12 Best Thai Restaurants in Bali for Your 2026 Cravings
When you need a hit of lemongrass, chilli and fish sauce, Bali delivers. These are the island's standout Thai kitchens, from refined dining rooms to honest street-style spots.
MyGlob Editorial June 3, 2026 17 min read
Bali's dining scene has long looked beyond Indonesian flavours, and Thai food is one of its strongest supporting acts. From green curries fragrant with kaffir lime to fiery som tam and silky pad thai, the island's Thai restaurants range from polished fine-dining rooms to casual canteens run by Thai chefs. Here are twelve of the best places to satisfy a Thai craving in 2026, spread across the main tourist areas. Menus and opening hours change often, so it is always worth confirming before you go.
01Pick #1Refined Thai in Seminyak — Special Occasions
Seminyak hosts several upmarket Thai restaurants where elegant interiors and creative plating meet authentic flavour. Expect tasting menus, well-built cocktails and dishes like massaman curry and crispy soft-shell crab. This is the area to choose for a dressed-up dinner that still delivers real heat and depth.
02Pick #2Canggu's Casual Thai Cafes — Everyday Eats
Canggu's nomad crowd is well served by relaxed Thai cafes serving generous bowls of curry, noodles and rice at fair prices. These spots are perfect for a quick, satisfying lunch between surf and co-working sessions, and many cater to vegetarians and vegans.
03Pick #3Ubud Thai with a View — Jungle Dining
In Ubud, a handful of Thai kitchens combine rice-field or river-valley views with classics like tom yum and green curry. The cooler highland setting makes a steaming bowl of spicy soup especially welcome, and the relaxed pace suits a long, leisurely meal.
04Pick #4Authentic Bangkok-Style Street Food — Real Deal
Look for the no-frills spots run by Thai families, where the menus are short and the flavours are uncompromising. Boat noodles, papaya salad pounded to order and properly fermented sauces signal a kitchen cooking for homesick Thais, not just tourists.
05Pick #5Thai Seafood by the Beach — Coastal Flavours
Several beachside restaurants specialise in Thai-style seafood, with whole steamed fish in lime and chilli, grilled prawns and spicy seafood salads. Pair the bright, sour-spicy dishes with a sunset for a memorable evening near the sand.
06Pick #6Northern Thai Specialists — Khao Soi Hunters
A few kitchens go beyond the standard menu to serve northern Thai dishes like khao soi, the coconut curry noodle soup topped with crispy noodles. If you find one doing it well, order it; it is one of Thailand's great comfort dishes.
07Pick #7Thai Vegan & Plant-Based — Meat-Free Heat
Bali's strong vegan scene extends to Thai cooking, with restaurants offering tofu-based curries, mushroom larb and plant-based versions of classics. Flavour rarely suffers, as Thai cuisine leans hard on herbs, chilli and aromatics rather than meat alone.
08Pick #8Hotel & Resort Thai Restaurants — Polished Comfort
Many of Bali's larger resorts house dedicated Thai restaurants with consistent quality and attentive service. They are a reliable, if pricier, choice, especially handy if you are staying in a quieter area away from the dining hubs.
09Pick #9Thai Spots in Sanur — Family-Friendly
Laid-back Sanur has welcoming Thai restaurants that suit families and longer-stay residents, with milder options for children alongside the fiery dishes. The calm, walkable setting makes for an easy, unhurried dinner.
10Pick #10Uluwatu Thai for Surfers — Post-Session Fuel
Up on the Bukit, a growing number of casual Thai eateries refuel surfers and beach-clubbers with big portions of pad thai, fried rice and curries. Affordable and hearty, they hit the spot after a day in the water.
11Pick #11Thai Fusion & Modern Plates — Creative Cooking
Some of Bali's more ambitious chefs blend Thai techniques with local produce and global influences, producing inventive small plates and signature cocktails. These spots suit diners who want a contemporary, experimental take rather than tradition.
12Pick #12Hidden Local Warungs Doing Thai — Budget Gems
Finally, keep an eye out for small, inexpensive warung-style kitchens where a Thai cook quietly turns out excellent curries and noodles for a fraction of restaurant prices. These under-the-radar gems are often the best value Thai food on the island.
A tip for spice lovers: many Bali kitchens dial the heat down for foreign palates by default, so if you want it properly spicy, say so when you order. And because the dining scene moves fast, check current reviews and opening hours before making a special trip.
Bali has a thriving Thai food scene, with standout restaurants in Seminyak, Canggu and Ubud serving classics like pad thai, green curry and tom yum. Options range from casual eateries to upscale dining. Reserve ahead at popular spots, especially in high season.
- Best areas
- Seminyak, Canggu, Ubud
- Signature dishes
- Pad thai, green curry, tom yum
- Range
- Casual eateries to upscale dining
- Diets
- Vegetarian options widely available
- Booking
- Reserve ahead at popular spots
- Bali has a strong Thai dining scene across Seminyak, Canggu and Ubud.
- Popular dishes include pad thai, green and red curry, and tom yum soup.
- Options span casual street-style eateries to upscale modern Thai.
- Many restaurants offer vegetarian and adjustable spice levels.
- Booking ahead is wise at popular spots in high season.


