Classic Thai dishes served in an understated eatery that has a rustic vibe & outdoor seating.
Wynona
I can’t believe I stumbled upon this incredible hidden Thai restaurant nestled in the middle of nowhere. The service was impeccable, and the atmosphere was simply amazing. You could even see the lake right next to the restaurant. I highly recommend their mushroom salad—it’s absolutely delicious! 10/10! The pork lion with rice is a bit dry, though.
… moreGT N
What a really nice find. While on a work trip to a fairly remote part of North Carolina I had the hankering for Thai food and was pleasantly surprised by the quality and taste of some very authentic Thai deliciousness! The environment is cozy and comfortable however space is limited so you may need to call ahead. The food selection is not wide and you are “encouraged” to stick with the menu as alterations or substitutions and not allowed. Also, being next to a river – the ambiance is very nice but bring mosquito repellent as you will also be on the menu and bitten with no mercy. I would certainly come back again and enjoy!
… moreBryan
Ate here on a Friday night, The lot had 2 spaces available and the inside and outside seating was full, around a 20 minute wait for a table. The beer menu is great with some tasty options like Weihenstephaner, chimay, other options. The food was definitely amazing. We tried many options on the menu and I’d say try as much as you can, it’s a real gem in Sylva. The service took quite a while, probably 30 minutes after ordering. Overall a great place to get very tasty Thai food, stop by!
… moreGrant Masini
I dined solo once last summer and raved about it after. Finally brought some friends recently for my birthday. Everyone was pretty impressed. Dalaya has it all: complex flavors, a variety of dishes, with comforting favorites and adventurous specials. Utterly serene, cozy space. Water gently bubbling by. Laid-back, thorough service.
I cautioned my friends that we might have to wait for our food, but everything took a very reasonable amount of time.
We started with the Famous Fish Sauce Wings, and the Spring Roll Special. The wings are fiery and so flavorful. Layers of umami. The rolls were even better! I believe it was a ground pork and shrimp filling and it was divine. Perfect texture inside and out. I think these rolls are similar to the Kiao Khoong Todd listed on their website but maybe a different wrapper.
Our entrees included the Blood Orange Branzino Special (9/10), the Red Curry with Duck Special (8/10), Plaa Todd (Catfish Curry – 10/10!!), Khao Soi (8/10), and a fifth dish I didn’t try or catch the name of.
I had the branzino and loved the inventiveness. The blood orange sauce was nicely sweet and sour. The red curry and duck were very tasty, but the plaa todd, catfish curry, was the clear winner. This curry had so much depth. One of our party got an order of it to-go.
Dalaya offers a good selection of beer, wine, and other beverages, but no cocktails. The ginger lemongrass iced tea was a favorite in our group.
We finished with sweet corn ice cream! Reminded me of the queso ice cream at Neng Jr’s in Asheville. Not quite as good as that, but interesting. I liked it, some didn’t care for it.
I will be back to try lunch very soon! Thank you for a great experience.
… moreJade
This hidden gem was the aftermath of a rough day. Me and my buddies got stranded in Sylva, but thankfully the car got working again. We decided to try this restaurant, having been recommended to by a mechanic, and it was truly worth it. The atmosphere was very homey and welcoming, along with the service! I will say, i just wish the workers had name tags, because i never got to know their name 🙁 our main server was a nice man who later had returned an item i left on my seat as i walked out the door. This shows how dedicated the workers are. They gave us plenty of recommendations, knowing we are new, and i tried to Khao Soi. It was perfectly balanced in all the flavors, and a good portion that was worth the $20 in my opinion. I would definitely come here again!
… moreMelissa Cleland
What a nice surprise! I’ve been coming to this area for decades, and my parents live here. They had eaten here pre-Covid, so I was happy to try it today with my dad.
The seasonal starter of three different types of mushroom was fabulously delicious! Hopefully you could try it if you come sooner than later. The main courses were equally delicious and beautifully flavored. We went for a more mild pallet, but you can get it as spicy as you want.
The inside decor is very unique and intimate, accommodating a party of one to a party of eight. We ate inside because it’s rather hot these days, but the outside next to the creek looks beautiful when it’s cooler.
… moreAdam Nelson
We spent a month and a half in Thailand a few years ago, this is absolutely the most authentic Thai food we’ve had in the States since then. The khao soi tasted just like it did in Chiang Mai. The broths were delicious. We chatted with David and Kuba for a while, they were both very personable and welcoming. This will be our first stop the next time we visit Sylva.
… moreAngelika Weaver
You know a place is going to be exciting when they open at 5pm, you show up at 4:50 and there is already a line waiting to get inside. The food was delicious. We had fried tofu with the special chili sauce, mushroom salad (my fave) and beef massaman, the special this week. Outstanding food. Service was lovely as well. The restaraunt has 7 tables available and a small bar seating. Getting there early seems to be the general idea.
… moreJessica
This is the best food in the area. Hands down. Amazing authentic Thai, so fresh and flavorful. Massaman curry is the best I’ve ever had. Not only that, but the ambience is PERFECT. I can’t explain it, it’s just a small quaint restaurant but they play nice music at a decent volume and they really know how to set the mood. We used to only eat on the patio area out of habit, sitting river front. Lately we’ve been going inside to sit at a little corner table and wow it’s been a game changer, just because the vibes are so good. Long live Dalaya, best restaurant in town. So so so good and the owner is so thoughtful and such an impressive chef. Can’t recommend enough. Also the fish sauce wings are THE BOMB (if you can take the heat!!)
… moreLuna Castigliani
My favorite Thai restaurant in the area! I’ve tried many but here at Dalaya, the aromas and flavors are authentic and the welcoming vibe is genuine and I love hearing the Thai whispers throughout the kitchen while getting lost in a lovely creekside view
… more