Monday, May 18, 2026

Somtum Der to close on Avenue A on May 31

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

After nearly 13 years on Avenue A, Somtum Der is closing. 

The Michelin-recognized Isan-style Thai restaurant will serve its final meals on May 31. 

We were told the owners are planning to move back to Thailand, though it's unclear whether that is directly tied to the closure.
In the meantime, the restaurant at 85 Avenue A between Fifth Street and Sixth Street is operating with a limited menu — meaning no noodle dishes for now, including favorites like pad thai and pad see ew.

Somtum Der opened here in 2013, bringing northeastern Thai cuisine to the East Village. 

They will be missed.
at

6 comments:

  1. Christopher PelhamMay 18, 2026 at 9:45 AM

    i thought they served the best Thai food I’ve ever had in Manhattan. They will be missed!

    ReplyDelete
  2. MTA614May 18, 2026 at 10:07 AM

    We just keep losing more and more. I would be shocked if there wasn't landlord meddling in the mix here.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AbbyMay 18, 2026 at 10:15 AM

    I'm sad to see them go, but if a Thai restaurant doesn't have Pad Thai...

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousMay 18, 2026 at 11:15 AM

    This is a bummer, for sure. Best wishes to the owners in whatever they do next.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ali SahinMay 18, 2026 at 1:55 PM

    I heard they had a gas issue in the building. Sad to see them go.

    ReplyDelete
  6. TrixieMay 18, 2026 at 3:06 PM

    I have an American friend married to a Thai and they moved to Thailand to live in a safer and more civilized society.

    ReplyDelete

Your remarks and lively debates are welcome, whether supportive or critical of the views herein. Your articulate, well-informed remarks that are relevant to an article are welcome.

However, commentary that is intended to "flame" or attack, that contains violence, racist comments and potential libel will not be published. Facts are helpful.

If you'd like to make personal attacks and libelous claims against people and businesses, then you may do so on your own social media accounts. Also, comments predicting when a new business will close ("I give it six weeks") will not be approved.