PAI Toronto Review: Fast and Flavorful Northern Thai

Key Takeaways

• Expect long lines and a loud, energetic subterranean dining room.
• Reservations are mostly limited to large groups via email, so plan to walk in.
• Standout Northern Thai dishes include khao soi, pad gra prow, and highly praised garlic tofu.
• Service is incredibly fast, making it a reliable option if you are short on time.
• The adjacent Pai Market offers a quick take-and-go alternative.

Inside the basement dining room

The energetic basement dining room at PAI.

Located below street level in Toronto's Entertainment District, PAI is loud, energetic, and usually packed. Chef Nuit Regular designed the space to feel like an open-air night market in northern Thailand.

The room features an open kitchen and a cafe and bar area called Bebop. The main dining room gets very noisy during peak hours. If you want a quieter experience, the adjacent Pai Market offers a calmer space to grab take-and-go food.

Navigating the Northern Thai menu

A spread of Northern Thai dishes at PAI.

The kitchen focuses on dishes from Thailand's far north. Plates are served family-style with varying spice levels, which makes it easy to share a few different things with your table.

Standout items include the rich khao soi, the savory pad gra prow, and the classic pad thai. Reviewers also highly recommend the garlic tofu, noting its crispy outside and chewy inside. You should also try the signature tom yum soup. For dessert, diners frequently praise the Thai tea sorbet served with coconut pieces.

Handling the crowds and reservations

Because PAI is a popular spot, expect a crowd at the 18 Duncan Street entrance. The restaurant operates mostly as a walk-in spot. Reservations are strictly limited to large groups and must be booked via email. For everyone else, arriving early or waiting in line is the only option.

Once you sit down, the service is incredibly fast. Reviewers report their entire order arriving in just 12 minutes. While this might sound like they are rushing you, it actually just adds to the energetic market vibe. It also makes PAI a highly reliable option if you are short on time.

The reality of dining at PAI

PAI has earned Michelin recognition, and as noted in many Toronto restaurant reviews, the kitchen delivers consistently great food. The busy setting and shareable plates make it a fun choice when you are looking at downtown Toronto restaurants, as long as you know what you are getting into.

If you do not want to deal with the wait, the Pai Market expansion next door is a smart alternative. You can pick up quick takeout meals and Thai ingredients without standing in line for the main dining room.