The First Date That Became a Forever Memory I've been meaning to write this review for months--honestly, since November 9, 2025, the night of our first date--and it's about time I finally do, because this place deserves to be celebrated. The Elephant District gave us one of the most special dining experiences I've ever had. It was a rainy, chilly fall day--one of those gray New York afternoons where you just want warmth, comfort, and something to lift your spirit. We had just come from church, and this was our first date. We were giggly, a little nervous, excited... all the things. And from the moment we walked in, everything just felt right. We were seated in a cozy spot toward the back, and the atmosphere was perfect--colorful, vibrant, full of life. I absolutely loved the elephant details on the walls. There's something about the space that feels both joyful and grounding at the same time. But what truly made the night unforgettable was the service. There were two women who took such beautiful care of us. I wish I could remember their names because they deserve to be recognized properly. One of them, our server, was so warm and kind--she honestly felt like an auntie, like family. She guided us through the menu with so much care and encouraged us to try something beyond what we initially planned (my girlfriend was ready to go straight for pad thai, as one does ). And I'm so glad we listened. The other woman, who seemed to be managing or working behind the bar, was equally incredible. She had such a calm, attentive presence and made us feel truly seen and taken care of. Together, they created an environment that felt safe, welcoming, and genuinely loving. And the food... wow. Everything we had was exceptional. We're still talking about it months later--even after traveling to places like Japan, the Philippines, Seattle, and Atlanta, this meal still stands out as one of our favorites. The dish I ordered--a fish entrée--was absolutely unforgettable. To this day, I think about it. The flavors, the balance, the care in preparation... it was just incredible. We also had mocktails (we don't drink), and they were some of the best non-alcoholic drinks we've ever had--beautifully made, refreshing, and special in their own right. And somehow, we missed the lobster pad thai at the time (we laugh about that now!), which just gives us another reason to come back--because we are coming back. After dinner, we walked over to the park by the water under the bridge, and it was just... magic. This restaurant is perfectly located for that kind of moment. It's not just a place to eat--it's part of an experience, a memory, a story. We've been together ever since, and we still talk about that night, that meal, and those two incredible women who made it all feel so special. We're even thinking about coming back for our one-year anniversary. So this review is long overdue, but deeply felt. To the team at The Elephant District--thank you. Whether or not those two women are still there, I truly hope this appreciation reaches them somehow. You made our first date unforgettable, and that means more than I can fully express. If you're in DUMBO, in Brooklyn, or anywhere nearby--go. Whether it's a first date, a hundredth date, or just a night out with people you love, this is what a restaurant experience should feel like. We can't wait to come back. God bless you all. read more

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3.5. First time trying this spot after feeding into the glowing reviews on Yelp. Good Thai, in my immediate area, is hard to find and/or inconsistent. An Uber Eats delivery of Dumbo Dumplings and 2 orders of Basil Thai (Chicken) arrived very timely. Everything was well packed and smelled amazing. Dumbo Dumplings were delicious: 4 in total and made of ground chicken, water chestnuts, garlic and flavorings accompanied by a sweet soy sauce. Recommend. Basil Thai Chicken. Observation--chicken combined with rice. Wasn't expecting that which made the portion size appear smaller but I think it actually was. I always prefer my rice packed separately. In addition, the rice sat on the brown sauce. This dish was extremely spicy as in 4 peppers. Uber Eats menu didn't indicate this was a spicy dish ( you know what I mean-- the number of peppers next to the description) which was odd since I typically steer clear of those selections on any menu. I must admit that the overall flavors were excellent. Having never been to Thailand, it just tasted authentic. Delicious. Unfortunately my mouth became too numb to finish it all. I definitely want to return to Elephant District, preferably in person. I'll make sure I don't choose anything super spicy. I realize that authentic Thai food including street food is usually made very spicy. Still, I'm happy with this new discovery.. I rounded up since authenticity is served at this restaurant. read more

Elephant District - Dumbo Chicken Dumplings (4 Dumplings in the order). - Thai Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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I love Thai and couldn't wait to try this restaurant! When I arrived I parked on the street nearby! I walked in and was greeted and sat. The place was small and cozy! I was served by Bom and she was great and the other female server! I had: Cha Bolan Bangkok Night Market Wing Tom Yum Talay (Shrimp, Mussels, Squid Soup) Choo Chee Pla (Branzino) Kho Soi Ped (Duck) Mango Sticky Rice The food and drinks were delicious and my favorite was the Branzino dish! All in all a great experience! read more

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Elephant District was an amazing spot! If you like Thai food this is the spot to go! I got the basil fried rice with and it was mildly spice and it was so good. Kay's service was so good, she was very attentive and was very kind and helpful with the food choices. She was also pretty funny too! The drinks were spectacular and looks very nice! The ambiance is great too. I definitely recommended coming here read more

Elephant District - Thai Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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I would honestly rate this place a 2 if I could but they were super nice and friendly and the ambience is cute and the music is fun. The atmosphere is lively. Apparently the music is usually much louder than it was so keep that in mind if you're looking for a place for a date or to catch up with friends. My friend who I was visiting recommended this place and I was super disappointed. As a CA native and someone who has traveled to Thailand and LOVES Thai food more than anything, I cannot in good conscience ever recommend this place to anyone. It is very expensive and super mid. Like, average at best. The pork belly dish I ordered and added a fried egg to per their recommendation was very forgettable and very salty. The rice was hard as if it was from the day before like what you would use to make good fried rice. The egg was the saving grace of the dish but it was still super mid/disappointing. I asked for chilis/chili vinegar or chili powder. They seemed confused by my question but they did bring over chili flakes in chili powder. I'm used to going to thai restaurants that have a spice tray of thai condiments on the tables so it was to my great disappointment that they did not provide much in the way of options. It really could have helped provide a lot more flavor to save the taste of these dishes. I have a Thai friend who has lived in NY for over 10 years and she was telling me during this visit that NY has a ton of Thai restaurants everywhere (you'll notice rather quickly that there are so many but it's definitely quantity over quality) but most of them are so bad. The pad Thai had large shrimp but they were mediocre. I felt like the dish lacked seasoning and the noodles were al dente but closer to the side of being undercooked. The FIRST bite of pad thai that I tried from my friend's dish I crunched into something hard. I thought I bit into a rock. I think it must have been mussel/crab or clam shell because it was extremely hard and gritty when it broke after biting into it. What on earth was that even doing in the middle of the shrimp pad thai dish. I'm done. Cut the show. Girl bye. Tourist trap. Overpriced. Food is hugely disappointing. read more

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Oh my goodness! What a fabulous place! I was looking for a last minute reservation for 7 people on a Saturday night, and when this place was available, I was suspicious, but booked it because of the great reviews. And I'm so glad I did! Came here to celebrate a friend's 50th birthday who was in town from Turkey. The decor - so cool! I loved the large wall murals and the welcoming, homey vibe. The service - Kay is my new best friend. I'm coming back for her specifically. The FOOD! Oh my goodness. Over the top amazing. Bursting with flavor. We tried a large portion of the menu, including the papaya salad, the duck curry, the skewers... everything was so good that I have already ordered delivery from here since we came. My only advice is to ask them to course the food, or to order the mains after you are done with the first course. The food comes out fast and we felt a bit rushed, but overall it was a great experience. Highly recommend! read more

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Elephant District in Dumbo is honestly such a gem. Great food, cool setup, and you're basically right next to the Brooklyn Bridge -- can't beat that. The Lobster Pad Thai is a whole moment... they literally give you an entire lobster on top and it tastes amazing. The moo ping pork skewers are super tender and packed with that smoky flavor that makes you want another order. And the curries here? So good. Each one hits differently, but all of them were rich, flavorful, and super comforting. The Khao Soi Duck was definitely a standout. Drinks are also really solid -- fun cocktails that match the food perfectly. The inside has this cute elephant theme going on, so it's one of those places that just feels good to sit in. read more

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Overall, the food was good and the ambiance is nice. However, the service was lackluster and our food came out in the wrong order and pretty slowly. It was also hard to flag down servers, which we had to do a couple times due to the wait or because necessary utensils were missing from our dishes. The coconut mocktail and coconut cocktail (served in an elephant glass) were delicious. I also enjoyed my duck khao soi. The steak and chicken dumplings were OK. We really wanted to try the mango sticky rice but the staff told us the mangos were sour that day (we appreciated the honesty). Will have to come back for that another time and enjoy it outside! read more

Elephant District - KHAO SOI DUCK - Thai Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Just steps from a popular Brooklyn sightseeing spot, this Thai spot blew us away. The food was incredible, and the staff at City were so friendly, giving us some amazing dish recommendations. Don't miss their mango Thai tea--beautifully presented and absolutely delicious! read more

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As I walked my 10,000 steps by the Brooklyn Bridge Park waterfront, I built up an appetite and decided to go into Elephant District. I've been curious about this place for quite some time and I usually dine alone when I'm just doing my thing. Kay, the hostess, provided a warm welcome and allowed me plenty of time with the menu. I ordered some of my faves from any Thai restaurant- Kari Pap, Chicken Pad Thai & a Thai iced tea as my beverage of choice. They do serve adult beverages as well and they all looked delicious as well- I just wanted to stick to my basics. The food was delicious and I highly recommend their Chicken Pad Thai, perfect mix of sweet, savory and tangy (I like mine with extra lime). The Kari Pap (Puffs) were a bit crispier rather than flaky crispy, however, they were still delicious. The Thai Iced Tea balanced beautifully between the ratios of tea and condensed milk. The ambience is brilliantly done with beautiful velvet royal blue chairs that uplifts your mood along with the colorful fresh flowers on the table. They have a gorgeous bar area as well. If you're in the area and want something other than pizza or burgers, this is a great sit down meal spot. They have a clean bathroom as well in this high touristy area. Hope you get to enjoy it as well! read more

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Voted one of the Top 10 Best New Restaurants in the US by USA Today (2024) -- and honestly, it makes perfect sense. Every dish feels intentional, vibrant, and uniquely crafted. And the presentation? Absolutely stunning! The crispy tuna salad with mango is a must-order -- delicate, crunchy tuna served with a vibrant mango, chili sauce. It's such a unique dish, unlike anything I've tried before. The kanom jeen soft shell crab is just as impressive. Silky rice noodles come with rich green curry sauce. The contrast of textures is unreal. Then there's the Dumbo Jumbo steak -- thick, beautifully seared, and unbelievably juicy. The garlic herb fish is fragrant, flaky, and coated in a sauce that's aromatic and deeply flavorful without overpowering the freshness of the fish. From the first bite to the last, everything delivered. Bold Thai flavors, elevated and unforgettable. This spot is definitely my new favorite! It truly lives up to the Top 10 title! Follow me @foodie.elite on IG and TikTok for more great finds! read more

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Elephant District is a cute little Thai spot in Dumbo. I stopped by on a Saturday afternoon and it was packed. Definitely a good sign, and honestly, it was worth the wait. My mom and I ended up sitting outside, which worked out perfectly. The place has a really nice vibe super friendly staff, great cocktails, and tasty food. I can only image how this spot might look at night, especially under the bridge. Every dish we tried was on point. Everything looked great, tasted amazing, and felt like real effort was put into it. I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu. We started with the Mango Thai Iced Tea and a Lychee cocktail both were so good we ordered a second round without thinking twice. For food, we kept it simple with Basil Fried Rice, Thai Fried Rice, and some steamed dumplings. Took about 20 minutes, which was fine, especially since we saw some of the more complex dishes taking longer. This is definitely a great spot to enjoy with loved ones, a group, solo, or even on a date. That said, it's a pretty small place so if you're planning to go with more than one person, I highly recommend making a reservation. It fills up fast. Most likely if you show up you might have to wait. I mean it. read more

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Great addition to Dumbo. I love how they played on Dumbo's elephant mascot as the name and theme of the restaurant. Came here at 5pm on a weekday and we were the only party there so far. The server, I'm assuming one of the owners, explained some of the specials to us. Sadly they did not have their signature elephant dessert available that day. We ordered some drinks and some dishes to share. The cocktail drinks were really pretty and photo worthy. The basil fried rice was delicious. Food overall was delicious. However, I was a bit turned off by the service, despite everyone's positive reviews. We ordered drinks first and after the first round we were given our check. We still wanted to order more rounds and food after so we felt like we were rushed to leave although the restaurant was barely full at that point. This is one of the only Thai restaurants in the neighborhood now so it's a good option to have though. read more

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Absolutely incredible staff! I wish we could remember the name of our host (whom I believe owns the restaurant). She was so attentive, kind, and warm--going out of her way so politely to make sure we were enjoying the food, and with humor too! The Pad See Ew was my favorite. But also, the Thai tea and Lychee was just so delicious. Everything was incredible, and at reasonable price. It's a very cute and intimate spot. They deserve so much love and support! read more

Elephant District - Thai tea and Lychee tea - Thai Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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My best friend and I came here on a whim and it this place did not disappoint! The food was amazing and everyone that worked there was so friendly. We will definitively be back. read more

Elephant District - Food was 10/10 - Thai Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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菜的味道一般。点的猪肉的菜上的全是肥肉，米饭也不好吃。一人一道主菜会被女服务员摆脸色嫌你点得不够多，态度很粗鲁，在不同桌子间笑脸和臭脸熟练切换。 Pork is mostly FAT. Rice sucks. No service provided and the server has her attitude for sure. read more

Had to celebrate the season finale of White Lotus somehow! My partner and I were out for a walk and chose to swing by Elephant District, which has been on our list of restaurants to try since it opened. We each got a round of drinks, and of course, I got a Thai Iced tea.. soo yummy without being too sweet. We ordered a few apps - the crab salad was delicious with a great spice. Pork skewers good too. We chose to split some entrees too, the crab fried rice some of the best I've had in the city. Khao soi was great but I wish it had a little more protein. Our server, K, provided great recommendations. You could tell its a more local, family owned spot! read more

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Amazing food, quick service, and friendly staff! Highly recommend! A great place to stop in for a delicious meal while you're enjoying the waterfront. read more

Elephant District - PAD SEE-EW with crispy tofu - Thai Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Wouldn't Recommend going here. My first Yelp review because I was finally inspired to write one due to this place being terrible and overpriced. My only star is because the drinks were good. The wings were small, overly burnt and 14$ which is ridiculous for 4 wings. Otherwise unsure why this place was top10 or has so many stars, had to be bought. Wouldn't recommend or come back, a lesson to look at other reviews other than the people that spam 4-5 star reviews for everything. read more

Elephant District - BANGKOK NIGHT MARKET WING - Thai Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Went for the 4th of July chosen by proximity to decent fireworks viewing and the cuteness of the cocktails. The service was very good- the staff was attentive. They made the evening celebratory- blowing horns and putting off confetti poppers many confetti poppers! The gentleman who brought out our food ensured the confetti stayed out of our food. We had the khao soi ped and basil fried rice. Both were delicious! The cocktails lived up to our hopes- the melee is gorgeous and refreshing. The rum pan luscious and creamy. read more

got a reservation on Valentine's Day at Elephant District. They were busy but had us seated on time. We ordered the crying tiger steak and the pork skewers. Loved both of them! Really well cooked and served with amazing fresh dipping sauces. They had a selection of cocktails and I ordered a pink one that was delicious. The decor was a little funny, the walls are covered in AI elephant art. But they had sweet small bouquets at every table read more

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Elephant District is a newish Thai place right near the entrance to Brooklyn Bridge Park, along pizza alley. The restaurant is bright, and was lively as we arrived. We didn't get the best table though - they first tried to stick us next to the bathroom, then put us at a table in a corner which seemed fine until parties of 6 and 4 surrounded us, making me feel a bit, nervous? I get anxiety and don't like feeling like I can't escape, as the tables and chairs boxed us in. And actually - the restaurant by the time we left was packed, maybe a little too packed? Felt a bit like we were over capacity for the space. Several tables of 6-8 people. It seemed like a Mom and Daughter affair running the place, seating tables taking orders - everything! I suggest they hire some help as popular as they seem. Ok, onto the FOOD! Tom Yum and Tom Kha soups were both very good. Very flavorful with lots of chicken. I didn't try the papaya salad but husband said it was good. We opted for one of their fried fish dishes (I forget which of the two) which was excellent! I love that they prepare it separately and then serve it with the fish itself inside. Makes it so much easier to eat while keeping a nice presentation. The shrimp pad Thai however was impossible to eat, the shrimp/prawn not pulled fully out of the shell, but only a fork given. No knife. As mentioned above, it was hard to get servers attention to our table stuck in the corner so we tried to make do. Presentation was pretty and food tasty at least. Drinks were also very good! We tried the Sri Mala, Lao Thong and Kun Chang Rampan, which were very nice. I'm not sure we'd visit the restaurant again, but would consider pick up/delivery. read more

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When you arrive, make sure to have Kay seat you! She's the best! I had mango stick rice and it was so good. The presentation was amazing!!!!

Everything is elephant themed in this delightful little restaurant, from the frescoes on the walls to a special little cocktail in an elephant shaped glass. On a Friday night it was festive and bustling. We had to wait only ten minutes for a walk in table. The food was good, I had a vegan brownie shaped pancake--very deep fried and crispy outside and soft inside-- and the massaman curry which I can recommend. My friend had a shrimp appetizer and noodle, which she polished off. The service was not great though our hostess was absolutely charming. The earth seemed to have completed many revolutions around the sun before my friend's cocktail arrived (it came after my drink and after the appetizer was served). And I almost had to stand up on my chair to get the check. Just imagine you're in Paris, and you'll be fine. read more

Elephant District - Inside decor - Thai Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Booked a reservation for two people day-of on New Year's Eve and was very impressed! The food here was flavorful and tasted fresh. Our favorite dishes were the Yum Pla Krob (never had anything like that!! especially a seafood dish) and the rice, though I wouldn't say the seafood tower tasted as good as it looked. Some of the seafood items were overcooked but the shrimp and squid were perfect. I enjoyed my drink and the chive cakes as well. Service was attentive and friendly. In terms of ambiance... the decor is something else. Giant AI photos of elephants cover the walls and they're elephants eating dinner and making food. You'd think I was lying but I'm not. You'll just have to go and see for yourself. There is nothing subtle about it. The elephants are very much in the room and they are massive. The restaurant is also organized in kind of an awkward way (our table was close to the bar and bathroom entrance so it was poorly placed) but all these things don't really matter because the food was very good. We had to finish with mango sticky rice (of course) but I kinda wish we had tried their Thai tea cake. Maybe next time? read more

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I stopped by to try the Khao Soi Ped (duck), and it was decent. The ingredients in the dish contains Thai coconut curry with noodles, duck, onion, shallot, chili, and crispy noodles. The flavors were rich but not overpowering. I added a side of rice, which helped make the meal more filling, especially since the portion was on the smaller side. At $27, the price feels a bit steep, so I'm not sure it fully justifies the cost--but the quality was still solid. read more

Elephant District - KHAO SOI DUCK - Thai Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Kay was our server. She was very nice and explained the menu well. The pad see ew and thai basil fried rice was excellent. Went with my young niece Maya. We sat outside, great experience by the brooklyn bridge park. read more

Two of us arrived at 5:30 for dinner on a Friday before a 7:30 curtain a couple blocks away at St. Ann's Warehouse. Restaurant was empty on arrival, by 6:30 bustling with nearly every table occupied. Shared two appetizers (spring rolls & dumbo dumplings), both tasty and well-fried but preferred the spring rolls. Entrees (Pad Kee-Mao & Krapow Moo Krob), each with the optional fried egg, were well sized and yummy. Though each was marked as spicy on the menu, neither would have challenged the chili averse. Both would also have benefited from a heavier hand with the holy basil. Mayom & Lao Thong cocktails were both worthy of ordering again next visit. Service was professional while still welcoming and helpful. This was a first visit, can't wait for the next to sample more of the menu. read more

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Wonderful atmosphere, great food and service. The Pad Thai was amazing and the presentation was picture worthy. I'd definitely come back.

For our last dinner in Brooklyn, we decided we wanted to take the ferry back to Manhattan and wanted to eat Thai food near the Brooklyn bridge. The restaurant Elephant came up and I called to ask about their GF options. They don't specifically have a menu with labels but told they do have GF friendly options. It's right in DUMBO district, decorated with Elephant theme, has outdoor seating options. Apparently they're new, so glad we came to try. We got a couple mock tails, shrimp rolls for appetizers, and ordered noodles. Everything was delicious, service was attentive, the food was fresh and cozy. We got the sticky rice with mango, loved the plating. Highly recommend if you're craving Thai food! read more

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I loved walking into the majestic murals of elephants!!! The menu was delightful. We ordered several things to share. But above all else -- Kay-- our extremely attentive waitstaff-- was the most consummate professional. She provided exemplary service -- offering recommendations-- and made us feel like family. read more

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Duck Khao Soi-the duck was so crispy & the soft noodles was in a flavorful bed of coconut curry sauce, it was delicious. I also had the Kari Pap (Thai curry puff) it was so yummy as well. The staff and service was great. Thank you Kay for the recommendations. I can't wait to visit this restaurant again. read more

Elephant District - Duck Khao Soi - Thai Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

The food was not good at all. Very dry seasoning, I scallop in my dish, several overcooked small shrimp and 2 burned large shrimp. Very disappointing meal. read more

NOT welcoming at all. Horrible customer service. Manager has a stink attitude. Atmosphere felt transactional.

A Golden Splash Party & Special Songkran Celebration debuting various Craft Thai Beers in NYC. Our first beer pairing night with amazing live music by Moradok Mai The Craft Beers although originating in Thailand are brewed here in the U.S. These flavorful beers are making an appearance in New York City for a limited time and include: *Yodbeer (Bearnana Wit) *Sandport (Samakkee Lager) *Pheebok (Sawasdee IPA) read more

Elephant District - Thai Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Really good! Loved their creamy not-too-sweet Thai tea, decadent Brooklyn Bridge pad Thai, and chive appetizer. The pork belly greens dish was good too, though the other dishes were better. Enjoyed the blue mango sticky rice, though I'll try the coconut or crepe desserts next time. Relaxing, exotic atmosphere right by the water. read more

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Our waitress, Kay, was absolutely wonderful. The food was amazing, and the staff was incredibly helpful when it came to ordering. Everyone greeted us with a smile, creating such a warm and inviting atmosphere. Kay even went the extra mile by helping take photos of my friend and me--and made sure we loved the pictures before we left. Truly great service from start to finish. read more

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Everything - service, food and ambiance was wonderful. Food was amazing. I love pad Thai and that was pretty good

We were looking for new spots in Dumbo, a neighborhood we're regularly in, and saw this pop up and got excited. We love Thai Food and the promise of street-food-like Thai food is very exciting - we were not disappointed. We got their Papaya Salad spicy and it hit on all cylinders, good sweet/sour combo with real heat, and perfect crunch of the papaya; in addition the lettuce they put in it which restaurants always use as sad old iceburg filler lettuce, was really nice fresh crunchy lettuce. For main dishes we shared Penang Curry and Pad Ki Mao, both delivered with very solid flavors, good renditions of the classics. Service was very pleasant, the server was attentive/responsive and a very nice guy. The restaurant has a cool vibe with giant elephant murals on the walls (maybe AI generated? they're interesting). Definitely a great addition to the neighborhood! read more

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The atmosphere, food, and service is great. Will come again some day! Kay is amazing :)