Up Thai image

Up Thai

Restaurant Thai restaurant Asian fusion restaurant

One of the Most Reviewed Thai restaurants in New York


Address

1411 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10021

Website

www.upthainyc.com

Contact

(212) 256-1199

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.80 (5.7K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 12 to 11 PM
  • Sunday: 12 to 10 PM
  • Monday: 11:30 AM to 10 PM
  • Tuesday: 11:30 AM to 10 PM
  • Wednesday: 11:30 AM to 10 PM
  • Thursday: 11:30 AM to 10 PM
  • Friday: 11:30 AM to 11 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: Thai (26) good (18) time (15) ordered (12) salad (11) lunch (11) recommend (11) rice (11) delicious (10) service (10)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 To To T. 2 years ago on Google
    I think this is the best Thai food I’ve ever had. Pad Thai noodle was very well cooked yet still chewy. Crispy shell crab with fresh mango salad. Duck tamarind was my fave. The sauce was a perfect combination of sweetness and sourness.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 M P. 1 year ago on Google
    Did someone say Lunch Special for $14? Please give it to me! It comes with salad or soup + appetizer + main dish; and let me tell you that it is delicious. Portions are big, even if it’s a Lunch Special, it’s great that they don’t try to make it smaller. So extra points there! Will definitely come more often
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 ReedH 6 months ago on Google • 392 reviews
    This place is awesome and now among my favorite Thai spots in the city. Though judging from how packed it was at 2pm this past Sunday, it ranks highly on a lot of people’s lists. If going during prime time, best make a reservation to avoid disappointment. The place has a wonderfully cozy atmosphere, friendly service and amazing food - which they will adjust according to your spice tolerance. What I especially like is that they have a few less common dishes along with a menu of seasonal specials and everything we had was exceptional. Highlights on this last visit included a duck that came out perfectly crispy in a nice southern style curry and the mango salad which was wonderfully fresh and flavorful. I’ll be back!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Eva G. 6 months ago on Google • 236 reviews
    Very accommodating staff. Got there so much earlier than our reservation time, and seated after 10-20 min wait. The place was packed during lunch time and very tight between tables with a clear plastic divider. It's smart to do that to separate the tables while conserving the space for more tables. Food was good, we finished all our food. Drinks were strong. If you haven't tried up Thai, you must go and try but be prepared for the tight space. Staff were very attentive with refilling our water, love it. Will def be going back again in the future
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Christobel G. 10 months ago on Google
    Up Thai was such a great dining experience. We took seats at the bar and were served quickly. The bartenders were so sweet and attentive. The food and drinks were absolutely declined. I can’t wait to come back again and try new menu items.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lin L. 2 years ago on Google
    One of the best Thai tea I’ve ever had. The curry and deep-fried spring roll were also delicious. The only drawback of this place is that you might sit pretty close to other groups. Other than that 👍👍👍
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Rachel L. 1 year ago on Google
    YUM. this place was so delicious and the decor is stunning! We had many different servers throughout our dining experience so there was never a lag in service which was awesome. They were very attentive and kind. The food was AMAZING! We were starving and ate every last bite. The food was so authentic, fresh and the portions were great. Absolutely will go again. Love this place!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tram S. 1 year ago on Google
    First time here but very impressed by this place. Nice decor, cozy and friendly staffs. It's not 100% Authentic Thai cuisine more about fusion and creativity in Asian food, but I like it! In case you don't know what to order. The "Crab meat glass noodles" is a must try, it has a long Thai name that I can't remember. It was so good that 4 of us don't know if we like the curry more or Crab noodles more. And for desserts we ordered Mango Mousse and Taro Sticky Rice with Coconut milk. The Taro Sticky Rice is a star, depends on how you like your dessert, if you refer a warm, glutinous one definitely choose the Sticky Rice. If you like fresh, creamy, fruity then go with the Mango Mousse.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Adrien H. 4 months ago on Google • 134 reviews
    If I could give more than 5 stars for service, I would, we had a tall, skinny guy as our waiter, and he was excellent. We came in on a very busy Friday night, and we were provided some of the best service I've had in a long while. Everything arrived fast, never had to worry about getting more water, they provided wipes with the wings, and every little detail of the service was amazing. At this price point, the service can't be beaten!!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Aylin D. 2 years ago on Google
    Returned for another evening of delicious Thai food and drinks. The pad Thai Woonsen is a nice twist on traditional pad Thai. I always get the papaya salad. There are plenty of gluten free and vegetarian options on the menu. There is always something new to try. I do recommend making reservations ahead of time, especially for groups of four or more.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Monica S. 2 years ago on Google
    The food was good, the service was also really good. I loved their Thai tea, one of the best that I have had. I ordered the sticky rice instead of the regular rice that comes with the lunch special, I ordered the duck breast lunch special which was really really good. My sister ordered the pineapple fried rice lunch special, and it was delicious. We both really enjoyed our appetizers as well, I ordered salad and a spring rolls and she ordered the chive pancakes and salad. Highly recommend this place, and and the decor is really cute
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alvin W. 2 years ago on Google
    Awesome experience! The food is super tasty, loved the crab fried rice & the Tom Kha soup (sour & spicy). The stewed beef is a little bit too greasy though, but overall, still 5 star! Highly recommend!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Baz P. 3 months ago on Google • 22 reviews New
    Oh my gosh, you won't believe it! I just found the absolute best Thai restaurant in Manhattan. Seriously, it's incredible! The food is so authentic that it's even better than what you'd find in Thailand. And let me tell you, the ambiance is just lovely, creating the perfect atmosphere. Plus, it's conveniently located near a subway station, making it super easy to get to. Trust me, you absolutely have to visit this place the next time you're in NYC. You won't regret it!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Perla O. 7 months ago on Google
    The atmosphere Up Thai has is cozy and cute, but they are packing people into a small space so it can get extremely noisy and HOT. I recommend not wearing a sweater, I did and let me tell you, it was a mistake. The food is okay, but nowhere close to amazing. I expected a lot more based on the reviews they have. I wouldn’t recommend eating here if you’re only visiting NYC for a few days. We won’t be going back.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Del V. 3 months ago on Google • 15 reviews New
    Beautiful space (have reservations) that fulfills the taste buds. Great ambience with a mixture of Turkish lighting and natural elements, started with cocktails which is a must. Very refreshing. After making the selections off the menu, we got served pretty quickly and the curry puffs were the first to arrive. Absolutely adore the curry puffs and made me excited for the rest of food that we ordered. A superb texture and great taste these puffs had. Green papaya salad was refreshing and added a texture that complimented my beef entree. Enjoyed the full coconut taste the beef absorbed. Didn't have room for dessert but it's on the agenda for the next trip.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Aminah I. 1 year ago on Google
    This place was very welcoming, professional and on point. The food was tasty and fresh. I have no complaints at all. I was impressed by the decorative atmosphere. It felt like I stumbled across a little gem in the city.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 kavya a. 1 year ago on Google
    We tried the Fried Banana with icecream dessert, Spring rolls,Pineapple fried rice and Basil fried rice the food was good and was less oily compared to other places. The Fried Banana dessert was so good and it is a must try here. Also we didn’t make any reservations and walked in and still managed to get a table but would definitely suggest to get a table reserved beforehand.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michelle W. 2 years ago on Google
    Really really good restaurant! The inside is super nice and lots of tables available. The food and drink selections are great, not just the usual fried rice fried noodle curry with rice but also lots more authentic and delicious appetizers and entrees. We ordered tamarind fish, thai steamed mussels, mango salad with soft-shell crab. Everything was really good. Also a very special and interesting tea there with butterfly pea and lemongrass, it is dark blue colour but when you squeeze in a bit of lemon it turned into purple. Mango mousse dessert was just so so but the coconut ice-cream in the same plate was delicious 🤤 definitely will return for more!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Vinisha n. 1 year ago on Google
    Loved the ambiance and the food. We were a group of 4 and visited Up Thai at the peak lunch hour. The service was very quick right from seating to getting the orders right on time. We didn’t waste much time waiting for our order. Everything that we ordered was very delicious. Would highly recommend this place if you are roaming around in NY and don’t want to waste much time on meals without compromising on the taste.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tian N. 2 years ago on Google
    Great Thai place! Went there on Saturday 3pm, almost full but lucky to find the last seat. We have three people, get some alcohol, 3 appetizers, 3 main dish, and 1 dessert. $70 per person including tips. The chicken dish on chef recommend list is really good, definitely worth a try.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kate K. 4 months ago on Google • 144 reviews
    This is an amazing Thai place! Pretty authentic flavors and food! We got the pad Thai and braised pork. Lechee Thai Tea and ice cream taro sticky rice. The tea surprisingly really good! There is no cream in it. The sticky rice with taro is on the salty side. So if you like salty for dessert then this is a good option. We left so full. Great staff and very on top of things. They kept our waters topped off. We will definitely eat here again.

  • 4/5 Josh R. 3 months ago on Google • 88 reviews New
    We went on a Saturday evening. It was crowded and we didn’t have reservations, but they were able to get us in after about 10 minutes. We sat at the bar. I ordered the Kea Mao with beef. They warned me that it was spicy, but I can handle some spice. It did end up being pretty spicy, so if spice isn’t your thing, I recommend getting something else. The meat and noodles were good and had a ton of flavor. It was a little too many bell peppers for my liking, but I just picked them out. Overall, the food here is good, and I’d go back!

  • 5/5 Simran P. 5 months ago on Google • 74 reviews
    Delicious, delicious food! Limited vegetarian options, but the staff are really good with making accommodations for any specific dietary needs. We went at a busy time and the service was polite, brusque and efficient. We didn’t feel rushed to finish and thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Definite up vote for Up Thai!

  • 5/5 W Y. 5 months ago on Google
    Reservation accepted but all parties need to be present to be seated. Regardless if you have reservation, unless they are not busy. Small but cozy environment. Enjoyed the Pad See EW and Pad Thai. The place gets packed.

  • 5/5 Piboon Thongtanyong (. 5 months ago on Google
    Busy, Friendly, Tasty gem in Upper Eastside. Not our first attempt at UP Thai, but every time we couldn’t find a way to get in because they were too packed! However, today was our lucky day, and they appeared to have a table available for 2 in no time. Yeahhhh. We had no idea what we should order, but our server, Up ( what the coincidence name, don’t you think so? lol) He was amazing and had enough patience and time to describe and recommend a couple of great dishes for us, and of course, great cocktails. (It’s a fun night, how could we skip the cocktail, lol) UP is filled with a great and dynamic vibe. The staff and servers were so attentive, kind, and friendly. We had such an amazing dinner and are looking forward to the next time.

  • 5/5 Matt G. 5 months ago on Google
    Great experience! The spring rolls were crisp, and the masaman curry was a delightful blend of flavors. Curry puffs are the best! You have to try also the corn soup! The overall dining experience was excellent, and I highly recommend trying these dishes. Great food and a satisfying culinary experience!

  • 4/5 Iris C. 6 months ago on Google
    Came in on Monday for lunch at this place after reading the reviews. It was quite busy, but not overly crowded so I was seated immediately because I was one person. For my meal, I went for the lunch special, which offered a variety of choices. As an appetizer, I got the ginger salad and chive pancakes. Both dishes were absolutely delightful. The salad is simple with a delicious dressing, while the pancakes were served as two small crispy triangles with a sauce on the side. Yum! Moving on to the main course, I ordered the chicken pad Thai. It was decent, though I felt it lacked a bit of flavor. Personally, I would explore other options next time. However, the portion size was more than generous, leaving me satisfied. The interior had a pleasant and cozy atmosphere. The service was good too so I would revisit to try something else.

  • 3/5 Steph W. 1 year ago on Google
    No reservations, first come first serve. They are extremely busy and require a 75 min max dining experience. I felt like the food was over priced for the taste. My dish, Duck Prig Pao, was mostly a duck leg and a chock-full of noodles. While it did taste good overall, you might leave feeling a little disappointed. The inside is beautifully ornate and themed. Loud but not too loud.

  • 5/5 VK 1 year ago on Google
    Really awesome place! We visited them for lunch. I like their lunch combos. It comes with soup/salad and one main course. I really loved the taste of Basil fried rice. I thought the portion could have been bigger. But overall a wonderful experience!

  • 3/5 Zoraida 11 months ago on Google
    My recent visit to was a little disappointing. Despite the possibility of it being an off day for them, my friend's dish had a rancid flavor that was unpleasant. Additionally, there were no options for drinks without sugar, not even lemonade or lemon with water.

  • 4/5 R 1 year ago on Google
    Located in the center of the town. It has a very active and lively scenery with loads of workers and ample seating. They offer a wide range of beverages and dishes with Thai influence. All of the dishes we ordered tastes very American and Chinese more than authentic Thai cuisine. Beware they allow animals in the restaurants to sit in booths. But other than that, the scenery is nice and if you’ve never been to Asia you won’t notice that it’s not authentic Thai dishes.

  • 5/5 Joowon Y. 1 year ago on Google
    All works for casual lunch or fine dinings. Foods are good, and they have veggie and gluten free options. I would recommend their lunch specials that include appetizers and main dishes. Also, it is great to spend a date night or hang out with friends. For that, their chef-specials and drink menus are awesome.


Call (212) 256-1199 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
    • ✓️ Paid street parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Quick bite
    • ✓️ Hard liquor
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Vegan options
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Late-night food
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✗ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Catering
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Curbside pickup
    • ✓️ No-contact delivery
  • From the business
    • ✓️ Identifies as women-owned
    • ✓️ Identifies as LGBTQ+ owned

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