Reviews for Lai Thai Restaurant

by Tasha
27th February 2012

I have been eating the food at Lai Thai for over 10 years on a regular basis and the food is outstanding. They get their ingredients daily and you can really taste the freshness. I always really look forward to eating a meal made by the chefs at Lai Thai and whenever I have visitors I get the takeaways from Lai Thai for them. The food is really excellent. The service is also great and everyone receives personal attention and care. I definitely recommend this restaurant.

by Neil N.
25th February 2012

We have visited this restaurant for lunch or dinner over many years. The food is very good, and the restaurant feels like a family run pleasant place. For good, well presented Thai cuisine at a good price point, good service (the principal waiter has been here for years), and I like the friendly “old guy” that may come out to see how you are going. His younger thai wife is the senior chef and the tastes are lovely pure Thai. Recommended.

by AMG
28th October 2011

Third time at Lai Thai and yes the food is exceptional and in a better class than other Thai restaurants I’ve been to in Auckland,… When it eventually arrives that is!

The last two times we have been we waited for around 45 minutes to get simple entrés – and then another 30-40 minutes for the next course. The first time the place was busy but last night there were only three tables in use!

They seem more focused on serving takeaways that looking after people in the restaurant.
Both times the (charming) owner gave the excuse of being one person down in the kitchen. Added to this, the head waiter last night seemed to be on medication he was moving so slowly. I think they are just understaffed to serve both the restaurant AND do the takeaways.

It’s a shame that we won’t be going back because the food is so good. Sort it out Lai Thai!

by AKiwi
24th August 2011

Food and service great. However, totally overpriced when it comes to the starters for $12 !!!
We have been going to this restaurant for years, we have always enjoyed the food and have seen the prices slowly creeping up. $12 starters for this restaurant are over the to though.

by Becky
9th July 2011

I should start by saying that I have eaten real Thai food in Thailand and was horrified by the food and service here. What a terrible restaurant! Rung up to arrange to bring a 60th birthday cake and was initially told no. Ordered vegetarian spring rolls as an entree @ $12 for FOUR TINY spring rolls with nearly no filling, and a “spicy tofu and vegetable curry” @ $18 which turned out to be half cooked vegetables in a CLEAR SOUP! Returned it and ordered the peanut satay instead, which was exactly the same half cooked tofu and nearly raw vegetables in a cheap white bowl. Disgusted at how a restaurant can charge these prices and deliver the food and service these guys are. As for the port the others mentioned??? We didn’t get any, and we were there celebrating a 60th birthday with only close family.

by Timmo
8th July 2011

‘Peter James’ what r u? a spy for the restaurant down the road? You’ve given unfair ratings to people who i’ve been very happy with. At the least i’d say you’re way too fussy, but i think its more than that. Please don’t read his comment!
Anyway I’ve eaten here 3 times now with my oldies who visit Thailand all the time. If anyone would grumble, it would be them. They didn’t. They really liked the food here. Service is good, ambiance is nice. Don’t know what that loser was going on about!

by Bill H.
30th June 2011

Our favourite restaurant; a place where we often find acquaintances there at the same time and we have noticed others who go there again and again. We like the food and often choose blackboard specials, none of which have disappointed us. We have taken many of our overseas visitors there and all have enjoyed the food and the ambiance. We believe that the popularity of Lai Thai is not merely because of the good food but is also due to the friendliness of the staff. The restaurant has recently been further improved by the change in decor.
Bill and Verna

by Mark L.
9th April 2011

Ate at Lai Thai last night for about the 20th time. If it was at all possible the food (which was already exceptional) has got better. My wife and I have eaten at many thai restaurants all over New Zealand, and have never found a thai restaurant which would even come close to the fantastic food, outstanding service and lovely warm atmosphere. Gavin and Pog have always been wonderful hosts and extremely welcoming. Peter James wouldn’t know good food if it jumped up and bit him on the arse. This is definitely a 5 star restaurant.

by S a.
7th April 2011

My partner and I have been to this restaurant a few times, we returned after the first time because the complimentary port was a lovely touch. But each time after that, we’ve tried something different on the menu and enjoyed it. We’re fans and would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for – great food, quick and efficient service and a lovely chat with the owner who is anything but a boring old man!!!

by daniel F.
28th September 2010

I went here for a birthday lunch with my partner last week. We have eaten Thai all around the world, but this food really was outstanding. The owners Pog and Gavin introduced themselves as they were eating lunch at the next table, while being entertained by their friendly wine sales rep. I liked what I saw them eating and jokingly requested the lunch menu items they were eating! Pog kindly got up in the middle of her lunch, came over to our table, discussed what we should eat, and went and made us the special peanut prawn kebabs I had earlier spied. She actually made them herself…..(even though there was obviously a chef in the kitchen)…..meantime her husband Gavin popped back and forwards offering us some wines too sample from the wine reps suggestions. We were extremely well cared for, left satisfied with absolutely delicious Thai food and gracious hosts.
Highly recommend.

Daniel

by Chris J.
11th November 2009

The Lai Thai restaurant has in my opinion the very best Thai food I have ever eaten – anywhere, including Thailand. The food is always very fresh, freshly prepared, and the kitchen spotless. This is what makes good Thai food excellent.

I have spoken to the owner several times and he shops daily for produce, even meats. Any chicken not consumed that day is eaten by the staff or thrown out. How many restaurants can say they do that? They would never pre-cook their meats like other Thai restaurants to save a few minutes cooking time, and yes all these details really do matter if you care about good food.

I have been to Thailand 38 times in eight years, and I travel and dine out frequently so these comments are qualified.

Admittedly the quality of the food here way outshines the 90′s decor, but the ambiance is good and the surroundings pleasant and acceptable.

Being a small dining room, the service is prompt and thoughtful from experienced Thai staff.

Of particular strength on the menu are the stir fry’s and the curries. The lunch special is superb value for money and the portion sizes the same as dinner service.

by blondie
9th October 2009

I have been here once for lunch and thought it was quite good, but went back for dinner almost a year later and was sorely disappointed. You pay downtown prices in grubby New Lynn (actually even more expensive than places in town) for very average thai food (and I have eaten at a lot of thai restaurants). Even though we requested extra spicy, the food was barely spicy and had bland flavours. I wouldn’t go back.

by Angela
26th June 2009

This is a small but comfortable restaurant with a good atmosphere. The staff were welcoming and the service was good as was the food – which was mild for Thai but I’m sure if you wanted things spiced up I’m sure they’d oblige. The complimentary port was a nice way to finish the evening, we’ll be back!

by C
10th February 2009

Absolutely fantastic restaurant. We go there all the time for takeaways and to dine in and the food and service is superb. Highly recommend this restaurant. A+++ rating i think

by H D
26th November 2008

This is our favourite local eatery. Gavin and Pog are wonderful hosts. They always cook the food the way we like it – sometimes we feel like extra chilli and they are happy to oblige. The food is fresh and I can recommend the whole snapper in tamarind and sweet chilli sauce. Everyone loves to chat to Gavin and enjoy his hospitality (including the free glass of port). Many of the clientele are regulars who’ve been dining there for years. Pog also does the lovely flower arrangements. It’s nice to eat somewhere where they still have tablecloths and carpet on the floor and no banquette seating where you’re sitting elbow to elbow with those at the next table where you can’t avoid hearing everything being said.

by Peter James
17th September 2008

Bland excuse for Thai cuisine.
I hate over Eurotised Asian food.
Give me a break. This is not even as tasty as chinese takeaway food and as for the old guy boring everyone….. go for a holiday or retire.!!!!!!!

by Donna
5th October 2007

Although I used to live close by for many years, I never made it to this restaurant. Now I regret that! Having eaten there recently, even though I had to drive a little further to go there – I would definitely recommend this restaurant. Food wise, I would describe it as being city quality in the suburbs. A little cosy inside, but then a full restaurant is a good restaurant! I will be back!

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