Savvy Picks
Thai food
Nine South Coast Thai kitchens locals send friends to, from a Milpas hole-in-the-wall to khao soi in the Public Market, with what to order and how hot to go.
- 9 picks
- 9 locations
- 3 towns
- Updated November 4, 2026
Ask for Thai food here and you'll hear the same few names, and a fair amount of arguing about which is the most authentic. Here are nine, in order of how often they were recommended, each checked against its own menu. A few let you pick the heat, and Yummy Thai goes all the way to Thai Hot.
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Your Choice
The most-recommended Thai in town.
A small upper State Street kitchen with a short menu of curries, noodles and soups, for dine-in or takeout.
OrderPad see yew ($18) or the Panang curry ($18). The Pumpkin Curry, with kabocha squash, chicken and shrimp, is $24.
TipHours are short: lunch Tuesday to Friday 11 to 2, dinner 4 to 7:30, and no lunch on weekends. Order takeout online.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on yourchoicerestaurant.com (opens in a new tab)
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Your Place
Basil fish and tom kah in a hot pot.
A Milpas Street standby with a long menu of house specials and four heat levels, mild to very hot.
OrderThe Spicy Basil Fish, fried or steamed, or tom kah by the hot pot to share. Crab fried rice on the side.
TipCall for pickup; there's no online ordering. No checks, and parties of six or more get 18% gratuity added. Lunch specials run weekdays until 3.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on yourplacerestaurant.com (opens in a new tab)
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Galanga Thai
Pineapple curry on lower State.
A lower State Street dining room with curries, noodles and a few Bangkok-style dishes, and the same four heat levels as Your Place.
OrderThe pineapple curry or the spicy drunken noodles. The khao soi is on the specials list.
TipLunch specials weekdays until 3. No checks; 18% gratuity for parties of six or more.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on galangathairestaurant.com (opens in a new tab)
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Empty Bowl
Khao soi in the Public Market.
A Thai-inspired noodle bar inside the Santa Barbara Public Market, open daily 11 to 9.
OrderKhao soi, egg noodles and chicken in coconut curry broth ($19.95), or the Bangkok Street Noodle with three kinds of pork ($19.95).
TipFree underground parking behind the Market, off Chapala. Weekly specials include Panang beef shank on Tuesdays and Bangkok wings on Fridays.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on emptybowlnoodle.com (opens in a new tab)
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Yummy Thai
Five heat levels, up to Thai Hot.
A Goleta kitchen where you choose the heat, from no spice through mild, medium and hot to Thai Hot.
OrderThe eggplant with chili paste and basil (from $17.95), or Moo Ping, grilled pork skewers with sticky rice ($25.95).
TipClosed Mondays. Any change to a dish costs extra, and many dishes have peanuts. Parties of six or more get 20% gratuity added.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on yummythaigoleta.com (opens in a new tab)
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Meun Fan Thai Cafe
Lunch specials for $14.95.
Open daily for lunch and dinner in Goleta, with a second location on the Mesa at 1819 Cliff Dr.
OrderBangkok Noodles, the house signature, or a lunch special like yellow curry or pad prik khing ($14.95).
TipLunch specials run 11 to 3. Order and pay online for pickup; the ordering page adds a service fee.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on meunfanthaicafe.com (opens in a new tab)
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Thai Bistro
Garlic noodles with BBQ pork.
An upper State Street dining room open for lunch and dinner six days, dinner only on Sunday.
OrderGarlic Noodles with BBQ Pork ($20.95), khao soi ($20.95), or Moo Yang, grilled pork shoulder ($21.95).
TipReservations by phone only. Lunch specials Monday to Friday until 2:30.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on thaibistrosb.com (opens in a new tab)
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Siam Elephant
Carpinteria's Thai pick, open daily.
On Linden Avenue, open seven days, with delivery to Summerland and Montecito.
OrderTom kha (from $7.99), khao soi with a chicken leg ($21.99), or the roasted duck red curry ($22.99).
TipOpens at noon on weekends. Order through its own app, which has a rewards program.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on siamelephantusa.com (opens in a new tab)
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Siam Street Food
Boat noodles and roti curry.
A street-food menu on lower State Street: boat noodle soup, Isaan som tum and khao soi.
OrderBoat Noodle Soup ($20) or the Roti Green Curry ($24).
TipIts full weekly hours aren't posted, so check the online ordering page, which shows whether it's open now.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 on siamstreetfoodsb.com (opens in a new tab)
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