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I didn't like Wayla immediately upon arrival. Their layout is so weird the way there's two storefronts and you have to go up and down metal stairs. It was pouring when I went, so I was worried I'd slip every step of the way. It's also awfully dark for stairs too. Now that NYC is a subtropical climate with pouring rains every summer, this setup really isn't going to work. Being downstairs also meant there was no signal at all. What a great way to unplug . No I really preferred to have internet access to figure out the menu. Inside is also a weird long rectangle with horrible acoustics. There was a larger group in the corner that was really loud and made it impossible to hear my friend across from me. When you make reservations online, you can pick which store to go to. I picked the dining room but I don't think picking Little Wayla or backyard would make a difference. We shared: gui chad tod (chive pancake), pla muk tod (fried calamari), gang keaw wan ped (duck green curry), khao pad pu (crab fried rice) Chive pancake was my favorite because I just like chives in general. The exterior is crunchy. Inside has a mushy paste texture which isn't a preference but tolerable. I like the sweet soy sauce-like sauce that came with it because it would add another layer of flavor without being too overpowering. Fried calamari was chosen because we saw another party order that when we first arrived and the smell was attractive. I think we were just hungry at that point. Our fried calamari wasn't that good. The batter was too tough and dry. The sauce that came with it felt a bit Mexican, containing lime and avocado. Duck green curry seemed like a unique option to us since we don't often see duck offered as a protein. The duck itself was alright, can go without it. The problem is how the duck came with bone which was hard to eat with. We both thought it would be slices without bone. We didn't end up finishing it because it was too inconvenient and tiresome. The curry flavor is nice and I like the eggplant pieces. Crab fried rice always seems to be a good go-to for a non-spicy dish. It was disappointing because the crab was dry and rice was tasteless. We actually ordered a separate bowl of rice for the curry because I wanted to enjoy the crab fried rice by itself. Turns out we shouldn't have and could've just used the crab fried rice for the curry since it's that tasteless. I also got a Thai iced tea which I gotta say for $5 is cheaper than most places out there. It's not the best tasting $5 Thai iced tea but I'll let it pass. I think it comes with oat milk by default which seems like a nice touch given the price. Overall I found Wayla to be disappointing and worse than I last remembered. The food was so mediocre that both my friend and I didn't take leftovers even though there was ~40% left for each dish.
We discovered Wayla because it was nice day out and we were looking for a restaurant with some outdoor seating. Unfortunately, they were all booked up but we're impressed by the aethstetics of it and opted to try to make a reservation for another night. So we came here on a late Friday night (like 9:30pm), which surprisingly was not crowded. It may have been due to the Knicks Game. Anyway, we ordered the lemonade and the pear drinks. Both were very good, especially the lemonade. For apps, we ordered some puffs. They were good as well but we were surprised at the portion as it was only 2. For mains, we ordered the veggie curry, the mushroom fried rice, the half duck and the pork dish. All were very good. The only critique that we have was that the duck took a while to get to us as it was accidentally delivered to the wrong table and we ended up taking most of it to go. All in all it was a good dining experience with great food, nice ambiance, and relatively attentive service.
Overall, this restaurant is pretty solid to go if you have a lot of time and don't mind waiting for the waiter to order or having to remind them 3 times for utensils or a bowl of rice. Upon arriving at this cozy restaurant downstairs, there was a good amount of people inside, but a few open tables and seats at the bar. However, it was shocking to hear a couple sat by the table grab the waiter and say they've waited over 15 minutes and no one checked in and they barely got water at the table. Ignoring that, the food is definitely tasty, starting with the apps that we got, with a creative dip for the calamari that most other places don't offer. The fish is also a standout, and very worth the value, providing a crispy take on the branzino with a marvelous dipping sauce. However, the rest of the dishes were lackluster in taste and very expensive compared to the other top Thai restaurants in NYC. I think the ambiance is good for smaller groups, but the wait staff all seem very rushed and not patient when we ordered or asked for simple things around the table.
We were very excited to try Wayla and had a reservation on the upstairs section. Unfortunately, it just didn't hit the mark for us. We were seated right next to the restroom and the door was consistently kept open so we could see the toilet. Not the greatest ambiance. We also asked our waiter what to order and he straight up said "everything is good". We would have appreciated a little more guidance than that. For the food, I got beans with tofu. I've ordered this dish multiple times at multiple other Thai restaurants, and the beans are usually very well cooked and wrinkly. My order was almost completely raw beans. My friends ordered a soup which was too spicy for her, and the waiter didn't ask for our spice levels. My other friend ordered the lettuce wraps which she said were decent, but quite expensive for a small plate of food. Also, the rice on the side was $5, but came in a really small portion barely enough for two people. It was really yummy rice though (the purple kind!) and came in a leaf that they steamed.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
The food at Wayla deserves alll of the praise and is without question worthy of all 5 stars. Our favorites were the Khao Pad Pu (Lump Crab Fried Rice), Yum Nua Yang, and the string beans. All had appropriate portions, and fantastic zesty flavors. The ambiance is also fantastic. Such a cool use of a really unique layout. Our waiter was very polite and helpful in navigating the menu. With that said, we ordered 3 of the same drinks and 1 came out only half full. We raised this concern to our waiter. Unfortunately he did not offer to correct the cocktail, but instead suggested perhaps the other 2 had been sitting for a bit and ice had melted so they were more full. At $18+ per cocktail and for a tab that came out to over $400, my recommendation in future instances would be to remake the drink. No biggie though! We did also feel a bit rushed. Be mindful the food comes out extremely quick. I made a joke to a friend that I hadn't had a sip of my cocktail before digging into my entree! We were a party of 5 and were seated 15 minutes late, then asked to leave with 10 minutes remaining in our allotted 90 minute reservation. Bathrooms were also noticeably unkept. All in all, the food lived up to expectations, but service felt like they were just trying to flip tables rather than curate a memorable evening for guests. I hope to be proven wrong the next time I stop in! read more
Was in the area and starving. Decided to stop at Wayla for some Thai. This was my first time at this restaurant. The food on the menu is not the typical Thai food you find on nyc. There isn't Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles or dishes like that on the menu. More like speciality entrees. You also have to purchase the sides separately. All of the food was good and so were the drinks. There is indoor and outdoor seating. read more
6 years ago
The beauty of Wayla's backyard space courted me like the Williamsburg Bridge calls to an IG model visiting NY. It's one of the prettiest setups in the city, with rugs, throw pillows, and bamboo chairs surrounded by lush greenery. While I initially chose to dine here for the ambience, the cocktails and food were so good that even though the prices made me do a double take, I didn't mind paying. If you're patronizing restaurants sparingly, make Wayla one of the spots you go to. To snag one of these highly coveted tables you'll have to make reservations a couple of weeks ahead of when you go. It's that popular. When you arrive, the staff walks you through their pandemic parameters, which include their 90 minute time limit (for 2 people) and requirement that patrons wear masks when stepping inside the restaurant to use the restroom. There were bottles of hand sanitizer on every table, the tables were spaced out, and I felt totally safe dining there. The kitchen moves incredibly fast so it's not hard to finish up your meal relatively quickly. The moo sarong is a popular order for a reason-- highly sharable, crispy, and delicious. My partner said the beef panang curry might be one of the best in all the land, and my shrimp pad thai reminded me of the noodle dishes I've enjoyed in Southeast Asia. Even more outstanding than the food were the cocktails. The 'Spiked Thai Iced Tea' with bourbon had a deep tea flavor that tasted like it was steeped in house and not made from a pre-packaged powder, and 'The Land of Smiles' layered tamarind, chili, and lemon sea salt flake to create a sweet, spicy and salty drink I couldn't get enough of. If I were with a larger group I would've ordered the lobster rice noodles, crispy calamari, and dessert but I know my eyes are always bigger than my stomach so I will have to save those orders for a future visit. Thankfully, it appears Wayla has found success even through the pandemic so hopefully they will be around for a long time to come. read more
The galanga- Thai ginger was fire in the long beans. Impossible meat skewers we're still great but this time the desserts were the stand outs- the mango mousse with sticky rice really stole the show . The coconut ice cream with candied peanuts was also amazing. The wok fried red Pepper shrimp is better in the appetizer than main entree imo read more
3 years ago
We had a reservation at 5:30pm for curbside, but ended up getting a table inside because it was still mostly empty indoors and outdoors. The place itself was very dark and sort of intimate, great date night spot! They also had a bar area. Great service because our waiter filled our water continuously and was quick to take our order. The food also came out pretty fast which was great because we were starving. We ordered 4 Housemade Thai Iced Teas, som tum thai (shrimp dish), Peek Gai Tod (chicken wings), Khao Pad Kra Prow Nua (beef fried rice), and I forgot the name of the last dish but it was super spicy and had radish/shallots. We could not pinpoint what dish the spice came from, but one of the dishes had some SPICY peppers (still delish though). The thai iced tea came in clutch because it toned down the heat coming from all the spices. If I were to come back again, I'd try their cocktails (all of them sounded so good), and I'd order the thai tea and chicken wings again. read more
Had a great dinner at Wayla. Reservation driven but managed to get in pretty much at opening. Drinks were delicious and the courtyard was beautiful. Beef fried rice and glazed baby back ribs were so good. Service was amazing. If you are ever in New York's lower east side come check it out. Oh btw the homemade coconut ice cream was fabulous! read more
Was looking for a nice upscale Thai restaurant and came across wayla. It is underground in the location and I had limited phone service but that was okay because I was kept occupied by the great food. Got a few appetizers including the crispy meatballs, stuffed pastry and beef salad. Star of the show was definitely the stuffed pastry with the sauce. So amazing and flavorful. Then for mains we got the fried rice and the whole fish dish. Both of which were outstanding. Every single bit was so good. We even decided to get dessert and those were really good as well. The drinks were great too!! read more
Great spot for groups! We sat on the outdoor patio, and it had such great rustic vibes with the bulb lights and NYC buildings surrounding it. The service was also very punctual, and everyone was wearing masks. The food was really tasty! Highly recommend the crab fried rice and the beef brisket penang, as well as the som tum thai. We also all got drinks (highly recommend the Similala for something fruity). A little pricey, but definitely worth checking this place out! read more
2 years ago
Food- Food was good amazing flavors- I'd say on par or similar to soothr Must try the yellow curry Service- Fast and the food was nice and hot Ambiance- Sat outside so not the best judge but food looked stunning read more
4 years ago
Overall, the food was amazing! I will continue to go back here!! This place is good for groups and definitely share your plates so you can try as much as possible! Food ordered: - pad prik khing string beans: crunchy and flavorful but not spicy, a very good side dish - peek gai tod chicken wings: on my list for best chicken wings in the city! Sweet and skin was crunchy! - larb pla tod fried branzino: I don't usually order fish but the batter was crunchy and the fish itself was moist and flaky. Presentation was on point with the whole fish on display. Extra points for making it easy to eat, the meat was cut out and easy to get to (no digging around the fish and deboning needed) - sen chan pad lobster noodle: good presentation, pad Thai like taste, but I wouldn't order again due to the price Vibe: we sat outside in their booths which were cute but be warned there are rats about! The food was so good that I didn't care so that says something! read more
4 years ago
Wayla can easily be missed if not paying attention as its in the basement. However, they do have a person standing out front ready to wave you down! We sat in the outside and really appreciated how cozy it was. Us gals ordered the following dishes: 1/ Moo Sarong (Pork Meatballs) - It's a street dish that is not readily available even in Thailand anymore (per waitress); the crunch with meat ball is a nice texture variation along with its dipping sauce 2/ Green Curry with Jumbo Shrimp - Interesting spin on the vegetables in the curry as was made with brussels sprouts; Shrimp was additional $9 for 3 pieces... a bit punchy 3/ Larb Pla Tod (Fried Branzino) - MUST ORDER; boneless and perfectly cooked with an acidic dipping sauce 4/ Thai Iced Tea with Oatmilk - Skip; when made with Oatmilk it lacks the creamy texture and flavour that condense milk offers it 5/ Purple Sticky Rice Thai food is a staple in my diet - will definitely have this on "again and again place!" read more
A beautiful restaurant I have been meaning to try for some time. We sat in the basement which I thought was quite charming, and I really appreciate the service we got there, which was very attentive and kind. Didn't indulge in cocktails this evening, but I may want to come back for some as they had some creative options and seems like they are highly reviewed! As a vegetarian, there are only a couple of options on the menu, which was a bit disappointing. And as a noodle over rice kind of person, the lack of a solid vegetarian noodles options is a shame. Yet, I really enjoyed the fried rice I ordered, which was nicely spiced and came with a large portion size. We also tried the vegetable curry, which had a nice spread of vegetables but the curry itself was nothing to write home about. All in all, this makes for a good date spot I think, but as a vegetarian, I'd treat this more for their ambiance and possibly drinks over being standout for their food. read more
Had a girls night out here and we all know when catching up with your girls while drinks are flowing, you can lose track of time. Back track, we had the calamari to share which came with a delicious avocado lime dipping sauce.. I'm usually a sweet chili girl but instantly fell in love with this sauce. I had the crab fried rice which came with fish oil, I wasn't gonna try it until our waiter insisted.. and it made such a difference. The rice was bland at first.. immediately upon adding the fish oil it became just the right amount of spicy and salted perfectly. Delicious jumbo pieces of crab. My friend had the duck, it was my first time trying duck (late I know) and it was sweet.. I love sweet okay.. it has just the right amount of sweet too, not overwhelming. So everything was going fine until we got asked 3 times within 10 mins by 3 people were we ready to box our food up, the 3rd time was right after we just got a 2nd round of drinks. We declined each time, then 1 of the servers came over to explain their 90 minute rule. We were 2 hours in, I get the 90 minute rule if the place is packed and people are waiting but when there are several open tables and there's no one waiting in the front? Also, why accept our 2nd request for drinks if the 90 minute rule is as so important. We ordered the drinks & they arrived around 7, by 7:10 they were explaining the 90 minute rule. It instantly made my experience go from a 5 star to a 3, nothing worst than feeling unwelcomed when you're actually spending money trying to support a small business. Then the waitress proceeded to show us a tablet of upcoming reservations after we already asked for the check, drawing attention to us. read more
6 years ago
Amazing!! Best ambience and thai food I've ever had in nyc! Their outdoor garden was beautiful and very instagramable! Perfect place for date night! Reservations are limited so book early! We ordered the crab fried rice, calamari, beef brisket dish and a couple other dishes. Portions are large and most entrees range between $20-$30! The servers were great and willing to give recommendations! Overall, fantastic experience and I can't wait to come back! Definitely the place to bring if you're trying to impress someone read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
an unassuming entry into a aromatic, cozy Thai spot with a gorgeous back patio --just opened for summer!-- and unstoppable flavors Wayla, Lower East Side, Manhattan NYC Maa's Gaeng Pak (homestyle veggies, yellow curry, chili threads, and coconut cream) this vegetable curry is "the only thing on the menu the chef can't claim as his," it's his mother's recipe and hats off to them both!! It was beyond Kanang Pad Krapow (crispy brussel sprouts, holy basil, chilies) Also the sauce on these brussels!! read more
2 years ago
This was my second visit to this place for a friend reunion dinner. Reservations are highly recommended as they are usually busy. We had a great table in their cozy outdoor seating in the backyard. The cocktails are great and so is the food. I ordered noodle wrapped pork meatballs and branzino tempura. Both were delicious. Waiting staff was exceptional and overall, we had a great time. read more
4 years ago
Yup pretty sure I found my new favorite Thai place in all of NYC. Wayla has been on my go-to list for awhile now, but somehow I haven't actually gone until a few days ago. Kicking myself for not making a reservation sooner because this place really is worth all the hype. The drinks, foods, service and vibes... all a 10/10. I feel like it's so hard to find a place that excels in all of the above and Wayla does so effortlessly. I ordered the Bangkok Surprise which had the perfect smokiness (from the pierde almas mezcal) and to sweetness ratio. It was tasty and a great complement to the spices of all the Thai food we ordered. My friends and I always opt for family style if possible so we split a bunch of appetizers and entrées. To start, we got the Moo Sarong (crispy noodle wrapped pork meatballs), Peek Gai Tod (chicken wings) and Pu Jaa (crab shell stuffed with crab meat & minced pork). The Moo Sarong and Peek Gai Tod were both super crispy and juicy and the Pu Jaa was fragrant and tender. For our mains, we had the Larb Pla Tod (fried branzino), See Krong Moo Yang (bbq ribs), Maa's Gaeng Pak (yellow curry) with grilled jumbo shrimp, Khao Pad Pu (lump crab fried rice), and the Sen Chan Pad Lobster. Not only was every dish absolutely delicious, but they were extremely filling and came piping hot almost immediately after we ordered. It was just the right amount of food for 6 people. The proteins in the dishes (branzino, ribs, shrimp, rice, lobster) were all so fresh and flavorful. And don't even get me started on the sauces. Not even kidding when I say I would drink the yellow curry straight up. It's so hard to pick a favorite when everything was so good, but if I haddddd to choose just one I'd say get the Khao Pad Pu. To end the night, we got a few orders of the Mango Mousse Sticky Rice and oh my god, it was AMAZING. I'll literally be dreaming about that mousse for days to come because it was just fluffy, airy mango perfection. I do know that the prices here are a bit higher than your typical local Thai spot, but I have to say that my friends and I all thought the dinner was worth every penny. Will definitely be back soon! read more
4 years ago
We went to Wayla without a reservation and were seated in the indoor lunch spot right away, not the actual restaurant. Honestly, do not let that deter you. You are getting the exact same food from the main restaurant downstairs. We were there for the food and it was so delicious. What we had: Chicken wings - amazing!!! Pork sausage - really good Papaya salad - typical Crab fried rice - get this! Long beans with tofu - get this! Curry - get this! Brussel sprouts - just ok, not crispy enough After the meal they let us see the actual restaurant and back patio downstairs. It's beautiful so definitely get a reservation and make it a full experience. Highly recommend. read more
Wayla oh Wayla oh Wayla... you're everything I thought you were capable of and more! From the food to the attention focused on the customer, the ambiance, cocktails, cleanliness and all the little details woven into this overall great experience... a gigantic YES! So what'd we order? Cocktails *Sway Wayla *Spiked Thai Iced Tea *Waking Up In Kodawari *The Land Of Smiles Food *Moo Sarong *Shrimp Pad Thai *Pla Muk Too *Curry Dish with Braised Beef Desert *Puréed Mango & Sticky Rice Everything we ordered was delicious - oddly, I'm not a sweets/dessert person but that mango purée & sticky rice was absolutely incredible. Wow. Cocktails were great & very well executed - I'd highly recommend the Spiked Thai Iced Tea. Tips *Wayla has one of the greatest backyards in the city, so you'll want to catch a table out there for the full experience *Everything was spotless, spaced out and (very nice smelling!) hand sanitizer on each table *Can't go wrong with anything on the menu *What a staff - attentive, respectful & knowledgeable *Make a reservation read more
3 years ago
I have to say, I enjoyed every single bite of the meal in Wayla. I had a couple creative drinks with couple dishes. Considering the quality, the price is reasonable. Ideal for those who want a romantic night out. There was also plenty of room on a basement. read more
A small thai restaurant located in Chinatown. Recommend making reservations since space is a bit limited. They also have a nice outdoor patio in the back. My second time here and we opted for the crab fried rice again. A solid choice on the menu and it comes with actual lumps of crab meat! Maybe the only thing on the menu that keeps me coming back. They also have a variety of pretty cocktails. read more
4 years ago
Oops just realized I reviewed twice but idk how to remove it!: Limited menu but evrything I tasted was delish. This is great Thai food with an elevated atmosphere. While I have only been once everyone I've spoken with says they've had great food each time, big points for consistency. The outside dining area is very open and almost makes you forget there is a bustling g city outside. The mamas curry was SO GOOD. The servers are super friendly (borderline too friendly?), the drinks are great, the food is top notch and I'll definitely be back :) read more
6 years ago
This might be my new favorite Thai restaurant in NYC! I had this on my list after asking for recs on outdoor dining spots in Manhattan. I ended up making a res for a rainy Sunday evening at 8pm. You do have to walk down a narrow set of metal stairs to get to the restaurant, so it's not super accessible (and they're hard to climb up if you've been drinking tbh). The outdoor dining in the backyard was soooo cute--perfect for date night. Each table had a candle and there were tents over each, which helped fend off the rain for a little bit. Unfortunately, the rain and wind became too strong and they offered to let us move inside. We were the only ones dining indoors and we felt very safe! It was also so nice of them to help bring our dishes inside/give us new utensils. The music was also bomb--and there's actually a Spotify playlist named "Wayla"! Onto the food! We ordered the Moo Sarong to start (comes with six pieces) as well as the Penang Nua and Maa's Gaeng Pak with two bowls of jasmine rice. I also ordered the Spiked Thai Iced Tea, which definitely didn't taste like a Thai Iced Tea at all but moreso bourbon (not that I minded!). The Maa's Gaeng Pak was out of this wooooorld. I couldn't get enough of the curry, and it tasted so good spooned over the rice. I would love to come back (I mean, ideally when the weather is nicer) and try other dishes! read more
4 years ago
This was my brother and my first time at Wayla and we were so impressed! First, the staff there were super friendly and fun to be around. Second, the ambiance was very nice and well done. Third, THE FOOD. It was incredible. We started off with the calamari and papaya salad and they were both amazing and both recommended. Such great flavors! Then we got the beef fried rice and long beans with tofu. Again, recommend both and we couldn't stop eating. Highly recommend going here for a nice brunch or dinner! We are definitely putting Wayla in our normal dining routine. read more
Everything was phenomenal. The perfectly heated outdoor booths, the tamarind cocktails, the beef fried rice, spicy green beans and tofu and the chicken wings. Definitely order the desserts as well - we got the mango mousse and coconut ice cream which I'm still thinking about... read more
4 years ago
Overall, this is a cute place but def is expensive for what it is. AMBIANCE + SERVICE The inside of this restaurant is a cute space with a nice area in the back. We came right as the restaurant opened at 5p for an early lunch/dinner. I really liked the area in the back with the lights and tent (which was convenient because it started raining on us and we were well protected). However, I did not like the service. Our waitress wasn't super helpful and actually gave us pretty bad recommendations from the menu. FOOD The food here is a bit all over the place. The best dishes we got were the shrimp (the spicy ones - GET THIS) and the crab fried rice. I'm not sure why I read some reviews recommending the yellow curry, because this one was the worst dish we got there. The branzino was just ok as was the beef fried rice. The thai iced tea was also average. Another good thing is that portions were generous for one person (they better be at this price!) Overall, would come here for particular dishes. The crab fried rice is cravable and I can see myself coming back here just for that! Everything else, for the price point, idk... read more
Honestly, I have continued to think about the BBQ beef fried rice long after leaving Wayla. The most tender beef ever. Very cozy vibes and very delicious. The place they had us wait made me feel like they forgot about us, but it ended up being totally fine. read more
Been wanting to check this place out for a long time. They are taking reservations in their cute outside patio! Cocktails were soooo good. Loved the Sway (gin, slightly sweeter side) Food was also awesome. I recommend the crab fried rice and the peneng beef curry! The noodle wrapped meatballs were interesting and apparently super popular but they were so tiny lol hard to taste the pork End with the mango mousse sticky rice and some coconut ice cream! The mango mousse tasted like mango lassi which was super creative read more
3 years ago
Wayla is truly unparalleled. The flavors are carefully curated and balanced, and every dish I've tried here is very memorable. I recommend the Thai iced tea - very tasty and refreshing. They also have a spiked version available if that's more your speed, although I haven't tried it personally. I've tried a variety of dishes here, and the ribs are by far my favorite. They're served with a spicy sauce on the side, which complements the sweeter flavor of the meat perfectly. The meat itself is tender and falls off the bone. The vegetable curry also has great flavor and has interesting notes of cinnamon throughout. You can't go wrong with any dish at Wayla. I recommend making a reservation because it can be hard to get a table inside. It's definitely worth the effort and wait! read more
Curry puffs 3/5 - fried pastry puff with curry inside, good appetizer to share but not very memorable Sway wayla - 5/5 - beautiful and refreshing Khao pad pu (crab fried rice) - 3/5 - not very memorable but good for sharing Larb pla tod (Branzino) - 4/5 - great presentation, the fish is battered well and is light and flaky read more
5 years ago
We came here for an early Friendsgiving dinner and it was an overall really nice experience, with exceptional service! They made sure we got lovely seats in the backyard, while it was a mild night, they heaters on, so we were toasty! We ordered a bunch of cocktails and overall they were really good with flavor, but a little heavy on the ice. We would have preferred a little more drink than the ice for the drinks section. Food Moo Sarong (Crispy wrapped meat balls): This was a must-get, and we enjoyed it. The meat was tender and flavorful, and the crispy noodle on the outer layer gave the meatball and nice crunchy texture. However, the portion per meatball was on the smaller size. It was just an ok-appetizer. Peek Gai Tod (chicken wings glazed with plum sauce): They were a hit on the table, we ordered 2 orders of these actually. the glaze was sticky, a little tangy, and spicy, which was addicting to eat. However, the chicken wings were in the smaller size (again), and didn't have much meat-bite to them. it was more fried skin, than meat... the flavor for me was alright, nothing too special. Khao Pad Pu (Crabmeat Fried Rice): Pretty big lumps of crab meat, so this was a plus. The fried rice was flavorful, nicely seasoned and just the right amount of saltiness. The rice was not too oily, being that fried rice can be oily sometimes. The fried rice was a hit! Larb Pla Tod (Fried Branzino): The fried branzino was just okay. The vegetables on the bottom were crispy and soaked in all the juices from the fish and the sauce, which was amazing. The fish pieces were fried separately, so they were de-boned, which I can understand why. I almost wished they fried the whole fish whole, instead of gutting it and frying the bits separately, because there weren't that many pieces of fish. The fried job on it was spot it and the sauce really does coat the fish well, so it had a nice kick and tang to it; however, the fish meat was on the "skinny" side, so it was not many pieces with an abundance of meat on it. Tua Pad Prik Khing (Wok-fried long beans): The string beans were probably my favorite dish. The chili paste that covered the beans were so thick and creamy along with the crunchy green beans. The flavor was there and it is a def. must get. Overall, I like this place and am glad we gave it a try. I might not return for a while, as most of the food was a little lacking in certain areas. read more
More info about Wayla
100 Forsyth St
Basement
New York, NY 10002
Bowery, Lower East Side
Directions
(212) 206-2500
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http://waylanyc.com
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Ask the Community - Wayla
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Wayla - thai - Updated October 2026
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