Best Thai Restaurants in the Nashville Area
Long gone are the days when people think of Nashville as just a hick burg where Dolly Pardon and Hank Williams, Jr. hang their hats and Opryland lures yelling kids to carnival rides. Oh yes, the Grand Ole Opry still attracts the top headliners on the country circuit and the hotels still do a booming business centered around the fact that Nashville is both a recording magnet for performers and a top place for new country-western talent to get into the spotlight.
But Nashville, like its sister cities of Memphis and Knoxville, has been slowly transformed by regional demographics. Over the past 15 or so years the entire state has seen a tremendous influx of Latin Americans and Southeast Asians who have migrated here because of the low costs of living and doing business in this state (one of a handful that has no state income tax).
There are discreet areas in the Tennessee countryside where Vietnamese and Hmong populations have settled. More and more Southeast Asians have come to the area for its mild climate. And they have also migrated to the urban area.
Because of this influx Nashville has been the beneficiary of some wonderful Thai Cuisine. There are five Restaurants that are highlighted on the Internet and which have brief information about the food and amenities. Let’s take a tour of them now. Many do not have their own web sites yet but I have retrieved as many available reviews as can be found.
Royal Thai
120 19th Ave. N
Nashville, TN 37203
615-321-6104
Royal Thai serves traditional Thai recipes like Thai Chicken soup with coconut, Thai stir-fried noodles, “Pad Thai,” Thai Sticky Rice, and Green Curry. The one review I found said that the food is excellent and the service is very attentive. It is centrally located and may be well worth a visit.
The Siam Caf�©
316 McCall St.
Nashville, TN 37211-2918
(615) 834-3181
This out of the way restaurant is said to be small and friendly. Serving traditional Thai food, it is said to please even younger patrons. Overall, it is rated very favorably. Service is prompt and it has many loyal luncheon devotees. The food is very reasonably priced. Traditional Thai recipes like red and green curry and Pad Thai are served with very fresh ingredients.
Thai Taste Restaurant
395 Haywood Ln
Nashville, TN 37211-5424
(615) 834-9250
This restaurant has had some very good reviews. Their blending of exotic spices and traditional ingredients is its distinctive feature. Spicy, sweet salty and hot flavors permeate this cozy unpretentious restaurant that is housed in a cinderblock building.
A papaya salad with tomatoes and spicy dressing is one of its signature dishes. All dishes are served according to customer’s choice, but the native Thai hot dishes can be tried at your own risk. There is a medly of seafood and other entrees. Inexpensive and clean, this restaurant sounds like a must try for families who want to test-taste authentic Thai food. Major credit cards accepted.
International Market and Restaurant
2010 Belmont Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
615-297-4453
Cuisines: Asian, Thai
The cuisine here is Asian and Thai and the price range is very, very reasonable: $1 – $20. They’re said to have great food by several reviewers. International Market and Restaurant is open Monday through Sunday it is both an International market as well as a Restaurant. They serve the traditional Thai foods and you can both eat in or take out. This restaurant offers a “touch of Americana” for those who like the milder versions of the chicken soups, etc. Their egg rolls are made with rice noodles and are supposedly a real delight. Major credit cards are accepted. It’s a good place to browse after eating if you fancy a particular ingredient from dinner or lunch!
Royal Thai
210 Franklin Rd, Ste 700
Brentwood, TN 37027-3252
(615) 376-9695
Moderately priced, this restaurant is a mini-chain, very hospitable for those on the run or families with children. Rice, noodle and curry dishes make up some of the categories of dishes they offer. Moderately priced, they take all major credit cards. They will also prepare your food as mild or spicy as you like. The traditional chicken soup with lime and coconut milk is a favorite. Most reviewers rated it mediocre, but it might be a good place to try out for families because of special preparation of food to suit the palate of the diners.
