Jordan EllisThe best Thai restaurants in Columbus are not just about spice levels. They are about balance, freshness, and the care behind every dish.
Across the city, you will find cozy neighborhood gems serving everything from creamy curries to bold street food. Many of the same restaurants behind the standout spots also often extend their craft into catering for office lunches and small events.
What makes the food scene interesting is how much quality can vary from place to place, which is exactly why narrowing it down matters.
I’ve spent a lot of time roaming the streets of Arch City chasing the perfect plate of Pad Thai, and that hunt helped shape this list. Here are the best Thai restaurants in Columbus worth your time.
How much does it cost to dine at a Thai restaurant in Columbus?
Dining at a Thai restaurant in Columbus typically costs about $10 to $35 per person, depending on how many appetizers you add.
| Dining Style | Average Price Per Person |
| Lunch Specials | $10 – $15 |
| Casual Dinner | $15 – $25 |
| Premium / Seafood Entrees | $25 – $35 |
1. Bamboo Thai Kitchen
Website: https://www.bamboothaikitchen.com/
Address: 774 Bethel Rd.
Contact: 614-326-1950
Hours: Monday, Wednesday-Saturday: 11 AM – 9 PM; Sunday: 12 PM – 8 PM
Starting off with a Bethel Road staple, Bamboo Thai Kitchen is a family-owned business that really captures the neighborhood charm I love. You can tell it’s a local operation by the personalized service, which feels far more welcoming than a massive chain.
Their focus on fresh ingredients is obvious from the first bite of the appetizers, and they clearly care about keeping things authentic.
I also appreciate that they let you customize spice levels, because sometimes you want a mild kick and other times you want to feel the heat.
The flavors are usually spot on, but the beef dishes and yellow curry can run a little watery. The protein portions in some red curries also feel small for the price.
I’d also recommend ordering to go when they’re packed. The dine-in experience is currently hit or miss because of staffing.
Customer Reviews
Generous portions and reasonable prices
Amazing Thai restaurant on this side of town. Generous portions and reasonable prices. I’ve been coming here for years and my favorite dishes are green curry with duck, pad kee mao, pad see ew, and of course the classic pad thai. Another honorable mention would be their tiger cry, papaya, and mango salad as well. Heads up, they only offer takeout still.
- Dan | Google Review
All the dishes in their menu are extremely delicious
Bamboo Thai Kitchen is, simply, the best restaurant of Thailand food in Columbus! There’s a wide variety of dishes, but definitely try the Lard Na, although all the dishes in their menu are extremely delicious!
- Ariadna Martínez | Google Review
2. Thai Golden Bowl
Website: https://www.thaigoldenbowloh.com/
Address: 885 Bethel Rd, Unit 2
Contact: 380-200-9292
Hours: Sunday-Tuesday: 11 AM – 8:30 PM
Just down the street, Thai Golden Bowl handles the balance of savory and spicy with a lot of heart. The menu is huge, covering everything from classic Pad Thai to more adventurous seafood dishes.
It is a very family-friendly spot, so it’s a safe bet if you are bringing the kids along for a casual Tuesday dinner.
Their online ordering system is also incredibly smooth, which makes it one of the more convenient places for a quick pick-up.
Keep in mind that some diners find the Pad Thai leans a bit too sweet, missing that traditional tart lime finish.
The tofu texture can also be a little too crunchy for some folks, which is worth thinking about if you are a vegetarian.
Even with the occasional service hiccup, the authentic flavors usually keep people coming back.
Customer Reviews
The taste was authentic and the size was large
I would like to give 5 stars to this new open Thai restaurant at the Dayou’s food court. I ordered the chicken Pad Thai. The price could be a little high, but the taste was authentic and the size was large. I definitely will try other classic Thai dishes. It could be better if they would make dine-in containers not same as the takeout ones.
- Vincent Lam | Google Review
If you like Thai food, this is your place
This counter service restaurant is inside a small food court. The food is unbelievable, the spice level is intense, and the service is fast. If you like Thai food or have been wanting to give it a try, this is your place!
- Erica Wood | Google Review
3. Chi Thai Restaurant
Website: https://www.chithairestaurant.com/
Address: 5577 North Hamilton Road
Contact: 614-471-8988
Hours: Sunday: 11:45 AM – 8:45 PM; Monday-Thursday: 11:30 AM – 8:45 PM; Friday: 11:30 AM – 9 PM; Saturday: 11:45 AM – 9 PM
If you find yourself near North Hamilton Road, Chi Thai Restaurant is a fantastic option for a sit-down meal with friends.
A buddy of mine eats here often and raves about the traditional curries and stir-fried noodles, which carry an authentic taste that is hard to find in the suburbs.
He said the staff was super helpful, explaining the different heat levels, something he really appreciated as someone still building a spice tolerance.
The menu also has a massive variety, so even the pickiest eaters in your group will find something.
Just be prepared for a wait if you show up during the Friday night rush, since the service can get stretched thin. The food quality can be a touch inconsistent, like a Pad Thai that comes out drier than usual or meat that is slightly overcooked.
Customer Reviews
So good that I ordered it twice within four days
Visiting Columbus for a conference. Always like to try Thai food in a new place. This restaurant was outstanding for their delivery service and the portions and the taste of the food. So fresh and delicious. I’m not sure I’ve ever had a better batch of pad Thai-so good that I actually had to order it twice within four days! A shout out to the delivery driver who went above and beyond, thank you Dara!
- Ann Marie Henninger | Google Review
Everything was outstanding
We dined in for lunch during the week, ordering crab rangoon, pad thai, and General Tsos. The appetizer came out very quickly. Our server was meticulous, placing our dishes and arranging them on the table like a fine restaurant. Our entrees were hot and very delicious! Everything was outstanding and I would give the service six stars if I could!
- Russell Doup | Google Review
4. Siam Orchid Thai Restaurant
Website: https://siamorchidcolumbus.com/
Address: 7654 Sawmill Rd, Dublin
Contact: 614-792-1112
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 11 AM – 2:30 PM (Lunch), 4:30 PM – 9 PM (Dinner)
Heading over toward Dublin, Siam Orchid Thai Restaurant has been a reliable go-to for traditional flavors for quite a while. The menu is packed with all the hits, including rich curry dishes and refreshing soups that hit the spot on a cold Ohio day.
It has a comfortable, casual vibe that works just as well for a quick lunch as it does for a low-key date night.
Their takeout service is generally solid, though you will want to double-check your bag before heading home. I’ve experienced occasional mix-ups with rice types and some missing items.
The pickup wait can also stretch longer than the estimate you get online.
A few people feel the prices run a bit steep for the portion sizes, especially when the vegetables or proteins are not cooked perfectly every single time.
Customer Reviews
All the classic pad Thai noodles but also rice dishes
I’m so glad we discovered this restaurant during a last minute search for lunch. First off, the ambience is great. Very comfy atmosphere with the decor, lighting, and music. We went in the later half of lunch so it wasn’t crowded and we were quickly seated at a booth. The staff are very welcoming, friendly, and attentive. They have all the classic pad Thai noodles but also rice dishes. I enjoyed their strawberry chicken which was included in their lunch special. 5/5, definitely coming back during lunch.
- Trung Phan | Google Review
Our favorite for Thai food
This restaurant is our favorite for Thai food. It’s a quaint restaurant with cosy vibes. The service is quick and friendly. We had satay chicken, tom yum soup, panang curry. It’s kid friendly and we were able to order food based of peanut allergy.
- Itisha Anand | Google Review
5. MaiThai Bangkok Street Food
Website: https://maithaicolumbus.com/
Address: 1282 Essex Avenue
Contact: [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Friday: 11 AM – 2 PM, 4 PM – 10 PM; Saturday-Sunday: 4 PM – 10 PM
For something a bit different, MaiThai Bangkok Street Food leans into the vibrant street food culture you would find in Bangkok.
I really like that they use a visual menu, because it makes it so much easier to see exactly what you are getting before you order.
I actually chatted with a friend who works nearby, and she swears by the specialty entrees for a midweek pick-me-up. The spice levels here are no joke, though they’re happy to dial them to your liking if you ask.
One thing to know is that this is a ghost kitchen setup, so don’t show up expecting a traditional sit-down dining room. The flavors are bold, but some dishes can get a bit heavy on the fish sauce or oil, which might be too much for certain palates.
Still, it is a great pick when you want something quick and packed with flavor.
Customer Reviews
The best Tom Kha soup and red curry
So happy with my order! Thai is my favorite and I have been searching for the best Tom Kha soup and red curry in the Columbus area and this is definitely it! This is definitely my new favorite place ❤️
- Holly Saiden-Rupp | Google Review
A new favourite Thai place
I was nearby getting my brakes fixed so I turned to Google for nearby offerings & found MaiThai!! I ordered delivery & had an absolutely DELICIOUS meal of the veggie spring rolls & the Pad Ka Prao w/ tofu (instead of meat.) It was yummy & now I have a new favourite Thai place!!
- Allison M. | Google Review
