The Best Pad Thai in Amsterdam

You’ve mastered biking in the rain and have slowly gotten used to enjoying bitterballen and stamppot. But then, on a grey Tuesday evening, you get an urge to eat something tangy, spicy, and sweet. You need Pad Thai.

For years, the Thai food options in Amsterdam were a gamble. But over the past few years, there has been a growing choice of Thai restaurants in Amsterdam. There’s now a dazzling array of eateries and takeaways competing for the best Thai in Amsterdam. Whether you are looking for a special spot for a date night, a stag party, or a place to take your colleagues, we’ve got you covered.

What is Pad Thai?

Let’s go back in history. During World War II, Thailand faced a rice shortage and needed to conserve its stocks. The government encouraged everyone to eat noodles instead. The government decided to create a new, standardized noodle dish. They adapted stir-fried Chinese-style rice noodles by infusing them with Thai elements: tamarind, palm sugar, fish sauce, and dried shrimp. They thus called it Pad Thai, which translates to “fried in Thai style”.

A proper Pad Thai should have a balanced sweet-and-sour taste, with chewy noodles that have absorbed the sauce without becoming mushy.

Best Pad Thai in Amsterdam

Thai Bird Snackbar

Zeedijk 77, Centrum/Chinatown – Menu

For the best Thai in Amsterdam, you’ll probably hear Thai Bird. It’s packed, chaotic, and authentic. Things can get confusing for newcomers, as there are actually two Thai Birds across the road from each other: a restaurant and a snack bar. Thai Bird Snackbar is an institution. Well-loved by locals and tourists alike, it’s listed at the top of most of Amsterdam’s good food guides. Be warned: There’s a queue pretty much the whole time it’s open. But the food is excellent. It is situated on one of the corners of Amsterdam’s Zeedijk. Don’t let the idea of a snackbar put you off. Think of it as a traditional Thai street-food stall with indoor seating.

Pad Thai is €18,50, and if you want prawns added, it’s €21,50. However, each day of the week, they offer a special takeaway menu at a discounted price. Look at the last two pages of the menu. On a Thursday, it’s Pad Thai day. You can get chicken paid Thai for €17—excellent value for the center.

Thai Bird Restaurant

Zeedijk 72, Centrum/Chinatown – Menu

Across the road, there are more formal, sit-down versions of the Bird experiences—lots of surprisingly comfortable wooden benches, cute Thai ornaments, and traditional music.

Thai Bird restaurant charges €19,50 for Paid Thai, and if you want to add prawns, it’s €23,00. However, they offer a 10% discount for takeaway (it can get that busy!). They offer set menus at € 26,50, which are excellent value. An excellent Pad Thai, but it’s on the expensive side.

Just like the snackbar across the road, a victim of its own success. You might need to spend 30 minutes to 1 hour in the queue, even on a rainy Tuesday evening.

Bar Mash

Gerard Douplein 9 (De Pijp) – Menu

Nestled in De Pijp amongst the eateries is Bar Mash, a neighborhood hero for late-night munchies. As the name suggests, this is a bar first and a restaurant second, but don’t let that put you off. The food here is excellent. It’s known for its friendly, relaxed service and for serving great food in a bar setting without making you feel like an afterthought—great spot for groups and solo diners alike. The Pad Thai here is €18,00, which is excellent value for the Pijp.

Boi Boi

Pieter Vlamingstraat 56 (Oost) – Menu

Suppose you’re fed up with the same old Pad Thai, head east. A couple of blocks from the famous Dapper Market, Boi Boi offers a menu that truly reflects the chef’s heritage, blending Thai classics and Lao influences. Staff at Boi Boi are super friendly and often greet regulars by name. The decor is kitschy and colorful. This is the place where you can happily sit solo with your book, or organize a large birthday party. The Pad Thai here was good and served with homemade tamarind sauce. Try the “Monkey Balls” (deep-fried rice balls with minced chicken and herbs). The Pad Thai here is €22,00, very expensive, but worth it as a contender for the best Pad Thai in Amsterdam.

Raan Phad Thai

Raamgracht 9 (Centrum / Nieuwmarkt) – Menu

Raan Phad Thai is a traditional Thai restaurant, simple and focused on traditional ingredients. The name Raan Phad Thai loosely translates to “Thai Fried Noodles Shop”; however, it’s a lot more than that. The place feels like a Thai museum, with Thai wooden carvings. The Pad Thai here looks as good as it tastes, light brown, just dry enough, naturally. Situated near the Nieuwmarkt metro station. This is the restaurant most frequently cited by Thai expats and authenticity seekers in online reviews. The menu is small and focused on traditional Thai food. The Pad Thai here is €16,50. It’s actually one of the cheapest options in Amsterdam.

Ko Chang

Westerstraat 91 (Westerpark / Jordaan) – Menu

Ko Chang is renowned for being entirely unpretentious. The decor is reminiscent of Thailand’s lush green island landscapes. Reviews overwhelmingly praise the exceptional, attentive service. Frequently described as a “perfect date night spot” for its coziness, reliability, and consistent food quality, it’s romantic and comfortable. Reservations are essential. The Pad Thai here is €16,00, excellent value for money.

Pasoek

Kamperfoelieweg 7 (North) – Menu

Take the ferry north to visit Pasoeck. Pasoek is a simple, no-frills spot that survives on word of mouth. Pad Thai was served with plenty of bean sprouts, carrot, leek, and red onion. This is a great help, making one feel some warmth on a cold Dutch night. The ferry ride to Noord, followed by a picturesque bicycle ride to Pasoek, is part of the experience. The Pad Thai at Pasoek is €19,50, on the expensive side, especially for North Amsterdam.

Top Thai Thuis

Tweede Nassaustraat 3 (Westerpark / Jordaan) – Menu

This Pad Thai is somewhat sweeter but still comforting and straightforward. On the menu, you won’t see Pad Thai; they call it ‘Kai’ instead. It comes with chicken and costs €15.50. If you want to swap the chicken for shrimp, it’s €17.50. The tofu-and-vegetables option is also €17.50. To clarify, they are purely a delivery/takeaway kitchen with no seating. Their high ratings on Thuisbezorgd (Takeaway.com) are a key selling point. Described as a reliable, sweeter, and very satisfying version—the “go-to” for a night in.

Phu Thai

Koningsstraat 15 (Nieuwmarkt/Centrum) – Menu

Although it’s more of a snack bar, this place offers a variety of tasty food that is prepared quickly. Right at the heart of the city, so you can just grab a takeaway and sit on one of the little benches overlooking the canal. This is a budget-friendly, fast-food-style takeaway counter with limited seating (pink and purple chairs. Best known for being cheap and fast. Great for a quick, tasty, and filling meal on the go. Phu Thai’s Pad Thai is €18.00.

Kitchen of Happiness

Krijn Taconiskade 372 (IJburg) – Menu

Modern, scenic, and fresh, IJburg has everything from grilled fish dishes to noodles. It’s a picturesque setting on the IJburg water—an altogether different experience from the crowded city center of Amsterdam. The food is often described as “cleaner,” “fresher,” and “more refined,” with high-quality ingredients like large prawns. Recommended, especially for a table with a view. Kitchen of Happiness’s chicken Pad Thai is €19.50.

Read Also: The Best Thai Restaurants in Amsterdam

So, who takes the crown as the best Pad Thai eatery in Amsterdam?

For the best Pad Thai in Amsterdam, Thai Bird Snackbar still unequivocally remains the champion, but it can be crowded. Just a short walk away is Phu Thai, which is excellent for take-away. It offers authentic Thai dishes and unbeatable prices. It still remains the best quality Pad Thai in Amsterdam. Bar Mash and Boi Boi offer a modern twist on traditional Thai cuisine. If you seek a cultural adventure into Noord or IJburg, both Pasoek and Kitchen of Happiness will argue that you can also find world-class wok skills outside the ring. If you plan to visit Ko Chang, Boi Boi, and Pasoek, try to book ahead.

Looking to Eat In?

If you’re inspired to try your hand at making Pad Thai at home, HelloFresh offers an amazing meal kit service that delivers fresh, pre-portioned ingredients right to your door. With easy-to-follow recipes, you can recreate the tangy, sweet, and spicy flavors of this iconic dish in your own kitchen—perfect for a cozy night in!