Sorn Thai Restaurant & Bar – Authentic & Fusion Thai Cuisine in McLean, VA

I ordered takeout. Pad Thai (chicken) Red curry (Chicken) and Papaya Salad. Everything was delicious, amazing flavors, clean ingredients. The only complaint is the chicken was too dry in both dishes. I would definitely order again. The atmosphere looked really nice for dine-in

I have decades of experience eating Thai food and have eaten Thai food all over Northern Virginia. This restaurant stands out for two reasons. First, the menu doesn't only have Thai food staples, it also has fusion-y food like Thai-inspired brunch food or Thai food with seasonal ingredients such as pumpkin and squash in the fall. Second, the food here is just more flavorable than at your typical Thai restaurant. Every bite is bursting with flavor. My favorite dish is the Pad Eggplant but everything is good here. Service is friendly and the food comes quick. There is an open kitchen so you can see your food being made. Unfortunately it is a tad pricier than other Thai restaurants. It is in McLean, after all.

Found on the final Washington Post restaurant guide by Tom Seitsema, and open on Thanksgiving when six other places I tried weren’t, this was a most happy good luck draw. The menu is fairly extensive, though similar to pho, there are many common ingredients, allowing a great chef to more readily handle a large menu. We started by picking three “meat” appetizers - as a meal: shrimp rolls, duck rolls, and crab rangoons. Each are these were a delight. Just warmed to be satisfying, the duck rolls are constructed as a mini Chinese Peking duck roll. The Sorn version was without the skin of the Chinese version, and had everything else, including the just so sauce to complement, not cover. The shrimp rolls are so cute - a spring roll sheet wrapped around shrimp meat, just a tad spicy, with a cute shrimp tail sticking out from one end. The crab rangoons - little four corner pastry shells, filled with an amazing crab cream sauce, best consumed in little bites as one might an ice cream cone. Also served with its own mild sauce, just another perfect combination for the sight and the palate. Next we ordered their “Geang Kua” mussels, a “two pepper” spice rating. Served in a light brown sauce, with basil, green and red peppers, a bit spicy, and a dozen fresh mussels and a bowl of rice on the side (more was offered - we declined) and this too hit all the marks for a superb dish. Sorn have an extensive (separate) drink menu, with alcohol on one side, and soft drinks on the other side, along with the dessert list. We both chose Jasmine hot tea, served in a glass mug with a tea bag, the waitress was quick with refills of hot water. They were out “last night” of the sweet sago, so we ordered mango sticky rice, and crème brûlée. Both were most excellent, just right versions of the dish. The crème brûlée custard is green, a nod to the barely discernible “infusion” of the essence of pandan leaf. Served with a few fresh blueberries and strawberries — just perfect. On the strength of these dishes, we ordered two of the fried rice dishes for takeout. And for such high quality, the prices are reasonable. Most definitely a “save” location for any occasion.

I had the absolute pleasure of visiting Sorn on 3/20/2025. From the moment I walked in I was in awe of the decor which is a great sign. There was so much sun light, the flowers were colorful/pretty and the space was open with gorgeous furniture. We were greeted with a smile and were seated in the window which was nice with warmth. My girlfriend and I ordered a coke which came in a can, Thai iced tea, and water. I’m not kidding when I say that was CRISPIEST coke I’ve had in my life. I like to drink half but I drank the entire thing. My girlfriend loved her iced tea which I didn’t try but the vibrant color made me super jealous that I didn’t try it now that I think about it. Let me just put out there that the dishes that the food was served on and the glasses we drank out of were beautiful. Little details like that-you can tell there was so much thought that went into this restaurant. For starters we ordered the dumplings, papaya salad, shisito peppers with mushrooms, crab rangoons, and spring rolls. (We were hungry; YES). Everything was literally to die for and I ate an enormous amount. The lime vinaigrette in the papaya salad was to die for. I’m not a fan of mushrooms because of the texture but they were coated in a dressing that made me forget I was eating a mushroom. The spring rolls were a favorite of mine; like spectacular-let me have 14 of them! For entree, I got the basil fried rice with chicken and my girlfriend got one of the curries; I’m blanking on which one but she loved it and would not let me take it. She normally lets me have her food or at least offer Everything was sooo good that I visited again on 3/22/2025. I went with my family. I got the same thing except, I got the drunken noodles and a guava margarita. The drunken noodles were beyond good. My 3 year old daughter loved them! And quite frankly, that was the best and most refreshing margarita I’ve ever had. My mom ordered a Prosecco which she’s already afraid about it being flat; and it wasn’t. She loved it! The other new thing I tried was the veggie spring rolls that made me dance in my seat. The customer service was a 100/10 both times I’ve visited. It’s the prettiest space with a semi open kitchen which I appreciate! It’s really a great time. As you can tell, I will be back!

My friend and I saw the review of the Kanom Jeen Nam Ya ($20) and drove out to Tysons to try it. We also decided to splurge and share Garlic Pepper Maine Lobster ($27) and a Duck Roll appetizer ($10). Everything was delicious, but sharing the very small portion of branzino and the couple of bites of lobster tail just didn't work. With the appetizer and Thai Iced Teas ($6), it was a good, but expensive lunch.

This modern Thai restaurant in Chesterbrook Shopping Center, McLean, stands out with its trendy atmosphere. The clean white walls, natural wood tones, and inviting large windows create a relaxing environment. The service here is exceptional—attentive and friendly, with food that is promptly served and bursting with authentic flavors. The sauces and fresh vegetables elevate the dining experience, making it clear that this establishment is a cut above the rest of the Thai restaurants in Northern Virginia. We enjoyed several outstanding dishes that truly impressed us. The Thai Dumplings, highly recommended by the staff, are a must-try. They feature marinated minced shrimp and pork wrapped in delicate wonton skin, perfectly paired with a sweet garlic soy sauce. The Tum Luang Prabang salad is another highlight. It showcases refreshing, wide slices of green papaya and carrots, enhanced with shrimp paste and a zesty, spicy lime vinaigrette. The Garlic Pepper Maine Lobster was a standout dish, bursting with rich savory garlic sauce, crunchy cashews, and a vibrant mix of vegetables. We also indulged in the Kua Gai, which features wide rice noodles stir-fried with chicken, squid, scallions, and preserved radishes; adding a touch of sriracha sauce elevates the flavors even further. Lastly, the Grilled Sirloin Steak Num Tok was exceptional—tender and expertly seasoned, it was served alongside fresh veggies and a delicious chili lime sauce that beautifully brought everything together.

This is my second time here, and I came to support a Thai friend’s business and try some new dishes I hadn’t had before. The food here truly helps cure my homesickness—it tastes just like home! The flavors are authentic, the portions are just right, and the prices are reasonable. I highly recommend the Moo Hong and Khao Soi with Salmon — they absolutely made my day and made me want to come back to try every item on the menu. The drinks are also unique, well-balanced, and refreshing. I finished the meal with their egg yolk and rum raisin ice cream, and honestly, I couldn’t be happier. What a perfect way to end a meal!