Kensington Market's best Thai — Khao San Road's pad kra pao (Thai basil stir-fry) is one of the most satisfying $14 meals in Toronto. The khao man gai (poached chicken rice) is authentic, the larb is properly tart and herbal, and the rotating specials bring regional Thai dishes rarely found elsewhere in the city.
Neighbourhood: Kensington Market · Address: 326 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2M1 · Hours: Tue–Fri 11:30am–9:30pm | Sat–Sun 11am–9:30pm | Closed Monday
Why Visit
Khao San Road serves some of Toronto’s most authentic Thai classics at genuinely affordable prices. The pad kra pao and khao man gai in particular combine quality, flavour, and value you won't often find in the city.
What Makes It Unique
Unlike many Thai spots that stick to the same five dishes, Khao San Road rotates regional Thai specials you rarely see elsewhere—think northern Thai sausage or Isaan-style larb. The kitchen doesn’t dumb down spice or herbs on request, so what you get is genuinely close to what you’d eat in Bangkok.
Khao San Road sits on Augusta Avenue in the middle of Kensington Market and serves a menu that goes further into regional Thai cooking than most Toronto Thai restaurants attempt. Named after Bangkok's famous backpacker street — though the restaurant's food is far better than anything that street is known for — it has built a loyal following around the quality of its wok cooking and the willingness to serve dishes like khao man gai and larb that don't appear on every Thai menu in the city.
The pad kra pao (Thai holy basil stir-fry with ground pork or chicken, fish sauce, oyster sauce, and Thai chilies, served over rice with a crispy-edged fried egg) is the signature dish and the one that earns the restaurant its consistent mention in best-cheap-eats lists. The wok heat is right — you can taste the char on the meat and the wilted-but-not-destroyed texture of the fresh basil that requires a genuinely hot wok to achieve. At approximately $14, it is one of the most satisfying lunch options in Kensington Market.
The khao man gai is the dish for people who have eaten at Thai-Chinese restaurants in Bangkok or Singapore and want a version of it in Toronto — poached chicken on rice cooked in chicken broth, served with ginger dipping sauce, cucumber slices, and a clear soup. It is subtle and comforting in a way that pad thai never manages. The rotating specials pull from northern Thai, Isaan, and Thai-Chinese traditions and are the reason to check the board on every visit — the regulars know to ask what's running that day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I order at Khao San Road Toronto?
The pad kra pao (Thai holy basil stir-fry) with a fried egg is the signature dish — order it with the heat level you actually want. The khao man gai (poached chicken rice) is a quieter but equally excellent option. Check the rotating specials board for regional Thai dishes (Isaan, northern Thai, Thai-Chinese) that change regularly. The larb with cold beer is the right Friday lunch.
Where is Khao San Road Toronto?
Khao San Road is at 326 Augusta Avenue in Kensington Market — Toronto's bohemian open-air market neighbourhood. The nearest subway is Spadina Station (Line 2), about a 5-minute walk south. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday; closed Monday.
How much does a meal cost at Khao San Road?
Most mains at Khao San Road run $13–17 including rice. Appetizers and soups are $8–12. A full lunch (main, drink) is approximately $20–25 per person. It is one of the most affordable quality Thai options in the Kensington Market and Spadina Chinatown area.
Is Khao San Road authentic Thai food?
Khao San Road serves dishes that go beyond the standard North American Thai menu — including khao man gai (Thai-Chinese poached chicken rice), larb (Isaan minced meat salad), and rotating specials from regional Thai traditions. The wok technique is genuine (high heat, properly charred pad kra pao) and the rotating menu reflects cooking that most Toronto Thai restaurants don't serve.