I was led to believe this place would be good and I love Thai food; however, I was very disappointed. The flavors were completely lacking and nothing was reminiscent of Thai food. We started off with fresh summer rolls (one of my wife’s favorites) and basically got a rolled up salad. Yes, I know what summer rolls are but these had zero flavor. The dipping sauce was basically peanut butter in a bowl, and had no flavor. Even the angle they were cut made them difficult to eat. Laughingly, the menu showed beef massaman curry as a “must try”, but I would have to pass if I ever went back (I won’t). My wife ordered the crispy pork belly with Chinese broccoli and, like my dish, did not care for it. Probably the one positive was my lemonade wasn’t too bad. Service could improve as well. My wife and I were one of the few customers yet the never checked on us, so even getting the bill was hard to do. I will say the setting is fairly nice, and there’s a free parking lot to use.

Unfortunately, my dinner partner cancelled on me. So, I ordered take out. I had the summer roll with shrimp and chicken Pad Thai. Delicious!

Crystal Thai Restaurant is a true gem, and their Pad Thai deserves an enthusiastic five-star rating! Prepare your taste buds for an authentic explosion of flavors that will transport you straight to the bustling streets of Thailand.

The Pad Thai here is an absolute delight, boasting the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy notes. Every mouthful is a harmonious symphony of tender rice noodles, succulent shrimp or chicken (or your preferred protein), and a medley of crisp vegetables. The secret lies in their masterful sauce, a blend of tamarind, palm sugar, and just the right amount of spices, creating a dance of taste sensations you won't soon forget.

Oh, and the atmosphere and staff are equally delightful! The restaurant exudes a warm, welcoming ambiance, making you feel like part of the family from the moment you step inside. The friendly and attentive staff are there to ensure you have a memorable dining experience, ready to guide you through their menu or cater to any special requests.

So, if you find yourself craving an extraordinary Pad Thai experience, look no further than Crystal Thai Restaurant. They've mastered the art of crafting this iconic Thai dish, earning every single one of those five stars. Head on over and let your taste buds embark on a journey of pure delight!

Excellent food here. I order delivery regularly with the spicy basil fried rice. And it is spicy. But spicy is good. Don't order spicy food and complain that it is spicy. Thai food is spicy. Get used to it.

The staff who answer the phone are friendly and efficient, they take your order and get done with it so you can get your food. And the drivers come and deliver it. They just give you your food, what more can I ask for?

Again, Crystal Thai has some amazing food, some great spicy food, and some delicious food. Normal wait for delivery is 45 minutes to an hour. And then you get the deliciousness at your door.

Thank you Crystal Thai for bringing Thai food to Arlington, Falls Church, and Fairfax County.

Very good Thai restaurant. Food was good and good selection of drinks. The massaman curry beef was not what I was expecting but live and learn. It's recommended on the menu bit was a very thick and strong flavor. Reminded me of the brown curry from Japan which isn't my favorite. Overall good food and good time. The chang beer brought back some core memories from Thailand.

I ordered take out from here and was pleasantly satisfied with it as a "crash in your hotel room after a long day" kind of meal. The pad Thai was good and portion was nice. Appetizer and mango sticky rice were also completely acceptable. When I ordered inside they asked me if I wanted water while I waited, which I thought was very kind. And the wait wasn't long at all.

We really enjoyed this place. We had the Pad Thai, drunken noodles, spring rolls, and spicy seafood. All were very good. I would definitely recommend this place.

I will fully disclose that I have never eaten in-person here, I always get take out so I can’t speak to the service or atmosphere so my review will strictly be focused on the food.

This is not a bad Thai restaurant. This is also not a great Thai restaurant. I would say this place is very average in regards to Thai food in the area. If you enjoy spicy food I will give them good points for that - they will turn up the heat. However that’s just about as good as it gets for me. The food is somewhat bland compared to other Thai food I’ve had. I’ve never been blown away by a dish here, having tried an assortment of dishes (drunken noodles, pad see ew, spicy basil fried rice, spicy duck with basil). I’ve also noticed their prices are a bit higher than other restaurants as well, which is disappointing considering their quality is not better than the cheaper establishments.

The only reason I go here over better places is for convenience. I’m a short drive so it’s go to when I’m feeling lazy and need a Thai fix with accessible parking. Otherwise, I’d highly recommend Thai Square in Arlington or Bangkok Street in Fairfax if you’re looking for better tasting food. If you’re looking for a quick fix, this isn’t a bad place either.

I was led to believe this place would be good and I love Thai food; however, I was very disappointed. The flavors were completely lacking and nothing was reminiscent of Thai food. We started off with fresh summer rolls (one of my wife’s favorites) and basically got a rolled up salad. Yes, I know what summer rolls are but these had zero flavor. The dipping sauce was basically peanut butter in a bowl, and had no flavor. Even the angle they were cut made them difficult to eat. Laughingly, the menu showed beef massaman curry as a “must try”, but I would have to pass if I ever went back (I won’t). My wife ordered the crispy pork belly with Chinese broccoli and, like my dish, did not care for it. Probably the one positive was my lemonade wasn’t too bad. Service could improve as well. My wife and I were one of the few customers yet the never checked on us, so even getting the bill was hard to do. I will say the setting is fairly nice, and there’s a free parking lot to use.

Food was good

Crystal Thai is an amazing food place! Great food and great service! Highly recommended!

Unfortunately, my dinner partner cancelled on me. So, I ordered take out. I had the summer roll with shrimp and chicken Pad Thai. Delicious!

Always love stopping here for a delicious lunch or dinner!

Great food. Quick service. Friendly staff.

We had the best time eating crispy flounder with spicy sauce and delicious Pad Thai at this place.

Excellent food here. I order delivery regularly with the spicy basil fried rice. And it is spicy. But spicy is good. Don't order spicy food and complain that it is spicy. Thai food is spicy. Get used to it.

The staff who answer the phone are friendly and efficient, they take your order and get done with it so you can get your food. And the drivers come and deliver it. They just give you your food, what more can I ask for?

Again, Crystal Thai has some amazing food, some great spicy food, and some delicious food. Normal wait for delivery is 45 minutes to an hour. And then you get the deliciousness at your door.

Thank you Crystal Thai for bringing Thai food to Arlington, Falls Church, and Fairfax County.

This is my Thai place of choice in Arlington! I typically do takeout. They are fast and my food is always so delicious!

First time we went to the restaurant to celebrate my birthday very disappointed in food as well as service.

This is the last time we come to this place. We have come to Crystal Thai many times over the years. We usually came for crispy catfish. Today we came for lunch and ordered drunken noodles and roasted honey duck. First, the portions were very small. They looked like appetizers. For $26 for the duck you expected a bit more. At least they could have added more broccoli to augment the size of the dish. Second, the flavor or I’d say the lack of flavor. The drunken noodles had no flavor at all even when we added the supposedly spice sauce. And third, the price. We spent $50+ for a lunch worth about $25. Not worth it anymore.

Not bad, but little bit on sweet side… To much for thai cuisine…

I will fully disclose that I have never eaten in-person here, I always get take out so I can’t speak to the service or atmosphere so my review will strictly be focused on the food.

This is not a bad Thai restaurant. This is also not a great Thai restaurant. I would say this place is very average in regards to Thai food in the area. If you enjoy spicy food I will give them good points for that - they will turn up the heat. However that’s just about as good as it gets for me. The food is somewhat bland compared to other Thai food I’ve had. I’ve never been blown away by a dish here, having tried an assortment of dishes (drunken noodles, pad see ew, spicy basil fried rice, spicy duck with basil). I’ve also noticed their prices are a bit higher than other restaurants as well, which is disappointing considering their quality is not better than the cheaper establishments.

The only reason I go here over better places is for convenience. I’m a short drive so it’s go to when I’m feeling lazy and need a Thai fix with accessible parking. Otherwise, I’d highly recommend Thai Square in Arlington or Bangkok Street in Fairfax if you’re looking for better tasting food. If you’re looking for a quick fix, this isn’t a bad place either.

Overpriced. $9 for a tiny piece of cheesecake. Food was good. Portion was small.

I was the Thailand Desk Officer at the U.S. Department of State for three years. The Thai embassy took me out to business meals at many different Thai restaurants in the area. I have traveled to Thailand many times. I have been to Crystal Thai about 10 times. This time was the last.. The quality of the food was INSULTING. We ordered drunken noodles and woon sen. Both are absolute staples of Thai cuisine. Both were flavorless. That is an indictment. Thai cuisine is one of the most strongly flavored in the world (perhaps only exceeded in intensity by Lao cuisine). These two dishes had the flavor intensity of spaghetti and meatballs. We complained: the response was "our customers don't like it spicy." Okay. Bye.

When I began dining at Crystal Thai in 1998, it was terrific. Everything on the menu was delicious. But in the last year or two, quality has taken a steep dive. Seafood smells spoiled, some meat dishes seem to be lacking traditional seasoning, and even dishes like Pad Thai are disappointing. The noodles are thick and sticky. Heck, who can screw up Pad Thai? Well, apparently they can at Crystal Thai.
Please Crystal Thai... restore quality.

Definitely my new go to place for Thai food. Plenty of parking, big tables, great service, good prices, and DELICIOUS lunch.

The food was okay, but it's not the best. The restaurant is cute and cozy.

I have no idea what happened with our food, but we got two entrees of drunken noodles for takeout and they were really bad. The noodles were totally white, with no seasoning, sauce, or anything in them. Only a few basil leaves. Totally "sober" noodles, if you will. I'm not sure if the takeout just messed up, but it was incredibly disappointing, like they just forgot to put any flavor on our noodles.

Good food (pad see ew, tofu)
Convenient parking right outside

Drunken noodles was good chicken good they use ½ red pepper flakes ½ jalapenos to get there heat Is portion size was good It's hard to get a good tasting drunken noodles but this place have seen to have done it

This place was phenomenal, absolutely delicious. We've sent friends and taken people to eat here several times, and everything we've ordered has been amazing.
No heat is okay, some heat is flavorful spicy, and hot is well HOT. I suggest going medium or was well balanced

Bomb !! And so many options .

servicable food, prefer other local options that offer larger portions for cheaper. had the basil fried rice and chicken basil.

Everything was great! Especially the food.

The Nam Tok is the best I have ever had. The Spring Rolls are always fresh.

Best Thai place I’ve ever been. EAT IN HERE!! Their takeout is amazing but for only the price of tipping you get Michelin star worthy service from the nicest staff, a sophisticated quiet ambiance, and I think larger portions than the takeout. Their service makes the Ritz blush in shame while you sink into the best Thai food. Try their fried calamari and you can thank me later.

Worth it.

Always top-quality Thai. Polite service for take-out in the shutdown age (although they did have some tables open 11/20). Very short wait.

Kind service, nice atmosphere, just ok cuisine.

My favorite thai resturant in the area

Excellent Thai cuisine. The duck was crispy and well seasoned

Among the more legit Thai places I’ve tried in the area, and the meat in all their dishes was done to perfection. Their pad Thai is a little sweet for my taste, but everything else was superb.

Very good Thai restaurant. Food was good and good selection of drinks. The massaman curry beef was not what I was expecting but live and learn. It's recommended on the menu bit was a very thick and strong flavor. Reminded me of the brown curry from Japan which isn't my favorite. Overall good food and good time. The chang beer brought back some core memories from Thailand.

Crystal Thai Restaurant is a true gem, and their Pad Thai deserves an enthusiastic five-star rating! Prepare your taste buds for an authentic explosion of flavors that will transport you straight to the bustling streets of Thailand.

The Pad Thai here is an absolute delight, boasting the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy notes. Every mouthful is a harmonious symphony of tender rice noodles, succulent shrimp or chicken (or your preferred protein), and a medley of crisp vegetables. The secret lies in their masterful sauce, a blend of tamarind, palm sugar, and just the right amount of spices, creating a dance of taste sensations you won't soon forget.

Oh, and the atmosphere and staff are equally delightful! The restaurant exudes a warm, welcoming ambiance, making you feel like part of the family from the moment you step inside. The friendly and attentive staff are there to ensure you have a memorable dining experience, ready to guide you through their menu or cater to any special requests.

So, if you find yourself craving an extraordinary Pad Thai experience, look no further than Crystal Thai Restaurant. They've mastered the art of crafting this iconic Thai dish, earning every single one of those five stars. Head on over and let your taste buds embark on a journey of pure delight!

I ordered number 42. Spicy mixd seafood, advertised as cooked with a chili paste. No chili paste. Instead they substituted an over abundance of bell peppers which weren’t even listed as an ingredient in the menu. I love spicy Thai food with normal ( yes, they are more expensive, especially in paste form) cayenne or habanero peppers. I can’t stomach bell peppers. If bell peppers were listed on the menu as an ingredient, I never would have ordered. Being penny wise and pound foolish in substituting cheaper ingredients to established/ advertised menu dinners, is a death knell to any restaurant.

Enjoyed the food and srvice.

Love getting takeout here, but everything tastes even better dining in. The crispy catfish and flounder fish dishes are amazing.

Absolutely amazing Thai cuisine!!

This place is so good!!

Best Thai restaurant in Arlington! You have to ask for spicy though, even if the dish says spicy, because of the types of customers they get, default is mild. I like spicy so this has made me a bit disappointed before, however even the default food is delicious and savory.

Just amazing! Probably the best Thai I've ever had!

I (we) am a repeat customer. The restaurant menu has many excellent choices. I have always found the food delicious and the service excellent. The restaurant is pleasant to be in. Parking is convenient to the restaurant entrance.

Nice Thai restaurant with high quality food. The red curry and Tom Yum soup were excellent!

Worst customer service EVER. I ordered mild and the cook made the dish too Spicy. When I complained the waitress told me was mild. It had so much chilli spice that the sauce was red. After Arlington county cited them for poor proper storage of food (defrosting chicken on a shelf) I stopped going - gave them another chance - but no more. Avoid.

I ordered the dumplings and wonton soup which ended up being just over $20. It came with 6 tiny dumplings and a very small soup that was 90% lettuce. The soup had 1 wonton in it. I’ve ordered here before and certain entrees were ok, but this order was ridiculously overpriced. Not coming back.

Food was okay

First time my wife and I came here. Food was great, a bit in pricy for the portion, for is at least. Server was wonderful, polite, and helpful.

Food is always great! Nice staff & cute holiday decor.

Good

We love the pork skewers and the whole fish here. Never disappoints.

Delicious food, good service, convenient location.

Will probably return as the food is good, but the hospitality on this visit was a bit frustrating. We have been here a few times, always on a Sunday afternoon and was always able to request a window seat. Today, however, we were told those were for reserved for parties of three and more. Which is fine except there was already a party of two seated in one of the window booths. Their dining room was 3/4 empty our whole visit so it’s not as if they needed to ration their seating to ensure they could seat all their guests. Not to mention every table in the dining room is capable of seating parties of at least three. Just not the greatest hospitality this visit.

Our favorite thai restaurant for the past few years. A regular in our family's take-out rotation. Favorite main dishes include: 76. Roasted Duck Curry, 77. Crispy Duck Basil, 57. Pad Woon Sen. Appetizer favorites: 3. Hae Kuen and 12. Steamed Dumpling. My son always orders the 1. Four Piece Chicken Satay.
Cute and friendly place to dine in, too!

My favorite place to go for their spring rools and dru ken noodles. New menu só alot of good food options.Good portions and friendly staff.

Really solid offerings, good price, and staff.

First time trying Thai food and I don’t regret coming here one bit. A bit pricey, but servings are generous and the food is great.

One of the areas best Thai restaurants. Period.

Delightful server was prompt and kind. Food was brought quickly and made to order.

Great food!

Ordered take out for 2 soups. Arrived and waited for over an hour and still waiting. People are lined up waiting for take out and the kitchen is filling orders incorrectly.

If you do take out don’t pay until you receive your food otherwise you’re held hostage waiting forever.

Horrible horrible horrible experience.

Best Thai place I know in NoVA

The sticky rice did not have a lot of flavor

This restaurant used to be my favorite lunch spot that I would go occasionally to enjoy good Thai food. I would have given this restaurant 5 star but my recent experience made me rethink.
Today I went there and ordered from the luncheon special menu. I asked the server if the choice of meat can be mix of beef and chicken and the answer was a simple yes! They brought the meal and after finishing I asked for the check. Surprisingly I noticed I am overcharged for the meal (%50 more). I asked the server and she said it’s because we added beef and it’s an extra charge of $5. Although I voiced my disapproval they didn’t try to do anything about it. I didn’t have time to argue or escalate the issue to the manager.
My meal even didn’t have extra amount of meat and I don’t believe I should pay %50 more for a request without informing me first.
I would give this restaurant 2 stars just because of past good experiences I had. The restaurant shouldn’t treat their loyal customers like this. I don’t see myself doing business with them again.

My mom and I love the fried whole flounder

Food was great service was good and nice staff also very easy to order.

My family and I just had our New Years Eve dinner here and it saddens me to write this review.
I have been coming to this restaurant for more than 30 years. I have brought friends and work colleagues throughout those years and in the 90’s and early 2000’s , the food was amazing , dinning room and facilities were immaculate and staff were welcoming and friendly. Tragically, as owners and menu changed, the days where the service staff, proudly wore their Thai attire, are LONG GONE and the plates that came out of the kitchen were works of art!
I have noticed the decline over the past several years but still kept my loyalty to the place.
This last meal was my final.
Although we were a table of nine and were ordering everything on the menu and were all in a jovial mood to bring in the the new year, the atmosphere weee SAD. The two ladies that served our table couldn’t have cared less. The service was offensive and we should have walked out during the meal. The waitresses were walking up to the table and standing there with the food and expected us to manage the plates and serve. The bottle of alcohol were dropped off the table and it was our duty to serve the wine. The food that was delivered was mediocre, barely warm and it so lacked in the quality equal to the prices.
Awful, awful, awful.
We moved out of the neighborhood 20+ years ago but I continued to make the 30 minute drive, although we have several other Thai options 5 minutes away.
This review closes our chapter on what once used to be a fine and authentic Thai restaurant and what has turned into an OVER PRICED Thai Cafeteria food!

Has been my favorite Thai restaurant years ago. After moving out of the area then returning to area to visit, they still have an awesome Potpourri seafood rice. I had it along with a Thai Ice Tea. Was very good.

The service was excellent.

The food was delicious, the place has a cozy feeling, its beautifully decorated. Our waiter was very nice.

Great pad thai!!!!

Order frequently for delivery. The quality and taste are good and delivered on time.
The last two orders were disappointing because the portions were smaller than before
Called this to the attention of manager and the chef disputes portion reduction. Containers were luncheon square size not round size as previously.

muy. buena. comida. excelente. atención. muy. limpio

Nice atmosphere in the restaurant. Friendly waitstaff. Food was just okay

We really enjoyed this place. We had the Pad Thai, drunken noodles, spring rolls, and spicy seafood. All were very good. I would definitely recommend this place.

The Food is awlays DELICIOUS!

I’ve tried Thai options all over the city and am fortunate that this one is in my backyard.

Nice & clean. Food & Drinks were Delicious. Great waiter.

Crystal Thai one of my favorites. The green curry chicken is second best ever, their yellow curry chicken is the best ever and the Pad Prik King I couldn't stop eating until it was gone. For dessert you must try the sticky rice with mango...it is by far the most scrumptious dessert I had to date. It's like putting a spoonful of heaven in your mouth where the back of your throat and your tongue will fight for possession. Excellent!

Yum, yum Thai!

Best Thai I've had in a long time, and I live in the NYC/NJ area where there is a plethora of Thai restaurants. Awesome food. Crystal Thai!

Ha! We love Thai restaurant. Whenever we call, they know exactly what we will order without telling them (chicken Fried Rice and Thai Iced). Highly Recommend.

Our go to local Thai restaurant. Very fast delivery even though they always say 45 mins to an hour.

Great food and service. Will certainly return. Mango, sticky rice is a must!

I have a somewhat limited perspective since I only get their drunken noodles with chicken. However, having tried the vast majority of drunken noodles at other Thai restaurants, I have to say this is the best I have had. So, if you are a drunken noodle aficionado, give this place a try!

Crystal Thai is our favorite place to "date night!" The food is always amazing and everyone is so kind. The inside seating is socially distant and safe.

Great food. Nice staff!

Wonderful people..staff is outstanding

Best Thai food in Arlington

Great curries and the street food pork skewers are truly exceptional.

Friendly staff and great food. Hits the spot when you're in the mood for Thai at a fair price. The Thai steak is great mixed with rice and the house pepper selection (ask for the peppers when you order). Will continue to visit.

This is now my favorite Thai restaurant in No. VA. Reasonable prices, tasty food, nice and welcoming staff. Very clean in a safe neighborhood with plenty of parking. I will frequent this locally owned establishment!

Yummy!

Delicious, sums it up. From the curry to the pad thai to the honey duck, this little place knows what they're doing! Looking forward to going back.

This was my favorite restaurant when I lived in Arlington. I still miss it so much! Terrific service and excellent food. My favorite are the curries. I can't wait to go back.

Okay

Got delivery via GrubHub. Food arrived on time (maybe a little early) and was much better than the other Thai delivery options we've tried locally. Lots of vegetarian options, too.
UPDATED: This place is a gem. We ate here one evening over the holidays and enjoyed our experience. Tonight my husband picked up take-out. We tried some new dishes and everything was great -- perfect amount of spice (Tom Yum soup, spicy crispy catfish), and comforting but not oily. Delicious!

Great Thai menu.

Good food, good atmosphere and good service.

Great Thai food in it's own right. But extra bonus for being walkable for Arlington Forest residents!

Love the service and the food was excellent. Will be back for sure..👍

Best Thai around. Whenever we're in the area we'r always stop here for a great meal.

A delicious food of Thai

Good food.

We will miss your Thai food

Thai food is delicious and their customer service is great! Nice clean atmosphere too!

Great food, service and atmosphere!

For Arlington, this is one of the more polished Thai restaurants. The interior is elegant and welcoming. Definitely worth coming for lunch or dinner. The staff is hard working and accommodating.

Always delicious

This place is wonderful. The food is consistently great and the kids meals are wonderful if you have little ones. They are tasty, large portions, and a great price.

Love the variety of dishes. Fast service and atmosphere. Great for take out too

Absolutely amazing!!!

This is how a margarita is served, if the restaurant does not know what a margarita is, it is better not to sell a margarita

Nice place

Best thai food in Arlington, hands down

Elegant decor once you step inside. Great wine selection. The food was delicious and it was my first time trying Thai food. The wait staff was very patient and offered suggestions that were spot on. Will return to dine here again!

The best Thai restaurant I've ever been too and the service is excellent!

I have been to Crystal Thai three times. And all three times, the meals came out at separate times, causing a less-than-ideal dining experience for our group. Not a good thing, and can't figure out why they can't seem to address this problem. And the place was not full each of the three times. The food is great, but not worth the issue of meal delays. Hope they can fix this.

The best Thai food I have ever tasted

Good service with lots of vegetarian options. Food was prepared as per our requirements & served quickly. Certainly worth a visit

A great place for Thai food. Great take out as well as dine in. Service is fast and there is seldom a wait. Good size parking lot and nearby street parking. Quick service on takeout as well. Friendly and helpful staff. Consistently high quality food and service.

Very nice pad thai great seating

GREAT food and service.

Crystal Thai is a very solid Thai restaurant. The food is good and the service is reliably good as well. It's been one of our go-to Thai places for many years.

thai place with all the regular dishes, plus duck and catfish, other great thai dishes

Great food and service

Always delicious with amazing service. I come here at least twice a week for the lunch special.