Top-Rated Thai Restaurants in the Greater Sacramento Area
Thai cuisine is known for its artful balance of the five major tastes: sweet, sour, salty, spicy and bitter. Thailand is a large and diverse country with global influences apparent in its dishes, from the grilled meats and salads in the northeast to the spicy, chili pepper-infused dishes in the south.
Many of these dishes have made their way to the United States, and the greater Sacramento area has no shortage of Thai restaurants serving up everything from soup to noodles, curries to salads. Most of these spots are small, family-run establishments that use traditional recipes passed down through generations. So, whether you’re craving tom kha gai (chicken coconut soup), gaeng daeng (red curry), or even khao niew mamuang (mango with sticky rice), you’re sure to find it nearby. Following are some of the top-rated Thai food restaurants in and around Sacramento.
Bangkok Cuisine | Woodland
This warm and friendly eatery in Woodland serves all the classic Thai dishes, such as salads, stir-fries, curries, noodles and fried rice. They’re also known for their specialty dishes such as roasted ginger duck, clay pot shrimp and tamarind shrimp.
Sawasdee Thai Cuisine | Midtown Sacramento
This lively Thai eatery in the heart of Midtown Sacramento has a large outdoor patio and modern Thai design. The menu features all the traditional dishes you’d expect, such as noodles, rice plates, curries, rice dishes and soup. They also offer Thai BBQ, including herb-marinated pork belly and chicken.
Bangkok City Thai Cuisine | Rocklin
This neighborhood eatery in Rocklin offers all the classic Thai dishes, from soups to noodles, curry to rice. House specialties include dishes such as green curry salmon and fried catfish in chili sauce. They also offer local wines and live music on weekends.
Thai Paradise | El Dorado Hills
Located in El Dorado Hills, this inviting restaurant is known for its simple, fresh and authentic cooking. Popular dishes include pad Thai, drunken noodles and green curry, all with your choice of seafood, meat or veggies. They also offer outdoor dining and vegan options.
The Coconut River Park | Sacramento
Tucked away in the quiet River Park neighborhood of Sacramento, this local restaurant turns out some of the best Thai food in town. Top items include fresh rolls, papaya salad, pineapple fried rice and pumpkin red curry. They also have Thai ice tea and Thai iced coffee.
Thai Unique | Placerville
This is a great spot if you’re craving some Thai food in Placerville. They offer traditional Thai dishes (including mango stick rice!) as well as dishes that are harder to come by, such as panang salmon, asparagus with shrimp, basil lamb, and Thai curry puffs.
Manaao Thai Cuisine | West Sacramento
The owners behind this West Sacramento eatery are from northeast Thailand, known as Isan. House specialties include pork ribs in spicy-sour lemongrass soup, seared jumbo scallops with spicy sauce, and roasted duck red curry. They also offer happy hour Monday–Friday from 6–9 p.m.
Thai Farm House | Land Park
This modern spot in the Land Park neighborhood of Sacramento uses locally sourced ingredients, much of it organic. Their specialty is grilled meats, including sweet and spicy chicken, beef and pork. They also have stir fries, curries and noodle dishes, and many gluten-free options.
Karin Thai | Auburn
This low-key restaurant in Auburn is a great bet if you’ve got a hankering for Thai food. The menu offers all the classic dishes, including pad Thai, avocado rolls and honey-grilled pork. But they’re also known for their Thai-seasoned grilled steaks and kao soi, cut egg noodles with coconut milk and curry.
Folsom Thai Cuisine | Folsom
With a traditional interior reminiscent of a Thai temple, this cozy restaurant in Folsom has an extensive menu. Offerings include appetizers, soups, curries, rice, noodles, stir fries and more. In addition to Thai specialties, they also have dishes with influences from across Asia, such as chow mein, edamame, and wonton soup.
Category Auburn, El Dorado Hills, Folsom, Neighborhood Guides, Placerville, Sacramento
Elizabeth Penney
Elizabeth Penney is a content writer for Lyon Real Estate and the Lyon Local blog. A Sacramento native with a marketing background, she shares her insider knowledge on restaurants, attractions and outdoor activities throughout the greater Sacramento area and beyond.