UPPER EAST SIDE, MANHATTAN
Tha Phraya
Northern and southern Thai under red lamps on Second Avenue — sai ua spring rolls, khao soi and a Phuket curry.
Red lamps hang over the dining room on Second Avenue, meant to evoke Bangkok's Patpong, and the cocktails are named after games played at Thai temple fairs. Past the green curry and Thai iced tea, the menu travels — north to Chiang Mai and south to Phuket.
Start with the sai ua spring roll, filled with the lemongrass-and-herb sausage of Chiang Mai. Khao soi is the northern bowl; zabb hang, rice noodles with sliced pork, meatballs and a house brown sauce, is the less familiar one. A Phuket-style southern curry, served family-style, is the dish to share.
Editor’s tip
Order the sai ua spring roll and the southern curry, then decide between khao soi and zabb hang.
Make an evening of it — beautiful stops nearby
Also in the neighborhood
UPPER EAST SIDE, MANHATTAN
Sant Ambroeus (Madison Avenue)
Milan on Madison — espresso at the counter, tramezzini, and old-world composure.
Café · Neighborhood Café · $$$
UPPER EAST SIDE, MANHATTAN
Bemelmans Bar (The Carlyle)
Madeline murals, gold-leaf ceiling, live piano — the old New York bar that still exists.
Cocktails · Cocktail Bar · $$$$
Editorial draft — core details last reviewed October 13, 2026. Confirm practical details with the official site before you go.