PAI

The story

PAI Toronto | Michelin Recommended Northern Thai Restaurant in Toronto

PAI: Northern Thai Cooking in the Heart of Toronto

PAI Northern Thai Kitchen brings the bold, aromatic cooking of Northern Thailand to downtown Toronto. The restaurant is the work of Executive Chef and owner Nuit Regular, who learned to cook in her mother’s kitchen before leaving her career as a nurse to share her family’s recipes. Her cooking is rooted in the street markets and home kitchens of Northern Thailand, and she has been recognized as one of Toronto’s most influential chefs. PAI has earned a place in the MICHELIN Guide, a testament to the authenticity and precision of her Northern Thai cuisine.

The story of PAI begins with a chance encounter on an elephant ride in Northern Thailand, where Chef Nuit met her husband, Jeff. They opened a small restaurant called the Curry Shack in the town of Pai, where Nuit would cook after her hospital shifts. That passion for real, meticulous cooking—infused with the habits of a nurse—carried over when they moved to Canada. In 2008, they opened Sukhothai, and PAI followed as a natural extension of their goal: to recreate the exact flavours and experience of eating in Thailand.

The menu at the downtown location on Duncan Street is a deep dive into Northern Thai cuisine. Standouts include the Khao Soi, a golden coconut milk curry served with fresh egg noodles and crispy toppings, and the Northern Thai Platter, which brings together deep-fried squash fritters, barbecue pork skewers, laab salad, and homemade Northern Thai sausage with sticky rice. Chef Nuit’s Pad Thai, made with a house-made tamarind-palm sugar sauce, is a signature. The kitchen also offers curries like Gaeng Massaman and Gaeng Kiaw Wan (green curry), each made with a careful hand.

PAI’s recognition in the MICHELIN Guide reflects what regulars have known for years: this is cooking that respects its roots. The restaurant has also been awarded the prestigious Thai SELECT Signature designation by the government of Thailand, marking it as an authentic Thai dining experience. Chef Nuit’s influence extends beyond the kitchen—she has consulted for restaurants across Canada and serves as a judge on Food Network’s Wall of Chefs.

The atmosphere at the downtown location is warm and unpretentious, with a focus on the food. The restaurant welcomes walk-ins and offers limited reservations, encouraging guests to drop in and experience the full PAI experience. Whether you come for a quick lunch or a leisurely dinner, the cooking speaks for itself.