Thai Spice
About
A North Shore Flavor Staple
When you wrap up a day of chasing swells or exploring the Road to Hana, Thai Spice stands as a reliable, no-frills refuge in the heart of Paia. This corner of Maui’s North Shore moves at a slower pace, and the kitchen reflects that, focusing on bold aromatics rather than white-tablecloth pretense.
The Sensory Experience
Stepping inside, the air is thick with the scent of lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and searing chili oil. You will hear the rhythmic clatter of woks against high-pressure burners—a soundtrack of genuine craft. The space is casual, communal, and perfectly suited for surf-weary travelers looking for a substantial meal without the need for reservations. If you time your visit during the lunch rush, be prepared for a bit of a wait; the narrow dining area fills up quickly with locals and tourists alike, creating a vibrant, albeit snug, atmosphere.
Menu Highlights
The kitchen excels at balancing the four pillars of Thai cuisine: sweet, sour, salty, and spicy. Their signature green curry is a standout, featuring a vibrant, coconut-rich base that carries just enough heat to linger. For those seeking texture, the pad thai is prepared with a precision that avoids the common trap of sogginess, arriving with a generous crunch of fresh bean sprouts and crushed peanuts. Whether you are craving the deep, savory notes of a massaman curry or the sharp, refreshing zest of a papaya salad, the menu manages to hit those high notes consistently.
Tips for Your Visit
Parking in this historic town can be a puzzle, so it is often smarter to park in the public lots near the beach park and enjoy the short, breezy walk through town. It is the perfect spot for a post-surf refuel where the plastic silverware feels earned and the portions are generous enough to satisfy the most demanding appetite.
Amenities & Features
Location
149 Hana Hwy, Paia, Hawaii, 96779-9745
More to Explore
Reviews
Showing 10 of 120 community reviewsPaula ChavezGoogle Maps
Recently
The food was amazing!! One of the best foods in the area, it tasted amazing!! The restaurant is small but it just makes it more appealing. Definitely come by.
Keerthan ShagrithayaGoogle Maps
Recently
Among the best Thai we've had! We ordered their daily special, pineapple red curry. It was so fresh and richly delicious! It's a small venue so make sure to get there early.
Sourav JainGoogle Maps
Recently
This is probably the best Thai Ive had so far. The flavours were so rich in both Pad See Ew and Masaman curry. The fresh rolls were really amazing and just made our day. They were short staffed but we didn’t mind that. Would love to come back here again.
Wendy LyewGoogle Maps
Recently
Food was all good n fresh, a little bit different than what we're used to in So. Ca..but all in all good n flavorful! We had crispy chicken, chicken Pad Thai, chicken pad see ew, basil beef, soup, rice. Would get food from here again! Mahalo!!
Ethan Oyama WangGoogle Maps
Recently
Hidden Thai treasure in Paia ! I have been here many times . I love how big potion in America for Thai food ! Tastes also very authentic! It is made by real Thai folks . Much better than what I get in Japan . Mahalo !
Shaivin PatelGoogle Maps
Recently
Food tasted as great as much more expensive, high end Thai restaurants. We are vegetarians and they made sure there was no egg, fish sauce or seafood in our food. Also the food was made fresh for us. 10/10
laksh mbGoogle Maps
Recently
Great Thai place for dinner after coming back from road to Hana. Tried the vegetarian Tom Yum soup, Pad Ke Mao and basil fried rice with Tofu. Felt soup was quite big size. Rest of the dishes were appropriate portion. Service was great. The place however has very limited seating option. We went around closing time and had seats available.
Susan FuchtmanGoogle Maps
Recently
We stopped here after driving the Hāna road. Friendly, prompt service and amazing food! I had the basil fried rice with chicken and my husband had crispy shrimp stirfry and they were both excellent. We like Thai food and we both thought this restaurant ranked in our top one or two Thai restaurants. The eating area is small, clean, and not fancy. I went down to 3 stars for atmosphere because an air conditioner blew on us the whole time.
Hans KraegerGoogle Maps
Recently
Fools they were. Another couple walked into Thai Spice right after us and as soon as they saw the restaurant mostly empty, they walked away. They have no idea what they missed. Within 15 minutes, the restaurant of 6 tables was full. I ordered Thai Basil Chicken and asked for Pineapple to be added. It was delicious. If you like spice but also like to taste the flavor, ask for Medium spice. My wife ordered Yellow Curry and she loved it. Love to find these small mom and pop restaurants while traveling. Thank you to the owners for the great experience!
Shweta VGoogle Maps
Recently
Delicious food! This place is a blessing for hungry stomachs coming from RTH. Pad kee mao with tofu was very tasty and flavorful. The panang curry was from the special menu with all local fishes. It went great with sticky rice. Portion sizes are good. The seating area is small. Service is great.
Comments & Reviews
Please sign in to write a review.
No reviews yet. Be the first to write a review!
Frequently Asked Questions about Thai Spice
Common questions from diners about Thai Spice in Paia.
Nearby Restaurants
Paia Gelato Company
Cafe • Hawaiian Shave Ice & Ice Cream • Sandwich shops • Noodle shops
