Ann Redding and Matt Danzer earned a Michelin star at Uncle Boon's; after that lease collapsed in 2020, they regrouped a few blocks away at 186 Mott Street as Thai Diner, an all-day Thai-American room in Nolita. The khao soi runs about $15 and the massaman-curry disco fries about $10 — diner shorthand for the cooking that won the star. The Michelin Guide named Thai Diner a Bib Gourmand in 2024 and again in 2025.
The Kitchen
Chef-owners Ann Redding and Matt Danzer met cooking at Thomas Keller's Per Se, opened Uncle Boon's in 2013, and held a Michelin star there from 2016 until the room closed in 2020. Thai Diner is their second act, a few blocks from the old address.
The format is a Thai-American diner, and the menu plays the joke straight: the khao soi (about $15) and the buttery roti are direct descendants of the Uncle Boon's kitchen, while the massaman-curry disco fries (about $10) and the Thai-tea babka French toast are diner-counter inventions. The som tum, phat thai and laab fill out a menu that runs from breakfast to late dinner.
The Michelin Guide recognised the room with a Bib Gourmand in 2024 and 2025; the star itself belonged to Uncle Boon's, not to the diner.
The Room
The room is a stylised diner: booths, fixed bar stools, a woven-bamboo ceiling, paper lanterns and a backlit glass-brick bar. It is lively and casual, open from morning to late, and dress is come-as-you-are. Most seats go to the walk-in line, with a limited number of indoor reservations released on Resy.
Best for a First Date
Book it for a first date because the all-day diner setting is fun rather than formal, the sharing menu gives you something to talk about, and the bill stays light enough to keep the stakes low. Aim for an off-peak weekday slot, grab the indoor Resy table if you can, and split the disco fries and the khao soi.
Not for
Skip it if you need a guaranteed reservation — indoor tables release on Resy 29 days out and most seats go to the walk-in line, so weekend waits are real.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the owners of Thai Diner?
Thai Diner is owned by chefs Ann Redding and Matt Danzer, the married couple behind Uncle Boon's, the Nolita Thai restaurant that held a Michelin star from 2016 until it closed in 2020. They met cooking at Per Se and opened Thai Diner a few blocks from the old Uncle Boon's address as their next project.
Does Thai Diner have a Michelin star or Bib Gourmand?
Thai Diner is a Michelin Bib Gourmand, named in both the 2024 and 2025 New York selections — the guide's mark for good value rather than a star. The Michelin star belonged to the owners' previous restaurant, Uncle Boon's, which closed in 2020. The diner carries the lineage but not the star itself.
Does Thai Diner take reservations or is it walk-in?
Mostly walk-in. Thai Diner keeps a limited number of indoor reservations that release on Resy roughly 29 days out at midnight, but most tables go to the walk-in line. Expect a wait at weekend brunch and dinner; weekday off-peak slots are the easiest way in. It serves all day, from morning through late dinner.
What should I order at Thai Diner?
Order the khao soi (about $15) and the massaman-curry disco fries (about $10) — the two dishes that define the place — plus the roti to start. The som tum papaya salad, phat thai and laab are all reliable, and the Thai-tea babka French toast is the signature sweet if you come for the all-day breakfast.
Is Thai Diner good for a first date?
Yes. The all-day diner room is relaxed and fun rather than intimidating, the sharing-style menu gives you plenty to do together, and the moderate prices keep a first date low-pressure. Go off-peak on a weekday to avoid the walk-in wait, and split a few plates rather than committing to a full multi-course meal.
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