Thai food in Ames brings smiles to many faces. In this college town, flavors from Thailand mix with Iowa charm. Think spicy curries and fresh noodles. Ames sits in central Iowa. Home to Iowa State University. About 67,000 people live here.
Students and locals crave good eats. Thai spots pop up to meet that need. Places like Thai Kitchen and The Spice lead the way. They use fresh herbs and real recipes. Reviews show high marks. Yelp gives Thai Kitchen 3.8 stars from 133 votes.
The Spice gets 3.6 from 78. TripAdvisor ranks The Spice at 4.3. Families enjoy mild dishes. Spice lovers pick hot ones. Delivery makes it easy. In 2025, apps will help find spots fast. This post shares top picks. We cover menus and tips. Ready to try Thai food in Ames? Let’s go.
Top Thai Restaurants in Ames
Thai food in Ames shines at a few key spots. Thai Kitchen tops lists. It opened over 20 years ago. An owner from Thailand brings real taste. Address is 2410 Chamberlain St. Open daily 11 am to 8 pm. The menu has soups like Tom Yum. That’s spicy shrimp with lemongrass. Curries come red, green, and yellow. Pick chicken or tofu. Prices start at $10.99 for stir-fries.
The Spice sits downtown at 402 Main St., started in 2007. Family runs for fresh meals. Lunch Mon-Sat 11 am to 2:15 pm. Dinner till 8:45 pm. Closed Sunday. Appetizers include Satay for $8. Skewered chicken with peanut sauce. Entrees like Pad Thai cost $18.
They serve Pad Thai with sushi. Good for groups.
Pho & Tea on Lincoln Way. 4.5 stars. Mixes Thai with pho. Try tofu fried rice.
These best Thai restaurants in Ames offer variety. Pick based on mood.
What Makes These Spots Stand Out
Fresh ingredients matter. Reviews praise big portions at Thai Kitchen. The Spice has stylish seats.
Authentic Thai Cuisine Ames, Iowa
Authentic Thai food in Ames feels like Thailand. Thai Kitchen uses traditional ways. Fresh lime, galangal, and chili. Owner Chaothanakit moved from Thailand. She shares home recipes. Friend Supunsa helps run it.
The Spice channels Thailand, too. Supote Methiyapun’s family opened it. They focus on detail.
Is there authentic Thai cuisine in Ames? Yes. Reviews say so. One Yelp user: “Nam tok beef tasted super legit.” Like in Bangkok.
Thai cuisine in Ames, Iowa, grows with students. Iowa State has global kids. They want real flavors.
Try the must-try Thai dishes in Ames. Tom Kha soup at The Spice. Coconut milk with chicken.
Signs of Real Thai Food
Look for the lemongrass smell. Menus with spice levels 1-5 show care.
Thai Takeout Ames Options
Thai takeout Ames makes meals easy. Call ahead or use apps. Thai Kitchen does takeout. Pick up at the counter. Fast service. One review: “Large portions for a great price.”
The Spice offers takeout, too. Order online via Grubhub. Reviews: “Good food, a little expensive.”
Pho & Tea has quick takeout. Good for lunch.
Best Thai takeout options in Ames include these. Pack hot and fresh.
For home, get extras like peanut sauce for $1 at The Spice.
Thai takeout in Ames fits busy days. Students grab noodles between classes.
How to Order Takeout Smart
Check hours first. Ask for no nuts if allergic.
Thai Food Delivery Ames Services
Uber Eats lists spots. Track order live. DoorDash has The Spice. No fee first time.
Thai Kitchen partners with EatStreet. Fast delivery.
Which Thai restaurants in Ames offer delivery? Most do. The Spice, Thai Kitchen, Pho & Tea.
Customer reviews of Thai food in Ames praise speed. “Arrived hot,” one says.
No need to drive.
In 2025, apps will use GPS for fast drops.
Top Delivery Tips
Choose mild if new to Spice. Add notes for extras.
Must-Try Thai Dishes in Ames
Thai food in Ames has yummy dishes. Pad Thai leads. Noodles with egg, peanuts, and lime. At Thai Kitchen, the chicken version $11.99.
Curries wow. Red curry with bamboo at The Spice. Spicy and creamy. $18 with shrimp.
Tom Yum soup zings. Lemongrass, chili, shrimp. Thai Kitchen makes it $9.99.
Fried rice variations. Pineapple fried rice at The Spice. Sweet and savory.
Thai noodles and curry, Ames shine. Drunken noodles hot with basil.
Must-try Thai dishes in Ames include spring rolls. Crispy veggies inside.
Desserts like mango sticky rice end sweet.
Dish Pairings for Beginners
Start with mild curry. Add soup for a full meal.
Thai Lunch Specials Ames
Thai lunch specials in Ames save money. The Spice has Mon-Sat deals. Entree with rice $12-15.
Thai Kitchen offers quick lunches. Soup and stir-fry combos.
Thai lunch specials, Ames fit work breaks. Fast service.
Family-friendly Thai restaurants in Ames welcome kids. Mild options are available.
Affordable Thai food in Ames means under $15 meals.
One special: Pad See Ew at Thai Kitchen. Wide noodles with broccoli.
Best Time for Lunch
Go early to beat crowds. Noon rush at campus spots.
Thai Dinner Menu Ames Highlights
Thai dinner menu in Ames gets fancy. The Spice serves seafood like herb snapper $22.
Thai Kitchen has specials like poached chicken rice $10.99.
Thai dining experience, Ames feels cozy. The Spice has white tables.
Try three-flavored fish. Sweet, sour, spicy.
Dinner Planning Ideas
Share appetizers. Order different curries to taste.
Conclusion
Thai food in Ames offers tasty adventures from Thai Kitchen’s spicy soups to The Spice’s curries. We saw the top spots and dishes. Authentic flavors await. Grab takeout or delivery. Visit soon. Share your fave dish online. Thai food, Ames calls you.
FAQs
What is the best Thai restaurant in Ames? Thai Kitchen ranks high with authentic dishes and good reviews.
Does Ames have authentic Thai food? Yes. Spots like The Spice use real recipes from Thailand.
Which Thai restaurants in Ames offer delivery? Thai Kitchen and The Spice do via Uber Eats and DoorDash.
Where to find the best Thai food in Ames? Check Thai Kitchen or The Spice for top picks.
What Thai restaurants are popular in Ames? The Spice and Thai Kitchen leads with high ratings.
Key Citations
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=thai&find_loc=Ames%2C+IA
- TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g29355-c39-Ames_Iowa.html
- Thai Kitchen Website: https://thaikitchenames.com/
- The Spice Website: https://www.thespiceames.com/
- Iowa State Daily: https://iowastatedaily.com/75929/news/from-thailand-with-love/
- Des Moines Register (via Iowa State Daily): https://iowastatedaily.com/180302/uncategorized/spicy-family-run-restaurant-channels-flavors-of-thailand/
- Grubhub Reviews: https://www.grubhub.com/restaurant/the-spice-thai-cuisine-402-main-st-ames/1275359/reviews
- Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/iastate/comments/1emm0gm/best_food_in_ames/
Thai food in Ames draws folks from all over. This deep look covers everything. Start with why Ames loves Thai. College town vibe brings diversity. Iowa State has students from Thailand. They share home tastes. Thai spots grew in the 2000s. Thai Kitchen started early. Chaothanakit came in the 90s. She opened to share food. Story in 2015 Daily: From Thailand with love. Supunsa Bastin joined. They use fresh galangal and kaffir leaves. Hard to find in Iowa.
The Spice came in 2007. Supote’s family wanted an authentic spot. Daily says spicy family-run place. They import spices. The menu has 50+ items. Appetizers: Fried spring rolls $7. Satay $8. Soups: Tom Yum chicken $7. Tom Kha $7. Curries: Red, green $18. Noodles: Pad Thai, drunken $18. Fried rice: Pineapple $18. Veggie options too. Gluten-free market.
Reviews for The Spice: DoorDash 4.6 from 500+. “Incredible flavors.” Some say curry thin. But most love. Yelp: “Good Thai food, very spicy.” HappyCow for vegans: Separate menu. Pineapple fried rice fave.
The Thai Kitchen menu is deep. Soups: Tom Yum shrimp $9.99. Coconut chicken $7.25. Stir-fries: Ginger chicken $10.99. Glass noodles $11.99. Curries: Red, green $10.99. Fried rice green curry $10.99. Specials: Hainanese chicken rice $10.99.
Reviews: Yelp 3.8. “Pad Thai next-level.” “Tom Yum best.” TripAdvisor 4.0. “Excellent Thai cuisine.” One: “Portions huge.” Reddit: In best food lists. “Thai Kitchen is delicious but spicy.”
Wasabi: Menu has Pad Thai $14. But more Japanese. Reviews: “Generous portions.”
Pho & Tea: Pho with Thai rice. 4.5 stars. “Amazing flavors.”
1+1: Tea with Thai bites. Boba popular.
Thai street food, Ames, Iowa? Thai Kitchen has larb salad like street eats.
Highly rated Thai food in Ames, Iowa: Pho & Tea tops at 4.5.
Challenges: Spice levels vary. Ask for mild.
Future: More fusion? With university growth.
Table of Top Spots:
RestaurantRating (Yelp)AddressSpecialty
Thai Kitchen 3.8 2410 Chamberlain St Curries, Soups
The Spice 3.6 402 Main St Seafood, Veggie
Pho & Tea 4.5 Lincoln Way Fusion Rice
Wasabi Ames 4.3 2801 Grand Ave Pad Thai
Tips: Try spice level 2 first. Pair with Thai tea $3.
For families: Kids’ menus with mild noodles.
Affordable: Lunch specials under $10.
Thai dining experience Ames: Relaxed, friendly.
Where to find the best Thai food in Ames? Downtown or near campus.
Thai food near me, Ames, Iowa: Use Google Maps.
Is there authentic Thai cuisine in Ames? Yes, family-run spots prove it.
