Thaiphoon

About Thaiphoon

Thaiphoon is a Thai restaurant on Emerson Street in downtown Palo Alto, a short walk from University Avenue. The restaurant says it was founded in Palo Alto in 2003 by Tom Vongampai. Today the restaurant lists its address as 543 Emerson Street.

The restaurant describes its menu as a wide range of Thai dishes. On its reservation listing it puts the count at more than 100 selections. It says it serves everyone from large companies that need corporate catering to families celebrating weddings and other occasions. Its home page also says it was voted Best Thai Restaurant in 2024 by the Palo Alto Weekly.

The menus

Thaiphoon publishes several menus: dinner, lunch, happy hour and dessert. With more than 100 dishes on offer, the dinner menu is long, so it helps to know what you are after. Menus change, so check the current version on the restaurant's website before you go.

The drinks list is a step up from many Thai restaurants. Thaiphoon has a full bar and says it offers a wide selection of cocktails, beer and wine. That makes it a reasonable choice for an after-work drink with food, not just a meal.

The dining room and patio

On its reservation listing, the restaurant describes an elegant main dining room with decor to match. It also has outdoor seating. Thaiphoon says it is the only Thai restaurant downtown with outdoor dining, a full bar and a happy hour, which is a claim we could not check against every competitor, but it does show what the restaurant sees as its strengths. On a warm evening, ask for an outdoor table.

Happy hour and deals

The website lists happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. It also mentions a later happy hour from 9 to 10 p.m., but posted dinner hours end at 9 p.m. most nights and 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Call ahead if you are counting on the later window. The website has separate pages for the happy hour menu and for current deals.

Ordering, reservations and catering

Thaiphoon offers dine-in, takeout, to-go orders and delivery. Its website links to online ordering for pickup and delivery, a reservation page and a catering and events request page. For catering, the reservation listing mentions a minimum order for delivery, so ask about it when you plan. You can also call the restaurant at 650-323-7700.

Who it suits

Thaiphoon fits several kinds of downtown meals. On weekdays, the lunch service works for a sit-down meal near the offices around University Avenue. In the early evening, happy hour and the full bar suit coworkers who want drinks with food. For dinner, the long menu gives a group plenty to share. The dining room and patio give you a choice of setting. Companies planning a lunch for the office can use the catering service, which the restaurant says is a big part of its business.

If you are new to Thai food, tell your server how much spice you like. Many Thai kitchens can adjust the heat of a dish on request. A long menu also makes it easy to balance a spicy curry with milder plates. Vegetarians should ask which dishes can be made without meat or fish sauce, since the restaurant does not mark dietary options on the pages we could read.

The website's menu list also includes a Late Night menu and a Deals page, with an email newsletter for deals and updates. Since the posted closing times are 9 p.m. most nights, ask the restaurant when the late-night menu applies.

Tips for visiting

• No Saturday lunch. Lunch runs Monday to Friday only. On Saturday and Sunday, the doors open at 4 p.m.
• Arrive early for happy hour. The 4 to 6 p.m. window starts as soon as dinner service opens.
• Walk from the train. Emerson Street is a short walk from the Palo Alto Caltrain station.
• Explore more. Our Thai food guide lists other Thai restaurants in town. Our downtown guide covers the surrounding blocks. The outdoor dining guide lists more patios.

Location and getting there

Thaiphoon is at 543 Emerson Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301, in the Downtown area of Palo Alto. Our Downtown guide covers what else is around.

The Palo Alto Caltrain station is less than a quarter mile away, a walk of a few minutes.

Parking: street spaces and city garages with posted limits (see parking in Palo Alto).

Hours

Hours from the business's own website, checked October 30, 2026.

What is nearby

• The Rose & Crown, bar, under 0.1 mi
• Kitchen Nail Bar, salon or spa, under 0.1 mi
• Bare Bowls, quick-service spot, under 0.1 mi
• Bell's Books, shop, under 0.1 mi
• Mac's Smoke Shop, shop, under 0.1 mi
• Lytton Plaza, under 0.1 mi
• University Avenue, under 0.1 mi
• Pacific Art League, 0.1 mi

Other restaurants nearby: Palo Alto Creamery (under 0.1 mi); Bistro Maxine (under 0.1 mi); Osteria (under 0.1 mi); Pizza My Heart (under 0.1 mi). Browse the full restaurants list.

Before you go

• Popular dinner spots in Palo Alto fill up on Friday and Saturday nights, so book ahead where the restaurant takes reservations.
• Many kitchens close earlier than in big cities. Plan to order by about 9 p.m. on weeknights unless the posted hours say otherwise.
• If you have allergies or dietary needs, call ahead or check the current menu on the restaurant's website.

About this listing

Checked October 30, 2026 against Thaiphoon official website; Thaiphoon on OpenTable (restaurant description). How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Frequently asked questions