Soft shell crab pad Thai. | Rukdiew Portland has one of the best Thai food scenes in the nation, and it’s got the awards, accolades, and direct-to-consumer product spin-offs to prove it. From chef Akkapong Earl Ninsom’s regional and, at times, historical takes on Thai cooking at 2024 Jam es Beard winner Langbaan to Nong Poonsukwattana’s simple and spectacular khao man gai, many Thai chefs in the Rose City have developed celebrity status, selling sauces in grocery stores and developing restaurant empires. But Portland’s Thai scene is more than its big names. The city and its surrounding suburbs are home to plenty of casual but excellent spots churning out bright piles of som tum and comforting bowls of boat noodles, in addition to glitzy restaurants offering inventive takes on Thai standards, like Eem’s Thai barbecue. From vegan-and-vegetarian-friendly twists on classics at Kati to restaurants focused on region-specific Thai cuisines, the cliche that there is something for all tastes rings true. This August 2026 update brings a bunch of recent openings — OK Chicken Khao Soi, Guay Tiew, and Bangkok Belly — join the ranks, as well as Sivalai Thai, a neighborhood spot quietly making great eats and cultivating a devoted customer base for years. Find more great restaurant recommendations for Thai food and beyond by downloading the Eater app for iOS. — Additional reporting by Katrina Yentch and Krista Garcia ...read more read less