Zen Thai

4.3 (383 reviews)

ModerateThai, Desserts, Asian Fusion

Closed • 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

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Zen Thai - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Zen Thai - View from front/entrance towards the back/bar. Note: couches for the two large center tables, very cool! 5/2023 - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Zen Thai - Our togo order: Drunken Noodle with beef, Hawaiian Fried Rice, Papaya Salad and Tom Yum soup - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Zen Thai - Entrance to Zen Thai - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Moderate noise

Outdoor seating

Dogs allowed

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Jamie W.

Pad see ew portions were great, and they came out quickly after ordering. The medium spice was a true medium and perfect for me. We were also there during happy hour where they have cocktails for 6.50! I tried the Long Island Thai tea, which as warned was very strong. I should have asked for lighter alcohol and more Thai tea to dilute it. But overall very convenient location to the convention center and arena downtown, and authentic Thai food. We also liked sitting on the couches which were comfortable.

Steve A.

4 stars (really 3+ rounded up). Want to know the real scoop? Read on... **Communication: Wanted to make a reservation, called six times over two days, left voicemails, even texted. No response, ever. We went anyway for a birthday dinner and fortunately found only 2-3 other tables occupied, no reservation needed. Found street parking nearby, but you'll need to feed the meter for a couple hours even on weekends. Score: 2 out of 10 (additional reason for this score in the UPDATE below) **Atmosphere: Comfortable and relaxed inside, a bit dark and cold, some fun and slightly kitschy Thai décor. Booths are cozy, and the couch-style seating looked inviting. Check out my posted photos to get a feel for it. Score: 7 out of 10 **Food & Drinks: We shared three appetizers (Super Summer Rolls, potstickers, and crispy veggie rolls), all fresh, flavorful, and nicely plated. Accompanying sauces were very good. Unfortunately, they were all pricey, approaching the price of entrees. Appetizer Score: 8 out of 10. - Drinks were a letdown. We tried four different drinks from their $10 special list, and none impressed, they weren't good: the Long Island Thai Iced Tea was strong but harsh tasting, no curated flavor; the Thai Tea Espresso Martini was the best of the bunch but still not great, bland; the Lychee and Green Apple martinis were both overly sweet and syrupy. Drink Score: 2 out of 10. - Entrée taste redeemed the night. Red curry with chicken was rich, creamy, and perfectly spiced, a little spicy, yum. Pad Thai was balanced and satisfying with good bouncy, slightly chewy noodles. Pad Se-iew was excellent, smoky, savory, and our favorite dish. None were large portions, they were adequate size. Fortunately we had three appetizers ($35) or the three entrees ($17.50 each) wouldn't have been enough for four people to share. Score: 8 out of 10. **Service: Friendly and attentive. The second gentleman seemed like an owner, knowledgeable and engaged. The host was pleasant but couldn't explain why no one answers the phone for reservations, takeout, general info, nothing. Service Score: 8 out of 10. **Value: $140 before tip that included four not-good drinks, three apps, and three entrées: fair for the food quality and decent service, not for the cocktails and communication. With tip and parking, around $175 - $185 for four people who took no food home and left none on the table. **Overall: - Communication = poor - Atmosphere = pretty good - Drinks = not good - Apps = good - Entrées = very good - Service = very good in restaurant, worse with owner response and sharing their number is listed incorrectly online **Final: 3.25 stars, rounded up to 4 to give the benefit of the doubt. Great entrées, good food choices, friendly service, and okay ambiance, but skip the cocktails and don't bother calling their posted number ahead. Photos posted! ------UPDATE-------- The owner claims she "never received communication from me." My review history speaks for itself, thorough, fair, and honest. I called the search engine listed number (480-420-8424) three times and texted it. After reading her response, I researched further and found the number is incorrect, something the restaurant clearly knows. I even kindly called to advise it is listed incorrectly online, and their reply was, "we only use Google." What? That's not how you thank someone trying to help improve your business and correct your contact information. The wrong number appears multiple times in search listings (see attached photo). Rather than acknowledge or fix it, they deflected. More poor communication from Zen Thai. Should update rating to 3 stars to reflect the true "level of service."

Kelie E.

Literally best pad kee mao I've ever had in my entire life. I will forever be comparing Thai food to this place! It was small but very comfy and decorated cute. The staff were so great with my allergies and helped me feel safe eating Thai food (which is really very hard with peanut, sesame, and coconut allergies.)

Jie G.

We stayed in a nearby hotel and decided to give this a try. Did not disappoint! Pad Thai has decent portion and great taste. Vegetable delight (stir fried veggies) were also decent with a flavorful soy based sauce, but I wish portions could be bigger.

Ameena A.

Visited this delicious spot while in town for a conference! The only reason I have 4 and not 5 stars is only related to being a gluten free folk- if you are not gluten free, consider this restaurant 5/5 stars! I thought the ambiance of the place was super cute (even though I took my food to go), I thought the portion size of my curry was great, and it was extremely delicious. Service was also very kind. The only reason I have docked a star is because there was some back and forth about whether my dish was gluten free among the staff, so, I took a risk by eating it (even though they ultimately all agreed it was GF, it made me nervous). I would suggest a simple edit on the menu, because they said a lot of their stuff is naturally GF! It would make it easier for us, and more accessible in general for those with dietary needs :)

Petra V.

The tom yum soup is my favorite. Whenever I want something warm and comforting this is my place. It always feels warm and inviting in the restaurant and the servers are all soooo nice. The food has so much flavor and it is super good.

Jaleebi S.

I'm a fan for sure. And a regular! Zen Thai offers delicious Thai cuisine at reasonable prices right on the light rail line. I'm always greeted and seated promptly and the service is very efficient. I love the fried shrimp rolls and today I had a bowl of noodle soup that exceeded my expectations and put many of the local ramen places to shame. I love the decor! Authenticity, great food served fast and hot: downtown delivers again.

blanca g.

I did a google review stating I had a bad experience here. Zen Thai responded asking me to show proof the Hawaiian Fried rice is supposed to have chicken AND shrimps as I complained I only got chicken. Here you go.

Christa M.

This placed whipped us up yummy Thai food for dinner. I ate here with my mom and sister after seeing a show nearby. We were quickly greeted, seated, and menus were given to us to look over. We ordered three entrees and one dessert. We ordered: One order of drunken noodles One order of combo fried rice One won ton soup One mango with sticky fried rice The food was all served hot. The drunken noodles were cooked perfectly and had so much flavor, they were our favorite. We also really enjoyed the mango sticky rice, it was sooooooo good. All three servers were friendly and attentive. Will be back!

Joe K.

Tasty food conveniently located within a few blocks of the convention center. Thats a good combination worth trying.

Cute restaurant, Servers were friendly and service was quick. Thai Tea was pretty good. Shrimp Pad Thai was in need of some more shrimp but flavor was good. Pork Laab! Disappointed, skip that one. It was just sweet and sour - missing roasted rice powder, barely any herbs. Sticky Rice was robbery. $3.50 for a barely a fist size - didn't even fill up a sauce bowl.

Latrice J.

I was meeting a friend who was visiting from out of town and she was staying downtown. We decided to go for a walk and found the Zen Thai Cafe! It was an early afternoon and there wasn't a crowd there which was good. We ordered Thai coffee to drink and Thai wing apps which were so good and crispy and for our entrees we ordered drunken noodles. We also ordered dessert the Fried Banana with Coconut Pineapple Ice Cream and it didn't disappoint it was sooo good. The Zen Thai Cafe was cute and cozy and I will definitely return when I'm in need of my Thai fix!

Tia T.

We came here for lunch at 11:40 am on a Monday and they are definitely the spot for lunch. The sweet potato was really good with this peanut dipping sauce. The food came out quickly and the servers were kind. The decor is very Thai themed with the red and black influence. I love it. My drunken noodle wasn't too heavy, very flavorful and hit the spot. I will definitely be back for dinner

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Dominique D.

Elite 22

161

5 years ago

Got my order for pick up here and right when we picked up the order it smelled so good! I highly recommend the yellow curry! I got it with the "hot" spice level and thought it was the perfect amount of spicy for me. It was so flavorful! I also the vegetable spring rolls were delicious as well as the pad see ew! Definitely would order here again read more

Zen Thai - Veggie spring rolls - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Zen Thai - Yellow curry - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Zen Thai - Pad see ew - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Paris W.

4 years ago

The boba is bomb and the food is so good but I ordered the wrong choice. Which would be the pineapple fried rice. My friend's meal was pretty great. I'll go again next time and order something different. Apart from that, It is just a relaxing place to be in with great music, comforting couches, and nice waiters. read more

Zen Thai - Pineapple fried rice - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Tonya P.

Elite 21

1847

691

12276

5 years ago

I cannot leave a review for the dinner options, but I went in one night, walking back to my hotel, I dropped in to see if they had mango and sticky rice, to my surprise they did! So I sat down and devoured it. My server was super friendly and the mango and sticky rice was so good, I ordered one the next morning and took it on the plane ride home with me. If their mango and sticky rice is any indication of what their food is, I'm on board! read more

Zen Thai - I asked for it in a drink cup so I could take it on the plane with me, I wonder what my seatmate thought of my mango and sticky rice. - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Zen Thai - Mango and Sticky Rice - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Mal S.

3 years ago

First time visiting. Clean restaurant. Server was nice and attentive. Food is not very good though. 1 star for nice server. Salad dish - noodles were hard, too much lime concentrate, no fresh lime juice. not much flavor and what i'm used to for the yum woonsen. Pork steak - lots of fat, the flavor of the marinade was good though. Pad thai was decent. read more

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Tom H.

5 years ago

I was looking forward to coming to one of my favorite Thai places on a recent trip, and was pleasantly surprised to see it had a different name. Glad they didn't go away altogether. The food was fast, hot, and the service was excellent. I look forward to returning next time I'm in town. read more

Zen Thai - Chicken Pad- Thai - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Jessica B.

2 years ago

Great food. Super authentic. I would definitely come back again also very reasonably priced

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Angela P.

367

6 years ago

Coconut smoothie with boba is so yummy- the boba is perfect. We tried the yellow curry and khao soi, evel 4/5 "American hot" Love the ambiance and decor and service, 5 read more

Zen Thai - Khao Soi - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Sohyun P.

170

3 years ago

I ordered double thai hot for both drunken noodle and soup, and they were both flavorful. The only thing I did not like about was the server asking about desserts several times. I get that he was trying to sell desserts, but it was annoying. read more

Zen Thai - Drunken Noodle with Beef & Vegetable Tom Yum Soup - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Edrina G.

807

6 years ago

We just got done eating here and it's definitely worth checking out. We got the orange chicken and fried rice to split between the two of us. The chicken came out so crispy, with sauce on the side. So much better than other places where the chicken is oily and mushy. The fried rice was also really good. Very fresh. All in all we were very impressed and everyone was very accommodating and nice. We had a great experience. read more

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Shasca S.

2 years ago

Food amazing! Thai tea great! Pad Thai amazing! Everyone I take here loves it! Service is good! Love the area and the inside is interesting nothing boring about it at all! read more

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Lincoln L.

117

6 years ago

Awesome food very authentic Thai food. Great atmosphere. The owner Rachel makes sure every detail is perfect. The prices are very reasonable, for great food eat there , outdoors or delivery. read more

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Maria C.

4 years ago

Best Thai food and restaurant Vibe! The wontons and peanut sauce with chicken and veggies are to die for read more

Zen Thai - Cool decor and vibe at Zen Thai - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Zen Thai - Feeling the vibe - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Keith P.

2 years ago

I can't claim this to be the best Thai food in the world, but it was the best I've ever had. I can also claim that the Long Island Thai Tea is the strongest tea I've ever had. If you were able to look back at my check-ins, you would see that on a trip to Hawaii in September of 2016, I ate at a Thai restaurant twice in a matter of a few days. For the past 8 years, every bit of Thai food I've eaten across the country has not even come close to meeting my expectations of what I experienced there in 2016. Until now. This place was comfortable and delicious, and the staff was great. I have a new standard for Thai restaurants. read more

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Amber C.

229

6 years ago

This place is so delicious. Very kind staff! We were so pleased with our experience. You must try it! The cocktails are so creative and yummy! read more

Zen Thai - Love Long Lime! - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Tiffany P.

5 years ago

Zen Thai is hands down one of the best restaurants in downtown Phoenix. The food is amazing -- I have been several times and have not been disappointed by anything I've ordered. One of my favorites is the princess duck curry and you can never go wrong with the pad thai. This restaurant has also included a new bar and boba menu which has the BEST wings, and the drinks are incredible. My favorites are the yin yo yang (a coffee liquor) and the fresh lychee martini. I love the food here, but the best part is the service. The owner, Rachel, is very kind and attentive to everyone that steps foot inside the restaurant. I HIGHLY recommend this place! Also, this restaurant does a great job following COVID guidelines. Everyone wears a mask and the tables are spaced out, so if you plan on dining in don't forget to bring a mask, and there is a takeout option. read more

Zen Thai - Takeout of Princess Duck Curry and Thai Iced Tea - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Zen Thai - Yin Yo Yang - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Kristen B.

5 years ago

Got drunken beef noodles lvl 5 and chicken teriyaki lvl 4. Noodles were ok, a lot of heat with no flavor, the teriyaki had no "magic sauce" no spice, and was bland. We are from out of town and I'm really sad that we paid the amount of money for Thai that's seriously lacking. Very dry for the chicken. The lady who took the order was very friendly and kind. read more

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Pranav P.

4 years ago

Lots of flavor and spice. Decoratively served in a coconut. It was either this or shrimp fried rice in a pineapple. I'll still think about that decision down the road. Will be back, great vibe and drinks! read more

Zen Thai - Coconut Curry - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Charlsie W.

2 years ago

Loved this place. First time trying Thai and I have loved it. The food was amazing the service was great. I have tried others now and this is by far my favorite. read more

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Larisa M.

3 years ago

The chicken has a nasty taste is not good, and the food not what I ordered. Do not recommend. read more

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Kai W.

4 years ago

Tasty Thai offerings, but lacking in the amount of protein added to the dishes. Had to dig deep in my noodles to find the beef.

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S L.

5 years ago

Great little spot. Didn't know it was here!! Dragon balls, peanut curry and bbq pork were great!!! Sat on the shaded patio listening to great music. Fast service and friendly staff! Yum yum! read more

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Jim W.

Elite 26

210

121

111

4 years ago

I just wanted to place a take out order...called three separate times with no answer. Double checked google maps and it said they were open. I decided to walk over and I find out they are open, so I walk in. Still takes about 6-7 minutes to even be acknowledged with two more people walking in behind me. The place was pretty busy but clearly seemed understaffed. Finally a male worker walks past and asks if I've been helped to which I respond "no." To his credit, finally, he says "sorry we are a bit understaffed." So I ask if I can just place a take out order. He basically blows me off saying, "it would be a while," but just leaves me standing there confused on if I can or cannot actually place an order...and totally ignoring the guests who came in after me. I get it if a place is understaffed, but they honestly had a few open tables in the restaurant and they gave myself, and the people behind me the feeling we weren't valued customers and they didn't want our money...so all of us left...and I spent my money down the street at a delicious Mexican restaurant. read more

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Jessica G.

Elite 24

178

5 years ago

Every single time we come to DTPHX Zen Thai is a MUST! Last month I came 4 days in a row!!! Wings and tom kha are always the BESt! Rachel is amazing and always treats you like family and her laugh is so infectious. LOVE IT HERE!!! read more

Zen Thai - Thai tea!!!!! - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Zen Thai - Bar area, such a cute space!! - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Zen Thai - Bahn mi YUMMMM!!!! - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Zen Thai - Even the kiddos love it! - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Zen Thai - Wings are ALWAYS a must medium heat - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Zen Thai - Orange chicken light and crispy - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Brianne W.

4 years ago

Cool ambience and decor, no wait, fairly decent service, and the food was so tasty and delicious. I had the Tom Kha with tofu and shrimp, small with a side of sticky rice. Hubby had a Khao Soi and his was so delicious too. We wish we went with medium spice; not being sure about the spice levels we went with mild and for sure we could have stepped it up a notch. Mills was nOT spicy. The Jasmine tea could have been steeped longer. Would go again!! read more

Zen Thai - Tom Kha and side of sticky rice - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

Zen Thai - Tom Kha - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Tyler H.

Elite 15

289

4 years ago

We went to the restaurant based on Yelp reviews. The service was awesome and the food was scrumptious. I had the seafood drunken noodles. So glad I went with that. Those were some of the most delicious noodles and the seafood was plentiful. My other half had yellow curry chicken. I had a bite and it too was very tasty. Glad we stopped in. read more

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Diego G.

6 years ago

Returned for my business trip... excited and glad I made it to enjoy the ramen and Vietnamese coffee... so worth it. read more

Zen Thai - Vietnamese coffee along with Spicy Bangkok pork belly.... ya, it's as bout to go down!!! - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Tj S.

3 years ago

Yummy. I was so disappointed when Tom Yum permanently closed but this is an excellent replacement! I got the yellow curry and it was delicious. read more

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Rebecca S.

156

4 years ago

Delicious food. Had the Tom Kah and it was amazing. pad Thai with Shimp with lots of shrimp served hot and delicious. Staff was friendly. Will be back! read more

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Dawn H.

721

3 years ago

Not 1 item on the menu is gluten free. They said they had 1 item and don't have it any longer. This is Thai food, which is most commonly gluten free. "Not 1 item, not even lettuce" wow... we absolutely did not eat here. read more

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Erica J.

127

3 years ago

food was tasty, i got drunken noodles with chicken, server was really nice. The only downside was my food was warm, but had a lot of cold spots in it. I was wondering why it came out so fast, I can see why. I didn't want to say anything or send it back, because I was so hungry. But next time I should've spoke up because I know it would've been a lot tastier all nice and warm. read more

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Yung S.

4 years ago

I stopped by for a quick lunch on a Tuesday. It doesn't disappoint. The service was very fast. read more

Zen Thai - Tom yum soup and drunken noodles with tofu - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Jamie N.

312

5 years ago

Amazing restaurant with amazing vegan dishes and not vegan dishes. We had all vegan, each dish was delicious from the appetizers, main dishes and dessert. Highly recommended for date night or for group of folks with different dietary restrictions. read more

Zen Thai - The best coconut ice cream and it's vegan . - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Judy B.

357

156

222

5 years ago

Some of the best red curry I have ever eaten in my life! I travel all over the world and It was so delicious. Filled with tender chicken breast, eggplant, green beans and bell pepper. The sauce was creamy and so flavorful! I also tried the vegetable spring rolls. They were crisp and flavorful! If you Iove curry like I do you must try Zen Thai's! The service was friendly and helpful and the restaurant was very clean! read more

Zen Thai - Delicious red curry with chicken breast , eggplant, green beans and bell pepper! - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Charles B.

150

127

5 years ago

Great service great food. Best Pad Thai I've had so far. Its a dish I get every city I go to so I don't give that title lightly read more

Zen Thai - Pad Thai w/chicken - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Yaya K.

5 years ago

Everything is good except that This portion is too small; but it taste good. Can you make it a little bit bigger? read more

Zen Thai - This portion for lunch is just unbelievably small.....even it tastes good. - Thai Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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Alyshia M.

5 years ago

Came here after getting married and had dinner with our closest family and friends. The atmosphere was perfect -- not so loud inside that it's impossible to hear anyone. Most of us tried one of their signature cocktails, and they were great! The food came out very fast, considering the size of our table, and you could really tell they care about the quality of their ingredients. Everything was delicious -- so much so, that a lot of us ended up sharing our plates. And there are so many options!! Curries, rice plates, pho, ramen... We will definitely be back, especially for our anniversaries read more

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Isabelle O.

3 years ago

I recently found this place from my boss & I've now been two nights in a row. mom & pop hole in the wall & SOOOOOOOO delicious! MUST TRY!

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Vanessa L.

2 years ago

Extremely racist establishment. Me and my friend went to sit down at the restaurant today and mind you i'm a local and order take out from the place all the time. They completely ignored us at the door walking back and forth passing us and didn't say a word so we sat down at a larger table after he cleaned it. Pj the waiter told us we couldn't sit at that table because it was a 8 person table and only 2 of us. So we waited until another person left and for them to clean a smaller table. Then the chef came out and said we needed to leave and they weren't going to serve us... over a table. So i proceeded to tell him we were just waiting for a smaller table to be cleaned and they kicked us out. I was a loyal customer and now i will never step foot back into this establishment. Not one employee was helpful and it was the most racist thing i've ever encountered.. read more

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Baby Y.

2 years ago

Tried this for the first time this weekend because they had a pretty restaurant atmosphere. The service was horrendous as the waitress checked on us like twice and then stood in the back of the room watching tv while we sat there waiting for water refills the whole time. Ordered Pad Thai & Curry. The food came out suspiciously fast. My boyfriend is a chef instantly knew something was off with how watery the curry broth was. It was so watery it was hard to eat and it lacked any flavor. (We got it spicy too) My boyfriend said he thinks they reused yesterday's curry and just watered it down to last longer to use again. That's exactly what it tasted like. The pad Thai was not bad but the noodles were overcooked and after eating the curry I was too creeped out to eat more. This was the only thing I ate all day and within an hour I had horrific food poisoning and was in the bathroom all night with diarrhea. It's now been several days since eating here and I still have diarrhea and have every day since. Be careful eating here.. I don't think it's sanitary. read more

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Miranda A.

2 years ago

Always great food quick service and very convenient for location. Does tend to get busy wish I could order over the phone but I have to order thru website which is always kinda of annoying when I'm driving. read more

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Page 6 of 10

110 N Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Directions
(602) 340-8899
Call Now
Visit Website
https://zenthaicafeaz.smiledining.com

Hours

What time does Zen Thai open?

Zen Thai opens at 10:30 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.Zen Thai opens at 11:00 AM on Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Zen Thai close?

Zen Thai closes at 8:30 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.Zen Thai closes at 9:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.Zen Thai closes at 8:00 PM on Sunday.

Mon-Thu 10:30 AM - 8:30 PMFri 10:30 AM - 9:00 PMSat 11:00 AM - 9:00 PMSun 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Food & Alcohol

Does Zen Thai have a happy hour?

Yes, Zen Thai has a happy hour.

Does Zen Thai serve alcohol?

Yes, Zen Thai serves alcohol. Full Bar

Indoor Amenities

Does Zen Thai allow dogs?

Yes, Zen Thai allows dogs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Zen Thai have outdoor seating?

Yes, Zen Thai has outdoor seating options.

Does Zen Thai have parking?

Yes, Zen Thai has parking options. Garage Parking, Street Parking, Validated Parking

Other Amenities

Does Zen Thai have free WiFi?

Yes, Zen Thai has free WiFi.

More Info

Health Score

Zen Thai Reviews in Other Languages

Spanish
1 Review

Ask the Community - Zen Thai

Are there gluten-free options other than curry?

Yes I've had pad Thai and pad see iew here before both gluten free. I just specify when I order.

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•$$

It was so loud that having a conversation was almost impossible. The food was generally good, but…read moresome dishes were too salty or had very small portions.

I was surprised the host remembered my name the second time I came back. Because I walked out the…read morefirst time! Prepare for a wait. The first night, I didn't have time to wait. The second time we came for lunch. We came 45 mins after they opened and we waited about an hour before having a table inside. We could have roasted in the heat but who wants to enjoy Thai food in the heat if you have the ac option. Service was exceptional. Atmosphere was homey. All the food was except for the sui-Mai. I'm Chinese and I know this is Thai food but they put what tasted like my dad's home cooked minced pork in sui mai and it just wasn't right. Other than that, every noodle dish, every fried dish, and serving the Thai iced tea in clay mugs was really awesome. Glad we came here and waited.

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#YelpElite #Yelp #Thai

Grilled chicken

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Nua Num Tok

Lom Wong

4.4(502 reviews)

0.8 mi

•$$$

I have heard so much about this place over the past year that I had to try it for myself. I get it!…read moreIt was delicious! Service was wonderful! I asked for a chef tasting of non-spicy options (the Arai Kodai. Mine came to $67 as I wanted extra tastings). Isaiah asked my preferences then went to town! His dance moves while he entered my order were a great touch! The aroma inside is exquisite! Everything around me looked so fresh! I loved seeing all the food around me. I see why everyone loves the green mango salad (yam mamuang boran). Delicious! So flavorful! Just know not to expect lettuce. The fried chicken was tasty but I wished I had asked for not fried options. That's on me. It was certainly good. Very crispy and flavorful. The bok choy with garlic (pad pak twang toong) is so good! Very light and tasty. I asked for a side of white rice to enjoy it with. I ended with Naem Khao Tawt. It was again flavorful and zesty. I would have avoided more crispy and pork with this one but again that's on me. It was still tasty. Next time I would ask for more grilled options and something with beef and noodles. The scallops and buffalo tartare sounded fantastic! Would definitely want those in the future! They were out of buffalo tonight. The dueling brule dessert was so good? I'm particular the purple one! So tart! Really wonderful experience and made new friends while here. Parking is a bit of a nuisance, but after 15 minutes I got lucky and snagged a street spot close by out front. Otherwise, it's either street parking, meter parking or nearby garages. Will definitely be back to try more dishes.

Fried bamboo - quite tasty, shoestring thin crispy snack and also good to top your other dishes…read more Pork belly curry - very tasty and when you get a crispy skin bite, heaven. Mango salad - delightful. I could have this for a light meal alone. Stir fried crab - not as great as I'd hoped. There's nothing wrong with it but crab is delicate and sweet but in this sauce that is lost. Noodles w char soy - no. The pork was so overcooked and dry it caused me to find the restroom to spit it out. There's nothing wrong noodles tastes a bit like burnt marshmallows (or I'm having a stroke) All in all a good restaurant with 1 of 5 dishes disappointing. For two people 5 dishes is too much. 4 would be good unless someone's in a GLP1 because they're pretty big.

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Bar area

YAM MAMUANG BORAN - green mango salad

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Bamee Haeng Mu Dang (15/10)!

Thai Recipe Bistro

4.5(619 reviews)

1.7 mi

•$$

I have been here twice now and have enjoyed my food both times I came in. The portion size is huge…read moreso I get two meals out of my order. It always comes hot and has just the right amount of spice. I order a 2/5 spice chicken pad Thai. My friends who enjoy spice more usually order a 4/5 spice on their dishes. The service was great and they kept our waters full and brought us boxes quickly when we had asked. However, they do not tell you that there is an auto gratuity (not sure if this is because we had more than four in our party). The ambiance is nothing special. Casual sitdown. Will be coming back again.

Thai Recipe Bistro is a modern restaurant with some of the best Thai food I've ever tasted. The…read moreservice is outstanding. We came here for lunch with our daughter and granddaughter. They provided a high chair for our granddaughter and offered to pick up some things she'd dropped. The lunch menu provides a very good and varied selection of dishes priced by the protein you select. I had the drunken noodle medium spice. It was great! Just the right amount of noodles, veggies and chicken. My wife had the ginger on the lunch menu with chicken. She said this is among the two or three best Thai restaurants she's tried (and we like Thai food). Our daughter comes here often. She and her husband really like Thai Recipe Bistro. I look forward to returning to Thai Recipe Bistro

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Chicken salad

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Mango cheesecake

Pad Thai Cafe

4.6(335 reviews)

15.1 mi

•$$

Family-owned & operated

Kid friendly

The best thai food in the southwest that we've come across - and it'd be on the better end in any…read moremajor coastal city. Moderately priced for the quality, rich curries, well cooked pork belly, solid but not exceptional Tom Kha and unique but tasty cocktails.

While visiting Peoria, we decided to venture out and find some good food when I came across the…read moreYelp for Pad That Cafe. As a proud Yelp Elite, I decided to give this place a chance because the reviews were the best I saw in the city! The place was busy on a Sunday night and it is small but I never say customers waiting too long. There were two larger parties seated so the food took some time but nothing outrageous. We started with the calamari, spring rolls, and crab wontons. The calamari were the biggest I've ever seen and very delicious! Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the spring rolls or crab wontons. I feel like those are hard to get wrong but I was not a fan of the cream cheese that was used and it was a lot of it, barely any imitation crab. For entrees, I had the spicy basil and substituted ground chicken for chicken breast, my personal preference. I ordered level 2 spice but it was still a bit spicy for me. Trying a new Thai place is always hit or miss with spice levels so I actually thought I was being safe with 2. Additionally, the chicken was so bland. Some Thai places season their chicken, some do not and unfortunately Pad Thai Cafe missed that mark. My partner ordered the short rib curry dish and my goodness, it smelled like heaven and tasted just as good. I don't eat beef but had to taste it and it was divine! He also ordered spice level 2 and his dish was not as spicy as mine. Overall, the rest of the party enjoyed their food and there were good flavors there so I'd definitely recommend the entrees, not so much the starters.

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Pad Woon Sen

Inside

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Spicy basil

Thai Breeze Bistro

4.5(283 reviews)

9.3 mi

•$$

Ordered here twice, both for takeout. *On the first visit,…read moreI had Yellow Curry with Chicken (medium spice) from the dinner menu which came with sticky rice. While waiting for my takeout, the lady behind the counter was kind and offered water while I waited. Restaurant was empty around 5pm. All was clean and utensils were ready for guests. Food was excellent. *A week later, I ordered takeout via phone call for my second visit around 11:30am. Food pictures attached are from the second visit. We had extra spicy pad Thai with shrimp, medium heat yellow curry with chicken, and fresh shrimp rolls which came with peanut sauce. This visit was ordered from the lunch menu which was a bit smaller in portion from my first visit. When I picked up the food, the restaurant was packed with dine in, but was still able to pay and leave within 5 mins since my food was ready. Food was excellent and spice levels for each dish were spot on.

My coworker and I decided to stop by here for dinner after work! The food was sooooo good. I loved…read moremy Kao Soi, love the coconut curry soup and they were pretty generous on the seafood. The staff were friendly and helpful. I love their parasol decors and the lightings in the restaurant.

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Re open after renovation!!

Vegetable rolls

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Vibrant looks!

Chanpen Thai Cuisine

4.4(844 reviews)

7.4 mi

•$$

Incredibly attentive service, great food; the mango panang is a standout. They gave us free dessert…read morejust because. An absolute favorite.

Amazing food, curry, soup and my favorite pad tai!!!! Omg you will not be disappointed!! Yum…read more Ate it too fast to take a good picture! 100% must try!! authentic yummyness!!

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Interior

Tum Yum

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Ka ree puff, very good appetizer

Thai E-San

4.4(1k reviews)

3.2 mi

•$$

Thai food cravings = handled Thai E-San brings authentic…read moreflavors from Thailand's E-San region -- bold, fresh, and full of flavor. I went all in and ordered: Angel wings Coconut soup with chicken Pad See Ew with chicken Sticky rice Everything was rich, flavorful, and seriously satisfying. Cozy atmosphere, great food, and a solid spot when you want something comforting with a little kick.

With so many Thai choices in the Phoenix area, Thai E-San is definitely one of the best! This was…read moremy second time, and both times I've been there. They have been busy, even on a Monday night! Service is always spot on and super friendly! Last time I had one of my faves, the Drunken Noodles, and it did not disappoint! I decided to go with something this time outside of my usuals and went with the Papaya Salad and Lemongrass Soup. Thankfully, they do half portions of soup, so that was perfect! The soup was so delicious, and the broth was so tasty! For the Papaya Salad, I had that Bangkok style, which means it's topped with dried shrimp and peanuts! The salad was so fresh, flavorful, and truly unique! Even though they get busy, the seating doesn't feel too crammed with the booths being pretty private. Nice decor around the restaurant. If Thai is on your list, then Thai E-San is a must try!

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Fish patties

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Entrance view of Thai E-San as of 3/1/23

Thai Basil

4.1(660 reviews)

7.7 mi

•$$

You won't leave hungry! The portions are large. The food is flavorful and delicious. The vibe is…read morecozy and friendly. But the best part is the staff. I am a sucker for good hospitality, and they delivered! You could really feel a genuine warmth from the staff. The kind where you instantly feel comfortable. I'll be back for sure! Such a great find!

Had high hopes for this place, but my first experience was very disappointing. I had just landed…read morefrom Los Angeles and was too tired to go far, so I chose this restaurant because Yelp showed it was open late. Parking was easy, but unfortunately the service was the worst part of the visit. I sat down to look at the menu and place a to-go order, only to be told to move to another seat. A simple order of pad thai and spring rolls took exactly 42 minutes. After several follow-ups, no one told me the food was ready until I walked up to the counter myself. Overall, a frustrating experience, and I would not recommend it with other Thai restaurant options nearby.

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Eggplant (Pad Ma Kua)

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Chow Mein

Reign of Thai

4.3(625 reviews)

10.3 mi

•$$

We don't come here often enough. So fantastic every time. Order earlier than you want to eat so you…read morecan pick it up and let it rest for a while. It is served super temperature hot and you can count on the spice level to be super hot as well (if that's how you order it). This is the best Thai food in Phoenix, if you ask me, and I have tried many. Totally recommend!

I feel like this is still a hidden gem even though after several years they have been sending…read moreamazing Thai food out of the kitchen. We live close by and eat here often. The other night we picked up a chicken pad Thai and a Panang chicken curry. Pretty much our steady order. It was amazing as always. If you've never been it's totally worth checking out. It's take out for the most part or order delivery but you won't be disappointed

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The new decorations for the dining room tables

2. Stir-Fried Eggplant

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2. Thai Tea

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20 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Katriel A.

2 years ago

Absolutely amazing!! I went here with my family and boyfriend for my birthday and the customer service and food were both incredible. I called a couple times to move the reservation time and change how many people were coming, and the staff was more than accommodating and super nice and understanding. We were welcomed and sat immediately and the staff was constantly checking in and making sure that everything was perfect for us. Food was FANTASTIC! Definitely my new favorite Thai place. We started with the potstickers and the Tom Yum hot pot, both were so good. I had the Khao Soi and it was delicious! My boyfriend got the red curry and my mom got the massaman curry both were 10/10. The pineapple fried rice is also SO good. Everyone was absolutely blown away by their meals. They also gave me a complimentary birthday dessert, the fried banana with coconut pineapple ice cream which was so sweet of them and also outstanding!! I cannot express enough how good the food was. The chicken was the best texture I've ever had in a Thai restaurant ever. Lots of gluten free options too! The vibe of the restaurant was perfect! I'm not a fan of super loud and overwhelming restaurants so this was perfect for me. The music was great (not too loud or too quiet) and atmosphere was really cute and comfortable. Cute lights, sofas, and an amazing bar (we got sake and it was also great). The whole staff was truly the best and super attentive and so so nice! PJ was one of our servers and he's awesome! But the entire staff was more than amazing. Best experience ever! If I could give more than 5 stars I would!! read more

Holly B.

2 years ago

When it comes to Thai cuisine in downtown, this place tops the list. It's my go-to recommendation for work lunches because they effortlessly cater to vegetarians, vegans, and those with gluten restrictions. Their lunch special offers a generous portion of food at a great price. Their menu covers all the Thai food classics. I particularly enjoy their noodle dishes, sticky rice with mango, and fresh summer rolls for a veggie boost. They're also skilled at spicing up curries just the way you like it. And don't limit yourself to Thai tea; they offer a variety of drinks from bubble tea (try the jasmine) to cocktails (I'm a fan of the lychee martini). Whether it's lunch, dinner, or takeout, this place in the heart of downtown has you covered. read more

Jessica G.

2 years ago

Delicious! Curry ranks among my top favorite foods, and after a while without it, I was thrilled to try it from here today. I opted for the Penang curry with tofu, accompanied by a side of steamed veggies. The meal was prepared swiftly, and the curry was wonderfully creamy, filled with flavorful tofu. Although I chose mild, I realized I could have handled medium. The veggies were delightful, and I even mixed some into my curry. While the meal was a bit pricey, it was certainly worth it! I'd gladly return for another dine-in experience at this charming place. read more

Ashley S.

2 years ago

Curry is an all-time favorite of mine, and it had been a while since I last enjoyed it, so I was thrilled to have it here today! I opted for the Penang curry with tofu and a side of steamed veggies. My meal was prepared quickly. The curry was wonderfully creamy and filled with tofu! Although I ordered mild, I could have easily handled medium. The veggies were also delicious, and I mixed some into my curry. The meal was a bit pricey, but definitely worth it! I would definitely return for a dine-in meal. The place is adorable. read more

Daniel M.

6 years ago

We stopped in for happy hour and were really impressed. The bar selection was surprisingly broad and the food really blew us away. The Thai wings were super meaty with a really light breading and a sauce that had a great balance of sweet and spicy. The fried dragon balls with pork, crab and shrimp are a must-order. The batter was super light as well and the dipping sauce was the right amount of tangy. I went with the Clase Azul reposado, which not a lot of restaurant bars stock. And Rachel, the owner, is so much fun! read more

Grace P.

2 years ago

This downtown spot is fantastic! It offers ample indoor and outdoor seating and provides generous portions at great prices. The flavors are incredibly delicious, and the spice level is just right! Every dish I've tried has been fantastic - I haven't had a bad one yet. The service is exceptionally quick and friendly. I highly recommend it to Thai food enthusiasts heading downtown. read more

Michelle M.

1 year ago

Many years ago I had dinner at Zen Yai. The food was OK but the atmosphere was not appealing. THIS HAS ALL CHANGED. Recently we went back to have dinner at Zen Tai based on a recommendation of a trusted friend. All the items we ordered were fresh and delicious and the interior of the restaurant was greatly improved. I look forward to returning soon! read more

Shah D.

1 year ago

Zen Thai offers a delightful takeout experience with a menu full of vibrant flavors. The Pad Thai is a standout--perfectly cooked noodles and packed with fresh veggies! The only downside was a longer wait time during peak hours. Still, the quality makes it worth it. I'd definitely recommend it! read more

Joe M.

6 years ago

Best chicken wings I've ever had. Crispy, juicy, hot, not spicy unless you want them to be. I've never had dragon balls before but they were exceptionally delicious, full of different meats. Unbelievable bar selection. Friendly staff and great service. read more

Nathaniel N.

5 years ago

This spot is great if you are vegan & you like Thai salads like larb & woonsen noodle salad. This is place has the best vegan larb & woonsen salad in Phoenix! Lots of fresh herbs & the sauce is just the bomb! read more

Sean R.

5 years ago

Really good fresh ingredients. Spring rolls were delicious. We liked the outdoor seating. Will try some of the more adventurous things on the menu next time, but glad to have come here and will be back! read more

Amara M.

2 years ago

Drunken noodles had juicy beef meat and the dish had good flavor. Pork teriyaki, fried rice in a pineapple, and wings were also good. Very polite and quick service in a nice atmosphere. read more

Ilana M.

5 years ago

just now The food is delicious and the staff is very friendly and welcoming. The service is quick and overall experience was great. I highly recommend this restaurant ! read more

Carrie R.

3 years ago

Not a huge fan of thai, but this really hit the spot. Kind of dark in the business yet that isn't anything too bad for me not to return again. Some people just like it. read more

E J.

2 years ago

The food here is amazing. Staff is very friendly and accomodating. I love to bring friends here and show them this place!

Gabrielle L.

5 years ago

Rachel, the owner is such a great person that provides great service! The food is amazing there, super authentic.

Lew L.

3 years ago

Basic. Just your basic everywhere Thai restaurant. Not great. Not bad. Just.... basic.

Ramon Angel A.

5 years ago

The food was amazing and the workers are truly the nicest people I've ever met

Dago G.

5 years ago

Amazing food as well as customer service. 100% would recommend

Jennifer C.

115

131

5 years ago

Excellent customer service and food was very tasty.

Zen Thai - thai - Updated June 2026

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Chanpen Thai Cuisine

Glai Baan

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20 Zen Thai reviews that are not currently recommended

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

20 reviews that are not currently recommended

Zen Thai - thai - Updated June 2026

Best of Phoenix

People found Zen Thai by searching for…

Trending Searches in Phoenix, AZ

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