Discovering Circles Thai Northern Liberties: A Culinary Gem in Philadelphia
Nestled in the vibrant and ever-evolving neighborhood of Northern Liberties, Philadelphia, Circles Thai stands as a distinguished culinary destination. Located precisely at 812 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19123, United States, this establishment offers more than just a meal; it presents an authentic and nuanced exploration of Thai cuisine, specifically highlighting the rich flavors characteristic of Northern Thailand. In a city celebrated for its diverse gastronomic landscape, Circles Thai carves out a unique niche by focusing on traditional recipes executed with modern precision and a commitment to fresh, high-quality ingredients. The atmosphere is designed to be welcoming, mirroring the hospitality often found in the regions its culinary inspiration draws from, making it an ideal spot for both casual weeknight dinners and more significant celebratory gatherings.
The journey into Thai food often begins with familiar favorites, but Circles Thai encourages patrons to delve deeper into the regional specialties that define the northern culinary identity. This dedication to authenticity, coupled with a contemporary approach to presentation and service, positions the restaurant as a significant contributor to Philadelphia's dynamic food scene. Whether you are a long-time enthusiast of Thai flavors or a newcomer eager to explore the breadth of Southeast Asian gastronomy, Circles Thai Northern Liberties promises a memorable and satisfying dining experience that resonates long after the last bite.
What sets Circles Thai apart in the competitive Philadelphia dining environment? Several key elements contribute to its growing reputation:
Authentic Northern Thai Focus: While many Thai restaurants offer a broad national menu, Circles Thai places a special emphasis on the distinct, often milder yet deeply aromatic, flavors originating from the northern regions of Thailand. This specialization allows for a more focused and genuine culinary presentation, showcasing unique herbs, spices, and cooking techniques rarely found elsewhere in the city.
Commitment to Freshness and Quality: The philosophy underpinning the kitchen operations centers on sourcing the freshest possible ingredients. This dedication is evident in the vibrant taste profiles of their dishes, ensuring that the integrity of traditional recipes is maintained through superior raw materials. This focus on quality elevates everyday dishes into exceptional culinary experiences.
Inviting and Accessible Ambiance: Situated conveniently in Northern Liberties, the restaurant strikes a perfect balance between being a neighborhood staple and a destination eatery. The interior design fosters a relaxed yet refined setting, making it comfortable for various occasions while still feeling special. It’s a space where conversation flows as easily as the flavorful sauces.
Thoughtful Menu Curation: The menu is thoughtfully curated, balancing beloved classics with regional specialties that invite culinary exploration. Diners have the opportunity to experience the familiar comfort of well-executed Thai staples alongside exciting new flavors, providing a comprehensive overview of the cuisine’s depth and versatility.
The location at 812 N 2nd St places Circles Thai right in the heart of a neighborhood known for its artistic energy and community spirit. This geographical placement allows the restaurant to connect directly with a diverse local clientele while remaining easily accessible to visitors exploring Philadelphia’s attractions. The commitment to providing an exceptional dining experience is woven into every aspect of the operation, from the warm greeting upon entry to the meticulous plating of the final course.
In conclusion, Circles Thai Northern Liberties is more than just a point on the map for Thai food lovers in Philadelphia. It represents a dedication to culinary heritage, a commitment to ingredient quality, and a welcoming atmosphere that encourages repeat visits. For those seeking an authentic taste of Northern Thai flavors, executed with care and served in a vibrant setting, a visit to this establishment is highly recommended. It stands as a testament to how traditional cooking, when respected and thoughtfully presented, can thrive and captivate modern palates in a bustling urban center like Philadelphia.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Service options
Delivery
Takeaway
Dine-in
Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining
Offerings
Coffee
Comfort food
Healthy options
Small plates
Vegan options
Vegetarian options
Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Dessert
Seating
Table service
Amenities
Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly
Groups
Tourists
University students
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Menus
Drinks
Soft DrinkUS$2.00
Pellegrino Sparkling WaterUS$6.00
Fiji WaterUS$4.50
Specialties
Khao Soi GaiUS$22.00
Pad Thai CrabUS$36.00
Roasted Rohan Tamarind DuckUS$33.00
Roasted Rohan Duck CurryUS$33.00
General Thai Shrimp.US$23.00
Crispy Red SnapperUS$23.00
Crab Fried RiceUS$36.00
Pu Pad Pong KareeUS$36.00
General Thai ChickenUS$20.00
Khao Mok GaiUS$20.00
Garlic ShrimpUS$23.00
Choo Chee SalmonUS$23.00
Pad Thai SalmonUS$22.00
Kua KlingUS$21.00
Desserts
Fried S'more BananaUS$10.00
Sweet Taro Puffs.US$10.00
Coconut CustardUS$10.00
Pineapple PuffsUS$10.00
Soups
Tom KhaUS$6.00
Thai Rice SoupUS$5.00
Tom YumUS$6.00
Rolls
Cheesesteak Spring RollUS$10.00
Vegetable Spring RollsUS$8.00
Chicken Spring RollUS$10.00
Vegetarian Cheesesteak RollsUS$10.00
Fried Rice
Thai Combination Fried RiceUS$24.00
Pineapple Fried RiceUS$18.00
Garlic Basil Fried RiceUS$18.00
Circles Fried RiceUS$18.00
Utensils upon request only
Yes, I Need UtensilsUS$0.00
Stir Fry
Amazing Stir FryUS$18.00
CashewsUS$18.00
EggplantUS$18.00
Pad KrapowUS$18.00
Mixed VegetablesUS$18.00
Pad PedUS$18.00
Pad Khing Stir FryUS$18.00
Pad Prik KingUS$18.00
Appetizers
Vegetable DumplingsUS$9.00
Chicken SatayUS$12.00
Peak Gai TodUS$10.00
Chicken Curry PuffUS$10.00
Vegetable Curry PuffUS$10.00
Chicken Masssaman And RotiUS$12.00
Chicken & Shrimp DumplingsUS$10.00
Tofu Corn FrittersUS$10.00
Crab RangoonUS$10.00
Fried TofuUS$8.00
Salads
Thai Beef SaladUS$12.00
Som TumUS$10.00
Sides
Turmeric RiceUS$4.00
White RiceUS$2.00
Steamed Rice NoodlesUS$2.00
Steamed VegetablesUS$4.00
Peanut SauceUS$2.00
Curries
Red CurryUS$19.00
Massaman CurryUS$19.00
Pineapple CurryUS$19.00
Pumpkin CurryUS$19.00
Green CurryUS$19.00
Panang CurryUS$19.00
Yellow CurryUS$19.00
Noodles
Pad Kee MowUS$18.00
Pad BameeUS$18.00
Thai Peanutty NoodlesUS$18.00
Pad ThaiUS$18.00
Pad See EwUS$18.00
Pad WoonsenUS$18.00
Photos
Reviews Circles Thai Northern Liberties
La Denna Ruiz
16-12-2025
Really cute Thai food place. It’s not a crazy big menu. But it’s good. I got the padwoseen which was great. It was so good o didn’t even add soy sauce to it. Which I usually do. The restaurant is super cute aesthetically as well and service is good. Go check it out.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
jagadish maturi
08-12-2025
Thai food taken to another level ! Circles provided mouthwatering , and ambrosial food that is a must have . It has a wide variety of options , and all the food has nice heat and spice . It was presented well , and a plethora of condiments … More
Ariana Castaneda
13-10-2025
This is my favorite Thai place in Philly. Reasons why I am giving the place 5 stars:
- service is excellent. I have been a customer for the past 2 years and there … More
Kat Tom
10-10-2025
Flavor bomb people...look out! The pineapple, chicken curry was sooooo delicious. We also ordered the massaman both spicy!!! Definitely would recommend this place.
Service
Dine in
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Group size
3-4 people
Wait time
No wait
Recommendation for vegetarians
Highly recommend
Vegetarian offerings
Vegetarian menu or section
Vegetarian options
Food comes out extremely fast, is hot, and tasty!
Kellie Peach
23-09-2025
Super excellent! Big portions!
Yummmmyyyy. We ordered pumpkin curry, pad se ew and mango sticky rice. I would definitely order and or all of them again. More
Ray Bolden
07-09-2025
I placed an order through Uber Eats and was pleased to see some nice offers, which made the meal even more affordable. I decided to try the Pad See Ew with beef, and I have to say, the portion size was huge! It was really satisfying, and I couldn’t even finish it. The dish itself was tasty, with flavorful beef and perfectly cooked noodles.
I also ordered sticky rice with mango, which I thought was pretty good, especially since I'm new to Thai food. However, there was a white sauce in the middle of the rice that kind of turned me off. It wasn’t to my taste, so I ended up not finishing it.
One downside was that I had it delivered to my hotel, and I was a bit disappointed that they didn’t include utensils in my order. It kind of defeated the purpose of delivery, as I had to go out and search for utensils.
Despite that, the food itself was solid, and I'd probably give them another try, especially with the good offers on Uber Eats.
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5
Sunny Eun
30-08-2025
Circle has been my favorite Thai place in Philly 🧡 I’ve probably tried this place over 20 times by now, and it’s still my go-to place to get some nice food after a tough week. … More
Kyle Hong Ping
29-08-2025
The service and atmosphere was amazing. Our server was funny and knowledgeable. The food was not as expected but I'm guessing my palate is a bit different. The general Thai chicken was delicious and I'll recommend it to anyone.
Food: 3
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Brianna Perry
21-08-2025
The entrees were really good. My massaman curry was to die for and my partner's Salmon pad Thai was a hit, but we were not super happy with our appetizers. The crab rangoon was over priced and bland. The spring roll itself was good but the … More
Siddarth Gautam
31-07-2025
Ambience of this restaurant is amazing. The Coconut Soup was yummy, Veggie Dumplings looked great but were not as great as they appeared. Basil Fried Rice with spice level 4 was yummy and spicy. Khow Suey was great too!! More
Giarad
01-07-2025
The customer service was outstanding. The food was amazing. Overall, my experience was great. This was me my first time and the staff. There was very helpful with the menu. They explained everything to me in detail even help me pick a suggested dish. We ordered two appetizers two entrées they both were phenomenal hands-down circles as a 10 out of 10 restaurant. I highly recommend!!!!!!!!!!!!
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Reservation
Varies by time / day
Group size
Suitable for all group sizes
Seating type
Indoor dining area, Booth seating
Recommendation for vegetarians
Highly recommend
Vegetarian offerings
Large vegetarian selection
Parking space
Somewhat difficult to find parking
Parking options
Free street parking, Paid street parking
Parking
The location is also in a good area. Where I feel safe and comfortable.
PaulS
03-06-2025
This restaurant was amazing. Super friendly with great food. Low key ambiance. The summer spring rolls were excellent so was the roasted Rohan duck. The curries are absolutely incredible, tasty and mildly spicy. On the pricier side but it’s worth it
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Roasted Rohan Duck Curry
Kamy Fan
22-05-2025
We’ve always had a positive experience dining in. However, this time when I placed my usual order on the phone they charged me $3 for NO PROTEIN. Pad Kee Mow is $14 on the menu but they upcharged me when I just wanted veggies. I even tried to explain when I went to pick up. The guy said veggies is extra $3.. ridiculous More
Melissa Chedid
20-05-2025
Update: I bumped it down a star because I tried to order the same exact thing again as takeout and they couldn’t accommodate me (I asked for tofu that wasn’t fried). So, seems inconsistent.
—
This will become your go-to Thai restaurant. Food is fresh and delicious. Portions are large, and price is reasonable. They have lots of vegan and gluten free options. It’s a BYOB but they have some Thai iced teas and coffees. They are very accommodating, overall it was a great experience! Highly recommend.
Service
Dine in
Food: 5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5
Nafis Zahir
21-04-2025
Circles Thai offers very good customer service in a very clean and relaxing atmosphere. The food is very fresh, flavorful and hot. It is one of the better Thai restaurants that I have eaten at and offers a wide variety of food options. I recommend giving them a try.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4
Recommended dishes
Cheesesteak Spring Roll
Ruthie Henry
16-04-2025
This restaurant is awesome! From the moment you walk in you are greeted by a friendly, welcoming staff. The size of the dining area is comfortable, not cramped as some of the other places in the area. The seating is comfortable, and the … More
Amanda Wang
28-02-2025
Original plan was to try Baan Thai but they were closed for some reason so we came to circle Thai. Did not disappoint!
Spice level so amazingly hot, lived up to the “hot” name. … More
Brad Ward
20-02-2025
Good size portion. Good flavor. When ordering via Uber Eats you cant really customize your meal but it turned out ok. Would eat here again. Good value. More
Sam C
07-02-2025
Birthday dinner and my daughter wanted authentic. Every part of the experience was better than expected. Staff and owners were very nice. We had so much leftovers! We went with traditional Pad Thai. I had the duck.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Chicken Pad Thai, Pumpkin Curry
William
04-02-2025
This is one of our go-to places for Thai food. It is nicer than most other Thai restaurants. It's a bit pricier too but the portions are decent.
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4
Recommended dishes
Seafood Pad Thai, Shrimp Summer Rolls, Papaya
Reservation
Reservations not required
Group size
2 people
Reviews Circles Thai Northern Liberties