The Smiling Elephant

Thai restaurant · 8th South

The Smiling Elephant

Thai restaurant · 8th South

5

2213 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204

Photos

The Smiling Elephant by Google
The Smiling Elephant by Google
The Smiling Elephant by Google
The Smiling Elephant by Google
The Smiling Elephant by Google
The Smiling Elephant by Google
The Smiling Elephant by Google
The Smiling Elephant by Google
The Smiling Elephant by Google
The Smiling Elephant by Google
The Smiling Elephant by Google
The Smiling Elephant by Google
The Smiling Elephant by Google
The Smiling Elephant by Google
The Smiling Elephant by Google
The Smiling Elephant by Google
The Smiling Elephant by Google
The Smiling Elephant by Google
The Smiling Elephant by Google
The Smiling Elephant by Google
The Smiling Elephant by Yelp
The Smiling Elephant by Yelp
The Smiling Elephant by Yelp
The Smiling Elephant by Yelp
The Smiling Elephant by Yelp
The Smiling Elephant by Yelp
The Smiling Elephant by Yelp
The Smiling Elephant by Yelp
The Smiling Elephant by Yelp
The Smiling Elephant by Yelp
The Smiling Elephant by Yelp
The Smiling Elephant by Yelp
The Smiling Elephant by Yelp
The Smiling Elephant by Yelp
The Smiling Elephant by Yelp
The Smiling Elephant by Yelp
The Smiling Elephant by Yelp
The Smiling Elephant by Yelp
The Smiling Elephant by Yelp
The Smiling Elephant by Yelp
The Smiling Elephant by Yelp
The Smiling Elephant by Yelp
The Smiling Elephant by Yelp
The Smiling Elephant by Yelp

Highlights

Nestled in a cozy spot, The Smiling Elephant serves vibrant, health-conscious Thai dishes that keep locals coming back for more.  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Eater

2213 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204 Get directions

thesmilingelephant.com
@smilingelephantnashville

$$$$$$ · Menu

Information

Static Map

2213 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204 Get directions

+1 615 891 4488
thesmilingelephant.com
@smilingelephantnashville
𝕏
@SmilingElephnt

$$$$$$ · Menu

Features

dine in
takeout
payment credit card
Tap to pay
reservations
outdoor seating

Last updated

Feb 19, 2025

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@infatuation

"This little family-run restaurant has long been a neighborhood fixture—even before it opened, the original owner worked in Melrose out of an auto repair shop on the same plot of land as the restaurant’s current location. Plus, the Smiling Elephant crew is related to the chef behind Suzy Wong's House of Yum and International Market, so they're a part of Nashville's royal family of Thai food. The menu features all the classics, and the excellent pad thai is light and fragrant, trading the sticky-sweet iteration you might find at other joints for an herb-forward sauce, fresh vegetable textures, and bouncy rice noodles. The pad kra pao features a beautiful amount of thai basil, and everything can be served with eye-watering “Thai spice.” No matter your heat preference, Smiling Elephant delivers every time. photo credit: Casey Irwin photo credit: Casey Irwin photo credit: Casey Irwin photo credit: Casey Irwin photo credit: Casey Irwin" - Bailey Freeman

Smiling Elephant - Review - Melrose - Nashville - The Infatuation
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@onthegrid

"If you want amazing Thai food in a no-fuss environment, this is your spot. The Smiling Elephant is a local favorite that’s been around for years and never disappoints. If dining in, look for the small handwritten notes around the restaurant. If you’re in a hurry, their carryout service is always fast and hits the spot." - GS&F

On the Grid : The Smiling Elephant
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@eater

"One of Nashville's more popular Thai restaurants, the Smiling Elephant packs in hungry patrons, serving up traditional Thai dishes like panang curry, shrimp pad see-ew, and a pad thai using green bean noodles. Just keep in mind a few house rules: no reservations, no cash (it’s debit and credit card only), and no BYOB." - Clara Wang, Jackie Gutierrez-Jones

14 Top-Notch Thai Restaurants to Try in Nashville
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@goop

"Smiling Elephant's pad thai definitely gives bigger-city Thai spots a run for their money. The cozy spot operates out of a tiny cottage on 8th Avenue South, with a little stone porch out front for al fresco dining in the summer; it's also owned by the sweetest family imaginable. Pad Thai is the obvious order, but their curries are excellent, as are the spring rolls and the warm, soothing ginger tea."

The Nashville Guide
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@onthegrid

"The Smiling Elephant, 8Th Avenue South by GS&F. If you want amazing Thai food in a no-fuss environment, this is your spot. The Smiling Elephant is a local favorite that’s been around for years and never disappoints. If dining in, look for the small handwritten notes around the restaurant. If you’re in a hurry, their carryout service is always fast and hits the spot."

Nashville
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rohan tibrewala

Google
The smiling elephant property looks like a nice small cozy house by the side of the road. The food at this place is on point. They have a curry of the day which tends to be the best per their recommendation. The massaman curry, mango sticky rice, coconut custard and the rolls all were great. Food came out surprisingly quickly. Fried rice here is pretty good as well. It is a great place if you are craving Thai food.

Gaurav Hegde

Google
Amazing home style thai food with amazing service and delicious flavors. We got the mussels which is a must have along with the shrimp dumplings which was coated in rice flour. Different flavors and highly recommend We also got the popular chicken pad thai which was made of glass noodles and the pork ka prao. The pad thai here was definitely unique compared to the other thai restaurants i have been too. Overall don’t miss this place . It looks like a very small place from the outside but it opens up a plethora of flavors once you enter. Highly recommended!!

Bradley

Google
I recently dined at The Smiling Elephant in Nashville, and I must say, it was a fantastic experience. From the moment we walked in, the ambiance was inviting and the place was spotless. Our waiter was exceptional—friendly, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic about the menu. He provided great recommendations, making us feel confident in our choices. We started with the curry mussels, which were simply amazing. The rich, flavorful broth complemented the perfectly cooked mussels. For our main courses, we split two dishes, both of which were excellent. The flavors were authentic, and the presentation was delightful. To top off our meal, we indulged in the mango sticky rice for dessert, which was the perfect ending to a wonderful meal. Parking was hassle-free, thanks to their free parking lot, making the overall experience even more convenient. Having visited many Thai restaurants, I can confidently say that The Smiling Elephant stands out as a delicious and memorable spot. Despite reading some mixed reviews, my visit was overwhelmingly positive. I highly recommend this restaurant and will definitely be returning. If you’re looking for great Thai food in Nashville, The Smiling Elephant is a must-visit.

Florine Demosthene

Google
I was so disappointed and quite confused as to why this place has a high rating. I ordered the kee Mao and it was inedible. They used a bean noodle that was hard...not al dente...just hard and broken into bits. The pork had a funny...funky smell and a strange texture. There were no elements of the traditional Thai kee mao dish. No spicy, sweet, sour, peppery and umami. The server was accommodating and suggested the fried rice. That too was awful. It was incredibly greasy and lacked flavor.

Jairaj Karri

Google
I've never had Thai food this good before! As a vegetarian, I expected some decent options, but the quality and taste exceeded my expectations. I chose the veggie stir-fry with rice and asked for it to be spicy. I was pleasantly surprised by how amazing it turned out, and I left very happy with the meal. Thank you!

Glenn H

Google
You. Must. Go. I like Thai food and saw this place in a Google search and decided to try it out. The packed parking lot for lunch is always a good sign. They've got a rear lot, and that was pretty full as well. It's a funky little building with front and rear seating and cool interior decor. Menu has plenty of options, and I went for the pork loin Pad See Ew, and it was killer. Sabrina, tabletender extraordinaire, introduced me to Garlic Vinegar and I don't think I'll be able to eat Thai without it. Game changer. Here's the Breakdown: Killer food served by Sabrina in a funky cool place +5 stars. It will be a regular on my lunch rotation.

cy

Google
We purposely took bus and visited this restaurant after we saw all the good reviews on Google. But guess what, it was way beyond our expectations!! Everything was so so delicious especially the pad ka na!! The owners and servers showed excellent service and we will definitely come back soon 😁

SM

Google
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Nashville. Their hospitality is awesome. I had Massaman curry, Tom yum soup and pha thai. All were excellent and enough portions for two adults. I would like to go again to try other menu.

Char C.

Yelp
Pretty close to the airport so if you missed breakfast to hop on a 6am flight like I did, this is a great place to stop for lunch. I had the large lettuce wraps which were probably the best I've ever had. Served with Romaine instead of the butter lettuce I'm used to at home. Cashew chicken was was tasty, but i wish there was more peanut sauce cause it was amazing. Also had the pad see-ew with what seemed like glass noodles. The noodles were not my favorite. Our server was so kind, especially since we had a 1 year old and 4 year old...they were pretty messy. I would absolutely recommend this place!

Lizzy G.

Yelp
Authentic Thai cuisine. The environment is a wonderful little spot. Parking is limited, but they are working on the lot. This place is known by so many in Nashville and if you haven't been it's a must! The pad Thai is great and the portions are huge! Though it may seem a little pricey, you can get multiple meals out of it. If you have a peanut allergy, make sure you are clear about that when ordering.

Annette B.

Yelp
If you don't know, there is parking behind the building! This parking concern has kept me away for too long. Now I know. I came here for lunch with a friend and we both had the daily special curry. It was yellow curry with chicken and it was fabulous! The service was fast and the atmosphere buzzing with lots of happy customers. I wish I lived closer! My recommendation is to try the daily curry, you won't be disappointed. (And, once again, I didn't think to take photos. Believe me, the food was beautiful and delicious.

Tina C.

Yelp
One of the best Thai places in Nashville! Have been here a few times and ordered different dishes each time, including the pad thai and pad kra pow. Always delicious! Only qualm is that the parking can be a little difficult - the front lot is small and almost always full, and the back lot is on a very steep hill and quite crowded as well.

Thomas K.

Yelp
The food was good. The green bean noodle is a bit too firm, get the regular rice noodle. Food came out fast. Good service. Reasonable prices. The only thing I didnt like was the pad se eww used pad thai noodles and the pad thai used pad se eww noodles. It was a bit strange

Bradley C.

Yelp
Not sure about the 'elephants' but the People indeed are smiling up on entering and especially leaving with satisfied appetites. Upon each and every visit the food is prepared to expedited perfection. Travel to Nashville on the regular to attend concerts. Regardless of the time I have to spare this restaurant is always prompt with food delivery. Just a quick trip outside of the hustle and bustle from Broadway. You feel like you are eating inside a family kitchen. Warm and inviting ambience from the moment you enter the front door.

Gabe P.

Yelp
Here we go again - looking for great food before a Nashville SC game at Geodis park and decided we'd try some local Thai food just down the street....here's what we found: Ambiance: Super quaint but difficult parking for this place. Thankfully we weren't in a rush and we found a spot right up top. Very basic interior filled with all kinds of magazine awards and "best of" awards covering the walls as well as your traditional Thai decorations (Royal Family / King, etc...) however I did not see the golden cat with the waving arm....lol Food: Great food regardless of what you order....clearly we did not have everything on the menu but from what we could see around us many different plates were evident and everyone was enjoying to the Nth degree! The potstickers were awesome and the ginger sauce was top notch - i added it to my pork and fried egg dish which was also amazing! Highly recommend! Price: A bit pricey for Thai but for all their awards and "best of" clearly they can charge a bit of a premium! Pay it - you won't regret it! Service: Typical - not overly friendly but again it's cultural and a business they are running which they run on efficiency, speed and quality. This is what you come here for - not to be best buddies with your server or bartender (which they don't have anyway as they don't serve alcohol$. Summary: COME HERE / EAT THE FOOD and ENJOY! A GR8 PLACE! KEEP MUNCHING!!!!

J T.

Yelp
The Fried Rice with Tofu and Cashew Chicken were delicious and so fresh! Also loved the fresh veg rolls! Service was so warm and peaceful. Lovely quaint atmosphere. If want a more private spot, wait for a table in the back. Delighted to have found our Thai place in Nashville

Jozalyn G.

Yelp
Very fast and nice service. The chicken pad Thai was delicious and the servings are pretty big ( I had plenty of leftovers). Parking lot is a little difficult so I recommend getting there when they open.

Cleo G.

Yelp
Best Thai food in Nashville, hands down. They never miss. The portions are always super large, so a lot of my friends have leftovers to bring home. This is authentic Thai Food, and you can tell because all the servers and cooks are Thai. Their Pad See Ew is 11/10, just PHENOMENAL. The wide noodles are almost melt in the mouth, and the flavor just brings it to comfort-food elite level. I know they also have won awards upon awards for their Pad Thai, which seems to be the best in Nashville as well. Any noodle dish here will please. My friends have also gotten their fried rice and loved it. Also, their Thom Kha Kai (coconut curry soup) is delicious as well. You really just can't go wrong with The Smiling Elephant. The only thing I wouldn't get again is their Cashew Chicken, but that's just because I was spoiled with some of the best Cashew Chicken I've had when I went to Thailand, and this doesn't compare flavor-wise. We also got the Mango Sticky Rice once, and it came with a whole half mango. I mean, come on. There is usually a bit of a wait, around 20-40 minutes depending on the night, but I really do think it's worth it. There is a bench outside to wait on if it's not too cold. The parking situation is a little weird, since their parking up top is pretty limited, but they have a whole parking lot down a little hill that always has room.

Christina B.

Yelp
If you're looking for very authentic Thai food in Nashville, look no further! It was super busy on a weeknight so be sure to arrive early to put your name on the list. Every dish was packed with flavor and care. The interior is tightly packed, it gets a little loud and crowded, but it's all part of the charm and the food is well worth it!

Andrea V.

Yelp
I don't really get what the hype was about. Got the pad see ewe twice but got different noodles. It's always so liquidy and have to doctor it up once im home.

Marisa A.

Yelp
Amazing food, service was excellent and the dining experience was perfect from beginning to end!

Brian J.

Yelp
Amazing food, super authentic restaurant and feel, great service. Fun place to eat and an all around win!

Brady S.

Yelp
Great food! Enjoyed the pad Thai here and the masaman curry. Also enjoyed the green curry before when I have been here.

Lauren N.

Yelp
Just wanted to add photos of my recent order. I stepped out of my comfort zone and ordered something I've never had! I ordered Pad Kee Mao and it was different but so good! It did need a little salt but once I added salt it couldn't be more perfect. Just a comforting dish of stir fried noodles and veggies! I got Thai hot but thankfully they gave me a few little sides of spicy so I can make it spicier. I love super super spicy tho. And I ordered the sticky rice in Banana leaf which I think had red beans in it and some sort of yummy filling, it was truly delicious! And I ordered the coconut custard which as always delicious. It's super light and subtle in flavor, slightly sweet. Literally love this place. And the customer service is so great, they are super friendly!! The authenticity here will always bring me back!

Ella R.

Yelp
Best Thai food I've ever had!! The Pad See Ew was incredible and dark, spring rolls were fresh, and the bao was warm and fluffy. It was also SUPER fast, though we didn't feel rushed at all. The ambiance is absolutely beautiful, especially if you're seated in the back by the huge windows. The inside is cozy and cute. There's a little parking lot on the side (with fresh herbs growing right there!), but also street parking around if it's full. This is a must-try when you're in Nash!

Christie B.

Yelp
Absolutely delicious food! Every bite was special! I give it 4 stars only because there is no alcohol served, which doesn't bother me but you definitely need to know this. The decor is simple but the food excellent!

Blake M.

Yelp
Great spot to get Thai food, their coconut custard is incredible. They are one of the more known spots in Nashville with all their awards and nominations hung for everyone to see. The food is always fantastic and the service is outstanding. Only down side is their parking lot which for the overflow is literally down hill.

Taylor R.

Yelp
You cannot come to Berry Hill and not try The Smiling Elephant. As a lover of curry and Thai food this is such a staple spot to the area. I will always say be patient if there's a wait as this place is always a popular spot for lunch or dinner. The staff is extremely friendly and the restaurant is cozy since it's in an older house.

Brian M.

Yelp
Great tasting food that is packed with flavor without over seasoning. Highly recommend to anyone in the area.

Christina D.

Yelp
Love this Thai place! The restaurant has a surprising amount of seating so my wait was not too long (went on a Thursday night). I normally get their curry special, but this time decided to try the chicken pad thai with the glass noodles. The food came out so quickly which was great because I was starving. The pad thai was hot and full of chicken. I dove I quickly and was met with delicious and traditional pad thai flavors. Though I asked for mild, it had a small quick which I didn't mind. Overall, I really liked the pad thai, though I didn't find it exceptional. I'll definitely be back but will probably stick to curry next time!

Chaya B.

Yelp
If I could give 11 stars I would, OMG! THE BEST PAD THAI I'VE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE! We thought the name was so cute, but when we left we were two smiling elephants. On the negative side, if you happen to sit the far left and the back corner next to the wall and window, there's no insulation in all your food will get cold really fast. I even asked the waitress if everybody that sits here first orders, hot tea, and a hot soup The soup is OK I just got cold really fast so I couldn't finish it but thatPad Thai Oh my goodness still dreaming about it. The place was packed, a line out the door . Who would've thunk it I'd have the best pad Thai I've ever had in my life in Nashville Tennessee.

Andrea W.

Yelp
Yikes. Came here on a weekday evening, had to wait about 15 minutes for a table. Got the tom yum noodle soup, it was not tom yum at all. I don't know what it was, but it was super, super, super sour. I returned it and got another dish, went with pad kee mao. They didn't have flat, wide rice noodles like is normal for pad kee mao, had the thin rice noodles (same as the noodles made for pad thai). Noodles were overcooked, big portions, too bad I didn't really enjoy it. Had a really good balance of vegetables with noodles, flavor was correct but was just not happy with the noodles. Pretty pricey too. Wouldn't recommend this spot.

JT F.

Yelp
Quick service. Yummy Gai Yang. Also pretty reasonably price considering the portion size and quality.

Reese C.

Yelp
"If I was an elephant I'd be smiling!" Very yummy food. I ordered the pad see ew and my friend got the pad thai. This restaurant is super cute with lots of plants and decorations.

Matt L.

Yelp
This was a nifty find. Food was very good and the service was attentive. We enjoyed our summer rolls, curry, and wide noodle dishes.

Jason G.

Yelp
Considering how many lines the average Nashville tourist has to stand in, this was a nice surprise to get right in on a Friday evening for a great dinner. the staff was very accommodating and we received our dinner and drinks quickly. when I say drinks I mean the honey lime tea served cold, which was worth the add on. the pad Thai was excellent as was the soup that came with it. excellent experience here.

Mark C.

Yelp
Food was good. Service was very quick. The restaurant did not feel like Nashville, which is a good thing. In other words, it seems more like a local spot not overrun with tourists.

Beck O.

Yelp
I had been eyeing the smiling elephant in my trips to Publix since I moved to the area. When I looked it up and saw the reviews, I finally decided I had to go. The reviews did not disappoint. The service was very friendly and attentive. The food came out quickly, hot, and delicious. I got the Pad Kee Mao and my friend got the Pad Thai. We were both very satisfied with the flavor and portion sizes. The good was so delicious I even ordered the curry of the day to-go. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone that enjoys AUTHENTIC Thai cuisine. We will definitely be back.

Haley K.

Yelp
Best Thai food ever. Hard to ever eat chicken pad thai from anywhere else because of how good it is from the smiling elephant. Highly recommend!

Lexie S.

Yelp
Every time I visit Nashville, I make a stop at The Smiling Elephant. I absolutely love their Tofu Pad Thai and Steamed Veggie Dumplings. The service is usually pretty quick and there is plenty of seating. The parking lot can be a bit difficult to navigate, but it is worth it for the food!

Nathan G.

Yelp
FIRE. Everything on the menu is excellent. All of the staff is friendly. It's kind of a smaller restaurant, I typically end up getting everything to go. We generally get the pad Thai.

Lauren M.

Yelp
thai tea: 9/10 thai coffee: 10/10 chicken fried rice: 7/10 SOME PAD THAI VERY SPICY. ask waiter about spice level of dish your ordering if you don't like spice love the interior here. long wait on weekends. i think they're yummy. i got the chicken fried rice, it was good but no other comments.

Lana B.

Yelp
Great thai food! Great interior as well. Pretty decent seating, parking can be difficult depending on when you go. I feel like The Smiling elephant is alot of peoples go to Thai food in Nashville, and for good reason.

Erin S.

Yelp
We placed an order for pickup and everything came out right! The portions were big and the food smelled and tasted delicious. Here's what I tried: - Tom Kha ($4.95, or +$3 as part of a set with dish from signature menu): So warm and comforting! - Smiling Elephant Pad Thai with chicken ($15.95): Super good! I wouldn't go so far as to say it's the best I've ever had though. - Pad See-Ew with chicken ($15.95): Delicious! - Red Curry ($15.95): Very good! - Fresh Roll ($4.95): Fine, but I don't feel the need to get it again. I recommend Smiling Elephant!

April P.

Yelp
Okay guys I have given this place another chance. This used to be my favorite pad Thai in Nashville. I'm not sure what happened after the owner passed away; he made sure quality and taste were superior. I didn't mind paying $17 for a small to-go container because it used to be good. Now, it felt like a ripoff. The pad Thai was super spicy. They didn't ask for spice level, and they now add the vinegar and the chili without asking you. It's un-edible for someone who has a low tolerance for spicy food. Also, the noodles were soggy, and the texture was just wrong. I won't be coming back and wouldn't recommend this. Also parking is as bad as before if your dining in you have to go down the steep hill in the back to park. There is almost no parking for to go or pick up order. It's not worth the hassle anymore. Sorry old favorite its you not me

Anwesh D.

Yelp
This restaurant makes the best Thai food hands down! The prices are very reasonable and they give large quantities of food. The cashew chicken stir fry was delicious! Chicken seasoned, cooked to perfection and the satay sauce was a perfect combination. The pad see ew also tasted amazing! We had a big group so i tasted everything and all is it was outstanding!!! I would recommend this restaurant to everyone!

Robin B.

Yelp
It's been at least five years since we tried Smiling Elephant so we figured we'd give them another go at lunch on a Friday. Now I'm sitting here writing my review and feeling sad, what happened to the old Elephant we knew and loved? Pros and Cons: PROS: Thai ice coffee can be ordered for $1 more with coconut milk. Nice option for us who eat vegan. They do offer tofu as a protein option for most dishes. Authentic decor. CONS: Tabletop, menus and floors were so sticky and dirty, the name could be changed to Sticky Elephant. Only one curry available every day, Friday was red curry. So not an option to have any other curries in a Thai restaurant. Lunch option combo, even though it was on the menu to include soup and dessert with the meal, was no longer available. Fresh spring roll appetizer was small and could not be made with tofu or served with peanut sauce which is usually standard. The red curry was quite bland, not a lot of flavor. Not many vegan choices. My husband and I were so sorry to find it's just not the same as we remembered, I can't really recommend this place for vegan diners. Or anyone who's turned off by a dirty setting.

Phil G.

Yelp
Anthemic Thai food that is excellent. I loved their pad Thai and rolls. The service is attentive. It feels like another world kind of place. There's additional parking in the back. We love this place and each time we are in Nashville, we make it a priority.

Laura D.

Yelp
My go to whenever I go to a Thai restaurant is Pad Thai. I must say I was not very impressed. The noodles were not what I expected.

Peggy W.

Yelp
We got here around 7pm on Saturday night. Their parking lot was busy! Lots of people just waiting inside and outside. We ordered to take out of 4 entrées and 2 dessert. I was surprised the wait wasn't too long. The hostess was working super fast. They missed one of our orders, but they fixed it immediately. Food was still super hot when we got back. My pad see ew was good. They only use skinny rice noodles with it, and I didn't want to try their green beans noodles. Our Mango rice was AMAZING!!! Ambiance- 5 stars Service- 5 stars Food- 5 stars

Don C.

Yelp
Food and service are excellent would definitely recvonend however use ride share to get there parking is a nightmare. Also there are other very good Thai restaurants in Nashville but I promise the food won't disappoint anyone.

Katie N.

Yelp
Came here for some Pad Thai and Pad See Yew. We also ordered the steamed shrimp dumplings which were rather large with a delicious dipping sauce. The Pad that and Pad See Yew came in a large portion! I enjoyed it. It taste good. Also ordered the Thai Ice Tea which was delicious. I loved the interior decor with the wood carvings. The waitress were super attentive and friendly. Lots of people doing take out orders. The parking lot is tiny and is difficult.

Julia T.

Yelp
I'm confused why the reviews are raving. I mean, I looked at the photos of the food and they looked delicious. I started to crave the food just from looking at it So, I thought I'd order take out, but apparently they shut off the line during peak hours. Good for them honestly. But, when I got there, it was a disaster of people standing in line by the door, all crowded together. The wait wasn't too long. Maybe 20 minutes. Unfortunately, the waitress was very rude and even audibly sighed as she took our order. Everyone on Yelp said get the coconut soup, but it was really undercooked. I also didn't really like the curry, it was kind of watery. But, the rice was good. The menu said the entrees were 11-12 dollars. Somehow I walked away spending 50 dollars at a casual hole in the wall restaurant. They charged us like $18 an entree. I didn't want to fight it because they seemed busy. But that's ridiculous.

Olivia F.

Yelp
first time visiting after anticipating for over a year now. my party of three walked in and were seated in about 25 minutes. the restaurant has a wonderfully cozy feel; full of plants and trinkets. the host and our server were lovely. my boyfriend and i split the pork & mushroom dumplings and they were so good! some of the best i've had in awhile and we definitely should have gotten more. my roommate and i got the classic pad thai with chicken which was so so great. i can see why it's their most popular item. my boyfriend ordered the pad kee mao and i had plate envy. i cannot wait to come back and try something new!

Teri T.

Yelp
The smiling elephant is an adorable small mom and pop restaurant that brings Thai excellence to Nashville. They claim their Pad Thai is the best in Nashville---and it's true. It was my favorite out of the four dishes we ordered. The peanut spring rolls are light, refreshing, and have a beautiful sweet/spicy chili sauce served with them. We also orders the Chicken Satay (rice heavy with a sweet yellow curry) and the Thai fried rice with pork. These also didn't disappoint but didn't stand up to the pad tai. Portion size was quite large. We had enough for three people that evening and then enough leftovers for an additional meal for all of us the following day. The parking situation is difficult with a small irregular shaped parking lot and multiple people in and out either dining or picking up to go orders (myself included). If you are dining in, I suggest giving yourself extra time for parking.

Aspen K.

Yelp
An absolute staple in our house. Some of the best Thai food I've ever had. Everything we've had had been stellar. Larb lettuce wraps Spicy fried rice Pad Thai Coconut custard

Nicolette T.

Yelp
The perfect hole-in-the-wall. Get your Thai food here, you will not regret it. Parking and seating is limited, because many know that this is the place to go. I've tried multiple dishes, each so good!! You can get just the entree or a set which comes with the main entree, soup, and dessert. Check them out!!