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Wayla

4.4 (761 reviews)
PriceyThai
Closed 12:00 pm - 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM

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WAYLA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Trendy
Intimate

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Recommended Reviews - Wayla

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Reviews With Photos

Curry Puff -      Karipup Gai
Paula N.

10/10!!! Great service, food came fast, tasted like I was transported to Phuket. The crab curry was absolutely amazing. The curry puffs were also delicious. I came on a Friday evening- definitely recommend making a reservation.

Chicken Wings - Peek Gai Tod
Mark S.

This is a very solid Thai restaurant. All the food I had had unique flavors that were still rooted in authentic Thai food, and I felt like everything was executed very well. The papaya salad was refreshing and flavorful. The chicken wings were crisp and also quite flavorful, although I do wish they were bigger. The chicken curry was good, and the mango sticky rice mousse dessert was great. It was a nice day, and we sat outside in the back, which was very enjoyable. The service was great too!

Som Tum Thai - Papaya Salad
Sharon L.

YUM! I've been to Wayla twice now and the food was delicious both times. Some of the usual Thai restaurant classics aren't on the menu (drunken noodles, pad see ew) but the variety offered here more than makes up for it. Dishes I would definitely order again include the mango salad, duck green curry, crab curry, crab fried rice, and the fried branzino. We received a fair warning that the crab curry was on the spicier end, and it really was. It's more of a building spice, but still flavorful and delicious nonetheless. I hoped to enjoy the NY strip steak more than I actually did - I would opt for the fried branzino instead. Drinks here are a bit on the pricier side, even for the non alcoholic drinks. My drinks both times were also unfortunately full of ice. Service is attentive but not overbearing at all. Highly recommend reservations as this gets PACKED even for a Thursday evening. Seating is catered more towards smaller groups - 3-4 would probably be best here. Ambiance is cozy & intimate.

Whole fried branzino
Jack M.

If you are planning to visit Wayla, here is the short answer: Go for the food, but do your best to skip Saturday nights. I went recently with a group of friends before heading out for the night. The food is genuinely excellent. The Whole Fried Branzino (Larb Pla Tod) is the absolute standout. I am usually skeptical of whole fish because it often comes out dry, but this was perfect. The batter is light and keeps the meat incredibly juicy. It is served with a lime vinaigrette that cuts through the richness. It was honestly one of the best things I have eaten in a while. The service was also a highlight. Despite how busy it was, our server was attentive and happy to walk us through the extensive menu. They clearly care about the food and the guests. However, the atmosphere on a Saturday night is overwhelming. The restaurant is located down a flight of stairs and gets incredibly packed. We were seated on the patio, which sounds nice in theory. In reality, it consisted of plastic tents that looked like emergency shelters. It felt like an overflow holding area rather than a dining space. It was not cozy at all. The energy tips from "buzzy" into "stressful" on weekends. You feel like a number in a tightly choreographed rotation to turn tables. The Verdict: The food is worth the trip. I can absolutely see myself craving that fish again. But next time, I will make a reservation on a Tuesday or Wednesday to avoid the weekend circus and actually enjoy the meal. Pro Tip: Order the Branzino and make a reservation well in advance, but aim for a weeknight if you want a relaxing vibe.

Moo sarong
Kelly W.

It looks like the restaurant owns a floor above and underground. Watch out for the stairs if you're going below as the steps are steep and narrow. It almost feels like a speakeasy. Upon entering in the place looked cozy and seemed great for a fancy but casual spot to eat. We ordered the moo sarong, noodles wrapped in pork meatballs for appetizer. I think it was a little too hard for us and didn't realize how small it was, they seem about 1.5 inch big. For someone with braces it was really hard for me to bite down and eat so if you have sensitive teeth I would recommend to order something else. We enjoyed the crab fried rice and the sauce that came with it. The portion of the crab was meaty and it was flavorful. The ribs were also really soft and fell off the bone. Wish it came with a bowl of rice for the price since it was 35 for about 6 pieces, but because we had the fried rice to go along with the dish it was okay for us. I think it's a decent spot with good dishes but maybe we didn't order the right items for us that it didn't hit the mark completely for us.

Green Curry Duck - Gang Keaw Wan Ped Crab Fried Rice - Khao Pad Pu Pad See-iew Kung - Shrimp
Kayla Y.

I get the hype around this place because the food was absolutely amazing. Each dish was flavorful and fresh. My favorite was definitely the crab fried rice with the noodles as a close second. The duck was super tender and the green curry definitely had a kick to it. The seating is intimate and the vibe of the restaurant really topped everything off. The service was efficient and friendly. I would highly recommend this thai spot for date night or to bring friends!

Cherylin L.

Wayla brings the soul of Thai home cooking into a polished space that still feels relaxed and inviting. The energy is lively, the cocktails are playful, and every dish pops with layers of flavor. The Lobster Curry were incredible--the fish cooked beautifully and the lobster so rich. But the showpiece for me was the roasted duck paired with a bold green curry... tender, aromatic, and deeply satisfying. If you're exploring Chinatown and craving something vibrant and comforting, this spot delivers. Dont forget to get the durian sticky rice for the dessert.

Seafood Pad Char - Pad Char Talay
Jane I.

The food was pretty good -- interesting flavours, different across the several dishes we ordered, and good textures too. We ordered the beef jerky, beef curry, papaya salad, seafood pad char, and crab sen chan pad pu. The menu had many dishes I wasn't familiar with, but our server was patient and thorough when it came to explaining everything and helping us choose our order. The beef jerky was a surprise favourite with a crispy texture, and the seafood dishes were great too. Relatively quick service and nice atmosphere. It did get pretty loud as the evening progressed, but easy to talk earlier in the evening.

Lobster Pad Thai
Pratima M.

A trendy spot in LES serving up Thai eats -- it's tucked away in a basement, so definitely be on the lookout or you might walk past. The dim lighting and ambiance works with the overall vibe, but we were sitting near what felt like a cold wind tunnel. It's an overall good spot for Thai, but not sure if it would be in my regular rotation. The Lobster Pad Thai was just OK for the price, noodles felt a bit clumpy and not super flavorful. On the flip side, Salmon Green Curry was a strong standout -- I'd go back for this alone!

Seth O.

If I could give Wayla more than 5 stars, I would. We had an exceptional experience! Great service, chill ambiance. Every dish was fresh, hot and delicious. We enjoyed: Nua Sa Wan - thai style crispy beef jerky Khao Krep Pak Mor - crepe dumpling Gang Keaw Wan Ped - roasted duck green curry Sen Chan Pad Crab - crab pad thai Beautiful plating, generous portions equals win-win! Looking forward to our next visit.

Connie G.

Rating 3.5 Decent upscale Thai restaurant in LES. The restaurant is basement level, so you need to climb down some steps to get inside. We had a dinner res on a weekday night. The ambiance is nice and the place was fairly empty when we got there, but it filled up quickly and it got extremely loud (had to almost shout to talk to the person across the table). We ordered the yellow vegetable curry and the pork ribs. The ribs were good and came with a tangy sauce, but there was barely any meat on the bones, so definitely pricey for what you get. We also generally enjoyed the flavors of the vegetable curry, but I felt that the curry was essentially 70% brussel sprouts, which I didn't expect. Overall a decent spot but not particularly standout.

Hard to spot, but worth looking for
Bill D.

Wayla was a suggestion from one of our NYC kiddos for a reunion dinner after having not seen them in a while. What a great spot! Pay close attention to the address - it's easy to walk by. We enjoyed a table in the open patio, tastefully decorated with string lights. We enjoyed all the food that we ordered abd shared family-style. The staff was very kind and helpful with suggestions. We had the crepe dumplings, pad Thai, and BBQ pok ribs with a peanut sauce. All yummy! Everyone eleae had cocktails thay they really enjoyed and were pretty to boot! It was a tad pricey, however.

Purple Sticky Rice BBQ Ribs Beef Jerky
Yahaira V.

Food was delicious! The crispy beef jerky was too spicy for me so I didn't enjoy it (as I am not someone who enjoys spicy food) However, the wings, sticky rice & bbq ribs were SO good & flavorful. Service was great/staff were friendly & accommodating. The restaurant is super nice & pretty.

ordered some appetizers: calamari & the sausage

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Wayla Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Wayla

Is there heating in the backyard?

yes

Do the noodle meatballs contain any milk products?

No but has gluten

I saw on Resy they don't have a vacancy for reservation on Friday. Do they accept walk-ins?

yes if they have space

Does the outdoor seating have heat lamps for the cold?

Yes and the work very well.

Do you have a cake cutting fee?

Yes ! $3.50/person

I have a reservation in the courtyard - what happens if it rain?

As of a few weeks ago when I visited, they had canopies set up covering the courtyard seating area. It was pouring rain and it was enough to keep my whole group dry. Hope this helps!

Do you need a vaccine card even if you're dining outdoors in the backyard?

Yes you need vaccination proof along with your ID even if you want to dine in their open backyard. We were there last evening and they did check.

Is the outdoor dining covered and heated?

It's covered but not heated

Are they open for brunch on the weekends?

What is the setting of their outdoor dining like? Will it be nice and insulated?

They have an outdoor patio that is uncovered and currently does not have heat lamps.

Is outdoor seating available during the colder months?

When we were there it was not available (early November 2019).

Is brunch prix fix or you can order anything from the regular menu? Also how vegan friendly is the brunch?

Sorry can't help with this

What if anything is gluten free or can be made gluten free?

Yes, they do offer gluten free food. Even the waffles can be made gluten free, we tried them, very tasty.

Do they take credit cards?

Yep!

Do they have a full bar or is it just wine and beer?

Full bar. Great cocktails!

Are they vegetarian friendly?

Yes, my wife and I are vegetarian and they were very accommodating. Had the curry noddles, a fresh salad and spicy green beans. Was amazing.

Do they take reservations?

Yes!

View All 19 Questions

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Mitr Thai

Mitr Thai

4.6
(889 reviews)
2.7 mi

Absolutely amazing! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was beautiful, modern, and…read morewelcoming. The service was friendly and attentive, and every recommendation was spot on. The food was outstanding--everything was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. You can really tell they use high-quality ingredients, and each dish was packed with authentic Thai flavors. Every bite was delicious! If you're looking for incredible Thai food in NYC, I highly recommend Mitr Thai. It's definitely a place I'll be coming back to, and I can't wait to try more from their menu. A fantastic dining experience from start to finish!

More like a 4.5 but it was really good. You do feel a little rushed as they are quite busy, they…read moreturnover quite fast, and they do limit you to 90 mins. The food came out insanely fast, as in too fast, imo. When you go out to eat, you appreciate the breaks between being seated, ordering, waiting for the meal, and the check. It really felt like everything was rushed. That being said, the food was excellent with the Short Rib Prik Kang standing over the rest. Biriyani was just ok but the broth they gave with it was a nice complement. Mango avocado salad was decent. The rest of the table said the pork belly was also quite good. Didn't try the drinks, but they looked great and from overhearing the adjacent tables, they were actually quite good. I would def recommend giving this place a try. TBH, because they are so fast, it's a great place to dine before a show.

Photos
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
(444 reviews)
2.9 mi

Delicious noodles! Came after a broadway show. Really great service and amazing Pad See Ew!read more

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.

Photos
Bar area
Bar area
Chicken Satay
Chicken Satay
Parang Curry

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Parang Curry
Dagg Thai Restaurant

Dagg Thai Restaurant

4.4
(152 reviews)
2.3 mi
$$$

My family and I originally came for a quick dinner, what we got was by far an amazing Thai food…read moreexperience! All the food we ordered was so good, my favorites were the Pork Jerky the Pad Thai I'll say, even tho I've only been in New York for a day, I would heavily recommend you visit this place if you dig Thai food! Do maybe expect a bit of a wait, especially for bigger parties

After walking nearly nine miles through 100-degree New York City heat, I had a late-night craving…read morefor Asian food. Fortunately, there were plenty of options near my Midtown hotel that offered quick delivery. Dagg Thai was just around the corner and had solid Yelp ratings. Rather than creating an online account, I called the restaurant directly and placed my order. They estimated delivery would take about 25 minutes. Less than 20 minutes later, the food was waiting for me in the hotel lobby. I ordered: * Cashew Nuts with Shrimp -- Bell peppers, onions, scallions, cashews, and dried chilies. * Dumplings -- Mixed shrimp and pork served with a soy vinaigrette dipping sauce. The Cashew Nuts with Shrimp had a flavorful, light sauce with just the right amount of heat. I really enjoyed it. My only disappointment was that the shrimp were battered and fried; I would have preferred grilled or pan-seared shrimp. The dumplings were more like shoo-mai than traditional dumplings. They were a bit dense but still flavorful and satisfying. Considering the quick delivery, the food arrived piping hot, and the excellent Cashew Nuts dish, this was an easy four-star meal.

Photos
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.
Sabai Thai

Sabai Thai

4.3
(623 reviews)
1.9 mi
$$$

The first thing you'll notice is how beautiful the space is. Gorgeous interiors, a warm atmosphere,…read moreand genuinely friendly hosts made for a great first impression. We started with the curry puffs and satay buns, both of which were easy wins. No complaints, I would happily order them again. The Khao Soi was the highlight of my meal. Rich, comforting, and packed with flavor. I love when restaurants get this right. They also do super thin noodles in the khao soi which is a plus for me. I also tried a little bit of the crab fried rice which was also incredible. I also ordered the lychee mocktail. The drink itself was fairly average, but it came with a lychee mochi that completely stole the show. I honestly enjoyed the mochi more than the drink itself. Overall, this is just good, no-nonsense Thai food. Nothing feels overly gimmicky. The restaurant focuses on solid flavors, a beautiful space, and warm hospitality. I'd happily come back to work my way through more of the menu.

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

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

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Butterfly Pea Lemonade
Obao

Obao

4.0
(4.5k reviews)
2.9 mi
$$$

Wow, every dish so good. Thought it would be less specialized bc they serve both Thai and…read moreVietnamese dishes but flavors were very clean and strong. - Drunken noodles: not too greasy, might be the best drunken noodles I've had. Medium spice was not spicy at all for us. - Duck curry: a bit small on the portions but the curry is magical. Was scraping this plate clean. - Bo luc lac: star dish for sure. Beef melts on your tongue and the marinade is slightly sweet and smoky. - Summer rolls: small portions but the flavor is there. Super refreshing and special bc they pickle the vegetables inside. - Crispy pork belly: reminds me of the crispy pork I had in Vietnam. Really well done, pairs well with the lettuce and herbs. That green sauce is so addicting. - Papaya salad: super refreshing, nice fish sauce. - Crab fried rice: reminds me of the din tai fung fried rice bc of how clean the flavor is. Great dim ambiance for a date or dinner out. Definitely coming back soon.

Came here on a thursday evening around 7:30 PM with a reservation for 2, but it wasn't too busy, so…read moreI would say a reservation isn't super necessary. It was a quiet and nice spot to catch up with a friend. The service was also great, as the food came out quickly and they were very attentive with refilling our waters. We each got the pho bo, which was about $28 after tip and tax. I liked the meats in the soup a lot, and the broth was tasty. The noodles did clump together quite a bit though, so it felt like they weren't the most fresh.

Photos
Obao
Obao
Obao

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Wayla - thai - Updated July 2026

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