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    Thai Nivas Cafe

    3.7 (170 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 8:50 PM

    Thai Nivas Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    THAI NIVAS CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Quiet
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Thai Nivas Cafe

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    Chicken Red Curry
    Aimee B.

    Ordered lunch to go from this restaurant while I was in between meetings. Was hoping to bring it back to the office to eat. It was a Friday during lunch and I don't eat meat on Fridays, so I ordered the tofu red curry. Picked it up, container said tofu. Got back to the office and it was not tofu, it was chicken. Called the restaurant and they said "what do you want us to do about it?" Asked to speak to a manager and asked for a refund. They asked if I could just bring it back to the restaurant. Restaurant was 25 minutes away from my office and I was working the rest of the afternoon, so I didn't have time to bring it back to the restaurant. Offered to take pictures of said chicken. Sent pictures in and they refunded me the next day. Sad that I didn't have a lunch for that day, but happy that they eventually decided to do the right thing. FWIW: Gave my lunch to a coworker and told him it might be spicy because I ordered it three out of five on the spicy scale. He was a little bit nervous because he doesn't like spice, but said it was not spicy at all. May give the restaurant another shot if I'm in the area.

    tables and chairs in a restaurant
    Sara L.

    Met a friend here for dinner. There are multiple Thai food restaurants I like, but I've been on the search for a new favorite closer to my home. This restaurant is closer to my home. Parking was easy. I was greeted as soon as I entered and they seated me at a table. There was one other customer in this entire restaurant and they wanted to seat me directly next to them... I asked if I could be seated a few tables over and they did accommodate that. Drink orders were taken quickly. Friend arrived and they received a drink quickly. Before friend had even opened menu they asked for food order. We asked for a few minutes. They literally came back in about 2 minutes. We asked for a few more minutes. They came back in another 2 minutes. You get the point here... It was obvious friend was looking at the menu, why rush? This rushing was felt throughout the experience and we didn't enjoy it. When the check was delivered, they let us know we could pay at the register. We said okay and that we were talking for a few minutes and wrapping up. They came back over multiple times to tell us where to pay. Food - I ordered the Pad See Ew, friend ordered Pad Thai, we also had the crab rangoons. Rangoons were super tasty. Pad see ew was lacking flavor. It had spice, but not flavor. I felt like it was only "okay". Friend liked hers. Overall, there are other options I prefer more. I would not visit again.

    Fried rice and sushi
    Lorena B.

    This place misses the mark in all areas. The food was bland, the service was slow and inattentive, and they did not pack me a utensils or ask if I needed them so I had nothing when I got to my hotel. It took so long for my order that my partner who I was on the phone with started dinner and was eating dinner before I got my order. I will not return.

    Pad Woon Sen
    Andy W.

    When in the mood for Thai, this is our go-to place. Tucked away in the corner of a strip center, most of the cars in the parking lot are for here. It is usually moderately crowded, with several people waiting for take-out. Actually, I think their take-out business is just as robust at the eat-in. They have Thai and Japanese food, as well as several sushi offerings. The Pad dishes (Thai, Woon Sen, See Eew, etc) are always good choices, as are the noodle soups. If you're in the mood, they also have multiple Curry dishes (red or yellow). Too many items to summarize - better to just check out the menu: https://www.thainivassushibar.com/order/ As an aside, we almost always get potstickers as an appetizer, just to get the juices flowing. We've been coming here for 10 years and have never been disappointed. Note: please let me know if you find this helpful.

    Salmon and tuna rolls
    JoanaLola M.

    We came here for lunch and won't be returning. I ordered sushi and hours later I still feel queasy and have a bad taste in our mouth. The tuna roll was way too (fluorescent) pink and the color stained the rice, which means they either dye their tuna or buy it already dyed. It left an odd coating in my mouth. The same happened with the salmon roll - it almost looked like a nectarine instead of salmon. I told the waiter and he just said "uh, I guess I'll tell the chef" and that was it. I didn't hear from the chef nor did they remove the item from the final bill. This was the first time I have ever left food without either finishing it/asking for a to-go bag. Not sure about their Thai food but certainly stay away from their sushi.

    Nivas Pad Thai and pad kee mao
    Heer S.

    called in a to go order and it was ready quickly and the staff were so sweet. family establishment vibes with cute decor. ample parking in the lot. food was so yummy, i think some of the best i've had in stl area. will be back!!

    Pad See Eew with shrimp.
    Keith J.

    I visited Thai Nivas Cafe on a Wednesday evening and ordered the Pad Sew Eew thats similar to drunken noodles but a sweeter sauce (so not as hot as drunken noodles) with broccoli, added shrimp as a protein and its a dish I can recommend. The noodles, shrimp and veggies were nicely cooked with a slightly smokey flavor and that I enjoyed and the shrimp were plump and flavorful that made this dish very enjoyable. I requested their chili sauce to add to my dish and it tasted great and added a little flair and heat to my dish with out being overly hot. However, I ordered a starter appetizer that is the vegetarian soft rolls appetizer that was a little uninspiring although it tastes okay but instead I'll order the fried spring rolls as an app if I get back there. Parking was easy and the staff were quick and efficient and since I was very hungry I was happy with the service. I can think of a few Thai restaurants in St. Louis that I like a little bit better but since I was in that neighborhood and wanted to try a new Thai place out I'm glad I went there. Thai Nivas also features Sushi but l I decided not to try that but maybe I will on another visit there.

    Pad spicy noodles
    Beck E.

    Service can be hit-or-miss here, but the food is good. Like other reviewers, the first time I ordered takeout sushi from here, my order was quoted to take 45 minutes, but ended up waiting an additional 45 minutes at the restaurant. The sushi itself was good though and the prices were good. Every other time I've been here was for lunch during the workweek, and I dined in. Went with Thai noodle dishes each time, and they satisfy my hot-greasy-spicy cravings each time. Haven't had to wait long for food when dining in.

    Red green curry tofu
    Sam R.

    I love this place. Just picked up my to go order of red and green curry tofu. It's so good. Thank you

    Pad See Eew with beef
    Rachel M.

    I love Thai Nivas Cafe. It's one of my favorite Thai restaurants. This is the first Thai I've ever had so it's hard to not base other places off of the flavors from this restaurant. One of my normal orders is pad see eww with beef. This is usually my all time favorite entree but today I thought it was lacking. It was dryer than normal, I think if I asked for a little more sauce it would have been the normal flavor for me. However, the flat noodle it comes with is amazing and I love the combination of broccoli and eggs. My other go to is the choo choo fried rice. I usually get this with chicken or shrimp. Honestly this fried rice is one of the best fried rices I've had. It's not the typical flavor though. It has a sweeter flavor which I personally love! I usually crave this flavor in other fried rice from different places. The other entree I ordered was the pad spicy noodles with chicken (forgot to take a picture since it came later in the meal). I love the combination of peppers and carrots in the spicy noodle. I also like the thin noodles and gave me a good variety from the thick flat noodle the pad see eww came with. I never order cocktails here but my husband did. He ordered Bancock paradise. It came in a cute glass and he said it was very tasty. The service is always quick which I like. When I go to Thai it's usually because I want a good, quicker meal. The entrees don't always come out at the same time but that doesn't bother me. The restaurant is always clean and parking is easy.

    Thom Kha

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    2 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    2 months ago

    My go to for takeout! Love the basil fried rice, pad Thai and the sushi. Can't go wrong with any appetizer either!

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    5 months ago

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    3 months ago

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    5 months ago

    Food is always great, made to order and quick. service is amicable, ambiance is relaxed, restaurant is clean and spacious.

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Everything is truly yummy. Well everything we've had. Easy to order for pickup. Pleasant friendly people. Delicious fresh food

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Best Thai food in STL. I've been coming here since I was a teen so 12-15 years, my favorite is their yellow curry stir fry.

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Food is delicious and the staff is super attentive and polite. Definitely my new go-to thai restaurant

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Less quantity and authentic touch of Thai was missing . May be that's the best one around the area but definitely need to improve on taste.

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    11 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Fantastic food! Can hardly wait to ho back!! Has not been crowded either tike we were there. Service was great. Ambience was fine.

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    3 years ago

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    Page 1 of 5

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    Menya Rui

    Menya Rui

    4.6
    (330 reviews)
    8.7 mi
    $$

    Elite level ramen. I arrived 10 minutes before opening on a hot day and was in right at the open…read more Ordering via the QR code is super easy to order and pay. Ramen is excellent and perfectly fatty and rich. This is the best ramen in Missouri. It's not even close. Underrated sides are the kaarage and the cucumbers. Well worth the visit and the wait. Come early if you can.

    I feel like I've been waiting forever to try this place and I finally got the chance last night. My…read moreboyfriend suggested we come here and I was hesitant because I figured there'd be a line and we probably wouldn't get in. When we pulled up, there was a line but it moved quicker than we thought. Once we got inside, we were both surprised at how small it was. While I've yet to go to Japan, it def gives off the vibe strictly from ambiance and the decor. It's small but intimate and offers seats at the "bar", as well as communal seating. We didn't get a choice and were sat at the bar. Ordering is done through the QR code and water is offered self-serve. We split an order of the appetizers: house cucumbers and karaage. I'm not a huge cucumber fan but I tried it. I preferred the one with miso as I found it to be more subtle in taste. The chicken was average and didn't wow me. We each got the chicken shoyu with no pork, no scallions and an extra egg. It felt like it took a long time to get our food. We were both surprised once we got it as we were expecting actual chicken pieces but after rereading the menu description, it was chicken oil. He was a bit disappointed as both our dishes were covered in scallions. I suggested we not send it back since it took quite a while to get our food and they were close to closing. Nevertheless, I found the broth to be tasty and full of flavor despite there being no meat. Overall, it was a solid first visit.

    Photos
    View from table 1
    View from table 1
    Japanese fried chicken
    Japanese fried chicken
    Get in where you fit in, after the waitlist, of course

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    Get in where you fit in, after the waitlist, of course
    Sushi Station

    Sushi Station

    3.9
    (491 reviews)
    6.5 mi
    $$

    Stopped in for takeout and was promptly met with, "how many"?…read more Taken aback I replied, "just myself, but this will be taken away". Then she asked if I needed a menu....sigh... While I stood at the bar to peruse the lengthy menu the lady walked near me several times in haste with a notepad prompting my order. It wasn't busy but I felt rushed. I placed the order and watched the order be prepared within a few minutes. When the lady brought the receipt I noticed 15% gratuity was added. Appalling, especially since I wasn't offered water, a seat while I waited, nor was I greeted with a hello, a smile or thanked for coming in. Maybe the automatic gratuity is the very reason for the lack of hospitality here. The lack of hostility is the very reason I will never return. P.S. the sushi was decent. There are 100 alternatives I'd rather frequent for a pleasant experience. ~Christy

    Eassily one of my favorite sushi spots in STL. The sashimi here is some of the freshest I've had in…read morethe saint louis. consistently clean and high quality, and the prices are very reasonable for what you get. The Caliente roll was really good and full of flavor. The service made the experience even better. The server was attentive, friendly, and quick without feeling rushed. The ambience is relaxed and comfortable, making it a great spot to actually enjoy your meal. For the price and quality, this place really stands out. Definitely a go-to for sushi in STL.

    Photos
    Sushi Station
    Agedashi Tofu
    Agedashi Tofu
    Sushi Station

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    Robata Maplewood

    Robata Maplewood

    3.4
    (256 reviews)
    7.2 mi
    $$

    Robata is a small place with an ample parking lot size for its seating, or close to ample. I think…read morethere may not be enough seating for its customer demand... that's a sign of a popular place. Happy hour prices + the food quality are what had my friend invite me here. Some rolls are half off and so are a few beverages, like hot sake. I had never had hot sake. I've only had any sake once. I liked it fine, but I didn't want a second order after I finished the first. I was disappointed that Robata was out of plum wine. Instead I ordered what was described as a white sangria, but it tasted more like a brandy. I had a few sips and gave it to my friend. I had 4 vegetarian sushi rolls. Only the asparagus was included with happy hour. My 3 other rolls were takuan, pickle plum and BB. As much as I like plum (keep reading), and takuan was a pleasant surprise, and the asparagus was good, the BB, which has tempura asparagus, cream cheese, and sweet soy, was my favorite item of the evening. I was happy to see umeboshi onigiri on the lengthy menu. These were of a good size, but I think it perhaps would have benefitted from a higher pickled plum to rice ratio. (The only time I've had it has been from a food truck and I don't know how representative it is of onigiri.) Each order of food took a while to come out. My friend had trouble getting the server's attention when she wanted to put in more orders. Robata is not a place for a quick happy hour bite. It's going to take a while, especially if you're ordering in multiple rounds like we did. When the kitchen got too busy, my order another roll was denied. That happened well before dinner service ended and it was disappointing. I would have waited a bit longer. But it was probably good to get cut off from sushi at some point. We were a little confused by the bills. My friend may have overpaid (not gotten happy hour price) for some of her items, and there was some question about whether mine had been billed correctly, but in the end we decided that mine was probably correct. Hers, though... we aren't sure. I think I'll return to Robata for the BB roll, plum wine, and maybe something new, but I will be sure to have plenty of time, order a bunch all at once, and check the bill.

    Since my source for umeboshi onigiri seems to have ceased operations (does anyone know what…read morehappened to the Izumi food truck?), i was pretty excited to see pickled plum rice balls on the menu here. I came with a friend for happy hour. We got the half off sushi (which included the mackerel nigiri, which is my FAVORITE (Tho, theirs isn't as good as Sushi Hanna in Alton)) and house hot sake, which was perfect for this freezing week. The heat was out? Which the waitress apologized for. They had a space heater out, so we sat right by that. I also ordered a few of the onigiri to go. They aren't the best I've had, but I'll probably be back semi-regularly to get my fix of the flavor, which is just so unique. Same for half off mackerel Maybe one day I'll even try their non-sushi offerings...

    Photos
    Robata Maplewood
    Onigiri
    Onigiri
    Edamame

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    Edamame
    Chiang Mai

    Chiang Mai

    4.3
    (133 reviews)
    7.3 mi
    $$

    Love the papaya salad, my friend couldn't handle spicy food so we tried level 2 between 1-5. They…read morehave three different types of chili, one chili oil, one dry chili pepper and also siracha. Love that. Also love the Suki with lots of veggies and the flavor is so good very rare for Saint Louis region. My friend loved the yellow curry chicken and it comes with rice but the flavor profile is on the sweeter ends. Parking is a little hard but if u are okay with walking you can park around the Starbucks lot. Service is very friendly!

    Chiang Mai is on Big Bend and there is some street parking, but I thought I would try the back lot…read moreand see if I could walk around. I was in luck and found a spot on the far side and just walked up a little hill in the lot and there was a back entrance! Nice! I was greeted with a smile and led to a table near the front window, lots of tables occupied during lunch on a Friday. Cozy space with lots of bright light. I decided to go with Drunken Noodle with chicken as I always do if they offer it, I asked if I could add tomato and she indicated yes. She asked me what spice level I wanted and I indicated I usually go with 3 and she recommended 2 and I took her advice. The order came out pretty quick and I was glad I went with her recommended spice level of 2 as I think 3 would have been too much for me. The dish was flavorful and had the added tomatoes. Note if you order and addition the charge for me was 0.75 extra. I took my extra home to enjoy again. Small, bright space, friendly staff, good food. And you can enter from the back! Lost my pic of my dish, darn.

    Photos
    Restaurant interior
    Restaurant interior
    Poh Piah Cheese
    Poh Piah Cheese
    Gai Todd

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    Gai Todd

    Thai Nivas Cafe - thai - Updated July 2026

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