Bua Thai Restaurant in Old Orchard Beach, Maine

Bua Thai sits on a patio in Old Orchard Beach, serving straightforward curries, noodles, and seafood cooked to order. The room stays low-key and casual, drawing both locals and beach visitors year-round. You can dial in the heat level yourself, and the vegetarian menu is genuinely robust. Don't expect frills, this is neighborhood Thai done right.

• Spice level control on every dish, 1 to 5.
• Strong vegetarian menu, not an afterthought.
• Patio seating; open through winter.
• Fresh appetizers and balanced sauces.

Start with an appetizer, starters are fresh and full of flavor. The pad si ew (chicken or vegetarian) is a standby. Curry dishes are solid; order yours with your preferred heat level. The peanut dressing on salad lifts a simple plate. A vegetable curry or seafood curry rounds out most meals well.

Simple, casual room with a patio that doubles as year-round seating when weather permits. Unassuming and low-key.

Owners pay attention to vegetarian cooking, not just swapping out meat. Appetizers are fresh and flavorful. Service can be brisk when they're busy, and during slow seasons the dining model shifts to takeout, but folks don't seem to mind. You're here to eat solid Thai food at fair prices, and that's what you get.

Regular visitors drive past other Thai spots just to eat here. The vegetarian options get real praise, they're not just token dishes. One recent visitor called it "the best Thai food in town." Prices feel fair, and the made-to-order system means your heat level and preferences get heard.