Somtum Thai is a Thai restaurant on Cuba Street in Wellington's Te Aro neighbourhood, serving authentic Thai cooking for dine-in, takeaway and online delivery. The kitchen is known for its Som Tum salad — the dish the restaurant is named for — alongside Pad Thai, Green Curry, Panang Curry, Tom Yum Soup and Beef Noodle Soup.
The restaurant grows some of its own vegetables to keep dishes fresh and authentic, and caters to vegan, gluten-free and nut-free diners. It is open seven days for lunch and dinner, is fully licensed and also welcomes BYO, and takes table bookings as well as online orders through the Easy Eats app.
With over 500 Google reviews, customers consistently call out the Som Tum salad, Pad Thai, Panang curry, beef noodle soup and Tom Yum soup as standouts, alongside friendly, relaxed service.
Tucked into the buzz of Cuba Street in Te Aro, Somtum Thai has built a loyal following for bringing authentic Thai cooking to Wellington. The restaurant takes its name from Som Tum, the spicy Thai green papaya salad that remains one of its most talked-about dishes — and a good starting point for understanding what this kitchen is about: bold, fresh, traditionally made Thai food served without fuss.
Somtum Thai's menu leans into the dishes Kiwi diners know and love from Thai cuisine, done properly. The Som Tum Salad — particularly the Cuba Thai Style version — is a standout that regulars return for again and again. Alongside it, Pad Thai and Green Curry are consistently called out as top sellers, while Panang Curry, Tom Yum Soup and Beef Noodle Soup all draw repeat mentions in customer reviews. The kitchen also serves fried rice and boat noodles, rounding out a menu built around Thailand's most recognisable comfort dishes.
What sets the food apart, according to the restaurant, is freshness: Somtum Thai grows some of its own vegetables to keep flavours authentic and ingredients as fresh as possible. It's a small detail that shows up in the plate — reviewers frequently describe the food as "really good" and the flavours as genuinely authentic, not a watered-down version for a Western palate.
Somtum Thai is set up to work for however you want to eat. Dine in and settle into a relaxed, friendly atmosphere — reviewers often mention the fun, easygoing vibe and attentive staff, even if the small space means service can stretch during busy periods. Prefer to eat at home? The restaurant offers takeaway and online ordering through the Easy Eats app, with free delivery on orders over $30.
For those who like a drink with their meal, Somtum Thai is fully licensed and also welcomes BYO, making it a flexible choice for a casual dinner or a bigger group night out. Bookings are accepted for table reservations, though it's worth knowing that dining times are capped at 90 minutes to keep tables turning over during busy service, and BYO bookings carry a minimum spend of $20 per person.
Somtum Thai caters to a range of dietary needs, with vegan, gluten-free and nut-free options available on the menu — useful for groups where not everyone eats the same way.
With more than 500 Google reviews and a strong reputation built almost entirely on word of mouth, Somtum Thai has become a go-to spot for Thai food in central Wellington. The consistent praise for the Som Tum salad, Pad Thai and curries, paired with a welcoming, laid-back setting on one of the city's most walkable streets, is what keeps Cuba Street regulars — and visitors passing through — coming back for more.
Whether it's a quick takeaway after work, a BYO dinner with friends, or a delivery order on a night in, Somtum Thai delivers the kind of straightforward, authentic Thai cooking that has made it a Cuba Street fixture.