Travel Muse Magazine

“Good food is at the heart of a wholesome lifestyle,” says Ann Arbor’s new downtown restaurant Eat Thai. This charming addition to the South Main Street food scene is a lovely, locally owned restaurant that far surpasses expectations.

Eat Thai Ann Arbor, which opened in late 2025, was started by chef Teerawat “Apple” Pho-On, who started out as a dishwasher when he first came to the U.S. Since then he has opened several Thai restaurants in Michigan and worked his way up in the restaurant industry. According to a 2024 feature in the Ann Arbor Observer, this is the sixth restaurant of his career. Even though it’s still pretty new, it’s already received many positive reviews online. A lot of customers mention dishes like pad thai, khao soi, and tom kha soup as favorites.

I first discovered Eat Thai after a performance at the Michigan Theater in early January. It was one in the morning and nowhere was open. But then my friends and I happened upon this new gem. We’ve all had too many bad experiences with new restaurants late at night, but we couldn’t contain our hunger so decided to go for it. Since then, we’ve come back more times than we can count in the span of two months.

The first thing you must order when you walk in the door is the Thai iced coffee. I have personally been on a hunt to find good one for months in Ann Arbor to no avail. That is, until I found Eat Thai… I think in the past two weeks I’ve already gotten it five times. What makes it so special? This version manages to have hints of warm sweetness while keeping its core bitterness.

Now for your appetizer. You need to get the freshly made vegetable spring rolls. Bright and herby, they will not disappoint. Fresh is the flavor profile I look for in starters, and there is plenty of that at Eat Thai. Make sure that you are aware that the spice level here is authentic to Thai standards of spice. Nothing is accidental, and every sensory detail is taken into account.

“We bring you wholesome, nourishing Thai dishes inspired by the vibrant pace and diversity of Bangkok,” Eat Thai’s website proudly proclaims. “Our menu evolves with the season, enriched by traditions, crafted mindfully for your well-being. Each dish is freshly cooked, with homemade sauces and mindful ingredients.”

And you’ll find that in all the classic dishes here. Their pad Thai is genuinely as good as it can get in Ann Arbor. Pad Thai is an iconic Thai dish that is a fusion of Thai and Chinese cooking created in the 1940s. Here, I like the vegetarian style and the tofu was cooked to perfection. Not too chewy but just soft enough. It manages to be a dish that is perfectly savory, sour, and sweet all at once. 100% recommend.

Now, what is a Thai restaurant without its Thai curries? They are deep and aromatic and will have you feeling right at home. As a potato fanatic, the massaman curry is my current hyperfixation meal. Savory and spicy, it is best served with rice on the side. I would especially recommend it if you’re a student far from home and need a good comfort meal.

In a city where truly memorable Thai food is hard to come by, Eat Thai manages to be an instant heartwarming classic that you’ll find yourself daydreaming about. From the vibrant starters, to comforting curries, and iconic Thai iced coffee, every dish reflects genuine care and authenticity. What initially was a late night leap of faith has become a go to favorite for my friends and I – it just genuinely is that good!