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    Wayla

    4.4 (764 reviews)
    PriceyThai
    Open 12:00 pm - 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Order Wayla Takeout or Delivery

    Wayla Photos

    WAYLA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate

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    Recommended Reviews - Wayla

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    Reviews With Photos

    Kenny Z.

    Overall, this restaurant is pretty solid to go if you have a lot of time and don't mind waiting for the waiter to order or having to remind them 3 times for utensils or a bowl of rice. Upon arriving at this cozy restaurant downstairs, there was a good amount of people inside, but a few open tables and seats at the bar. However, it was shocking to hear a couple sat by the table grab the waiter and say they've waited over 15 minutes and no one checked in and they barely got water at the table. Ignoring that, the food is definitely tasty, starting with the apps that we got, with a creative dip for the calamari that most other places don't offer. The fish is also a standout, and very worth the value, providing a crispy take on the branzino with a marvelous dipping sauce. However, the rest of the dishes were lackluster in taste and very expensive compared to the other top Thai restaurants in NYC. I think the ambiance is good for smaller groups, but the wait staff all seem very rushed and not patient when we ordered or asked for simple things around the table.

    String Beans with Tofu - Tua Pad Prik Khing
    Samveda R.

    We were very excited to try Wayla and had a reservation on the upstairs section. Unfortunately, it just didn't hit the mark for us. We were seated right next to the restroom and the door was consistently kept open so we could see the toilet. Not the greatest ambiance. We also asked our waiter what to order and he straight up said "everything is good". We would have appreciated a little more guidance than that. For the food, I got beans with tofu. I've ordered this dish multiple times at multiple other Thai restaurants, and the beans are usually very well cooked and wrinkly. My order was almost completely raw beans. My friends ordered a soup which was too spicy for her, and the waiter didn't ask for our spice levels. My other friend ordered the lettuce wraps which she said were decent, but quite expensive for a small plate of food. Also, the rice on the side was $5, but came in a really small portion barely enough for two people. It was really yummy rice though (the purple kind!) and came in a leaf that they steamed.

    Som Tum Thai - Papaya Salad
    Sharon L.

    YUM! I've been to Wayla twice now and the food was delicious both times. Some of the usual Thai restaurant classics aren't on the menu (drunken noodles, pad see ew) but the variety offered here more than makes up for it. Dishes I would definitely order again include the mango salad, duck green curry, crab curry, crab fried rice, and the fried branzino. We received a fair warning that the crab curry was on the spicier end, and it really was. It's more of a building spice, but still flavorful and delicious nonetheless. I hoped to enjoy the NY strip steak more than I actually did - I would opt for the fried branzino instead. Drinks here are a bit on the pricier side, even for the non alcoholic drinks. My drinks both times were also unfortunately full of ice. Service is attentive but not overbearing at all. Highly recommend reservations as this gets PACKED even for a Thursday evening. Seating is catered more towards smaller groups - 3-4 would probably be best here. Ambiance is cozy & intimate.

    Chicken Wings - Peek Gai Tod
    Mark S.

    This is a very solid Thai restaurant. All the food I had had unique flavors that were still rooted in authentic Thai food, and I felt like everything was executed very well. The papaya salad was refreshing and flavorful. The chicken wings were crisp and also quite flavorful, although I do wish they were bigger. The chicken curry was good, and the mango sticky rice mousse dessert was great. It was a nice day, and we sat outside in the back, which was very enjoyable. The service was great too!

    Whole fried branzino
    Jack M.

    If you are planning to visit Wayla, here is the short answer: Go for the food, but do your best to skip Saturday nights. I went recently with a group of friends before heading out for the night. The food is genuinely excellent. The Whole Fried Branzino (Larb Pla Tod) is the absolute standout. I am usually skeptical of whole fish because it often comes out dry, but this was perfect. The batter is light and keeps the meat incredibly juicy. It is served with a lime vinaigrette that cuts through the richness. It was honestly one of the best things I have eaten in a while. The service was also a highlight. Despite how busy it was, our server was attentive and happy to walk us through the extensive menu. They clearly care about the food and the guests. However, the atmosphere on a Saturday night is overwhelming. The restaurant is located down a flight of stairs and gets incredibly packed. We were seated on the patio, which sounds nice in theory. In reality, it consisted of plastic tents that looked like emergency shelters. It felt like an overflow holding area rather than a dining space. It was not cozy at all. The energy tips from "buzzy" into "stressful" on weekends. You feel like a number in a tightly choreographed rotation to turn tables. The Verdict: The food is worth the trip. I can absolutely see myself craving that fish again. But next time, I will make a reservation on a Tuesday or Wednesday to avoid the weekend circus and actually enjoy the meal. Pro Tip: Order the Branzino and make a reservation well in advance, but aim for a weeknight if you want a relaxing vibe.

    Moo sarong
    Kelly W.

    It looks like the restaurant owns a floor above and underground. Watch out for the stairs if you're going below as the steps are steep and narrow. It almost feels like a speakeasy. Upon entering in the place looked cozy and seemed great for a fancy but casual spot to eat. We ordered the moo sarong, noodles wrapped in pork meatballs for appetizer. I think it was a little too hard for us and didn't realize how small it was, they seem about 1.5 inch big. For someone with braces it was really hard for me to bite down and eat so if you have sensitive teeth I would recommend to order something else. We enjoyed the crab fried rice and the sauce that came with it. The portion of the crab was meaty and it was flavorful. The ribs were also really soft and fell off the bone. Wish it came with a bowl of rice for the price since it was 35 for about 6 pieces, but because we had the fried rice to go along with the dish it was okay for us. I think it's a decent spot with good dishes but maybe we didn't order the right items for us that it didn't hit the mark completely for us.

    Green Curry Duck - Gang Keaw Wan Ped Crab Fried Rice - Khao Pad Pu Pad See-iew Kung - Shrimp
    Kayla Y.

    I get the hype around this place because the food was absolutely amazing. Each dish was flavorful and fresh. My favorite was definitely the crab fried rice with the noodles as a close second. The duck was super tender and the green curry definitely had a kick to it. The seating is intimate and the vibe of the restaurant really topped everything off. The service was efficient and friendly. I would highly recommend this thai spot for date night or to bring friends!

    Cherylin L.

    Wayla brings the soul of Thai home cooking into a polished space that still feels relaxed and inviting. The energy is lively, the cocktails are playful, and every dish pops with layers of flavor. The Lobster Curry were incredible--the fish cooked beautifully and the lobster so rich. But the showpiece for me was the roasted duck paired with a bold green curry... tender, aromatic, and deeply satisfying. If you're exploring Chinatown and craving something vibrant and comforting, this spot delivers. Dont forget to get the durian sticky rice for the dessert.

    Seafood Pad Char - Pad Char Talay
    Jane I.

    The food was pretty good -- interesting flavours, different across the several dishes we ordered, and good textures too. We ordered the beef jerky, beef curry, papaya salad, seafood pad char, and crab sen chan pad pu. The menu had many dishes I wasn't familiar with, but our server was patient and thorough when it came to explaining everything and helping us choose our order. The beef jerky was a surprise favourite with a crispy texture, and the seafood dishes were great too. Relatively quick service and nice atmosphere. It did get pretty loud as the evening progressed, but easy to talk earlier in the evening.

    Seth O.

    If I could give Wayla more than 5 stars, I would. We had an exceptional experience! Great service, chill ambiance. Every dish was fresh, hot and delicious. We enjoyed: Nua Sa Wan - thai style crispy beef jerky Khao Krep Pak Mor - crepe dumpling Gang Keaw Wan Ped - roasted duck green curry Sen Chan Pad Crab - crab pad thai Beautiful plating, generous portions equals win-win! Looking forward to our next visit.

    Lobster Pad Thai
    Pratima M.

    A trendy spot in LES serving up Thai eats -- it's tucked away in a basement, so definitely be on the lookout or you might walk past. The dim lighting and ambiance works with the overall vibe, but we were sitting near what felt like a cold wind tunnel. It's an overall good spot for Thai, but not sure if it would be in my regular rotation. The Lobster Pad Thai was just OK for the price, noodles felt a bit clumpy and not super flavorful. On the flip side, Salmon Green Curry was a strong standout -- I'd go back for this alone!

    Connie G.

    Rating 3.5 Decent upscale Thai restaurant in LES. The restaurant is basement level, so you need to climb down some steps to get inside. We had a dinner res on a weekday night. The ambiance is nice and the place was fairly empty when we got there, but it filled up quickly and it got extremely loud (had to almost shout to talk to the person across the table). We ordered the yellow vegetable curry and the pork ribs. The ribs were good and came with a tangy sauce, but there was barely any meat on the bones, so definitely pricey for what you get. We also generally enjoyed the flavors of the vegetable curry, but I felt that the curry was essentially 70% brussel sprouts, which I didn't expect. Overall a decent spot but not particularly standout.

    Hard to spot, but worth looking for
    Bill D.

    Wayla was a suggestion from one of our NYC kiddos for a reunion dinner after having not seen them in a while. What a great spot! Pay close attention to the address - it's easy to walk by. We enjoyed a table in the open patio, tastefully decorated with string lights. We enjoyed all the food that we ordered abd shared family-style. The staff was very kind and helpful with suggestions. We had the crepe dumplings, pad Thai, and BBQ pok ribs with a peanut sauce. All yummy! Everyone eleae had cocktails thay they really enjoyed and were pretty to boot! It was a tad pricey, however.

    Purple Sticky Rice BBQ Ribs Beef Jerky

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    Page 1 of 20

    Wayla Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Wayla

    Is there heating in the backyard?

    yes

    Do the noodle meatballs contain any milk products?

    No but has gluten

    I saw on Resy they don't have a vacancy for reservation on Friday. Do they accept walk-ins?

    yes if they have space

    Does the outdoor seating have heat lamps for the cold?

    Yes and the work very well.

    Do you have a cake cutting fee?

    Yes ! $3.50/person

    I have a reservation in the courtyard - what happens if it rain?

    As of a few weeks ago when I visited, they had canopies set up covering the courtyard seating area. It was pouring rain and it was enough to keep my whole group dry. Hope this helps!

    Do you need a vaccine card even if you're dining outdoors in the backyard?

    Yes you need vaccination proof along with your ID even if you want to dine in their open backyard. We were there last evening and they did check.

    Is the outdoor dining covered and heated?

    It's covered but not heated

    Are they open for brunch on the weekends?

    What is the setting of their outdoor dining like? Will it be nice and insulated?

    They have an outdoor patio that is uncovered and currently does not have heat lamps.

    Is outdoor seating available during the colder months?

    When we were there it was not available (early November 2019).

    Is brunch prix fix or you can order anything from the regular menu? Also how vegan friendly is the brunch?

    Sorry can't help with this

    What if anything is gluten free or can be made gluten free?

    Yes, they do offer gluten free food. Even the waffles can be made gluten free, we tried them, very tasty.

    Do they take credit cards?

    Yep!

    Do they have a full bar or is it just wine and beer?

    Full bar. Great cocktails!

    Are they vegetarian friendly?

    Yes, my wife and I are vegetarian and they were very accommodating. Had the curry noddles, a fresh salad and spicy green beans. Was amazing.

    Do they take reservations?

    Yes!

    View All 19 Questions

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    Mitr Thai

    Mitr Thai

    4.6
    (902 reviews)
    2.7 mi

    Celebrated my birthday here and no regrets! Mitr Thai absolutely lived up to the hype! The…read morerestaurant has a beautiful, modern atmosphere that's perfect for dinner with friends and family or even just because you want to eat. The service was friendly, attentive, and the food arrived quickly even they were a full house and rush lunch hour. Very quick and our server was amazing! We started with mango salad and chicken satay as these were the most popular. Their salad was purely mango with cashews and cherry tomatoes. Their chicken satay was also to die for! It was very flavorful and was perfect and went well with the salad. Their pad thai was so perfect it brought me back to when we visited Thailand few years ago. The crispy pork belly was a standout for me perfectly crispy on the outside, tender and juicy inside, with just the right amount of richness. (Reminds me of Filipino Lechon Kawali) The fresh bean sprouts, scallions, and squeeze of lime balanced everything out beautifully. The soft shell crab in creamy curry egg sauce was also a must try! And lastly, we tried their mango sticky rice!! Absolutely no words... IT WAS DIVINE!!! If you're looking for authentic Thai food with elevated presentation, generous portions, and excellent service, Mitr Thai is definitely worth the visit. I'll absolutely be coming back to try more dishes!

    Came here to eat before watching Broadway. We booked 5:00pm. When we arrived ~4:50pm there was…read morealready a line out the door waiting for them to open. I'm surprised people queued and surprised they actually lock people out. They have a policy of only seating whole parties. My friends were literally stuck amongst the world cup crowds in Times Square such that they struggled to get through and had to detour when they did. They have a 10 minute grace period, but my friends wouldn't make it in time, so I asked if they'll let us sit first as long as we start ordering immediately. They said ok as long as we returned the table by 6:30pm. I thought the 1.5 hour seating time was based on when we actually get seated which considers the grace period. Anyways the timing ended up being sufficient. I think this spot is good for pre-theatre dining due to the large storefront and quick service, but I wouldn't necessarily choose to come here for the sake of coming. Their menu is extensive and slightly confusing given the way they organize by regions in Thailand. I'm uncultured so I won't know what's the difference between each region. It's easier for me to comprehend if the menu was categorized by the ingredients used or size of the dish. Most dishes do not have a photo/drawing included so it was hard to skim through all the options. Their online ordering was way more helpful since it had photos. It was so hard to look for the corresponding line item in the printed version. We ordered: green curry, kao soy kua neur, khao mok neua, curry puff, kaeng hung lay, gai gor lae, and mango sticky rice. Most of the stuff tasted alright without much standout. We requested mild/little spicy for everything and it was true to request. The spiciest dish was probably the green curry, but I think it's tolerable if you eat it with rice. Crowd favorite was the kao soy kua neur which is braised beef with egg noodles. I like how tender the beef is and how chewy the noodles were. My friends didn't like the khao mok neua biryani because of its dryness, but I think it's meant to be like that. I appreciate the spices in it, not too strong but still sufficient. I don't like how they don't have a printed menu for desserts and relied on the servers to recite out what's available. We couldn't hear everything properly and resorted to referencing the online ordering menu for the dessert options. Glad they're the same. Mango sticky rice was the highlight of the night for me. The mango size could be slightly bigger, because right now it's much smaller than the rice. However, I enjoyed the rice a lot. It was hot, fragrant, and not too soft. It definitely felt comforting. The coconut milk on the side had rice puffs (?) in it which gave additional texture.

    Photos
    Main Dining Room
    Main Dining Room
    Short Rib Prik Kang
    Short Rib Prik Kang
    Crab Fried Rice (~$32)

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    Crab Fried Rice (~$32)
    SaiTong Thai

    SaiTong Thai

    4.5
    (448 reviews)
    2.9 mi

    Delicious noodles! Came after a broadway show. Really great service and amazing Pad See Ew!read more

    I'm a Thai foodie from California and I really loved SaiTong! The restaurant was busy and I was by…read moremyself so I was happy to sit at the bar, and was attended to by the most sweet bartender ever. Very polite, professional and attentive. I first ordered the crispy spring rolls, which were very good. For my main I had the Massaman Curry. Now folks, this is my favorite curry of all time -- actually one of my favorite foods of all time -- and while it's common in LA where I used to live, it's not as common where I live now, in the Bay Area. And the restaurants that do carry it usually do not make it right and it's not very good. I am used to Massaman in the traditional preparation where it's more like a beef stew made with chunks of beef and needs to cook overnight. When done right it is the most aromatic curry ever -- it's almost like an aphrodisiac! -- and the beef comes out oh so tender. Usually if places have this curry but then offer a choice of protein, then it generally is not cooked properly, and that is actually how they prepare it at SaiTong. But because of such great reviews I decided to take a chance and try it. Well, let me tell you, it was definitely not the norm...it was absolutely delicious! I had it with chicken (they serve breast as default), and the chicken soaked up the curry really nicely. I also asked for there to be no onions, which I think alters the flavor of a curry too much. It does include the traditional potatoes and peanuts, and the potatoes were fine and cut into nice little chunks, the peanuts actually were thrown in raw.. what I think is the more traditional way which is to actually burn the peanuts a little bit, but that's okay, it didn't take down the dish any. Their brown rice is of the very dark kind, which I like, and goes so well with the curry. Service was wonderful from the bartender but was also provided by the rest of the staff and everyone was so nice. I left there feeling so satisfied, and cannot wait to go back and try some other dishes.

    Photos
    Bar area
    Bar area
    Green Curry with tofu
    Green Curry with tofu
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    Sabai Thai

    Sabai Thai

    4.3
    (624 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$$

    The first thing you'll notice is how beautiful the space is. Gorgeous interiors, a warm atmosphere,…read moreand genuinely friendly hosts made for a great first impression. We started with the curry puffs and satay buns, both of which were easy wins. No complaints, I would happily order them again. The Khao Soi was the highlight of my meal. Rich, comforting, and packed with flavor. I love when restaurants get this right. They also do super thin noodles in the khao soi which is a plus for me. I also tried a little bit of the crab fried rice which was also incredible. I also ordered the lychee mocktail. The drink itself was fairly average, but it came with a lychee mochi that completely stole the show. I honestly enjoyed the mochi more than the drink itself. Overall, this is just good, no-nonsense Thai food. Nothing feels overly gimmicky. The restaurant focuses on solid flavors, a beautiful space, and warm hospitality. I'd happily come back to work my way through more of the menu.

    It was very easy to make a reservation. The ambiance and decor were so romantic and cozy. We…read morestarted off with the drinks. I ordered a delicious lychee Martini. For appetizers, we ordered the Sate, curry puff, chicken dumpling and shrimps. Everything was on point. The main course was the shrimp dish, chicken and tofu panang was our favorite. The fried rice and pad tai were just about okay. We ended the night with free celebration dessert my loved ones birthday celebration

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    Sabai Thai
    $16: curry puff
    $16: curry puff
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