The bar at Tha Phraya. Photo by Pavita Singh.
Popular Upper East Side Thai eatery, Tha Phraya, earned a spot on the coveted Michelin Guide to New York on Wednesday.
The restaurant, which opened at the end of March and is located at 1553 Second Avenue (between 80th and 81st streets), makes a commitment to providing customers an authentic Thai experience beyond its menu.
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“Tha Phraya’s interior pops with red lamps that dot the dining room, reminding one of a walk down Patpong Alley,” Michelin said in its release announcing the new additions.
The guide notes that Tha Phraya offers a wide range of regional Thai dishes not found in more typical, pad-Thai-and-green curry-focused restaurants around the city.
“Be sure to order the light and crispy sai-ua spring roll with flavorful Chiang Mai sausage and zabb hang, a bowl of rice noodles tossed with tender, sliced pork, meatball and more in a homemade brown sauce,” Michelin added.
Although the restaurant was still waiting on its full liquor license and only had beer and wine on offer when East Side Feed reviewed it at the end of March, Tha Phraya now boasts a diverse cocktail menu—and the Michelin Guide recommends imbibing.
“Specialty cocktails named after games played at Thai temple festivals are worth a visit alone,” the release said. The drinks are called things like Ring Toss, Dunk Tank and Bingo Bingo, to give you an idea.
Tha Phraya is among twelve restaurants added to the 2024 MICHELIN Guide New York; 11 can be found in either Manhattan or Brooklyn, while one is located in the Westchester town of North Salem.
