Best Date Night Magic Thai Restaurants in Santa Monica
3 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Satdha Plant Based Thai Kitchen
Pioneering plant-based Thai cuisine in LA for over a decade with no fake meats
Notable Picks
Chef Gunn Pankum's plant-based Thai kitchen transforms vegetables into complex, layered dishes without relying on mock meats. Since 2013, this Lincoln Boulevard veteran sources from local farmers markets to create inventive takes on classics like Khao Soi and Mung Bean Pad Thai alongside unique preparations like Southern Thai Fried 'Chicken' made from lion's mane mushrooms.
Must-Try Dishes:
Khao Soi, Southern Thai Fried 'Chicken', Mung Bean Pad Thai
What Makes it Special: Pioneering plant-based Thai cuisine in LA for over a decade with no fake meats
8.2
This intimate Thai restaurant brings authentic flavors from Thailand with Chef Wasana Pisaikun's traditional recipes served in an elegantly decorated space with crystal chandeliers. The menu balances familiar favorites like pad thai with more adventurous fusion dishes and house specialties.
Must-Try Dishes:
Yellow Curry with Coconut Milk, Pad Thai Bangkok Roll, Emperor Duck Rolls
What Makes it Special: Authentic Thai chef creating traditional dishes in an upscale intimate setting
#3
Cobi's
8
Chef Tin Vuong's Southeast Asian and African fusion menu leans into high-impact dishes—rendang, curry puffs, branzino—served in a moody, design-forward room on Main Street with a soul and reggae soundtrack that sets the energy level. It draws couples and adventurous eaters who want bold, globally inflected cooking without the stiffness of fine dining. Expect a lively room better suited to a fun night out than a hushed conversation.
Must-Try Dishes:
Butter Chicken, Curry Puffs, Short Rib
What Makes it Special: Southeast Asian and African-inspired dishes from chef Tin Vuong, served in a moody, design-forward Main Street space