The best restaurants for Thai food in Singapore

Tucked away in Far East Plaza, Krapow is best known for serving up authentic Thai dishes that light up the taste buds. For spice lovers, the Drunkard Noodle (from $9.80) is one dish that is sure to delight. Silky strands of flat rice noodles are first stir-fried in the wok for that inimitable smokiness, before being finished with basil leaves, a splash of fish sauce and explosive bird's eye chillies.

Other highlights (best paired with fragrant Jasmine rice) include the crackling crisp roasted pork belly ($19.70) and the Khao Kha Moo ($13.60) which are slow-braised pork knuckles redolent of fresh herbs, garlic and chillis.

This casual Thai eatery along Thomson Road is one of the best-kept secrets of the neighbourhood. While it promises affordably-priced authentic Thai food cooked with quality ingredients, it also guarantees a side of queues during dinner time. The chefs hail from the Isan region (Northern Thailand) so expect robust flavours with a lick of spice. Their signature dish is the crab omelette where they boil fresh blue swimmer crabs and handpick the flesh out. The meaty chunks are then encased in a perfectly cooked omelette with a nice outer char and fluffy insides.

The eatery also insists on using fresh seafood. Their Thai-style fried seabass is popular among locals but it is the steamed version that truly takes you to flavour-town. The delicate fish pairs well when steamed with chillies and lime which is both spicy, savoury and yet acidic. Other stir-fried dishes such as the vermicelli prawn pot, fried rice noodles and fried basil pork are also well-executed.

A flavour kaleidoscope of earnest Thai flavours awaits your tastebuds at Khiri. At the helm is chef-owner K-Jin Lim who brings out the refined nuances of regional Thai cuisine by stripping traditional formalities and pretence. Armed with a wealth of experience, Lim spent the last eight years in Chiang Mai cutting his teeth alongside a traditional Thai chef whose grandmother was the head chef for the Thai royal family. Hot, sour, salty, and sweet – expect a carefully curated eight-course tasting menu ($148) that is adventurous yet familiar.

For the uninitiated, the casual eatery is a certified icon in the infamous Orchard Towers, known to dish out authentic Thai flavours at value-for-money prices for the past 16 years. Aside from the usual suspects and the timeless classics, the latest menu now include zhuzh-ed up Thai favourites. Think spicy yet comforting tom yum Mama ultra pot, herbaceous Leng Saap (pork spine soup), creamy Khao Soi (coconut curry egg noodles), garlic cereal prawns and plenty more.

So you’ve just watched a late-night screening at The Projector or you’re waiting for the bus to take you to Malaysia in the middle of the night – where do you go for a quick meal? Why, Diandin Leluk, of course. The Thai eatery is one of the largest in Golden Mile Complex and the menu is just as extensive. There are the usual suspects – pineapple fried rice, tom yum soup and basil chicken rice – and a host of other Thai favourites.

If you can handle your spice pretty well then the amount of red chilli in the dishes at BeerThai won't faze or intimidate you at all. Though hidden in the corner of the basement, the joint is a favourite with the crowds. Highlights on the menu include the handmade Thai fish cakes, rich green curry and more novel dishes like the raw crab and prawns – think of it as a spicy, tangy Thai ceviche – that are a hit with the loyal and regular customers. 

One of the mookata pioneers in Singapore, Siam Square Mookata helped kick off the trend with its concept of cooking raw meat on the grill. It's also very affordable. The main branch is located in Havelock Road Cooked Food Centre but there are plenty of branches around the island in Bukit Batok, Pasir Ris, Punggol, Boon Lay and more. Dishes go for as low as $1.80 a plate so don't be shy – load up on all the meat, seafood and vegetables you want.

Keeping true to its name, Took Lae Dee meaning "cheap and good" is where you can find some of the most pocket-friendly Thai dishes in town. For $6 you can get a plate of Khao Pad Krapow (minced chicken or beef with chilli and basil leaves with rice) or a bowl of boat noodles. The spicy Thai salads also start from $5 and are great for sharing. Must try dishes include the pad thai and tom yum soup. 

Modelled after the communal restaurants in Thailand, Un-Yang-Kor-Dai also specialises in Isaan-style food. While you can order the usual signature Thai dishes, it is the authentic Isaan dishes that stand out at the restaurant. The PenLaos Signature Grilled Chicken ($21 for whole chicken, $12 for half chicken) is one of the earliest dishes they had on the menu – and one of the best. the grilled chicken is marinated with peppercorn and coriander and served with a spicy dipping sauce. 

Real Thai has all the favourite Thai dishes, including tom yum, pad thai, pad see ew, Thai green curry, and som tam. Their khao pad kra pao (rice with Thai basil meat) features spicy and savoury minced meat on top of fragrant Thai jasmine rice. and we highly recommend trying it with a sunny-side-up, like how the Thais have it. Fancy a bit of an extra kick? Give the seafood glass noodle salad and spicy minced chicken salad a try.

This Thai joint has outlets across the island, making it a favourite spot for the heartland crowd. Don't expect bells and whistles here – the restaurant interior is simple with its plastic chairs and lack of air conditioning. The menu is extensive and provides delicious dishes that start from $5. Some star dishes include the clear tom yum soup, pandan chicken, vermicelli noodles with prawn and boneless stuffed chicken wings.

What makes this different from a bowl of Vietnamese Pho? Also known as Kuaitiao Ruea, Thai boat noodles have a strong flavor of pork and beef. The Thai Boat Noodle stall of Golden Mile Complex serves their bowls with rice noodles, thinly sliced beef and meatballs, and you can add on your preferred condiments from the self-serve counter. This gem truly gives off a nostalgic feeling of Bangkok.

The Golden Mile legend has now shifted to City Gate, where it continues to sell Thai banana fritters, sweet potato balls, sweet potato chips, and yam chips. These street snacks are reminiscent of Bangkok. The banana fritters ($3 for six pieces) are deep-fried, giving a crunchy and delicious texture. The other choices are the sliced sweet potato and sliced yam deep-fried in the same batter. The sweet potato balls are an alternative choice for those who prefer more crispiness and bite.

Sawadee Thai has been  serving Thai favourites at a reasonable price for over 18 years. If you're in the area, stop for some spicy fare. Start from its green mango salad ($12) before delving into the mains. There's the classic tom yum soup ($12) for something punchy as well as creamy curries like the Panaeng red curry roast duck ($17).

For Thai food with a view, stroll on down to Sabai Fine Thai on the Bay. It prides itself in serving royal Thai cuisine and the restaurant’s decor plays up to this status through a stately interior dressed with wooden flooring, low-burning spotlights, starched linen tables and walls adorned by exquisite Thai artefacts. There are stuffed chicken wings ($6/piece) deep fried to perfection, tear-jerking tom yum soup (from $9.80) as well as green curry with generous fillets of beef ($26.50) and eggplant.

Actor Nick Shen's a big fan of the beef noodles served at this franchise, which serves food from the jai ('heart' in Thai) without causing any strenuous wallet-stretching. Some recommendations by regulars include its pineapple fried rice ($10), steamed tofu with chicken basil ($10) and tom yum seafood soup ($14) for a wholesome meal.

This humble restaurant along East Coast Road serves up some of the most tantalising Thai dishes you can find in Singapore. Some recommendations by regulars include its pineapple fried rice ($10), steamed tofu with chicken basil ($10) and tom yum seafood soup ($14) for a wholesome meal. 

This Thai kitchen whips up some deliciously authentic Thai food in the heartlands. With outlets in Tampines, Serangoon and Jurong, they've earned their name for serving up consistently delicious yet affordable Thai food. Crowd favourites are the green curry chicken ($9), red tom yum soup ($7), Thai yellow ginger chicken ($9) and basil pork ($7).

Get ready to get your hands dirty grilling marinated meat, seafood and vegetables on a skillet, all while letting your steamboat stew. As its name suggests, Cheese Story Mookata Buffet brings a cheesy element to the regular mookata experience, where you get a compartment of melted cheese for dipping on top of the buffet spread. Their cheese dip is unlike any other, made from a scrumptious blend of nacho cheese and mozzarella that boasts punchy flavours and a delightful stringy texture. Prices are really affordable too – adults pay from $29.90 per person.