Royal Thai Bistro

If you're strolling through the Village in Big Bear Lake and craving something warm, flavorful, and a little spicy, Royal Thai Bistro is a gem worth checking out. Tucked into the heart of the town, this cozy Thai restaurant offers a satisfying mix of authentic flavors, generous portions, and friendly service. I visited on a chilly evening, and the vibe inside was welcoming — low lighting, simple decor, and a relaxed atmosphere. The staff was attentive from the start, happy to answer questions about the menu and accommodate dietary preferences (they have plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options). I started with the Crispy chicken rolls, which was tangy and aromatic, though I did wish it had a bit more punch from the lemongrass. For the main course, the Fried pork rice was excellent — perfectly spiced, served with fluffy rice. The Pad Thai was solid as well: sweet, savory, and loaded with tender chicken and fresh bean sprouts. A table near us ordered the Drunken Noodles, and based on their enthusiasm, I’ll definitely try those next time. One thing to note: while most of the dishes hit the mark, there were a few inconsistencies. A friend mentioned their curry wasn’t as flavorful on a previous visit, so it might depend on who's in the kitchen. But overall, the experience felt thoughtful and genuine. Prices are reasonable for a resort town, and the portions are generous enough to share or take home for leftovers. Plus, the location is perfect for a relaxing lunch or dinner after a day of hiking, skiing, or browsing the local shops.

Not the best Thai I've ever had but in a small mountain town you take what you can get. Having celiac there are several options to choose from, all the curries are GF the pad Thai as well and our server was able to tell us what was safe. I didn't get sick so it gains points for that. My wife and I split a tom kha soup which needed more coconut flavor hence the one star deduction, I had the panang currie and my wife had the pad Thai which were both decent. Our server also never asked about 🔥 level so when it came out we were glad it wasn't over spiced, I like it hot but my wife doesn't. So don't forget to mention your preference like we did. Overall decent food at reasonable prices when compared with the overpriced food in the area.