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ZipPicks Awards
Best Thai in Downtown LA
Best Wings in Downtown LA
Master Critic Review
White Elephant
8.1
A polished Historic Core Thai spot that leans modern without losing the backbone of bold, balanced flavors. The menu mixes elevated takes on classics with a few fusion-leaning plates, and execution stays clean across curries, grilled items, and stir-fries. The room feels like a real sit-down destination for Downtown rather than a quick counter stop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Royal River Prawn, Tom Kha, Crispy Branzino
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Modern Thai cooking in a Downtown dining-room format with confident technique.
Who should go: Downtown diners who want Thai with a night-out feel.
When to visit: Weeknight dinner for easier pacing and reservations.
What to order: Royal River Prawn, tom kha, curry or whole fish.
Insider tip: Order a mix of one curry and one grilled or seafood plate.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Main/Spring is limited at night; nearby paid structures typically run $8–$15. No valet on most nights.
Dress code: Smart casual; Downtown date-night energy means elevated basics look right, but jeans and a nice top are completely fine.
Noise level: Moderate—lively social energy but still easy to hold a conversation across the table.
Weekend wait: 35–55 minutes without a reservation, especially during peak 7–8pm windows.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; flows are smooth and tables turn quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage—several curries, stir-fries, and starters can be made vegetarian on request.
Vegan options: Moderate—2–4 dishes can be adapted, but confirm sauces since some contain fish products.
Gluten-free options: Several naturally gluten-free options; staff can guide modifications, but there is no separate prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—stylish room, balanced noise level, and modern Thai plates create a relaxed but elevated vibe that works well for early dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? On weeknights, usually yes with a short wait; on weekends, walk-ins often face 30+ minutes. Reserving is best if arriving after 7pm.
Is it kid-friendly? Decently kid-friendly for older kids and teens, but the ambiance leans more adult/date-night. No dedicated kids’ menu.
Best For
Better for: A sit-down, polished Thai dinner with elevated presentations and a night-out mood compared to nearby fast-casual Thai options.
Skip if: You want ultra-traditional, no-frills Thai or need extensive vegan/gluten-free selections—the menu leans modern and seafood-forward.
Hours
Monday12pm - 3pm, 4pm - 8:30pm
Tuesday12pm - 3pm, 4pm - 8:30pm
Wednesday12pm - 3pm, 4pm - 8:30pm
Thursday12pm - 3pm, 4pm - 8:30pm
Friday12pm - 3pm, 5pm - 9:30pm
Saturday12pm - 3pm, 5pm - 9:30pm
Sunday12pm - 3pm, 5pm - 9:30pm