Chanon Thai Café A meal here is like a casual dinner at your best Thai friend’s place. Try curried fish cakes and red-curry prawns with coconut milk and pineapple. 278 E. 900 South, SLC, 801-532-1177. $
Indochine Vietnamese cuisine is under–represented in Salt Lake’s Thai-ed up dining scene, so a restaurant that offers more than noodles is welcome. Try broken rice dishes, clay pots and pho. 230 S. 1300 East, 801-582-0896. $$
Mi La-cai Noodle House Mi La-cai’s noodles rise above the rest, and their pho is fantastic—each bowl a work of art. The beautiful setting is a pleasure. It’s even a pleasure to get the bill. 961 S. State St., SLC, 801-322-3590. $
My Thai My Thai is an unpretentious mom-and-pop operation—she’s mainly in the kitchen, and he mainly waits tables, but in a lull, she darts out from her stove to ask diners if they like the food. Yes, we do. 1425 S. 300 West, SLC, 801-505-4999. $
Oh Mai Fast, friendly and hugely flavorful—that sums up this little banh mi shop that’s taken SLC by storm. Pho is also good and so are full plates, but the banh mi are heaven. 3425 State St., SLC, 801-467-6882. $
Pawit’s Royale Thai Cuisine Curries are fragrant with coconut milk, and ginger duck is lip-smacking good. The dining room conveys warmth via tasteful décor using Thai silks and traditional art. 1968 E. Murray-Holladay Rd., SLC, 801-277-3658. $$
Pleiku This stylish downtown spot serves a selection of Vietnamese dishes made from family recipes and served tapas-style. Note the pho, which is brewed for 36 hours and served in a full-bowl meal or a preprandial cup. 264 Main St., SLC, 801-359-4544. $$
Sapa Sushi Bar & Asian Grill Charming Vietnamese stilt houses surround the courtyard. Sapa’s menu ranges from Thai curries to fusion and hot pots, but the sushi is the best bet. 722 S. State St., SLC, 801-363-7272. $$
Sawadee Thai The menu goes far outside the usual pad thai and curry. Thai food’s appeal lies in the subtleties of difference achieved with a limited list of ingredients. 754 E. South Temple, SLC, 801-328-8424. $$
Skewered Thai A serene setting for some of the best Thai in town—perfectly balanced curries, pristine spring rolls, intoxicating drunk noodles and a well-curated wine list. 575 S. 700 East, SLC, 801-364-1144. $ – $$
SOMI Vietnamese Bistro But there’s also Chinese food and a cocktail menu at this stylish Sugarhouse restaurant. Crispy branzino, pork belly sliders on bai and braised oxtail are some of the highlights to the menu, which also includes the standard spring rolls and pho. 1215 E. Wilmington, SLC, 385-322-1158. $$$
Thai Garden Paprika-infused pad thai, deep-fried duck and fragrant gang gra ree are all excellent choices—but there are 50-plus items on the menu. Be tempted by batter-fried bananas with coconut ice cream. 4410 S. 900 East, SLC, 801-266-7899. $$
Thai Lotus Curries and noodle dishes hit a precise procession on the palate—sweet, then sour, savory and hot—plus there are dishes you’ve never tried before and should: bacon and collard greens, red curry with duck, salmon with chili and coconut sauce. 212 E. 500 South, SLC, 801-328-4401. $ – $$
Thai Siam This restaurant is diminutive, but the flavors are fresh, big and bold. Never expensive, this place is even more of a bargain during lunchtime, when adventurous customers enjoy the $6.95 combination plates, a triple Thai tasting that’s one of the best deals in town. 1435 S. State St., SLC, 801-474-3322. $
Zao Asian Cafe It’s hard to categorize this pan-Asian semi-fast food concept. It draws from Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese traditions, all combined with the American need for speed. Just file it under fast, fresh, flavorful food. 639 E. 400 South, SLC, 801-595-1234. $
Tasty Thai Tasty is a family-run spot, absolutely plain, in and out, but spotless and friendly, and the food is fresh and plentiful. And it’s so close to a walk in the park. 1302 S. 500 East, SLC, 801-467-4070. $