AUSTIN (KXAN) — It’s one of the most exciting times of the year for foodies: The New York Times just dropped its best restaurants list.
Four Texas restaurants made the cut, and two of them are in Austin.
“The Restaurant List 2025” from The New York Times was released last week. The newspaper sent 14 reporters and editors on 76 flights to eat more than 200 meals across 33 states to compile this year’s selections. According to The Times, more than half of this year’s restaurants opened since the 2024 list was released last year.
The two Austin restaurants that made the prestigious top 50 in the country list were Lao’d Bar and P Thai’s Khao Man Gai & Noodles. The two other Texas joints listed were ChòpnBlok in Houston and Isidore in San Antonio.
Lao’d Bar, the Lao-American bar and restaurant in east Austin, opened last April in the same lot as Sign Bar on FM 969. The restaurant posted about making the NYT list on its social media pages, saying it was “honored (and honestly a little stunned)” that it had been included.
“To be recognized on a national stage, alongside so many incredible restaurants, is beyond anything we could have imagined when we opened our doors in April 2024,” the post caption reads in part. “This list celebrates the flavors, stories, and communities shaping the way America eats — and we’re proud to put Lao cuisine right in the middle of that conversation.”
NYT Food Writer Priya Krishna wrote a blazing review of Lao’d Bar. “Everyone here is sweating, and it’s not because of the Texas heat. The flavors of Lao’d Bar are relentless in the best way,” she wrote.
According to Krishna’s review, Lao’d chef Bob Somsith used to run a Southeast Asian food truck, and he “roots his cooking in Laotian tradition,” but “isn’t afraid to take creative liberties.”
Her review also noted that the restaurant itself “feels more like a house party” than a restaurant, with garage doors, string lights and colorful tablecloths.
Lao’d is located at 9909 FM 969 (Building 4) and is open in the afternoons and evenings, Wednesday through Monday. It’s closed on Tuesdays. Menu and hours are listed online.
Krishna was also behind the review of P Thai’s Khao Man Gai, the other Austin restaurant on the list. The Airport Boulevard restaurant serves Thai-Chinese style cuisine, led by Chef Thai Changthong, according to its website.
P Thai’s website says Chef Thai blends his mother’s recipes and traditions into the menu, “creating a cultural bridge that invites you to relish the genuine taste of cross-cultural harmony.”
Krishna’s review also praised the blend of cultures that comes across in the menu’s flavor palette. “His version [of khao man gai] is a masterpiece,” she wrote. “This cooking speaks to the distinct cuisine born of Chinese immigrants who moved to Thailand, adapting their dishes to the electric flavors of their new home.”
P Thai’s posted about making the list on its social media as well, thanking Krishna for the review.
“My family here at P Thai we are very honored to be included in NYT list for best restaurants. My dream is to bring street food from Thailand here to Austin and at P Thai specifically bringing Khao Man Gai, Thai style Hainanese chicken rice. With this it also allows me to bring more Thai street food with influences from Chinese immigrants in Thailand. Thank you so much everyone and @priyakrishna from all of us. We are a small family here but we will continue to work hard and cook to the moon 🌙 for you 🙏🏻🙏🏻”
P Thai’s is located at 4807 Airport Blvd. and has varying hours depending on the day. Its hours and menu are listed online.
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