Ugly Baby
Thai · Carroll Gardens-Cobble Hill-Gowanus-Red Hook, New York City
Restaurant in New York City, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Fiery Authenticity
Chef
Sirichai Sreparplarn
Dress
Casual
Why go
Ugly Baby is worth booking if the priority is serious Thai cooking in Brooklyn, not a cocktail-led night out. It is a stronger fit for adventurous diners and small groups than for cautious crowds; compare Fish Cheeks for a more social seafood mood or Soothr for broader downtown appeal.
About Ugly Baby
Is Ugly Baby worth considering? Ugly Baby is a Thai restaurant in New York City from chef/owner Sirichai Sreparplarn, has received recognition including Pearl Recommended Restaurant in 2025, New York Magazine's The 43 Best Restaurants in New York in 2025, Opinionated About Dining Casual in North America recognition. For diners comparing Thai options in New York City, it is reasonable to weigh it against Fish Cheeks, Soothr, Somtum Der, Tong, or Uncle Boon's depending on the plan.
Consider it for a Thai restaurant with notable recognition
Ugly Baby is a Thai restaurant with a clearly identified chef/owner and notable recognition. The kitchen is led by Sirichai Sreparplarn, the restaurant is Pearl Recommended Restaurant for 2025. It also appears on New York Magazine's 2025 list, The 43 Best Restaurants in New York, has Opinionated About Dining Casual in North America recognition, including a 2023 recommendation and a 2024 ranking at #420.
Diners should avoid assuming details about Ugly Baby's price level, beverage program, service format, seat count, or specific menu structure without checking the restaurant's current information directly. Ugly Baby is a Thai restaurant to prioritize when its chef/owner and recognition are enough to make it stand out in a New York City dining plan.
Where it fits among New York Thai choices
Ugly Baby sits in a New York City Thai field that also includes Somtum Der, Tong, Fish Cheeks, Soothr, Uncle Boon's as natural points of comparison. When comparing them, focus on what is known: Ugly Baby is Thai, led by Sirichai Sreparplarn, has received recognition from Pearl, New York Magazine, Opinionated About Dining.
If the decision is between Ugly Baby and another Thai restaurant in New York City, check current menus, availability, the kind of meal each restaurant is offering before committing. While Ugly Baby is a notable Thai option, diners should check directly for details on ordering strategy, group format, drinks focus, or price expectation.
Who should say yes
Say yes if you are specifically looking for Thai food in New York City and value Ugly Baby's recognition. It is a stronger candidate than a generic Thai pick when those signals matter to your planning. Say no, or at least do more checking first, if your decision depends on specific details such as exact price, seating style, dietary accommodations, takeout or delivery, a particular beverage program, or a specific menu format.
For timing, Ugly Baby's hours are: closed Monday through Wednesday, open Thursday and Friday from 5–10 pm, open Saturday from 12:30–2:30 pm and 5–10 pm, open Sunday from 12:30–2:30 pm and 5–9 pm. For readers mapping a wider New York City plan, pair those hours with current availability and any updated information from the restaurant before visiting.
Planning details
- Hours
- Monday: Closed · Tuesday: Closed
- Location
- 364 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211, USA
- Website
- uglybabynyc.com
- Phone
- (347) 689-3075
Venue details
Ambiance
Unassuming and energetic with a busy neighborhood-restaurant feel, centered on spice-forward Thai cooking and a bar area for waiting and drinks.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Large
Signature Dishes
- duck salad
- chicken green curry
- kao soy
- slow cooked pork shoulder
Planning details
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- Closed
- Thursday
- 5–10 pm
- Friday
- 5–10 pm
- Saturday
- 12:30–2:30 pm, 5–10 pm
- Sunday
- 12:30–2:30 pm, 5–9 pm
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Somtum Der, Thai, Thai
- Tong, Thai, $$
- Uncle Boon's, Thai, Thai
- Fish Cheeks, Thai, Thai
- Soothr, Thai, Thai
Restaurant context
How Ugly Baby compares with New York City Thai peers
Choose Ugly Baby over Somtum Der when the goal is a more chef-led Brooklyn Thai dinner rather than a casual Isan-focused meal. Somtum Der is the easier fallback for a lower-friction Thai plan; Ugly Baby is the better call when the table wants intensity and is comfortable with a narrower food-first brief.
Tong has the clearest value signal in this set with its $$ positioning, so it is the safer pick when price predictability matters. Fish Cheeks is better for a social seafood-forward group, while Ugly Baby is better for diners who care less about broad crowd-pleasing and more about regional Thai cooking.
Soothr is the cross-shop for a livelier, more accessible downtown Thai night. Uncle Boon's works as the modern Thai reference point, but for a current booking decision, Ugly Baby is the choice for adventurous eaters who want the kitchen to drive the meal.
Explore New York City
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Ugly Baby guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Ugly Baby
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ugly Baby | New York City | Thai | 2025 New York Magazine The 43 Best Restaurants in New York2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #4202023 OAD Casual in North America RecommendedPearl Recommended Restaurants | ; |
| Somtum Der | New York City | Thai | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #2022024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #5082023 OAD Casual in North America Recommended | ; |
| Tong | New York City | Thai | 2025 Michelin Plate | $$ |
| Uncle Boon’s | New York City | Thai | No published awards | ; |
| Fish Cheeks | New York City | Thai | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #1202025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #4602024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #2072023 OAD Casual in North America Recommended | ; |
| Soothr | New York City | Thai | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Highly Recommended2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #2812025 Michelin Plate2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #2772023 OAD Casual in North America Recommended | ; |
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How Ugly Baby compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Ugly Baby accommodate groups?
Group capacity, seating format, or private dining details are not specified. If you are planning for a group, check directly with Ugly Baby for current availability and any current requirements.
When is Ugly Baby open?
Ugly Baby is open Thursday through Sunday, including weekend daytime hours on Saturday and Sunday from 12:30–2:30 pm. It is open Thursday and Friday from 5–10 pm, Saturday from 12:30–2:30 pm and 5–10 pm, Sunday from 12:30–2:30 pm and 5–9 pm. It is closed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.
Is Ugly Baby good for solo dining?
It is not specified whether Ugly Baby is especially set up for solo dining. Solo diners should check current availability and decide based on the restaurant's latest options.
What are alternatives to Ugly Baby in New York City?
Other Thai restaurants that may be useful comparison points include Somtum Der, Tong, Fish Cheeks, Soothr, Uncle Boon's. The right choice depends on current menus, availability, hours, the kind of meal you want.
Does Ugly Baby handle dietary restrictions?
Dietary accommodation details are not listed. Diners with allergies or dietary restrictions should contact Ugly Baby directly before visiting.
What should I wear to Ugly Baby?
Dress code details are not listed. If attire matters for your visit, check the restaurant's current guidance before you go.
