Who serves the best Thai food in Asheville? As locals, Tom and I love Bee Thai Kitchen, Thai Pearl, Siam Thai, and a hidden spot, DTK Thai Kitchen. Think steaming bowls of classic noodles, spicy curries, mango sticky rice, and soul-warming soups. All photos are my own of what Tom and I order and devour…an abundance of takeout containers included.
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It’s no secret that Asheville has outstanding restaurants. Tom and I have been eating our way across the city even before moving here in 2019. If you are looking for more Asian cuisine, read these “best of” lists for Indian restaurants and sushi spots. We are a part Celiac household, so all of these restaurants have great gluten-free options for us, too.
Bee Thai Kitchen
Bee Thai Kitchen took over for equally special Little Bee Thai. I’m so glad they did. Located just outside the main Downtown Asheville restaurant area, mostly locals grab takeout or dine in here. Their menu features traditional Thai cuisine, including Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, Drunken Noodles, Basil Fried Rice, Tom Yum Soup, Wonton Soup, Som Tum, steamed dumplings, and “Healthy Rolls.”
Why I Love & Recommend Bee Thai Kitchen
Bee Thai Kitchen is my favorite for budget-friendly lunch specials. Think one entree and one appetizer for $15+. This is also a great stop before or after shopping and walking around Downtown Asheville.
Bee Thai Kitchen | 45 S French Broad Ave #190, Asheville, NC 28801
Insider Tip: Next to Bee Thai Kitchen, head over to one of my favorite Asheville coffee shops, Pollen. Both a flower and coffee shop, enjoy coffee, tea, and vegan goodies from Back Porch Baking Co. Give me anything lavender matcha and a big a$$ cookie the size of my face. This is why we love living here.
Siam Thai Asheville
If you are looking for lunch in Asheville, Siam Thai won’t disappoint. They are one of our top Thai food restaurants in Asheville for takeout, but eating here is just as lovely. Devour home-style, authentic Thai food. Pick your spice level, and dig right in.
Like Little Bee Thai, Siam has equally budget-friendly and well-portioned lunch specials. Dinner promises a few specialty entrees. Menu highlights include Tom Kha Soup, seafood and duck dinner entrees, and stir-fry dishes.
Why We Love & Recommend Siam Thai Restaurant
Tom and I both covet Siam Thai as one of North Asheville’s best-kept secrets with the friendliest service. The interior is incredibly casual, and they have loads of parking, which is a perk against the sometimes congested areas of the city. Siam is another extremely local haunt.
Tom and I always order a handful of appetizers, including tofu, fresh rolls, dumplings, satay, and chicken wings. We pair these apps with delicious Thai noodle dishes like Pad-Thai, Pad Z-Ew, and Pad Woon Sen. Tom likes their orange sesame chicken.
Siam Thai Asheville | 100 Stone Ridge Blvd, Asheville, NC 28804
While in this area, Weaverville also has stellar restaurants, including Stoney Knob Cafe, Maggie B’s, and Soba Sushi. After lunch, grab a beer at Salt Face Mule Brewing Co. (it’s one of my favorite Asheville breweries for that back patio seating).
Thai Pearl
While all the restaurants on this list are delicious, Thai Pearl is one of Tom’s favorites along with Siam. Who can blame him? Select from curries, rice, stir-fry dishes, soups, and Thai salads. The Thai fried onion rings are a must, and try the green papaya salad. You can’t go wrong with any of the restaurants in West AVL; it’s a great foodie part of the city, and it boasts cool murals.
Why I Love & Recommend Thai Pearl
Thai Pearl is the prettiest Thai food restaurant on this list. Not to mention that Chef May is an absolute gem of a person, and she trained and cooked at The Royal Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. I love Chef May’s ginger soup. If you like spicer food, Thai Pearl is definitely it! That chili oil.
Thai Pearl | 747 Haywood Road Asheville, NC 28806
Pad Thai Asheville
Another hidden gem and casual Asheville Thai restaurant, Pad Thai is located near our favorite southwest-area businesses like Apollo Flame and Papas & Beer. Go for the delicious food, lunch specials, and friendly service. Be sure to add a salad and spring roll to your lunch special. Order anything from beef and chicken pho and curries to Korean Woks, noodles, and pineapple fried rice.
Why I Recommend Pad Thai Asheville
Pad Thai Asheville is conveniently located near The NC Arboretum and Blue Ridge Parkway, two big Asheville attractions. I love the sweet signs and colorful local murals throughout this little house-like business. Tom most orders their Pad Thai (but he leaves off the peanuts, which are not gluten-free). Just don’t sit too close to the bathroom.
Pad Thai Restaurant Asheville | 18 Sardis Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
DTK Thai Kitchen
As you can tell from our kitchen island, DTK Thai Kitchen is our go-to takeout spot (usually DoorDash). For local Thai food in Asheville – mostly North Asheville residents like us know about them and go here – order anything from traditional noodles like Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, Pad Woon Sen, and Drunken Noodles along with apps, soups, stir-fries, and curries. Discover all that North Asheville has to offer for foodies. I’m biased, but it is my favorite part of the city, along with RAD.
Why I Enjoy DTK Thai Kitchen
DTK Thai Kitchen is perfect for no-frills, simple Thai food at its best. I cannot eat super spicy meals with ulcerative colitis, and they are perfect for my stomach, feeling just a tad lighter than other Thai restaurants on this list. You cannot beat the convenience and price either.
DTK Thai Kitchen | 535 Merrimon Ave # C, Asheville, NC 28804 | (828) 251-1960
Suwana’s Thai Orchid & Suwana’s Asian Cuisine
Whether you visit or order from Suwana’s Downtown or Tunnel Road locations, Tom and I get takeout far too often here. Think satay, dumplings, fried tofu, edamame, and spicy chicken wings. Then, select from soup and items like pork, tofu, or catfish stir-fry with basil, ginger, eggplant, cashew chicken, garlic, or sweet and sour sauces. Of course, Suwana’s has traditional curries and noodle dishes.
They also have delicious restaurants in Waynesville and Black Mountain (taking over Thai Basil). We’ve eaten at both and recommend them.
Why I Enjoy & Recommend Suwana’s
Suwana’s is one of my top picks for “everything” Thai food in Asheville. There is so much to choose from, and the menus are huge – without sacrificing quality. I most enjoy Suwana’s Thai fresh rolls and will order Vietnamese Pho or Pad See Ew with fried salmon – trust me on that one.
For dessert, I need that mango sticky rice with coconut milk, which reminds me of living in Indonesia and devouring nasi uduk far too often. Tom and I can never resist the pineapple fried rice. I appreciate Suwana’s large portions for leftovers.
Suwana’s Thai Orchid | 11 Broadway St., Asheville, NC 28801 & Suwana’s Asian Cuisine | 45 Tunnel Rd, Asheville, NC 28805
More Thai Restaurants In Asheville & Tell Us Your Favorites
There are plenty more delicious Thai restaurants in Asheville. Our Uncorked Asheville readers also enjoy:
- Pon’s Thai Cuisine
- Khao Thai Cuisine,
- Thai Chili Asian Bistro
Let us know your favorites in the comments.