Pai Thai — Restaurant in Dubai

THE LOCATION: The restaurant is in a scenic setting, after you go into Al Qasr Hotel you take the elevator and you go down two levels. The staff will guide you to the walking path or the buggy ride but trust me say no. Getting to Pai Thai is an experience on its own, please insist to take the Abra. You’ll be going through the waterways of Al Qasr Hotel and enjoying the beautiful Arabic architecture of this wonderful resort. You will also be able to see the gorgeously lite Burj Al Arab.

PARKING: Free Valet Service at Al Qasr Hotel

THE AMBIENCE: Elegant Thai restaurant, very warm, fashionable with dim lights and romantic.

THE FOOD: We were first served complimentary Thai crackers with a tamarind sauce and a sweet chili sauce. STARTERS SOM TAM JE (10/10): Green Papaya Salad, Tomato, Apple, Cashew Nuts, Tamarind Dressing. Never had apple in a Som Tam before but it was a nice twist. The dressing was perfect. The portion was a bit small, I definitely wanted more. POH PIA THOD (8/10) Deep-Fried Vegetables Spring Roll, Sweet-Chilli Sauce. nothing special. SATE GAI Grilled Marinated Chicken Satay with coconut milk, lemongrass, turmeric and peanut sauce. I didn’t taste it so I can’t judge how good was it.

MAIN DISH GAENG KHIEW WAN GAI (8/10) Green chicken curry with eggplants, coconut and basil GAI PHAD MED MA MUANG (10/10) Fried Chicken with cashew, spring onion, chili, and oyster sauce. This for a sure a dish that I would order again. both dishes were served with white steamed rice.

DESSERT LOD CHONG RICE PANDAN (10/10) rice pandan noodle, sweet coconut milk, sweet pumpkin, coconut sorbet. Wow! even though I am not a coconut fan, this dish is delicious. The portion was tiny and I wanted more and more. Plate of Tropical Fruits (3/10) This was a disappointment, when they said tropical you expect something special or unique. Not 2 slices of melons, a slice of watermelon and some grapes. There was nothing tropical about this plate.

THE PORTION SIZE: Just right a bit to the stingy side.

THE SERVICE: This was my fourth visit to this restaurant, every time the service was perfect, except on this visit.

First, on the morning of our dinner I received an email asking to confirm our attendance, which I did. Part of that email was a question if we are celebrating a special occasion with various option. I wrote yes a birthday celebration (we were celebrating my birthday). Then a few hours later, I received a phone call from the restaurant asking me to confirm my reservation for a party of 6, which I did again. Then the lady surprised me by saying that the restaurant is fully booked and that our reservation is for only 2 hours that our table is booked and that we need to leave by 9:30PM.

Let me tell you that at 9:30 PM there was more than 5 empty tables and that until 11PM no one showed up. The special occasion was completely ignored and nothing happened?!!! No birthday celebration or anything. So why did they ask?

Our waiter was mediocre, not helpful at all and was stubborn. A friend ordered the Green chicken curry mild and he brought it medium. I personally tasted both dishes the “mild” and the “medium” and they were both the exact same heat. He insisted that the dish is mild. Until his manager came and she took the dish away. She came back a few minutes later and she apologized and said she tasted it herself in the kitchen and in fact it was medium and that they will prepare another dish right away. This friction ruined the night.

THE COST: We were a party of 6 during the Dubai Summer Restaurant Week so it was a special 3 course menu for 150AED. For that price it is definitely $ Value for money. In a normal night without this deal I would say that Pai Thai is $$$ Pricey.

THE BOTTOM LINE: I personally love this restaurant, I had been there a few times in the past. Delicious food amazing setting but this time the service ruined the night. I would go again and give it another try, hoping that next time the service...

We recently had the pleasure of visiting Pai Thai, and we must say that the experience was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we embarked on the boat ride from the Al Qasr hotel to this enchanting Thai restaurant, we knew we were in for a treat. Nestled amidst the Madinat Jumeirah's picturesque waterways, Pai Thai effortlessly captures the essence of Thailand, delivering a dining experience that surpasses all expectations.

As we stepped onto the outdoor terrace, the panoramic view of the shimmering waterways left us in awe. The setting was nothing short of magical, with a gentle breeze carrying tantalizing aromas that hinted at the culinary delights awaiting us. The serene ambiance complemented by the stunning surroundings made for an unforgettable evening.

The staff exuded warmth, attentiveness, and a deep knowledge of Thai cuisine. They were more than willing to guide us through the menu, making recommendations based on our preferences. Throughout the evening, we felt pampered and well taken care of, which added a delightful touch to our overall enjoyment.

The menu at Pai Thai offers a plethora of options, each dish meticulously crafted to reflect the true flavors of Thailand. We started our gastronomic journey with the Tom Kha Gai, a velvety coconut soup infused with lemongrass, galangal, and tender chicken. The delicate balance of flavors was simply remarkable, leaving a lingering taste that made us crave more.

Next, we indulged in the Pad Thai Goong, a classic Thai stir-fried noodle dish. The harmony of sweet, sour, and tangy flavors, coupled with the succulent prawns, was a sheer delight. The authenticity of this dish took us back to the vibrant streets of Bangkok, and we savored each bite with pure joy.

For our main course, we opted for the Gaeng Kiew Wan Gai, a fragrant green curry with tender chicken. The creamy coconut milk base combined with the aromatic blend of Thai herbs and spices created a symphony of flavors that danced on our palates. The attention to detail in the presentation was commendable, elevating the dining experience to another level.

To complement our meal, we explored the extensive drink menu, and each sip was a revelation. The mixologists at Pai Thai have crafted a selection of signature cocktails that beautifully complemented the flavors of the dishes. From refreshing fruity concoctions to expertly crafted Thai-inspired cocktails, the drinks perfectly enhanced the overall dining experience.

In conclusion, Pai Thai is a true gem among Thai restaurants. Its idyllic location, accompanied by impeccable service, authentic flavors, and an inviting ambiance, make it a must-visit for anyone seeking an unforgettable culinary journey. Whether you are a Thai cuisine aficionado or simply someone who appreciates exceptional dining experiences, Pai Thai will not disappoint. We wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant, and we eagerly look forward to our next visit to savor the wonders that await at this remarkable...

We were looking for a restaurant with Thai cuisine, and since I wanted to try a new place (although the last time I came to Dubai I had really good Thai food), we chose to go to Pai Thai for dinner. The location is romantic, as it is next to the water, and apparently you can get there by boat. We decided to walk instead; the winding path leading there is dimly lit and there are trees on either side. The service started out really well as a man showed us to our table, and explained that there was a special menu and a more lit ambiance due to the celebration of the Festival of Lights. We were handed our menus, and being a fan of organization (especially when the names of the dishes are in a foreign language), I opted to list the items we wanted to order on my phone. After the effort of writing down the names in Thai and trying to pronounce them to our waitress, she found it amusing and told us that she does not know them in Thai either. I would expect the waitress to know the menu by heart, including all the names of the dishes. Also, the attitude of a waitress affects the servicing, even if she is efficient in placing the dishes on our table (although a bit less efficient in removing them). Anyway, let’s get to the food. We ordered the (I will not bother to name them in Thai) Green Papaya Salad, the Crispy Marinated Chicken Wrapped in Pandan Leaf, and the Grilled Marinated Chicken Sate as appetizers. The Green Papaya Salad was flavorful and the Chicken Sate was tender and literally melted in your mouth, and I loved the peanut sauce. However, I disliked the Crispy Marinated Chicken in the Pandan Leaf; it was more soggy than crispy. For our main courses, we then had the Braised Massaman Beef Curry, a Pad Thai with Prawns, and a bowl of Thai Coconut Rice. The Beef Curry’s sauce was really tasty, but I did not like the beef’s texture within it. As for the Pad Thai, I have had much better elsewhere. We ended the meal with one of the desserts listed under the Traditional section, as opposed to the Modern one. We had the Sweet Sticky Rice with Ripe Mango; it was fine. In general, the food was average, and I was not blown away. Dining in an intimate setting with water surrounding you is basically what Pai Thai has going for it. Although, another Thai restaurant that comes to mind has that but with...