Thai Spice

Thai Spice

1210 S Gilbert St # 200, Iowa City, IA 52240, United States

+1 319-351-2581

Thai restaurant
(512)
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About This Place

Thai Spice in Iowa City is a culinary treasure that brings the vibrant flavors of authentic Thai cuisine to 1210 S Gilbert St #200. This cozy yet lively restaurant offers a rich tapestry of tastes that transports diners straight to the heart of Thailand with every bite.

From the moment you step inside, you’re welcomed by an intimate, thoughtfully arranged dining space that perfectly complements the bold and nuanced flavors served on each plate. The menu is a celebration of traditional Thai fare, featuring standout dishes like the aromatic Pad Khing with its fragrant ginger and tender meat, and the zesty, comforting Tom Yum Goong, bursting with layers of lemongrass, kaffir lime, and chili. For fans of rice dishes, the Curry Fried Rice with Beef and Pineapple Fried Rice are exceptional—vibrantly spiced, yet balanced, each mouthful invites a harmony of textures and tastes that stay with you long after the meal.

Appetizers here are just as thrilling, from crispy Spring Rolls and perfectly seasoned Chicken Wings to the delicately spiced Shrimp Satay. The drink menu, featuring refreshing Thai Iced Tea and soothing hot teas, provides the perfect contrast to the boldness of the dishes, delivering a cool, creamy, and slightly sweet companion to rich and spicy flavors.

Guests often mention the handmade noodles that give the pasta dishes, such as the beloved Pad See Ew and the fiery Drunken Noodles (Pad Khi Mao), their unique texture and taste—a true mark of culinary dedication and authenticity. The subtle additions, like the bell pepper garnish, add a vivid crunch and freshness that elevate each dish.

The customer experience at Thai Spice is equally memorable. Patrons rave about the warm and attentive service alongside the intimate ambiance that invites you to savor every bite in comfort. Reviews highlight the genuine authenticity of the food—one Thai customer even praised it for its impressive quality and spice authenticity, a true testament to the restaurant’s commitment to excellence.

Whether you’re braving a snowy walk from across town or simply seeking a flavorful escape, Thai Spice promises an unforgettable meal that combines passion, tradition, and fresh ingredients. It’s more than just a restaurant—it’s a flavorful journey that nourishes both the palate and the soul.

From the business
Identifies as Asian-owned Identifies as women-owned
Service options
Takeaway Dine-in Delivery
Highlights
Fast service Great tea selection
Popular for
Dinner Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Coffee Comfort food Healthy options Private dining room Vegan options Vegetarian options Wine
Dining options
Catering Dessert Seating Table service
Amenities
Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy Romantic Trendy
Crowd
Groups Tourists University students
Payments
Cheques Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
Good for kids High chairs
Parking
Free parking lot Parking

Opening Hours

  • Monday
    11:00 AM - 02:00 PM 04:30 PM - 09:00 PM
  • Tuesday
    11:00 AM - 02:00 PM 04:30 PM - 09:00 PM
  • Wednesday
    11:00 AM - 02:00 PM 04:30 PM - 09:00 PM
  • Thursday
    11:00 AM - 02:00 PM 04:30 PM - 09:00 PM
  • Friday
    11:00 AM - 02:00 PM 04:30 PM - 09:00 PM
  • Saturday
    11:00 AM - 02:00 PM 04:30 PM - 09:00 PM
  • Sunday
    04:30 PM - 09:00 PM

Map & Directions

Visitor Reviews

  • Coopie Cake
    1 month ago

    Iowa City gem!!! This place is small, but mighty! Absolutely incredible Thai food. They buy hand-made noodles & you absolutely cannot beat the flavor & it shows in their dishes. We religiously order Pad See Ew every time we are in town. They add a little bit of bell pepper as a garnish, but honestly, if they added it into the stir-fry mix with the noodles I would be a happy camper. Such a fun flavor profile. My only gripe is the broccoli florets. Usually it's served with broccolini or Chinese-style broccoli with the long stems, but it is not a deal-breaker. This time I went with the Yellow Curry as it is one of my comfort meals! It's delicious & they allow you to spice your dishes on a 1-5 scale & will bring you extra sambal or a powdered mix to spice it up. Wonderful. We never fail to stop here for lunch.

  • Nuzhat Nuari Khan Rivu
    2 month ago

    We took the Red curry & Pad khi mao. The red curry tasted good but smells a little bit like medicine. Pad khi mao was very tasty.

  • Shanilka
    2 month ago

    Worth the Walk in the Snow I was in Iowa craving Thai food and walked 20 minutes in the snow to get to this place but it was absolutely worth it. The food was amazing, with a great selection on the menu, and the Thai tea was really good. The staff were nice, and the overall experience was fantastic. I loved the food and would definitely come back We had Thai tea (2$ extra without ice ) Basil fried rice and pineapple curry with rice

  • Ricki Parizek
    3 month ago

    A big shout of thanks to Mark A Capron for suggesting the most excellent Thai Spice in Iowa City, Iowa I visited during lunch and experienced excellent professional service and truly tasty authentic cuisine. The restaurant is not large, I would describe it more as intimate, with small tables arranged in an open dining room. It is decorated in a way that patrons of Asian restaurants will know well, that being said, I found the table linens to be quite nice. They are intricately stitched and are comprised of a table covering, placemats, and drink coasters, all very lovely examples of textile art. The service that day was provided by a tall, quiet young man named Alex. His service was superb, a model for any server wishing to stand out for professionalism and excellence. I love the chatty diner waitstaff, I appreciate any server or waitstaff who brings a positive attitude and hustle. But there is something special about that unobtrusive, polished service, the type where the waitstaff always seems to know what one needs, often a tick before one knows oneself. Alex displayed the level of service I would normally experience in a fine-dining restaurant in a large city. It was special, and it made a difference. Not that I needed a special reason to love my visit! I enjoyed the lunch special, Kang Keow Wan (Green Curry). Dried green curry paste simmered with coconut milk, eggplant, and basil leaves. With a choice of chicken, beef, or tofu (I chose chicken) The taste was rich and deep, quite honestly hard for me to describe accurately. The curry had the complex spice profile it is known for, and simmering it with the coconut milk gives it a rich body. I love eggplant in these types of dishes, well, all types really, but in heavily spiced cuisines, the eggplant seems to soak up the flavors wonderfully, providing scrumptious, tender bites full of flavor. The amount of basil in the dish was perfect, it is a powerful taste and can overpower other flavors with ease. In this dish it mixed in well with the overall flavor profile, creating a herbal high note that balanced well with the curry/coconut milk flavor. I also had the lunch special side of two eggrolls, they were a good, crunchy, yummy addition to the plate, and well executed, but not overly special. I am excited to try more of their cuisine, in fact, I simply must try more of their cuisine, it is authentic and memorable @RickiGoesOut If you have the chance give Thai Spice a try and let me know what you think. ...and tell 'em Ricki sent you

  • Kununya Reed
    3 month ago

    I traveled through this town craving spicy food and found a restaurant that looked promising. I had no expectations, but the food was amazing! As a Thai person, I was impressed, and my picky husband loved the chicken satay I got for our toddler. Truly amazing food!

  • Dan Hansen
    4 month ago

    Only a 4 in service as it looked like the lone waiter was becoming overwhelmed. He seemed like a pretty good dude. Food was fantastic especially for a carry-out order placed upon arrival. Absolutely sure I do not like the parking; coming, it's Iowa City, all parking is craaap.

  • Dan Maloney
    4 month ago

    The best Asian food in Iowa City! My wife and I always stop in when we’re in town. She has been to Thailand before and said the food here reminds her of that country. Good service and prices too.

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