Thai restaurant

Sala Thai

Lincoln SquareManhattan

4.7· 3,811 reviewsClosed now
Sala Thai — thai restaurant — in Lincoln Square — Manhattan — NYC
Sala Thai interior — Lincoln Square

Lincoln Square

Manhattan

The brief

About Sala Thai

Curries and street food in an urbane, wood-lined restaurant with wood carvings and a bohemian vibe.

Health inspection

NYC DOHMH Grade A

A

Score12(lower is better)

Inspected1/27/2025

Grade A is the highest mark from NYC's Department of Health — about 90% of restaurants earn it.

How grades work

Community Rating

4.7

½

out of 5

3,811 community reviews

Rating aggregated from community reviews across platforms. Read full reviews on Google or Yelp for detailed diner experiences.

Community-sourced rating

Reviews

What diners say about Sala Thai

15 verified Google reviews · 1 with owner response

4.7

15 reviews

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G SLocal guide
2 weeks ago

I ordered Pad Thai, Basil Rice, and Penang Curry with tofu as the protein. The prepared dishes felt like Pad Thai = tofu with a side of noodles, Basil Rice = tofu with a side of rice, and Penang Curry = tofu with a side of coconut curry. There was very little besides tofu and barely any vegetables. I’ve eaten at this restaurant at least 10 times before and have always enjoyed the food, which is why this experience was so disappointing.<br><br>The tofu in all three dishes was fried to the point of being nearly inedible—extremely chewy, tough, and almost plastic-like in texture. I literally had to discard every single piece of tofu from all the dishes and throw them away. The Penang Curry, which usually includes sweet potatoes, came with only beans and tofu this time, making it feel incomplete. The Pad Thai was unusually dry and had an odd taste that was very different from what I’ve had here before. The only dish that had some flavor was the Basil Rice, but even then, a large portion of it was dominated by the same inedible tofu.<br><br>It’s unfortunate because I’ve had so many great meals here in the past, but this experience was poor enough that it overshadowed those positive memories.

Response from the owner

Dear Guest,<br>Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback, and more importantly, thank you for being a loyal guest and dining with us so many times in the past.<br><br>We are truly sorry to hear that your recent order fell so far below the standard you have come to expect from us. Your description of the tofu being excessively fried, tough, and unpleasant in texture is very concerning, and we completely understand your frustration, especially when it affected all three dishes you ordered.<br>We are also disappointed to learn that the Pad Thai was dry and tasted different from previous visits, and that the Penang Curry lacked the ingredients and balance that normally make the dish enjoyable. This is certainly not the experience we aim to provide.<br><br>We have shared your comments with our kitchen team and will be reviewing both our tofu preparation and recipe consistency to ensure this does not happen again.<br><br>As a returning guest who has supported us many times before, we are especially sorry that this visit overshadowed the positive experiences you have had with us in the past. We sincerely appreciate you bringing these issues to our attention and hope you will give us another opportunity to provide the quality meal you deserve.<br><br>Sincerely,<br>Sala Thai team

Ladii ELocal guide
3 weeks ago

We walked in on a Saturday around 2:30 pm and asked for a table for 7 (children included). We were seated right away, however the wait for the food is extremely long. But let me tell you, it’s WELL WORTH the wait. Just order some apps and a bottle of wine because you’ll need it while you wait lol. When the food finally arrived, everything tasted amazing. Like wow. I personally love the way Thai restaurants make branzino (fish)<br>So I’ve had it plenty times from plenty Thai restaurants but this one was, by far, the BEST. The fish was really the star of the show. Even the toddlers couldn’t get enough of it. We ordered several Items to share and the entire party agreed that the fish was really really tasty. We tried garlic bokchoy, pad Thai, dumplings, spring rolls, fried rice, just to name a few (haha). I would absolutely return and recommend this spot. Just don’t come here when you’re already starving because you may have to wait an hour or more for your food.

AnneishaLocal guide
a month ago

The food was very flavorful and the drinks were really good. The place gets pretty busy, so I recommend making a reservation in advance. If you don’t, you’ll likely end up at the bar—but that’s not a bad thing because the drinks are amazing. Even while sitting at the bar, the bartenders were very attentive and made sure everyone was taken care of. Mango Sticky Rice is a must!!! 🥭🍚

VenusLocal guide
a month ago

Beautiful ambiance with stunning traditional Thai artwork that immediately transports you into a more authentic cultural atmosphere. The restaurant feels elegant yet cozy — perfect for dinner with family or friends.<br><br>Food-wise, the flavors were rich, balanced, and thoughtfully presented. The Tom Yum Koong had a fragrant broth with the right balance of spicy and sour, while the Gai Yang was juicy, flavorful, and perfectly grilled. The Pad Thai Bolan tasted more refined and less overly sweet than many typical versions.<br><br>The Crepe Dumplings were unique and beautifully plated, and the Kanom Tuay was a lovely traditional dessert to finish the meal. Even the Butterfly drink added a nice visual and refreshing touch.<br><br>Service was warm and attentive throughout the evening. Overall, this place feels more elevated than the average Thai restaurant in NYC — not just for the food, but for the atmosphere and experience as a whole. Would definitely come back.

Sandra WilliamsLocal guide
a month ago

Sine, our server was wonderful. The food was amazing and the atmosphere makes you feel like you're actually in Thailand. I have nothing but nice things to say about this place. Pricing for the quality of food is very reasonable as well. I'll definitely be back soon.

Kyrah Rochelle PerezLocal guide
a month ago

If you’re craving Thai food that actually hits, Sala Thai is 100% worth it. Everything we ordered came out flavorful and fresh. The fried appetizers were crispy and not greasy, and the dipping sauce paired perfectly. The fried rice was packed with flavor and had that perfect wok taste. The pad thai? Super satisfying, savory, slightly sweet, and cooked just right.<br><br>The tom yum soup had a nice kick and was really comforting, and the grilled skewers were juicy with a smoky char. Even the drinks were on point (and cute for pics 👀). Dessert was a fun surprise too, definitely something different.<br><br>Overall, great vibes, solid portions, and food that doesn’t disappoint. I’ve been here multiple times and it’s always consistent.<br><br>Definitely coming back again 🤍

Aparna DLocal guide
3 months ago

Was lucky to have dinner at this place! The service, food and decor - all excellent and will certainly revisit! Ordered a tamarind cocktail - was expecting more sourness but did not get any tamarind notes, the drink was good nonetheless! For food - pad see ew, lemongrass chicken and tofu panang curry - all of it was very good with excellent flavors! The black coconut rice that was served with the chicken was awesome! Overall loved the restaurant!!

ParthLocal guide
3 months ago

One of the best places I've had Thai food. Close to Central Park. Good ambience with privacy. Pad thai noodles were awesome. We ordered 1 starter, 1 soup and 1 noodles, more than enough for 2 people.<br><br>Must try place for thai food lovers.

Tamir GershovitzLocal guide
4 months ago

Excellent Thai food at a very high level. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. The service was friendly, fast, and professional, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting.<br>You can really tell they care about the small details. Highly recommended and definitely a place worth coming back to.

Jenny Beth StenquistLocal guide
6 months ago

5’s across the board for me. My Massaman curry was maybe the best I’ve ever had. Everyone who ordered the basics enjoyed their Pad Thai, and the crepe dumplings were something I’d exclusively go back for. Wow!<br><br>The service did a great job—no complaints. Wish I had a more thorough review but in this case it’s a great sign!

Camila Salinas
7 months ago

The food was very good! We ordered Khan Steamed Dumplings and were really yummy. Alice was our server and was very attentive and nice!<br>The Kao Soy was awesome and the Pad se-ew too!

Ersegun KocogluLocal guide
7 months ago

We had a wonderful dinner experience at Sala Thai. From the moment we arrived, Kamon welcomed us with such warmth and genuine kindness — it immediately set the tone for the evening.<br><br>The Yum Ped (crispy duck salad) was bright and flavorful, the Pad Thai Bolan was a work of art both visually and in taste, and the Tom Yum Koong was perfectly balanced. We ended with the Thai tea Chocolate Lava Cake, a creative and comforting finale.<br><br>Everything — from the service to the atmosphere — was exceptional. Thank you, Kamon, and the Sala Thai team, for such a memorable night in New York. Highly recommended!

Bella FennLocal guide
7 months ago

Super super yummy!! Stopped in around 5 pm on Friday without a reservation and were sat very quickly. Super cute restaurant, wonderful service, and the food is soooo good. We had the curry puffs and would 10/10 recommend.

John Kevin
8 months ago

This is on my top list of Thai Restaurants in NYC. We loved everything we ordered. From the appetizer : Chicken Satay, the peanut sauce and the vinegar is so good, Pad Thai anf Pineapple Fried Rice is so flavorful and not salty at all. Thai Iced Tea is bold and refreshing! Servers and staff are very accommodating and attentive to your needs.

Cody Robbie TranLocal guide
10 months ago

This is the one and only Thai restaurant I keep coming back to in New York. I’ve dined here twice, and each visit has left me deeply satisfied. In fact, it’s hands down the best Thai food I’ve had in the city, no exaggeration.<br><br>The flavors are refined and beautifully balanced, capturing the heart of authentic Asian cuisine. Every dish feels intentional, with just the right amount of care in both preparation and presentation. The staff are warm, attentive, and professional, which only enhances the experience.<br><br>If you’re a fan of spicy food like me, don’t hesitate to ask for traditional Thai heat. If not, they’re more than happy to adjust the spice level to your comfort. The space is cozy and lively, tables are close together, but it never feels cramped.<br><br>I’ve tried six dishes so far, and not one has let me down. If you’re craving the bold, soulful flavors of home or Southeast Asia, this place is not to be missed. Make a reservation on Google to ensure the best service, it’s worth it.<br><br>The cocktails might lean more toward New York tastes, strong and didn’t quite hit the mark for me, but everything else more than made up for it. This is a gem I’ll keep returning to, and I hope the team continues to keep up their amazing work.

Reviews sourced from Google. Displayed for informational purposes. Ratings reflect reviewer opinions at the time of posting.

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