Thai Lao Restaurant

803 Kamehameha Hwy Suite 203, Pearl City, HI 96782, United States
+1 808-456-8088
$$$ Thai restaurant , Laotian restaurant , Vietnamese restaurant
(341 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Thai Lao Restaurant in Pearl City offers a comfortable spot to explore flavors from Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam in one meal. Located just off Kamehameha Highway, this full-service dining spot brings a casual yet tidy atmosphere that leans toward relaxed Hawaiian neighborhood dining with a touch of thoughtful presentation—linen tablecloths with glass overlays at each table hint at a step above your usual takeout joint.

The menu covers a broad range of Southeast Asian dishes, from rich Northern Laotian soups like Khao Soi to vibrant Thai classics such as Pad See Ew with tofu and spicy Drunken Noodles. This is a place for diners who appreciate authentic, freshly made plates with a good balance of spice and sweetness—options like the Pad Chu Chee and Green Curry Fried Rice are examples that locals have enjoyed for their bold, well-seasoned profiles. Vegetarian and vegan choices stand out too, especially the vegan Pad Thai and fried tofu satay, reflecting a thoughtful inclusivity on the menu.

Service can be on the slower side at busy times, likely reflecting a lean staff rather than inattentiveness, but the kitchen keeps food fresh and hot, which seems to matter most to regulars returning for generous portions and authentic preparation. This makes it well-suited for relaxed dinners where time isn’t a rush—weeknights or weekend evenings when you can savor the meal and conversation without hurry.

The vibe strikes a balance between casual and slightly refined, making it a good spot for both family dinners and small groups catching up. The layout and décor avoid anything too fussy, favoring a homely and welcoming feel that matches the food’s straightforward heartiness. The restaurant’s location in Pearl City also makes it a practical option for locals and visitors looking for a reliable spot to get a solid Southeast Asian meal outside the usual Honolulu headlines.

  • Best for: Enjoying diverse Thai, Laotian, and Vietnamese dishes in a laid-back setting
  • Great for: Groups, families, and those seeking authentic regional flavors with vegan options
  • Timing: Early dinners or weekend evenings to avoid slower service during peak times
  • Atmosphere: Relaxed neighborhood dining with attentive presentation and a tidy interior
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves healthy options
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves vegetarian dishes
Best for
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

11:00 AM - 8:30 PM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 8:30 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 8:30 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 8:30 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 8:30 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 8:30 PM

Sunday

11:00 AM - 8:30 PM

341 Reviews
Katya

26 Dec 2025

Sawasdee kha! I went to this restaurant with my husband today for dinner. The restaurant was understaffed, so the service was kinda slow but still tolerable. I ordered Goong Tod and Pad Kee Mao (Pork, Thai hot), and husband ordered BBQ Pork Summer Rolls and Pad Ped (Beef, Hot). Goong Tod was crunchy and rich in flavor, and the Pad Kee Mao reminded me of my Thai friend’s home cooking. When it comes to spiciness, they don’t play with it. Thai hot literally means as hot as the food sold in Thailand, so if you’re not used to eating spicy food you might want to order medium spicy instead. I am Indonesian so the Thai hot they’re offering is just right for me. Husband’s food was good as well, so definitely we’ll come back to this place again sometimes in the near future. Kop khun kha!

denise vera

10 Dec 2025

Great food and good portions. Great authentic fresh taste. We will definitely come back. We ate #V6 and #48.

Kit *

21 Nov 2025

Last night's Waikiki Block Party was packed and I ordered from this restaurant: lemongrass fried chicken and pad Thai (combo B) and the food was amazing! The lemongrass fried chicken was cooked to perfection; crispy, light batter, and juicy. The pad Thai was not dry an clumpy like other food stalls, but it was a little cold from being out. Otherwise, a very good takeout meal. I can only imagine what the restaurant experience is like.

Mekka Hamilton

20 Nov 2025

Great vegetable spring rolls, pineapple fried rice, and customer service. This restaurant atmosphere was relaxing. I wanted to dine-in because each table had linen tablecloths with glass overlay. The servers were prompt and friendly. Our orders were fresh and hot. Thanks!

Lala Lew

14 Nov 2025

The food was really good!! Had seafood pad thai, chicken pad thai, calamari, pork larb.

Alex Henricks

05 Oct 2025

We went to Thai Lao on our way to the airport. The restaurant is located in a strip mall. It is fairly clean (there was a dead bee on the window sill of our booth) and the staff was friendly. They have a large menu of Thai favorites. We went with a couple of the Thai basil dishes (beef and chicken), pad see ew, and drunken noodles. The basil dishes were both very good. We ordered medium and my wife’s seemed to be less spicy than mine. The noodle dishes were very good as well. Service could have been better but they seemed to be running on a skeleton crew. Prices are around $15 per plate. If we’re in the area and craving Thai we would return here.

David Trick

13 Sep 2025

Delicious food, fun statues in the front, and engaged and attentive staff. Their Pad Thai and Pad See Ew were some of the best I've had, same for the Tom Kha Gai. We also had the Calamari rings which were great as well!

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