thai boat

2301 W Main St, Richmond, VA

To say I have a rich, deep love for Thai food is an understatement. I took Thai as my foreign language in undergrad because I loved Thai cuisine so much. Thai Boat is in a great location on Main Street, with a sizable patio and ample natural light inside (in addition to the colorful and joyful neon lighting).

We tried crispy pork belly, cooked to perfection, and a seasoned steak dish so flavorful and irresistible that I realized mid-bite that I'd forgotten to snap a pic. As shown in the middle photo below, the space is rather quaint, but this lends itself to an intimate yet casual atmosphere. We enjoy sitting at the bar to chat it up with the bartender, and our wonderful bartender at Thai Boat was engaging, helpful, and able to manage multiple patrons as the restaurant began filling up. He can sling a gorgeous drink to boot!

I adore the lovely cluttered chaos of these old bars in the Fan, and Thai Boat is already fitting right in after only being open about five months. I walk by the space often, and when I realized they were painting Thai letters on the outside, I was sold without a single question or hesitation. Thai Boat fulfilled any expectations I had going in, and then some. I thought the menu was so vast, but not in a way that was too much. I cannot wait to go back, chat it up with the staff, and try more of their fantastic dishes!

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