Thai Chef Rockville — Restaurant in Rockville

For me, this was a 3.5 star experience, but the application only allows 1,2,3,4,5, so I rounded up. There’s a lot to love about this comfy outpost overlooking Rockville Town Square, which generally has a hard time holding onto restaurants because of high rents. And the area is so diverse, it is easy to find a wonderful selection of international cuisines offered like this one. We showed up on a Friday evening without a reservation and were seated at a nice table without tablecloth right away. We also had a server ask us if we wanted any drinks quickly.

As one can see from the photos, this restaurant has a fun (maybe we’re in Thailand) vibe, complete with a Tuk Tuk parked in the lobby. Lanterns and multicolored lights are throughout. I started with a fiery spicy take on the margarita called Crazy Thai Lady. It was billed as having lemongrass, but I mostly tasted the salt and the chili. It was good but could have used more nuance, which will come up again later. We were very pleased with the two apps we chose which were curry puffs (the dough was a bit thick but the flavor was nice) and the very tasty After School Won Ton which blended crab and cheese (recommended). My spouse went with her standard Pad Thai with tofu, while I asked about a more exotic selection and went with Kua Gia Fried Noddle. Here’s the part where I mention lack of nuance and complexity. Flavors should have popped, but they didn’t. I was glad to have Sriracha which I added quite a bit of.

I followed up with their generic Cabernet Sauvignon which was fine, but unremarkable. All of the wines by the glass were served as no-name varietals, which is probably to the restaurant’s detriment, but offers a low cost price point for the customer. This is a kid/family friendly space with plenty of seating both indoors and out (weather permitting). Free parking (up to 2 hours) abounds in the surrounding garages. The pedestrian friendly nature of this downtown development invites walking around when the weather is welcoming, and one could easily duck into a nearby bar (or sit outside) for an after...

Thai Chef Street Food is a Thai restaurant that serves authentic Bangkok-style vendor food. Most of staff wore Thai chef shirts with motto "Rice spice and everything nice" on the back.

"When we arrived, there was a sign by the taxi that said "Please wait to be seated!" Even though we were a party of 2, they allowed us to sit at a larger table by the window. I liked how the interior was vibrant and colorful, the tables were multi-colored and the chairs were covered with floral print fabric, and countless antiques displayed on pink shelves with varying wallpapers. I liked how the restaurant had upbeat music.

On each table, there was hand sanitizer and double-sided table tent - one side had the drink menu and the other side had a QR code to access the food menu.

Shortly after being seated, our server Ahlia came by to take our drink order. Besides water, I had a Thai Iced Tea.

For street food, we enjoyed the Curry Puff and Garlic Chive Cake, which were both vegan friendly. The Curry Puff consisted of two crispy and flaky empanada-like pastry stuffed with curried potato and veggies, served with a few cucumber slices, and a semi-thick cucumber-chili relish. The Garlic Chive Cake consisted of crispy garlic chive cubed cakes deep fried, topped with crispy garlic, and served with a sweet chili thai sauce and a soy sauce with chili oil.

For lunch, we enjoyed the Shophouse Fried Rice and Pad Si Yu. The Shophouse Fried Rice consisted of fried rice sauced with Chinese pork sausage, egg, scallion, and carrot topped with fresh cucumber and cilantro. The Chinese pork sausage tasted like sweet soy sauce marinated pork belly. It was flavorful and well-balanced. The Pad Si Yu consisted of wide rice noodle wok-fried with chinese broccoli, egg, broccoli, carrot, napa cabbage, baby bok choy, snowpeas, and braised tofu in a peppery dark soy sauce. It was tasty and flavorful. However, despite telling our server about my peanut allergy, the Pad Si Yu tasted like peanut sauce and my face/lip started to swell. If you have a peanut allergy, I wouldn't recommend...

Experience the Flavors of a Bangkok Night Festival at Thai Chef Rockville! If you’re looking for a dining experience that feels like a vibrant escape to the bustling streets of Bangkok, Thai Chef Rockville is your go-to spot! With its colorful, festival-inspired décor, handcrafted cocktails, and bold Thai flavors, this restaurant offers an immersive journey for your taste buds. From the moment you step inside, you’ll be greeted by a bright, lively atmosphere that transports you to a Thai night market. The decor is playful, energetic, and Instagram-worthy, making it the perfect place for a fun night out. But the real star here is the food! Guests rave about the Thai beef salad, with tender, flavorful beef, and the green curry, packed with aromatic spices and rich coconut goodness. The menu features classic Thai street food favorites, from duck noodle soup—a standout for its depth of flavor—to basil fried rice, Pad Thai, and sizzling satay skewers. Pair your meal with one of Thai Chef’s unique handcrafted cocktails, like the Rye Old Fashioned, a guest favorite. With a carefully curated drink menu, this spot ensures that your cocktail experience is as vibrant as the food itself. While many visitors praise the food and ambiance, some note that service can feel a bit rushed at times. However, the friendly and attentive staff make up for it, ensuring that your dining experience remains enjoyable. For locals, Thai Chef Rockville has become a go-to spot, offering consistently delicious meals in a welcoming setting. Whether you’re stopping by for a cozy dinner, a casual lunch, or a fun night out with friends, Thai Chef Rockville delivers authentic flavors, eye-catching decor, and a lively ambiance that makes every visit memorable. If you’re searching for a place that delivers unforgettable flavors, a warm yet sophisticated vibe, and a touch of nightlife energy, this restaurant checks all the boxes. And if you’re looking to complement the evening with a premium, relaxing finish, Pull Up DC has you covered with its outstanding cannabis...