Pata Cafe - Elmhurst, New York

Sophie H.

I’m usually very reluctant to give a 5/5 for food but this place is a jewel. Mother/Daughter owned authentic hole-in-the-wall Thai place. Their salads made me think of the Thailand street vendors—I’m obsessed with the glass noodle one… shrimp tom yum noodles has a sweetness from coconut milk ,& the best drunken noodles I ever had in NY. Prices are very reasonable $14 a dish. Service was warm and friendly. Cash or Venmo only

Steph W.

The establishment is a very small mom and pop shop with a few tables for indoor dining. They also even sell lottery tickets! You can peer into their “kitchen” which I’m pretty sure is a portable stovetop. The inside has very cute décor. The staff were extremely friendly. They accept cash or venmo only!
We started with a mango slushie (a little watered down and icy) and a Thai iced tea (delicious and creamy).
Pata Yum Gai Zabb (3/5): Sadly, the dish was salty beyond belief! Luckily, mouthfuls of the plain white rice helped to balance the flavor. It was otherwise, also very bland in taste. It just tasted like soy sauce. I was expecting more for a dish considered in the “Michelin Bib Gourmand” recommendation.
Pad Kee Mao (3/5): The noodles were not fully cooked and therefore hard/chewy for most of the dish. I similarly did not think that there was much flavor to it. Beef was not that tender.

Frugal C.

Was looking for a cafe to relax while traffic cools down at 5 pm. Found Pata Cafe ideally situated next to L.I.E

Nice cozy Thai cafe serving up good food & hospitality. Felt very welcomed upon entering.

Crispy Thai Spring Rolls came out sizzling with flavor & crunch. Much better than I expected. Thai iced coffee was a big hit also. 🥇🥇

Really nice ambiance but the cafe can only accommodate up to 10 patrons. 2 outdoor bench available to sit during a cool summer breeze.

Prices are reasonable and food is authentic 👍

Joseph F.

By far my favorite thai restaurant! Food has always been excellent, the staff is always warm and friendly

Kristina S.

Such a lovely comforting spot ! Their dishes are exceptionally well flavored ! And I always leave satisfied! It’s definitely a must try for homemade tai dishes !

Sue H.

This unassuming gem effortlessly outshines many of Manhattan’s more acclaimed and well-trafficked Thai spots. The gaprao is a masterclass in seasoning—perfectly calibrated with just the right interplay of heat, umami, and aromatic depth. The yum gai zabb is equally compelling, offering a complex flavor profile where layers of chili, lime, herbs, and brightness evolve with each bite, creating a dynamic and memorable experience. The pad kee mao with vegetables is another standout—bold and savory, yet refreshingly light, with none of the residual greasiness that can often accompany this dish. The space itself adds to the charm: warm, unpretentious decor, the comforting rhythm of a busy kitchen, and an inviting atmosphere that makes you want to linger. A true hidden gem for lovers of authentic, thoughtfully prepared Thai cuisine.

Keith K.

I recently had the opportunity to try the congee soup at Pata Cafe in Queens, and it was a comforting and flavorful dish. The congee itself was well-cooked, with a creamy texture that melded perfectly with the rice. The shrimp pieces added a fresh and slightly sweet flavor, complementing the rich broth. It had a mild, soothing taste, perfect for a light meal or when you’re craving something warm and hearty.

The fried garlic sprinkled on top gave a nice crunch and aromatic boost, balancing the softness of the rice. Overall, it was a satisfying dish, especially if you're a fan of congee or looking for something comforting to enjoy.

The ambiance of Pata Cafe is cozy, and the service was friendly and attentive. I'd definitely recommend this place if you're in the mood for some quality Asian comfort food.

Amelia

This café is a tiny space of about four tables with fun, quirky décor. There’s a definite relaxed, casual vibe here. On the walls are lots of reclaimed wood, everyday Thai objects and twinkling lights. The tables aren’t quite level but who cares! All this along with the very personable staff adds to the overall warmth of the place.

The food is great; best of what Thai home cooking is like. It’s amazing to me that all the yummy food comes out of this tiny kitchen behind the counter.

During our visit here we ordered the Basil Fried Rice, Thai Chicken Wings, Beef Pad Thai and the Chicken Sate appetizers.

The Pad Thai was lighter in color, less sweet and less oily than what I’m used to. Nevertheless, this was quite tasty. The Basil Fried Rice was another delicious dish. It was more on the mild side and had only a tiny bit of a kick. And the Chicken Sate was delicious!! I only wished I ordered two! It had a nice grilled meat aroma and was very tender. This was by far my favorite dish during this visit. The Thai chicken wings were okay. They were really just fried chicken wings with the sweet and sour dipping sauce.

For drinks, we got a mango slush and a strawberry slush. Both were a little too sugary for me but was okay. For dessert, we got the mango sticky rice. This was a nice way to end the meal with. The mangoes were perfectly ripe, and I liked that they give you the full mango (minus the pit). At some restaurants I’ve been to, they only give you half of the mango. They paired this with purple sticky rice. The rice was soaked in coconut milk. And the color contrast with the very ripe mangoes was very pleasing to the eyes.

I would definitely come back again to try more of their menu.

Tip: Cash only but order through Yelp for pick up and pay with credit card.