Sawatdee Thai & Sushi — Restaurant in Pinellas Park

Unfortunately, Sawatdee Thai & Sushi wasn’t the memorable Thai food experience I’ve been searching for in Pinellas County. While the staff was kind and the restaurant itself is clean and cozy, the food simply missed the mark—especially for someone who knows what truly good Thai cuisine should taste like.

To be fair, my expectations are shaped by years of enjoying authentic Thai dishes, both locally (back when it was more consistently good) and elsewhere. I’ve noticed a general decline in Thai food quality across Florida over the last five or so years—so I didn’t walk into Sawatdee expecting miracles. That said, I was still hoping for something better than what I got.

The biggest red flag was the Pad Thai. It arrived at the table in a bright, artificial-looking orange hue, which immediately set off alarm bells. That coloring typically means the sauce has been heavily altered—likely with ketchup or an overly sweet chili paste. Unfortunately, the taste confirmed my suspicions. It lacked the balance of tamarind tanginess, fish sauce umami, and roasted peanut nuttiness that make Pad Thai such a beloved dish. It wasn't inedible, but it absolutely wasn’t Pad Thai. It tasted more like a generic sweet noodle stir-fry with little complexity or depth.

Next, I tried the Pra Ram (also called Rama Chicken or Swimming Rama in some places), which should’ve been rich and savory with a peanut-based sauce layered over sautéed spinach or steamed vegetables. Instead, I was served a version that leaned heavily into the sweet end of the spectrum, to the point where it almost felt like a dessert with chicken mixed in. Again—not awful, but definitely not what the dish is traditionally meant to be.

I also sampled their sushi, and while I didn’t expect it to compete with a dedicated sushi bar, I was hoping for something tighter in execution. The rolls were sloppily assembled, and the rice was under-seasoned, missing that vinegared balance that sets good sushi rice apart. The fish itself was fine—nothing off-putting—but the overall presentation and flavor just felt lazy.

Despite these culinary shortcomings, the experience wasn’t the worst Thai meal I’ve had in the area. The dining space is modestly sized but well-maintained, and our server was polite and attentive, even as the only one working the floor. They’re clearly trying, and that’s worth acknowledging. I don’t doubt that they have regulars who enjoy the food here—but if you’re someone who’s looking for Thai dishes that resemble what you’d find in Bangkok, or even in a strong Thai spot in a major city, this likely won’t hit the mark.

The bottom line is this: Sawatdee Thai & Sushi may be acceptable to those unfamiliar with Thai food done right, but it’s a miss for those of us who are chasing that nostalgic, balanced flavor that defines great Thai cuisine. I don’t fault them for trying to appeal to local palates or simplify recipes—but in doing so, the soul of the dishes seems to have been lost.

If you're craving authentic Thai food in Pinellas, the search,...

I regularly frequent this establishment and never had an issue prior. Amanda is typically my server and is absolutely phenomenal. There is a young gentleman who has been my waiter prior that was wonderful as well.

I decided to dine in today ordering a bento box and thai appetizer sampler. The sampler came out over fried which I didn’t like and let the server know. I asked for a to go box for my pad Thai and thai tea due to my lunch break ended. I left the soup from the bento box as I didn’t like it. After the bill came, I asked my server Kim, if she would take off the sampler as I mentioned to her before asking for to go box that I did not like the sampler nor did I eat it because it was over fried and hard. Her response was that I came in ordered to much food and I can’t just order things to “taste test”. I found this highly offensive and extremely unprofessional especially with the fact that the other customers heard her commentary that were sitting in front and behind me. As someone with over 15 years experience in hospitality from serving/bartending, that was very rude and uncalled for. If I wanted to taste taste food I would have gone to a buffet. As a regular customer, I always ordered a lot of food (never having an issue). A bento box and sampler is not to much in my opinion especially when if you like something you take the rest home in which I was not due to it being overcooked. When I asked to speak with the manager she was just as rude to me. Unfortunately as a regular customer my friends and I will no longer frequent this establishment due to the rudeness and unprofessionalism I experienced today. Whether someone is young or older, you should treat them with respect and kindness which was not the case...

I had a bad experience after posting five stars toward the Restaurant's Delicious food. On Friday, before noon, we entered the empty Thai restaurant; after we had a seat, and approached by the waitress, and she informed us they were selling dinner dishes, not lunch at lunchtime. We did two orders ( Thailand’s famous food ), the spicy Holy basil beef and seafood from the dinner menu. Soon after our food arrived at the table, we were surprised to see both dishes were too watery, like curry with brown sauce. The waitress is disappeared, nowhere to be found, or perhaps she is busy with her cell phone. My patients were run low after our water in the glasses needed attention; finally, when we successfully had her back from her daydream, my question did your restaurant change the chef? Her reply back is NO. What is happening to our food; she said, “ busy” the restaurant is busy with one table? We were disappointed in her lousy attitude; the conversation was worthless with her, although we had finished the wrong food quietly. She is beautiful with stinky long green hair ( at that time ) and she shook it back and forth between her neck. It is inappropriate to do that in the restaurant; you are not in the fashion show business. However, in the long run, I hope the waitress is getting mature enough to work in the service business; please don't lie to the customer because you need more tips money by selling Dinner at lunchtime. The elegant attitude by wrongdoing had sent wrong order to the Kitchen, but she doesn't want to admit it; the worst of her by talking back to the customers; she thinks she is too good for a job, it is lousy for the...