheaper Thai offering. 

Often called a hidden gem, we would recommend booking before you go, though you can also order in a takeaway if you're willing to collect it. 

Shamoli

(First Floor, 105 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SG)

Since opening in 2007, this restaurant offers a great selection of Thai and Indian food using Scottish ingredients. 

With an emphasis on creative dishes and great service, Shamoli is somewhere to go if you're in a group who can't decide what to eat, especially with its city centre location. 

Mintleaf

(28 Bernard Street, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6PP)

A starter from Edinburgh's Mintleaf.

A starter from Mintleaf. Picture: Mintleaf Restaurant/Facebook

This Leith restaurant is another Thai and Indian restaurant, with two separate head chefs. A more opulent location, it is also within walking distance of Ocean Terminal and the Royal Yacht Britannia. 

Serving meals to cater to all diets, from vegan to gluten free Mintleaf is a standout among Edinburgh's Thai restaurants.  

Time 4 Thai

(45 North Castle Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3BG)

Time 4 Thai is a stylish and contemporary restaurant tucked away in a Georgian townhouse near George Street. 

Having opened in 2004, its menu serves modern Thai food with seafood and king prawns one of its specialties. A more grand venue than its sister restaurant Thai Lemongrass, Time 4 Thai offers a more formal dining experience. 

Copyright ©2024 National World Publishing Ltd
Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy
crosschevron-down linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram