Best Thai Food: Thai Canteen
The authentic Thai restaurant holds its position as the No. 1 Thai food spot in Davis
By TALAR KESHISHIAN — arts@theaggie.org
Since 2016, Thai Canteen has consistently been considered one of the best Thai food restaurants in Davis, as voted on by students. Since its opening in 2010, Thai Canteen has served as a convenient food staple, sticking to its mission of providing authentic Thai cuisine to the community.
The casual dining spot attracts a great deal of attention and admiration, especially among UC Davis students. Known for its affordable prices, it maintains its reputation as an accessible and reliable food spot in the city. Among their devoted guests is Jacqueline Gordon, a second-year international agriculture development and philosophy double major, who discussed some of her favorite menu items.
“My favorite food is the pad si ew,” Gordon said. “It’s so good. And my favorite dessert is the mango sticky rice. I like to try new things from the menu and every time I try something new, it’s always good.”
Located on E Street in Downtown Davis, Thai Canteen is only half a mile from the UC Davis campus, making it an ideal spot to get food in-between classes. The restaurant is also conveniently open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
“I love that it’s open late and obviously the food is great,” Gordon said. “Every time I’m out with my friends or with my co-workers for Picnic Day, they always suggest Thai Canteen because it’s just a go-to. The location is also really good because it’s close to campus.”
The atmosphere of Thai Canteen is welcoming and spacious, offering indoor and outdoor seating options to enjoy. On the other hand, it also has takeout and delivery services, so you can buy food in a pinch without making a physical trip.
“I love that it’s family-style, so when you go with a group of friends, you can just try everything and share with each other,” Gordon said. “It’s always going to be good food, and it’s always going to be open late — and there’s always space to sit.”
The enjoyable environment of Thai Canteen is also a space to create cherished experiences. Sara Rodriguez, a second-year genetics and genomics major, described her fond memories associated with the restaurant, which became one of her favorite Davis locations upon her first visit.
“I feel a very special connection to Thai Canteen,” Rodriguez said. “The first time I ever came to Davis was for a brief tour before move-in week with my family. We had no idea where to eat, so I went on Google Maps and that was the place that spoke to me. It was great, we all loved it.”
Now, Thai Canteen is a staple for Rodriguez’s family during visits, and a place she can go that feels a little bit like home.
“Every time I go, I’m reminded of my family — my dad most of all,” Rodriguez said. “Every time my dad would pick me up, it was our go-to meal. We really like the crab fried rice, the Thai iced tea and the pad si ew. More than anything, it’s a routine we would do every now and then. It was always Thai Canteen and nothing else.”
Written by: Talar Keshishian — arts@theaggie.org