Luv2eat Thai Bistro — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Wow. I went to this place on a last-minute whim and my expectations were completely shattered. Seriously, I'm bummed I didn't discover Luv2Eat Thai Bistro sooner!

Before diving into the food, I must highlight that the service was top-notch. From start to finish, our server was patient, super personable, and very knowledgeable. They helped customize a delicious lunch menu (with the appropriate amount of protein, to say the least) for two starving men who had just finished at the gym. Honestly, it set the bar for the rest of the experience—and that bar never wavered any lower.

We ordered three main dishes: Pad Se Ew with Crispy Pork, Fried Chicken, and Panang Curry with Chicken. The Pad Se Ew portion was immensely generous, packed with protein and vegetables, which isn't always the case with these plates. Additionally, it was well-seasoned, charred to perfection, and just an overall delight. We added some chili flakes (which you can ask the server to bring) and it elevated the dish to exceptional.

The Fried Chicken was probably the showstopper of the meal. At first, I was a bit underwhelmed by its appearance and taken aback that it was one of their popular dishes. After the first bite, however, it all made sense. My mouth is watering as I type this review—it was that delightful. Pro tip: Make sure you use the accompanying dipping sauce. I seriously can't wait to order this again!

The Panang Curry was simply fine. It wasn't bad, but it didn't wow me like the two other dishes. I'd probably skip this next time.

Overall, I'm a big fan of Luv2Eat Thai Bistro and can't wait to return! What a phenomenal restaurant with amazing staff and world-class food. The Michelin Guide recommendation is totally deserved, and I can see them earning their first star...

Luv2eat Thai Bistro might have the buzz — features in food blogs, a celebrity shoutout here and there — but underneath all the hype, something feels off. I’ve dined here more than once, and each time left me with the same impression: the food is hit-or-miss, the atmosphere is cold, and the owners seem more focused on fame than hospitality.

Despite being the faces of the restaurant, the owners give off a vibe that’s far from warm. You can feel it when they’re in the room — not a smile, not a greeting. Just this detached, standoffish presence, almost like they’re too busy watching the image of their brand to actually care about the people sitting in the dining room.

What’s also noticeable is how hard they seem to be trying to break into the “hip LA restaurant crowd.” They’re constantly chasing exposure — whether it’s doing interviews with trendy food publications, attending curated industry events, or putting themselves in front of cameras. On the surface, it looks like community engagement, but it often feels more like strategic self-branding than genuine passion for food or people.

Even their involvement in charity work seems… curated. It’s obviously great when any business gives back, but you can’t help but wonder what the real agenda is when it’s always paired with a PR push or social media spotlight. It starts to feel less like kindness, and more like calculated optics.

Luv2eat might check all the boxes for trendy success — spicy Southern Thai dishes, neon signs, and a media-friendly backstory — but for me, it lacks the heart and hospitality that make a restaurant worth remembering. If you’re after something with soul, this...

5 stars for truly yummy Thai food!! I've been here twice now, once with a big group of 12 and once with two others. My first time here was delicious, but hectic - we ordered so much food that half the time I didn't even know what I was eating! But I knew I really liked it!

FOOD: shrimp paste fried rice and crab fried rice - both were very flavorful and good portions. The crab fried rice has real crab meat in it jade noodles - really liked this dish! You get really pretty green noodles and a variety of meats and veggies. Mix all together with some sauces and it's heaven in your mouth kua kling - one of the chef's specials, you can choose what type of meat. We got the pork spare ribs and this was delicious! Super flavorful and the spiciness totally creeps up on you as you keep eating it

I've also tried the fried chicken, durian sticky rice, larb, and a bunch of other things I can't remember. All were yummy!

SERVICE: My bf is Thai so he did all of the ordering. The chefs, an adorable lesbian couple, Fern and Pla are super friendly! Everyone is very nice and food comes out in a timely manner. Check in on Yelp for a free Thai iced tea!

VENUE/PARKING: The place itself is on the smaller side, but they have outdoor seating available and they're taking over the space next door and expanding, yay! Located in an unassuming strip mall, plenty of parking in the lot attached. The bathroom is all the way in the back through the kitchen, which is kind of weird, but no one pays attention to you as you walk through.

Will definitely be...