Esther Kagaoan opened the first Siam Thai location in an Edmonton industrial park back in 2020, when COVID-19 brought chaos to the restaurant industry. She didn’t know if the restaurant was going to survive. But, even in tough times, when you make some of the best Thai dishes in the city, people will find a way to find you.
The success of Siam Thai can’t be questioned. There are now three Edmonton locations, and a spot in Fort McMurray, too. From curries to stir-fries to noodles to Tom Yum soup that’s sure to clear the nasal passages, Siam Thai’s menu has been a true made-in-Edmonton hit. – Steve Sandor
Siam Thai Kitchen
Alberta Park Industrial | 15883 116 Ave NW, Edmonton | 780.455.5060
Rampart Industrial | 242 Mistatim Rd NW, Edmonton | 780.613.1875
Downtown | 10020 102 Ave NW, Edmonton | 780-221-5605
siamthaiexpress.com
There are plenty of bright and pretty streets in Edmonton, but downtown, there’s a quiet, tree-lined stretch of 99th Avenue that makes for a lovely walk to the softly lit Viphalay Laos and Thai Restaurant.
Since 2012, Viphalay, which opened in 2007, has sat in this converted house that feels like entering the home of the Thai mom you never had, and I honestly wrote that before reading “Mom is the reason Viphalay exists” on the restaurant’s website.
You can’t go wrong with Drunken Noodles, and Viphalay has your curry craving covered (plus an array of colourful salads). Basically, if you like Thai food, you’ll love Viphalay, but we love the ambience, atmosphere and area just as much. – Cory Schachtel
Viphalay Laos and Thai Restaurant
Downtown | 10523 99 Ave, Edmonton | 780.756.8188 | viphalay.com
This unassuming spot in the heart of Chinatown has regularly made it into our Best Restaurants lists over the years. Is it because of the best Tom Yum soup you’ll find in the city? The glass noodles? The curries? It’s all of the above, really. This is a family-run spot that’s close enough to downtown for a great business lunch, and has dishes to share that are substantial enough for a family dinner.
The fact that this place gets votes from our Best Restaurants judges year after year shows just how consistent the offerings are — and why it’s always a safe bet when you’re looking for flavours that are going to punch you in the mouth. – Steven Sandor
Boualouang
McCauley | 10569 97 St NW, Edmonton | 587.416.2202 | boualouang-laos-thai-restaurant.square.site
This article appears in the March 2025 issue of Edify
