Delivery
Yes
Playground in Jackson Heights
Categories
Location on the map
Jackson Heights, Queens County, New York, US
Service options
Takeaway
Yes
Dine-in
Yes
Health and safety
Staff required to disinfect surfaces between visits
Yes
Popular for
Lunch
Yes
Dinner
Yes
Solo dining
Yes
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
No
Offerings
Coffee
Yes
Comfort food
Yes
Healthy options
Yes
Late-night food
Yes
Small plates
Yes
Dining options
Lunch
Yes
Dinner
Yes
Dessert
Yes
Amenities
Toilets
Yes
Atmosphere
Casual
Yes
Cosy
Yes
Crowd
Groups
Yes
University students
Yes
Planning
Accepts reservations
Yes
Payments
Cash only
Yes
Phone: +1 718-779-7912
Opening hours
- Monday:3–11:45PM
- Tuesday:3–11:45PM
- Wednesday:3–11:45PM
- Thursday:3–11:45PM
- Friday:3–11:45PM
- Saturday:3–11:45PM
- Sunday:3–11:45PM
Playground in other cities:
Comments (123)
Amazing as usual. Affordable prices and delicious food. Drinks were spotless. Waitresses were also pretty nice.Highly recommended.
The taste has same as eating in Thailand and if you love Thai food I recommend this restaurant.
Little expensive but worth the try
Good Thai restaurant, great service. Their spicy level is a lot spicier than other places., you have been warned.
Out of all the Thai restaurants in the area of Elmhurst/Jackson Heights which is known as Little Thailand this was our least favorite. The Papaya salad was good but it was the LEAST FRESH tasting Papaya salad we ate in the area. The food was not bad but it was less fresh than other places.
If you like Thai restaurants like Somtum Der, youll like Playground. We ordered chicken pad see ew, the signature spicy catfish (pad ped pla mook), BBQ pork, and the spicy pork spare rib soup with tamarind (tom zaab), and the steamed bread with Thai pandan custard (pang sangkaya), and everything was excellent. If I had to pick a favorite, the spicy pork spare rib soup had amazing flavor, balanced perfectly between sour and spicy. On top of the A+ food, the service was friendly and attentive, so this is definitely a place Ill be keeping in the rotation.
This is my first time here and boom! Surprise! Authentic and tasty Thai food with great price,have to be back!
Awesome authentic Thai food. Great prices.
I Love foods here .this is Great place for dinners..😋😋😋 and Affordable prices
The food here is really delicious. Im still going through their menu to try as much as I can. Just note that their spicy is very spicy, at least according to my taste buds. Even mild can give a kick unlike usual mild. But overall, flavorful dishes.
This is the best Thai food in NYC, at least for me. The Tamarind with fish is amazing. Careful with the spice as they tend to be spicier over other Thai restaurants.
This place is always busy! One of the best Thai spots Ive tried so far. They dont skimp you on the veggies in the Tom Yum soup. The pad Thai was delicious. Great spot. 10/10 highly recommend.
A great place that actually serves traditional Thai food. I have been to so many Thai restaurants in Manhattan, but those are more like American Thai restaurants.
Great place with incredibly tasty and high quality food! Suggested by locals and lived to our expectations for the best Thai place in Queens! Additionally - you dont have to pay the equivalence of a kidney to get nice portion of food with organic and tasty ingredients!
Amazing amazing amazingthe spot to go if youre looking for authentic thai food. This place is always buzzing with locals, many of which are Thai so you know the food is good. One thing to be wary of is their measure for level of spiciness. I, for one, have a pretty high tolerance. I can easily eat mexican spicy food without a sweat as well as thai in other restaurants. However, this place DOES NOT PLAY. I have to sometimes resort to mild and medium is already pushing it for some dishes. If youre not 100% sure, start out with a mild spicy. Rather that than not being able to enjoy the delicious food.
This place has some great dishes, and they can get very spicy. The atmosphere is nice, however seating is limited.
It is definitely one of the best Thai restaurants in New York. While service is not as polished as Ayada nearby, food is nearly as good, and the menu is more adventurous. Fried grasshoppers are delightful and they do not hold back with their spiciness level. Highly recommended.
Really good Southern Thai. Please keep the food exactly the way it is!I live in the area so its one of my two go-to Thai places (seriously ignore the Michelin Star as a differentiator, those dudes go colorblind and short-circuit the second you put some spice in their food).P.S. I love that they actually listen to me when I ask for very spicy.
Love the staff and food. But they lost 1 star for failing to have a “Cash Only” sign at the door. We were caught by surprise and had to scramble to go get cash. Nothing about our experience was bad other than the bill situation. A more clearer heads up is due for unwarned customers.
Great place ... Second time i visit ... I order a 1/2 roasted 1/2 crispy pork with 2 sauces and rice ... Was delicious ! My friends came through and order the pad sew yu chicken (i think it spelled like that ) black noddle with chicken and was so nice! Has a secretive and romantic atmosfere nice severs and great food
This is my favorite Thai restaurant in NYC hands down. So good that even after taking a 45 minute Lyft and being sat in the odd table in right in front of the entrance on the coldest day in NYC, I still have the audacity to rate in 5 starts.Playground has a full menu with all the favorites from central and southern Thailand, but you must start with a papaya salad. The flavors of the fresh and spicy salad mimicked those from any cart in Bangkok. I firmly believe the authenticity surpasses even Somtum Der,s namesake. Beware though, we ordered it not so spicy for one of the less adventurous of our group and it was still very spicy.Anything past that on the menu is a safe bet. Last time I went I shared the Massaman Curry and the Pad Kee Mao, two of my favorite thai dishes and they met my expectations spot on. Unfortunately, the waiter misheard my request for pretty spicy for very spicy and I almost had to put on a new shirt my night out in Astoria afterward. Still worth it though. Cant be a wimp. Of course the Pad Thai is sweet and peanuty, but you cant be so basic and order that every time, can you?
We made a reservation after having read an article about this place. The appetizers- Tom yum soup and moo sanook were good. However, the main course- Braised pork over rice looked STALE and carried a wretched smell. When I took a small bite, it tasted horrid which was very off-putting. I complained to the manager about switching the dish with something else on the menu. The server asked the manager, and the manager said “NO”. The manager clearly did not care about the customers. Never going here again.
Delicious shareable sized plates.
Very good food and surprisingly different style and taste from the other Thai restaurants around 37th Ave in Jackson Heights. I felt as if I was eating authentic Thai food.We had the BBQ pork appetizer and a huge amount was served with an amazing spicy sauce.We also had the pad Thai which was easily the best that I have ever had.Only draw back is that seating seems limited , so I can imagine that during peak hours you may have to wait.Friendly staff.I am definitely going to eat here again...tonight in fact...lol...
The soup was really different than anything I have ever tasted. I do like mixed flavours, so i loved this one. The noodles were extremely tasty and I enjoyed them as well. I highly recommend this place.
One of the best Thai restaurants in Queens. If you can handle spice, go here! They serve some eclectic dishes that you wont see in typical Thai places.
Come here three times per month. They changed the chef. Taste different compare before the pandemic. I tried twice but just not the same. Very disappointed.
Delicious food, best thai restaurant in new york
Service - 5starsTaste- 5stars( if you cant eat spicy, order minimal spicy)Choices-5stars( they have a bar also)Deco-5......stars-ish (retro)Price - not too expensive ( spend $50 for 2 full grown adults)I recommend the raw shrimps in fish sauce, medium spicy, pair with fizzy soda.
Food was good as always, I come here often but they put me in the dunce table, by the door, extra drafty and cold. Tables opened in the back, asked to move tables, ignored us. Ask for check they came fast, but they never came to collect it so we left it at bar, they just ignored us again.
Nice service and very delicious food. It was a great first experience. Highly recommended.
One of a few good Thai restaurants in nyc. It also doubles as a karaoke place especially on weekends. They specialize in some drinking food and have pretty unique menu items besides the basics.
This is by far the best place for me and my wife to go in NYC to get REAL Thai food. Be prepared the menu is huge and they have excellent cocktail specials
3 dollar beers 5 dollar cocktails. Ant salad, fried grasshoppers, fried silkworms. I only tried the Ant salad. I wont order again. Tasted like sour shrimpy salad. Som tum was ok. Bit on the sweet side. Grilled livers were great. Pink noodle soup was also on the sweet side. I ordered this based on friends recommendation but i wouldnt order again.
Spicing, food combos have the rare quality of feeling like home-cooking while tasting like sophisticated dishes. A step away from the Pad-esque quality of Thai while providing an ample range of choices.
Excellent food. The Tom yum soup is the best in Queens. The peneng Curry and spicy basil fried rice is delicious as well.
Best Papaya Salad ever!!! Order the Thai crab papaya salad. Wonderful service. Every dish we ordered was so delicious.
The braised pork leg over rice was distasteful and the spice level on the soups were too high. The customer service was terrible. Do not recommend at all.
Willing to finally confess publicly that this is my favorite Thai restaurant in an area that is quickly coming to be known as the Thai capital of the East Coast. They specialize in a truly unique roster of Isaan drinking food, ranging from cured sausages to insect-topped salads. They also dish out solid curries, larbs, and other Bangkok-style khao food. This place has probably the longest happy hour in Queens - $3 bottles of Singha and $5 tropical cocktails from 5pm-3am. This is also a karaoke bar after 2am and becomes a hotspot for SE asian food service workers during its late hours. Waitresses/bartenders are accommodating and friendly.
Food are delicious and prices are affordable. If you love Thai food you definitely need to try here. Services are excellent! 😋💖😉
Oh it was great!! Spiciest food ever!
A small, cozy restaurant with authentic Thai food. Bring your iron stomach because its pretty spicy! The service was great!
It’s soo gross that I found a worm 🐛 in my food and on top of that they charged me. What a filthy restaurant…first and last!!!
First time eating here, food was good but somehow it took so long and we get tired already before the food come out. really wish they can make it faster. #cook faster lol
Horrible rude service. Food is also dry. The staff needs to be retrained on customer service and knowledge of the business they are running.
Real thaï food, for those who like spicy food, this is the paradise. I tried a lot of thaï food, but this one is among my favorites. Portions are really fair for the price.
Super great place to have really traditional Thai food. Must try Pad Ped and Ton Yum if u like spicyyy. Cash only.
It is a perfect all round Thai restaurant in Jackson High area. Great food, friendly staffs and happy hour cocktail drinks..best of all open late on the weekend.
Real authentic Thai food. Everything on the menu is recommended, you won’t regret it.
Absolutely fantastic food, very helpful and friendly staff.The only place weve returned to in the fortnight weve been here - Its that good
You need to accept other modes of payment other than joust cash! Come on now, get along with the time.
Great Thai food, large portions, everything was great.. I want to come back late nite on weekends for karaoke..
Food was good but the train outside makes it too loud for conversation.. especially dining out side
Nice and authentic Thai food. Staff always friendly. 10 stars service!!
Go upstairs for the hotpot. Ive been to 99 and hometown. So far, this is the best hotpot Ive had. Worth every penny.
Love the food here
Thai Bar with excellent service. Kind and generous! Good environment to being friends with. Often busy at peak times.
Awesome. Best Thai food in NYC. Far better than Sripraphai now. Reminds me of what Sripraphai was like 15 years ago.
So upset to see that mistake 😞😞 its not clolona ..Its corona mexican beer
Really great Thai food, I will be coming back here for sure.
I am Nepali and I love this Thai place . Great service plus food are delicious.
Absolutely amazing, and very spicy if you want it to be!
Best Thai restaurant in NY, not much online presence but have the best food. Also its cash only
Very yummy real Thai food.
Nice authentic thai food. freindly staff, fast take out
Great place, amazing food and very affordable. Nothing fancy just good food and great vibes.
Terrible and slow service, the restaurant wasnt even packed and it took almost an hour to get them to realize that I ordered food. Dont eat here.
Great foods. Make sure to lower a notch of spiciess when ordering spicy foods.
Yes and yes! i will probably come back! i love the food and they are really friendly with customers
Good location, clean place, delicious food, good service, and reasonable price.
Great ethnic Thai. Not Amercanized. Well prepared for a reasonable price.
A very nice place to sit and have a drink and have some good pork..
Cash only place that is totally worth it. Very authentic, reasonable prices, and huge portions.
The food was delicious and waitress are polite and friendly
I be waiting for more than a half an hour one plate.
Excellent, flavorful, authentic. Great late night spot!
The best Thai food in town.
Food is GREAT.....The staff is SO NICE....
Best Thai food around here
Delicious Thai local food.
Great food and decor but cramped space!
Cant wait to return and try more dishes
Great food very flavorful and very filling
Delicious. Dilectible. Sexy. 5 star
Best Thai food in Jackson hight
Good Food
Good Food
Mild salads are super spicy
Very authentic food.... great ...
Always love this place ...
Authentic thai food for thai people
Delicious foods
This one one of the only places that spicy is SPICY!!!!!!
Best this food in town !
Small place good food
Amazing 👏
Delicious!!!!
Fun place
Wow! The food is phenomenon.
Good food bad service
Love this place
Absolutely delicious
Great service!!
Closest thing to being in Thailand.
Good
Test was awesome
TERRIBLE SERVICE!!!!
Satisfying
The decor is pretty good and the exotic hot pot is delicious
Sawadikap !!! A-Loiiiiii !!!
Try to see how good it is.
The food is delicious 👍
The best in queens !!!!
Total reviews rating 4.4
123 Reviews for Playground 2023:
Review №1
2022-07-09Playground is an outstanding Thai dining experience. Restaurant is cozy, intimate and relaxing. We had a party of eight and were accommodated comfortably. Calamari was fresh and delicious. Barbecued pork with sticky rice was tangy and grilled to perfection. Chicken wings were equally fresh and delicious. My Thai Iced tea I had with my meal was also fresh and delicious. All servers exceptionally kind, patient and helpful. Very highly recommended!
Review №2
2022-01-19Playground has a special place in my heart. I absolutely love their yummy authentic Thai dishes. Ive been there at least a 100 times over the years and they never lose the mark. If you want great authentic Thai food thats also priced well - this is your spot!
Review №3
2022-07-21This restaurant never fails to bring deliciousness to the table. This authentic thai restaurant is the best for queens or maybe even nyc. This restaurant have high level spicyness so if you cant handle really spicy just take regular. Worth to try
Review №4
2022-07-31To me, this is the best thai food in the jackson heights/elmhurst area. Really recommend if you like intense, punchy flavors. Spicy, fishy, fermented, savory, herbal, and complex. Nothing Ive ordered has been sweet at all, which I like, though Im sure they add sugar to dishes as appropriate. Medium spicy is actually quite spicy to me, much spicier than other places.
Review №5
2022-02-21Love the food here, tasty like traditional Thai style. Good service.
Review №6
2022-04-19This used to be my favorite Thai restaurant. Last couple times I have been here though, the quality of the food had changed ( to worse) and the prices went drastically up. When you put a price up the least you can do is deliver a quality dish and service. The tofu is fried in some old almost black oil, tastes and looks horrible. They use the same pan to fry different dishes, which we noticed after we ordered a vegetarian dish and it tasted like pork the previous time. Very unsanitary and gross. Lastly the service is ok most of the time, but there is always that person who is not happy working there and might ruin your meal. Short bob cut brunette was helping me out and after i requested more of the vinegar peppers,( cause there are only 2 pieces literally) , she made a face like its the hardest thing to do. Wasnt even busy, i was the only customer there.
Review №7
2022-04-25One of the best Thai restaurants in Elmhurst
Review №8
2019-02-26Good food and great vibe! We are addicted to the food here . Cant think of going anywhere else of Thai food.cool staff . Keep it up! Cheers!!
Review №9
2019-07-31This place does real authentic southern Thai food. It’s hard to find places that really do the Spiciness level just right and this place is one of those. Whole fish was so bright and flavorful; perfectly fried and goes perfectly w sticky rice. We also ordered the crispy chicken, pork and fish jowl salad which was a lovely (also spicy) counter balance to the acidity of the soooo delicious King garden whole fish. An amazing meal in a lovely spot.
Review №10
2021-03-09Such a cozy and delicious Thai restaurant near Jackson heights. Have been a regular customer and will also be one.