118 Restaurants in Sydney: Thai

One of the special pleasures of dining in one of Sydney's Thai restaurants is the communal eating style. A traditional Thai meal features appetisers, soup, salad, main course and dessert. However, unlike Western dining, these aren't eaten in order. Instead each dinner gets a place of steamed rice and the side dishes arrive when ready. It makes for great convivial group dining such as after-work splurges on pay-day, birthdays, family get togethers, or just impromptu feasts. Just make sure your table's ready and waiting by booking through Quandoo.

Inner Sydney with its Asia-centric Haymarket is a treasure trove for Thai food lovers. Local groceries stock heaps of colourful chillis and fragrant piles of herbs, ready for the woks and cooking pots of Sydney's Thairestaurants. A stone's throw from the CBD on Oxford Street lies Silom Soi Song, named after the legendary Bangkok dining and nightlife strip. It's a big draw for both denizens of Darlinghurst, and intrepid garstronauts who flock from further afield just to sample its tasty viands.

When you're in search of a great meal in Sydney, the Thai restaurants in Darling Harbour should be at the top of your list. Fun and food are the buzzwords of this vibrant region and the area's restaurants serve up oodles of both. After a hard day working or sightseeing, drift over to this picturesque area for some spicy fare while soaking in the waterside atmosphere. Browse the menus and reviews at Quandoo, and book online free for a relaxed evening out.

You won't find a Sydney suburb without a Thai restaurant or several, with Surry Hills, Neutral Bay and Randwick being especially well-endowed. If you're visiting Newtown, home to the University of Sydney, don't miss Thai Potong. Long one of Sydney's most popular Thai restaurants, this central eatery's been satisfying Siamese food buffs since 1996. Thai Potong can handle up to 400 hungry diners so is ideal for those fun get-togethers with friends, colleagues and family.

For a top class night out when you're trying to impress a customer, business partner or new girlfriend, try the royal Thai cuisine offered at Sydney's best Thai restaurants. A combination of sumptuous setting, impeccable service and superb food makes for a quality night out. A typical menu would start with a spicy and fragrant Tom Yum soup. Containing shrimps or mixed seafood, its steaming lemongrass scent gets the juices flowing. Next up is a green curry with chicken. While chefs are generous with the chillis and spicy paste, the taste is mellow owing to the coconut milk base which also adds a delicious sweet tang to the overall flavour. Top it off with a dessert such as bananas in coconut milk or mango and sticky rice for a real night to remember.

Drawing inspiration from neighbouring Laos, Northeastern Thai (Isaan) food packs a mega punch of spicy and sour flavours. And unlike regular Siamese dishes, they don't add coconut milk to soften the flavour. Favourites include meats drenched in chilli sauces, and blistering salads with raw chillies, garlic and lime juice. Served with soothing raw vegetables and sticky rice, it makes the perfect finger food to accompany a few glasses of whiskey or rum, or a can of Aussie beer. Another Isaan staple is gai yang, marinated chicken grilled over a charcoal stove.