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Little Wayla

4.5 (22 reviews)
Open 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

Little Wayla Photos

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LITTLE WAYLA ATMOSPHERE

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Classy
Outdoor seating

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$5 lunch box with veggie curry and mixed vegetables on top
Su-Yee L.

Decided to check out Little Wayla for lunch today and was not disappointed! Their $5 lunch box ($5.44 with tax) includes rice, a veggie curry that was similar to massaman curry in flavor but not at all spicy, and mixed vegetables (broccoli, green beans, Brussels sprouts, onions). Good portion for a light lunch and everything was flavorful if not super exciting. I enjoyed it--it's a good deal if you like veggies! I was told that the $5 lunch box is always the same dishes. There's also the option of a $10 lunch box where you get to choose three entrees over rice. The other entrees today were crispy chili chicken, tofu with string beans, and am eggplant dish. Apparently these dishes change every day. I'm looking forward to trying out some other dishes next time! Flavors don't seem as complex as the dishes at Wayla but everything was still tasty. Staff was super nice and happy to explain the options to me. You can eat in or take out. They're open from 12-3pm on weekdays so check them out!

Lunch box special
Madeleine B.

I stopped by for the lunch special. You get to choose 3 entrees in a lunch box for $10, and I think the options rotate daily. I got chili fried chicken, tofu and green beans, and green chicken eggplant curry. Everything was solid for the price, but not as much depth of flavor as I'd hoped.

Choice of 3 ($12.95) -- white rice w/ roasted chicken, salmon and green beans
Heidi M.

During the pandemic, Little Wayla's been serving up the community with incredibly affordable, authentically delicious $5 lunch boxes! Nothing like what you'd expect from a typical Thai takeout spot. From about 12-3pm on weekdays, sometimes they offer only one choice (usually a protein/meat with veggies) or two choices, which includes a vegetarian option. And since we're working from home now, we get to stop in all the time - it's been the best. Goodbye overpriced Midtown lunches, you are not missed at all! I believe they're always rice boxes (no noodles or any other "base") since it's the easiest to prepare, which is fine since the jasmine rice is always so fresh and so good. I've gotten the string beans and tofu combo a couple of times, the shredded curry chicken with bamboo another time, and once they offered these yummy (fried) hard boiled eggs that were soaked in a sweet soy sauce. These meals are very simple but they also have a bit of a spicy Thai kick to it, and always taste so homemade. My boyfriend and I are huuuge fans. Portion size is perfect for lunch, unless you are a big eater like my bf or want to save for dinner - then I'd recommend getting maybe 2 boxes per person. In addition, we always receive such wonderful service here. 10/10 neighborhood gem.

Storefront
Mike C.

The Wayla team just opened a little fast casual version right upstairs from the original restaurant. It's the pick a base plus proteins formula, but it's done extremely well. You can do greens, rice or sticky rice, and then choose among several proteins and vegetables. I tried rice with tofu & eggs and the ground chicken, which was nice and spicy. Definitely get a frozen Thai iced tea to cool down.

Wendy C.

I had just finished my driving lessons in the neighborhood and was STARVING. On my way home, I walked by a little Thai restaurant that seemed new and was eager to give it a try. The moment I stepped in, I felt fantastic! The fast restaurant was bright, spacious, clean, and simple. Just my type. It's minimalistic, yet comforting and welcoming at the same time. The two women working there were kind, attentive, eager to answer any questions I had, and made the process simple and quick. I was in and out in ~5 minutes. I got the three entree lunchbox with purple sticky rice (+ $1), pork jerky, broccoli/zucchini/brussel sprouts, and chicken curry. All of which were VERY delicious. Even my boyfriend (Thai food fanatic) approved. The only thing that I'm iffy about with the whole thing was the price tag. It was $15.19 for the lunch box, which I would say should have been $11 - $12 max. Definitely stop by for some quick and delicious Thai food if you're in the neighborhood, though!

Chrystina C.

Prepandemic, Little Wayla offered $12 lunch boxes with 2 choices of entrees. I'd have to say I prefer their post-pandemic $5 lunch boxes! They're smaller and the perfect portion size for lunch. Although my hubby sometimes gets 2 lunch boxes for himself depending on the selection. There's a rotating menu of 2 entrees. You can get both or just choose one. There's usually a vegetable and protein option. Although I've seen days where they serve meat patty and egg or all veggies. Their vegetable dishes are so flavorful, healthy, and delicious! Curries are also a must-get especially the chicken curry. The meat is soft, tender, and bursting with a kick of curry spice. I love Little Wayla! I could get it for lunch 3x a week and I often do.

Fried chicken, panang curry over rice, green beans, and carrots.

Phenomenal lunch restaurant; if I could give it 6 stars I would. The fried chicken was fantastic, not overly breaded or greasy. Very bright and clean ambience with plenty of space to sit, both inside and outside. The guy behind the counter was very gracious and offered to let me sample the curries when I asked which was the most popular. Prices are to be expected for New York, around $13 - $15. I'll definitely be coming back.

the counter
Minh M.

Since work has never allowed me to visit Wayla (which opens only for dinner on weekdays and brunch on weekends), as an avid fan of Thai cuisine, I was devastated. However, I was blessed by a deity figure (probably a god of Thai cuisine who acknowledged my desperation) and Little Wayla gracefully stepped into my life. I read about their opening on Wayla's instagram account and immediately made my visit today, which was their second day of operation. I was probably their first customer of the day since I came in just 20 minutes after they opened. Food: I got a 3-entree lunchbox with: Soy Sauce Braised Egg and Tofu, Green Curry, and Stir Fried Cuttlefish with white rice. Spot on Thai comfort food! The level of flavors were just right and comforting. I appreciate the fact that the menu offers dishes that you don't usually find in most Thai restaurants. Give me Little Wayla's lunchbox everyday and you'll see the best version of me. The only itsy bitsy tiny complaint that I have is the portion of the rice was a little less than I expected, but the lunchbox at a whole is very filling. Bonus: when a Thai friend explained to me that Little Wayla means "little time", I thought it was brilliant and they did live up to the name, being super quick without compromising the quality. Service & Atmosphere: The place is insanely adorable. Vibrant colors and decorations that definitely help with boosting the appetite. I was greeted by two girls at the cashier, who were friendly and looked joyful. I was surprised that, even though the concept revolves around lunchbox, it wasn't very "to-go friendly". The plastic lid did not fit the compostable container, so they had to tape my lunchbox to prevent leaking (even though it didn't help much), and I ended up having to hold it in my hand the entire time I traveled. Plus, the container absorbed a lot of the saucy goodie from the entrees, which did make me a bit sad. But it's not something that bothered me. Understandably, there were certainly a few first day's minor hiccups, but it was great overall. For now, sit down at one of their cute tables, immerse yourself in the whimsical vibe, and enjoy their awesome food. You know I'll be there whenever I can.

Tania S.

Came here for lunch and it didn't disappoint. It was a bit late in the day for lunch so they ran out of two of the items. I was a little sad, as I did want to try the yellow curry. Luckily, in the middle of assembling my second box, they replenished the two missing items! So I actually got to try almost everything, besides the broccoli which had pork in it. The chicken with bamboo was really good, had a bit of a kick from the peppers. The fried chicken was good. My only complaint would be I wished it was crispy. But not that bad considering it was sitting in a bit of sauce. The yellow curry and mixed veggies were good but I couldn't differentiate because the curry sauce got all over the mixed veggies. Overall a good meal and a great value at $10 a box.

Frozen Thai ice tea and lunchbox set

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6 years ago

Wish it was open longer! The food is great, always different options, and friendly staff.

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Mitr Thai

Mitr Thai

4.6
(881 reviews)
2.7 mi

Very busy at 5 pm when they reopened after a one hour closing. However, they were able to service…read moreeveryone with a smile and food came out quickly. Everything was truly wonderful. We had papaya salad, a hot pot and chicken pad Thai. Place is nicely decorated and on two floors. Upstairs is a bit quieter, which we appreciated. Would definitely return.

Stopped at Mitr Thai after seeing a Broadway show during my most recent visit to Manhattan. We…read morereserved our table the night before. We were greeted by very friendly staff members who, despite our early arrival, worked hard to get us seated as quickly as possible. The space's vibe is exactly what we needed to get away from the hustle and bustle of the Times Square area -- dimly lit, but everything was still visible, not too much noise while extremely busy, and very cozy atmosphere made super pleasant from such attentive, kind staff members. I was especially impressed by our server, Leena, who checked in with us regularly, gave excellent recommendations, and was clearly concerned about giving us an amazing experience. My wife and I ordered one of the seasonal offerings--a sweet and savory fruit salad--that was the perfect start to our meal. I ordered the massaman, and it was easily the best massaman curry I've ever had in the United States. Perfect spice level, the chicken fell right off the bone (even my wife, a vegetarian, commented on how clean the bones looked after I removed the meat), and the mixture of textures and flavors with the lotus seeds and onions really created the perfect dish. I am craving it just sitting here and writing this review! Prices? Honestly, I couldn't imagine a fairer deal given the quality of the food and service we received. I was utterly blown away. I cannot recommend Mitr Thai enough! I can't wait to return next time I'm in the city!

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Main Dining Room
Main Dining Room
Short Rib Prik Kang
Short Rib Prik Kang
Crab Fried Rice (~$32)

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Crab Fried Rice (~$32)
SaiTong Thai

SaiTong Thai

4.5
(443 reviews)
2.9 mi

Loved the food especially the short rib yummy! It was a good find while on vacation and near The…read moreCivilian Hotel.

I'm a Thai foodie from California and I really loved SaiTong! The restaurant was busy and I was by…read moremyself so I was happy to sit at the bar, and was attended to by the most sweet bartender ever. Very polite, professional and attentive. I first ordered the crispy spring rolls, which were very good. For my main I had the Massaman Curry. Now folks, this is my favorite curry of all time -- actually one of my favorite foods of all time -- and while it's common in LA where I used to live, it's not as common where I live now, in the Bay Area. And the restaurants that do carry it usually do not make it right and it's not very good. I am used to Massaman in the traditional preparation where it's more like a beef stew made with chunks of beef and needs to cook overnight. When done right it is the most aromatic curry ever -- it's almost like an aphrodisiac! -- and the beef comes out oh so tender. Usually if places have this curry but then offer a choice of protein, then it generally is not cooked properly, and that is actually how they prepare it at SaiTong. But because of such great reviews I decided to take a chance and try it. Well, let me tell you, it was definitely not the norm...it was absolutely delicious! I had it with chicken (they serve breast as default), and the chicken soaked up the curry really nicely. I also asked for there to be no onions, which I think alters the flavor of a curry too much. It does include the traditional potatoes and peanuts, and the potatoes were fine and cut into nice little chunks, the peanuts actually were thrown in raw.. what I think is the more traditional way which is to actually burn the peanuts a little bit, but that's okay, it didn't take down the dish any. Their brown rice is of the very dark kind, which I like, and goes so well with the curry. Service was wonderful from the bartender but was also provided by the rest of the staff and everyone was so nice. I left there feeling so satisfied, and cannot wait to go back and try some other dishes.

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Bar area
Bar area
Chicken Satay
Chicken Satay
Parang Curry

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Parang Curry
Dagg Thai Restaurant

Dagg Thai Restaurant

4.4
(146 reviews)
2.3 mi
$$$

Dagg Thai was incredibly accommodating when it came to our large group party. We had around 14…read morepeople for a post conference dinner and had such a great time here! Service was excellent and the food was great! To start, we ordered drinks and a variety of appetizers. I appreciated that they had a great menu of fun mocktails to choose from, so there were awesome NA options besides just soda or juice. I ordered one of the curries and it was surprisingly spicy! It's my own fault because the menu did show that it was spicy, but it was just more than I was expecting. Seeing that I wasn't eating much of it, they were so accommodating to offer me something less spicy. Others at our table dug into my curry, while they quickly made me some fried rice. I really enjoyed our experience here and was very impressed with the staff here!

Came here for a quick dinner with an out towner who wanted Thai cuisine. It was a Monday night and…read moreI quickly made the reservation via OpenTable - pretty seamless. I was surprised to find the place packed on a Monday night. We were there circa 7:15pm and it was about 85% full. My friend and I were seated upstairs - a-bit squishy but we made do with the space. Ordered 2 appetizers and 2 entrees. The crab roll was very nice as was the green curry with chicken. The pad kee mao was also nice, a tad spicy but good.

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Bar area
Bar area
Our appetizers were delicious.
Our appetizers were delicious.
The entrees tasted good, too.

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The entrees tasted good, too.
Charoen Krung Thai

Charoen Krung Thai

4.7
(440 reviews)
2.9 mi
$$

This was our last night in New York after 6 glorious days! We wanted something close to our hotel,…read moresomething a bit different than what we had been eating and I needed some spice! Charoen Krung did not disappoint, I got the Drunken noodle with chicken and it was delicious!!! Just the right amount of spice not over powering but you know it's there. My mom was going to get the Pad Thai but decided to venture out and get the Pad-Se-Ew with chicken the portions were huge! We also ordered Spring rolls to start, they were piping hot and crunchy. Our server was so sweet and helpful when we ordered she made sure that we didn't have any allergies and that our tolerance for spice was good for what we ordered. She was very attentive with filling up waters and checking in on how we were doing throughout the meal. The vibe inside the restaurant was immaculate, they had good music, it wasn't too loud but you could hear it and still talk at a normal level and hear your dining companion. The restaurant was super clean and fresh looking, we really loved all the accents and lighting, tables and seating. If we weren't just visiting, this would absolutely be a regular spot for me!

Came here on a saturday around 12:30 PM and it was relatively empty throughout our meal, so I…read morewouldn't say you need a reservation. It was well-lit and very quiet. I ordered the crispy duck over rice. I didn't really like the flavors in the sauce served on the side, but I did like the brown sauce that was poured over the rice. The duck skin was very crispy, but the meat itself was a bit on the dry side. Overall, solid option for quick thai food, but nothing to write to home about.

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Bar by entry
Bar by entry
Summer Rolls (Pork&Shrimp)
Summer Rolls (Pork&Shrimp)
Tub Tim Mocktail

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Tub Tim Mocktail
Thai Villa

Thai Villa

4.4
(5.3k reviews)
1.4 mi
$$

Absolutely fantastic restaurant offering fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and attentive service…read more Everything exceeded expectations, creating a memorable dining experience we would happily repeat again soon.

I've had Thai Village on my list for ages and completely forgot about it, but a little twist of…read morefate brought us here. My friend and I were heading somewhere else for dinner, but our original spot was closed for a private event. We decided to pivot and come here instead, and it worked out very much in our favor! ​I actually just got back from a trip to Thailand, so I went in with high hopes but a curious mind about how the authenticity and flavors would compare. While there were naturally a few little differences in taste here and there compared to being on the ground in Thailand, it didn't dim the deliciousness whatsoever. The food here is absolutely stellar. ​We decided to sit at the bar, and both bartenders who looked after us were incredibly friendly, helpful, and super clear when explaining the specials. I asked one of them for their favorite recommendations, and it did not disappoint. ​Here is what we ordered: ​Pineapple Fried Rice ($21): We ordered it without adding any protein, and it was packed with flavor. Highly recommend. ​Pad Thai ($24): We added beef to this one, but honestly, the noodles were so incredibly flavorful on their own that it didn't even need the additive! ​Thong Pan Sai Gai ($17): These looked almost like little tacos but were uniquely delicious. ​Papaya Salad ($16) & Satay Spring Rolls ($16): Perfect, fresh starters to kick off the meal. ​Mango Sticky Rice ($17): A must try for dessert. They use purple rice for this, and it was so yummy. ​For drinks, my friend ordered a Lycheetini ($19) and loved it. I had the Tangmo, Tangmo, Tangmo ($20) which was nice and refreshing. ​Even though our meal was a mix of great apps and sides, it was incredibly filling. We actually walked out with leftovers. The prices are very fair for the quality and portion sizes you get. We will absolutely be returning!

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Long table
Long table
Scallop Skewers (~$16)
Scallop Skewers (~$16)
Dragon tattoo

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Dragon tattoo
Sabai Thai

Sabai Thai

4.3
(622 reviews)
1.9 mi
$$$

It was very easy to make a reservation. The ambiance and decor were so romantic and cozy. We…read morestarted off with the drinks. I ordered a delicious lychee Martini. For appetizers, we ordered the Sate, curry puff, chicken dumpling and shrimps. Everything was on point. The main course was the shrimp dish, chicken and tofu panang was our favorite. The fried rice and pad tai were just about okay. We ended the night with free celebration dessert my loved ones birthday celebration

My friend and I made reservations at 6:30pm on a Friday. We had intended to go for restaurant week,…read moreand the website said that Sabai was participating. However, when I got to the restaurant, I was told that they were not participating. When I brought this up to the staff, they did comment that several people made the same mistake earlier in the week. If that was the case, then why not correct the restaurant week website, or make it very obvious on your website that you aren't participating? Both of us were starving, and I had put in a birthday request at the restaurant, so we decided to stay. The ambiance is classy, and this would be a great spot for a business dinner or date night. I ordered a massaman curry with roti and chicken ($29), and my friend ordered the chuchi shrimp ($30) and curry puff ($16). Prices are a bit above average for the portion size, but justified by the area. We both enjoyed our dishes; the flavors were on point! Then, for my friend's birthday, they gave us mochi ice cream and a card signed by the staff! That was a nice touch that overrode the restaurant week debacle. Service was fantastic. There were multiple check backs and water refills. I would recommend Sabai Thai for a fancy night out, and I would return to try other dishes.

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Sabai Thai
$16: curry puff
$16: curry puff
Butterfly Pea Lemonade

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Butterfly Pea Lemonade
KRAAM Thai

KRAAM Thai

4.5
(108 reviews)
1.9 mi
$$$

Came here just as happy hour was about to end for a fairly early dinner on Friday. There weren't…read moremany people there which made the experience quite easy for us. Interior is quite beautiful. Bathrooms on the lower level were also very clean and spacious. We enjoyed a couple cocktails under the happy hour prices - the Bellini & the Martini. Both were quite good. To start, we grabbed some okra. It had some teriyaki sauce marinated in it, which brought out a good kick. The star for me was the pad tofu & eggplant. Nice and tasty with a generous portion of vegetables and spice level was perfect. It doesn't come with rice, so you'll have to order some but it was great. To end the meal, we got mango sticky rice as a dessert. That was very good, the warm sticky rice complemented the mangoes which were impeccable.

Overall rating: 4.7…read more Stumbled on this place which was absolutely gorgeous. Went with a group of 5 and they were able to split the check which we really liked. I had the Soft Shell Curry which was delicious. Definitely get with white rice. I wanted to take some of it to go, but it was soo good I ate it all! The spot looks great solo, on a date or with friends. I loved it. When I came it was slow. But towards the end, it was so crowded and had like 3 birthdays. Highly recommend!

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Entryway
Entryway
Prawn satay - grilled marinated prawns with sweet and spicy peanut and mung bean sauce , serve with rice vermicelli, shallot, veggie relish
Prawn satay - grilled marinated prawns with sweet and spicy peanut and mung bean sauce , serve with rice vermicelli, shallot, veggie relish
Roasted Chilean Seabass with ginger sauce

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Roasted Chilean Seabass with ginger sauce
Obao

Obao

4.0
(4.5k reviews)
2.9 mi
$$$

So yum!!!! Top 3 thai spots for me…read more Food- Classic order of Pad Thai & Drunken Noodles. The pad thai noodles are a big thinner than i've had before but that didn't bother me, it has such great flavor too. I recommend ordering it spicy, it's the perfect heat if you're looking for that kick but don't add it if you can't handle spice. The drunken noodles are not spicy in my opinion but i can handle a bit of heat. Loved the flavor and the noodles had the right texture, could've done without the huge chunks of tomato but great otherwise. The summer rolls were good, hard to mess those up. We also got a free mango salad with the order and that was so fresh and delicious. We just popped in for pick up but the hostess was really nice and attentive as soon as we walked in. It looked to be a nice casual spot, could be good for dinner with friends or date night.

Obao has delicious food. If you're in Hells Kitchen and happen to stumble by Obao, it is worth…read morecoming in. Obao is has both Thai and Viet food. It does well with doing the whole "fusion" schtick without losing the essence and flavor of the dishes. Pad Krapoa Moo Krob, the meat on the pork belly was so juicy - the pork skin was crunchy and chewy at the same time, flavors of Thai spice, basil, and bell peppers harmoniously working together to bring a balanced meal. The shrimp basil fried rice was delicious, a great alternative if you're not feeling the crab fried rice. The service at Obao is always prompt and helpful, whether it's questions about the menu or recommendations, anyone is willing to help. Inside Oboa is dimly lit, a moody vibe that is fun and invites playful conversations.

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Obao
Obao
Obao

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Little Wayla - thai - Updated July 2026

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