Up Thai — Restaurant in New York

I was completely unaware of how popular this place was despite educating myself on popular Thai places in NYC. I realised this when a friend and I decided to meet here for dinner during Ramadan. My friend was fasting and we thought we would be seated in time for us to order and break our fast. Well we were in for a surprise - the queues were really long and we had to wait around 40 minutes before we got seated - luckily we had some snacks and water on us so could break the fast.

Coming to the place, very nice ambience and great service. We were seated on a cozy table for two next to an old couple who were regulars at this place. They were friendly and chatty and we enjoyed sharing our food recommendations. They pointed out that portions are pretty large so that was helpful and helped avoid over ordering.

We started with our staple Thai iced tea which was delicious and refreshing served in mason jar like glasses. We then got the papaya salad (we specifically asked them to not add pork which was listed in the menu). Pretty fresh and flavourful salad with a tangy spicy sauce.

Moving on to the main course, my friend ordered the Pad ki Mow - shrimp noodles which were the speciality. I can’t eat shrimp but my friend loved it! So I’m assuming it was good.

I got the pannang curry with mock duck - I had read rave reviews about this curry and was very keen to try it - and true to its reputation it did not disappoint. Fresh, flavourful and fragrant. I also ordered sticky rice but initially they got me the black sticky rice. When I explained that I actually wanted the white rice - it’s called the steamed rice - they swiftly exchanged it. The food was quite a bit and we had to doggy bag it.

The meat is not halal but they have plenty of fish and seafood and mock duck options.

Definitely coming back in the future when I crave Thai food- a true gem in the UES with a...

My visit to this Thai restaurant was a delightful departure from my previous dining experiences, particularly in terms of the ambiance and decor which significantly exceeded that of the last establishment I visited. The atmosphere here was incredibly relaxing. To my right, an American family was enjoying their meal, while to my left, a group of friends gathered, adding to the convivial environment. Positioned at a cozy corner myself, the sight of a cheerful plant and the array of beverages on display brought me immense joy. The bartender, responsible for serving the dishes, was exceptionally attentive, reminding me of the pace at which my orders would arrive, contributing to a thoroughly pleasant dining experience.

Despite the busy hour around 8 PM, which slightly delayed the serving of my dishes, it did not detract from my overall dining pleasure. Whether visiting alone or with friends, the experience has always been engaging and fun, making the expenditure wholly worthwhile. The decor and ambiance felt like an extension of my home, making it all the more special considering its mere three-minute distance from where I live. It felt as if I was dining in the comfort of my beautiful home.

A particularly unique aspect of this restaurant was its preservation of authentic Thai restroom culture. The restroom, equipped with a large speaker, offered an immersive 3D auditory experience with original Thai music playing in the background, evoking memories of Bangkok and Phuket. This feature was amusing and added a distinctive touch to the overall ambiance.

I plan to upload all relevant photos and videos to my Google review, guiding others through what I consider to be an exemplary dining experience. Thank you, and goodbye. And see you...

Up Thai is not only one of my favorite restaurants in New York, but it stands as one of my favorites in the entire USA. It is also the best and most consistently delicious Thai food I have been able to find in America. I cannot sing their praises enough. I’ve tried a handful of dishes on their menu and I can’t remember them all so I’ll just list my favorites: Papaya salad - this has a little bit of a spicy kick to it but in the best way possible. This salad is so refreshing and I love the vegetables in it. Tom kha gai soup - I am obsessed with this soup. The coconut flavor is so rich and the mushrooms are amazing. Everything about this dish is perfection and I’ve never had it cooked so well anywhere else. I go Gaga over this soup. Pad Thai - consistently delicious and plated well. It is cooked well and the ingredients are always fresh. Very authentic. Pad See Ew - perfect sauce as it’s rich in flavor and authentic. The greens are always cooked perfectly and the meat is too. I love the wide egg noodles in this dish, they cook them perfectly every time. Panang curry - very well done and authentic. Mango sticky rice - heaven on earth. The rice is always cooked perfectly, the coconut milk sauce is always flavored immaculately well, and the mango is always ripe. They will not serve this dish if the mangos are not in season. The plating for this dish is also great. Coconut water/milk - this isn’t always available but I love to get it when it is. Please please go to this restaurant if you’re ever in New York. You will fall in love. The restaurant is also decorated in such...