Winner
White Elephant Thai Cuisine
Pair Thai iced tea (homemade tea topped with milk and ice) with any of the authentic Thai dishes on offer at White Elephant Thai Cuisine. Located inside the Airport Traveller’s Inn, this restaurant serves papaya and mango salads, tom yum soups, noodle and rice dishes, and a variety of Thai curries that go well with a side of coconut rice.
1808 19 St. N.E., 403-457-1172, (plus Okotoks and Chestermere), whiteelephantthaicuisine.com, @whiteelephantthaicuisine
Runners-up
Juree’s Thai Place Restaurant
This cozy and tropical Thai restaurant has an extensive menu of curries, stir-fries and soups — like the tasty hot and sour prawn soup — that can be ordered for dine-in or picked up from the drive-through window. Start your meal off right with the beautiful six-piece flower dumplings filled with minced pork and Thai herbs, served with Thai sauce.
2055 16 Ave. N.W., 403-264-6477, jureesthaiplace.com, @jureesthaiplace
Thai Sa-On
This family-owned-and-operated institution has been serving delicious and authentic Thai food for more than 30 years and was the precursor to its younger sibling, Tuk Tuk Thai. New owners Pat and Boom, founders of Pad Thai Restaurant in Mount Pleasant, recently took ownership of Thai Sa-On in 2023. Dishes here can be made to varying spice levels and you can elevate the experience by having your meal expertly paired with selections from the restaurant’s impressive collection of fine wines.
351 10 Ave. S.W., 403-264-3526, thai-sa-on.com, @thaisaonyyc
Tuk Tuk Thai
This self-proclaimed “fast and flavourful” Thai restaurant chain is known for its distinctive takeout boxes that open up in the shape of a lotus flower. Enjoy appetizers like spring rolls, candied cauliflower or the crying cowboy ribs. Need a gluten-free option? No problem. Thai classics like red or green curries or pad Thai dishes are available gluten-free.
Multiple Calgary locations (plus Airdrie), tuktukthai.com, @eattuktukthai
Thai Siam Restaurant
This popular northern Thai-focused restaurant found a new home at Starr Distilling Co. this year, and continues to offer the delectable dishes that have earned it a loyal following since opening in 2022. Expect to find authentic dishes like sai ua, the popular spicy Thai sausage made with pork, lemongrass, lime leaf and Thai spices, or larb duck salad made with green onion, cilantro, mint, shallots, lemon and traditional Thai dressing.
#15, 4127 6 St. N.E., 403-680-0366, thaitakeout.ca, @thaisiammarket