Wayla Introduce
New York City's dining scene is a treasure trove of global flavors, and for those in search of an authentic and memorable Thai experience, Wayla is a true hidden gem. Located on Forsyth Street in the heart of the Lower East Side, this restaurant offers more than just a meal; it's a culinary escape. The name "Wayla" translates to "time" in Thai, a nod to the restaurant's philosophy of inviting guests to slow down and savor their dining experience. With its elegant yet cozy decor and a menu that brings the vibrant flavors of Bangkok's street markets to life, Wayla has quickly become a beloved spot for both locals and tourists. It's a place where you can find homestyle Thai food prepared with a modern sensibility, all within an atmosphere that feels both trendy and deeply comforting.
The atmosphere at Wayla is a major part of its appeal. As you descend into the basement-level entrance, you are transported from the city's hustle and bustle into a beautifully decorated space. The interior is stylish and intimate, but the real showstopper is the hidden back patio garden. This outdoor oasis, complete with plants, string lights, and comfortable seating, is a rare find in Manhattan and provides a romantic and enchanting setting for a meal. Whether you’re on a date, celebrating with a group of friends, or enjoying a solo dinner, the ambiance is perfectly suited for any occasion. The staff is known for being friendly and attentive, adding to the overall welcoming and memorable experience.
Wayla is located at 100 Forsyth St, New York, NY 10002, in the vibrant and easily accessible Lower East Side. This prime location places it in a neighborhood brimming with art, culture, and other unique dining establishments. The restaurant is conveniently situated near several major subway lines, making it simple to get to from anywhere in the city. The nearest stations are the Grand Street stop (B, D) and the Delancey Street-Essex Street station (F, J, M, Z), both of which are just a short walk away. For those who prefer to explore the neighborhood on foot, the restaurant's location is perfect for a pre- or post-dinner stroll.
Due to its popularity and limited seating, especially in the sought-after outdoor patio, planning is highly recommended. Wayla accepts reservations, and dinner reservations are particularly advised as there is often a wait. The restaurant offers a variety of service options to cater to all needs, including outdoor seating for a charming al fresco experience, and delivery and takeout services for those who want to enjoy the flavors of Wayla from the comfort of their own home. They also offer no-contact delivery, providing a safe and convenient option.
Wayla provides a comprehensive range of services to accommodate all dining preferences, from a romantic dinner to a casual takeout meal.
- Dine-in: The restaurant offers a full table service experience within its cozy and trendy interior or its beautiful outdoor patio.
- Outdoor Seating: A major highlight, the hidden back garden provides a magical, plant-filled setting for a unique dining experience.
- Delivery and Takeout: For customers who prefer to eat at home, Wayla’s menu is available for both delivery and takeout, including a convenient no-contact delivery option.
- Reservations: The restaurant accepts reservations, which are strongly recommended for dinner to ensure you get a table.
- Full Bar: Wayla features an onsite bar with a wide selection of alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, cocktails, and hard liquor.
What truly makes Wayla a standout destination in New York City are its distinct features that create a truly memorable experience.
- Authentic and Bold Flavors: The menu is celebrated for its authentic, homestyle Thai dishes that are bursting with flavor. The chefs use fresh ingredients to create a bold and dynamic taste profile that transports you straight to the streets of Bangkok.
- Stunning Outdoor Patio: The beautiful and secluded back garden is perhaps the most unique feature of Wayla. This hidden oasis is a highly sought-after spot for its romantic and tranquil atmosphere, a rare find in the urban landscape of NYC.
- Creative Cocktails and Drinks: The bar is known for its inventive cocktails that perfectly complement the food. The selection of drinks is well-curated, offering a variety of options to enhance your meal.
- Friendly and Efficient Service: Patrons consistently praise the friendly and efficient service, noting that the staff is welcoming and happy to offer recommendations and accommodate dietary needs and spice preferences.
- Vegetarian and Healthy Options: The menu includes a variety of vegetarian and healthy options, such as the Maa's Gaeng Pak (homestyle veggies with yellow curry) and the Tofu Yang Pad Thai, ensuring there's something delicious for everyone.
- Trendy and Cozy Atmosphere: The overall ambiance is a perfect blend of trendy and cozy, making it an ideal spot for a romantic date or a sophisticated group outing. It's a place that feels special without being overly formal.
For more information, or to make a reservation, you can contact Wayla directly using the information below.
Address: 100 Forsyth St, New York, NY 10002, USA
Phone: (212) 206-2500
Mobile Phone: +1 212-206-2500
With a menu full of enticing options, choosing what to order at Wayla can be an exciting challenge. For an unforgettable culinary journey, start with some of the most popular items. The Fried Calamari is a perfect appetizer, known for its crispy texture and delicious flavor. For a truly unique and recommended dish, the Fried Branzino is a must-try. Presented as a whole fish, it's beautifully prepared with a crispy exterior and a delicate interior, often served with a flavorful curry sauce. Another crowd favorite is the Shrimp Pad Thai, a classic dish executed with perfection, showcasing a balance of sweet, sour, and savory flavors.
Those looking for a rich and comforting dish should not miss the Lump Crab Fried Rice, a decadent and savory meal that is a highlight of the menu. For meat lovers, the NY Strip, which is marinated and served with a tangy tamarind sauce, and the crispy Chicken Wings are highly praised. The dessert menu is just as noteworthy. The Mango Mousse is a refreshing and delicious choice, while the Mango Sticky Rice (when available) is the perfect traditional sweet finish to the meal. Whether you're a seasoned Thai food enthusiast or a newcomer, the menu offers a diverse range of flavors and textures that are sure to leave a lasting impression.
Wayla Menu
Popular Items
- Lump Crab Fried Rice $19.00
lump crab fried rice, egg, flat chives
- Beef Fried Rice $25.00
bbq beef fried rice, holy basil medium spicy
- String Beans $19.00
wok-fried long beans, tofu, galangal chili paste
- Sticky Rice $3.50
butterfly pea blossom infused
- Shrimp Pad Thai $26.00
fresh thin rice Nnodle w/ 4 pcs. jumbo shrimps, tamarind, peanut, egg,
- Maa's Gaeng Pak $24.00
homestyle veggies, yellow curry, chili threads, coconut cream
- Chicken Wings $12.00
chicken wings, plum sauce, toasted sesame seeds
- Curry Puff $14.00
minced chicken, onions, potatoes in puff pastry, karee curry sauce
- Tofu Yang Pad Thai $22.00
grilled tofu, thin rice noodle, tamarind, crushed peanuts, beansprouts, egg
Street Market
- Chicken Wings $12.00
chicken wings, plum sauce, toasted sesame seeds
- Curry Puff $14.00
minced chicken, onions, potatoes in puff pastry, karee curry sauce
- Fried Calamari $17.00
crispy calamari, creamy avocado dip, lime
- BBQ Beef $18.00
bbq beef, shallots, chilies, lime juice, roasted rice
- Stuffed Sauteed Crab $21.00
stuffed sauteed crab meat, curry, tumeric, minced pork, salted egg yolk
- Grilled Impossible Meat $12.00
grilled impossible meat wrapped sugarcane skewers, sweet chili glazed
Mains
- Maa's Gaeng Pak $24.00
homestyle veggies, yellow curry, chili threads, coconut cream
- String Beans $19.00
wok-fried long beans, tofu, galangal chili paste
- Grilled Chicken $28.00
esan style grilled amish chicken, sweet chili and jeaw sauce
- Fried Shrimp $29.00
wok-fried shrimp, galangal, spicy southern thai chili paste very spicy, cannot be altered
- NY Strip $42.00
marinated bone-in ny strip steak, tamarind sauce only available after 4PM
- Brussel Sprouts $19.00
brussel sprouts, holy basil, chilies
- Tom Zabb Nua $29.00
short rib stew, chopped herbs, chilies, lime juice
- Fried Branzino $38.00
whole fried branzino, red curry sauce, coconut, chilies
Rice and Noodles
- Lump Crab Fried Rice $28.00
lump crab fried rice, egg, flat chives
- Shrimp Pad Thai $26.00
fresh thin rice Nnodle w/ 4 pcs. jumbo shrimps, tamarind, peanut, egg, chive
- Beef Fried Rice $25.00
bbq beef fried rice, holy basil medium spicy
- Tofu Yang Pad Thai $22.00
grilled tofu, thin rice noodle, tamarind, crushed peanuts, beansprouts, egg
- Veggies Fried Rice $23.00
vegetables fried rice, galangal chili paste
- Jasmine Rice $3.00
thai jasmine rice
- Purple Sticky Rice $3.50
butterfly pea blossom infused
Dessert
- Mango Mousse $11.00
- LNY I $12.00
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Wayla Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Late-night food
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Romantic
- Trendy
Crowd
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
- Usually a wait
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- High chairs
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Wayla Photos
Wayla Location
Wayla Reviews
cocktailscrab fried ricebackyardbranzinolobster noodlespork meatballsbrussel sproutsbrunchmango mousselong beans
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1If you're craving authentic Thai cuisine with bold flavors and a welcoming atmosphere, Wayla is a hidden gem that deserves your attention.The décor is elegant yet cozy, with traditional Thai accents that makes you feel you are on a Thai yard eating with friends.We started with the fried calamari and mango salad, which were so tasty. That mango salad with anchovies was a great combo between salty and sweet, so delicious. For main course we had the fried branzino with a red curry sauce, the crab Pad Thai and Duck on curry sauce. Now the duck, wow, never been a fan of duck but this duck with curry was so tender and crispy and not gamy and that curry sauce complemented it very well. Definitely recommend it.Service was friendly and efficient. Our server was happy to adjust spice levels and allergies and offered great recommendations for both food and drinks. The mocktails were a great balance for the food. The mango sticky rice dessert was the ideal sweet finish—ripe mango slices over warm, coconut-infused sticky rice.Whether you're a Thai food enthusiast or trying it for the first time, Wayla delivers a memorable dining experience.
August 13 · Jo LLoved this little gem before menu refresh. Love it even more now with some fantastic additions (thankfully the crispy chicken wings are still on the menu. you'll need more than one order. trust me)As always, bartender has put together some great cocktails with interesting ingredients. He's also great with bespoke requests!Our group shared several plates (pics included) and while I would order any and all of them again, standouts for me were the fried shimeji mushroom app, the wok-fried shrimp, and the strip steak.Love their patio space (great for weekend brunch on a beautiful day!) We love bringing our out-of-town guests here. It's always a hit. Thai food like they've never had it!
August 20 · pam grimaldiFood was delicious! The crispy beef jerky was too spicy for me so I didn’t enjoy it (as I am not someone who enjoys spicy food) However, the wings, sticky rice & bbq ribs were SO good & flavorful. Service was great/staff were friendly & accommodating. The restaurant is super nice & pretty.
August 15 · YahairaThe menu has definitely changed since I was last here… and for the BETTER! It’s wonderful and so diverse. I noticed that a lot of their food is gluten free, which is great for a lot of my friends who struggle with intolerance. I particularly liked the chive pancake, it was fluffy and the sauce was soooo good. I also liked the Thai beef jerky, it has a sweet and spicy flavor. This place is a favorite of mine for sure!
June 09 · Austin Mitchell JimenezI love this place very much but didn’t get a chance to come back as much. But since i heard they have new menu, me and my best friends were so excited and the food was absolutely delicious also new cocktails I really love. Staff are super nice and and helpful make the whole dinning experience even more fun
June 29 · Amie Norerat
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