Best Thai Restaurants in River North
4 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Crying Tiger
A 2025-opened, design-forward Southeast Asian spot from chef Thai Dang with lobster pad Thai and khao soi leading the menu.
Notable Picks
#1
Crying Tiger
8.8
Led by James Beard finalist Thai Dang, Crying Tiger brings a high-design River North room and a menu of khao soi, lobster pad Thai, and charcoal-grilled meats that lean into bold Southeast Asian flavors. It’s already one of the toughest reservations in the neighborhood, used for date nights and small-group dinners where guests want serious cocktails and layered heat.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lobster Pad Thai in Clay Pot, Khao Soi with Roti, Prawn Toast
What Makes it Special: A 2025-opened, design-forward Southeast Asian spot from chef Thai Dang with lobster pad Thai and khao soi leading the menu.
8.6
Silver Spoon Thai Restaurant is a compact, late-night Thai spot just off the Magnificent Mile, known for deeply flavored curries and noodle dishes served next to the Royal Thai Consulate. High-volume delivery traffic and steady dine-in business make it a reliable choice for pad thai, red curry, and other standards long after many neighboring kitchens close.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pad Thai, Red Curry with Chicken, Crab Rangoon
What Makes it Special: Authentic-feeling Thai cooking favored by consulate staff and locals with late-night hours.
#3
Star of Siam
8
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Star of Siam is a busy Near North Thai restaurant just off Michigan Avenue that helped introduce many downtown diners to curries, noodle dishes, and stir-fries decades ago. Large portions, a sprawling menu, and high capacity make it a go-to for pre-theater, convention, and group meals where location and convenience matter as much as the food.
Must-Try Dishes:
Massaman Curry, Prime Minister Green Curry, Gyo Tod (Fried Dumplings)
What Makes it Special: High-capacity downtown Thai with decades of history and thousands of repeat visitors.
Worthy Picks
7.9
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
Operating out of a shared space with Ikigai Sushi & Izakaya, Peak Thai To-Go runs a tightly focused menu of noodle dishes, curries, and fried rice that travels well. Strong delivery-platform ratings and generous portions make it a go-to for nearby offices and residents looking for reliable weeknight Thai without a dine-in commitment.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pad Thai, Kee Mao (Drunken) Noodles, Green Curry
What Makes it Special: A delivery-first Thai kitchen with an unusually deep noodle and fried rice lineup for takeout.