Mad Thai — Restaurant in Cebu City

Disappointing Experience at Tida Thai: Don’t Waste Your Money

From start to finish, Tida Thai failed to deliver on every front. As the first customers for dinner, we were left standing outside without a greeting or even a simple acknowledgment when they opened at 5 p.m. Once inside, we were seated with paper menus in a dining area that seemed to be trying too hard to look upscale, but ultimately lacked any real charm or sophistication.

Now, onto the food. We ordered the Tom Yum, Red Beef Curry, Pork Larb, and Binagoong Rice—and honestly, each dish was a bigger disappointment than the last.

The Tom Yum, a staple of Thai cuisine, was shockingly unbalanced. What should have been a harmonious blend of spicy, sour, salty, and savory notes was instead overwhelmed by sweetness, drowning out the flavors that make this dish iconic. It felt like the chef had never tasted a real Tom Yum in their life.

The Red Beef Curry was no better. Instead of the rich, aromatic spices expected from a Thai curry, it tasted like a clump of sweet peanut butter—an unforgivable flaw for a dish that should be creamy, slightly spicy, and deeply flavorful. This wasn’t Thai food; it was an insult to it.

The Pork Larb lacked every essential element that makes it great. It’s supposed to be a vibrant salad full of fresh herbs, lime, and bold seasoning. What I got was bland, lifeless, and missing any of the character that makes larb worth ordering. Finally, the Binagoong Rice was downright inedible. Soggy, overcooked, and with an unpleasant aftertaste, this dish was a complete failure. The texture and flavor were so off-putting that it was impossible to finish.

Overall, Tida Thai is a masterclass in how not to do Thai cuisine. The service is apathetic, the food is poorly executed, and the experience was a complete waste of time and money. Save yourself the trouble and avoid this place.

In response to the owners comments below:

Yes, I did eat some of the food—I paid for it, after all. Here’s what I didn’t finish:

*The fried rice was left mostly untouched. *I couldn’t finish the soup. *I tried to finish the beef but left part of it as well.

As for the tip, it was solely for the waiter, not as an endorsement of the kitchen’s performance. The server worked hard and had to navigate your staircase repeatedly to deliver our food, so I wanted to acknowledge their effort.

How does attempting to call me out and discredit my experience contribute to improving your kitchen’s performance or the taste of your food?

Learn to take constructivce criticism... It will help you in...

We've been in the Philippines for almost a month now, and I have to say this is by far the best service we've had.

Our dirty plates were only on our table for 10 seconds (no exaggeration) and they proactively brought us toothpicks & water.

Plus, the food was amazing. We got the spring rolls, beef panang curry, and pad Thai. Everything was perfectly sauced, seasoned & balanced; not too sweet, not too spicy, and the curry was the PERFECT thickness. 💣

My Filipino husband really enjoyed the Green Mango Shake, while I got the regular.

I think this is the best Thai place I've been to, in my memory at least.

Note on the map it shows the place is by the street, but it's really on the outside ground floor of the compound, so you have to walk to the parking lot...

Mad Thai completely exceeded my expectations! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, with beautifully presented dishes and authentic Thai flavors that instantly transported us to Bangkok. Every dish was crafted with care from the rich, creamy curry to the perfectly grilled skewers and refreshing green mango rice.

The highlight for me was the dish served in a coconut! Flavourful, creative, and so visually stunning! Service was attentive and friendly, and the staff made sure everything was just right.

If you’re looking for genuinely delicious Thai food in Cebu, this place is a must-visit. The value for money is excellent, and the quality is top-tier. I will definitely be coming back!

Highly recommend to anyone craving real,...