Thai Spice

1210 S Gilbert St # 200, Iowa City, IA 52240, United States
$$$ Thai restaurant
(504 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Welcome to Thai Spice, a hidden gem in the heart of Iowa City that promises an authentic Thai culinary experience. Nestled at 1210 S Gilbert St #200, this quaint restaurant is much more than just a place to eat; it’s a celebration of vibrant flavors and warm hospitality.

As you step inside, you’ll immediately notice the intimate atmosphere, characterized by cozy seating and thoughtful decor that reflects the rich culture of Thailand. The ambiance is perfect for a relaxed meal with friends or a cozy dinner date. The service is attentive yet unobtrusive, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the experience.

The menu at Thai Spice boasts a diverse selection of dishes that cater to both traditional Thai enthusiasts and newcomers alike. For those starting their meal with something fresh and zesty, the Yam Yai lettuce salad provides a refreshing kick, while the Yam Woon Sen and Papaya Salad showcase the restaurant's expertise in balancing sweet, sour, and spicy flavors.

Moving on to the chef's special offerings, prepare your taste buds for delightful creations such as the Green Curry Pasta with Shrimp, which merges iconic Thai spices with a comforting pasta twist. A local favorite, the Pad See Ew, is a must-try; it’s made with handmade noodles that truly elevate the dish, reflecting the commitment to quality ingredients that keep patrons coming back for more.

But don’t just take our word for it! Customers rave about their experiences at Thai Spice. Local resident Kununya Reed declares the food “amazing” and highlights the impressive flavors that speak to authentic Thai cuisine. Shanilka recounts braving the snowy streets for a taste, stating unequivocally that it was “absolutely worth it.” These real customer experiences underline the inviting nature of Thai Spice and their dedication to quality service.

If you're in the mood for adventure, try the chef's specials like the Curry Pineapple with Duck or the rich Red Curry with Duck. Each dish is crafted with care and bursting with flavor, ensuring a memorable dining experience that lingers long after the last bite. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of Thai food or simply looking to explore new culinary horizons, Thai Spice has something for everyone.

With a stellar reputation in the local community, Thai Spice is not just a restaurant; it's an essential stop for anyone looking to savor authentic Thai flavors in Iowa City. Treat yourself to an incredible meal that’s bound to become a favorite.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
No wheelchair-accessible entrance
From the business
Identifies as Asian-owned
Identifies as women-owned
Service options
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Has fast service
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves healthy options
Has private dining room
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Romantic
Trendy
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Popular with university students
Payments
Accepts cheques
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

,

4:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

,

4:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

,

4:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

,

4:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

,

4:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

,

4:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Sunday

4:30 AM - 9:00 PM

504 Reviews
Kununya Reed

12 Sep 2025

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!

Henry Eicher

07 Sep 2025

First time to this establishment. Had a wonderful experience. The food was delicious. The wait staff friendly. The atmosphere relaxing. This is a small restaurant so the seating is limited. But we were seated right away. We arrived at 6:45 p.m. Beer and wine are served but we opted for water. I ordered the fish cake appetizer. 4 on a plate. It was delicious. My friend ordered Pad Thai with beef and I had the Crabmeat with curry and vegetables. Mine came with white rice. Both dishes were excellent. We ate as much as we could and brought home the leftovers. I highly recommend this place. It was a little hard to find but worth finding.

Shanilka

26 Aug 2025

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

Coopie Cake

16 Aug 2025

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.

Candace Wise

08 Aug 2025

Excellent local place! Definitely recommend the Green Curry Pasta with Shrimp AND the 3 Sampler Appetizer!!

Ricki Parizek

10 Jun 2025

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

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