Pichai is widely praised for bold, creative Thai flavors and a shareable, neo-Thai concept that shines in dishes like scallops, pork collar, fermented pork belly, tapioca dumplings, and a memorable Thai tea tiramisu. Several reviews highlight standout plates such as papaya salad, tom yum, and the egg dish that became a showstopper, with many diners calling the flavors authentic, lively, and deeply satisfying. Portions are often described as small for the price, though the quality and variety invite tasting across multiple dishes. Service ranges from impeccable and knowledgeable with excellent wine pairings to rushed or inconsistent, with reports of staff miscommunications and, in some cases, a less welcoming atmosphere. The ambiance is noted as vibrant, cozy, and stylish, sometimes loud, occasionally a bit too dark for reading menus. The menu includes weekly specials and a chef tasting option, with vegan and vegetarian choices appreciated by many. Overall, Pichai stands out as a top Montreal Thai option and a memorable dining experience, worth a visit for those seeking bold flavors, while reservations are advised and expectations should account for occasional service inconsistencies.
We had a wonderful experience here. The food was absolutely delicious, & the wine selection was great. Our waiter was incredibly helpful & guided us to a fantastic bottle of wine & perfectly chosen dishes. Excellent service & atmosphere - we will definitely recommend this place & come back again.
Everything about this restaurant was exceptional, from the food to the vibes to the service. We had:
- Beef tartare (seasoned perfectly & served with sticky rice & endives to make little wraps)
- Papaya salad (so fresh & exactly what you would expect)
- Tom Yum soup, which was one of the specials (high quality, imported seafood all cooked to tender perfection in a savoury broth that warmed us to the core)
- Tiramisu (the Thai tea flavour really shone through & it was delicious, but a tad on the sweet side. Loved the addition of coconut chips on top which added texture).
My only minor issue was the quantity of cilantro on everything, though I know this is a personal preference. The soup was also served in a vessel that was very cool (central flame to keep it warm), but felt a bit impractical for serving the soup since the ladle barely fit inside it.
There was a lovely selection of natural wines to complement the meal.
Overall, really nice ambiance & great flavours, you can tell a lot of love goes into these dishes. Would definitely return!
This place should have a much higher star review!!! I thought it was one of the best meals I've had this year. Very tasty food & great atmosphere & wine selection.
Aside from being the best thai food in Montreal I can honestly say that this restaurant has the best ambiance, food, service & of course wine list in the city.
The servers are dedicated & hard working, the tunes are always bangin but not too loud & the food is easily comparable to some of the best restaurants in Thailand!
We met another couple who had been before. We were warmly received. Our waitress Paras was excellent. She definitely knew how to upsell. As they promote'family style' which is popular these days with restaurants as it is effective in getting customers to spend more. We had several plates starting with the fish balls. These were good but a bit chewy for my taste. The sticky rice was way too sticky. Then we had the fermented pork which was tasty. Then the dumplings which were also good. We had some marinated tuna from a secondary menu which was delicious & the arctic char which was whole fish. It was spicy & delicious as well. I found the food flavourful & the service was excellent. The shortcomings were the sticky rice which needs to be worked on. I also found the wine list was super expensive with no budget options. I also didn't like our seating as our booth for 4 was awkward & uncomfortable. A bit of work needed to get to 5 stars but a pleasant & somewhat pricey experience with wine. Would recommend.
Oct 12, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Overall the food was good, but a bit pricey. We ordered three dishes & a dessert to share. I also ordered one glass of wine. The bill ended up being 90+ after tax & tip.
I liked the duck heart quite a lot. The pork was a bit salty but okay if you eat it with the sticky rice. It was my first time learning that Thai food can be eaten like BBQ, e.g., wrapping the meat & rice with cabbage. Quite interesting. The fish was good, tasted like it was cooked with Tom Yum Goong Soup. I liked it at the beginning but the whole fish was quite big for two people. In the end, it felt a bit greasy.
The restaurant is quite cute with a small patio outside in the neighborhood. It was a bit rainy & cool the day we went, but it was okay sitting outside with heating on.
I've had Thai food all over the world & nothing comes close to my meal at Pichai. Every single dish was unique, & intentional, telling a story from start to finish. Service was beyond exceptional, wine recommendations were great. Can't wait till the next one.
You NEED to go here. Amazing food, good portions. The pork collars were out of this world. The meatballs & fishballs were yumm too. Wine was also great. Must visit!!!
Jun 28, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
This is my 2nd time to Pichai. Service is impeccable, accommadating. The food is outstanding. The textures, portions, flavours, presentation were as perfect as last year with several different items I had not tried before.
I went with friends & family that love heat.
Luk Shin Plaa Tod fish balls were bursting with flavours. I could have devoured the sweet chillie
Yum Hoi Shen Raw Scallops were like a palate cleanser & was perfectly seasoned.
The Sakoo Sai Moo tapiaco dumplings were fantastic.
Naem Moo Yang had flavour & texture.
Kor Moo Yang was delicious
The sticky rice was perfect with our favourite dish the mushrooms
Then came the insanely delicious Mango: Mango jam, whipped coconut cream, condesnsed milk. Ice shaving of mango burst. Cooling the palate.
We tried two intersting wines, private collection which paired well. Last time we tried cocktails.
Porc is rarely a protein of choice, however they were beautifully prepared.
A never have desserts, however this was worth every bite & light.
Pichai is definately on my top 10 list of favourite Montreal restaurants.
As a Montreal licenced food guide for 33 years, working with visitors I am always looking for special hidden gems. This is definately one.
I will definately back to try more. Highly recommended
RUBY Roy
Loved my meal here. The wine list, the patio & the service are all excellent. The grilled whelks, snow crab & duck salad. Made for my favourite meal in Montreal. Quebec has great seafood.
Unfortunately as other reviews state, I came here with very high expectations from everything I had read & having lived in Thailand I was excited to go to an authentic Isaak place again. We sat at the bar & the service was quite good & we were always taken care off. As it's a sharing style we ordered the scallops which were the only dish we fully enjoyed. From there on the laab, fermented pork & the mushrooms were so so seasoned & salty that we couldn't finish any of those dishes. From the dishes being unbearable after the first few bites we just couldn't taste or eat anymore from just being overwhelmed. The wine selection is great, with European & Canadian natural wine options, so that can keep you entertained. The atmosphere was a bit cold, & the food came too quick which didn't make the experience something special, particularly for the prices that were charging. Felt good to read the reviews here & see I wasn't alone in this.
Jan 24, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Great service, weird & wonderful wine list, & the food is incredible - perfectly balanced & beautifully plated. The tapioca dumplings were especially delicious. Can't wait to go back!
My girlfriend & I came here on a whim & were sat at the bar. Very, very pleasant culinary experience. Huge, sexy wine list to accompany their menu. The atmosphere is a plus & the servers were pleasant & professional. Hoping to come back & try more of the menu!
