Thai food and Moreno Valley are one of life’s great combinations. And though you can’t plan on which restaurant right now, you can still invest far too much time in choosing where to order from. Because, at the end of the day, there isn’t much else to do. So that’s why we’ve written this guide to our favorite spots.
Best Thai Cuisine
$ | (951) 682-4251 | WEBSITE
You don’t need a passport to Thailand to fully enjoy authentic Thai flavors, just like you don’t need to wait for a special occasion, or be willing to spend a fortune. But in lieu of those things, you’ll want to order Best Thai Cuisine’s Thai Basil-flavored Drunken Noodles, complete with that extra sweet and sour sauce they provide, to add a little necessary spice to your lunch.
In fact, throw in some Garlic and Pepper Delight, Chicken Satay, and some Yellow Curry and you’ll have a multi-textured, flavor-packed experience of your own.
Thai House Restaurant
$ | (909) 798-3143 | WEBSITE
Although Thai House Restaurant is equal parts cozy, bustling, and aromatic, something about watching other tables receive steaming plates of drunken noodles and fragrant curries makes you kinda hungry. Which is why you should start with their appetizer sampler for 2. You’ll have enough tempura vegetables and fresh papaya salad to make you feel like you’re in Bangkok, and it’s not on the bland side which you’ll realize is not a coincidence once you’re about halfway through.
And order some Thai iced tea with boba, you’ll want it when the mango fish takes centre stage.
Chapter Two California Kitchen
$ | (909) 528-5498 | WEBSITE
Chapter Two California Kitchen is a delightful, authentic, thoroughly satisfying Thai restaurant in Moreno Valley that’s offering takeout. The Passion Calamansi drink is its perfect pairing. Mostly because it’s got all those qualities in spades, but also because it’s thoroughly refreshing, and who doesn’t like to savor drunken noodles with pork belly or mango sticky rice for two (or just one).
Be prepared to fall in love again and again with this mesmerizing and irrepressibly flavorful Thai masterpiece. Just don’t come complaining to me when every other meal you eat for the rest of your life pales in comparison to its quality and presentation.
Garden Thai Restaurant
$ | (909) 389-9890 | WEBSITE
This whole Thai dining experience is basically just one big flavor explosion of garlic, ginger, and perfectly cooked scallops. I love it. And you know what, there just aren’t enough restaurants with vegan-friendly options that actually taste this good these days. Garden Thai is also about authentic satisfaction and it doesn’t get any more ‘I’ve found it’ than digging into their seriously excellent pad thai right here in Redlands.
I’m talking tender lemon salmon, crispy crab wonton, flavorful gyoza, and that standout BBQ chicken. Honestly, the signature $18 garlic and ginger scallops are delicious enough to make you think ‘hmm, healthy, technically not indulgent, but if I did splurge on just a teeny-tiny bit of extra spice, I could eat this for dinner every night’. Of course I’m kidding. Kind of.
Thai Kitchen
$ | (909) 370-2202 | WEBSITE
A culinary journey all about a person craving bold flavors, balancing spice and sweetness, and eating pad see ewe out of a takeout container. Honestly, I can’t relate. Only rather than being in a North American kitchen surrounded by takeout menus and soy sauce packets, I’m sitting in the heart of Grand Terrace after a long day goes awry. I have one appetite left. I need to try and stop myself from ordering one of everything on the menu in the next hour. Our cravings, similar.
But both of our problems would be solved by the huge Thai Kitchen survival kit that involves everything from crispy crab rangoons, to flavorful beef phad see ewe, generous broccoli and beef, sweet and sour chicken, and more. Although the talented team behind this great little place might not have mastered teleportation (yet), they are delivering consistently awesome service and delicious, well-balanced dishes across the whole dining experience.
Aroi Mak Mak
$$ | (909) 748-0090 | WEBSITE
A classic warm and fuzzy tale of a restaurant that offers a cozy escape from the everyday hustle. As you can tell, I’m quite into places that create intimate, relaxed spaces at the moment. What can I say? I like experiencing exceptional food in a chill atmosphere, so I don’t have to worry about anything else. Anyway, there are plenty of dishes involving expertly prepared Thai classics and I immediately thought ‘dear god, get me more of that red curry with pork belly’.
Instead, I got myself the whole experience. Aroi Mak Mak are serving their 12-hour braised pork, pad se ew, chicken eggrolls, and khao soy from their downtown Redlands location. Also, clap clap clap, there’s live entertainment on weekends too.
Thai Bowl Cafe
$ | (909) 478-5608 | WEBSITE
Thai Bowl Cafe is a true culinary delight. Why? Because if you go hungry you will be satisfied, but if you go after a long day you’ll find it incredibly comforting and end up ordering extra rice. A cozy take on classic Thai cuisine, it features many vibrant flavors and generous portions. And you know what generous portions always remind me of? Excellent value. Get yourself some of the best noodles in Moreno Valley from Thai Bowl Cafe instead. Cashew chicken and green curry? Perfect combination.
Miss Pad Thai
$ | (951) 656-7377 | WEBSITE
Before Moreno Valley became known for its strip malls and suburban sprawl, authentic Thai cuisine felt like a distant dream. Miss Pad Thai is, like the best neighborhood spots, a story of humble excellence and surprising discovery. Noodles are wok-tossed, curries are simmered, and Thai iced tea is poured with care. It’s the kind of place that could only thrive in a community craving genuine flavor and, with that in mind, a visit feels like the most satisfying escape.
Miss Pad Thai offers the essentials and then some, thanks to things like Pad See Eaw with chicken, Garlic Fried Rice, and a Red Curry we can never say no to.
Benjarong Thai Cuisine
$$ | (909) 792-3235 | WEBSITE
If you’ve ever craved Thai food that feels like a warm hug, you should visit Benjarong. Because if comfort food’s match is cozy lighting, then this restaurant’s match is sipping a Bangkok breeze cocktail whilst dining al fresco. And when I say al fresco, I mean, basking under beautifully arranged string lights. This charming Thai spot offers spacious outdoor seating, friendly service, and dishes that consistently deliver. There’s the ‘best ever’ spring rolls.
There’s comedic gold from staff member Tan. And there’s an exceptional scene where live music on Friday and Saturday evenings creates a lively atmosphere. Fuck it, do the same. Get involved in the chicken drunken noodles or the popular pad thai. The tropical flavor of that cocktail will really make those drunken noodles pop.
Jasmine Thai Cuisine
$ | (909) 533-4456 | WEBSITE
If you’ve ever tasted truly explosive Thai flavors, then you’ll know that Jasmine Thai Cuisine is not a restaurant to be overlooked. It’s bold, it’s generous, it’s avoided being just another forgettable spot. Jasmine Thai is an all-or-nothing kind of place. As in, they’ll pack all the flavor and nothing is safe from being transformed into a dish of mouthwatering potential on their menu. So with that in mind, we’d be thrilled to see what they could do with a plate of their Drunken Noodles.
But their focused approach is helpful when ordering from this family-friendly Thai gem. Just as they deliver generous portions of seafood in the Tom Yum soup, you’ll want to be diving into their Thai Fried Rice with Tofu, Orange Chicken, and Pineapple Fried Rice. All the customer favorites, and some more. Show no restraint. They certainly don’t.
R Thai Cuisine
$ | (909) 328-2000 | WEBSITE
If like me you’re always scrolling through endless takeout apps before settling for a mediocre pad thai, then this recommendation is for you. This restaurant is about authentic Thai flavors in a bright, simple space (which by the way is big cozy energy) as they serve dishes like somtam and Tom kha gai. But that’s just one layer of this multi-faceted menu. There’s a lot going on, and a new flavor every few bites.
Order the walnut shrimp and fried rice combo (you shouldn’t be eating this alone) and change courses with each dish. The fresh salads to start, the wonton when the quick service kicks in, and end on the Kao neaw mamuang for the final sweet finish.
Jackpot Thai
$ | (909) 824-1324 | WEBSITE
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. But all spice and no soul makes me positively murderous. There’s no such danger when ordering from Jackpot Thai, because these flavors would muffle even the loudest screams. In fact, if my kitchen could ‘shine’ then the memories of meals past would show multiple former (crime) scenes. It always starts with a steaming bowl of Tom Yum, and ends with bits of mango sticky rice on the table, or yellow drops of curry on the floor.
More than once I’ve channeled Jack, tap, tap, tapping away before the server arrives and I tear into the Drunken Noodles and hurtle towards flavor nirvana. Here’s Jackpot!
Thai Spoon 2
$ | (909) 478-0555 | WEBSITE
I wouldn’t describe myself as a spice fanatic or anything, but I do loyally and unflinchingly serve my cravings. And if that involves ordering the medium spice level, just to feel the heat build gradually with each bite of their excellent yellow curry, then so be it. The fact of the matter is that this family-run establishment is actively good, even with the generous portions threatening to defeat my appetite.
But it is good to eat, so you may as well make a meal of it with a fresh serving of tofu for vegetarians, green curry that sings with flavor, and enough customization options to lead you confidently into a satisfying dinner with consistently delicious food.
Rice & Spice Thai Cuisine
$ | (951) 697-1222 | WEBSITE
I have taken to craving things that require zero thought. Join me in the land of comfort food, it’s wonderful here. A place exclusively existing of familiar flavors and quintessential Thai warmth. And to me, that means pad Thai, tom yum gai soup, pineapple curry, and the iconic mango sticky rice. Deeply satisfying and flavorful, this spot will remind you why you really should treat yourself, and has a glass noodles reference that always makes me think ‘huh, could have me one of those’.
Pair it with the barbecue pork and fried rice, and the best part is it’s absolutely covered in seasoning.
Royal Orchid Restaurant
$ | (951) 786-3930 | WEBSITE
Halfway through my first bite of the yellow curry I paused, started mixing the red curry with jasmine rice, and asked my dining companion to intermittently sprinkle chili flakes and drizzle fish sauce into the bowl. Sadly I never sourced a bottle of authentic Thai chili oil, and thus my attempt at replicating the spice level ended with a fiery, coconut-infused, aromatic experience.
Minus $25 and a few extra containers for leftovers, this is, in essence, a not dissimilar story to the one told by regulars about the owner’s dedication to authenticity. It’s an engrossing (and weirdly comforting) meal that’s best matched with pad Thai, curry fried rice, generous portions, and a whole lot of spice from Royal Orchid.
Rose Apple Thai Cuisine
$ | (909) 890-5884 | WEBSITE
Not everyone needs an excuse to indulge in Thai food – my cravings for perfectly balanced Pad Thai are similar enough to the sound of a satisfied sigh for them to go unnoticed – but if you’re looking for one, then head to Rose Apple Thai Cuisine off Freeway 10. The first time I tried their sensational Panang curry, I navigated the ample parking, entered the immaculate facility, and devoured it quicker than a local finishes their Thai Tea during the lunch rush.
Like Golden Cashew, seafood boat, and glass noodle salad, Thai cuisine is a classic. So it’s only right you pair accordingly.
Thai Spoon Cafe
$ | (909) 894-4528 | WEBSITE
Thai food can be intimidating. Yes, in the ‘authentic spices and I don’t really know how to pronounce pad see ew’ way, but also in the way that it can be pretty fiery. Thai Spoon Cafe is one of those extra-flavorful spots about a small space and a family-run kitchen based in ‘somewhere you’d drive right past’.
Pair it with a green curry from Thai Spoon Cafe, which is rich enough to soothe any heat and offers the comfort of coconut milk whenever that first spicy bite hits or the drunken noodles start calling.
Mu Restaurant
$$ | (909) 798-7747 | WEBSITE
This is a dreadful restaurant. Like, awful. But it has stellar food and I was ripely hungry, in Redlands, when I first tried it. As such, the story of tofu summer rolls and Tom Yum soup leading to Pad See Ew and Pad Kee Mao, while I battled past cravings for Seared Ahi, and burgeoning ones for the best sticky rice and mango, holds a fond, if Thai iced tea-and-takeout influenced, place in my heart. Should you go? Probably not. Will you? Yes.
It’s consistent, it’s predictable, and a carefully packaged meal feels like a suitably delicious thing to eat with it.
Eastern Classic Thai Restaurant
$ | (909) 793-0150 | WEBSITE
Eastern Classic Thai Restaurant is a serious Thai spot. But you don’t need to take it too seriously. Sure, you could enjoy it – if you’ll excuse me coming over a bit Michelin for a moment – for the thrill of having your expectations of casual dining masterfully exceeded, but there’s also a lot of fun to be had.
There are cozy weekend-friendly locations, a magnificent array of tofu substitutes and vegetarian options, and of course a series of accommodating adjustments that friendly staff member Nick makes for anyone who dares to request the music volume lowered. But then there’s that legendary Combination Fried Rice.
You don’t need to use it as a basis for your selection from Eastern Classic – I’m not even sure they’re delivering Tom Yum Soup or pots of yellow curry – but if you end your order with the totally random addition of Pad see ew, you’re basically my hero.
Mahachai Thai Cuisine
$ | (951) 488-9485 | WEBSITE
How to describe this place… you remember that time you waited forty-five minutes for a table at that trendy spot and how hungry you got? Now imagine the same thing, except this time you’re already seated and the food is taking its sweet time. Yes, very hungry. Which means you’re inevitably going to want to be eating something that arrives quickly and satisfies completely. We’d go for the Pad Thai, those fresh shrimp spring rolls, a bowl of Tom Yum soup, and probably the vegan orange chicken.
Plus, whatever our friend who’s avoiding fish sauce wants.