The Thai Table, a newly opened restaurant in Riyadh's Olaya district, offers an authentic Thai dining experience in a homely atmosphere. The owners personally welcome guests, adding a warm touch to the visit.
Menu Highlights and Dishes Sampled
The reviewer sampled a generous selection from the menu, including pad Thai noodles, tom yum soup, cashew chicken, sweet chili crunchy shrimp, crunchy beef dumplings, mango sticky rice, and a variety of drinks. The pad Thai was a standout with excellent texture and a balanced sweet, sour, and savory flavor. The sweet chili crunchy shrimp was perfectly crisp with just enough sweetness, and the crunchy beef dumplings paired well with their dipping sauce.
Tom Yum Soup and Chicken Satay Observations
The tom yum soup featured excellent shrimp and mushrooms but lacked the bold lemongrass aroma typical of this classic Thai dish, presenting a gentler version. The chicken satay tasted good overall, though the chicken texture could be improved.
Homemade Chili Garlic Sauce and Dessert
A surprise favorite was the restaurant's homemade chili garlic sauce, which elevated nearly every dish and deserves to be bottled and sold separately. Dessert was mango sticky rice with beautifully ripe, sweet mangoes, though the reviewer preferred the coconut sauce served on the side for personalized sweetness.
Menu Limitations and Pricing
The menu is still limited, understandable for a new restaurant, and not every planned dish was available during the visit. The pad Thai with shrimp costs SR58 ($16), while the green curry is priced at SR50 ($13). Guests can choose plain, garlic, or coconut rice. Portions are on the smaller side, and prices may feel slightly high considering the servings.
Overall Impression and Potential
The Thai Table may still be finding its feet, but it has the potential to become one of Riyadh's favorite destinations for Thai food. The reviewer intends to return to see how the restaurant evolves.
