Thai Family Restaurant Pakuranga — Restaurant in Howick

Food - AMAZING! Got pad Thai and I absolutely LOVED it. So sad that they’re in an empty Plaza, they deserve all the business. Much better than Thai places in the city where I live now, I really hope they don’t close down with Pakuranga Plaza becoming quieter and quieter. We started off with Thai Milk Tea which has an interesting creamy taste with a slight taste of orange but it wasn’t zesty, it had a smooth flavour. It was my first time drinking Thai Milk Tea ($12) before so I’m not sure how to compare it but I’d definitely get it again. The drink wasn’t small and they didn’t overflow it with ice either. I’ve never had pad Thai this yummy, there was a huge pile of nuts to the side but there were already little bits of nuts threaded throughout the food already and I’m glad because a lot of places skimp on the cashews. That was a definite plus! A lemon on the side topped it off, although I honestly preferred mine before the lemon as I felt the lemon overpowered the nutty aromatic flavour, my partner loved it with lemon even more though, he used the last bit of my lemon as well as his own so I guess it’s each to their own. Look how huge the servings were for only $22. I had so much leftovers at the end, they nearly filled the entire container. It was very filling, satisfying and I was genuinely upset I couldn’t eat any more 😂 My mouth is watering just typing this!

Service - Very good, brought some water and cups out to us and were very approachable and kind.

Atmosphere - The music was nice, it smelled good inside and it was very warm, nice to get out of the cold. We were originally going to get it as takeout until we realised it was quite cozy indoors, nothing fancy but the decor was cute and the vibes were good 😌

Overall - I loved it so much,...

Under new management.....We have been here a lot...5 of us every month for lunch with the girls & also with our partners for dinner...Previous management were promptly served in courteous manner. Waitress beautifully dressed.....Sat 1 April....Now under new Management - different story. Parents 60th Wedding Anniversary. Table of 12. We arrived 6:30. Waited a while for menus/glasses for our wine while other small tables were seated & menu in hand....Waited 25 mins for the guys beers :( many takeaways were served. all tables around us were served?? We got our entree @ 07:50 after arriving 6:30. Not enough waitress for a busy Sat. Wearing T-shirt & not a smile in sight...just 2 of them...Manager was unfriendly when approached. we left around 9:20....far too long for our dear Parents.....Saving grace...Food was beautiful! however some entree were a little on the cool side...........Need to learn to smile.... Would think again about a large party here....get takeaway as they seem to take...

I usually come here for Thai food, mostly for takeaway. The staff is really friendly and does try to help you out if you are stuck for choices. However the food is really good so you are generally safe in what ever you decide to pick. I find the pad thai here is nicer than other places I've tried. This also goes with the curries.

Edit: They have a new menu including a really well priced lunch menu. Some interesting items particularly the mixed platter, which contains almost all of the entrees. It is pricy but worth it to find the one you like. I quite like the goong hor, the stuffed prawns. The deep fried ice cream was covered in bread and deep fried. The som tom platter was quite nice with a selection of different toppngs for the som tom, and the sticky rice that came with it had the...