Lotus of Siam

Lotus of Siam on East Sahara Avenue in Las Vegas has been called the best Thai restaurant in North America by multiple authoritative food critics, including the late Jonathan Gold, and that reputation has held for more than two decades. Chef Saipin Chutima, who trained in Thailand and relocated to Nevada in 1999, brought with her a command of Northern Thai and Chiang Mai-style cuisine that is exceptionally rare outside Thailand itself. While most Thai restaurants in America offer a standardized Central Thai repertoire, Lotus of Siam's menu extends into the more complex, herb-forward, fermented-ingredient-rich cooking of the North — dishes that are unfamiliar to most diners and revelatory when encountered for the first time. Nam Khao Tod, a crispy rice salad packed with fermented sausage, fresh herbs, and chili, is one of the most distinctive Thai dishes available in the United States. Kow Soy, the Chiang Mai noodle soup with braised meat, egg noodles, and coconut-inflected broth, has developed a devoted following across the country. Sator Pad Prik Khing features the pungent stink bean rarely found in American Thai restaurants. The restaurant occupies an unassuming strip mall location east of the Strip, and the lunch buffet — priced at approximately $18 — offers exceptional value and breadth, allowing exploration of dishes most diners have never encountered. Dinner service is more expensive and à la carte. The wine list is surprisingly extensive, with a particular collection of German Rieslings that the Chutima family has long championed as the ideal pairing for the restaurant's spice levels. Reservations for dinner are accepted and recommended.