Na Rath Restaurant, Catering & Flowers — Restaurant in New York

Stepping into Na Rath in Elmhurst, Queens, feels like walking into a secret garden, a swirl of vibrant colors and twinkling Christmas lights that immediately sets the tone for what’s to come. It’s intimate, with just enough seating to feel exclusive, and I managed to snag a coveted window spot, a front,row seat to what would be an unforgettable meal.

Having traveled to Thailand multiple times, I’ve developed a taste for what’s authentic and what’s been diluted to cater to American palates. Na Rath? It’s the real deal. Much to my surprise and delight, my dishes were prepared by Chef Bass himself, a chef who has cooked for Thai royalty. Yes, that Chef Bass.

I started with the raw salmon spicy salad and raw shrimp sashimi, and let me tell you, these dishes are an instant transport back to the markets of Bangkok. Each bite was alive with heat, acid, and freshness, a sensory reminder of Khlong Toei Market at its most vibrant. Then came the chili lime steamed tilapia, a dish where every ingredient—from the fiery chili to the zesty lime and aromatic garlic…felt perfectly in balance. It was the kind of dish that makes you close your eyes and savor every flavor.

And then there was the Tom Yum Kung w prawns. This is not a soup to sip, it’s a soup to be embraced, fiery and bursting with lemongrass, kept hot by a chafing fuel flame. Because let’s be honest, soup should be served hot, not lukewarm.

The crab fried rice. Forget imitation crab, this was the real thing, jumbo chunks of sweet crab meat nestled in perfectly cooked rice. It felt indulgent yet comforting, the kind of dish you’d cross boroughs for.

The standout? The lobster khao soi. This Northern Thai classic combines a creamy, rich coconut curry broth with tender boiled egg noodles, crispy fried noodles for texture, and a medley of tangy and fried chilies topped with lime and cilantro. The addition of juicy, tender lobster tail takes this dish to the next level, making it both comforting and luxurious. It’s a must-try.

Dessert brought an unexpected surprise: taro custard paired with vanilla ice cream. A salty,sweet revelation, it was a refreshing alternative to the usual mango sticky rice, and my father couldn’t stop raving about the combo. Even the Thai iced tea had its own twist, topped with a dollop of whipped cream. The lychee iced tea packed a punch, a little too strong for a lightweight like me, but perfect for anyone who loves bold flavors.

Na Rath also offers a buffet, but don’t let that word fool you. This isn’t your typical steam,table setup. Each dish is cooked to order, arriving hot and fresh, a far cry from the sad, lukewarm offerings most buffets are known for. It’s a concept that feels just as thoughtful as the rest of the...

We came. We saw. We AYCE-ed.

Frankly, AYCE Thai was something I never knew I needed until I was presented with an iPad of choice, and now I don't know how to be okay with only getting ONE Kung Chae Nampla when I order it. Cries in sashimi

Seriously, though, for a city (and nation) obsessed with Thai food, you'd think Na Rath would be a household name in the Big Apple. Then again, if it were, it probably wouldn't be ~$52pp for a two-hour window of eats. While certain items are off-limits and certain items can only be ordered once, that still leaves about 80% of the menu open for repeats and reruns.

Here follows a long list of what we got + my $0.02s:

Wing Zaab: Perfectly spiced and crispy - Spice, fish sauce, rice powder, shallots and coriander

SomTum Tad: Just okay, not enough papaya

Raw Spicy Shrimp: Fresh, spicy and most of all....UNLIMITED. I still like Somtum Der's best, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit to eating at least 3 plates of these--all by myself

Raw Oyster Salad: Nothing beats Chalong Thai's, but this is a worthy contender.

Crispy Catfish with Mango Salad: More crispy batter with mango because there was very little fish. Still tasty.

Tom Yum Kung, Clear: Lovely and rejuvenating for cold nights

Steamed Red Tilapia with Lime and Garlic: Tender and flavorful

Duck with Kaeng Phed: Very rich and hearty, with perfectly cooked meat

Stir-Fried Squid with Egg Yolk: I don't like egg yolk, so this was just okay for me, but yolk lovers loved it

Crab Meat Thai Omelette: Not enough crab

Crab Fried Rice: Fluffy and savory, but not enough crab

Kana Moo Grob: Not enough pork pieces (like two for the whole dish), though they were cooked well

Phak Boong Fai Daeng: Very well done. It's easy to overcook morning glory, but this was the perfect balance of softened and crispy

Shrimp cake: Lovely batter and nice shrimpy filling

Crab roll: Bad. Probably the worst thing we got. No discernible crab meat and very little flavor.

Pad See Ew: For the picky eaters in your group who don't like adventure--this is everything you expect it to be and nothing more

Mango Sticky Rice: Sadly terrible. The sticky rice was not properly defrosted, so it was impossible to eat. The mango was very juicy and sweet, but without the rice, it was basically just eating grocery-sliced fruit on a bed of grains.

Taro Custard: An interesting concoction of starchy creme topped with...fried onions? Not my ideal flavor combo, but some people would think this was...

Personal Experience: Na Rath Thai "Thai Buffet" Address: 86-08 Whitney Ave Elmhurst, NY 11373 It doesn't live up to its name, so definitely avoid it!

A group of fifteen of us went to "Na Rath Thai" in Elmhurst, New York, with great anticipation, but were completely put off by the disastrous dining experience. The high reviews on platforms like Google Gemini were seriously at odds with the actual food. Below is our honest experience for your reference.

Poor Food Quality and Limited Variety "False Advertising": The classic "Thai Trio"—Tom Yum Goong, Mango Sticky Rice, and Water Spinach—was completely missing, and the menu was seriously inconsistent with the promotional content. "Cheap Ingredients": The dishes offered were mostly cheap, like greasy sweet and sour chicken and fried meat. The fried meat was tough and overcooked, clearly reheated leftovers. Fruit Required: Even basic watermelon had to be requested, and the supply was insufficient, lacking the richness expected of a buffet.

Poor Service and Mandatory Charges Simple tableware: Each person was given only a disposable paper bowl, plate, and spoon, which were not replaced throughout the meal, resulting in a worrying lack of hygiene. Mandatory tipping and high taxes: Despite near-zero service (no one poured water or cleaned the table), the restaurant still demanded a 20% tip, plus an 8.875% tax, resulting in a total bill of over $25 per person, far from the advertised $19.99. Deceptive pricing: Many customers left immediately after seeing the variety and quality of the dishes, demonstrating the restaurant's reliance on false advertising to attract customers.

Crowded Environment and Poor Experience The restaurant was cramped, the seating was overcrowded, and the dining experience was extremely uncomfortable. Slow replenishment of dishes, with some popular items (such as seafood) left unattended for extended periods.

Summary: The high reviews appear to be fake, and the actual experience was extremely poor. Na Rath Thai's high ratings on various platforms completely contradict our actual experience, suggesting a misleading marketing tactic. As a Thai buffet restaurant, it's neither authentic nor affordable, even offering mandatory fees and misleading advertising.

Highly recommend avoiding this place! If you're craving authentic Thai food, there are many better options in New York City. Don't waste your time and money here. Hopefully, our honest feedback will help others avoid...