My wife and I have been looking for good Thai food in the suburbs for a long time. You won't find tradition Pad Thai, Panang Curry type dishes here. This is true cuisine with authentic ingredients and flavors. The coconut curry braised Chicken had one of the best sauces I've had in years. I literally licked my plate clean. We will for sure be back. read more

Great food (short ribs and branzino were amazing), great service, and great drinks. You get what you pay for - quality food costs money - this isn't your typical cheap Thai food, and I like that. Will be back for sure! read more

What an experience! A rotating menu so you can try different items everytime you go in, plus a few great mainstays. The service and drinks are outstanding as well. I always look forward to stopping here. read more

Wonderful food atmosphere and people. We really enjoyed the variety of dishes and tastes. Very different than Americanized pad Thai. Good for families and to take adult friends both. read more

I had high hopes for this place given all the great reviews. I don't get why though....maybe none have eaten at a great hole in the wall Thai place. I will say the best thing was the service & the decor. Our waiter was friendly and we weren't left waiting at all at any point during the meal. Although I like that the menu was going for a more modern take on Thai food, it felt extremely limited in choice. I could've been okay with the limitations if I felt the offerings were great, but primarily I felt like I was settling. I also don't need huge portions of food if the food wows me, but I wasn't wowed at all- so mainly I feel I overpaid. With tip over $100 for two people & neither of us left feeling we were satisfied. The food was lukewarm when it hit the table, so that gave me pause as to the freshness. It definitely felt pre-prepared and not very fresh. I let my date pick the appetizer, they chose the crispy beef. It was a very strange dish. It was like eating old jerky over rice - salty and dry. My date remarked that it's never good when you can't tell how old the meat is. The best part of my chicken coconut curry was the sauce, but it was a smidgen of chicken with nothing but a handful of fingerling potatoes & one pearl onion. Not complex at all in flavor and for $20 bucks, nothing to write home about. I probably won't return here, but it's nice to see a place that's trying to be a bit different. I'm still not sure why this place has such great reviews, but again the service & atmosphere were nice enough if you're okay with so-so food. read more

Small portion but expensive, not tasty, not worth the money. Ordered a crab dish, only a few pieces of little crab meat, group together like the size of a tablespoon. The second dish is chicken breast, 2 pieces , each piece like half the size of a palm, the meat tastes like cardboard paper. 2 dishes cost $44 !!! Will never go back. read more

Food and service were brilliant. Will definitely return to sample more deliciously unique flavours.

NaKorn is one of the more impressive restaurants in Evanston and the North Shore area. From the cozy and eclectic ambiance and inviting staff to impressive fresh flavors, NaKorn does not disappoint. I've been here a number of times, but was here last night for a dinner in celebration of a birthday. They are participating in North Shore Restaurant Month and have a special 3-course menu for $30 which a number of options for starers, entrees and dessert. We opted in to try a number of different items. We tried almost everything...the chicken meatballs, the pandan tapioca pearl crackers, coriander crispy shredded brisket, and the amish chicken, Kabucha, whitefish and short rib. All the dishes had unique flavors, fresh ingredients and left us full and satisfied. The chocolate mousse was the perfect way to finish the meal, and they even gave the guest of honor a birthday card signed by every staff member! read more

First time here and can't wait to return. The flavor combinations are amazing and each dish is a feast for every sense. The plates are beautifully presented and a delicious mix of textures and flavors. We enjoyed the crab bites and the wedge salad was overwhelmingly my favorite dish of the night. We didn't care for the smoked fish bites as much. The Arctic char was delicious as was the Amish chicken. The chicken could have used some type of accompaniment as it was rather boring compared to the other dishes. Service was excellent and Sam stopped by numerous times to check on us. This is not your typical Thai restaurant but so much more. read more

Ordered steamed seafood in coconut base - the best that I have had... very flavorful and plenty of seafood in it.. great place!!

What a cool place, I've had plenty of Thai food in my life, but this was something new. It was the perfect mix of authentic flavors with modern, american fusion. It's not really a fusion place but it's not classic/authentic Thai... it's like an upscale, gourmet version. Everything is delicious and the atmosphere is wonderful. read more

My daughter and I were visiting the area and we are fans of Thai food. Not having had it in a while we searched for places that had good reviews. Well, who knew that Evanston could do Thai better than most places we've been to in NYC! We were pleasantly suprised with the ambience, the varying tastes and spices, the subtle flavoring of our dinner(s) and the beautiful presentations. We are fans of our own kind of 'tasting menu' and had a bit of each of our favorites; soup, fish, chicken, beef and not one item was boring. All of it delicious, too (some extra of that mouth-watering sauce for no charge might be a nice touch however). A cool restaurant to expand your palate if you feel like trying authentic Thai. It's a treat and it was a fun night of fine dining for us. We started at the bar which was awesome so we didn't mind our fifteen minute wait. Check that out for sure. My college bound daughter was so impressed, especially on a Friday night, that she plans to have her next date night in Chicago at Nakorn. It's a bit above your average price but to us, for a night out, the prices really were well within what we expect to pay at a restaurant for fresh, made to order food. I will return on our next visit to Chicago and my daughter, well, she may become a regular. Wonder if they deliver FedEx yet? Or will be packaging and selling some of the sauces or soups? read more

Just an awesome restaurant. Fresh & unique Thai dishes, rather than the standard that you may find at any other Thai restaurant. Lovely ambiance & pretty decor. I shall visit this restaurant often. I loved it! read more

This is not the ordinary Thai restaurant. The food is from the owners' family recipes, and each choice is lovely and nothing you have had before. Flavors are sometimes a little different and always good. You must try the whole bronzino fish dish. So good we ordered a second one. (They are not large.) The meat dishes were great too. We loved the pork shank. Vegetarians we are not, but the stuffed cabbage is sensational, again, not what you expect. The chocolate moose dessert is pure decadence. We could not try the mango sticky rice because mango season is over, and these two chefs only cook what is in peak of season. Next season we will. Three couples dined an we all want to bring back friends. Service is friendly and helpful, and the space is attractive and not crowded. read more

We went to NaKorn on a Saturday night with 4 kids and 4 adults. We had been eager to try this restaurant since it opened, but had not had a chance. Overall, the food was flavorful and tasty, but for what you get, the price is VERY steep. When the food came out, I thought that they had accidentally brought us appetizers because the servings were so small. $30 for the sea bass was ridiculous... the size of the fish was minuscule. We also ordered the shredded beef appetizer which was really tough to eat. I will say, that their service was very good and attentive. Unfortunately we won't be adding this to our regular dinner rotations. read more

I enjoyed the food but it's overpriced for the food and service. I had half chicken and brown rice and loved them. Did not enjoy the roasted tomato salad. I enjoyed the presentation of the dishes, especially the coconut cream. My husband thought the duck was overcooked. Taro fried chicken was ok. I enjoyed the food, but there are other restaurants that do better in terms of food and service at this price point. read more

Great, authentic Thai . . . Fresh fish, bright flavors, interesting presentation. Pad Thai nowhere to be seen!

If you go into your meal at NaKorn not expecting a large menu with a ton of frills, but a solid dining experience, you should be satisfied with NaKorn. Great fusion drinks, options for the meat and vegetarian eaters, and a nice blend of spices on your palate should give you a refreshing experience at this cute restaurant. read more

Since Thai is a favorite choice for dining out, I have been to many That restaurants. NaKorn is a cut above. From relaxing ambiance to fresh ingredients to really wonderful flavors. I would come back and highly recommend it! read more

NaKorn has the whole fusion/deconstruction thing down right! The flavors and ingredients are distinctly Thai, the presentation is visually appealing, and the whole thing is a delight to eat. Start with a charred pineapple and basil soda. Not excessively sweet, the pineapple and basil are nicely balanced, while the smoky flavor creeps up on you as an afterthought. I don't like soda, but I loves this. My entree was the blue crab with rice noodles and coconut-turmeric curry. The noodles were tender, topped with a giant fried cracker (like a prawn cracker), in which was nestled a generous quantity of lump crabmeat. The warmly curry sauce was flavorful and just spicy enough to warm the mouth without overpowering the sweetness of the crabmeat. The coconut cream pie parfait, while not at all Thai, was a treat as well. A small pot of coconut custard - made with grated fresh coconut instead of the usual dried shredded stuff - was was topped with whipped cream and served with a couple of pieces of puff pastry that has be cooked up as waffles. Like the soda, it was just sweet enough, not overpowering. My partner had the black sticky rice with salted coconut emulsion and spiced pears. It sounds like it shouldn't work, but it does. read more

Went back to try again this time with friends for a lunch gathering. The food was very good and I was thinking ill of my previous review until I unraveled a long and pitch black hair that was wrapped around a fried bit of chicken like a bow on a present from that one aunt that gives the worst presents. Peeking into the kitchen I noticed the cooks hair was of similar color and length. I hoped she washed her scalp regularly and that her follicles were pristine. After the nausea pangs subsided I dropped the hair onto the floor covertly as to not disrupt the dining experience of my mates. When pressed as to why I stopped eating I mentioned that I was full. I had to continue the ruse, no point in explaining since their meals were done. To my further disgust I sat witness to my mates clean my plate for me with great moxie. Well at least I had long and black proof the meal was prepared in house. read more

I'm a foodie that has lived in Evanston for 10+ years, and I've eaten at NaKorn at least a dozen times. They are hands-down the best and most consistently interesting food (and cocktails) in Evanston, and probably the Northshore more broadly. They're at a level that you'd find from big name spots on Randolph St downtown. Stellar ambiance & staff too! read more

My family and I loved this restaurant!!! My mom would not stop talking about how this was one of the best Thai places she's ever been too. The service was speedy and sweet, and the owner (I think) was walking around and thanking people as they left and asking how we enjoyed our meals. I definitely recommend this! read more

I've now been to NaKorn for dinner twice. My overall experience was outstanding on both occasions, so points for consistency. The menu provides unusual, tasty, and intriguing dishes based upon authentic family recipes that break the stereotypical Pad Thai noodle and rice type dishes served in most area Thai restaurants. In fact, if the latter is what you are wanting, I would head elsewhere. The atmosphere in NaKorn is warm and welcoming with interesting creative touches like bamboo birdcage light covers, hand-painted walls, and abacuses found along railings and the bar area. The two female owners obviously spent some time on these projects, reflecting their genuine, caring nature. Every aspect of the menu, the atmosphere, and the overall dining experience speaks different, authentic, and memorable. Great location on Orrington Avenue in the heart of Evanston. I definitely recommend and am sure I will dine here again in the future. read more

I love this place! The food is amazing and unusual. I've never tasted such delicious flavors so beautifully presented. This is my favorite 'special occasions' and just any time place to take my friends! read more

NaKorn - Thai Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

Finally made it to NaKorn! We haven't been to Evanston in a long time but it was highly recommended by a friend so we did. Location was great. Parking wasn't an issue over the weekend. I love Thai food so I couldn't wait to dig in. NaKorn's menu did not list the typical dishes one would ordinarily find at a regular Thai place. NaKorn has taken it to another level for me. I was ready to try EVERYTHING!! For starters, we tried the Taro Chicken, Grilled tenderloin, Tapioca crackers with sweet coconut sauce, and the Vegetarian Scallop which was delicious! We still can't believe those weren't real scallops! They were actually (Eringii) mushrooms! Main courses were the Top Sirloin with asparagus for my son, the Braised Pork Shank for my husband, and I had Kuhn Sompit's Big Fish (shared with my 4 yr old). The fish was just perfectly crispy and so good. The portions were just right. We could have had left overs but what's the point? We happily ate all of our food. My son claimed the Top Sirloin was just the Best! We ended it with a chocolate mousse and sorbet desert...gone under 3 minutes! We were so glad we came to NaKorn as suggested. Everything we ate were flavorful and delicious! This family will definitely be back for this version of a higher end Thai cuisine at NaKorn when in Evanston. Thumbs up all the way! Thank you! read more

This was our first time here, based on a friend's recommendation. Fragrant and delicious Thai food with an urban twist. Lovely, unique decor add to the ambiance. Attentive service with great suggestions. All of us had clean plates at the end of the meal. So nice to see a restaurant filled on a snowy Sunday night. We will definitely be back! read more

This place is some type of wonderful. OMG this place is a hidden gem. I cannot believe the food, the service. If you want some seriously good food, this is the place. If there is a drawback, it is parking as it is limited, but it is worth parking far away to eat here. YUMMY! read more

Best place for Thai north of the city. Great service and authentic cuisine. All curries are very good.

Had a excellent dinner Nakorn! Started with Taro Chicken Scallops, Coriander Shredded Beef Brisket, and then finished off with the Chilean Sea Bass which was fantastic. Desserts were excellent as well. Had the Coconut Cream Pie and the Chocolate Mousse.....both were excellent. With exception to thee Sea Bass all of the other dishes were small plates and were more than enough food for two. Extremely enjoyable and highly recommended. We will be returning. read more

This place is so cute and SO GOOD. I came here with my mom for lunch and we both got the coconut curry with beef. The service was attentive but not pushy, and the food was so flavorful. Definitely recommend to anyone craving Thai in the area. read more

Great atmosphere, decor, and friendly wait staff. The menu and drink menu were well thought out. My wife and I shared the whole fried fish and several other dishes, and it was a great value overall. We will definitely go back soon. read more

Dinner at Nakorn was a delightful surprise. I was expecting more typical Thai Cuisine but we were treated to some very inventive dishes. Served small bites Style this was a wonderful place to go with family. The crispy skin salmon was cooked to perfection. The crispy short rib was a real treat. The desserts were sinful. Our server was very attentive. I was a little put off by an upcharge for the coconut rice especially since it didn't taste any different from the non coconut rice. But all in all this was a wonderful meal and we will be going back. read more

What delicious food and cozy interesting atmosphere! Wonderful seafood dishes and our server was excellent. Loved it!

Food was great. Service was better than I've ever experienced. The Taro Chicken "bites" appetizer was amazing. We did order the pork chop but they came back and told us they were out of pork chop a little later after we got our appetizer. The chef came out and gave us their chicken dish for free along with our other entree we shared. After we got our food almost everyone in the restaurant interacted with us but wasn't over attentive which was nice. We will definitely go back. read more

We were looking for some great, authentic Thai food and this place came highly recommended. Unfortunately, for us it was a bust. The food was mediocre (lukewarm, overly spicy, or over cooked) and the service was slow. I can see the appeal, because the ambiance is beautiful and the menu sounds interesting. Unfortunately, everything we ordered was disappointing. read more

Wow! This Resturant is a winner. Gourmet Thai with a French flair. The staff were very attentive and friendly. The atmosphere had great soft lighting and comfortable. We will be back read more

The point of Yelp is to accurately review restaurants to give others the chance to pass on places that miss the mark, which I did. The affront that followed in the response is not necessary and is quite frankly not worth my time to dispute. The facts are as I laid them out, and the flavors and dishes missed as I said. Perhaps a direct message instead of being barraged on a comment would suit you well in future business endeavors. read more

The food was fantastic, and our server (Seth) was amazing! The Taro Chicken Bites were incredible, light and crispy fried chicken with a dollop of pureed taro all in a deliciously sweet peanut sauce. We also had the cabbage medallions, the short rib, fried tofu, and brussel sprouts. All were excellent. Possibly the best part of the meal was the black sticky rice pudding, recommended by our server. The sweet rice was offset perfectly by salty coconut cream. Paired with a french press of coffee, this was the perfect end to a great meal. I highly recommend NaKorn, we'll be back soon. read more

Living in the burbs I am always looking for authentic ethnic cuisine. This place fits the bill! I was not sure what to expect but I found the menu really easy and approachable. I love thai food but to be honest I guess I am too American and think only of Pad Thai. So when I went here my limited idea of thai food was greatly expanded. The service is nice- not over bearing and the food was perfect. My kids were actually willing to eat the different items we ordered. As shocking as it sounds my kids devoured the kale and tofu and the trout. I wish parking were a little easier- but this is well worth the small trek. read more