Up Thai
Upper East Side-Lenox Hill-Roosevelt Island, New York City
Restaurant in New York City, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Up Thai is a useful Upper East Side choice when the brief is casual Thai, group-friendly energy, and an easy dinner plan rather than a formal occasion. Book it for friends or a repeat neighborhood meal; look elsewhere if the night needs quiet conversation, chef-led structure, or a more documented special-occasion track record.
About Up Thai
Up Thai is a New York City venue with daily hours and a smart casual dress code.
Plan around the basics
Up Thai is open every day, with later closing times on Friday and Saturday than on most weeknights. Dress is smart casual, so plan for a neat but not formal visit.
For details about the dining room, menu format, pricing, and booking process, check with the venue before you go. For broader city planning, the full New York City restaurants guide can help compare other New York City dining options.
Check current details before choosing
Review the current menu directly before deciding what to order.
Use the schedule to choose a practical time: Monday through Thursday from 11:30 AM to 10 PM, Friday from 11:30 AM to 11 PM, Saturday from 12 PM to 11 PM, and Sunday from 12 PM to 10 PM.
Who should pick it, and who should look elsewhere
Pick Up Thai when its New York City location, daily schedule, and smart casual dress code fit your plans. Look elsewhere if you need menu details, dietary accommodations, prices, seating, or a specific service format settled before choosing a restaurant.
Planning details
- Location
- 1411 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10021
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- upthainyc.com
- Phone
- +12122561199
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Up Thai reads like a neighborhood Thai that prefers steady service over theatrical flourishes. Situated on Second Avenue in the Upper East Side, it occupies a smaller, quieter niche amid a row of residential-focused restaurants. The tone is unpretentious: locals rely on it the way they do a dependable Italian spot — regular, familiar, and without ceremony. That measured, low-key personality makes the room feel approachable rather than performative, and the food is presented in a way that privileges consistency and repeat visits over one-off destination dining.
Best For
This is a spot built for the neighborhood rhythm: weeknight dinners, walk-up plans, and routine meals with people who live nearby. The write-up contrasts Up Thai with Manhattan’s tasting-menu destinations, emphasizing a shorter planning horizon and lower friction — you visit because it fits into regular life, not because it marks a milestone. That makes it a sensible choice for informal date nights, uncomplicated dinners with friends, or repeat solo meals where predictability and solid technique matter more than bells and whistles.
Ordering Tips
Treat a visit as you would any dependable local Thai: focus on the menu’s signature savory plates and expect straightforward, familiar cooking. The description highlights dishes such as Claypot Fried Rice, Kang Kua Soft Shell, Braised Beef Short Ribs, and the Duck Roti Roll — those are reliable bets. Booking is less fraught than at destination tasting-menu restaurants: the planning horizon is short and the friction is low, so consider flexible timing and the possibility of walk-in availability rather than long-advance reservations.
Venue details
Ambiance
Warm, stylish ambiance in a low-lit space with colorful lanterns.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Intimate
Signature Dishes
- Claypot Fried Rice
- Kang Kua Soft Shell
- Braised Beef Short Ribs
- Duck Roti Roll
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 1411 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10021
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- A la Turka, Notable alternative
- THEP Thai Restaurant, Notable alternative
- B. Cafe, Notable alternative
- J.G. Melon, Bar Food, Bar Food
- Persepolis, Persian, $$
Restaurant context
How Up Thai compares nearby
Choose Up Thai when the group specifically wants Thai food and a lively Upper East Side dinner without much planning friction. THEP Thai Restaurant is the closest cross-shop for the same craving, so the decision should come down to location convenience and preferred room feel rather than a clear quality gap from the available details.
A la Turka and B. Cafe make more sense when the group is cuisine-flexible and wants a different neighborhood standby. If the brief is comfort food with a bar-food lean, J.G. Melon is the better pivot; it is less useful for shared Thai-style ordering but stronger when burgers and a classic room are the point.
Persepolis is the clearer value comparison because its Persian format and $$ signal make it a practical alternative for a casual dinner that still feels more meal-focused than drinks-led. If Up Thai is unavailable, THEP Thai Restaurant is the most direct substitute; if the group only needs a reliable nearby table, Persepolis is the smarter cuisine switch.
Explore New York City
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Up Thai guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Up Thai
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up Thai | New York City | , | , | No published awards |
| A la Turka | New York City | , | , | No published awards |
| THEP Thai Restaurant | New York City | , | , | No published awards |
| B. Cafe | New York City | , | , | No published awards |
| J.G. Melon | New York City | Bar Food | , | 2026 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Recommended2025 Michelin Plate2024 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #3522023 OAD Cheap Eats in North America in RecommendedPearl Recommended Restaurants |
| Persepolis | New York City | Persian | $$ | 2025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate |
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How Up Thai New York City compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear to Up Thai?
Up Thai has a smart casual dress code. Plan for neat, comfortable clothing rather than formal attire.
What should I order at Up Thai?
Is Up Thai good for a special occasion?
Use the smart casual dress code and daily hours to decide whether it fits your plans.
Is Up Thai good for solo dining?
If you are planning to visit alone, check current availability and use the posted hours to choose a convenient time.
