Lai-Thai Restaurant

I've been to this restaurant twice now and both times the food has been good, but service is so slow that it becomes irritating and trumps the food quality. We waited quite awhile for our food. We had to ask twice for chopsticks. We waited over 15 minutes for the waitress to figure out how to split our check. You can tell by looking around that you're not the only table playing the waiting game. At least this time there were two waitresses; the first time I went there was one waitress for all tables. Good food and menu options (I like the Crab Delight appetizers), but only go if you're not in a hurry and are a very patient person! I don't think I'll ever dine-in again, but I may get take-out if I'm in the neighborhood.

Pros: Good menu, good food
Cons: Slow service, hard to find nearby parking at times

Okay, if you're in Kirkland and you want Thai food this is the place to find it. In my opinion it is better than the joint by QFC in Parkplace. But......is it me or is the food never as hot as i order it? I like my Thai food hot, and in most places when i order 5 stars i can't handle the heat, but at Lai Thai ordering 4 or 5 stars seems like ordering 2 or 3. All i am saying is the food is good, but make sure you ask for the side of peppers and hot sauces if you like it hot.

What a find! This little gem on the eastside is a great place for lunch or dinner. This is the best Thai we have had on the eastside! The quiet, candlelit decor is great for dinner chat or dates. In the shopping area of downtown Kirkland and surrounded by neat shops and galleries, this restaurant offers a large variety of dishes spiced exactly as requested and delicious every time. Service is friendly and prompt.

Surrounded by interesting shops and galleries the location is quaint and fun. Add that to good food and you have a winner! We keep going back!

Pros: Great food and service; Very good menu selection; Reasonalbe Prices; Casual Dress; Candlelit Setting; Good location - near Lake Washington and shopping

My husband and I have been eating at Lai-Thai ever since moving to the area. We lived in Bellevue when we first found this extraordinary Asian food. Now we live in Sammamish and continue to travel all the way to Kirkland to have our Thai. I love that I can customize my order by asking for additional ingredients to be added to my curry. The wait staff have always been charming to us so I am somewhat perplexed by any negative comments. I have never been refused any time I have asked for an additional veggie to be added or when a substitution was requested - exemplary service always for us.

This is definitely a place we take our out of town guests to visit. Asian friends and southern friends alike have thanked us for the introduction! In summary, the food is the best Thai we have had in Seattle or Atlanta! Good food, nice ambiance, and cordial service always remind us of why we are willing to drive the extra miles. GO see for yourself - you 'll be glad you did! Tell them Sky sent you!

Pros: Delicious Food, Nice atmosphere, Good service, Flexible Chef

I have to wonder if some of the other reviewers who prominently suggest alternative, nearby Thai restaurants are being a bit disingenous (to say the least). It seems utterly perplexing that Lai Thai can be accused of "inconsistency," because that's their strong point. I've been dining there at least a couple of times per month since they opened and have never received anything less than the best phad thai in the greater Seattle area. The quality and consistency standards are absolutely first rate; this is a place that does NOT cut corners. If you had a bad experience there, give them another chance. If the same bad thing happens twice, I've gotta believe it's you.

Pros: Consistently-great Thai food
Cons: Finding free parking can be a bit challenging, for those who don't want to walk