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The Thai
Review
About
Features
CUISINES
Asian, Thai
Meal types
Dinner, After-hours
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Full Bar
Highchairs Available
Parking Available
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Takeout
Location
Parking Available
Can a vegetarian person get a good meal at this restaurant?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed today
Sunday
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Wednesday
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Thursday
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Friday
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Saturday
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
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4.3
396 reviews
Excellent
243
Very good
92
Average
24
Poor
14
Terrible
23
playacarentals.com
Playacar6 contributions
Feb 2024 • friends
On each of my visits to The Thai in Mangonui , the experience has been nothing short of extraordinary, with every encounter feeling even more welcoming than the last. The owners radiate a warmth and hospitality that's genuinely heartwarming, making you feel cherished and at home the moment you step through the door.
Diving into their menu is like embarking on a culinary expedition across Thailand. The Green and Red Curries envelop your senses with their rich, complex flavors, offering a perfect harmony of heat and herbaceous notes. The Spring Rolls, fresh and bursting with crisp vegetables, encapsulate the essence of Thai freshness and are beautifully presented in their delicate rice paper wrappings.
Among the treasures I've discovered is the Salt and Pepper Fish, a delightful secret not listed on the menu but known among those who ask. This dish, with its perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection presentation, is a testament to the kitchen's ability to create memorable dishes that linger on your palate and call you back for more.
The Pad Thai, Lad Nar, and the marinated Mussels each have their own story to tell, with flavors that are bold yet balanced, showcasing the diverse and rich tapestry of Thai cuisine. It's evident that each dish is crafted with love, care, and a deep respect for traditional methods.
The beverage selection, with its special Thai cocktails and refreshing mocktails, like the peach-infused soda that offers a perfect blend of sweetness and fizz, complements the meal beautifully. This, paired with the stunning views of Mangonui Harbor through the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, creates an ambiance that's both exhilarating and serene.
The warmth extends beyond the owners to the entire staff, who make dining here feel like a gathering of friends. The authenticity of the experience is enriched by the culinary team, including family and chefs with direct ties to Thailand, ensuring that each dish is not just authentic but carries a piece of Thai culture.
Having indulged in Thai cuisine around the world, I can affirm that The Thai in Mangonui stands out as a beacon of culinary excellence. The opportunity to enjoy such authentic flavors in a setting that is as welcoming as it is beautiful is not to be missed. The Thai is more than a restaurant; it's a destination that offers a genuine taste of Thailand, complete with dishes and a hospitality that will have you planning your next visit before the current one ends.
Written 23 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sheryl D
Northland Region22 contributions
Jun 2024 • friends
We had a lovely meal at The Thai last night. Sadly the prices have risen significantly - to be expected I guess. I had not checked the eat -in menu. Rice is now a separate item and charged on top of your meal so a $34 (used to be $26 with rice) meal becomes $41.
Cider $9 = $50 one meal.
The takeaway menu online has the same dish at $25 with rice included. I am not sure if that is an updated menu.
It was a special occasion and the prices are comparable to other eateries in Mangonui but it is now an out of reach price for us. If you can afford it The Thai still serves great food.
Written 16 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alan M
Germany1 contribution
Nov 2022 • family
On holiday from Scotland and visiting family we had an amazing meal. Food was delicious and plenty of it. Staff were very friendly and helped with menu choice and making sure your meal was going to be as you like it with the choices of how hot or not at all.
As I am not a fan of overly hot dishes I was able to have my meal made to my taste and as I said earlier wow delicious . Looking out over the bay was also a nice bonus 5 stars for me. Ps all 8 of us enjoyed our meal that evening.
Written 10 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike and jo
New Plymouth5 contributions
Jan 2023 • family
We booked the day before, 6:30 seating for four.
Got to the restaurant 10 min before our booking to be told that they needed that table an hour later. This was despite us seeing the bookings book and there were very few bookings in it at the time we reserved our table.
We told them that this was not ok as we did not want to be rushed and would take as long as our meal took and that we would not be rushed!
We waited 15 minutes to be seated whilst they tried to sort the seating arrangements. No apology at all.
It took 10 min before being watered and another 15 before being asked if we would like a drink.
Meal order was taken and we were given our drinks in prompt time.
The entrees arrived and no meal check nor any thought to see if we wanted any more to drink.
The entrees were 7/10.
The mains were VERY AVERAGE!!!! 2.5 / 10!!!!!!
The crispy pad Thai not crispy at all, and portions of it burnt.
My chicken green curry was the worst I have ever eaten, bland and tasteless so much so that I did not eat the majority of it. Thai green curry is beyond doubt my favourite Thai dish but this offering was just plan flavourless.
At no time are we meal checked or looked after ie offered any more to drink, by any of the numerous waiting staff.
They preferred to polish glasses and rearrange empty tables and chairs in an effort to look busy.
I fed this experience the the ?owner or duty manager.
She listened and apologised but not sure of the sincerity of that apology.
Absolutely not a fan of this experience.
If you choose to go I would advise against the Thai green curry and the crispy pad Thai.
The views of the harbour are great shame about the service and food that we ordered.
Written 20 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
djanz2015
Mangonui20 contributions
Dec 2024 • couples
Unfortunately not good. Entrees good. Stuffed up the mains. Ingredients missing and meals were dry and burnt . Drinks were wrong also to add for insult and our individual meals were delivered 10 minutes apart.
Written 18 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jafapete
Auckland34 contributions
May 2021 • none
Our meals were very good. We've had better a few other places (mostly Sydney), but The Thai could give most other Thai restaurants in NZ a run for their money. Not so good was the atmosphere, which was loud (concrete box, packed restaurant) and a little like a comfortable cafeteria. Fine if you're after a raucous time in a group. The service... the waiter misheard, "We'll share the lamb and the Pad Thai" as "I'll have the lamb pad thai." When it came the other waiter took it away but the first waiter brought it back and insisted it had been ordered, though why two and a half people would order three full mains, including two pad thais, and starters is interesting. Massive doggy bag!
Written 5 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shanetp
Wellington14 contributions
Mar 2021 • none
This is clearly a popular little restaurant on the waterfront in Mangonui. Booking well ahead certainly does not guarantee a good seat as a view of the toilet entrance instead of the wonderful sea views was what we received for booking a day ahead. Premium tables that were empty on our arrival appear to be reserved for the walk ins.
My Black Pepper Beef sizzle platter was delivered to the table behind us and 5 minutes after the rest of our meal arrived the staff realised their mistake. It was finally returned to the kitchen and appeared at our table in less time than it would have taken to recook the dish. All without an explanation to us as the waiting staff assumed we had missed this exchange. We spent the rest of the meal wondering if the other table had sampled our dish as their similar looking sizzle platter pork dish appeared not long after.
We won't be returning.
Written 7 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Worldy
9 contributions
Oct 2020 • couples
We booked a specific table and when we arrived an hour later to eat the women had double booked it to someone else, but she begrudgingly said we could have it as though we hadn't booked it. As we left we were first to book the same table the next night. When we arrived they had given it to 'a local' The guy was embarrased as I asked how this happened when we booked it first. Not impressed with the service or the legitimacy of a booking. Obviously they put locals before guests to the area.
Written 28 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rebeccahart2016
Mangonui32 contributions
Jan 2023 • family
This restaurant was fantastic. The staff were wonderful and just the right amount of service. It was very busy but we were not Inna rush and took time to enjoy our entrees and drinks. We had green curry mussels, full moon, rice paper rolls and curry puffs. Each were delicious.
Our mains were green curry chicken, which was so tasty, pad Thai chicken which was so soft and tasty, angry pig perfection and F4 stir fry. So bloody yum!
We really wanted dessert but we’re too full. Lucky it is top of our list to go back to! Well done for fantastic service in the middle of a busy season!
Written 30 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Firstclass_NZ
Auckland Central347 contributions
Jan 2023 • none
We had a family dinner here, after we decided to skip the sadly now overrated fish and chip shop down the road.
Primarily we received good service, and average to good food.
The food was OK to good but when we compare it to some other Thai restaurants in NZ, this is not as fresh or authentic as some of the better places.
Would we go back, yes certainly for takeaways but in my book not hitting all the top marks for me to sit in and pay the extra.
Written 29 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
242Sue
Waipukurau41 contributions
Feb 2022 • couples
Great spot. Generous portions and great authentic flavours. Staff could have been a bit more helpful but well worth the visit. Be aware dishes are hot for their rating! We love hot spicy food but ordered a bit too high on the spicy scale - although this is better than non tasty Thai!!! Well worth the visit and a gem of a.place in Mangonui.
Written 25 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TimTran
Washington DC257 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
Their website says "open 'til late" and Google says they are open until 11. We came at 9 on a Saturday in summer, and they said the kitchen was closing. We agreed to order and eat quickly, but it was really rushed. Missing water, condiments, drink orders. The food was tasty! But no tofu. No shrimp. The fish in the noodle dishes was fried and not fresh - which is not what I was expecting. But the mussel dish was nice, even though the mussels were out of their shells. Salads were nice. Pad thai was nice. The kitchen was open and there was lots of activity, so it was definitely fresh! But didn't feel very welcoming given we were in and out of there in less than 30 minutes. Also, very high prices for NZ thai food.
Written 26 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
robfisher2015
Auckland Central67 contributions
May 2022 • none
Our host at the Old Oak Inn recommended The Thai as one of the best Thai restaurants in New Zealand. He is right. We made a booking and arrived to find the place packed, including some large groups. We expected a lengthy wait for service and food. We were wrong. We had hardly sat down before receiving the menues and a bottle of chilled water.
The food and service was simply outstanding! The Thai is one of the reasons we would base ourselves in Mangonui for future visits to Northland
Written 23 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John P
Auckland2 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
I took my wife here for her birthday. My meal was very nice, but her tofu dish had no flavor. We decided to keep her dish, which we regret not sending back. Had it not been for the appetizer and some of my meal it would have been worse.
The waitress and manager/owner were indifferent and did not offer an apology nor a refund for her dish.
The noise level was very high, as well.
Would not recommend.
Written 7 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CMMV01
Whangarei96 contributions
Nov 2021 • couples
We popped in here for dinner after seeing their menu online. We were so impressed to see sticky rice, som tum and num pla pik on the menu. We ordered mixed entree, which was delicious, we loved the stuffed mushroom. For mains I got the mixed seafood salad. This had a generous amount of seafood in it and my partner got the sweet piglet which he really enjoyed. The som tum was good and it was so nice to have sticky rice with our dinner. Would definitely go again
Written 25 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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