Reviews paint Pichai as a bold and vibrant Thai dining experience in Montreal, with many dishes described as delicious, flavorful, and creatively prepared, and the Som Tum, tapioca dumplings, pork collar, seafood options, and Thai tea tiramisu singled out as standouts; the wine list is frequently praised and the atmosphere is lively, sometimes noisy, with a chic, cozy vibe. Several guests commend the friendly, knowledgeable service and the overall vibe, while others note moments of inconsistency, including rushed pacing, uneven service, or staff who seemed dismissive, which can affect the experience. Portion sizes are cited as variable, sometimes small for the price, while many diners feel the food justifies the cost due to quality and bold flavors. A number of reviewers consider it among the best Thai or Asian-inspired options in the city and express strong intent to return, despite occasional shortcomings such as delays or miscommunications. Overall the consensus skews positive, with food and atmosphere often praised as exceptional and the wine and cocktails adding to the enjoyment.
I went in not even sure what the menu had in store. I didn't do my homework. I didn't come prepared. But sometimes in life, it's when we least expect something that we are truly delighted. That was the case at Pichai.
As a group of 6, we were recommended to order about 12-13 dishes. We got away with about 10 & everyone was full by the end. The flavors from the pork collar, scallops, pork belly & dumplings were surprising yet complementary. Dazzling pops of lime, cilantro & choy to round out the salty & the spicy meats.
But the masterpiece, the coup de gras, the show-stopping number of the evening was the Egg... this was a capital'E' Egg - soft boiled & fried, dressed to the nines in a stunning savory sauce, cilantro & hot peppers. Massive kudos to the genius chefs that devised this Egg. This was the only dish we ordered twice because it was so amazing. I will be coming back for this Egg.
The servers were beyond fantastic... detailed & swift. They explained the adventurous menu well & made great suggestions.
The ambiance was also great. We did shamelessly whip out our phones to Shazam some songs playing over the PA.
If you feel like eating thrilling food with unique, delicate details, Pichai is the place.
The chicken is excellent, anything else was too salted. The sticky rice was too firm - it needs to be cooked differently during winter. Our waitress filled our water glasses whenever she saw it empty but had her back to us for 10 long minutes during which every other waiter avoided eye contact with us. We simply wanted the check to leave.
Had an excellent meal at Pichai last night! Everything was fantastic, but the Green Curry was a real standout-creamy, aromatic, & perfectly spiced. The service was friendly & the atmosphere was vibrant. I highly recommend!
Nov 9, 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.
Salut! Je suie un jeune marocain expériencè (5 ans ) en tant que responsable de restauration .& je cherche des opportunités d'augmenter mes compétences.merci
Delicious, authentic, & inventive Thai food - we ordered the pork belly, pork collar, tapioca pork dumplings, scallops from the regular menu & a couple of items off of their weekly menu that were delightful: the radish cakes & the raw tuna. They're shareable, punchy, balanced, & full of flavor & balanced.
Fun spot - crowded, even on a Wednesday night, but the decor is very tasteful & the dining room is cozy.
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.
Food is a mixed bag; some are excellent, some are average. But what made our time at Pichai a disappointment was the service.
We had booked a table outside & got a table inside, with no explanation or apology. I wouldnt care as much if they didnt have a policy of charging 30$ for no shows: we held up our end of the bargain by being there on time, & in exchange they didnt give us what we booked. Service-wise, our waitress seemed overall bothered we had to talk to her, she kept looking elsewhere. At some point she brought us the tiramisu we ordered, but with birthday sparklers on it, without a word, which was hilariously confusing since it wasn't either of our birthdays. The music is loud (& of varying genres, not sure what they're going for except NOT Thai music I guess), the place is so dark we had to use the little light on the table to read the menus (that the waitress did NOT want to explain).
We love Thai food but will not be putting ourselves through such an off-putting experience.
Je donne rarement le commentaire sur le site web après la visite à un resto. & je vous jure que Pichai le mérite. Il est absolument un endroit merveilleux. & nous allons certainement revenir un jour.
Nous (4 adultes) sommes y allés pour l'anniversaire de ma belle-mère. Se trouvant dans un quartier tranquille, Pichai brille calmement sous la nuit. La lumière (l'éclairage) douce mais l'ambiance définitivement enthousiaste (vous allez la remarquer selon les visages des clients & ceux des employés). Tout le monde est à l'aise. Je m'attendais en fait à un resto typiquement traditionnel thaïlandais lors de la réservation. Mais quand je suis entrée, j'ai reconnu tout de suit qu'il est probable que c'est essentiellement un bar avec des plats plutôt comme accompagnement des vins. À vrai dire, je me suis dit à ce moment-là qu'il est probablement un mauvais choix pour l'anniversaire de soixantaine d'années. Mais, il était évident que j'avais tort.
Le serveur nous a proposé le plat du chef qui ne se trouvait pas dans le menu & expliqué très clairement la saveur, le goût & les ingrédients avec patience. Bien sûr que nous l'avons pris.
Nous avons aussi commandé 6 autres mets (1 salade & 5 autres plats). Le style des plats est réellement néo-thaïlandais. Nous sommes asiatiques & nous croyons que les mets traditionnels d'origine sont les meilleurs. Mais Phichai démontre que les chefs sont talentueux & créatifs de créer le charme des nourritures en gardant la tradition. Tous ces mets sont formidables & excellents. Nous adorons chaque met. Le prix est abordable (248 $ taxes inclues + pourboire). Voici nos choix : Naim Moi Yang, Kor Mon Yang, Gaeng Panang Jaay, Gai Yang, salade maïs & Choo Chee pla & plat du chef.
En gros, service 10 sur 5, nourriture 10 sur 5, ambiance 10 sur 5 & prix 10 sur 5. C'est bien une expérience extraordinaire au-delà de nous attentes.
The food here was so delicious. I was so focused on chowing down that I didn't think to get good photos. The grilled chicken is so succulent. The service is friendly & laid back. The dining room has a cool vibe. I highly recommend.
