NaKorn Urban Thai (Evanston)

1622 Orrington Ave, Evanston, IL 60201, United States

NaKorn Urban Thai (Evanston)
About Us

The cornerstone of NaKorn is our belief that authentic Thai food should be found not only in Thailand—but here, as well. In short, our inability to get foods that reminded us of home – without an 8,600 mile trip to Bangkok – is a primary reason we wanted to open an authentic Thai restaurant. The atmosphere is just as dynamic as the menu; it’s the perfect place to enjoy a sunny day from the shade of our lush garden, to relax by candlelight on weeknights. We differentiate ourselves by giving customers a nostalgic glimpse of the past by offering a casual yet exceptional dining experience, reminiscent of 1970s Thai shophouses.

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Customer Reviews
Diner Review №1

Food was really tasty. Looking forward to coming back. Did take out, but it looks like a cool place to dine in.

Diner Review №2

Best restaurant in Evanston! Food is amazing and the service is even better!!!

Diner Review №3

Absolutely amazing!!! We celebrated our anniversary at NaKorn, and they made our special occasion spectacularl!! The staff was very attentive and the menu easily accommodated my allergies (gluten and dairy) My husband and I shared several small plates and an entree. All the food was served fresh, quick and SO delicious! The sweet potato croquettes were absolutely my favorite!!! We can't wait to go back !

Diner Review №4

Excellent food and lovely service. A local gem

Diner Review №5

I ordered a beef and noodles dish. The flavors in the food were perfectly balanced, nuanced, and delicious. I really enjoyed every bite. Also tried the sticky toffee pudding with coconut ice cream and it’s one of the best desserts I’ve ever ordered, anywhere. The presentation of the food, the waitstaff and service were also excellent. Truly exceptional meal and I will definitely be back next time I’m in Evanston.

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Diner Review №8

This remarkable restaurant serves up creative Asian dishes and drinks that have never disappointed us. We have resolved to eat our way down their entire menu. All their tiger prawns dishes are great. I loved their curries, and the eggplant was delish. My partner does not have drink and avoids fizz, and without fuss, they whipped up a coconut NA drink that both of us fought over! I really had nothing to complain about because I had the Thai glog (a delicate mulled specialty for the season)! And that seems typical of the service - friendly, thoughtful, anticipated all our needs. We arme so delighted NaKorn made it through the pandemic to continue to serve these delights!

Diner Review №9

The food has amazing variety and the staff caterers to dietary needs.
Everything was absolutely delicious... Haven't been there since before the pandemic and it was still perfect last week...thanks

Diner Review №10

Might be the best place I have eaten not only in Evanston but anywhere in a long, long time. Gabriella our bartender and Rush were fantastic. The owner even stopped by and chatted with us. Really made us feel at home. The food was absolutely delicious and so tasty. We had the short rib and coconut chicken. 🌟. The mock tails were super tasty and the seasonal meringue dessert was, OMG! Awesome Friday night dinner and can’t wait until the next time we come back. One of my wife and I’s favorite spots. 5/5 all day every day.

Diner Review №11

Had such a lovely time visiting Nakorn! The food was phenomenal and the staff was amazing. Great service and great vibes! A must visit

Diner Review №12

Thank goodness we ditched pizza for Thai!!! Tons of vegan options is always a plus for me!! Can’t wait to go back and try more!!!

Diner Review №13

The most beautiful food and drinks! My all time favorites are the bourbon chicken, sweet potato croquettes and coconut curry chicken. Their desserts are also so amazing - it really is a full dining experience. My favorite place to bring friends and family!

Diner Review №14

Diner Review №15

We had my Birthday Dinner at NaKorn tonight and it was amazing! Food and service were Michelin star! The Croquettes, Green Papaya salad, chicken curry and Mina short ribs were so delicious. We want to try everything on the menu now! It’s seriously some of the best food we have had in Evanston! We look forward to seeing Rush and the crew soon!!

Diner Review №16

Food was delicious. I've been to Thailand twice. We love ordering Thai food. And this is my first time having what I would call elevated Thai food. And it was an all-around wonderful experience. There were multiple dishes we would 100% order again. And we all talked about who got to lick the plate afterwards. They also make an off menu item called Khao soi. Which is a traditional dish served only in Chiang mai. Very few Thai places make it. And even fewer know how to make it right. This was a 100% outstanding item. Also great were non-alcoholic cocktails. Even more outstanding was the service amd staff. Both front of house and back of house were amazing welcoming warming informative knowledgeable and spot on with their service, energy, execution. Specifically front of house manager Marc, back of house manager Rush, and restaurant support Lalo. Top to bottom amazing experience and amazing people and we 100% will be going back

Diner Review №17

Diner Review №18

came in for a lunch today and the food was outstanding!! so creative and well crafted. our waiter was so kind and involved, he even brought out the pastry chef for us to meet. one of the highlights of our trip. Nakorn is a must see!!

Diner Review №19

Now, this is absolutely delicious Thai food. The flavors were PHENOMENAL. Not a single thing I ate was overpowering. The creativity and presentation was carefully thought out. All of the ambiance and service was super classy and I really enjoyed the live guitar music. All of the front of the house was super knowledgeable of the menu and the specials. Kudos to all of the employees there. It was perfect. A wow experience. If you are a foodie, please try this place out. It's worth EVERY penny. Just fantastic.

Diner Review №20

Great patio and live music.

Diner Review №21

Celebrated my birthday here with family and was really impressed with the food, service, and overall vibe. Definitely high end Thai fusion with a vegan friendly menu and a large non alc menu. Everything was delicious and it was really enjoyable.

Diner Review №22

If I could pick only one restaurant for the rest couple of years, this is my choice. It’s fun, friendly, and delicious.

Diner Review №23

Went here with business associates. Awesome service. Very creative menu and gorgeous plating. Generous portions. Delicious pairings of flavors. Can't wait to back with a new crew of people.

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Diner Review №25

The food was unique and flavorful.

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Diner Review №27

Had a wonderful lunch and drinks! Will definitely return.

Diner Review №28

This is probably one of the best dinners and desserts I’ve ever had, but it’s not just about the food it’s about the atmosphere and service. Rush, Marc, Djon, Boeing and everyone else were all so kind, welcoming, explained the dishes well, had great recommendations and made you feel at home. You can tell they are passionate about what they do. The bourbon popcorn chicken appetizer was my absolute favorite, so crunchy, flavorful and not filling, the tapioca crackers with the delicious sauce is addicting I couldn’t stop eating it, and the brussel sprouts are very good as well. The duck confit was spectacular, the curry sauce was delicious and the duck was juicy and flavorful. The tofu pad thai which is originally the king prawn was full of flavor, so many great textures and just all around each food complimented each other. Definitely try their mixed drinks, they’re so delicious and refreshing. But this experience wouldn’t have been the same if it weren’t for the amazing service. We will definitely be back. 💕

Diner Review №29

Diner Review №30

Delicious Thai food with a creative twist. Drinks were pretty straightforward just like most bars but the staff was attentive. Great flavors to all the apps and entrees.

Diner Review №31

So so delicious and different from any Thai restaurant I have been to. In addition to the food the cocktail menu is beautifully curated and service is amazing. Ask for and take their suggestions if you are undecided. Embarrassed that as an Evanston resident I have not popped in before now.

Diner Review №32

It's always fresh and delicious. We try to go once a month for dinner. We recently tried lunch options. The basil beef is amazing! You can't go wrong with any of the meals here.

Diner Review №33

Diner Review №34

Think of your favorite Thai restaurant then level it up about 5 notches and that’s this Thai restaurant! Best Thai food I’ve ever eaten, hands down!

Diner Review №35

Diner Review №36

Food; overly fussy, without coming close to target. Prices: rich, only justified by creativity of some dishes, which don’t hit the target. Atmosphere; kinda rustic, hard seats, very noisy. Napkins top grade. Service: very friendly, crossing well into intrusive. TMI.
Disappointing. Menu: limited.

Diner Review №37

Live music, excellent food, and great service. Meal was thoughtfully and carefully prepared. Had a lovely time. Small suggestion... NA drink was filled to brim with ice, so wasn't worth the $$. Will definitely return.

Diner Review №38

A pleasant, warmly lit and stylish sit-down restaurant. Possibly the most elegant Thai food I've had in presentation, composition and taste. Very good. Ben, who served me at the bar was friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend when in downtown Evanston.

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Diner Review №41

An incredible all-around experience! The vibes were immaculate with a live guitarist, service was super friendly, and all the food was amazing. You can tell there is a lot of thought and care put into everything at NaKorn.

We walked in with 2 and were seated shortly. Shoutout to our server Ally who gave fantastic and personalized recommendations, she really made our night.

We had the crispy rice iceburg lettuce, big fish, and ny strip steak with green curry, and the chocolate cake, all bomb!! Their cocktails and thai ice tea were also standouts. Can’t recommend NaKorn enough, and can’t wait to come back.

Diner Review №42

Diner Review №43

I love this place. Hidden gem in Evanston. Amazing Thai Food with a Northern Thai twist. Gabriella the bartender is fantastic. Highly recommend!

Diner Review №44

Dear NaKorn Owners and Team, Thank you for making this such a special place. There are very few culinary spaces that are created with true love and dedication in the Chicago area, and when I see them, I am always so appreciative that people don't go with the mainstream but seek to set new standards, because I understand that this is not easy. But that is what your restaurant does so successfully. Impeccable attention to detail in everything - from interior design, to the plates, to the very way the food is arranged.The food itself is so intricate and special in its range of flavors and allows to re-discover Thai food beyond generic American Pad Thai in many facets. A place like yours just feeds the soul. Thank you. I enthusiastically recommend.

Diner Review №45

Diner Review №46

10 on 10
So goad i picked this place for some innovative thai food.
Best part is family run and they dont compromise on qualityz
Delicious food with some great service
Be it cocktails or beers both were fantastic
Now coming to food: pop corn chicken, papaya salad
For mains: we got coconut curry with chicken
Absolutely loved it
I domt remember the dessert but it was something like vegan cake and it was so good
Ask server about that

Diner Review №47

Why hasn’t NaKorn Thai restaurant won awards for the whimsy and beauty of its interior design? It deserves them. Pass through the cerulean curtains into the dining room and you’re greeted by a portrait of Thailand’s King Rama IX rendered in the style of Mao-era propaganda posters. It’s stunning.

The bar is made of antique abacuses, yes, the calculating instrument that uses beads on rods to represent decimal places. And abacuses appear elsewhere in the dining room, too. The table bases are the legs and treadles of vintage sewing machines. A flock of bird cages turned into chandeliers lights the dining room. If you’re a design buff, this is a destination restaurant just to take in the decor.

Our meal was delicious. The whole fried branzino was so fresh that I ate every part of it, the eyes, the cheeks, the tongue, reducing the head to a pile of splinters. My favorite dish was the turmeric-coconut blue crab curry noodles.

Each team member who visited our table shared stories about the origin of each dish and the inspiration behind the decor. Service was extraordinary.

NaKorn Thai restaurant
1622 Orrington Avenue in Evanston

Diner Review №48

At Nakorn Thai, the Tapioca Pearl Crackers and Chicken Lettuce Wrap were interesting but lacked flavor, needing more sauce to enhance their taste. The quiet ambiance didn’t help the atmosphere, though the host’s warmth and the spotless bathrooms stood out positively. Service was quick and friendly. Despite these pluses, the food’s lack of flavor makes me cautious about reordering these dishes.

Diner Review №49

If you love delicious food, friendly staff and a sophisticated, yet calming ambience, look no further. The flavor of the banh mi noodles will keep me coming back!

Diner Review №50

This is the first Thai restaurant I have ever been to that charges ($4} for extra lettuce leaves for their larb. If the dish was amazing, maybe I'd understand, but it had only homeopathic quantities of fish sauce. Save your time and money for Siam Noodle and Rice in Uptown.

Diner Review №51

We had an amazing experience. Our server Bojan helped us pick some delicious items from the menue. Second time here and he made our experience special. He is honest and not trying just push item from the menu, took time to explain and suggest the best items. We will definitely be back.

Diner Review №52

Early res on a busy Saturday night. Prior to a show at Space, so time was a factor. All I can say is that the personalized service including an unsolicited table side visit from the chef and the generous portions of what turned out to be some of the most unique compositions of Thai flavors I have ever experienced, was a pleasant surprise! I would say that this restaurant delivered one of the most memorable dining experiences I've had in years and I will recommend it to all my friends!! P.S. I have been in the hospitality and restaurant industry most of my life! Good show NaKorn!!!

Diner Review №53

This place was delicious!! Came here for a dinner and everything we got was tasty, the atmosphere was very cute, and service was amazing! Great vegetarian selections as well—their eggplant dish was our favorite!

Diner Review №54

Extraordinary cuisine - very fresh and delicious. Was there four times now and it keeps surprising me. We will come back for sure

Diner Review №55

Truly outstanding meal. Beautiful presentation and different and better than any other Thai food around.

Diner Review №56

Diner Review №57

NaKorn is a real gem. The food is inventive (and delicious) and not a standard Pad Thai type of place. A great addition to the otherwise anemic Evanston food scene. And it’s relatively inexpensive. Will definitely be back for more

Diner Review №58

Amazing restaurant which offers innovative cuisine with wonderful combination of flavors! Great vegan options too! Very attentive staff as well!

Diner Review №59

Fitted us in at 5pm - many staff came by to make sure everything was good. Food was delicious. The sauce on the blue crab meat noodles was godly. Mulled wine was excellent for the cold snap.

Diner Review №60

The food was scrumptious and beautifully plated. The tapioca crackers shimmer! SWEET POTATO CROQUETTES- so good! We ended up getting a second order. If you can, order dishes to share family style so you can try more things. Best of all I appreciate things they do to support our community. I’ll be back soon.

Diner Review №61

Fantastic Food | Great Service | Highly Recommended
——- Detailed Review Below ———

NaKorn Urban Thai is a stylishly designed upscale restaurant serving excellent Thai food.

I went to the restaurant with my pescatarian colleague from Spain so we ordered a few vegetarian dishes and the Branzino (diced and fried, tossed with lemongrass, lime cubes, ginger, shallots and cilantro leaves) - which was exceptionally good.

I truly enjoyed the visit and would be keen to go back the next time I am in the area.

Verdict: Highly Recommended.

Food/ Quality - 5/5
Location/ Ambiance - 5/5
Price (Value for Money) - 5/5
Service - 5/5
Others 5/5 (Decor)

Diner Review №62

The food is excellent make sure to stop by here during your time at Northwestern.

Diner Review №63

There will not be enough space to convey my thoughts about NaKorn!!!! Just WOW. This is a true gem like no other right in own backyard, and it’s taken me a decade to get here! We went for NYE and it was absolutely SPECTACULAR- the food, the service, the drinks, the ambience, everything! They even brought over a complimentary thai salad as well as 3 desserts for us to take home. We went at 5:30 with a 4 year old and it was also so speedy:). I cannot recommend this restaurant more highly and we are already excited to go back. ❤️

Diner Review №64

We have dined at NaKorn several times and picked it as our destination for New Years Eve dinner. The staff, food, and overall atmosphere made it a perfect way to end 2023 and ring in the new year! We look forward to many more meals here in 2024! Happy New Year!! 🥂

Diner Review №65

Picked this spot on a whim-the staff was fabulous and the food was great! Very cute vibes, would recommend

Diner Review №66

Rare luxury thai restaurant in Evanston. Recommend some cocktails here

Diner Review №67

Fresh food with nice combinations. Good presentation. I liked the broth poured over the food at the table. Nice vegetarian options.

Diner Review №68

My friend and I dined here and it was a great time. We ordered the crispy rice salad, pad thai, and chicken curry. All super delicious. The real standouts were the desserts. We are coming here again.

Diner Review №69

The taste of the food were pretty disappointing… the presentation of the dishes and service were perfect though

Diner Review №70

Nakorn is an upscale dainty Thai restaurant in Evanston. The portion the curry and rice of their lunch menu is very small. I would come again though because the man who served us was extremely polite. I loved their bottomless French press coffee. It was especially aromatic and smooth with the milk.

Diner Review №71

Wonderful upscale Thai food. Don’t expect gummy pad Thai – this is the good stuff. The Thai Boat Noodle dish – beef in broth with asparagus – was sublime. The only downside was that my chopstick skills weren’t up to snuff! Excellent service too – everyone on staff was attentive and helpful.

Diner Review №72

Only one word describes this place: Daaaaaang! Totally different than your typical Thai restaurant. Never short on flavor or innovation.

Diner Review №73

Lovely restaurant. Impeccable attention to detail. The presentation of everything is top notch. The food is amazing as well. The desserts were above and beyond. Definitely try them all, and if you have to choose, go with the honey based one.

Diner Review №74

Diner Review №75

An excellent Thai restaurant with an original menu.

Diner Review №76

Diner Review №77

Sitting at a table I. The middle of the restaurant with wind blowing on you everything e someone entered. Was not pleasant. Initially the greeting of staff was pleasant and then the service became nonexistent. We had to ask the waiter for the sauce for the ketttucecwraps as they forgot to put the sauces in the chicken wrap mixture. The chicken lettuce wraps were tasteless. We had to return the chicken curry dish as it was “ lukewarm.” The papaya salad was tasteless and the meat noodle dish included large chunks of beef that you could barely cut with a knife. Overall, we were extremely disappointed with the food and service ,. The tastes were bland and it was not what we expected .

Diner Review №78

Glad we found this spot. Excellent food and even better atmosphere.

This isn’t your traditional Thai restaurant. You won’t find good ‘ole pad Thai on the menu. You will find unique dishes with ingredient pairings like duck confit, curry and grilled pineapple. The menu is smaller than other Thai restaurants but varied in its selections.

If Thai food is what you want, I would 100% recommend NaKorn Thai.

Diner Review №79

The duck nofti was probably was probably the best food i’ll ever have my whole life. Also their servers were amazing!!

Diner Review №80

Diner Review №81

All of the food was excellent and the mai tais were amazing.

Diner Review №82

Delicious! I had the eggplant and cauliflower and it was so umami! The flavors and the textures were varied and yet so harmonious. I envied my husband’s purple rice. The ice cream sundae was outstanding, too!

The space is beautiful and quiet and unhurried enough for a long conversation.

The unusual beers were fun, too!

Diner Review №83

Terrific service and homestyle food
L

Diner Review №84

Diner Review №85

This is my second time eating at this place. First time was during lunch 4 years ago. This time was during dinner. Every dish we tried was a flavorful and unique twist on Thai cuisine. Desserts were also delicious. Overall, I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a unique dining experience. The staff was friendly and attentive.

Diner Review №86

Have an 18% auto-gratuity for a party of 2 people. Mediocre food, mediocre service.

Diner Review №87

NaKorn is, by far, the best Thai restaurant we’ve ever been to.

Diner Review №88

Diner Review №89

The food was amazing, the service was very friendly, and the atmosphere is beautiful!

Diner Review №90

Delicious! Upscale Thai with beautiful plate presentation and wonderful service p

Diner Review №91

Diner Review №92

Diner Review №93

This is the most interesting Thai restaurant we've ever been to - very unusual dishes, expertly made (the owners make food from their home region). Try the crispy rice.

Diner Review №94

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Diner Review №96

My brother and I love love loved this place. The tapioca crackers which I'd read about in reviews was So Good and I highly recommend you eat it. My brother was hoping I wouldn't like it so he could eat it all but we both loved it. Also really loved the lemongrass panna cotta as dessert. We enjoyed this meal a lot and the food was so fun and yummy. The service was also great and appreciated how welcoming the staff was.

Diner Review №97

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Diner Review №99

I had lunch here recently; the service was excellent and the menu items delicious. I ordered the Beef Basil; loved it! Highly recommend. I’ll definitely be back again soon.

Diner Review №100

Excellent food and welcoming, professional service.

Diner Review №101

I was very impressed with this place. You can tell somebody's heart really is invested in the business. And all the staff was incredibly polite. The service was phenomenal from a whole team of people. We had the beef noodle, and it was very tender and delicious. The eggplant was perfect. A very unique dessert made out of jasmine tea Cream. Highly recommend.

Diner Review №102

This is now my favorite Thai restaurant in the Chicago area. It was in a different class from all the other Thai places. The service was fantastic, and the food was not only delicious but unique and beautiful. Everything was fresh and well thought out. The wine list was also great. This will be a place I come back to on a regular basis.

Diner Review №103

Diner Review №104

Absolutely delightful! Ambience, food, and service were perfection.

Diner Review №105

Food was amazing!!!😋 We got the cauliflower and the eggplant and both were so flavorful specially for vegetarian options. Ambiance was fantastic and there was live music. Will definitely be returning here for the fantastic food!!!

Diner Review №106

Diner Review №107

We’ve been in Evanston almost a year and hadn’t tried this place and finally decided to. It was so delicious. We got northern Thai herb sausage and fried tofu as appetizers (best tofu I’ve ever had). As well as coconut chicken curry and braised duck with egg noodle. Both meals were yummy and filling. Highly recommend if you’re ever in the area.

Diner Review №108

Beautiful space. Beautiful food.

Diner Review №109

Was there last Friday evening, sat at the bar for dinner. Welcoming and friendly staff. Bartender (female, sorry don't remember her name) and manager in particular. Thank you for great customer service. Food was delicious! I'm still thinking about and craving the coconut curry braised chicken dish. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in Evanston.

Diner Review №110

Some of the best Thai food I've ever had! This is now my new favorite restaurant in Evanston :)

Diner Review №111

I stopped by NaKorn for the first time with a few friends, and it definitely didn't disappoint! It's a very creative and original take on the traditional Thai flavors we all know and love.

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Diner Review №117

Back after 4 years.
Everything super flavorful. Nice ambiance.
The pad Thai (tiger prawn) had so many prawns, and good noodle portion.

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Delicious coconut turmeric curry sauce in the lump crab dish. The portions for lunch are a bit small, so next time I'd get an appetizer as well. Good service. Nice atmosphere.

I look forward to trying something else here next time.

Diner Review №118

Excellent Tom Yum!

Diner Review №119

Diner Review №120

Great food, great staff.

Diner Review №121

Outstanding Thai menu! Attentive service and a friendly staff. The live jazz duo made for nice ambience.

Diner Review №122

A little too loud but the food and service are exceptional

Diner Review №123

Mediocre food, gave themselves a 15% tip at a table with 2 people…

Diner Review №124

Even better than the great reviews had led me to expect. Warm, friendly service (even though I was a late-arriving walk-in) and delicious, attractively prepared food. Will definitely return.

Diner Review №125

Fantastic food. We got the poached tiger prawns (forgot to take picture of them), the noodles with beef and the braised short ribs. Everything was so flavorful and the staff was so friendly and welcoming. Absolutely recommend!

Diner Review №126

Upscale Thai place with artistically plated food. Decent quality. Unfortunately not too vegetarian friendly or willing to substitute vegetables on request, which most other places do - our waiter wouldn't even ask the chef for us! So that was disappointing.

Diner Review №127

Food was decent, except for some octopus which was so chewy it was almost impossible to eat.

Diner Review №128

Diner Review №129

Excellent hospitality, and an imaginative modern Thai menu!

Diner Review №130

Diner Review №131

Everything we ordered was absolutely incredible: kale and tofu and the vegetarian scallops were my person favorites as a vegetarian/vegan, but the soft shell crab and beef curry were also a hit. Best Thai food I’ve had in Evanston. Will absolutely be coming here again soon!

Diner Review №132

This place never disappoints! Bojan was a great server! Very attentive even though the place was busy. Checked in on us multiple times but not too much. Haha. Lalo, the busser was great! made sure we had water, empty plates- were out of the way and he was very kind. The food was great and the drinks as well. We had an old fashion, Northern Thai Herb Sausage, coconut curry chicken and the Mina's Braised Short Ribs. Definitely recommend all of -it was so flavorful!

Diner Review №133

Diner Review №134

Modern take on Thai. Excellent cocktails, delish food, owners very friendly. Will definitely be back.

Diner Review №135

Diner Review №136

It's a restaurant of nice ambience and all and I do enjoy their special fish dish. But can't help think it's a bit pricey. Don't go here for brunch - it's not worth the money.

Diner Review №137

Excellent food, a cut above other Thai restaurants. Presentation is beautiful too. And the staff was gracious and helpful. Highly recommend! They have gluten free and vegan items on the menu too.

Diner Review №138

Consistently amazing food and great service. Their spin on urban Thai fusion using authentic flavors provides an unique culinary experience that changed my understand of Thai flavors and ingredients. I Have never had a dish there I did not enjoy, which is rare considering I typically hate veggies and found myself loving all the food (even the ones that are vegetarian). Leave behind whatever preconceptions of Thai food from the westernized dishes that you typically see in a fast food or strip mall Thai restaurant. Their complex flavors using traditional ingredients and artistic presentation produces a fine dining experience in a casual setting. The staff are extremely friendly, providing exceptional service whenever we dine there. Great food, welcoming ambiance, and friendly service. Can’t ask for more and eagerly plan to return for more.

Diner Review №139

Diner Review №140

Authentic tasting and visually pleasing food! Will come back again to try more!

Diner Review №141

Diner Review №142

Excellent dining experience. We had a good mix and maybe because we are Asians, the food is not hot (chilli) enough. Haha. But still great to have some of these food. Worth it especially when you don't have such food for a long time.

Diner Review №143

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Diner Review №145

We just had a fabulous dining experience! From the moment we walked in we were greeted with warmth. The food and service was all excellent. We loved everything we ordered . We started with pink pomelo salad and Crispy Brussels sprouts. Then we got two main dishes to round out our meal. The short ribs and shrimp noodles were so good! I highly recommend going to this very special Thai restaurant. We can’t wait to go back. I wish I took photos of everything we ate.

Diner Review №146

Wonderful food and great atmosphere!!!!

Diner Review №147

Delicious food, we love everything we tried. Very creative and delicious chicken lettuce wraps! Excellent customer service and decor/atmosphere is very comfortable and inviting. Will definitely be back!

Diner Review №148

Always amazing!

Diner Review №149

We had a wonderful meal dining outdoors on a lovely evening. I wish I took photos because everything was beautiful and delicious. The staff was welcoming and helpful, and there was even live music from a jazz pianist.

We started with the scallops, Brussel sprouts, and green papaya salad, all of which were good. The Coconut-Curry Braised Chicken entree tho— divine. Just enough heat, flavorful spices, and extremely tender chicken. The sauce with rice could be a dish by itself. We finished with the Fresh Mango dessert with sticky, sweet sticky rice, mango liquid yolk, salted coconut sauce. What can I say? If we lived here we’d be regulars.

Diner Review №150

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Diner Review №152

Wonderful food and lovely ambience! Loved the piano!

Diner Review №153

Really excellent, authentic Thai food, without the sugar that is so often loaded into American Thai cooking.

Short but interesting menu (exactly how I like it) and live music on both nights I visited was a bonus (please tip the musician)...

Diner Review №154

Diner Review №155

The food and drinks were exquisite. The appetizers, main entree, and special desert, amazing. We travel the country and eat out a lot. This is definitely worth the experience.

Diner Review №156

Great food, and great service!

Diner Review №157

Food was okay but very overpriced. Half the items on the menu were out. I paid the same amount at a high-end restaurant downtown and ate like a king. Staff were rude and unwelcoming. The restaurant also likes to tip themselves. Would not recommend.

Diner Review №158

Mediocre food, mediocre service, overpriced and they like to tip themselves (add standard 15% gratuity). Would not recommend

Diner Review №159

This food is so good! Loved every bite. Had two small plates and the portions were very reasonable. I did a pickup order, which was ready super fast. Highly recommend.

Diner Review №160

I had a meal here visiting from out of town. The food and ambiance was great. Specially, our waiter was extremely knowledgeable of the menu and made great suggestions.

Diner Review №161

Diner Review №162

Diner Review №163

Every dish was delightful. Sauces are divine, some subtle to taste it's essence, some burst with flavor. Vegetarian friendly.

Diner Review №164

Diner Review №165

Terrible service. Food was not bad but it took them 70 minutes to prepare 3 dishes.

Diner Review №166

Extremely bland papaya salad — worst ive ever had, larb was dry and unflavorful but a little better. This is Thai food suited for the unadventurous yet expensive white midwestern palate. I wonder if they used fish sauce at all in the food

Diner Review №167

Diner Review №168

The Cold Brew Thai Iced Coffee was AMAZING! Friendly service and lovely interior, as well. Thank you!

Diner Review №169

Delicious! Very good service.

Diner Review №170

I got the papaya salad, fried tofu, and crab cakes. I really liked the crab cakes and salad, and I appreciated them having gluten free options clearly labeled on the menu. I think the tofu would have been tastier if it weren’t room temp. The staff was very friendly and helpful.

The only thing that would have made my experience it better is if the fried tofu and crab cakes weren’t near room temperature. I called in my order at 5 from my car outside the restaurant and was told to come pick up the order in 30-45 minutes. I went inside to pick up at 525 and sat for a few moments while they finished putting my order together. I then took it right out to my car parked right outside the restaurant to eat, so it seems like it should have been hot.

That said, you know it’s good food when it’s delicious even at room temp! I think they would have fixed it if I had asked, but I’m from out of town and wanted to get home. I’d definitely come here again when I’m in town.

Diner Review №171

Diner Review №172

Lovely spot with excellent food

Diner Review №173

Diner Review №174

Unique dishes, small plates and dinners, and live music. Food was delicious and presentation was great.

Diner Review №175

This is the best food and service I’ve found in Evanston and one of the best atmospheres. The food makes you want to get good at cooking and come back again the next night, it’s that good. We probably encountered 5 different staff throughout the evening and they were all super friendly and attentive. Definitely coming back here.

Diner Review №176

Creative Thai food. Some hits (chicken soup, curry chicken) and some near-misses (like the coriander beef appetizer) but all of it very memorable and worthwhile.

Diner Review №177

Best Thai food! The curry coconut chicken is delicious- perfect blend of spices. The Brussel sprouts were so flavorful. Will be back

Diner Review №178

Not bad

Diner Review №179

Yum, yum, yum! Awesome food, great atmosphere, kind caring people!

Diner Review №180

Ridiculous service. Waited forever for everything and then the food was not good. The owner cared and noticed us endlessly waiting which us why its a 2.The curry chicken was not bad but also not special. Drinks were good. But seriously wouldn't come back on the wait alone.

Diner Review №181

Nakorn is the go to spot for Thai on the north shore.

From the good service to even better food. It was a very pleasurable experience at Nakorn. The hostess was very presentable and kind while seating party. I ordered the coconut curry braised chicken, and it was cooked to perfection. Overall, I highly recommend Nakorn.

Diner Review №182

Diner Review №183

Diner Review №184

Had Chicken coconut curry and their chicken noodle soup. Definitely one of the best thai food I have had in northern Chicago suburbs.

Diner Review №185

Diner Review №186

Hi, I noticed the presentation of the dishes has been changed. I just wish the sauce pouring and the final presentation can match what we saw on Yelp. 😉

Diner Review №187

Wonderful and delicious Valentine dinner!
We love this Thai food gem in downtown Evanston. We went there a few time (in the time when people used to go into restaurants...)
This Valentine we ordered a delivery, which was as usual a decedent show of Thai cuisine!

We had an appetizer, two main dishes, a side dish and a desert. All came on time, all well prepared and tasty.

We were specially impressed with the presentation of the delivery!!! you can see that the attention to details of this place is a testament to their high level.

Special thanks for being graceful when we made a mistake (we ordered by mistake for yesterday, and called to ask to fix it, and they did with no problems at all!)

Highly recommended and thank you

Diner Review №188

We went there on a cold evening (2°F) to dine in the outdoor tents. We were worried about the cold and brought blankets. There was an infrared space heater running in the tent and with the blankets, we were comfortable.

The staff was good with distancing, hand sanitizer was provided and they took the order through the tent wall, which was a nice touch!

We both had hot tea and shared two starters, one soup and one main dish. It was plenty of food and we took some home.

The Brussels sprouts were buttery and crispy and went well with the ginger. Popcorn chicken was very crunchy and had a delicious sauce.

The Angus beef noodle bowl was spicy and so fragrant with basil. The coconut curry braised chicken was also delicious and so tender.

The food was very authentic and delicious! We would definitely consider going there again to sit outside!

Diner Review №189

Best Thai food in Evanston with the loveliest owners! I go to Kellogg, and NaKorn hosted a Valentine’s Day dinner special. The food was amazing, and I loved hearing from the owners about why they started the restaurant and what makes them different! I tried delicious food unique to Thailand that I never would have had otherwise. Not only do they offer wonderful food, but they also help those less fortunate in the Evanston area by making meals for them. Will definitely be back soon! Please support this amazing local business!

Diner Review №190

UPDATE: I went to this restaurant in 2020, and many things had changed. The portion sizes were larger, and the flavor was much better. It has actually become one of my favorite restaurants to go to over the last year. It is not 5 starts yet (more flavorful food needed), but it is getting there.

Pros: Presentation, fresh ingredients
Cons: Taste/flavor, price, portions

When it comes to food, for me, it is simple. Does the food taste good, is it worth the price, and am I full after I eat? The food tastes OK. It is not as good as the average Thai restaurant. The flavors are bland, and some dishes don't taste like Thai food (tofu steak, for example, tastes like a Japanese dish). The price is ridiculously high for the portion sizes. This place is trying to be an upscale Thai restaurant without delivering on the taste, which is, to me, the most important part of a meal. It doesn't deliver. For the portion sizes - it doesn't deliver. And if the price were average, maybe I can take the small portion sizes and the below average taste in exchange for fresh ingredients and a nice ambiance. But with the price, it also doesn't deliver. Simply put, I won't be back here soon. And if this place is still here in a year, I will try it again only because they only way they must have survived is by significantly improving the flavor of the food.

Diner Review №191

Reserved one their patio igloos. Warm inside. Orders the poach shrimp tom yum soup, from mistook and lettuce cups, all yummy and enough for 3 of us. We had the big fish and the blue crab noodles with turmeric curry. My son loved the fish and the curry was warm and spicy and I loved the shrimp cracker to dip with the curry. Get the rose tea and added honey, so fragrant. Dessert, the coconut tapioca pudding and pieces of young coconut that was tasty and the pudding was light and the chocolate mousse, simple and classic. I would have ate it myself, but I did share with my son and husband.

Diner Review №192

Diner Review №193

Everything we've ever eaten there has been fantastic. Such a lovely local restaurant!

Diner Review №194

Our experience at NaKorn the other night was great! We wanted to get out of the house and do a date night, but did not want to share a space with others. We looked up local restaurants with personal bubbles to eat in outside, and came across NaKorn, which we were glad we did! The service was very friendly, the drinks were amazing, and the food was delicious. We tried a couple of the cocktails and a few of the apps/main dishes, and everything tasted great. I highly recommend this place not only for the food/drinks but also for a meal out while remaining isolated from other people.

Diner Review №195

Diner Review №196

The food was wonderful, the service perfect, the staff smiling and delightful! Overall an excellent experience! And the extra precautions for COVID put us at ease. Thank you NaKorn, we will be back soon!

Diner Review №197

Food was good. I really liked their food even though they were not prepared like they should be traditionally. For example, musaman chicken coconut curry is not as sweet as it should be, but I like their dish more than the original.

Diner Review №198

Diner Review №199

Pretry and Delicious food. Will definitely going back.
Owner were sweet. Server was friendly.
My son loves rice crispy so much.

Diner Review №200

Excellent food and friendly staff. A consistently pleasant dining experience.

Details
  • 12 photos
  • 200 reviews
  • 4.6 Health Rating
  • Contact: +1 847-733-8424
  • Website: http://www.nakornkitchen.com/
  • Location: 1622 Orrington Ave, Evanston, IL 60201, United States
  • Map: 42.047606099999996, -87.6813119
Menu Highlights
  • Thai restaurant
Opening Hours
  • Monday: 11:30 AM–2 PM–5–9 PM
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: 11:30 AM–2 PM–5–9 PM
  • Thursday: 11:30 AM–2 PM–5–9 PM
  • Friday: 11:30 AM–2 PM–5–9:30 PM
  • Saturday: 5–9:30 PM
  • Sunday: 5–9 PM
From the business
  • Identifies as women-owned: Available
Service options
  • Outdoor seating: Available
  • Delivery: Available
  • Takeaway: Available
  • Dine-in: Available
Highlights
  • Fast service: Available
  • Live music: Available
Popular for
  • Lunch: Available
  • Dinner: Available
  • Solo dining: Available
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance: Available
  • Wheelchair-accessible seating: Available
  • Wheelchair-accessible toilet: Available
Offerings
  • Alcohol: Available
  • Beer: Available
  • Cocktails: Available
  • Coffee: Available
  • Comfort food: Available
  • Healthy options: Available
  • Small plates: Available
  • Spirits: Available
  • Vegan options: Available
  • Vegetarian options: Available
  • Wine: Available
Dining options
  • Brunch: Available
  • Lunch: Available
  • Dinner: Available
  • Catering: Available
  • Dessert: Available
  • Seating: Available
Amenities
  • Bar on site: Available
  • Toilet: Available
  • Wi-Fi: Available
  • Wi-Fi: Available
Atmosphere
  • Casual: Available
  • Cosy: Available
  • Romantic: Available
  • Trendy: Available
Crowd
  • Family friendly: Available
  • LGBTQ+ friendly: Available
  • Tourists: Available
Planning
  • Accepts reservations: Available
Payments
  • Credit cards: Available
  • Debit cards: Available
  • NFC mobile payments: Available
  • Credit cards: Available
Children
  • Good for kids: Available
  • High chairs: Available
  • Kids' menu: Available
Parking
  • Paid street parking: Available