Food & Drink
Best Thai Food in Kelowna
Kelowna Team
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Summary
The best Thai food in Kelowna, with what to order at each spot and which places to skip.
In this article:
The best Thai food in Kelowna is at Zabb Thai, with locations in the Mission and Rutland, followed by Bai Tong Thai Food and Pick Thai on Bernard Avenue. This guide covers 10 spots, from proper green curry to cheap noodle lunches, with what to order at each and what to skip, plus where to buy ingredients to cook Thai at home. Kelowna has no night-market scene like Vancouver's, and some local Thai is overly sweet, but the places below are reliable.
| Restaurant | Area | Price | Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zabb Thai | Mission | $$ | Pad See Ew, Basil Pork |
| Zabb Thai | Rutland | $$ | Green Curry |
| Bai Tong Thai Food | Downtown | $$ | Gang Kiew Waan, Pad King |
| Pick Thai | Downtown | $$ | Panang Curry |
| Mon Thong Thai Restaurant | Midtown | $$ | BBQ chicken, hot wings |
| Pandanus Thai Restaurant | West Kelowna | $$ | Massaman curry |
| Mad Mango Cafe | Downtown | $ | Laksa, Curry Chicken rice bowl |
| Skinny Duke's Glorious Emporium | Downtown | $$$ | Thai shumai |
| Basil Leaf Noodle & Rice | Lower Mission | $$ | Thai basil stir-fries |
| Thai Express | Downtown | $ | Khao Soi |
Zabb Thai (The Mission)
Zabb Thai 3005 Pandosy St | $$
The benchmark for Thai food in Kelowna. Order the Pad See Ew, made with wide, chewy noodles that hold the sauce, and the Basil Pork, which is salty, spicy and rich.
The dining room is small and loud when full, so takeout is the better option on a Friday night. Call early; the phone goes unanswered when the kitchen is busy. Parking on Pandosy is very limited from June to August. Park three blocks away on residential streets and walk.
Zabb Thai (Rutland)
Zabb Thai 150 Hollywood Rd S | $$
Same menu as the Mission location, with a large free parking lot and a plainer, cafeteria-style dining room. It's the easier option for people on the hill or in Glenmore, and Rutland's food scene is stronger than its reputation.
Order the Green Curry. It's very spicy. "Thai hot" is available on request, but medium is the better choice for most people.
Bai Tong Thai Food
Bai Tong Thai Food 275 Bernard Ave | $$
Known for its green curry and an owner who checks on every table. The Gang Kiew Waan (green curry) is excellent, and the Pad King comes with plenty of fresh ginger. In summer, the city closes Bernard to cars and the patios extend into the street.
The catch: the kitchen slows on weekends. Order spring rolls and a local beer while you wait, and avoid Saturday night if you're short on time.
Pick Thai
Pick Thai 467 Bernard Ave | $$
Best for curry and bubble tea. The family-run restaurant is just up the block from Bai Tong. The Panang Curry is thick and well balanced, and a taro milk tea offsets the spice. The Pad Thai is on the sweet side, so the curries and drunken noodles are the better orders.
It's casual and suits takeout. City Park is a ten-minute walk, though seagulls will go after unattended food.
Mon Thong
Mon Thong Thai Restaurant 1876 Cooper Rd | $$
Best for a traditional menu before a movie. Mon Thong is in Orchard Plaza in midtown, next to the movie theatre. Traffic around Harvey and Cooper is heavy from 3 PM to 5 PM; 7 PM is a better time to arrive.
The BBQ chicken and hot wings are heavy on garlic and cilantro. The 1990s-era interior hasn't been updated, but the food is consistent from visit to visit. Its former Ellis Street location is listed as closed and it has no website, so call ahead to confirm the Cooper Road room is open.
Where can you get Thai food in West Kelowna?
Pandanus Thai Restaurant 2424 Main St, West Kelowna | $$
Pandanus is West Kelowna's local Thai restaurant, known for very fresh ingredients and crisp vegetables. The Massaman curry is rich and peanutty, with plenty of potato. From Kelowna proper, avoid the bridge at rush hour and arrive after 6:30 PM.
The catch: it closes early, at 8 PM on weekdays and 9 PM on weekends, with an afternoon break as well. Late arrivals get their food in to-go containers.
Mad Mango Cafe
Mad Mango Cafe 551 Bernard Ave | $
Known for some of the best cheap lunches in town. It's an Asian-fusion diner rather than a Thai restaurant. Order the Laksa noodle soup or the Curry Chicken rice bowl. Portions are large.
At noon on a Tuesday the line runs out the door with office workers, construction crews and tourists. Seating is cramped. Bring cash in case the card machine is down.
Skinny Duke's Glorious Emporium
Skinny Duke's Glorious Emporium 1481 Water St | $$$
Best for Asian-inspired dishes in a retro setting. The fusion restaurant is decorated like a 1970s basement, with velvet couches, old TVs and vintage wallpaper. It isn't a traditional Thai restaurant, but the Thai shumai and the lemongrass Vietnamese ribs are the standout orders.
The catch: it's expensive, especially the cocktails. Book ahead for a weekend table.
Basil Leaf Noodle & Rice
Basil Leaf Noodle & Rice 3477 Lakeshore Rd #100 | $$
Best for Thai basil stir-fries, made with real Thai basil. The restaurant serves Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese food in the Lower Mission, steps from Gyro Beach, and handles all three well. The Pad Thai is weaker; Zabb does it better.
It's a convenient stop after an afternoon at Gyro. It's very busy in July and quiet in January.
Thai Express
Thai Express 1232 Ellis St | $
Best for fast, cheap noodles downtown. The fast-food Thai chain isn't authentic Bangkok street food, but a Khao Soi or Golden Crispy Noodles comes out quickly, with plenty of sauce.
It's a takeout spot, not a sit-down meal. The courtyard outside the library up the street is a good place to eat.
Where can you buy Thai ingredients in Kelowna?
Oriental Supermarket on Highway 97 is the place to buy Thai ingredients in Kelowna. Local grocery stores, including Superstore, are inconsistent for Asian ingredients. Oriental Supermarket carries galangal, lime leaves and proper fish sauce. When cooking Thai at home, start with less heat than the recipe calls for, and wash your hands before touching your eyes after chopping Thai chilies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Thai restaurant in Kelowna?
Zabb Thai is widely considered the best authentic Thai food in Kelowna. It has two locations, one in the Mission and one in Rutland, and is locally famous for its Pad See Ew and Green Curry.
Are there any good Thai places in West Kelowna?
Yes. Pandanus Thai on Main Street is the top Thai spot in West Kelowna, with very fresh ingredients and modern takes on traditional curries. Be aware that it closes early, around 8 PM on weekdays.
Where can I get authentic Pad Thai in downtown Kelowna?
Bai Tong on Bernard Avenue is the downtown pick, though its green curry and Pad King are stronger than its Pad Thai. Pick Thai is also downtown just up the street, but its Pad Thai leans a bit sweeter.
Does Mad Mango Cafe serve Thai food?
Mad Mango Cafe serves Asian-fusion dishes rather than strictly traditional Thai food. Its Laksa and Curry Chicken rice bowl are popular, affordable staples for locals.
Where can I buy Thai cooking ingredients in Kelowna?
Oriental Supermarket on Highway 97 is the best local spot for Thai cooking ingredients. It carries fresh galangal, lime leaves, Thai chilies and authentic brands of fish sauce that you won't easily find at regular grocery chains.
