San Gabriel isn’t exactly a city where it’s easy to find authentic Thai food—most places are too busy serving watered-down pad thai or cowering from bold flavors for that kind of thing. And the restaurants that we do have tend to be ones where people stick to their usual orders. But there are a handful of spots where you won’t be given weird looks for craving something truly exceptional.
Chili & Lemon Thai Cuisine
$ | (323) 685-2102 | WEBSITE
Right in the heart of San Gabriel is Chili & Lemon Thai Cuisine, a cozy Thai spot with simple decor, a peaceful vibe, and occasional background noise from a television. Home to consistently fresh and made-to-order dishes, look at the menu and come here for whatever flavor strikes your mood. And maybe fall in love with the sweet and sour chicken that shares your amazing taste.
Tasty Thai Restaurant
$ | (323) 582-7770 | WEBSITE
If you find yourself hungry and craving Thai in San Gabriel—also known as the Valley or whatever Yelp is calling it nowadays—make your way into Tasty Thai Restaurant. This spot isn’t a fancy fine-dining establishment, but it’s not exactly a casual takeout joint either. It’s nice, but not too nice, and there are always people sitting around enjoying their meals.
If something gets serious you can always dive into the #46 spicy rice noodles or the #50 pineapple fried rice for their abundance of flavor.
Patakan Thai Restaurant
$ | (626) 441-2489 | WEBSITE
Patakan Thai Restaurant in San Gabriel is a reliable spot and a local staple. Everyone from longtime San Gabriel residents to newcomers seeking authentic Thai food comes here at least once. With a variety of comforting dishes, from the standout chicken pad thai lunch special to the rich tom yong koong soup, there’s something for everyone. Do some diligence and find what dish your preferred craving calls for and get ready for a satisfying meal.
BOBBY THAI, Thai Food, Noodle & B.b.q
$ | (626) 522-1366 | WEBSITE
A Thai spot in San Gabriel, BOBBY THAI is where to go when you’re looking for the place with the most comforting meals that also so happen to feature Korean BBQ beef. Food is prepared to perfection with just the right attention, so you can savor the standout dish served with steamed broccoli and macaroni, accompanied by fresh fried rice.
Everyone here always seems to be warmly welcomed, and with friendly, attentive staff it’s a great place to stop by in hopes of enjoying a personalized experience that accommodates special requests for vegan and vegetarian diners.
Salathai Thai Cuisine
$ | (626) 287-5850 | WEBSITE
At Salathai Thai Cuisine, conversation starters include, ‘Wow, this crab fried rice sure is fresh,’ and ‘So, did you ever try real crab in Tom kha?’ This authentic little Thai spot in San Gabriel is the neighborhood’s hottest place to savor genuine flavors and enjoy some comfort food. There are also cozy tables to get comfortable with someone who just shared their pad see ew with you.
Since this is a San Gabriel restaurant, know that this crowd is full of people who still debate the best local Thai spots unironically. Hopefully, you’re into that kind of thing too.
Thai Thyme
$$ | (626) 415-1038 | WEBSITE
Up north in Monrovia, there are signs on the wall that read “Authentic Thailand cuisine.” How charming. Everyone knows all roads lead to Thai Thyme. Thai Thyme is a cozy restaurant in San Gabriel where the flavors never stop surprising, the service never stops engaging, and the atmosphere goes relaxing. A perfect recipe for a memorable meal with some memorable dishes.
Thai Spirit
$$ | (323) 256-1644 | WEBSITE
In case you’ve been searching for authentic Thai food in San Gabriel, Thai Spirit is the family-owned restaurant that some people might describe as “just like Thailand.” While we’re not ready to make such bold claims, the dining room packed with people sharing plates of pad see ew and spicy basil noodles as they pass dishes around the table certainly does not feel like California. It’s a madhouse here on weekend evenings, with the line stretching out the door.
So come early if you want easier access to the roasted duck or fried fish. But then again, you never know who you’ll meet while waiting for that perfect pad Thai.
Hollywood Noodle
$ | (626) 446-9779 | WEBSITE
Do you like Thai food? Do you like eating authentic Thai dishes in a cozy, quiet atmosphere where the probability of relaxing with your family is high? If yes and yes, Hollywood Noodle tucked in that small strip mall might be for you. The dining room is the main event, so pull up and grab a booth and sit down with some crispy pork and Chinese broccoli and see where the meal takes you.
Thai House Express
$ | (323) 268-2278 | WEBSITE
Break the ice with someone you might spend the rest of your life with by sharing a plate of chicken Tom kah. Thai House Express, a San Gabriel favorite, serves up generous portions of dishes like beef broccoli and jasmine rice—prime opportunities to bond over amazing food and friendly service. Basically, get here when you need to swap takeout containers for a welcoming atmosphere and warm face-to-face interaction.
Classic Thai Restaurant
$ | (323) 478-0530 | WEBSITE
Classic Thai Restaurant is a puzzle of a spot in San Gabriel that is supposedly just another Thai place, but we’ve never seen such consistently perfect seasoning. Instead, this is a casual gem that’s ideal for shifting between the lunch special stage, the dinner feast stage, and back again. Through some magic of portion sizing, the generous curry from the kitchen never overshadows the subtle soup, making it truly feel like two meals in one. The vibe is different, too.
Everyone tends to relax in the outdoor seating, while those inside truly can’t be bothered to look past the savory, garlicky flavor of their vegetable soup. Classic Thai Restaurant covers almost all of your cravings, now, if only we could get some more of that pad see ew.