Chat Thai - Haymarket

Waitresses look like they're all still in school. Most of them can't speak English, let alone understand your questions. Service is fast and efficient though. Only thing - don't expect to have things explained to you by the staff. Trust the menu and roll with it.

Food - the most important thing, is definitely one of the best you could get in SYD. The flavors are amazing, the taste very authentic and servings generous.

The decor is very trendy - very hip. It's always packed and at times you might have to share a table with strangers but that doesn't really matter - the place is noisy enough and you just get lost in the flavors of the food.

All in all - great Thai food, great vibe, fast service but on communication from the staff, to many people it might even seem rude (though you do get the typical Thai welcome from most waitresses).

20 Campbell St, Haymarket

Thai Paragon - North Strathfield

George St North Strathfield is a place waiting to explode. It'll happen, just a matter of time. The street is lined with cool eating and drinking places, and new stuff is happening at all times. More and more people have started frequenting the place and it'll only grow as more people come to know about the area.

Thai Paragon is a beautiful place - the interior design and the settings are very good. Time and again I've said that Thai food, if done better than your average Sydney suburban Thai take-away, should be considered as 'good'. Food at this place is just that - good. Not unbelievably awesome. Just plain good. Which, again, is the way it should be. Portions, like most Thai places, are generous. Flavor-wise, the food has taste. The usual noodles, Pad Thai etc are good, flavorsome and generous. Curries are better though. Yellow curry would stand-out. If you want it hot and spicy, you'd have to convince them first.

All in all, great place for Thai food if want something a bit more classy as far as the ambiance goes.

Sumalee Thai @ Bank hotel Newtown

Be warned: portions are huge!

The menu clearly states that the portion sizes are big and meals are meant to be shared. I've seen people still grumbling about the price. That is not fare. Just get one dish between the two of you and you'll be fine. You'll end up saving money, actually.

The taste is great - I tried a few different things and they were all good. No complaints at all. The ambience is perfect for dinner. Bar is right next to you so that makes it easier to grab beers or cocktails - I do remember there being a problem with ordering cocktails though - the cocktail bar shuts down earlier or something and you can only order beers after that time.

All in all, good and worth a try.

Bank's Thai Enmore

Now, this place, like countless other Thai eateries around Sydney, claims to be one of the best in town. It is famous on some levels and yes, its packed most of the times. The best? Don't know. Hard to say actually. I found the food to be just like any other Thai restaurant - which is good, which is exactly the way it should be. Thai food, if better than that dodgy take-away in suburbia, should usually be considered good. The lighting arrangement is rather dim. To a point where it becomes a bit hard to read the menu. All in all, not bad.

Thaitanic - King St Newtown

Update: went back in Feb 2011 for a quick lunch, glad to report that the quality and pace hasn't changed. Still the same fast and fresh food, good vibes and very Thai.

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Cheap and best - that's not a bad to describe it. This place is pretty busy at most times so that means the food will always be fresh and tasty, as should be in a Thai restaurant. A very take-away type setup but these guys pull it off pretty good. Also, this place is licensed and sells some Thai beers. Nice place to eat. Yellow curry is the standout dish for me here.