18 Duncan St, Toronto, ON M5H 3G8, Canada
Chef Nuit & Jeff Regular's casual Northern Thai spot serving favourites like Chef Nuit's Pad Thai, Khao Soi and Green Curry in a coconut.
We recently visited PAI, and it was an incredible experience! The ambiance was fantastic—vibrant, with loud music that added to the authentic Thai vibes. Despite being a busy weekend, the staff was exceptionally helpful, and the food turnaround time was impressively quick. The food itself was outstanding. We tried the spring rolls, garlic chicken, Moo Ping pork skewers, Chef Nuit’s Pad Thai, Khao Soi, and ended the meal with the delightful coconut sorbet. Every dish was flavorful and authentic, with the perfect balance of spices and freshness. Both the quality and quantity were absolutely worth the price. We absolutely loved the place and am already looking forward to my next visit. If you’re in the area and craving Thai cuisine, PAI is a must-visit!
Very delicious food and friendly, quick service. Their pad Thai had a really good smokey taste to it which made it unique to a lot of the other pad thai out there. The mango slaw was so flavourful and the curry was also really good.
Delicious authentic Northern Thai food. It is hard to find Northern Thai style food, and the flavours definitely came through here. While pricey and with smaller portions, the dishes taste great. My favourite was the Panang curry, which was flavourful and a lot of depth. The papaya salad was delicious, with nice shrimp flavour. It was served with shrimp chips and pork rinds. If you can handle spicy, I would order spicy, because it’s delicious that way. But it was quite spicy, I can’t imagine what Thai spicy means. The pad thai was good, but not a stand out dish. It was about average. I would go at odd times if you don’t want to wait. At 4 o’clock we were seated right away, but by 5 there was a lineup.
This place’s flavors are authentic, and every dish is beautifully prepared. The menu offers a great variety, and the staff is friendly and attentive, making the dining experience even better. A standout for me was their signature appetizer platter —perfectly balanced flavors and generous portions. If you’re a fan of Thai cuisine, Pia is a must-visit!
Awesome service staff and atmosphere. Their pork ribs were slightly too dry and the beef could be cut thinner. However the Khao Soi’s flavour was amazing. We also really loved the coconut dessert. Can’t wait to try the platter on our next visit! Update: Tried the platter and it is a must-have! Their Pad Thai was also incredibly flavourful. Would definitely go again!
UM what a spot. This was the first food spot I visited when going to Toronto for the first time and I was absolutely not disappointed. I had heard that it can be difficult to walk in and be seated, but we were able to right away. We ordered a variety of appetizer/table sharers before our main meal - all of the apps were great - from vegetable fried rice to wings, etc. My main meal was the pad gra prow which was recommended by the kind waitress. It was delicious and had just the right amount of spice (base level). The crunch that was added from the crispy pork was soo tasty. Definitely understand why this restaurant is acclaimed. The atmosphere was beautiful, calm and relaxing and the food was delicious. This is the type of restaurant that deserves a Michelin Star.
This place is B-U-S-Y and I totally understand why. The food is just incredible. Full of flavor, quality ingredients, texture, perfect portions. Presentation is beautiful (rice is in cute leaves packages, sorbet is in a coconut). The selection of wine and drinks is very complete, for all tastes. The restaurant is busy and that reflects in the overall ambiance, however, the way the restaurant is laid out manages to make some areas quieter than others. The decor is warm and pretty. Very convenient that the hostess puts your name on a list and you get a text 10 minutes before which gives you time to head there if you didn't stay in the line. Definitely a must if you are looking for incredible food in Toronto.
This was actually a tough one for me! The food was incredible the service was excellent and with the idea of accommodating as many people as possible in the restaurant, I was put into a seat that was fairly tight for a person of my size…. that being said, the atmosphere is really cool but it was tough for me to enjoy the entire experience staring at a stone wall 2 feet from my face. Once again I totally get the need to move customers through and I love the fact that walk in availability is possible otherwise this review would’ve been at least five….. 100% this is not the last time I will be back to this restaurant! It is absolutely incredibly delicious and if you’re on the fence, you absolutely need to go!!! with better seating I’m sure that your experience will absolutely be a five! Thanks again!! Zeke
Hidden away authentic thai food. Loved the fresh & spicy vegetables dishes. Great place for Vegans & Vegetarians looking for variety of options on the menu. This place is always busy but you will still get a table. The music is a little too loud. The staff is friendly & accommodating. The price point is fair and the ambiance is young, hip & cool.
Service is amazing and fast. Food is as always stellar. Atmosphere is nice and cozy. We thoroughly enjoyed our yet another visit to Pai. Barely any waiting 4pm Sunday. We got the mango salad which was 5 star. Shrimp was 4 star. Pad thai as always the absolute best. Pad kee mao was also about 4 as was the khao soi.
We got the pad Thai, khao soi and beef salad. All were great, granted, I don t think Ive had Thai food that wasn t good. Very busy for a Tuesday night, but the wait wasn t long and definitely worth it. Khao soi and beef are on the must order again list :)
Amazing food for all dietary types. Ordered green thai chili and vegan pad Thai and both were delicious. Chicken and pork skewer appetizers were tender and a perfect texture to enjoy. Drinks were well made. Great staff and atmosphere, highly recommend if in the area!
Amazing in everything except the wait time
Wow!
Amazing Thai food! The waiter was attentive and polite but a bit uninterested, but I dont really care about that since the food was so good! The interior was cool too, a modern meets jungle vibe
While the service was good, the food here is below average, the wings were over fried and the pad Thai was quite oily. The ratings don t make sense. PS: it can be one time thing but the bathroom was really dirty. Food
Coming on a workday afternoon we still had to wait in line for a while. Loved the food here. And posting this is making my mouth water. But our order was misplaced and we had to wait for a while for the right one.
Papaya Salad was amazing!
Was looking forward to this all week. Ordered a chicken panang curry, got home and it was pad thai
The wait was well worth it, although this place takes no reservations - the food was mouthwatering and took me back to my trips to Thailand. Spicy, authentic enough, fresh and hit the spot. Pad thai and curries are a must do!
Absolutely amazing. We ordered 3 things and each item was spectacular.
Every time I eat here I have an amazing time. The food was great, service great. I wish I was closer so I could eat here more often.
PAI was just ok. Its a huge restaurant, with lots of little rooms, a big line up, too many people . I think the atmosphere threw me off too much. The food honestly didnt blow us away I was surprised.
Lots of vegetarian and vegan options, generous portions and very friendly waiters. It costs a little but its absolutely worth it Vegetarian options: Lots of vegetarian and vegan options Dietary restrictions: Lots of vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options
Loved the atmosphere. The no frills authentic decor along with the delicious food was delightful.
This was my first visit at PAI in downtown Toronto. We ordered a Khao Soi with Beef and a Panang Curry with Chicken. The service was great and the food tasted great. I would totally come back again in the future to try other menu items.
One of the best Thai restaurants in the city!
I meannn, do I need to say anything? Just eat here already
Good service, decor, and ambiance. But green Curry chicken with rice, was overpriced, under-portioned, and mediocre (including too salty).
Got a delivery of the Khao Soi (vegetarian). There were 4 different containers with the curry, noodles, fried egg noodles and lemon wedge , chilly oil, and garnish. Once all put together, it formed a filling meal to enjoy! It was a very warm, hearty meal with a nice kick to it cause of chilly oil. Really enjoyed it. Would like to try something else from the menu. Vegetarian options: Khao Soi
Came by with a friend before a event in the area and the food and service was very good absolutely worth it trying the food. Also you need to sit at a table and the wifi is on the tables card thing. It was my first time trying thai food definitely worth coming alone or with friends.
Best tofu I ve ever had. Cozy, great service, and amazing food with tons of vegetarian and vegan options.
Whats not to love about Pai? OMG best Pad Thai from Toronto to London. Everyone Thai restaurant has their style but Pai in Toronto crushes it with their classic recipe and does not experiment with new menus or multiple options. Theres only one Pad Thai on the menu, and its filled with delicious sweet flavor bombs and perfectly cooked noodles. If youre on the fence because you had a bad experience elsewhere, you should try Pai to taste the difference. I also had the mango salad and it was really nice. The picked onions were a nice touch to an already phenomenal experience. Highly recommend a visit for a quick lunch or dinner with friends. Vegetarian options: Lots of options for veggies like tofu. Dietary restrictions: They will make observations and tell the chef to be careful.. Parking: Theres a parking garage nearby but street parking is limited. Best to walk there or take an uber or Lyft from nearby. Kid-friendliness: Kid friendly and good for the whole family Wheelchair accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible because of the stairs leading down. If you need more accessibility, you may need to order in.
Delicious food and excellent service. Mango salad was incredible followed by pad thai and a curry. Dietary restrictions: Accommodated gluten free
tasty food and a good location, a bit expensive, great experience at all.
Amazing food with great vibes
Check out this Michelin recommend Thai restaurant! The food was absolutely delicious! Well worth the wait! Vegetarian options: Great vegetarian and gluten free options too!
Okay experience. Food is good, service is good.
Never a bad time here
Amazing thai food, they have things for every one.
Cozy and laid back atmosphere, nice staff. Loooved the food! We had the Khao soi and the Panang curry. Delicious! Dietary restrictions: Gluten free options for celiac people!
Amazing authentic Thai food. Loved it and must visit.
Amazing experience - service has been top notch and the food has just been delicious!
The place got busy after 5ish. Maybe a good idea to call ahead and make a reservation. We tried a couple of recommended dishes here. They are decent but not really spectacular. Be prepared to wait for a while before getting served.
This is one of m favourite restaurant of all time! Have been a repeat customer for many years. The atmosphere and service are A1. Highly recommend for anyone looking for great thai food and good vibes.
I came here on a friday night in late November and was pretty impressed with how busy it was years later after it first opened. When I gave my name at the front, they asked me if our party would be ok sharing a table or being seated at the bar. ( to which we said yes to, because we were starvvving ) After about a 15min wait, our party of two was called up. They seated us at the bar, which actually was still pretty nice. We decided to start off with some cocktails and I got the Winter Dog Cocktail, which was a vodka based drink with peach schnapps , blue curacao & and lychee juice. It was pretty tasty! I would definitely recommend trying it. For my main, I went with the Chef Nuit Pad Thai with Chicken, I originally opted for Medium Spice, but then decided to go with mild spicy, but wasnt sure if that would be enough. So they offered to bring some chili oil on the side to help spice it up. You can always add spice, but you cant really take it away. Overall the drinks were good, the food was filling and tasty. The service was pretty good, especially on such a busy night, and the atmosphere was lively. I would probably come back here if I was in the downtown core, but its tough to say if I would come here again if I was coming from the outskirts of the GTA.
I was lucky and ate without waiting. Only cash and credit cards were accepted. You can view the menu through an app and they are friendly. The food and atmosphere were very good^^
Very delicious food :) we highly recommend the pad Thai and green coconut curry which is served inside a coconut. The wait times can be long and the service can be rushed sometimes, but the food is amazing.
The dishes were very tasty with the right amount of spices , very good presentation and our server was attentive. I would definitely visit again !
I recently visited Pai with high hopes for a genuine Thai dining experience, but unfortunately, it didnt quite hit the mark. While the atmosphere was pleasant and the service was friendly, the food fell short of the authentic flavors I was expecting. The dishes were toned down, with less intensity in the spices and herbs that typically define Thai cuisine. We ordered Tom Yum Soup. It was very tasty and flavorful. We also ordered the Papaya Salad platter which was very disappointing. They mixed cucumbers with papaya. We requested for it to be spicy and that s what we got. As far as the flavors, there was no umami umph to it. We are from Southeast Asia and the papaya salad was not authentic at all. The fried chicken wings were delicious! We also got a pitcher white sangria - lychee and pineapple flavor. It was tasty and good.
The food was good, but the waiter was rude and seemed to rush us out, even though the place wasn t busy. It was a disappointing experience, and I won t be returning to this location.
Definitely one of my favorite Thai restaurants!!! Fresh, flavorful, creative, authentic , beautiful interior, friendly stuff, always happy to dine in there, good vibes. Highly recommend.
Best Thai food ever!! My husband and I went to Thailand for our honeymoon and the food at this restaurant transported us right back to Thailand. Amazing and delicious!!
Best thai in the city!
THE BEST Thai restaurant in the city, hands down ! Always fresh, juicy and delicious ! Come hungry since you won t leave without thing everything in the menu !
Khao Soi was amazing. One of the best dishes I have ever tasted in my life. Food
Pad Thai was okay.
Great food and atmosphere!
Have been here a few times and this time was a bummer! It was my birthday and I felt I was treated like crap because I was alone. Sat in a corner and ignored. No one came for a long time no one cared to give any service. Feels sad to be treated like this on your birthday! Had the Khao soi that I used to love eating at Pai but you know this time it left a bad taste do better especially with your reputation. I have been a regular customer since 2015 and extremely disappointed.
visiting toronto with my girlfriend and stumbled upon this place thru online recs. amazing food, especially the khao soi, my gf eyes were lighting on the first bite and we had to take the rest of the curry soup back even tho we had already eaten its contents. great ambiance as well and nice staff, def a great place!
Excellent menu of Thai street style food, very similar to Khao San Road, except with much faster service and a bit less of a wait.
was excited to try but food was very expensive and not very good :(
Most delicious meal we had in a long time, wonderful service and atmosphere! I would go again next time I visit Toronto! Vegetarian options: With tofu if desired. You can also ask for vegan and GF Pad Tai!
Cool spot in downtown Toronto with some of the best Thai food. We had the pad thai and it was delicious.
Food was excellent.Service was too. Will be back.
The restaurant was full but the host was very nice and found a nice table for us.
Craving for Thai food when in DT Toronto, the PAI is the answer. Superb food, amazing vibe and service. A must visit for sure. Remember you might have to wait to get in and they take limited reservations only
Yummy food in decent portions We particularly loved the Khao Soi and Chicken Satay Seating is a bit cramped as they try to accommodate more people. CROWDED most of the time, and you have to reserve tables in person. You can grab a drink at the bar while waiting, or go somewhere nearby. Our wait time was 40 mins on a Saturday 7 pm. Note: This is a Michelin Guide restaurant (not Michelin star). Worth it though! Wheelchair accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible.
Delicious as usual
10/10 love the food so much. Everything from the drinks to the appetizers to the mains and dessert. Even the service was amazing. Definitely recommend the khao soi and pad thai. Classics but they do them so well.
I had 2 plates of thai chicken wings. Nuff said. Green curry brings me back to Thailand honestly. Best authentic Thai food, tho I must caution you to go early!!! Seats get filled up quickly. I was there 10min before restaurant opening and there was alr a queue
Vegetarian options: has good vegan accommodations Food
I dined at Pai the other night with a group of friends and later on found pieces of plastic in my food, like something had been cut with the plastic still on. I emailed them to let them know and they responded back completely disregarding my concern and trying to tell me the plastic I tasted was garlic cloves????? I m disappointed in the lack of accountability from a place I ve enjoyed in the past.
This is a MUST-GO whether youre a tourist or local!!! When doing my research for which TO restaurants were the best when visiting the city, Pai was one name that showed up on every list I read through. And IT DID NOT DISSAPOINT. Our starters were spring rolls and Thai Chicken Wings, which were both crunchy and crispy respectively. I thoroughly enjoyed the Chicken wings because of the marinade they used, it was a new experience and my palette was grateful and demanding more. Khao Soi: This egg-noodle main was very good, but I did not enjoy it as much as I enjoyed the starters. The broth was very rich and tasty, however the beef was a little dry, nonetheless, the flavour was still present. Thai Mojito: This cocktail was very light, so light that there was nothing to write home about, no distinct flavour or anything. The atmosphere in this restaurant is incredible!If youre looking for something that largely encapsulates Toronto, there are very few better choices you could make...from the basketball theme, to the little Toronto artefacts around the restaurant, there is a ton of history about the city built into the fibres of this place. The service was lovely too, our server was great at explaining the dishes we were not familiar with and was ready to cater to all our needs. I would certainly recommend investing in this place! Vegetarian options: There are a few vegetarian options available here. Dietary restrictions: Some foods include dairy and gluten ingredients. Parking: This is in Downtown Toronto, there will be parking, but only if youre lucky. Kid-friendliness: I wouldnt bring my child here till they turned 12...but to each their own Wheelchair accessibility: There are some stairs to enter the restaurant so it makes access by wheelchair somewhat difficult :(
Amazing all around. Went with a group so we ordered a lot and every dish was a hit, so hard to pick a favourite. Amazing and kind service as well. Truly great experience!
Absolutely love the food and vibe here! Thai food is one of my favourites and there are only a handful of really great ones in the GTA, PAI is one of them.
As a Thai person, I can confidently say that the food here is exceptional. The Khao Soi noodle soup is full of flavor and rich umami. I approached this restaurant with some hesitation, as my parents prepare authentic Khao Soi for us at home, but I was pleasantly surprised this place truly delivers. Highly recommended! It was very busy on Tuesday night at 8 PM, and we had to wait 35 minutes for a table, so be ready for a bit of a wait. However, the food was served quickly, and the service was excellent.
Went for dinner to Pai, it was very rush for a Tuesday night but given that it has a Michelin guide I m sure everyone would want to try it. We had to wait 30 mints for our table, which was ok because seeing the crowd I think 30 mints was good enough. Loved their sangria and the food we ordered. The pork was perfect with the sticky rice, the beef in coconut milk was also perfect. Had the food been hot/warm then I would surely give a 5star . Would visit again :)
5/5 no doubt. Food was absolutely delicious, amazing service and good vibes.
A true Toronto icon. Serving up authentic Thai food at decent prices. Stellar meals each time I ve visited. Place can get quite busy so plan in advance. Great for groups!
Tasty authentic Thai food in the heart of Toronto! I highly recommend the Pad Gra prow as this dish was extremely flavourful. I really enjoyed the atmosphere & decor in the back dining area but the service did seem a bit rushed. The spacing of the tables are also a bit awkward. Overall a great dining experience on a Saturday afternoon.
Great food!
Went solo for lunch. Got there at 11:30, they open at 11:45 had maybe 10 people in front of me in line and maybe another 20 behind me by the time they opened. Everyone was promptly seated at open. I ordered the Khao Soi. It was rich and flavorful with a decent portion. Definitely not over filling. Service was quick and efficient.
this is the best food I have had after my Indian food. I am a big sucker of Lemon grass and coconut milk flavor and they combine both and make it so tasty, high recommended !!
Wth How do you charge $23 for a tofu dish and then serve a raw egg?!? On top of that I ordered foreigner spicy and there wasn t even a hint of spice. Ridiculous Food
Good food great atmosphere
I was amazed! Squash fritters, prow with chicken & sangaria white , alll so tasty !!
Went to PAI for dinner last night. The service was great, Server was checking on us every 20 mins. The ambiance was okay but it was a little loud but can work it with however the food was very mediocre. We were very excited to try the food but it was below average. We ordered the tom yum soup, chicken wings, green thai curry and Khao Soi. The green thai curry and Khao soi pretty much tasted the same. It was too creamy. There was no flavour profile in the curry or the soup. The tom yum soup was sweet and the wings were very average. I have had better chicken wings at a bar. The presentation of entrees was amazing but it tasted like a cocunut milk soup. Although i would say the cocktails were pretty amazing.Would not go again
Great food and service. Can be very busy. Parking lots nearby.
One of the best papaya salad we had! The green curry, pad see ew and gay satay were extremely good too! Vegetarian options: Lots of vegetarian options!
Absolutely amazing experience The thai green curry is next level Highly recommended
The food is yummy. The place is clean. Their sago mango dessert is to die for. Definitely will keep coming.
It s worth the wait. Food is always amazing.
Total :~100$ for everything(I know because it s downtown location) This is a second time I come ,it s different with the first time I come,the quality is change . The tomyum soup size L total 4 shrimps inside ( I have pay around 20$ for this one) and the jasmine rice inside the banana leaf when I eat it s same like sticky rice ( ). The pad Thai and the fried rice Thai is so so,nothing special. The papaya salad too sour, ..(maybe this one is Thai style ) . The service is ok. I have to wait 35 mins for the table.if I know they change the quality before,I m sure I will go head to the other Thai restaurant,I don t wait.
Not bad, not great. The pad Thai had a burnt flavour, like it was mixed in a dirty burnt wok. The wings were burnt and looked nothing like the picture on their menu. The squash fritters were really good. I did enjoy the service and atmosphere. Looking at all these positive reviews, it almost seems like they used to be great, but something has changed. If you want a good pad thai, go to Simply Thai on bloor
Before visiting Id only ever had leftovers from PAI and as delicious as they were going in for the first time really was a treat. Stopped by for an early dinner at 3pm, and while it was a Saturday I figured I wouldnt need a reservation that early and I definitely misjudged how popular this spot is! The host politely asked us if a 20 minute wait was ok (we didnt mind, its not their fault I didnt plan well enough) we were texted back in not even 10 minutes later! I was surprised how big the restaurant is when you get down there! (Also worth noting there are some stairs down into the restaurant, only about 10 steps but still) The space is used well and there is an inside waiting area along with a bar, indoor and outdoor seating. Very busy place but a packed restaurant means good food and it certainly was!!! Everything we had was very fresh and well seasoned. My partner has some food intolerances and the waitress had no trouble accommodating and making suggestions for them. The staff was very lovely and knew the best times to check in and refill drinks and such. Overall very good!! Food, hospitality and cleanliness were all set at very high standards. Will definitely be coming back (with a reservation!) Vegetarian options: Lots of vegan/vegetarian options, staff very knowledgeable on what each menu item contains. Dietary restrictions: Very easy to modify items or ask questions about them :)
The food is good and served in a filling amount. Really worth the price. But really crowded and loud. Busy place with great food.
Great food. Great service. Great atmosphere
The dishes were good, but not excellent. Rice should be included with stir-fries. It was also excessively noisy, making conversation difficult.
We went there for lunch during our trip. The best Thai food I ve had in Canada. The food is authentic with much flavor. I wish we have PAI in Vancouver. Will definitely come back here if I visit Toronto in future.
Recently asked and was told no meats are halal anymore. Big bummer :(
Great service and the ambience is amazing. The food quality is good and the staff is friendly and courteous.
Have tried to go a few times and always a line up. We decided to go early at 5:00 and were seated right away. First off, it is card only to pay, they do not take cash (at least the one on Duncan does not) Service was great. Had the squash fritters as an appie and they were crisp and flavourful with the sauce. After that I was most disappointed after looking forward to going. I had the Pad See Ew. Asked for tofu and chicken (I knew I d have to pay more) and was told that was not possible. I ordered the chicken and although the noodles were cooked perfectly, it was lacking in flavour and very dry. One of my dining partners had the Pad Phet and mentioned it was only ok. Disappointed, as there were so many great reviews, so I won t be rushing back.
Food is consistently delicious, service was fast, good choice of drinks
Real and good Thai food. Friendly staff. Great ambiance in the heart of Toronto. Food : 5/5
5/5 food, service and atmosphere
Excellent Thai restaurant in downtown Toronto. Huge spot. Walked in and it was full on a Tuesday at 2:00pm. Food & service was excellent. Took my mother and it blew her away. Will be back. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
A Thai restaurant very different from a common Thai. The cuisine is specific to the North West Park of Thailand. Very busy even at lunch. Highly recommended Food : 5/5
This is really the best restaurant in Toronto, everyone... Be sure to go there, go twice, three times... First of all, the Tom Yum Goong is really savory, sweet, and delicious, and Pad Thai and fried yam? Everything is really delicious. Everything is delicious, so please make sure to go. If parking downtown wasnt so expensive, I would have gone there many times instargram: @sixtyjung
Had a bit of a wait to put our name on the list. But after we did that, we just headed up to the bar, ordered some drinks and waited for less than 10 minutes to be called up. Food was good. We ordered the Pad Thai and the Massaman curry with sticky rice. The Pad Thai could be made Thai Spicy, which was definitely up there. The curry, surprisingly, is not offered with spicy levels, so it was relatively bland. The restaurant has a nice vibe with music going, but not too loud that you cant talk to each other.
Delicious and faster
Ordered off of doordash, because theyre not on Uber Eats anymore. The quantity of the basic chicken was maybe 60-70% of what it used to be. Still tasted good, but its a rip off now, wont order anymore.
Food was delicious, one of the best Thai restaurants weve been to so far in Canada. Ambience and set up was nice too, cant wait to eat here again whenever we are back in Toronto!
Cool vibes. Amazingly delicious food and drinks. Khao Soi is the best in North America.
My favourite place to eat Thai food in Toronto . Would recommend everyone to try once . The wait is definitely worth it . I can t believe I always over eat there . Despite of being very very busy , the service is top notch and food doesn t take too long .
First of all, atmostphere was great and super fast and friendly service. This place is very hyped on social media so I had high expectations, so it ended up being pretty disappointing. Price was a bit higher than other competing Thai places downtown, but it wasnt significant. One thing that threw us off the most was the fact that most things arent available before 4pm and nothing on their site or social media indicates that, or at least if it is its very small somewhere. We visited around 2pm and there were very little options available. Only variants of pad thai/pad sew/curry mainly. Salad was not available, skewers was not available, appetizers wasnt, not even some curry or platters. I understand locking 2-3 items under dinner, but at least 2/3 of the menu wasnt available and we were really disappointed after being seated. Willing to give the place another try since the food we got definitely didnt taste bad, but their lunch menu needs to offer more variety or at least a disclaimer should be included on their website.
The food was excellent,specially pork salad northern style,
Ive been there several times and most of the menu items are delicious. Its good to take if youre visiting Toronto for the first time. Its a bit noisy inside.
Good food good customer service ! Thai iced tea was so good !
Spend $90 for a party of two . We ordered spring rolls for an appetizer, 2 phad Thai for main and sticky mango for dessert. I thought the food is very mediocre. Overhyped to say the least. Try sukothai downtown or nimman on lakeshore. They are cheaper but super authentic ! .
one of my favourite restaurants in Toronto
Have eaten here many times and the food is always fantastic. Yesterday was the first time I ordered delivery and Skip/Doordash both declined the order after they first went through. The order was for a small event and the time was tight. Thankfully the team at Pai were able to put a rush on my call-in order and we still managed to get our food on time for the event. Thank you so much, you are all fantastic
Medium spice is already quite hot..
This restaurant, a victim of its success, can result in quite a long waiting time. However, the wait is definitely worth it. The cuisine is very good and the flavors reminded me of those discovered in Thailand. A big congratulations!
Were SO EXCITED to try this restaurant out while on my recent trip to Toronto !!!!! We came around 5:30 pm the line was not too bad but still out of the door . We got on the wait list and to our surprise we were messaged about a table 4 or so minutes later. I ordered a Pad See Eew (they could not make the dish up to my spice level) thought it was strange but it s okay I was okay with adding the spice myself. Food came out relatively quick. It looked like it had been sitting under a heat lamp or was made hours ago and was also lukewarm and EXTREMELY dry .. I was so hungry I didn t care and just scarfed it down. From such hyped up place I was expecting more than what felt like buffet food that was made hours ago. We did enjoy the atmosphere and the service was outstanding. I would be back to give this place another try with another dish perhaps.
We recently did takeout, so some dishes may have been affected by the delay in cooking versus eating (fried spring rolls), but the rest of the comments hold up. First, the ordering and pickup were good, although pickups at the Duncan St location are by phone, and the background noise is substantial. Several times, the order had to be repeated. Not a deal breaker, but a different volume level would improve the experience for both the customer and the order-taker The mango slaw is mostly slaw (shredded cabbage and carrots). The proportion of mangoes is modest. For $19, we expected way more mango. We ordered two versions of Pad Thai...the shrimp and the chicken. The shrimp version had exactly five smallish shrimp, and the chicken version bore overcooked chicken (a little chewy, even for slices). The noodles were nicely done and tasty but would have benefited from more shrimp and actually tender chicken. Overall, it was OK, but a Michelin-referenced resto creates an expectation that was not met in this instance.
Visiting from NYC and came here for a 5pm reservation because multiple friends recommended this place. Perhaps we came in with too high of expectations, but we weren t blown away. The place is huge and by the time we left around 6pm, all the tables were filled and there was a line out the door. We ordered Spring rolls, mango salad, chicken satay, Khao soi, green curry, and kanom jin nham ngeaw(pork rib in tomato-based noodle soup). The pork rib dish was definitely my favorite because of its complex flavor profile. I especially enjoyed the little vermicelli noodles you throw into the bowl to enjoy while you re slurping the delicious broth! The green curry was oddly the opposite of complex flavors and the watery consistency tasted like a simple combination of coconut milk + red chilies for spice. Would still come back at our next visit to Toronto to double check the hype.
This place is amazing! Great place to hang out with friends and family. I ordered Pad Gra Paw and it was spectacular. I definitely recommend getting the Thai ice tea as well as it was sweet and perfect for the dish. Service was amazing, our server was really sweet and the staff is very friendly and helpful.
This place is timeless. I ve never had a bad experience here. Their shrimp pad thai always hits the spot. Other fave dishes include Beef Khao Soi, Chicken Satay, Green Curry, and of course those crispy spring rolls. I would recommend dining in here to get the true experience, but their takeout is solid as well.
Lining up down the stairs, I thought we would be waiting forever. But once we made it down, they took us in right away and proceeded to take us through this awesome grey-bricked underground that opened up into what became a huge restaurant. The vibe is cool, from the atmosphere to the music to the great staff. Never mind the incredible northern Thai cuisine. Thai food like this doesn t appear often. Don t miss out.
My favorite restaurant I know that the service is terrible, but it is worth it Vegetarian options: Amazing options
Wheelchair accessibility: None Food
Authentic Thai food!
I had such a good experience here coming for a birthday dinner! The pad kra pao was AMAZING and a standout dish. Pad see ew was also so delicious. The cocktails were fine, nothing amazing - but the food was so so good.
Absolute recommendation!!! Quality food. Great service and cozy atmosphere. Unfortunately its always very full, so its worth making a reservation.
One of my favourite Thai restaurant s love the food and atmosphere, would definitely recommend to do reservation before you go to dine in. They are always busy or try to walk-in if you can wait for good food. Worth the time and money.
Fun spot to visit . Do t get the need and rice dish bc you could easily make it at home . Food was good . Overpriced but good for a once a year visit with gang of friends . Great locations .
Busy spot but if you can get a table good food and good atmosphere:)
Love the vibe, the service was great. There s obviously a line up, we waited around 20mins. The food was delicious! One of the best pad thais I ve ever had! Would definitely go back. Food
Best thai place in toronto
Overhyped. Decent food but underwhelming. I had heard a lot of great things about the food here, but was a bit disappointed in the taste. We ordered 2 appetizers ( fried squash flowers, papaya salad) and 4 mains ( pad thai, khao soi, massaman curry and the chef s special beef dish). Everything tasted fine, just nothing exceptional especially for the price point. Potatoes in the massaman curry were undercooked and the khao soi broth was way too salty, noodles-soup ratio was not optimal either. Cocktails were good though and they serve Singha on tap.
Food quality slipped. We ordered multiple dishes and the meat was dry and overcooked. Subpar compared to last visit 2 years ago
Got there way before dinner time around 5pm on a week day , we still had to wait for a table. Luckily, we were seated in about 10 minutes just like what we were told. We ordered pork skewer, chicken satay, mango salad , holy basil, pai siu ew. Those are typical thai dishes you can see on the menu of any other thai restaurants in town, but Pai s tasted so much better. It s not overly sweet like what i am afraid of. The beef in my pai siu ew is generous and delicious. This place is definitely worth the hype
The best padthi youll ever tast
All-time favorite they are exquisite
Loved this cool vibe restaurant! Food was outstanding!
We encountered a very poor experience at PAI. We were a group of 3 adults and 3 young children. BEFORE we even sat down, the hostess told us that they ll charge our group 20% gratuity for being a group of 6. We were quite unhappy with the outrageous tipping culture of Toronto to begin with but we were more upset at how inconsiderate the staff at this restaurant was. This is not a group of 6 adults but rather a family with 3 young children and one of which is a toddler. When we told her how ridiculous and inconsiderate that tipping rule was, and that we have the right to decide the gratuity based on our experience, and 3/6 are children, she told us to talk to the manager. Then a few staff gathered, whispered, and gave us weird glance which made us felt super uncomfortable. Another staff told us that the only way for them not to enforce 20% gratuity is if our toddler don t eat. Were they serving us anymore or less if my kids eat or not? Will they watch us like a hawk to make sure if 6/6 touch food then they can enforce tip? How terrible this place can be?!! This is BEFORE we even looked at the menu. We felt somewhat insulted. The service mood and atmosphere changed right after. They were cold, unfriendly and seemed ticked off. Shouldn t they try harder to show that their service is worth it instead of showing such a rude behaviour? We have no problem tipping 20% or even more when we felt that the server deserves it and had a happy meal. We should have walked out of this overhyped PAI restaurant at that moment but we chose to be respectful. The food turned out not so good and all dishes came out mildly warm. Kao Soi was soggy, Pad See Ew was salty, and Pad Thai was oily. We ve been here several times before, as well as few other chain locations and we always had good food. But now it seems the food quality has gone down hill, on top of the terrible service. It turned out that toddler refused to eat so they had no ground to enforce tips. We were very upset. Don t support this kind of restaurant when they don t care about food quality or experience. The staff needs to treat customers with more respect if they want to earn good tips and don t be so bluntly rude about how much tips they want up front when the customer didn t get to experience anything yet. Let tipping be out of the customer s will and everyone will be happier. Big party of all adults is understandable but a family with small kids, that s just pure greed! Avoid this place, it s not worth the hype at all. Everything has sadly gone downhill! Kid-friendliness: NOT kid-friendly at all. They ll rip you off with enforcing tips when you bring in kids (baby/toddler/kinder).
Worst pad Thai I have ever eaten in my life! Chicken was dry and the noodles tasted like a day old. Nothing authentic about this place. Wasted $50 because it went straight to the garbage after one bite. I would not recommend this place to anyone
I love this Restaurent, its so cozy and the food is amazing, i hope it doesnt get over crowded because of all of the press, very happy you can make reservations
We tried this place purely based on the reviews online and were disappointed with the food and service. We requested for a vegan version of the pad see ew (without egg and oyster sauce) but got served the one with both in it. We did get 50% off the price but honestly they should do better with their service. The taste was also very average nothing about it blew our minds as we expected it to be. We also ordered the Penang curry and the garlic chicken which were also ok. Overall a decent place to dine in but not exceptional food. At least not the ones we tried.
A must go if you are in town. Good is great. Warning tho some items are not available at lunch including the skewers
Exceptional Thai food in a fun eclectic environment with a bohemian feel. This place was recommended by a local resident and didnt disappoint. We were seated relatively quickly after a short wait and the food was delicious! The Khao Soi and pad thai are fantastic and service is top notch. I appreciated being able to order varying levels of spice and were given Thai chilis on the side. Highly recommend! Vegetarian options: Vegetarian friendly
Came here on a Wednesday afternoon. Got there around 12:15, had to be done by 1 for a show. Notified the staff, they accommodated us and brought our food quickly. Food was stellar and well priced (around 25 bucks per main). My party ordered the pad Thai, pad gra prow, pad see ew, and khao soi - everyone was thoroughly impressed by the taste of their food. Highly recommend to those looking for a quick bite by the theatre! Vegetarian options: Vegetarian substitutions available for most dishes
Funky electric place with lots of energy & great food. QR code menu didnt work as website code glitch kept returning me to make resevations page... but the physical menu experienced no technical issues...
I order pad krapow gai from Pai every week. It is amazing every week. Vegetarian options: I m not vegetarian, but my vegetarian friends like the restaurant. Parking: It s downtown Toronto. If you re picking up takeout, there s free on street 20-minute parking a block north. Otherwise, be prepared to pay for on-street or garage parking, both of which are plentiful. Kid-friendliness: It s a happy, noisy place, and welcomes kids. Wheelchair accessibility: Sadly, the entrance is down a steep flight of stairs that are completely inaccessible. If the weather is warm enough to eat on the sidewalk patio though, you should be fine.
PAI has been my top choice for Thai food. Mostly used to get a take out but even the dine-in experience was top notch. This place usually gets busy so get ready for some waiting, but the queues move fast - would recommend making a reservation if you are a large group. The food as always is delicious and has consistently been nice - my top recommendations would be Pad Gra Prow and the Panang Thai red curry. Highly recommend for Thai cuisine.
Good Thai restaurant....any meals taste good here. Loves the seafood Pad Thai.
Spectacular Thai place with great ambience; both large and cozy at the same time. Recommend their coconut ice cream as dessert.
I waited 20 minutes to get a seat and another 40 minutes for the food. While waiting, I noticed that the person next to me, who came after me, got a drink, appetizer, and main dish in less time than it took for my food to arrive. When I chose No tip (because the service didn t deserve it), the employee said nothing not even Do you need a receipt? or Goodbye. Also, when I tried to ask a question, one employee blatantly ignored me. She saw me start to speak but turned away and pretended to be busy. What a shame! Haha As for the food, I ordered Khao Soi. The beef was great, to be fair, but the soup and noodles didn t harmonize at all. The noodles were barely steamed, and the soup was overly greasy. I wouldn t recommend this restaurant.
One of the best Thai restaurants in Toronto Kid-friendliness: Kids friendly Food : 5/5 |
Ordered on DoorDash. I usually get the Pad Gra Prow(beef) with no egg. I started eating PAI about a year or two ago now and it hasn t disappointed until recently. First it was the rice: I felt like they definitely downgraded earlier this year and now it s the beef. The beef hasn t been as tender or flavourful as it usually is; a lot of fat pieces and a lot of hard parts and odd skins? that are hard to chew. Read a comment saying their beef isn t halal anymore could this be the reason? Other than that, I haven t tried their other dishes enough to comment on them currently. I m already pretty finicky with restaurant/fast/takeout food so it s a shame that I have to take them off the list until further notice :/
Loved loved loved this place!
Love this place all year round. Some great Thai food. It s one of the places where you can t go wrong with the cocktails either. Certain dishes are definitely better than the others. (khao soi and pad see ew if you like flat noodles)
Good atmosphere and service, somehow my curry noodle wasn t hot enough instead it tasted like it s been out of the casserole for a while and waited to be served anytime, so it tasted like it was kinda greasy when it s not hot, what a pity.
Incredibly delicious food, took me back to my trip to Thailand. Service is great and prices are reasonable
Love the atmosphere of the store and the friendliness in their service. Sincere and thoughtful in their recommendations
Great all around.
The food was pretty good but we had the worst server ever. I m not sure if they had designated tables but our server was so rude. Approached our table, no introduction at all and just asked what do you want . She was no where to be found for the rest of the night and 3 other people ended up tending to our table. When she said it was last call I went to look at my phone to see the menu and she rolled her eyes got so frustrated that she just started blabbing out the menu. Everyone else was lovely EXCEPT HER.
Dont get me wrong. Food is great but not as amazing as everyone said I don t think. Been coming here for years and prices have increased astronomically. Don t think it s worth it anymore to be honest. Service was great overall. Wait time is obviously nightmare..as always. Its good overall just not perfect
Tables are too close together and small. The only thing i liked was the food is tasty but too pricey for the small portions. Staff doesnt seem happy to be there
Its a shame that I went alone and could only eat one pad thai.
Had a reservation at PAI while in Toronto for a conference. My colleague and I went all out. We were exhausted and hungry and we felt that we had to take the opportunity to do some damage. Our waitress was also fantastic. We ordered three starters including the Mango Coleslaw, the Chicken Satay Skewers, and the Thai Northern Sausage. The Mango Slaw was the standout, with just the right acidity and bite. It was fresh and the textures were incredible. The Northern Thai Sausage was also excellent. Main courses included the Beef Oxtail Curry and the Masaman Curry. The Masaman was bright and very mild, and the oxtail was a hot and sour curry, very messy and absolutely delicious. Excellent flavor, tender and perfect with a liter of beer. We rounded it out with a Sticky Rice desert with a mango slice on top cut to look like a leaf. It was easily the best Sticky Rice I have ever had. Definitely lives up to the reputation. Dietary restrictions: Accommodates Gluten Free and Vegetarian/Vegan. Not possible with everything but lots of good options. Only the pickiest of eaters will have trouble here.
Authentic Thai cuisine. Very popular restaurant - and rightly so.
Tables are too close together and small. The food was very very tasty, but portions are too small for that price. Tom Yam soup with shrimps contain only 2 small shrimps.