I'm seriously obsessed with Thai food, so I'm always trying new spots, but somehow I always end up coming back to Budsi's. There are a lot of Thai restaurants in New Orleans that are good, but Budsi's is one of those places that just hits differently. What keeps bringing me back is the flavor. There's this perfect balance of heat, savory richness, and a touch of sweetness that makes every bite so satisfying. It has that bold, layered flavor I'm always looking for in Thai food without anything feeling overpowering. And the chicken Pad Thai is AMAZING and I don't say that lightly. The flavor is so good, and it's one of those dishes that I find myself craving specifically. I can venture out and try somewhere new, but eventually I'm thinking about that Pad Thai again. That's what keeps bringing me back to Budsi's. I'm always willing to try a new Thai restaurant, but somehow Budsi's keeps reminding me why it's one of my favorites. Some restaurants are good for a visit, and some become your spot. Budsi's is definitely one of mine. read more

Budsi's Authentic Thai - Chicken pad Thai - Thai Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

I was way too hungry to remember to take pictures of my food, but honestly, that probably says a lot about how good everything was! Everything we ordered was fantastic. Thai food can sometimes be hit or miss for me, and I'm usually pretty particular about what I order. I don't tend to branch out too much when it comes to Thai food because I already know what I like. But this place definitely impressed me. From the rice dishes to the noodle dishes, everything was seasoned perfectly and packed with flavor. Each bite was delicious, and I really enjoyed how well-balanced all the flavors were. It was the kind of meal where you just keep eating and forget you were supposed to take pictures in the first place! The restaurant itself is spacious and has a really beautiful aesthetic. I loved the combination of the artwork and exposed brick walls. Together, they create this rustic, cozy feel that makes the space feel both stylish and inviting. The ordering process is pretty simple. They give you a menu when you arrive, and then you head up to the register to place your order and pay. The food came out surprisingly quickly, which was definitely a plus because I was hungry! Overall, I really enjoyed my experience here. The food was flavorful, the atmosphere was beautiful, and the service was quick and easy. I'm glad I decided to give this place a try, and I'd definitely come back to enjoy another meal here. read more

Important for vegetarians, make sure you communicate that you are vegetarian when you arrive. We were told the default for the restaurant is fish sauce, they will use vegetable sauce when they know you are vegetarian. With that out of the way, choosing tofu as the protein opens up almost the entire menu, very nice. We had Pad Thai, Pad Cha stir fry, and tofu soup. All were very well seasoned and outstanding. We ate at the sidewalk seating on a glorious evening. Not much more to say. Order at the counter, get a number, find a table, food will be delivered and the table cleared. When we arrived there was a line out the door (maybe 20-25 yards); this line was constant from the time we arrived til we departed. It moved reasonably well and it appeared many of the people knew each other. People visiting other tables, probably more than any restaurant I've ever been at. Definitely would return. read more

We were completely shocked by the interior being so large and spacious. There is plenty of seating available. You walk in and grab a menu then head to the counter and place your order. You're given a table number and a glass of water, next you can choose your seating. We sat facing the TV and watched an old school karate movie while we waited. The bar was serving cocktails. We stuck with our water. My ramen was made spicy and he's was mild. The richness of the curry with the texture of the fried noodles and soft turned this into a feast I was not expecting. We left all warm and fuzzy on the inside. Highly recommend this restaurant. read more

Budsi's Authentic Thai - Chicken and Shrimp curry ramen - Thai Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Ok so here's the deal-- I would've given this place five stars if it was based on my entree. Unfortunately, we also ordered the fish cakes and chicken wings. Maybe I'm just not a fish cake guy, but I know wings. Wings should be crispy and flavorful. For a few reasons, these wings missed the mark. But back to the budsi noodles with crispy pork. This dish was a 10/10. I will be back, and when I return, I am confident I will amend this grade to a 4 or 5 star. read more

Good option for Thai in the FQ/marigny area.... Always packed so plan ahead! Generous use of lime leaf, lemon grass and ginger....authentic Thai. Now....not a fan of head-on, shell-on, un-deveined shrimp, whole Thai peppers and big chunks of lime leaf in the entrees. Tough to sort through and messy... so stick to other protein options and chew carefully! Mushroom larb is the bomb. read more

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I love Thai food and was happy to find another restaurant in the city to add to my list. Everything is pretty affordable and it didn't take long for our food to arrive to the table. I had the Budsi's noodles with chicken but I can't wait try more things on the menu. It's located in a neighborhood so there's street parking only. There's also a full bar inside. read more

Budsi's Authentic Thai - Budsi's noodles with chicken - Thai Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

The food is my favorite Thai in the city. Its casual atmosphere makes for a quick bite and easy to order Togo. Good service. The drunken noodles and the red curry are so so delicious read more

Budsi's Authentic Thai - Drunken noodles with shrimp - Thai Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Wow. Just wow. This is not a typical Americanized Thai Restaurant. Some dishes have a more North Eastern flair. First, there is neighborhood parking, so that was nice for NOLA. It had a clean, but simple flair. We ordered Thai Green Tea and Thai Tea. I ordered a lunch special of Pad Ka Prao with Beef. It was a smaller portion, and still more than I would eat. We had fish cakes from the appetizers. It didn't sound too good to me, but hubby was excited, and I really liked them! Hubs ordered Spicy Somtam Papaya Salad with Grilled Pork Shoulder and Sticky Rice. He ordered it Isaan style which has fermented fish sauce. We were warned ahead of time that it didn't appeal to everyone. He loved it. His love for hot made it where I did not try it. I would say this dish is more for the more adventurous pallet. We would 10/10 recommend and would return. read more

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This place was recommended to us by our air bnb hosts and this place is good! I love the interior of the building surrounded by brick. It gives it a lot of charm. We ordered what we usually get at Thai places: pad see ew and Thai ice tea. It's spot on. I forgot to ask for no spice for my fiance though because I never think about spice. If you can't handle spice, they make it with a default spice so don't forget to ask for no spice! Thai ice tea was a perfect ratio of sweet and condensed milk and tea! read more

My dining companion had take-away from here before and recommended we give it a try. The place was very busy, but the wait was only maybe twenty minutes. We ordered the shrimp Drunken Noodles and the shrimp Tom Yum soup. Both were very good--would order again. While the Drunken Noodles were a different type of noodle than I've had a number of other times, having an open mind found me devouring them. With no appetizers, we still ended up taking leftovers home. So good! read more

Budsi's Authentic Thai - Shrimp Drunken Noodles - Thai Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Best Thai, no contest, in NOLA and probably even Louisiana. I enjoyed a well made Thai Tea and perfectly made shrimp drunken noodles. The flavor was incredible. My group shared the fried dumplings (I could have eaten about twenty more.) It was extremely packed due to the parade close by but they sped through the line, service was top tier, and the food came quicker than some of the red lines down here. They have a beautiful bar and apparently great drinks. Great vibes, I can't wait to visit again. read more

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Literally the best Thai food I have ever had! So fresh and flavorful I'll go back any chance I can get.

Great spot for Thai! Diverse options on the menu. Of course had to try the pad Thai for good measure. Enjoyed some gyoza for apps--was just "okay." Would definitely come back to try more items! Thai tea also classic and a must order wherever we get Thai. The beef dish was also fantastic and flavor packed, will definitely order again. Cute space inside. Service was good, we sat at the bar. read more

Budsi's Authentic Thai - Thai Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

This place is wonderful!! By far my favorite Thai place in NOLA. Everything is so affordable and delicious :D Pictured below is the chicken pad thai (left), tofu pad see ew (right), and tofu khao soi (middle). We also had the delicious mango sticky rice with perfectly ripe mango! Definitely a great place to go if you're looking casual but delicious vibe :) read more

Budsi's Authentic Thai - Thai Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Ordered lunch to go. This was the $8.00 bok choy! None was taken out of the container before this pic was taken. It came just like this! I feel so ripped off. How can they feel ok charging $8 for this? They looked me straight in my face and handed me the bag of food knowing this was in there. This was supposed to be for two people to split. read more

Budsi's Authentic Thai - Bok choy - Thai Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Budsi's live up to their name because this is authentic Thai cuisine. I have extended Lao & Thai friends/family, so I'm very aware of what flavors & dishes are traditional. The ambiance is always friendly; it's family oriented, it's perfect for date night, or if you're basically craving authentic Thai food. There's a bar, I love the fact that you can see the staff and cooks preparing & cooking your food. When you're ordering go to the register, I love that approach because you learn so much about what's best for your palate. I have a few favorite Thai restaurants & this one is at the top of my lost. Top-tier food & service. read more

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I ordered the Budsi noodles mild with chicken. Very flavorful. The food always comes out fast. Staff is always friendly. I haven't been to many Thai places, but I'm sure this one is tops on most people's list! read more

Budsi's Authentic Thai - Budsi Noodles with chicken mild - Thai Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Unexpected and outstanding. Not really a restaurant, not really a bar, somewhere in between. read more

Budsi's Authentic Thai - Thai Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

This is a fun casual place great place to stop for lunch. They have a full bar as well as a large menu. We have a great lunch special for $10 and quick service is good for large groups because everyone can pay individually when you first come in and then you seat yourself. read more

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As a regular at Budsi's I am always honored to write a 5 star review. The consistency with this place is truly unmatched. The frills are minimal but I can nearly guarantee that I'll have an excellent culinary experience every single time. Thai food is absolutely my go-to and when I don't wanna chance it, I just go to Budsi's. The Khao Soi still remains my favorite and then of course the pumpkin curry which is available all year round. The flavors don't fail. read more

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This is my go to Thai place one in New Orleans. The Thai tea martini is absolutely to die for. Watch out those things will sneak up on you if you think you're just drinking a normal Thai tea. The pad Thai is consistently good. I normally get shrimp. This place can get busy so sometimes there is a wait in line But the bar is first come first serve. Service is relatively fast and good. I feel looking for Thai food while in New Orleans I do recommend this place. read more

Budsi's Authentic Thai - Pad Thai - Thai Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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FANTASTIC lunch dish. Protein, rice, veggies, and a sauce with plentiful peppers for spice and flavor. Only $10. Incredible Thai tea and a relaxed homely ambiance. Quite a kind staff and a pleasure to visit always read more

So good! I was in a group of five and we did family-style, so I feel like I had a bit of everything... each dish was excellent, especially the stir-fried bok choy as well as the Pad see ew. We got there before the dinner rush so everything was fast. read more

Let me eat my words. Let me eat them along with leftover drunken noodles because they are so good, I find myself gobbling them down right out of the fridge two days later. I never gobble. I never eat leftovers. Budsi's, what did you do to me? This is why you give places second chances. Under the guidance of NOLA's own local expert, Sa'Rah H, we had a lunch meeting at Budsi's and she has made a believer out of me. Budsi's is vegan-conscious and they have an entire menu for us. In addition to that, they will be able to tell you what can be made vegan if it's not on that menu. All curries are premade with a little shrimp paste, but you know what? I'd gladly give up traditional green, red and even pumpkin curry when there's an entire menu of other delicious options that include the aforementioned drunken noodles as well as a spectacularly bright and silky tom kha soup. I ordered both and took home leftovers. I do feel that experiencing Budsi's for a late lunch made a big difference, as I wasn't ordering from the bar, which will still be a barrier for me if I'm dining here at night (possibly not a bad thing for my liver or my wallet). I had the sweetest hibiscus iced tea imaginable and normally I hate sweet tea, but this complimented my food very well. Also props to the awesome staff. The woman taking my order was very much in the know about dietary restrictions. Food is brought out quickly, and they have an array of take-out containers at the counter so you can take home those precious leftovers. read more

After a coworker recommended it to me, I had to check out Budsi's Thai! I'm so glad I did. I've been back several times since, and their dine in and take out experience is always great! My favorites are the Budsi Noodles and the Khao Soi. The service is quick, and you order before you are seated. The restaurant is quaint and comfy, and it's a really nice space for a date night! read more

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This place is awesome! I'm from Philadelphia and have eaten Thai food all along the East Coast. Budsi's is truly authentic. We had the Pad See Ew with chicken, spicy (the level below Thai Hot) and it was hot and spice! The noodles were perfectly cooked and the fish sauce base was excellent and smokey. We also had the Ka Prow lunch special with chicken (spicy) and it was damn near perfect. My wife and I visit New Orleans frequently and this will always be a stop on our tour at least once, probably twice, when we visit. I wanted to buy a Budsi shirt, but they were out of large. NOLA has some great food, but it can get a bit boring after a while. A lot of variations on the same things. Go to Budsi's for a flavor packed adventure. read more

Our favorite spot in the Bywater by a long shot! If you're lucky enough to go on a Wednesday and sit at the bar you may have Dai or Tori as your bartender. They are THE BEST!! Food is 5/5 regardless of what you order. Vibe is on. Service is great. You are in for a treat. We love you Budsi's! Get the steamed pork dumplings as your app.. ;) read more

Great food // ordered the same dish twice bc honestly 3 shrimp for a shrimp entree was super super disappointing. Would return - but will do so when it's not Lent and can eat meat so I can get full! Good service. But need more shrimp! lol. read more

My favorite Thai restaurant in New Orleans!! .....and I love me some Thai!! The food is exceptional! The bartenders are some of the best around! Just the mere fact that a Thai restaurant has a full service bar is unique!!!! This is a must try!!! read more

The food was was incredible no matter what your order. Service is very fast once you place your order. Really enjoy the laid-back environment. read more

My go-to for Thai in the city. Ngl, the drinks don't really do it for me. Not well balanced and on the weaker side. But the food is phenomenal so even underwhelming cocktails don't take away a star. read more

Listen, if you haven't hit up Budsi's Authentic Thai, you're seriously missing out. This place is a whole vibe--affordable, delicious, and let's be honest, cute as *hell*. The simple, charming decor is *chef's kiss* perfect, and I wasn't the only one feeling the aesthetic because there were more bathroom selfies happening than I could count(seriously, the wallpaper was A1!). Let's talk about the food: I went all in. We shared three appetizers--pork dumplings, fish cakes, and some kind of magical sauce trio. The pork dumplings? *Game changer.* Juicy, flavorful, and straight-up addictive. The sauces? *Whew.* Simple, but packed with *so* much flavor--I was literally dunking everything into them like it was a sport. I could not get enough! Now, the fish cakes... meh. They were okay, but the texture and flavor just didn't hit like I wanted. You win some, you lose some, right? But what I DID win were my noodles. Absolutely delicious, stir-fried perfection. Plus, can we talk about the Thai tea? I had three. Yes, THREE. Because who doesn't love a Thai tea that hits just right? So refreshing and slightly sweet--it's the self-care we deserve. Now here's the tea (pun intended), Budsi's would have gotten a full five stars *if* I could've actually made it to the bar without standing there for what felt like an eternity. It was packed (which, I guess, is a sign that this place is poppin'), but girl, I wasn't acknowledged for minutes despite giving my best "hello, I'm here" energy. But let me tell you something, $50 for three apps, an entrée, and multiple drinks? That's a steal! The food slapped, the ambiance was cute, and despite the bar incident, I'm already planning my next visit with the fam. Budsi's is officially in my rotation. See you there! read more

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Second time here in a month. This is my all-time favorite Thai place in the city of New Orleans. The food is amazing. The service is kind and the ambience just makes you feel happy if you were looking to try authentic Thai food this is a must for everyone to come in and try do not pass this place up!! Sit at the bar or stand in line to order and find a table to enjoy! read more

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I thought I been completed a review for Budsi's...hmmmm...well let me do it now!!!!! I absolutely LOVE this place! I was introduced to Budsi's by my best friend Jessi. I came here and fell in love. The ambiance is super chill and casual. There's two ways to dine...order and drink at the bar or order at the food counter & seat yourself. It's an open kitchen so you can see and smell the magic cooking. Bartenders are on point. I always sit at the bar. I always get the Spicy Buds-Rita. It's there spin on a spicy margarita and it is tasty!!!! The pad Thai is phenomenal. The tom yum soup is amazing and flavorful. I've not had a bad dish yet. Come here and stay for the betterment of your tastebuds. Love love love! Checks all of the boxes!!!! read more

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Yum Yum Yum! We love Budsi's. I haven't had anything bad here ever. I love their pad thai, I also will always order their pad see ew with the crispy pork-- SO TASTY. Their veggie spring rolls are crunchy and the sauce is very good as well. My partner also really likes their steak salad (cold dish) and very flavorful! They don't take reservations, but walk on in and order at the counter for dine in or take out. They also offer a full bar. It's a very casual dining experience with very good food. Been here several times and will continue to frequent. read more

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Best chicken pad Thai I have ever tasted. The service was along the lines of you order your food and they give you a number and brings it to the table. The restaurant was nicely decorated. read more

Budsi's Authentic Thai - Decor on the wall - Thai Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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I had never had Thai before visiting Budsi's and now I can't wait to try more things from their menu! The pineapple curry was amazing! It was such a comfort dish and you can tell that they cook the food with love. Everything about this place says family and tradition! read more

This is a very good, and very popular restaurant in the Marigny in New Orleans. If you don't know the Marigny, this is a good place to start. The food is good, and fairly prices, but I advise you to get there earlier rather than later. Orders are taken at the counter, then you go sit while they prepare your food, and they bring it to you. A lot of places are going to this style, but it can make things difficult when it is busy, and seating is at a premium. You can sit at the bar to be waited on, and you can do takeout. The menu is pretty standard, and has options for both vegans and vegetarians, but be sure to let them know about your dietary restrictions just to be sure. You can get "spicy" food here, and they will ask your preference, but don't think that their standards are equal to yours, and don't assume they completely understand English. I ordered a Red Curry, and asked for spicy. It was good, but it wasn't spicy. Someone else at our table had ordered the same, so I asked the server who brought my food if this was the spicy version? He didn't answer me, but instead went to get a small cup of crushed red peppers that perked it up nicely. This confusion with heat is pretty typical for any restaurant of this type. What I liked most about the restaurant was 1) It was in a neighborhood, 2) It still had a distinctive New Orleans feel about it, and 3) It's pretty good. read more

This Thai restaurant has quickly become many folks favorite Thai food spot in the area. The location of this restaurant has certainly helped with Budsi's popularity as it is very convenient to some of the more popular areas of New Orleans. Budsi's Authentic Thai is conveniently located at the intersection of North Rampart and St. Anthony Street just a few minutes away and 2 blocks away from the New Orleans French Quarter. The food I've had here so far has been good although the price and portion size didn't seem to be as good a value as some of the other Thai restaurants in the area which would be expected due to their location. My video review of Budsi's Authentic Thai is here: https://youtu.be/7ueE3f8pfUg read more