How many times have you spoken to a friend who’s been travelling in Southeast Asia, and they come back with tales of how awesome Thai food is?
They always have a new favourite Thai restaurant close by that is as close to the authentic ‘real thing’ they had when they were away and it’s the only place to go to see what Thai food is really like!
Well, when you are thinking Thai restaurants Manchester, there are quite a few of these delightful, family-run Thai places that offer genuinely authentic fare.
Manchester is a big student city, a big city with loads going on culturally, art, sport, music, and plenty of great restaurants.
We’ve taken a look at 10 of the tastiest Thai restaurants in Manchester to whet your appetite.
1. Neon Tiger
If you are searching for that authentic rural Thai food that you miss from your travels, but you want to indulge within the urban setting of Manchester city centre, Neon Tiger is definitely for you.
Inspired by the countryside of Northeast Thailand, the focus at this Bridge Street restaurant is on barbecue-Thai.
Order flame-kissed skewers, the deepest of flavoursome curries, fresh colourful salads and bold flavours in every direction you look.
Neon Tiger is fresh, fun, and they also have a great co*cktail menu to get you ready for the night ahead.
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Address: 62 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BW
2. Siam Smiles
When you think of Thai restaurants Manchester, Siam Smiles is always near the top of the list, as it is here!
It has become an institution of the Manchester food scene, not just for Thai cuisine, but all types of food.
This food hub started life in a basem*nt supermarket in Chinatown and has blossomed in their own spot on Deansgate Mews, having retained the customer base it had built up.
It still has that feel of a hidden gem, something you feel you’re not meant to really know about.
You can see this in the authenticity of the simple Thai dishes on the menu and the customer service with a smile.
Make sure to try the great selection of set menus to give you a little slice of Thai happiness when you’re next out for food in the city.
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Address: Deansgate Mews Unit G Upper Level Great Northern 253, Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN
3. 2Nakhon
Down in Didsbury Village in South Manchester is 2Nakhon.
It might seem a bit of a trek outside of the city centre, but it is worth the journey.
It is an extremely popular restaurant, serving up authentic Thai cuisine for over 25 years from top Chef Ekachai (who is originally from the South of Thailand).
There are almost always queues to get in, which shows you how good the food actually is, and it is Halal too!
2Nakhon is an exciting restaurant and bar, all the staff are incredibly friendly and provide that customer service that you only genuinely get when eating in a proper family-run restaurant of any kind.
The food is fresh, vibrant, and tasty, simple food cooked well and packed full of flavour.
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Address: 745 Wilmslow Rd, Didsbury, Manchester M20 6RN
4. Phetpailin
This Anglo-Thai restaurant is no-frills, serving up simple Thai dishes that leave your taste-buds tingling.
There are all your favourite Thai dishes like Pad Thai, and Khoa Pad Siam on the menu, but there are also a few other dishes that are always there to surprise you along the way.
The curry menu is wide and varied, with various levels of spiciness to suit everyone’s tastes.
The deep flavour of the Thai Green Curry in particular is worth visiting here for!
The dishes all focus on simplicity and flavour, with authenticity key.
This popular Chinatown restaurant also serves up plenty of vegan and vegetarian authentic Thai options too, and you can even bring your own alcohol if you fancy it.
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Address: First floor, 46 George St, Manchester M1 4HF
5. That’s Thai
That’s Thai is one of the best Thai restaurants that Manchester has to offer, but it’s not in a location that you’d expect, being hidden down the side of a car garage.
Sit in or takeaway Thai, That’s Thai has taken an old greasy spoon café and transformed it into a spectacularly colourful and vibrant Thai restaurant with all the usual delicious food you’d expect from Thailand.
It is something else though to pop on down for a Pad Thai or a Jungle Curry sat next to a load of workers in High-viz jackets popping in for their lunch break.
The prices are great value for money, so get down there and take a seat.
Address: 27a Park St, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M3 1EU
6. Try Thai Restaurant & Bar
One of the always famous Thai restaurants in Manchester, this modern eatery has an extensive menu of dishes, carefully prepared by some of the best chefs from Thailand.
You can expect Thai fine dining in a relaxed environment with an impressive set menu selection at a decent price, and banquet menus for larger parties and celebrations.
Try Thai has been voted as one of the best Thai restaurants in Manchester on multiple occasions over the years, serving up simple, delicious food in an elegant setting.
Start off with their special Hot & Sour Soup, before moving through to the main courses.
They also offer a range of tasty gluten-free dishes.
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Address: Upper Ground Floor, 52-54 Faulkner St, Manchester M1 4FH
7. Thaikhun
Always packed out and a lively atmosphere, Thaikhun has been enticing in passers- by for years with its colourful Tuk-Tuk sat outside the restaurant.
Inside, there’s an open kitchen showing the hard work from the chefs as well as the smells and action of a hot, lively kitchen.
The street food furniture evokes the street food culture of Bangkok or phu*ket.
Sit down for grilled meat, crunchy stir-fry dishes, and loads of noodles.
The Street Food Sharing Platter for just a tenner gives you a selection of BBQ chicken wings, prawn toast, chicken spring rolls, and palm sugar beef jerky, a great starter to get you salivating for whatever you choose for your mains!
Pudding is also great here, so leave enough room for the delightful Thai Cheesecake, a co*cktail of mango, coconut and passion fruit serves with vanilla ice cream on the side.
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Address: 3 Hardman St, Manchester M3 3HF
8. Rosa’s Thai
Rosa’s Thai has been a popular haunt for those after great Thai cuisine since opening on Deansgate in 2020.
Situated inside a stunning restored Grade II listed building, this Thai restaurant has managed to retain its authentic Thai fare and great customer service as it has expanded over the years.
The dishes at Rosa’s Thai are designed to be shared with others, so take on a few different punchy dishes from this menu inspired by Northern Thailand, such as their curries, stir-fries or noodles.
Considering they’re open 7 days a week, there isn’t any excuses not to go for a delicious meal!
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9. Thai Kitchen No. 6
Thai Kitchen No.6 is a top-notch professional Thai restaurant in Manchester located on Chapel Walks.
This place delivers authentic, professionally served Thai cuisine that focuses on simplicity and flavour.
Tucked away within the hustle and bustle of the city, an oasis of Thai food that transports you to another part of the world with the smells and sounds of a Thai kitchen that is run by a genuine family (you’ll witness mums, nans, brothers and sisters all cooking up a storm in the kitchen).
What you’re getting is genuine family dishes that have been passed down through generations in Thailand, a great lunch spot for those of you looking for a daytime break from your studies.
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Address: Chapel Walks, Manchester M2 1HN
10. My Thai
The fact that there’s two My Thai restaurants in Manchester demonstrates just how popular it is with locals.
Both restaurants are easy to find in popular parts of the city centre, an offer an experience based around the street food markets of Bangkok.
There is always a busy, vibrant feel to each restaurant, but despite this the service is always exceptional.
In fact, this makes it stand out from some other Thai restaurants in the city.
You’ll smell the aroma of Thai cuisine before you even see the restaurant, especially in the Northern Quarter My Thai, and that says it all really, you are always led by your nose to what smells the best.
And quite often this means sitting down in My Thai to a Massaman Curry, a noodle dish, Lad nah, or steamed pork dumplings.
The servings are generous and hearty, which makes it a great spot for those of you looking for a big, tasty feed after a long, hard day at university.
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Address: 11 John Dalton St, Manchester M2 6WH
G19, Smithfield Buildings, 42 Tib St, Manchester M4 1LA
There we have it, the best Thai restaurants Manchester has to offer.
As you know, we’re always looking to offer advice and guide people to the best student eats in their town or city.
We’re always happy to receive some further wisdom from you students living in a city like Manchester, seeing what’s good, what’s not, and what should be on our next list of great food choices.
Read next: 7 Cheap Recipe Boxes To Help Save On Your Food Bill.
