Pai Downtown – Thai
Step into a vibrant urban escape where the air is thick with the fragrance of lemongrass and sizzling garlic, transporting diners to the bustling markets of Northern Thailand. Communal platters overflow with golden squash fritters and crispy wings, while steaming bowls of Tom Yum soup offer a bright, spicy kick that balances the savory depth of garlic-infused shrimp and tender tofu. It is a high-energy celebration of bold flavors and crunchy textures, where every bite captures the soulful, rustic spirit of Thai street food in the heart of the city.
18 Duncan Street, Toronto M5H 3G8 https://paitoronto.com/Rating: 5/5 (1 reviews)
Cuisine: Thai
Price range: $$
Dietary options: low-carb, vegan, vegetarian, halal, dairy-free, high-protein, pescatarian, whole30, paleo, heart-healthy, plant-based, low-sodium, low-fat, anti-inflammatory, south-beach, dash-sodium-reduced, low-cholesterol, gerd, high-fiber, zone, volumetrics, tlc, alkaline, aip, renal, macrobiotic, slow-carb, lectin-free
Currently open
Hours
- Monday - Thursday
- 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM
- Friday - Saturday
- 11:30 AM - 10:30 PM
- Sunday
- 3:00 PM - 10:00 PM
What diners are saying
Celebrated for its succulent seafood and beautiful presentation, guests love the welcoming atmosphere that makes for a satisfying dining experience. Reviewers highlight the efficient and helpful service, noting that the attentive staff provide excellent menu recommendations within a warm and inviting setting.
Menu
Starters
- Northern Thai Platter - $65: Grabong 'Squash Fritters', Moo Ping 'Pork Skewers', Laab Salad, and Sai Ua 'Northern Thai Sausage' Available at: dinner, lunch
- Spring Rolls - $14: Vegetarian wheat paper wraps, mushrooms, glass noodles, carrots, bean sprouts, sweet Thai chilli sauce Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based Available at: dinner, lunch
- Thai Chicken Wings (5 Wings) - $13.5: Fried chicken wings, crispy shallots, makrut lime leaves, crispy chillies, sweet tamarind sauce Available at: dinner, lunch
- Thai Chicken Wings (10 Wings) - $24: Fried chicken wings, crispy shallots, makrut lime leaves, crispy chillies, sweet tamarind sauce Available at: dinner, lunch
- Kung Tawt Garlic Shrimp - $17: Six deep-fried breaded garlic shrimp, sweet tamarind sauce Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Grabong Squash Fritters - $19.75: Shredded buttercup squash, red curry paste batter, sweet tamarind dip, peanuts, scallions Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Garlic Chicken - $15: Deep-fried chicken bites, sweet & spicy Thai chilli sauce Available at: dinner, lunch
- Garlic Tofu - $15: Deep-fried tofu bites, sweet & spicy Thai chilli sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Renal, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
- Shrimp Chips - $9: Crispy shrimp chips, house-made tangy tamarind sauce Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Starter Tom Yum Soup - $10: Lemongrass, long leaf coriander, shallots, mushrooms, tomatoes, green onions. Choice of Shrimp or Tofu & Veggies Dietary tags: Pescatarian, Alkaline Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pad Pak Reum Vegetable Stir-Fry - $19.5: Vegetables stir-fried in house-made soy sauce Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Sai Ua Northern Thai Sausage - $16: Grilled pork belly sausage, turmeric, lime leaves, lemongrass, garlic, shallots, sticky rice, pork-tomato relish Dietary tags: Anti-Inflammatory, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Gai Satay Chicken Skewers - $20: Five grilled curry-marinated chicken skewers, peanut sauce, cucumber dressing Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Moo Ping Pork Skewers (3 Skewers) - $17: Northern Thai sweet grilled pork skewers Available at: dinner, lunch
Salads
- Mango Slaw - $19.75: Sweet mango, green mango, carrot, red cabbage, pickled red onion, tamarind dressing, peanuts, fried red onion Available at: dinner, lunch
- Som Tum Tad Papaya Salad - $20: Green papaya, tomato, green beans, garlic, chilies, tamarind, rice noodles, pork rinds, shrimp chips Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Miang Kung Wild Betel Leaf Wraps - $21: Betel leaf, black tiger shrimp, ginger, garlic, shallots, lime, chilli, roasted coconut, peanuts, tamarind sauce Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Laab Salad - $22: Northern Thai Laab paste, peppercorn, galangal, lemongrass, dried chillies, sticky rice, cucumber. Choice of protein Available at: dinner, lunch
- Yum Kanom Jeen Rice Noodle Salad - $14: Vermicelli rice noodles, tofu, yard long beans, green onion, sawtooth coriander, garlic oil, fried red onion Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Plah Nua Beef Salad - $22: Grilled beef sirloin, shallots, lemongrass, long leaf coriander, mint, lettuce, cabbage, lime dressing Available at: dinner, lunch
Main Courses
- Chef Nuit's Pad Thai - $23.75: Rice noodles, tamarind-palm sugar sauce, tofu, egg, beansprouts, chives, cabbage, lime, peanuts Dietary tags: Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, High-Fiber, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Khao Soi - $23.75: Egg noodles, golden-coconut curry, crispy noodles, green onion, pickled mustard, pickled shallot, lime Available at: dinner, lunch
- Kanom Jeen Nham Ngeaw - $22: Northern Thai pork rib and tomato soup, vermicelli rice noodles, coriander, bean sprouts, pork rinds Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pad Gra Prow - $23: Holy basil, red bell pepper, onion, jasmine rice, Thai-style fried egg, cucumber, nam prik nam pla sauce Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pad See Ew - $24.25: Hand-rolled rice noodles, sweet soy sauce, Chinese broccoli, egg, red bell peppers Dietary tags: High-Protein, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Khao Pad Baan Nok Thai Fried Rice - $22.25: Fried rice, Thai garlic, Chinese broccoli, tomato, egg, coriander, cucumber, lime, nam prik nam pla sauce Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Khao Pla Tawt Fried Fish - $22.25: Deep-fried crispy basa fillets, jasmine rice, green curry sauce Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pad Phet Chicken - $21.5: Chicken, seafood mushroom, red chilli paste, snow peas, long green beans, bamboo shoots, Thai basil, wild ginger, jasmine rice Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pad Cha Hett - $21.5: Seafood mushrooms, red chilli paste, snow peas, bamboo shoots, Thai basil, wild ginger, Thai Riceberry Dietary tags: Pescatarian, Alkaline Available at: dinner, lunch
- Gaeng Kiaw Wan Green Curry - $25: Green curry, chayote, kabocha squash, lime leaves, Thai basil, coconut milk, jasmine rice Dietary tags: Dairy-Free, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Gaeng Massaman Massaman Curry - $23: Tamarind curry, coconut milk, potatoes, pearl white onions, peanuts, fried red onion, jasmine rice Dietary tags: Dairy-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Gaeng Panang Panang Curry - $22: Red curry, lime leaves, Thai basil, red bell peppers, coconut cream, jasmine rice Dietary tags: Dairy-Free, Volumetrics Available at: dinner, lunch
- Gaeng Hunglay Hunglay Oxtail Curry - $25: Sweet and sour garlic-ginger curry, braised oxtail, jasmine rice Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Entree Tom Yum Mor Fai Soup - $23.75: Lemongrass, long leaf coriander, shallots, mushrooms, tomatoes, green onions, jasmine rice Dietary tags: High-Protein, Pescatarian, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, High-Fiber, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chiang Mai Braised Beef Noodle Soup - $23.5: Rice noodles, braised beef, peanut, tamarind and lime broth, beansprouts, coriander, crispy wontons Available at: dinner, lunch
Sides
- Sticky Rice - $4.5 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Renal, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Steamed Jasmine Rice - $4 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Side Steamed Veggies - $3: Broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Renal, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Thai Riceberry - $5: Hybrid Thai whole grains Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC, Renal, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Extra Egg - $3 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC, Renal, Lectin-Free
- Extra Shrimp (3 Pcs) - $6 Dietary tags: Pescatarian, Alkaline, AIP, Lectin-Free
Desserts
- Mango Sticky Rice - $15: Sweet coconut sticky rice, coconut cream, fresh mango Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Macrobiotic
- Coconut Sorbet - $19: Fresh young coconut, mango, roasted coconut flakes, roasted peanuts Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Renal
- Thai Iced Tea Gelato - $19: Fresh young coconut, mango, roasted coconut flakes, roasted peanuts Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, High-Fiber
Beverages
- Thai Iced Tea - $6.5: Contains dairy
- Pineapple Shake - $7
- Fresh Coconut Water - $7 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free
- Juice - $5: Mango, Guava, Lychee, Pineapple, or Pomegranate
- Ginger Beer - $5
- Bottled Sparkling Water (330ml) - $4.5 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free
- Pop - $3.75: Coke, Coke Zero, Ginger Ale, Sprite Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based
- Pot of Tea - $4: Green tea Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Plant-Based, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free
- M-150 Thai Energy Drink - $5 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian
Frequently Asked Questions about Pai Downtown
- Does this restaurant offer good ambiance?
- Guests enjoy a welcoming, high-energy atmosphere with a warm and inviting setting that is celebrated for its beautiful presentation.
- What do customers love most about this restaurant according to reviews?
- Customers love the succulent seafood, beautiful presentation, and efficient, helpful service provided within a welcoming and inviting atmosphere.
- Is this restaurant good value for money?
- With a perfect 5.0/5 rating and moderate ($$) pricing, guests report a satisfying experience featuring succulent seafood and efficient service.
- Does this restaurant have good options for group dining with mixed dietary needs?
- Pai Downtown accommodates mixed dietary needs with extensive options including vegan, gluten-free, keto, and halal dishes like Northern Thai platters.
- Which diets does this restaurant support based on its menu?
- Pai Downtown supports numerous diets including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, keto, halal, paleo, dairy-free, nut-free, and several health-focused dietary plans.
- What are the most popular dishes at this restaurant?
- Popular dishes include the Northern Thai Platter, squash fritters, Thai chicken wings, garlic shrimp, and succulent seafood with beautiful presentation.
- How does this restaurant compare to others in the same cuisine type?
- This Thai restaurant stands out with a perfect 5.0/5 rating, celebrated for succulent seafood, beautiful presentation, and efficient, helpful service.
- What is the restaurant's atmosphere and style?
- Pai Downtown offers a high-energy, vibrant urban escape with a welcoming atmosphere, efficient service, and a warm, inviting setting.
- Does this restaurant have a website or online ordering?
- Pai Downtown has a website at https://paitoronto.com/ which provides information about the restaurant and its offerings.
- What's the best way to experience this restaurant?
- Enjoy communal Northern Thai platters and succulent seafood in a high-energy, welcoming atmosphere with attentive service and beautiful presentation.
Restaurants near Pai Downtown
- Khao San Road — Thai
- Ravi Soup — Thai
- Bangkok Garden — Thai
- Le Lert — Thai
- Si Lom Thai Bistro — Thai
- Thai Princess — Thai
- Evergreen Thai Restaurant — Thai
- Chiang Mai — Thai
- Salad King — Thai
- Wang Lang — Thai
- Hungary Thai — Thai
- Lao Thai — Thai
