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    Rai Lay Thai

    4.2 (507 reviews)
    ModerateSushi Bars, Thai, Soup
    Open 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM

    Order Rai Lay Thai Takeout or Delivery

    Rai Lay Thai Photos

    Business Info

    RAI LAY THAI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Rai Lay Thai

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    Kao Soy
    Laura B.

    I really love this Thai restaurant!! I used to go frequently for lunch when I worked in the area. Now it's more of a treat. I think the prices are a bit high for Thai food (and don't think they have a lunch special so it's pricey for a lunch), but the quality is amazing and it's one of the few Thai places where I've found khao Soi. I pretty much always get that since it's my favorite dish on the menu, and it's a huge portion, I usually have enough for a second meal later. The Thai iced tea is great too. The service is always quick and friendly.

    Pad See Ew
    Sofia H.

    This is a little hidden place next to Avena Hair School and I must say I ended up here by accident. I needed to have lunch and I miscalculated how far another restaurant was so I ended up returning to the car and finding this. I had been craving PadSee Ew for a while not because I've had it before but due to a video. So I may not be the best judge for this, but as well made as it was I founded to be too sweet. the price was good for the location. Parking is limited close by but there is plenty of public parking around. It's a bit dark to good for a casual simple dinner date. The decor insinuates that there might have music at night... not sure tho. I must say however, the service was friendly, they worked well as a team, and fast. The smell of the curries was amazing and I will return to try it. My guess this is their best seller. Not bad for a random lunch.

    Wilted, broccoli, and a bowl of coconut milk
    A J.

    Just ordered from your store near Pineville. Rai lay Thai express. The TOMKHA soup was like white coconut water, none of the flavor, profiles, overly sweet and missing the spices and other things expected. Ordered the broccoli with shrimp, and the broccoli was wilted and old and drowning in sauce, I will never order from there again, since they are owned by your store on South Boulevard, which I think is consistently good I thought you needed to know about this, as I am basically going to not be able to eat the food I paid for, beyond disappointed.

    disappointing Pad See Ew. There's no sauce and spring rolls taste frozen not freshly made.
    Alyssa T.

    This was the most disappointing Pad See Ew. You could taste a slight hint of the sauce they tossed it in, but there was barely any sauce at all the noodles weren't coated, and there was none left in the bowl. The spring rolls were also disappointing; they tasted frozen, not freshly made.‍

    Love roll
    Ike N.

    I came here for dinner because it was close to an event I was attending and it was a great choice. We were able to be sat immediately. The team of waiters were very attentive and checked in pretty frequently to make sure we had everything we needed. The restaurant was pretty big and had a great "outdoor" seating area that was well covered. The food was great! I have to admit I only got the love roll because of the shape but it actually tasted pretty good as well. The highlight of my meal was the Moo Ping though. It as very well seasoned and the teriyaki sauce was great. The only complaint was that the sticky rice seemed a little undercooked. It was dry on some parts and difficult to break apart.

    Massaman curry (chicken), white rice, and a side of peanut sauce. Back: beef and chicken Lo Mein Noodles and a Side of Fried Rice.
    Maddie R.

    I've been here a few times before and have enjoyed it. We walked in for dinner on Friday and we were able to be seated right away. Our server was super friendly and helpful when we placed our orders. We started with the steamed gyoza and Philly steak rolls as our appetizers. Both appetizers were delish. The gyozas came with a nice dipping sauce. For our entrees I split the chicken massaman curry with steamed white rice with my sister. We also ordered the side of steamed vegetables which were actually really good. My boyfriend ordered the lo mein noodles with beef and chicken with a side of fried rice. The peanut sauce on the side was so good too! All of our choices were delish and we will definitely be back soon!

    Treba D.

    This was an intimate dining experience located in the Southend. We took advantage of the Thursday $7 cocktail special. I will say I wasn't a fan of the bang bang shrimp. It was a little soggy. However, everything else was delicious. The shrimp curry specifically was very flavorful. Now I know what to order for next time!

    Thanh V.

    A friend and I came on a Sunday night with no reservation and was seated immediately. We ordered the green curry and panang curry. The food came out quick, fresh and delicious! The curry was less thick than I'm used to, but it was still delicious and had all the elements of panang curry that I'm used to. Inside is a little narrow but it is decorated nicely. It will always be a favorite for friends and family to go to!

    Nicole L.

    My favorite Thai food in Charlotte. Love the Pad Thai and spring rolls, super fast service, all the servers are great. Really recommend!

    Thai coffee
    Nicholas S.

    Wanted to try this place for a while now and what better way to start the new year off with a bowl of Tom Kha. When I got to the restaurant I was sat right away and greeted by my server within seconds. I ordered my Tom Kha and a Thai Coffee. I was served the Thai coffee and it was a show stopper, it looks as good as it tastes! A few minutes later I was served my Tom Kha and was delighted that the spice matched the level I ordered (Thai Hot). It was also accompanied by three spices on the side which complimented the soup! This place was amazing and would definitely be back!

    This is the Peach Tea Martini

    I love this place! They have the best food! I won't go to another Thai place. And this Martini is

    Drunken Noodles and Green Curry
    Caroline F.

    We tried the veggie rolls, the green curry and the drunken noodles. The green curry was by far our favorite! The eggplant was so delicious. We sat outside and there wasn't much of a view (it's on a busy road) but inside looked cute.

    Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao)
    Christopher K.

    Rai Lay is a casual Thai restaurant located on the south end of Charlotte. It is a casual and inexpensive restaurant. Upon entry, you'll notice that the restaurant is cozy and average. The price of the items on the menu are average as well. The hubby and I opted for the spring rolls. They were delicious. I ordered the drunken noodles bowl and added chicken. My hubby decided on the pineapple chicken fried rice. Both dishes were nothing special or spectacular, but they were decent. The service we received was average as well. My rating - The spring rolls - 4/5 Drunken Noodles - 3.5/5 Hubby's rating - Spring Rolls - 4/5 Pineapple fried rice - 3/5. He said the pineapple sauce it comes with was not good. The service - 3.5/5 We would have given a higher rating on service but near the end, our waitress disappeared and we had to waive her down to provide us with our bill and then she disappeared again. We had to give another waitress our payment. Overall Rai Lay gets a 4. I am not sure that I would return, but I would recommend it for a cheap and casual lunch or dinner.

    Massaman curry with tofu

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    3 months ago

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    14 days ago

    It's the equivalent of fast food Thai. If you're looking for authentic Thai don't come here.

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    7 months ago

    Service is very fast, big portions, very good prices, cool atmosphere. Very kind workers.

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    Page 1 of 13

    Ask the Community - Rai Lay Thai

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    Sushi Hana - Charlotte Roll (D)

    Sushi Hana

    4.2(255 reviews)
    0.1 miSouth End, Dilworth
    $$

    I came here earlier in the month with my sister in law after a little shopping trip in the city…read more Parking was a little tricky, as I didn't notice that we had to park in the back for overflow. However the restaurant does validate parking in that area. We were seated promptly and explained how the "all you can" works. Our waiter was very nice and accommodating. How it works: You mark how much of each item you want, then it is brought promptly. We came Saturday night for dinner, which is $31.99 per person. You also have the option to order a standard meal. However keep in mind whatever you don't finish, you're charged $1 per piece including rice (I don't know exactly how rice works though) Food was really good and fresh and the restaurant was soooo cute and very clean! I will be back!

    I went to town for lunch today, stuffing myself silly with chicken and pork katsu, kani salad, hand…read morerolls, classic rolls and more. I ate A LOT. This isn't a buffet, this is all-you-can-eat which you order as you go. Everything was delicious. Freshly prepared. Quickly delivered. No hassle with ordering more and more and more. My waiter had no attitude with me ordering five times, but each time was just two or three more things and yes, I ate all that I ordered. Sushi Hana is clean, it's friendly, they have a wifi and there is a power outlet at the table so that you can keep your electronics going while you're eating. I think they even validate parking. [Review 1445 of 2025 - 4508 in North Carolina - 24997 overall]

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    Konnichiwa - Charlotte

    Konnichiwa - Charlotte

    4.3(262 reviews)
    1.1 miDilworth
    $$

    Met 2 other folks here for some sushi. Love the cozy atmosphere. Walls are a warm green and lots…read moreof booths. 2 of us got the crispy tuna rice, I love the texture and the flavor. It's served slightly warm with a tiny jalapeno and a dash of chili hot sauce on each piece. I got the Summer roll ($16) and loved it. It was shrimp tempura, lobster salad, mango slices, and chili sauce. I also got the lychee vodka sake tini ($15) and it was delicious. The other 2 gals loved their rolls also. Our waiter was good about checking on us, but I did have to flag him down to get regular soy sauce. Only light soy sauce is available on the table. Free Parking is in a garage directly behind the restaurant. Definitely will return !

    If I had known Konnichiwa's rating was a 90.0 before walking in, I probably would have opted out --…read morebut I had already been seated and ordered a glass of wine, so I decided to give it a fair chance. Unfortunately, the experience fell short in several areas. Given the location, you'd expect the service to be A1. Instead, I was highly disappointed. Our server was friendly enough and did share the popular items, which I appreciated, but the follow-through from the kitchen didn't match the expectations that were set. I went with the recommended Panther Roll, and it was not at all what I expected -- it came out half-baked and lacking in both flavor and presentation. The crab Rangoons were even more concerning; they were fried in what tasted like old oil, leaving a heavy greasy aftertaste. The batter itself didn't seem right, and overall they were difficult to enjoy. I've worked in the hospitality industry for seven years and recently started writing reviews to offer honest feedback that can help restaurants improve. I genuinely dislike writing negative reviews, but this visit left me no choice. Konnichiwa has the potential to be a hit with a more engaged, enthusiastic staff, consistently hot food, and some attention to kitchen maintenance -- especially the fryer and oil. I hope this feedback is helpful, and I truly believe with a few adjustments, the experience could be much better.

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    Konnichiwa - Charlotte - Indoor seating

    Indoor seating

    Konnichiwa - Charlotte - Good size portions as you can see

    Good size portions as you can see

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    Tora Sushi & Bar

    Tora Sushi & Bar

    4.3(141 reviews)
    1.1 miUptown
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    Thoroughly enjoyed our dinner at Tora! We came in for a table of 3 on a Saturday evening and were…read morelucky to get a table at 6pm. It was much busier by 6:30/7. Our server was certainly stretched thin, but she was so friendly and handled everything well. We started with the spicy edamame (more like a sweet sauce on top, not too spicy). I had the tuna on tuna roll and split the Atlantic roll with a friend. They were very different but both SO good. The crispy scallop on the Atlantic roll was a little too fried for my liking, but the rest of the roll was so flavorful. The tuna roll was more fresh and I loved the scallions on it. I wouldn't say this is my #1 sushi in Charlotte, but I would definitely go back and recommend!

    Tora Sushi was last week's date night spot. Loved the atmosphere and the staff was friendly and…read morewelcoming. We ordered the El Diablo, Green Goblin, and Yellow Jacket rolls, and all three were flavorful and well balanced with fresh fish and perfectly seasoned rice. Each roll felt indulgent without being overdone. The fried Spam appetizer was a standout--crispy, salty, and delicious. We also tried the beef bulgogi bowl topped with a fried egg, which was rich, comforting, and satisfying once the yolk mixed in. The only downside was the espresso martini, which was made using a canned mixer rather than being freshly crafted--something we weren't expecting and didn't love. Not the restaurants fault, we didn't read the menu close enough. That said, the food absolutely delivers, and we'd still come back.

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    Muraya - Beef empanadas

    Muraya

    3.9(180 reviews)
    0.2 miSouth End, Dilworth

    Really enjoyed this restaurant. The atmosphere was great, and the staff was very friendly and…read morewelcoming. The food came out surprisingly fast, which was a nice bonus. The octopus honestly wasn't fully my type flavor-wise because of the seasoning, but it was cooked extremely well -- probably the most tender octopus I've ever had. The cocktails were also very good and definitely strong in a good way. Overall, a really good experience, and I'd come back again.

    After a couple hours scrolling on the internet, my friend and I agreed to try this spot. I…read morepersonally have been craving latin food since coming from Honduras. Great location in south end near the light rail. We had a reservation for 6:30 and were seated promptly. The restaurant is gorgeous! I was in amazement walking to my seat. The host was about to sit us at a table, but we requested a booth and were accommodated. Our server was very nice and thoroughly explained the menu. We started off with the empanadas and I ordered my first virgin "pinny yolada" :). The empanadas were mind blowing! They were nice and hot, flavorful, and absolutely a delight! We were so impressed, we decided to order the double fried wings afterwards. The wings were good and had an interested flavor with the tamarind. After the wonderful appetizers, it was time for the entrees. I ordered the short rib yuca gnocchi and my friend the arroz con pollo. On paper the gnocchi sounded sublime, but in actuality it was lacking a lot. The entire dish lacked so much flavor, even with hot sauce, additional salt, and lime it tasted bland. I was very disappointed. The empanadas and service were a saving grace, I ordered two orders of empanadas to go for my family. However they were so expensive. I paid $14 for 3. Even though I loved the empanadas, I probably would not be back.

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    Atmosphere

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    Calentado Criollo

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    O-Ku - Sushi Roll (??)...Tiny portion, and terrible presentation!

    O-Ku

    4.3(715 reviews)
    0.4 miSouth End, Dilworth
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    Great spot for a birthday dinner! Make sure y To get your…read morereservation in because we ended up having to dine a little early (5:15), the only other time slot left was 9pm. We were a party of 4 on a Saturday, and it was my friends birthday. We were seated at a low four top and my friend received a special menu with Happy Birthday watermarked on it which was a nice touch. We ordered some drinks and then food basically tapas style. We had a variety of rolls and a couple non sushi starters like peppers and crispy shrimp. All of the plates came out at a good pace, we were able to enjoy the current before starting the next. The drinks were solid and the service was great- friendly and attentive, clearing out plates and silverware with each round. I can see why this was such a highly rated and booked spot. It's in a good central location in south end, decent parking and plenty of options to explore the immediate vicinity afterwards. @azfitfoodfun

    O-Ku Charlotte was a beautiful spot for a birthday celebration. We had a group of 7 and overall had…read morea really fun experience. The sushi was fresh and flavorful, and both the cocktails and no tails were great. The atmosphere and ambiance made the night feel special. The only downside was that the waitstaff mixed up our order a couple of times, but they were kind and did their best to fix it. Even with that, we still enjoyed the experience and would come back again.

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    Yama Loso - Totoro Roll

    Yama Loso

    4.7(137 reviews)
    1.8 mi

    I had the best time here kinda late at night last Saturday. We got there at about 10:24pm and were…read morereally just happy they were open. The host greeted us and was super nice, she did mention the kitchen closes at 10:50 but that we were more than welcome to come inside just that we should order soon. I really appreciated that!! Our server was nice and attentive and I made sure to order quickly. I was starving anyway so this was all perfect, honestly lol. I tried the sora roll which is: spicy yellowtail and cucumber, topped with yellowtail and avocado, crispy shallots, masago, spring onions, and yuzu miso reduction. THIS WAS FANTASTIC!!!!!!!! I probably could've eaten two. I will 100% be back very soon to have this again lol. I also tried their brussel sprouts and really loved those too! They were cooked and flavored perfectly. I also really love the ambiance of this place. It was perfectly dime lit and it just looks soooooooo nice inside. The decor, the bar, everything was super nice. This is a great date night spot for sure!!!!

    It's in a hip neighborhood with quite a few new construction apartments, one rt across the street…read morecalled Ellos. And, the light rail is a walkable distance. The only access problem was the parking as the parking lane is very narrow. I don't know if there's additional parking for Yama but I drive a truck so I had to back out of the parking entrance. Just drove around the corner onto a Main Street, not South Blvd, n viola there was street parking on the side, no signs for time limits. All good. It was for a late lunch with visiting friends. Atmosphere for this meetup made us stay later than we should have bc I think we stayed til around 4:30pm? Lunch service finished maybe around 2:30-2:45? Felt badly for the person at the reception but he said it was no problem. I hv bn to Yama in Waverly a couple of times n now Yama Loso. Both serve a modern twist to Asian dishes. I love traditional Japanese meals but I also enjoy twists in recipes once in a while. Spicy edamame for starters. Looked great but I can't eat spice at the moment so I can't rate it tho my friends did eat it all up. Ate the sushi rice bowl but w/o the spicy aioli sauce n asked for something else which was on the sweet side. Comforting meal, not overwhelming, just right. Edamame, cucumbers, yellow pickled daikon, tuna, salmon, avocado. A simple lunch was all I needed. Then, the hamachi neck part came grilled, not on the menu but if they hv it they'll serve it tender n juicy. Only reason I left a star out was bc of the parking. Other than that, I'd probably go there again if I'm on that side of Charlotte but for me Waverly is closest.

    Photos
    Yama Loso - Yama Loso

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    Yama Loso - Tempura bento box. My favorite

    Tempura bento box. My favorite

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    Yunta Nikkei - Acevichado Maki

    Yunta Nikkei

    4.7(539 reviews)
    0.6 miSouth End, Dilworth
    $$

    We didn't make a reservation and just walked in, but if you're planning to get a booth or table, I…read moredefinitely recommend reserving ahead of time. We arrived around 5:30-6:00 PM and were told the next available table wouldn't be until 8:30, so we ended up sitting at the bar instead. Luckily, the barstools were comfortable, so I didn't mind at all. The service was great--fast, attentive, and the bartenders were really friendly. The drinks were also really good. I had a lychee martini that was strong but delicious. We also tried a few of their shots--they had a unique, acquired taste. The only one I didn't enjoy was the Hierba shot because the aftertaste reminded me of licorice, which I'm not a fan of. But if you like licorice, you'd probably enjoy it. As for the food, everything was amazing. The yuca balls were a 10/10. We also had the "Pulpo Anticuchero", which was a Spanish style octopus that came with roasted potatoes that were cooked perfectly--crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, very fresh and flavorful. I ordered the arroz con mariscos (seafood rice), which included calamari, octopus, squid, and more. It was really good, and the portion size was huge--definitely enough to feed 3-4 people, so keep that in mind when ordering. The ambiance was really nice as well. The music was good and not too loud, which made it easy to enjoy the overall vibe. Overall, I'd give this place a 10/10.

    An afternoon of volunteering followed by an amazing date night here. Food was more than delicious,…read moreflavors were on point. It was our first time and my hubby isn't into raw fish but I loved the maki and shrimp croquettes. Great ambiance and service as well. Definitely make a reservation in advance, bar was cool but not super comfy. Our waitress Jonathan gave great recommendations. Next time will definitely try the tiger milk ceviche.

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    Yunta Nikkei - Bar

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    Rai Lay Thai - sushi - Updated June 2026

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