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Lamb shank curry at Nari
Lamb shank curry at Nari
Patricia Chang

16 Comforting Thai and Lao Restaurants Open for Takeout and Delivery

SF and East Bay options that go well beyond standard-order pad Thai

by Luke Tsai Updated
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Lamb shank curry at Nari
| Patricia Chang
by Luke Tsai Updated

For many folks in the Bay Area, Thai food has always been a staple in their weekly takeout rotation. And now, perhaps more than ever, the comforts of wok-tossed pad Thai or a well-spiced red curry are especially appealing to those cooped up at home. Fortunately, many of our local Thai restaurants are open for business — and they’re serving all the standards, plus hard-to-find noodle dishes and fish custards and dishes loaded with entrails. Then there are the ostensibly Thai restaurants that are really Lao restaurants in disguise, ready to wow your palate with bright, fiery larb salads and dishes infused with the funk of fermented fish paste.

Here, then, are 16 great spots in San Francisco and the East Bay that are open to meet your Thai and Lao takeout and delivery needs.

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Larb Thai Food & Tapas

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This excellent northeastern Thai restaurant in El Cerrito is open for takeout for both lunch and dinner (with only the dinner menu available on weekends). Apart from the assorted meat skewers (which comprise most of the “tapas” side of the menu, the focus here is on the food of the Isaan region — Lao food, essentially. The larbs (bright, spicy meat salads) are one of the highlights; another is the assortment of noodle dishes, including an excellent, liver-intensive rendition of Thai boat noodles. For curbside pickup, call 510-524-8988 upon arrival.

10166 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530
(510) 524-8988
(510) 524-8988

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Funky Elephant

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Known for its excellent pad Thai (which is quite spicy by default unless you request otherwise) and fried Brussels sprouts (trust us), this relative newcomer in West Berkeley is open for takeout and delivery via Caviar.

1313 Ninth St, Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 356-4855
(510) 356-4855
Janelle Bitker

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Yimm Oakland

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The sister restaurant to Berkeley’s popular Imm Thai Street Food specializes in home-style cooking, going beyond the usual pick-your-protein curries (which they also have). This is the spot to seek out harder-to-find dishes like kua gai (fat, stir-fried rice noodles bound together by egg), tom yum omelette rice, and avocado green curry — all available on the to go menu. Cocktails are also on offer as a takeout item. Delivery is through Grubhub or DoorDash.

6048 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618
(510) 250-9678
(510) 250-9678
Tom yum omelette rice Yimm Oakland/Facebook

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Bird & Buffalo

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This newish spot in Oakland’s Temescal neighborhood specializes in rustic, homestyle dishes — “Thai soul food,” as the restaurant’s tagline dubs it, with a number of Lao dishes in the mix as well. Current takeout offerings include a la carte customer favorites like the gai gra prao kai dao — a well-spiced minced chicken stir-fry — and several different versions of larb. There are also a couple of options for prix-fixe set meals that’ll feed 1–3 people. Call in or get delivery via Caviar.

4659 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609
(510) 338-3536
(510) 338-3536

Daughter Thai Kitchen

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The team behind the Farmhouse Thai Kitchen mini-chain brings bold Southern Thai flavors to quaint, sleepy Montclair. Daughter Thai’s menu doesn’t shy away from spice or funk — both well represented in the pungent pickled fish stew known as kang tai pla — while the restaurant also serves up crowdpleasers like hat yai fried chicken (served with roti and curry) and slow-braised bone-in beef short rib curry. Shelter-in-place takeout specials include a $25 weekday lunch set (plenty of food for two) and free kids’ meals with orders of $60 or more. Call in or order pickup or delivery via Caviar.

6118 Medau Pl, Oakland, CA 94611
(510) 823-2354
(510) 823-2354

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Champa Garden

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One of the first East Bay restaurants to really popularize Lao food for a mainstream audience, Champa Garden is probably best known for its sampler platter, which features a trio of classics: crispy rice ball salad, fermented Lao sausages, and fried egg rolls. On a chilly night, the funky Lue-style noodle soup will warm you up. You can get all of the Thai takeout standards here as well. Call in for pickup or order delivery via Grubhub or Seamless. Champa’s SF location, out by Ocean Avenue, is also open.

2102 8th Ave, Oakland, CA 94606
(510) 238-8819
(510) 238-8819

Chai Thai Noodles

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An East Oakland staple for going on over a decade now, Chai Thai is the standard bearer for casual, unfussy East Bay Thai. The pork leg stew, served over noodles or rice, is especially comforting. Don’t miss the smattering of Lao dishes on the menu too — the Lao-style khao soi, the fermented sausage, and the selection of larbs. During shelter in place, the Hayward, Berkeley, and original Oakland locations of this local mini-chain are all offering a killer takeout beer special: six mix-and-match bottles of Singha or Beer Lao (including hard-to-find Beer Lao Dark) for $15. Call in or order via Caviar or Postmates.

545 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94606
(510) 832-2500
(510) 832-2500

Vientian Cafe

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Tucked into a residential neighborhood, Vientian Cafe has the kind of greatest hits menu that spans pho, pad Thai, and every other Southeast Asian standard in between. But it’s a Lao restaurant above all else, and to unlock the restaurant’s true greatness, diners should order exclusively off the separate menu of Lao specialties: nam kao, or crunchy rice ball salad; best-in-class baked Lao sausages; catfish steamed inside banana leaves; and an assortment of delicious noodle soups. The restaurant is currently open for takeout during its regular business hours.

3801 Allendale Ave, Oakland, CA 94619
(510) 535-2218
(510) 535-2218
Fermented Lao sausage, soup, and other dishes at Vientian Cafe Thien Pham

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Nari

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For the first part of shelter in place, Pim Techamuanvivit’s buzzy Japantown restaurant focused only on chilled, cold-packed dishes for customers to reheat at home. Now, Nari is back to serving hot food, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian prix-fixe dinner sets available for pickup Tuesday through Saturday, 4–7 p.m. Order online.

1625 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 868-6274
(415) 868-6274
Lamb shank curry at Nari Patricia Chang

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Lers Ros

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The city’s standard-bearer for everyday takeout and delivery Thai, Lers Ros has a wide-ranging menu, but the stir-fried noodles, the stewed pork leg, and any of the fried rice dishes are especially great. Beyond the original Tenderloin location, there are Hayes Valley and Mission shops, too, so pick the one nearest you before ordering.

730 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 931-6917
(415) 931-6917
Dry tom yum noodle Lers Ros/Facebook

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Zen Yai

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Famous for its combination boat noodles, served in a beefy, blood-fortified broth with meat, greens, and crispy pork cracklings, Zen Yai is one of SF’s quintessential — and quintessentially affordable — Thai spots. The Tenderloin restaurant is now open for takeout every day except Tuesdays; call in or walk up to order.

771 Ellis St, San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 885-0725
(415) 885-0725
Pork boat noodles at Zen Yai Thai Gary Stevens/Flickr

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Thai Idea Vegetarian

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This master of faux meats in the Tenderloin is here for all your vegan Thai needs, including meatless versions of familiar favorites like pad see ew and pineapple fried rice, plus convincing simulacrums of things like fried catfish and Thai-style roast chicken. Call in, order online or get delivery via Uber Eats.

710 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 440-8344
(415) 440-8344

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Lapats Thai Noodles Bar

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This newish spot in the heart of the Tenderloin offers a good variety of lesser-known noodle dishes, from the brothy house “special noodles,” which come with a mix of pork and fish balls, to noodle soups that feature braised duck or a tom yum style soup. Call in or order delivery via almost any of the delivery apps.

601 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 757-0217
(415) 757-0217

Amphawa Thai Noodle House

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This Richmond District staple has a broad menu spanning all the classics, and it should come as no surprise that the noodles — especially the soupy noodle dishes — are its particular strength. Try the flavorful khao soi, with its yellow curry-like coconut base, or the ground pork-studded sukhothai noodle soup, with its spicy and slightly sweet flavor profile. Order directly through the restaurant’s website or get delivery via Caviar or Uber Eats.

5020 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 221-2824
(415) 221-2824
khao soi (yellow curry noodle soup) at Amphawa Amphawa/Facebook

Marnee Thai Restaurant

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The three-decade-old Sunset institution is still going strong, serving customer favorites like its silky pad see ew and spicy beef salad for takeout daily. Call in, walk up, or get delivery via Caviar. The smaller Inner Sunset location, on 9th Avenue, is also open.

2225 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 665-9500
(415) 665-9500
Marnee Thai/Instagram

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Hawker Fare

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James Syhabout might be better known for his two-Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant Commis, but his casual Lao Isaan spot in the Mission is where it’s at if your looking for for bold, fish sauce-forward takeout or delivery fare. Much of the menu travels well, but highlights include the khao mun gai (poached chicken over rice), Isaan pork sausage, blistered green beans, and a rotating daily $15 lunch box. Order delivery via DoorDash. The restaurant is also now open for outdoor seating.

680 Valencia St #1126, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 400-5699
(415) 400-5699

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Larb Thai Food & Tapas

10166 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530

This excellent northeastern Thai restaurant in El Cerrito is open for takeout for both lunch and dinner (with only the dinner menu available on weekends). Apart from the assorted meat skewers (which comprise most of the “tapas” side of the menu, the focus here is on the food of the Isaan region — Lao food, essentially. The larbs (bright, spicy meat salads) are one of the highlights; another is the assortment of noodle dishes, including an excellent, liver-intensive rendition of Thai boat noodles. For curbside pickup, call 510-524-8988 upon arrival.

10166 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530
(510) 524-8988
(510) 524-8988

Funky Elephant

1313 Ninth St, Berkeley, CA 94710

Known for its excellent pad Thai (which is quite spicy by default unless you request otherwise) and fried Brussels sprouts (trust us), this relative newcomer in West Berkeley is open for takeout and delivery via Caviar.

1313 Ninth St, Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 356-4855
(510) 356-4855
Janelle Bitker

Yimm Oakland

6048 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618

The sister restaurant to Berkeley’s popular Imm Thai Street Food specializes in home-style cooking, going beyond the usual pick-your-protein curries (which they also have). This is the spot to seek out harder-to-find dishes like kua gai (fat, stir-fried rice noodles bound together by egg), tom yum omelette rice, and avocado green curry — all available on the to go menu. Cocktails are also on offer as a takeout item. Delivery is through Grubhub or DoorDash.

6048 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618
(510) 250-9678
(510) 250-9678
Tom yum omelette rice Yimm Oakland/Facebook

Bird & Buffalo

4659 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609

This newish spot in Oakland’s Temescal neighborhood specializes in rustic, homestyle dishes — “Thai soul food,” as the restaurant’s tagline dubs it, with a number of Lao dishes in the mix as well. Current takeout offerings include a la carte customer favorites like the gai gra prao kai dao — a well-spiced minced chicken stir-fry — and several different versions of larb. There are also a couple of options for prix-fixe set meals that’ll feed 1–3 people. Call in or get delivery via Caviar.

4659 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609
(510) 338-3536
(510) 338-3536

Daughter Thai Kitchen

6118 Medau Pl, Oakland, CA 94611

The team behind the Farmhouse Thai Kitchen mini-chain brings bold Southern Thai flavors to quaint, sleepy Montclair. Daughter Thai’s menu doesn’t shy away from spice or funk — both well represented in the pungent pickled fish stew known as kang tai pla — while the restaurant also serves up crowdpleasers like hat yai fried chicken (served with roti and curry) and slow-braised bone-in beef short rib curry. Shelter-in-place takeout specials include a $25 weekday lunch set (plenty of food for two) and free kids’ meals with orders of $60 or more. Call in or order pickup or delivery via Caviar.

6118 Medau Pl, Oakland, CA 94611
(510) 823-2354
(510) 823-2354

Champa Garden

2102 8th Ave, Oakland, CA 94606

One of the first East Bay restaurants to really popularize Lao food for a mainstream audience, Champa Garden is probably best known for its sampler platter, which features a trio of classics: crispy rice ball salad, fermented Lao sausages, and fried egg rolls. On a chilly night, the funky Lue-style noodle soup will warm you up. You can get all of the Thai takeout standards here as well. Call in for pickup or order delivery via Grubhub or Seamless. Champa’s SF location, out by Ocean Avenue, is also open.

2102 8th Ave, Oakland, CA 94606
(510) 238-8819
(510) 238-8819

Chai Thai Noodles

545 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94606

An East Oakland staple for going on over a decade now, Chai Thai is the standard bearer for casual, unfussy East Bay Thai. The pork leg stew, served over noodles or rice, is especially comforting. Don’t miss the smattering of Lao dishes on the menu too — the Lao-style khao soi, the fermented sausage, and the selection of larbs. During shelter in place, the Hayward, Berkeley, and original Oakland locations of this local mini-chain are all offering a killer takeout beer special: six mix-and-match bottles of Singha or Beer Lao (including hard-to-find Beer Lao Dark) for $15. Call in or order via Caviar or Postmates.

545 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94606
(510) 832-2500
(510) 832-2500

Vientian Cafe

3801 Allendale Ave, Oakland, CA 94619

Tucked into a residential neighborhood, Vientian Cafe has the kind of greatest hits menu that spans pho, pad Thai, and every other Southeast Asian standard in between. But it’s a Lao restaurant above all else, and to unlock the restaurant’s true greatness, diners should order exclusively off the separate menu of Lao specialties: nam kao, or crunchy rice ball salad; best-in-class baked Lao sausages; catfish steamed inside banana leaves; and an assortment of delicious noodle soups. The restaurant is currently open for takeout during its regular business hours.

3801 Allendale Ave, Oakland, CA 94619
(510) 535-2218
(510) 535-2218
Fermented Lao sausage, soup, and other dishes at Vientian Cafe Thien Pham

Nari

1625 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94115

For the first part of shelter in place, Pim Techamuanvivit’s buzzy Japantown restaurant focused only on chilled, cold-packed dishes for customers to reheat at home. Now, Nari is back to serving hot food, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian prix-fixe dinner sets available for pickup Tuesday through Saturday, 4–7 p.m. Order online.

1625 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 868-6274
(415) 868-6274
Lamb shank curry at Nari Patricia Chang

Lers Ros

730 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94109

The city’s standard-bearer for everyday takeout and delivery Thai, Lers Ros has a wide-ranging menu, but the stir-fried noodles, the stewed pork leg, and any of the fried rice dishes are especially great. Beyond the original Tenderloin location, there are Hayes Valley and Mission shops, too, so pick the one nearest you before ordering.

730 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 931-6917
(415) 931-6917
Dry tom yum noodle Lers Ros/Facebook

Zen Yai

771 Ellis St, San Francisco, CA 94109

Famous for its combination boat noodles, served in a beefy, blood-fortified broth with meat, greens, and crispy pork cracklings, Zen Yai is one of SF’s quintessential — and quintessentially affordable — Thai spots. The Tenderloin restaurant is now open for takeout every day except Tuesdays; call in or walk up to order.

771 Ellis St, San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 885-0725
(415) 885-0725
Pork boat noodles at Zen Yai Thai Gary Stevens/Flickr

Thai Idea Vegetarian

710 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109

This master of faux meats in the Tenderloin is here for all your vegan Thai needs, including meatless versions of familiar favorites like pad see ew and pineapple fried rice, plus convincing simulacrums of things like fried catfish and Thai-style roast chicken. Call in, order online or get delivery via Uber Eats.

710 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 440-8344
(415) 440-8344

Lapats Thai Noodles Bar

601 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94109

This newish spot in the heart of the Tenderloin offers a good variety of lesser-known noodle dishes, from the brothy house “special noodles,” which come with a mix of pork and fish balls, to noodle soups that feature braised duck or a tom yum style soup. Call in or order delivery via almost any of the delivery apps.

601 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 757-0217
(415) 757-0217

Amphawa Thai Noodle House

5020 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94118

This Richmond District staple has a broad menu spanning all the classics, and it should come as no surprise that the noodles — especially the soupy noodle dishes — are its particular strength. Try the flavorful khao soi, with its yellow curry-like coconut base, or the ground pork-studded sukhothai noodle soup, with its spicy and slightly sweet flavor profile. Order directly through the restaurant’s website or get delivery via Caviar or Uber Eats.

5020 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 221-2824
(415) 221-2824
khao soi (yellow curry noodle soup) at Amphawa Amphawa/Facebook

Marnee Thai Restaurant

2225 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122

The three-decade-old Sunset institution is still going strong, serving customer favorites like its silky pad see ew and spicy beef salad for takeout daily. Call in, walk up, or get delivery via Caviar. The smaller Inner Sunset location, on 9th Avenue, is also open.

2225 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 665-9500
(415) 665-9500
Marnee Thai/Instagram

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Hawker Fare

680 Valencia St #1126, San Francisco, CA 94110

James Syhabout might be better known for his two-Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant Commis, but his casual Lao Isaan spot in the Mission is where it’s at if your looking for for bold, fish sauce-forward takeout or delivery fare. Much of the menu travels well, but highlights include the khao mun gai (poached chicken over rice), Isaan pork sausage, blistered green beans, and a rotating daily $15 lunch box. Order delivery via DoorDash. The restaurant is also now open for outdoor seating.

680 Valencia St #1126, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 400-5699
(415) 400-5699

Related Maps