Larb Thai-Isan

We haven’t found a better Thai restaurant in all of South Florida than Larb Thai-Isan. This narrow, colorful Fort Lauderdale restaurant is making the best versions we’ve ever had of Thai dishes like khao soi, larb, and som tum in an area that’s dense with corporate chain restaurants.

Every ingredient in every dish—from each spicy strand of papaya to the tender drumstick that floats in the khao soi—tastes like the perfect form of itself. And it’s also just a pleasure to eat here. Service is incredibly friendly, quick, and most tables have a view of the kitchen, where you’ll watch cooks pound, chop, and prepare the most delicious things you’ll find in a 20-mile radius.   

photo credit: Cleveland Jennings

Food Rundown

photo credit: CLEVELAND JENNINGS / @EATTHECANVASLLC

Tum Pu & Pla-Ra

There's an entire chunk of the menu dedicated to som tum, and our favorite is this mash-up, which tosses salted crab and fermented fish sauce into the crunchy papaya. If you really want it spicy, don't hesitate to say so. They’ll ask, and if you say medium, you won't get much of a kick.

photo credit: CLEVELAND JENNINGS / @EATTHECANVASLLC

Larb

The larb is tender, flavorful, and (like pretty much everything here) the best version we've had in South Florida. Go for the pork over the chicken.

photo credit: CLEVELAND JENNINGS / @EATTHECANVASLLC

Khao Soi

Every noodle dish on the menu deserves a little noodle-shaped trophy engraved with, like, 400 exclamation points. But even infinity exclamation points doesn’t do the khao soi justice. It’s that rare dish that truly deserves the word perfect. And the chicken leg that juts from the bowl has meat so tender the breeze from the air conditioner could knock it off the bone.