I've tried many of the Thai restaurants in Knoxville and i think this is my favorite, although not by a long shot. The ambience is really nice. It is a pretty big, open and well designed restaurant. It is yet another Sushi/Thai restuarant, which seems to be a common theme in the Knox. The food is excellent. Quick, well made, usually piping hot. I haven't had a negative food experience so far. The service could definitely be better. It has been hit or miss but the food more than makes up for it. It is not any more expensive than Taste of Thai and the ambience is slightly nicer. Definitely recommended!
(4)
Timothy S.
Service was fast and skillful. We ordered the Surin Basket appetizers. They were served quickly, even before the waiter took out order for the main course and were excellent. I ordered the Masuman Beef as this was our first visit and I often use the Masuman curry as a calibration point in a new Thai restaurant. It was fairly standard, not very exciting, and not as spicy as I like, but it was very well presented, the curry had a refined taste to it, and there was lots of it. My wife had the stir fry with shrimp and cashews and found it excellent and perfectly spiced. The coconut ice cream was delicious. We definitely will be returning soon.
(5)
Thanes S.
Surin of Thailand has been serving Authentic Thai Cuisine since 1990 to Atlanta, the Southeast and now serving in Knoxville, TN. The Surin of Thailand family invites you to experience our commitment to our customers, the satisfaction of the Thai Culture, and the variety of Thai Cuisine, fresh Sushi, and all the extras provided to highlight your visit.
(5)
Richard L.
I thought it was really good. Had yellow curry and the coconut soup. Order a bowl of rice with the curry is my only suggestion.
(4)
Liza M.
i really like this place. very tasty thai dishes & great sushi. the coupons they send out on a regular basis don't hurt either.
(4)
James V.
I've been to this place approximately ten times. The food has always been good to excellet. Service is prompt and friendly. Noon prices are extremely reasonable. House wine excellent. My only complaint is the $10 martini. It's fine but it's too big. Also, it would be nice if they had some decent beers on tap. All brew is by the bottle.
(5)
Amanda S.
Few reason they are getting a 5 star... 1. They treated us so nicely and put us in the back room. (Good idea with our bunch) 2. Our server Brian was super friendly and talkative. Helped with drink suggestions and really managed our loudness! (CINCO BIRTHDAY PARTY) need I say more? 3. Have 3 questions for you... Tacos Thai food Breakfast and Lunch which makes Brunch.. haha jkjk inside joke 3. Dumplings and both egg roll styles were super fresh and yummy! 4. It's so pretty and very clean. Great seating for outside. Super roomy 5. Main entrees were amazing. I had the Massaman Chicken in curry with Avacodo was really good. Not the best I have ever had, but delish non the less Drink ideas that the Bartender made for me. Thai Tea with Orange Vodka! Ohhhemmgeeee! If you want an adult beverage. Get on it. Or just try with reg vodka I'll be back! Gotta bring the "Pops" haha
(5)
Rachelle S.
The wait for your food is almost unbearable but the food is quite tasty. They have a great 1/2 price sushi special during the week with a variety of rolls listed. Just be prepared to wait. A long time. We waited over an hour for a total of 4 rolls.
(4)
Christie B.
Sam was our delightful server and when you have a good knowledgeable person with a good personality the meal seems to be better. Every time I eat here it's good. The lemon drop martini is delicious and so is the sushi. The pad Thai with beef is wonderful and enough to share. The outdoor seating area is nice too.
(4)
Lindy P.
Hands down, this is the coolest Asian restaurant in Knoxville. The atmosphere is hip and modern, and the food is even better. With ample parking and tons of seats, this place is great for large groups too. Who knew your Asian dining experience could be so trendy?! The menu is huge and very well priced. The bar has a wide variety of wines and specialty cocktails. They have BOGO sushi plus tons of other Thai dishes. The pot stickers in a red curry sauce were unique and tasty, but the calamari was my favorite appetizer. I ordered the Ka Proud Lamb chops, which turned out to be one of the best Thai dishes I've ever had! The chops were juicy and cooked to perfection, served with a spicy dipping sauce and a large portion of shrimp fried rice. The plating was great- they made carrots into flowers! The dish was only $23, so it was definitely well priced for the portion and quality. I highly recommend Surin of Thailand for your spicy Thai needs!!
(4)
Lynn B.
We stopped in Knoxville on our way to Atlanta. I found this place on yelp and it didn't disappoint. Great service, atmosphere and food.
(4)
Zach P.
Had a big group set up for us in back room for a friends surprise birthday party. Drinks came alittle scattered but they have two bars so I recommend just going up and ordering one of you need your fix. Apps and sushi (1/2 off on Wednesday) were great! Cool spot on Kingston Pike. Cool feel to this place and their patio looked a reason to return as I enjoy eating outside whenever possible!
(3)
Alan S.
This place is Awesome one of my favorites in Knoxville. We get the spicy beef noodle, I have tried to stop eating this dish many times when I get full but there is no stopping. I...just...can't...stop... Eating this dish! There really is just not enough good things to say about Surin. Not a big fan of the Thai Tea but that is just a personal preference. Great beer selection and their apps a great as well. They have some great sushi as well, if only I could stop eating the spicy beef noodle! LOL!
(5)
Rob C.
Surin of Thailand is our favorite place to get sushi. We've had many of the items on the menu and have never been disappointed. We've been a few times when they had half-priced sushi and half-priced wine and the quality is still just as good as the regular menu! Also, we use this space as a venue when to host out Wine and Canvas classes and the staff always treats our customers well. The managers are a treat to work with as far as scheduling goes so if you are looking for a space for a special party or large group gathering they can certainly accommodate you! Pro's Great Food and Wine Helpful Staff Large space for group dining Con's None
(5)
Cindy D.
The sushi is always good. Half price Sunday through Friday after 5pm. Wonton soup is delicious.
(5)
Ben B.
Awesome! Kaboom Maki and spicy beef noodles are my fav. AND NOW THEY DELIVER TO YOUR DOOR! Delivery was fast and food was piping hot.
(5)
Chris L.
Excellent flavor right off of I40 in Knoxville. We had some Tom Kha to start that was a great light start while we waited for out appetizer and entree. For an appetizer we the Kaboom Maki. It was a shrimp tempura roll with cream cheese that was flash fried and arranged in a bowl of red curry coconut milk. In the middle was a cucumber seaweed salad. This roll is like a party in your mouth. My wife had thai noodles with shrimp and chicken that was close to what you would expect from pad thai. The quality was great. I had a red curry duck. The flavor was great here too. I do wish I'd indicated medium spice as the dish was a little mild for my taste but that's on me, not the restaurant.
(4)
Canny F.
I came here with one of my study buddies that love sushi and we were so hyped for it but left disappointed. The service was extremely slow that day - we waited an hour for our sushi. I loved their veggie friendly sushi options and it could just be a bad day in the kitchen. I would give surin a second chance. Egg/spring roll - I thought I was a picky eater..my friend said she could have popped a frozen pack of egg rolls from trader joes in the oven and had more for a cheaper price. I can't say I've had amazing spring rolls in Knoxville. I could be bias now since I am from NYC and my friend is from Washington DC. For the locals that won't be traveling for food, this wasn't bad at all. We felt it was over priced. Umeshiso - I was kind of disappointed because they didn't use real plum pieces; instead, they used plum sauce and had that over a cucumber roll. It was still tasty but it didn't make me have a sour face. Yasai maki - the only downside to this was the rice. It was too mushy and although it doesn't seem like it has a lot, it does because it was squashed. There's a huge difference in taste depending on how the way rice is prepared for sushi and the way the sushi is folded as well as the amount of rice used. Vegetable tempura maki - they had mini corns in it! I don't like mini corns so that threw me off. My friend was a tad harsh on the waitor for the amount of time we waited for our dishes but she worked in a restaurant before so she felt no sympathy. It's true though, time is of the essence. Starving customers that have to wait so long won't be happy.
(3)
Rob T.
Delicious. I sat at the bar and service was great. Had the chicken Panag curry and really enjoyed it.
(4)
Julia H.
If you like curry, you will like this place. For only $11.00 for lunch, you will get more food than you can eat and feel full all day. My favorite dish is the ahi tuna salad. It's about ten dollars and you get thick cuts of tuna and so many you need a to go box. The owner personally checks in on tables and the service is pretty good.
(4)
John G.
Went here for the first time this past Saturday in the driving, cold rain. It was worth it! Nice, tranquil ambiance to this place, gorgeous decor and interior, but not at all pretentious. Service was great, even perhaps a bit quirky and entertaining, but certainly spot on,timely and the right amount of friendly, concerned attention. I don't like to be served by robots or cunning salesmen upselling me, not the case here at all. Had two apps, egg rolls and basil rolls, basil rolls the better of the two. I had the drunken noodle with chicken with a low level Of heat, could have handled more spice. My friend had the ginger chicken stir fry. Both dishes were plentiful and tasty. Total bill for two apps, two entree, one beer and a coke came out to around 43 bucks, quite reasonable for the quality of food and setting.
(4)
Hunter H.
Surin is the place to go for Asian food in Knoxville, hands down! They have incredible service, a classy restaurant and atmosphere, and always tasty food. My personal favorite meals are pad prik beef, cashew nut chicken, Thai noodle, and chicken panang curry. Don't forget their awesome garlic chili paste anytime and also coconut soup when you dine in at lunch! Most important thing is they are consistent and have a lot of great options. Oh and ask for Pete to be your waiter. The guy is awesome!!
(5)
Todd W.
I would include this restaurant in my Knoxville Top Five. Is it the nicest restaurant in town? No. But there are only three Thai restaurants in Knoxville that I know of and this is my favorite. My wife likes the giant Buddha inside and the half priced sushi almost as much as I like the Masaman Chicken.
(4)
Virginia T.
The food is pretty good and the menu is extensive if a little overpriced. The service is good and the ambiance is business casual. This is a good choice if you love Thai food.
(4)
Lan N.
Oh my pockets. Good thai food comes with a price. I came here strictly for the thai dishes. The masaman beef is good and a bit on the sweeter side. Imagine stewed beef in a red coconut curry sauce with potatoes and sprinkles of whole roasted peanuts. Yum. Ask for the brown rice for $2extra. We requested for the spicy level to be 2 but it really only tasted like 0. I ordered the spicy beef noodle that supposedly comes to a spicy level of 2. Nope, it was not spicy enough. I'm thinking the spice level is really catered for those not wanting spice. No problemo. I've requested for spices on the side and the crush thai chiles that is made in house is phenomenal. The masaman beef came out luke warm. Sadly, the plates are not heated here. Overall the taste and service is on point. I would come back for the thai food. side note: 1/2 off sushi sunday through thurs from 5pm.
(4)
Mark P.
Thank you yelpsters. Working in K-town overnight, I simply went to yelp and searched eateries close by. Tah dah! Surin. I started with the half price sushi. I figured I was going to need breakfast in the morning so I plan to take half my entree home. I had the volcano roll and it was very well prepared and tasty. For the entree I chose the vegetable and tofu panang. It was perfectly prepared and the presentation was beautiful. My server Brian advised me that the heat rating in the restaurant was 1, 2 or 3. I chose one and a half because sometimes I get carried away with spice and can't taste the food. It was just right. It didn't overpower the food and my handkerchief is soggy. I plan on coming back next month.
(5)
Terry B.
Wonderful sushi rolls!
(4)
Chuck C.
I finally tried this place and although it was okay it was not at all special from many other Oriental place and was more expensive. I will not be so Anxious since I just tried it now and will choose another instead. Cheaper wins out when you are mediocre.
(3)
Kellie C.
A favorite lunch spot! Service is usually fast and friendly. They have a nice patio and a wide variety of offerings. The spicy beef salad is one of my favorites for lunch (and truly spicy, which is refreshing). The pad prik pork is also consistently delicious. The sushi is not my favorite, but they do run good specials on it.
(4)
Elva G.
If I can give this place a negative star i would gladly do it . Coming from Los Angeles where great food is everywhere ,especially Asian food our local friend recomended this place (YES HE IS STILL OUR FRIEND ) LOL!. Relocating this restaurant to Los Angeles would definetly go out of business .Maybe they should focus on there recipes and not so much on decoration . decor gets 5 stars . the thai waiter was extremely rude not just with us but with the other tables as well . We did not finish our food and NO!.....we will not be needing any boxes !
(1)
Andy S.
G and I were hungry, so we decided to try this Thai restaurant. It looked fancy on the outside and it had an upscale vibe in the inside. However, the price point is rather inexpensive. The menu is a little overwhelming with thai food and sushi. We both ended up having thai food. Garrett had the Masaman beef curry. It came with lots of chunks of beef in a red curry. He said it was very good. I went with the shrimp curry. It was a hot green curry with a mix of vegetables. It was great! The sauce was too good. Even after I ate all the shrimp and veggies out of it, I kept eating the curry, like it was a soup. It was spicy and sweet at the same time. It would be hard for me not to order this one again. Service was fine. The meals were $15 and less. It is a good Thai restaurant in Knoxville.
(4)
Susan T.
Really, really nice! I had (basically) yellow chicken curry and my husband had the duck, and both were absolutely wonderful. Our waiter was funny, and gracious...the atmosphere was warm and modern but welcoming...hot coconut yellow sauce with buttery chicken; what can I say, but that it was heavenly! A new favorite!
(4)
Janine A.
Good for Knoxville. Pad Thai (Thai noodles) were mediocre. The masaman beef was tender and perfectly cooked, but the gravy it was smothered in wasn't nearly as tasty. The chicken Panama curry was, by far, the best- more like "one pepper" spicy though. How is it half priced sushi if it's half price very night?!
(4)
LaMarco C.
The service was slow with a fourth of the restaurant full. I can only imagine what it would be like if it were a busy night. My chicken panag was good. Was a bit disappointed they didn't offer brown rice with meals. The menu can be overwhelming; there are too many options. I landed here because it was convenient but not sure I would see this restaurant out next time I'm in town.
(3)
Samantha K.
Chicken curry was super delicious, also the lychee martini (uhh a cool $10, but worth it to feel like Sex in the *cough* Mid-sized City)! Very classy inside, great place for a date, swanky ambiance. Our waiter last night was the strong and silent, younger-Morgan-Freeman look-alike. He was slightly unprepared for how much water I was about to consume before my night on the town, so occasionally my glass of water went unattended...but hey, what are you going to do? Chug an emergen-C after stopping by Walgreens next door after the meal, that's what. Surin also has delicious sushi and the crab rangoon appetizer thing is really tasty, though they only give you four baby rangoons, fair warning. Enjoy!
(4)
N S.
It's not Nama, but still satisfies my sushi fix. Half off sushi on weeknights is key.
(4)
Dr. Scott N.
I just had the best Masaman (chicken) that I have ever had, I have traveled to Thailand and eaten several "authentic" dishes as well as having Thai in 15 or 20 cities in the USA and this is hands down the best I have ever had. The curry is almost more nutty than spicy and just amazing. Highly recommend. FYI the menu shows only Masaman Beef, but since I rarely eat beef, I asked for chicken. Again this is well worth $12.50 ($15 with tax) Head there now, tonight and enjoy!
(5)
Channa P.
Meh... my Chicken Panang was okay, but I am not in love with this place. Maybe I should have stuck with the starter sushi I ordered. Or maybe it was my nice, but awkward server. Or was it the $2 fee for brown rice instead of white? Pros below. -Cheap, but good sushi that is half off on Sundays -Nice decor -Lots of space -Several menu options for sushi and Thai lovers -huge portions
(3)
Amelia J.
Great place to get sushi! My family was in Knoxville for the night and we're looking for a good place to eat close to our hotel. Found this place thanks to Yelp and I was not disappointed! Honestly, probably some of the best sushi I've had in a long time! We also ordered pad thai, it was good but not great. FYI apparently Thursday night is half price sushi!
(4)
Mary T.
4 Stars = The food 4 Stars = Great take-out, still good when you reheat 5 Stars = If Pete waits on you (The Thai server who gets you what you want) 2 Stars = If anyone else waits on you I have had mixed experiences with service. I finally know, ASK FOR PETE. Otherwise I would just get take-out. Seriously, I think they need someone to come in and properly train some of the staff. Pete gets the job done. When others tell you no, Pete says yes. He is always accommodating so if you want to enjoy your experience, take my advice. The FOOD: Love the curry dishes, spicy beef salad, sushi, and the noodle dishes. Eat the sushi there though, because like we all know, sushi is never good the next day. They close early some nights so make sure to get there before the doors are locked. :) Other than that, I hope you enjoy your experience with Pete! Cheers!
(4)
Brittany F.
Great sushi and decent upscale Thai, with all the standard curry, noodle and rice Thai classics. The gorgeous interior decor really sets this place apart, including an enormous buddah statue and full service bar. Great cocktail list-- try the lychee-tini! Wait service was a little pushy, but attentive. My favorite thing to order here is the sushi-- it's good quality and pretty inexpensive. When you ask them to make things spicy, they have no problem doing so! I also know people that hate spice and love this place, so they can accomodate all levels!
(4)
Meghan F.
For knoxville this place is awesome! It took me a while to try it because its not nearly as convenient for me as taste of thai or little bangkok but it's definitely better. So much better that I'll drive the extra 20 mins? The answer to that is probably sometimes. I was impressed with how good this place was though, it could hold its own in a big city with good Thai. The service was a bit disappointing, our server was not very attentive (and they weren't really busy). But the food made up for it. Nice ambiance. As a plus they have Pad See-U (I usually have seen it as Pad See Ew) on the menu which i love and the other thai places don't have it. Didn't try the sushi so this review is just about the thai dishes.
(5)
Greg S.
Honestly, it's probably as good as it gets in Knoxville. Clean, beautiful, plenty of room. Quiet dining. My tip, come on a Tuesday for half-priced suchi. WOW. Talk about putting a hurt on the sushi sensei. The sensei was like "Ah, why you order so much sushi? I kill you." But, he didn't kill me, he kept making me sushi - and wonderful sushi at that. Thank you sensei. I love this place. I want to go back. I will go back. BTW, I hate you Nama's .. you're overrated.
(5)
Jennifer S.
I had the chicken satay and duck red curry. The satay was good. The duck red curry was amazing. I have eaten Thai food all over the US and in many foreign countries and the curry here was one of the best.
(5)
Sebastian W.
The Sushi is always fresh! Love the Half Off Sushi on week nights too! Friendly staff and good service.
(4)
Madelynn M.
Their sushi specials are amazing. A great date night location. Service is a little slow and not exactly warm and inviting; it's not terrible, but not stellar.
A group of us from all over the country met here for dinner. The Knoxville native tried sooo hard to find a nice local restaurant for us. Well, first of all, they didn't know how to make a coffee/espresso martini. Really? Ummmm, it's too much for the bartender to look it up on his phone? I had to actually ask the waiter to take away a huge filthy pile of plates that he ignored for 20 minutes. No one's entree had any spice at all. Dessert? Uh, no thanks. This restaurant shouldn't rest on their laurels. I had the distinct impression service is just not important to them. One more thing. They openly flaunted their half price sushi deal and *still* charged us full price! Not going back. Insulting experience. Just... go to the grocery store and cook it yourself.
(1)
Scott S.
The service was horrible. We were totally ignored by our waiter and it was all we could do to get our check. The waiter was too busy talking to his friends to worry about us. Then to top it off I woke up at about 3 am with food poisoning from the scallops and shrimp. We'll never go there again.
(1)
L L.
Great service!!! The food was delicious and beautifully served! They have a wide variety of noodles, sushi, vegetable and tofu/meat selections.
(5)
Jay C.
Among the area's best Thai food. The spicy mixed seafood was amazing. Service was fantastic. Very nice modern decor, but If you're looking for quiet dining, this isn't your place. The food is worth the trip!
(4)
Edith R.
Consistently good food, great curry. Spicy shrimp roll is wonderful. Fun for a date night!
(5)
Leslie J.
Courteous and attentive staff, great sushi and a beautiful restaurant. I had lunch there today and would definitely come back again.
(5)
Jane K.
Spicy beef salad is excellent as a meal or app. Basil rolls were excellent today too.
(5)
Joy W.
Didn't try sushi. I like the fried beef noodles, it is a Canton style noodle, but a little bit sweet. I just don't get that why all the thai foods in the US are such sweet...for asians, they prefer less sweet entree.
(3)
Michelle S.
I went here with two of my friends today around one pm. We had bought a groupon worth $40 of food. When we arrived, the outside of the restaurant is kind of boring, but the atmosphere and decor inside were wonderful. We were sat really quickly at a table, but it was literally less than a foot away from the people next to us, even though there were other open tables. It was like we were seated with a lady and her son. Our server was incredibly awkward and didn't even say hello, introduce himself, smile or anything. He hardly spoke to us at all. I ordered the Thai coffee and thought it was terrible. However, we all liked the thai tea. We ordered an appetizer of egg rolls, the duck curry, pad thai, and barbeque chicken lunch specials. It took so long to even get the soup! The people beside us got their soup and entrees way before we were ever brought anything. The coconut soup was really wonderful. After a really long while, we got our entrees. The food wasn't terrible by any means, but the service was so slow and impersonal that it was kind of disheartening. We didn't even get our egg rolls until ten minutes after our food. They weren't that great at all, by the way. Overall, the food is mediocre (not up to other Knoxville thai restaurants), the service is incredibly slow, but the atmosphere is cool. I guess if you buy a groupon, you could try it out.
(2)
Charlie P.
BLAND. The veggie delight stir fry with tofu was tasteless. The spicy basil stir fry with basil had no basil and was also tasteless. The dude also gave me one pair of chop sticks when I clearly ordered two mains. Go to Taste of Thai which is much better.
(1)
Mark A.
When I moved to Knoxville from Atlanta I was so sad to be missing all my favorite eateries and when I tried to find some good Thai I was always disappointed. When I saw that Surin was coming I was ecstatic and now that they've been here for a while, and I've been there a while. I can say that they are as good as they are in Atlanta, plus, they have the Sushi at this location, which they didn't at the Atlanta Highlands Surin. I love going to Surin, especially for lunch with the little gratis Tofu Coconut Soup. The perfect beginning to a great meal.
(5)
Rich D.
Great ambiance. Went for an early dinner on a Thursday night and got seated immediately. Had veggie tempura roll and veggie egg roll that I split with my companion. Both were excellent; the roll was definitely above average. Had pad prik with tofu and added spice. It had an excellent taste and the portion size was good, not overwhelming. My companion seemed to enjoy his Massama Beef (though he had it with chicken). He was happy that it was not spicy as the server had assured him, though the menu indicated it was medium spice. I would eat here again.
(4)
Jay L.
Food, service and ambiance were great, but sometimes a bad experience can ruin it... They charged us $5 for two dollops of brown rice. When we asked about it the owner came up and insulted our waiter ("is he giving you a hard time?"). Then he proceeded to explain why brown rice was a $2 upcharge for the first round and $3 for the second round because of blah blah blah. If he had just said sorry about the misunderstanding and we'll take care of it this time then he'd have a repeat customer. However, I don't think we're going back. Hope he reads this.
(1)
Rich L.
New mgmt. deceptive business practices, and unwilling to admit fault and rectify disputes. Try Nama or Tomo instead. They charge what they tell you they charge and the sushi is what they promise. Hopefully mgmt will rethink their customer service. ---- EDIT: they made good on their errors, did some training, and worked on their messaging re: changes in their promotions. I'd go again now.
(4)
Chris S.
We've been going to Surin for the past several years. In general it's pretty good Thai food. However over the past year or so, the curry has been getting more and more watery and soupy and less creamy and delicious. Additionally, service has suffered. Tonight was my last straw with this place. We ordered some food to be delivered - vegetable and tofu curry - with the instruction that we'd like no tofu and extra vegetables instead. We received a box of watery curry about half full of cabbage and bell peppers. Now in the past with this order they've done better than charging $12 for half full vegetable only curry - usually filling the box with lots of ingredients like potatoes, etc. - but our main issue wasn't even with the poorly prepared food. My wife called to politely complain, and the manager immediately starts talking over her, raising his voice saying "listen to me, I'M THE BOSS! You can't order it like that!". Never apologized, never offered to make things better, and instead just gave us attitude. We went to the restaurant to return the food and see if we could talk to someone more helpful, and this guy comes over and starts with the attitude again, telling me that I need to quit talking and listen to him, that the reason he yelled at my wife is that he was really busy. Busy? In a down economy, a restaurant is actually complaining to me about how busy they are, and acting as if that's a reason to yell at customers? I have no idea how you can get to manage anything in a service industry with this sort of terrible attitude, but this person has permanently lost Surin our business, and earned them this negative review. My advice would be to take your business to Taste of Thai. The food and atmosphere are just as good if not better, and I've never had them treat me badly.
(1)
Alan P.
I had Roast duck in red curry sauce was good. The duck meat was just a tad too dry (but I'm nitpicking here). I didn't try their sushi, although it was on special (at very reasonable price) The bar is nice; it would be even nicer if there is draft beer on tap.
(4)
Holly G.
Love Surin! It's a great venue, appears to be modeled on Tao in Vegas. It's unfortunately in one of those cursed locations on Bearden Hill that's housed several restaurants that didn't make it. I really want this one to stick around, because the food and drinks are great and it's not a hole-in-the wall strip mall joint. I hope they can break the curse! The menu covers Thai, Japanese, and Chinese cuisines. They have a basic sushi menu, but the Thai dishes are the best. Don't be intimidated, East Tennessee, this is some great stuff! Totally agree with the reviewer who said he would pass 10 PF Chang's to get to Surin. Prices here are about the same as a lunch/dinner at Chang's, Aubreys, Pueleo's, etc. For the best experience, take several friends and share your dishes family style. There are so many great things to try on Surin's menu. They also have a great cocktail menu. Love the martinis.
(5)
Wm W.
Great restaurant: Food was good, and the service was great... Very nice atmosphere and vibe! Found it on Groupon...
(5)
Bill K.
Sushi is fresh and high quality. The Thai food is some of the best I have had on the east coast. Sea bass is outstanding. Check this place out!
(5)
Kevin P.
I would pass 10 pf change to get to surins. The food is a better quality than many resteraunts across all different food styles. Price is great. Ask for Pete. Tell him Kevin sent you. Make your next date night here.
(5)
D R.
This place is soo good. My wife and I ate Thai food for lunch at one of the other Thai food restaurants and were disappointed. We drove by Surin in the evening and decided to give Thai food a try again. We went once, and have gone back nearly every week. The food is so good. The manager is very nice and all the staff is great. The decor is amazing, they have rocks in the bathroom sinks. I don't know why but I think it looks cool. The place is always busy and getting busier. For Thai it's just the best in Knoxville. Spicy beef noodle is always perfect. Cashew Chicken is killer, all white breast meat. The dumplings and satay from the app. menu were great as well. I've had the lamb as well, we haven't found anything that we didn't like.
(5)
Jennie G.
My husband and I love Thai food. We were excited to try a new place. Unfortunately we had a very rude waiter who informed us that they are unable to make any changes to any menu item. (I simply wanted rice noodles in place of wheat noodles...wheat noodles have no place in a Thai restaurant to begin with). The dish I got was nasty, and I was sick later in the night. Looks like we will stick with the best Thai food in Knoxville (with very friendly staff who are willing to make any changes necessary to please their customers)...Taste of Thai!
(1)
Tara S.
I was very, very skeptical about Surin. For one thing, this location has hosted a number of "Asian-Fusion late night bars" over the years. Read: bad food, flashy decor, after dinnertime it's a faux nightclub. I was sooo pleasantly surprised after my first visit. I feel like it's impossible to review without bringing up THE Thai Institution of Knoxville - Taste of Thai. I've been going to that place for almost 15 years, and as they've declined recently, in my opinion, I feel like Surin is a solid replacement. Totally different atmosphere, but incredibly authentic and fresh food. I've had Yum Woonsen, Shrimp fresh rolls, sushi, Tom Kha, Massaman, Spicy Beef noodles, and things I'm forgetting. It is really delicious and authentic. The place is super clean, the service was great (I sat in the booths around the bar area - this is usually my preference at most places because it seems like service is more on point).
(4)
Melanie T.
This was one of the first restaurants I ate at when I first moved to Knoxville. Its nice and fancy-schmacy.I went with a group of about 10, including 3 young kids. The staff catered to us very well. My brother paid for everything so we got the best dishes, duck, sushi (yummmmm!), sweet and sour chicken for the kids just to name a few. Our food came out in a timely matter, our orders were correct, the server wasn't over baring and the ambiance of the place was nice. I'd definitely recommend this place, just come with a coupon.
(4)
Brenna D.
I love this place! Right up there with Taste of Thai! Must try the Masaman Beef and Thai Noodles they are delicious.
Great over all meal. Cant beat half price Sushi. Had a few issues but the management resolved the issues and got my sushi made the way I like it.
(5)
Krista B.
I love Surin! The chicken curry and coconut, tofu soup is AMAZING! I honestly eat here once a week, I can't get enough! They may have had a few hiccups at the beginning with service but all that's worked now, the food is so good it didn't bother me anyway:-)
This place is Awesome one of my favorites in Knoxville. We get the spicy beef noodle, I have tried to stop eating this dish many times when I get full but there is no stopping. I...just...can't...stop... Eating this dish! There really is just not enough good things to say about Surin. Not a big fan of the Thai Tea but that is just a personal preference. Great beer selection and their apps a great as well. They have some great sushi as well, if only I could stop eating the spicy beef noodle! LOL!
(5)
Canny F.
I came here with one of my study buddies that love sushi and we were so hyped for it but left disappointed. The service was extremely slow that day - we waited an hour for our sushi. I loved their veggie friendly sushi options and it could just be a bad day in the kitchen. I would give surin a second chance. Egg/spring roll - I thought I was a picky eater..my friend said she could have popped a frozen pack of egg rolls from trader joes in the oven and had more for a cheaper price. I can't say I've had amazing spring rolls in Knoxville. I could be bias now since I am from NYC and my friend is from Washington DC. For the locals that won't be traveling for food, this wasn't bad at all. We felt it was over priced. Umeshiso - I was kind of disappointed because they didn't use real plum pieces; instead, they used plum sauce and had that over a cucumber roll. It was still tasty but it didn't make me have a sour face. Yasai maki - the only downside to this was the rice. It was too mushy and although it doesn't seem like it has a lot, it does because it was squashed. There's a huge difference in taste depending on how the way rice is prepared for sushi and the way the sushi is folded as well as the amount of rice used. Vegetable tempura maki - they had mini corns in it! I don't like mini corns so that threw me off. My friend was a tad harsh on the waitor for the amount of time we waited for our dishes but she worked in a restaurant before so she felt no sympathy. It's true though, time is of the essence. Starving customers that have to wait so long won't be happy.
(3)
Amanda S.
Few reason they are getting a 5 star... 1. They treated us so nicely and put us in the back room. (Good idea with our bunch) 2. Our server Brian was super friendly and talkative. Helped with drink suggestions and really managed our loudness! (CINCO BIRTHDAY PARTY) need I say more? 3. Have 3 questions for you... Tacos Thai food Breakfast and Lunch which makes Brunch.. haha jkjk inside joke 3. Dumplings and both egg roll styles were super fresh and yummy! 4. It's so pretty and very clean. Great seating for outside. Super roomy 5. Main entrees were amazing. I had the Massaman Chicken in curry with Avacodo was really good. Not the best I have ever had, but delish non the less Drink ideas that the Bartender made for me. Thai Tea with Orange Vodka! Ohhhemmgeeee! If you want an adult beverage. Get on it. Or just try with reg vodka I'll be back! Gotta bring the "Pops" haha
(5)
Christie B.
Sam was our delightful server and when you have a good knowledgeable person with a good personality the meal seems to be better. Every time I eat here it's good. The lemon drop martini is delicious and so is the sushi. The pad Thai with beef is wonderful and enough to share. The outdoor seating area is nice too.
(4)
Lynn B.
We stopped in Knoxville on our way to Atlanta. I found this place on yelp and it didn't disappoint. Great service, atmosphere and food.
(4)
Lindy P.
Hands down, this is the coolest Asian restaurant in Knoxville. The atmosphere is hip and modern, and the food is even better. With ample parking and tons of seats, this place is great for large groups too. Who knew your Asian dining experience could be so trendy?! The menu is huge and very well priced. The bar has a wide variety of wines and specialty cocktails. They have BOGO sushi plus tons of other Thai dishes. The pot stickers in a red curry sauce were unique and tasty, but the calamari was my favorite appetizer. I ordered the Ka Proud Lamb chops, which turned out to be one of the best Thai dishes I've ever had! The chops were juicy and cooked to perfection, served with a spicy dipping sauce and a large portion of shrimp fried rice. The plating was great- they made carrots into flowers! The dish was only $23, so it was definitely well priced for the portion and quality. I highly recommend Surin of Thailand for your spicy Thai needs!!
(4)
John G.
Went here for the first time this past Saturday in the driving, cold rain. It was worth it! Nice, tranquil ambiance to this place, gorgeous decor and interior, but not at all pretentious. Service was great, even perhaps a bit quirky and entertaining, but certainly spot on,timely and the right amount of friendly, concerned attention. I don't like to be served by robots or cunning salesmen upselling me, not the case here at all. Had two apps, egg rolls and basil rolls, basil rolls the better of the two. I had the drunken noodle with chicken with a low level Of heat, could have handled more spice. My friend had the ginger chicken stir fry. Both dishes were plentiful and tasty. Total bill for two apps, two entree, one beer and a coke came out to around 43 bucks, quite reasonable for the quality of food and setting.
(4)
Hunter H.
Surin is the place to go for Asian food in Knoxville, hands down! They have incredible service, a classy restaurant and atmosphere, and always tasty food. My personal favorite meals are pad prik beef, cashew nut chicken, Thai noodle, and chicken panang curry. Don't forget their awesome garlic chili paste anytime and also coconut soup when you dine in at lunch! Most important thing is they are consistent and have a lot of great options. Oh and ask for Pete to be your waiter. The guy is awesome!!
(5)
Ben B.
Awesome! Kaboom Maki and spicy beef noodles are my fav. AND NOW THEY DELIVER TO YOUR DOOR! Delivery was fast and food was piping hot.
(5)
Cindy D.
The sushi is always good. Half price Sunday through Friday after 5pm. Wonton soup is delicious.
(5)
Chris L.
Excellent flavor right off of I40 in Knoxville. We had some Tom Kha to start that was a great light start while we waited for out appetizer and entree. For an appetizer we the Kaboom Maki. It was a shrimp tempura roll with cream cheese that was flash fried and arranged in a bowl of red curry coconut milk. In the middle was a cucumber seaweed salad. This roll is like a party in your mouth. My wife had thai noodles with shrimp and chicken that was close to what you would expect from pad thai. The quality was great. I had a red curry duck. The flavor was great here too. I do wish I'd indicated medium spice as the dish was a little mild for my taste but that's on me, not the restaurant.
(4)
Todd W.
I would include this restaurant in my Knoxville Top Five. Is it the nicest restaurant in town? No. But there are only three Thai restaurants in Knoxville that I know of and this is my favorite. My wife likes the giant Buddha inside and the half priced sushi almost as much as I like the Masaman Chicken.
(4)
Virginia T.
The food is pretty good and the menu is extensive if a little overpriced. The service is good and the ambiance is business casual. This is a good choice if you love Thai food.
(4)
Terry B.
Wonderful sushi rolls!
(4)
Lan N.
Oh my pockets. Good thai food comes with a price. I came here strictly for the thai dishes. The masaman beef is good and a bit on the sweeter side. Imagine stewed beef in a red coconut curry sauce with potatoes and sprinkles of whole roasted peanuts. Yum. Ask for the brown rice for $2extra. We requested for the spicy level to be 2 but it really only tasted like 0. I ordered the spicy beef noodle that supposedly comes to a spicy level of 2. Nope, it was not spicy enough. I'm thinking the spice level is really catered for those not wanting spice. No problemo. I've requested for spices on the side and the crush thai chiles that is made in house is phenomenal. The masaman beef came out luke warm. Sadly, the plates are not heated here. Overall the taste and service is on point. I would come back for the thai food. side note: 1/2 off sushi sunday through thurs from 5pm.
(4)
Mark P.
Thank you yelpsters. Working in K-town overnight, I simply went to yelp and searched eateries close by. Tah dah! Surin. I started with the half price sushi. I figured I was going to need breakfast in the morning so I plan to take half my entree home. I had the volcano roll and it was very well prepared and tasty. For the entree I chose the vegetable and tofu panang. It was perfectly prepared and the presentation was beautiful. My server Brian advised me that the heat rating in the restaurant was 1, 2 or 3. I chose one and a half because sometimes I get carried away with spice and can't taste the food. It was just right. It didn't overpower the food and my handkerchief is soggy. I plan on coming back next month.
(5)
Rob C.
Surin of Thailand is our favorite place to get sushi. We've had many of the items on the menu and have never been disappointed. We've been a few times when they had half-priced sushi and half-priced wine and the quality is still just as good as the regular menu! Also, we use this space as a venue when to host out Wine and Canvas classes and the staff always treats our customers well. The managers are a treat to work with as far as scheduling goes so if you are looking for a space for a special party or large group gathering they can certainly accommodate you! Pro's Great Food and Wine Helpful Staff Large space for group dining Con's None
(5)
Chuck C.
I finally tried this place and although it was okay it was not at all special from many other Oriental place and was more expensive. I will not be so Anxious since I just tried it now and will choose another instead. Cheaper wins out when you are mediocre.
(3)
Kellie C.
A favorite lunch spot! Service is usually fast and friendly. They have a nice patio and a wide variety of offerings. The spicy beef salad is one of my favorites for lunch (and truly spicy, which is refreshing). The pad prik pork is also consistently delicious. The sushi is not my favorite, but they do run good specials on it.
(4)
Elva G.
If I can give this place a negative star i would gladly do it . Coming from Los Angeles where great food is everywhere ,especially Asian food our local friend recomended this place (YES HE IS STILL OUR FRIEND ) LOL!. Relocating this restaurant to Los Angeles would definetly go out of business .Maybe they should focus on there recipes and not so much on decoration . decor gets 5 stars . the thai waiter was extremely rude not just with us but with the other tables as well . We did not finish our food and NO!.....we will not be needing any boxes !
(1)
Zach P.
Had a big group set up for us in back room for a friends surprise birthday party. Drinks came alittle scattered but they have two bars so I recommend just going up and ordering one of you need your fix. Apps and sushi (1/2 off on Wednesday) were great! Cool spot on Kingston Pike. Cool feel to this place and their patio looked a reason to return as I enjoy eating outside whenever possible!
(3)
Andy S.
G and I were hungry, so we decided to try this Thai restaurant. It looked fancy on the outside and it had an upscale vibe in the inside. However, the price point is rather inexpensive. The menu is a little overwhelming with thai food and sushi. We both ended up having thai food. Garrett had the Masaman beef curry. It came with lots of chunks of beef in a red curry. He said it was very good. I went with the shrimp curry. It was a hot green curry with a mix of vegetables. It was great! The sauce was too good. Even after I ate all the shrimp and veggies out of it, I kept eating the curry, like it was a soup. It was spicy and sweet at the same time. It would be hard for me not to order this one again. Service was fine. The meals were $15 and less. It is a good Thai restaurant in Knoxville.
(4)
Susan T.
Really, really nice! I had (basically) yellow chicken curry and my husband had the duck, and both were absolutely wonderful. Our waiter was funny, and gracious...the atmosphere was warm and modern but welcoming...hot coconut yellow sauce with buttery chicken; what can I say, but that it was heavenly! A new favorite!
(4)
Janine A.
Good for Knoxville. Pad Thai (Thai noodles) were mediocre. The masaman beef was tender and perfectly cooked, but the gravy it was smothered in wasn't nearly as tasty. The chicken Panama curry was, by far, the best- more like "one pepper" spicy though. How is it half priced sushi if it's half price very night?!
(4)
LaMarco C.
The service was slow with a fourth of the restaurant full. I can only imagine what it would be like if it were a busy night. My chicken panag was good. Was a bit disappointed they didn't offer brown rice with meals. The menu can be overwhelming; there are too many options. I landed here because it was convenient but not sure I would see this restaurant out next time I'm in town.
(3)
N S.
It's not Nama, but still satisfies my sushi fix. Half off sushi on weeknights is key.
(4)
Samantha K.
Chicken curry was super delicious, also the lychee martini (uhh a cool $10, but worth it to feel like Sex in the *cough* Mid-sized City)! Very classy inside, great place for a date, swanky ambiance. Our waiter last night was the strong and silent, younger-Morgan-Freeman look-alike. He was slightly unprepared for how much water I was about to consume before my night on the town, so occasionally my glass of water went unattended...but hey, what are you going to do? Chug an emergen-C after stopping by Walgreens next door after the meal, that's what. Surin also has delicious sushi and the crab rangoon appetizer thing is really tasty, though they only give you four baby rangoons, fair warning. Enjoy!
(4)
Dr. Scott N.
I just had the best Masaman (chicken) that I have ever had, I have traveled to Thailand and eaten several "authentic" dishes as well as having Thai in 15 or 20 cities in the USA and this is hands down the best I have ever had. The curry is almost more nutty than spicy and just amazing. Highly recommend. FYI the menu shows only Masaman Beef, but since I rarely eat beef, I asked for chicken. Again this is well worth $12.50 ($15 with tax) Head there now, tonight and enjoy!
(5)
Rob T.
Delicious. I sat at the bar and service was great. Had the chicken Panag curry and really enjoyed it.
(4)
Julia H.
If you like curry, you will like this place. For only $11.00 for lunch, you will get more food than you can eat and feel full all day. My favorite dish is the ahi tuna salad. It's about ten dollars and you get thick cuts of tuna and so many you need a to go box. The owner personally checks in on tables and the service is pretty good.
(4)
Channa P.
Meh... my Chicken Panang was okay, but I am not in love with this place. Maybe I should have stuck with the starter sushi I ordered. Or maybe it was my nice, but awkward server. Or was it the $2 fee for brown rice instead of white? Pros below. -Cheap, but good sushi that is half off on Sundays -Nice decor -Lots of space -Several menu options for sushi and Thai lovers -huge portions
(3)
Amelia J.
Great place to get sushi! My family was in Knoxville for the night and we're looking for a good place to eat close to our hotel. Found this place thanks to Yelp and I was not disappointed! Honestly, probably some of the best sushi I've had in a long time! We also ordered pad thai, it was good but not great. FYI apparently Thursday night is half price sushi!
(4)
Mary T.
4 Stars = The food 4 Stars = Great take-out, still good when you reheat 5 Stars = If Pete waits on you (The Thai server who gets you what you want) 2 Stars = If anyone else waits on you I have had mixed experiences with service. I finally know, ASK FOR PETE. Otherwise I would just get take-out. Seriously, I think they need someone to come in and properly train some of the staff. Pete gets the job done. When others tell you no, Pete says yes. He is always accommodating so if you want to enjoy your experience, take my advice. The FOOD: Love the curry dishes, spicy beef salad, sushi, and the noodle dishes. Eat the sushi there though, because like we all know, sushi is never good the next day. They close early some nights so make sure to get there before the doors are locked. :) Other than that, I hope you enjoy your experience with Pete! Cheers!
(4)
Madelynn M.
Their sushi specials are amazing. A great date night location. Service is a little slow and not exactly warm and inviting; it's not terrible, but not stellar.
A group of us from all over the country met here for dinner. The Knoxville native tried sooo hard to find a nice local restaurant for us. Well, first of all, they didn't know how to make a coffee/espresso martini. Really? Ummmm, it's too much for the bartender to look it up on his phone? I had to actually ask the waiter to take away a huge filthy pile of plates that he ignored for 20 minutes. No one's entree had any spice at all. Dessert? Uh, no thanks. This restaurant shouldn't rest on their laurels. I had the distinct impression service is just not important to them. One more thing. They openly flaunted their half price sushi deal and *still* charged us full price! Not going back. Insulting experience. Just... go to the grocery store and cook it yourself.
(1)
Meghan F.
For knoxville this place is awesome! It took me a while to try it because its not nearly as convenient for me as taste of thai or little bangkok but it's definitely better. So much better that I'll drive the extra 20 mins? The answer to that is probably sometimes. I was impressed with how good this place was though, it could hold its own in a big city with good Thai. The service was a bit disappointing, our server was not very attentive (and they weren't really busy). But the food made up for it. Nice ambiance. As a plus they have Pad See-U (I usually have seen it as Pad See Ew) on the menu which i love and the other thai places don't have it. Didn't try the sushi so this review is just about the thai dishes.
(5)
Greg S.
Honestly, it's probably as good as it gets in Knoxville. Clean, beautiful, plenty of room. Quiet dining. My tip, come on a Tuesday for half-priced suchi. WOW. Talk about putting a hurt on the sushi sensei. The sensei was like "Ah, why you order so much sushi? I kill you." But, he didn't kill me, he kept making me sushi - and wonderful sushi at that. Thank you sensei. I love this place. I want to go back. I will go back. BTW, I hate you Nama's .. you're overrated.
(5)
Jennifer S.
I had the chicken satay and duck red curry. The satay was good. The duck red curry was amazing. I have eaten Thai food all over the US and in many foreign countries and the curry here was one of the best.
(5)
Brittany F.
Great sushi and decent upscale Thai, with all the standard curry, noodle and rice Thai classics. The gorgeous interior decor really sets this place apart, including an enormous buddah statue and full service bar. Great cocktail list-- try the lychee-tini! Wait service was a little pushy, but attentive. My favorite thing to order here is the sushi-- it's good quality and pretty inexpensive. When you ask them to make things spicy, they have no problem doing so! I also know people that hate spice and love this place, so they can accomodate all levels!
(4)
Sebastian W.
The Sushi is always fresh! Love the Half Off Sushi on week nights too! Friendly staff and good service.
(4)
Scott S.
The service was horrible. We were totally ignored by our waiter and it was all we could do to get our check. The waiter was too busy talking to his friends to worry about us. Then to top it off I woke up at about 3 am with food poisoning from the scallops and shrimp. We'll never go there again.
(1)
Jay C.
Among the area's best Thai food. The spicy mixed seafood was amazing. Service was fantastic. Very nice modern decor, but If you're looking for quiet dining, this isn't your place. The food is worth the trip!
(4)
L L.
Great service!!! The food was delicious and beautifully served! They have a wide variety of noodles, sushi, vegetable and tofu/meat selections.
(5)
Edith R.
Consistently good food, great curry. Spicy shrimp roll is wonderful. Fun for a date night!
(5)
Dee O.
I've tried many of the Thai restaurants in Knoxville and i think this is my favorite, although not by a long shot. The ambience is really nice. It is a pretty big, open and well designed restaurant. It is yet another Sushi/Thai restuarant, which seems to be a common theme in the Knox. The food is excellent. Quick, well made, usually piping hot. I haven't had a negative food experience so far. The service could definitely be better. It has been hit or miss but the food more than makes up for it. It is not any more expensive than Taste of Thai and the ambience is slightly nicer. Definitely recommended!
(4)
Leslie J.
Courteous and attentive staff, great sushi and a beautiful restaurant. I had lunch there today and would definitely come back again.
(5)
Jane K.
Spicy beef salad is excellent as a meal or app. Basil rolls were excellent today too.
(5)
Joy W.
Didn't try sushi. I like the fried beef noodles, it is a Canton style noodle, but a little bit sweet. I just don't get that why all the thai foods in the US are such sweet...for asians, they prefer less sweet entree.
(3)
Jay L.
Food, service and ambiance were great, but sometimes a bad experience can ruin it... They charged us $5 for two dollops of brown rice. When we asked about it the owner came up and insulted our waiter ("is he giving you a hard time?"). Then he proceeded to explain why brown rice was a $2 upcharge for the first round and $3 for the second round because of blah blah blah. If he had just said sorry about the misunderstanding and we'll take care of it this time then he'd have a repeat customer. However, I don't think we're going back. Hope he reads this.
(1)
Michelle S.
I went here with two of my friends today around one pm. We had bought a groupon worth $40 of food. When we arrived, the outside of the restaurant is kind of boring, but the atmosphere and decor inside were wonderful. We were sat really quickly at a table, but it was literally less than a foot away from the people next to us, even though there were other open tables. It was like we were seated with a lady and her son. Our server was incredibly awkward and didn't even say hello, introduce himself, smile or anything. He hardly spoke to us at all. I ordered the Thai coffee and thought it was terrible. However, we all liked the thai tea. We ordered an appetizer of egg rolls, the duck curry, pad thai, and barbeque chicken lunch specials. It took so long to even get the soup! The people beside us got their soup and entrees way before we were ever brought anything. The coconut soup was really wonderful. After a really long while, we got our entrees. The food wasn't terrible by any means, but the service was so slow and impersonal that it was kind of disheartening. We didn't even get our egg rolls until ten minutes after our food. They weren't that great at all, by the way. Overall, the food is mediocre (not up to other Knoxville thai restaurants), the service is incredibly slow, but the atmosphere is cool. I guess if you buy a groupon, you could try it out.
(2)
Charlie P.
BLAND. The veggie delight stir fry with tofu was tasteless. The spicy basil stir fry with basil had no basil and was also tasteless. The dude also gave me one pair of chop sticks when I clearly ordered two mains. Go to Taste of Thai which is much better.
(1)
Mark A.
When I moved to Knoxville from Atlanta I was so sad to be missing all my favorite eateries and when I tried to find some good Thai I was always disappointed. When I saw that Surin was coming I was ecstatic and now that they've been here for a while, and I've been there a while. I can say that they are as good as they are in Atlanta, plus, they have the Sushi at this location, which they didn't at the Atlanta Highlands Surin. I love going to Surin, especially for lunch with the little gratis Tofu Coconut Soup. The perfect beginning to a great meal.
(5)
Rich D.
Great ambiance. Went for an early dinner on a Thursday night and got seated immediately. Had veggie tempura roll and veggie egg roll that I split with my companion. Both were excellent; the roll was definitely above average. Had pad prik with tofu and added spice. It had an excellent taste and the portion size was good, not overwhelming. My companion seemed to enjoy his Massama Beef (though he had it with chicken). He was happy that it was not spicy as the server had assured him, though the menu indicated it was medium spice. I would eat here again.
(4)
D R.
This place is soo good. My wife and I ate Thai food for lunch at one of the other Thai food restaurants and were disappointed. We drove by Surin in the evening and decided to give Thai food a try again. We went once, and have gone back nearly every week. The food is so good. The manager is very nice and all the staff is great. The decor is amazing, they have rocks in the bathroom sinks. I don't know why but I think it looks cool. The place is always busy and getting busier. For Thai it's just the best in Knoxville. Spicy beef noodle is always perfect. Cashew Chicken is killer, all white breast meat. The dumplings and satay from the app. menu were great as well. I've had the lamb as well, we haven't found anything that we didn't like.
(5)
Jennie G.
My husband and I love Thai food. We were excited to try a new place. Unfortunately we had a very rude waiter who informed us that they are unable to make any changes to any menu item. (I simply wanted rice noodles in place of wheat noodles...wheat noodles have no place in a Thai restaurant to begin with). The dish I got was nasty, and I was sick later in the night. Looks like we will stick with the best Thai food in Knoxville (with very friendly staff who are willing to make any changes necessary to please their customers)...Taste of Thai!
(1)
Tara S.
I was very, very skeptical about Surin. For one thing, this location has hosted a number of "Asian-Fusion late night bars" over the years. Read: bad food, flashy decor, after dinnertime it's a faux nightclub. I was sooo pleasantly surprised after my first visit. I feel like it's impossible to review without bringing up THE Thai Institution of Knoxville - Taste of Thai. I've been going to that place for almost 15 years, and as they've declined recently, in my opinion, I feel like Surin is a solid replacement. Totally different atmosphere, but incredibly authentic and fresh food. I've had Yum Woonsen, Shrimp fresh rolls, sushi, Tom Kha, Massaman, Spicy Beef noodles, and things I'm forgetting. It is really delicious and authentic. The place is super clean, the service was great (I sat in the booths around the bar area - this is usually my preference at most places because it seems like service is more on point).
(4)
Melanie T.
This was one of the first restaurants I ate at when I first moved to Knoxville. Its nice and fancy-schmacy.I went with a group of about 10, including 3 young kids. The staff catered to us very well. My brother paid for everything so we got the best dishes, duck, sushi (yummmmm!), sweet and sour chicken for the kids just to name a few. Our food came out in a timely matter, our orders were correct, the server wasn't over baring and the ambiance of the place was nice. I'd definitely recommend this place, just come with a coupon.
(4)
Brenna D.
I love this place! Right up there with Taste of Thai! Must try the Masaman Beef and Thai Noodles they are delicious.
(5)
Rich L.
New mgmt. deceptive business practices, and unwilling to admit fault and rectify disputes. Try Nama or Tomo instead. They charge what they tell you they charge and the sushi is what they promise. Hopefully mgmt will rethink their customer service. ---- EDIT: they made good on their errors, did some training, and worked on their messaging re: changes in their promotions. I'd go again now.
(4)
Chris S.
We've been going to Surin for the past several years. In general it's pretty good Thai food. However over the past year or so, the curry has been getting more and more watery and soupy and less creamy and delicious. Additionally, service has suffered. Tonight was my last straw with this place. We ordered some food to be delivered - vegetable and tofu curry - with the instruction that we'd like no tofu and extra vegetables instead. We received a box of watery curry about half full of cabbage and bell peppers. Now in the past with this order they've done better than charging $12 for half full vegetable only curry - usually filling the box with lots of ingredients like potatoes, etc. - but our main issue wasn't even with the poorly prepared food. My wife called to politely complain, and the manager immediately starts talking over her, raising his voice saying "listen to me, I'M THE BOSS! You can't order it like that!". Never apologized, never offered to make things better, and instead just gave us attitude. We went to the restaurant to return the food and see if we could talk to someone more helpful, and this guy comes over and starts with the attitude again, telling me that I need to quit talking and listen to him, that the reason he yelled at my wife is that he was really busy. Busy? In a down economy, a restaurant is actually complaining to me about how busy they are, and acting as if that's a reason to yell at customers? I have no idea how you can get to manage anything in a service industry with this sort of terrible attitude, but this person has permanently lost Surin our business, and earned them this negative review. My advice would be to take your business to Taste of Thai. The food and atmosphere are just as good if not better, and I've never had them treat me badly.
(1)
Alan P.
I had Roast duck in red curry sauce was good. The duck meat was just a tad too dry (but I'm nitpicking here). I didn't try their sushi, although it was on special (at very reasonable price) The bar is nice; it would be even nicer if there is draft beer on tap.
(4)
Holly G.
Love Surin! It's a great venue, appears to be modeled on Tao in Vegas. It's unfortunately in one of those cursed locations on Bearden Hill that's housed several restaurants that didn't make it. I really want this one to stick around, because the food and drinks are great and it's not a hole-in-the wall strip mall joint. I hope they can break the curse! The menu covers Thai, Japanese, and Chinese cuisines. They have a basic sushi menu, but the Thai dishes are the best. Don't be intimidated, East Tennessee, this is some great stuff! Totally agree with the reviewer who said he would pass 10 PF Chang's to get to Surin. Prices here are about the same as a lunch/dinner at Chang's, Aubreys, Pueleo's, etc. For the best experience, take several friends and share your dishes family style. There are so many great things to try on Surin's menu. They also have a great cocktail menu. Love the martinis.
(5)
Wm W.
Great restaurant: Food was good, and the service was great... Very nice atmosphere and vibe! Found it on Groupon...
(5)
Bill K.
Sushi is fresh and high quality. The Thai food is some of the best I have had on the east coast. Sea bass is outstanding. Check this place out!
(5)
Kevin P.
I would pass 10 pf change to get to surins. The food is a better quality than many resteraunts across all different food styles. Price is great. Ask for Pete. Tell him Kevin sent you. Make your next date night here.
(5)
Leonard M.
Great over all meal. Cant beat half price Sushi. Had a few issues but the management resolved the issues and got my sushi made the way I like it.
(5)
Timothy S.
Service was fast and skillful. We ordered the Surin Basket appetizers. They were served quickly, even before the waiter took out order for the main course and were excellent. I ordered the Masuman Beef as this was our first visit and I often use the Masuman curry as a calibration point in a new Thai restaurant. It was fairly standard, not very exciting, and not as spicy as I like, but it was very well presented, the curry had a refined taste to it, and there was lots of it. My wife had the stir fry with shrimp and cashews and found it excellent and perfectly spiced. The coconut ice cream was delicious. We definitely will be returning soon.
(5)
Thanes S.
Surin of Thailand has been serving Authentic Thai Cuisine since 1990 to Atlanta, the Southeast and now serving in Knoxville, TN. The Surin of Thailand family invites you to experience our commitment to our customers, the satisfaction of the Thai Culture, and the variety of Thai Cuisine, fresh Sushi, and all the extras provided to highlight your visit.
(5)
Richard L.
I thought it was really good. Had yellow curry and the coconut soup. Order a bowl of rice with the curry is my only suggestion.
(4)
Liza M.
i really like this place. very tasty thai dishes & great sushi. the coupons they send out on a regular basis don't hurt either.
(4)
James V.
I've been to this place approximately ten times. The food has always been good to excellet. Service is prompt and friendly. Noon prices are extremely reasonable. House wine excellent. My only complaint is the $10 martini. It's fine but it's too big. Also, it would be nice if they had some decent beers on tap. All brew is by the bottle.
I love Surin! The chicken curry and coconut, tofu soup is AMAZING! I honestly eat here once a week, I can't get enough! They may have had a few hiccups at the beginning with service but all that's worked now, the food is so good it didn't bother me anyway:-)
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes
Dee O.
I've tried many of the Thai restaurants in Knoxville and i think this is my favorite, although not by a long shot. The ambience is really nice. It is a pretty big, open and well designed restaurant. It is yet another Sushi/Thai restuarant, which seems to be a common theme in the Knox. The food is excellent. Quick, well made, usually piping hot. I haven't had a negative food experience so far. The service could definitely be better. It has been hit or miss but the food more than makes up for it. It is not any more expensive than Taste of Thai and the ambience is slightly nicer. Definitely recommended!
(4)Timothy S.
Service was fast and skillful. We ordered the Surin Basket appetizers. They were served quickly, even before the waiter took out order for the main course and were excellent. I ordered the Masuman Beef as this was our first visit and I often use the Masuman curry as a calibration point in a new Thai restaurant. It was fairly standard, not very exciting, and not as spicy as I like, but it was very well presented, the curry had a refined taste to it, and there was lots of it. My wife had the stir fry with shrimp and cashews and found it excellent and perfectly spiced. The coconut ice cream was delicious. We definitely will be returning soon.
(5)Thanes S.
Surin of Thailand has been serving Authentic Thai Cuisine since 1990 to Atlanta, the Southeast and now serving in Knoxville, TN. The Surin of Thailand family invites you to experience our commitment to our customers, the satisfaction of the Thai Culture, and the variety of Thai Cuisine, fresh Sushi, and all the extras provided to highlight your visit.
(5)Richard L.
I thought it was really good. Had yellow curry and the coconut soup. Order a bowl of rice with the curry is my only suggestion.
(4)Liza M.
i really like this place. very tasty thai dishes & great sushi. the coupons they send out on a regular basis don't hurt either.
(4)James V.
I've been to this place approximately ten times. The food has always been good to excellet. Service is prompt and friendly. Noon prices are extremely reasonable. House wine excellent. My only complaint is the $10 martini. It's fine but it's too big. Also, it would be nice if they had some decent beers on tap. All brew is by the bottle.
(5)Amanda S.
Few reason they are getting a 5 star... 1. They treated us so nicely and put us in the back room. (Good idea with our bunch) 2. Our server Brian was super friendly and talkative. Helped with drink suggestions and really managed our loudness! (CINCO BIRTHDAY PARTY) need I say more? 3. Have 3 questions for you... Tacos Thai food Breakfast and Lunch which makes Brunch.. haha jkjk inside joke 3. Dumplings and both egg roll styles were super fresh and yummy! 4. It's so pretty and very clean. Great seating for outside. Super roomy 5. Main entrees were amazing. I had the Massaman Chicken in curry with Avacodo was really good. Not the best I have ever had, but delish non the less Drink ideas that the Bartender made for me. Thai Tea with Orange Vodka! Ohhhemmgeeee! If you want an adult beverage. Get on it. Or just try with reg vodka I'll be back! Gotta bring the "Pops" haha
(5)Rachelle S.
The wait for your food is almost unbearable but the food is quite tasty. They have a great 1/2 price sushi special during the week with a variety of rolls listed. Just be prepared to wait. A long time. We waited over an hour for a total of 4 rolls.
(4)Christie B.
Sam was our delightful server and when you have a good knowledgeable person with a good personality the meal seems to be better. Every time I eat here it's good. The lemon drop martini is delicious and so is the sushi. The pad Thai with beef is wonderful and enough to share. The outdoor seating area is nice too.
(4)Lindy P.
Hands down, this is the coolest Asian restaurant in Knoxville. The atmosphere is hip and modern, and the food is even better. With ample parking and tons of seats, this place is great for large groups too. Who knew your Asian dining experience could be so trendy?! The menu is huge and very well priced. The bar has a wide variety of wines and specialty cocktails. They have BOGO sushi plus tons of other Thai dishes. The pot stickers in a red curry sauce were unique and tasty, but the calamari was my favorite appetizer. I ordered the Ka Proud Lamb chops, which turned out to be one of the best Thai dishes I've ever had! The chops were juicy and cooked to perfection, served with a spicy dipping sauce and a large portion of shrimp fried rice. The plating was great- they made carrots into flowers! The dish was only $23, so it was definitely well priced for the portion and quality. I highly recommend Surin of Thailand for your spicy Thai needs!!
(4)Lynn B.
We stopped in Knoxville on our way to Atlanta. I found this place on yelp and it didn't disappoint. Great service, atmosphere and food.
(4)Zach P.
Had a big group set up for us in back room for a friends surprise birthday party. Drinks came alittle scattered but they have two bars so I recommend just going up and ordering one of you need your fix. Apps and sushi (1/2 off on Wednesday) were great! Cool spot on Kingston Pike. Cool feel to this place and their patio looked a reason to return as I enjoy eating outside whenever possible!
(3)Alan S.
This place is Awesome one of my favorites in Knoxville. We get the spicy beef noodle, I have tried to stop eating this dish many times when I get full but there is no stopping. I...just...can't...stop... Eating this dish! There really is just not enough good things to say about Surin. Not a big fan of the Thai Tea but that is just a personal preference. Great beer selection and their apps a great as well. They have some great sushi as well, if only I could stop eating the spicy beef noodle! LOL!
(5)Rob C.
Surin of Thailand is our favorite place to get sushi. We've had many of the items on the menu and have never been disappointed. We've been a few times when they had half-priced sushi and half-priced wine and the quality is still just as good as the regular menu! Also, we use this space as a venue when to host out Wine and Canvas classes and the staff always treats our customers well. The managers are a treat to work with as far as scheduling goes so if you are looking for a space for a special party or large group gathering they can certainly accommodate you! Pro's Great Food and Wine Helpful Staff Large space for group dining Con's None
(5)Cindy D.
The sushi is always good. Half price Sunday through Friday after 5pm. Wonton soup is delicious.
(5)Ben B.
Awesome! Kaboom Maki and spicy beef noodles are my fav. AND NOW THEY DELIVER TO YOUR DOOR! Delivery was fast and food was piping hot.
(5)Chris L.
Excellent flavor right off of I40 in Knoxville. We had some Tom Kha to start that was a great light start while we waited for out appetizer and entree. For an appetizer we the Kaboom Maki. It was a shrimp tempura roll with cream cheese that was flash fried and arranged in a bowl of red curry coconut milk. In the middle was a cucumber seaweed salad. This roll is like a party in your mouth. My wife had thai noodles with shrimp and chicken that was close to what you would expect from pad thai. The quality was great. I had a red curry duck. The flavor was great here too. I do wish I'd indicated medium spice as the dish was a little mild for my taste but that's on me, not the restaurant.
(4)Canny F.
I came here with one of my study buddies that love sushi and we were so hyped for it but left disappointed. The service was extremely slow that day - we waited an hour for our sushi. I loved their veggie friendly sushi options and it could just be a bad day in the kitchen. I would give surin a second chance. Egg/spring roll - I thought I was a picky eater..my friend said she could have popped a frozen pack of egg rolls from trader joes in the oven and had more for a cheaper price. I can't say I've had amazing spring rolls in Knoxville. I could be bias now since I am from NYC and my friend is from Washington DC. For the locals that won't be traveling for food, this wasn't bad at all. We felt it was over priced. Umeshiso - I was kind of disappointed because they didn't use real plum pieces; instead, they used plum sauce and had that over a cucumber roll. It was still tasty but it didn't make me have a sour face. Yasai maki - the only downside to this was the rice. It was too mushy and although it doesn't seem like it has a lot, it does because it was squashed. There's a huge difference in taste depending on how the way rice is prepared for sushi and the way the sushi is folded as well as the amount of rice used. Vegetable tempura maki - they had mini corns in it! I don't like mini corns so that threw me off. My friend was a tad harsh on the waitor for the amount of time we waited for our dishes but she worked in a restaurant before so she felt no sympathy. It's true though, time is of the essence. Starving customers that have to wait so long won't be happy.
(3)Rob T.
Delicious. I sat at the bar and service was great. Had the chicken Panag curry and really enjoyed it.
(4)Julia H.
If you like curry, you will like this place. For only $11.00 for lunch, you will get more food than you can eat and feel full all day. My favorite dish is the ahi tuna salad. It's about ten dollars and you get thick cuts of tuna and so many you need a to go box. The owner personally checks in on tables and the service is pretty good.
(4)John G.
Went here for the first time this past Saturday in the driving, cold rain. It was worth it! Nice, tranquil ambiance to this place, gorgeous decor and interior, but not at all pretentious. Service was great, even perhaps a bit quirky and entertaining, but certainly spot on,timely and the right amount of friendly, concerned attention. I don't like to be served by robots or cunning salesmen upselling me, not the case here at all. Had two apps, egg rolls and basil rolls, basil rolls the better of the two. I had the drunken noodle with chicken with a low level Of heat, could have handled more spice. My friend had the ginger chicken stir fry. Both dishes were plentiful and tasty. Total bill for two apps, two entree, one beer and a coke came out to around 43 bucks, quite reasonable for the quality of food and setting.
(4)Hunter H.
Surin is the place to go for Asian food in Knoxville, hands down! They have incredible service, a classy restaurant and atmosphere, and always tasty food. My personal favorite meals are pad prik beef, cashew nut chicken, Thai noodle, and chicken panang curry. Don't forget their awesome garlic chili paste anytime and also coconut soup when you dine in at lunch! Most important thing is they are consistent and have a lot of great options. Oh and ask for Pete to be your waiter. The guy is awesome!!
(5)Todd W.
I would include this restaurant in my Knoxville Top Five. Is it the nicest restaurant in town? No. But there are only three Thai restaurants in Knoxville that I know of and this is my favorite. My wife likes the giant Buddha inside and the half priced sushi almost as much as I like the Masaman Chicken.
(4)Virginia T.
The food is pretty good and the menu is extensive if a little overpriced. The service is good and the ambiance is business casual. This is a good choice if you love Thai food.
(4)Lan N.
Oh my pockets. Good thai food comes with a price. I came here strictly for the thai dishes. The masaman beef is good and a bit on the sweeter side. Imagine stewed beef in a red coconut curry sauce with potatoes and sprinkles of whole roasted peanuts. Yum. Ask for the brown rice for $2extra. We requested for the spicy level to be 2 but it really only tasted like 0. I ordered the spicy beef noodle that supposedly comes to a spicy level of 2. Nope, it was not spicy enough. I'm thinking the spice level is really catered for those not wanting spice. No problemo. I've requested for spices on the side and the crush thai chiles that is made in house is phenomenal. The masaman beef came out luke warm. Sadly, the plates are not heated here. Overall the taste and service is on point. I would come back for the thai food. side note: 1/2 off sushi sunday through thurs from 5pm.
(4)Mark P.
Thank you yelpsters. Working in K-town overnight, I simply went to yelp and searched eateries close by. Tah dah! Surin. I started with the half price sushi. I figured I was going to need breakfast in the morning so I plan to take half my entree home. I had the volcano roll and it was very well prepared and tasty. For the entree I chose the vegetable and tofu panang. It was perfectly prepared and the presentation was beautiful. My server Brian advised me that the heat rating in the restaurant was 1, 2 or 3. I chose one and a half because sometimes I get carried away with spice and can't taste the food. It was just right. It didn't overpower the food and my handkerchief is soggy. I plan on coming back next month.
(5)Terry B.
Wonderful sushi rolls!
(4)Chuck C.
I finally tried this place and although it was okay it was not at all special from many other Oriental place and was more expensive. I will not be so Anxious since I just tried it now and will choose another instead. Cheaper wins out when you are mediocre.
(3)Kellie C.
A favorite lunch spot! Service is usually fast and friendly. They have a nice patio and a wide variety of offerings. The spicy beef salad is one of my favorites for lunch (and truly spicy, which is refreshing). The pad prik pork is also consistently delicious. The sushi is not my favorite, but they do run good specials on it.
(4)Elva G.
If I can give this place a negative star i would gladly do it . Coming from Los Angeles where great food is everywhere ,especially Asian food our local friend recomended this place (YES HE IS STILL OUR FRIEND ) LOL!. Relocating this restaurant to Los Angeles would definetly go out of business .Maybe they should focus on there recipes and not so much on decoration . decor gets 5 stars . the thai waiter was extremely rude not just with us but with the other tables as well . We did not finish our food and NO!.....we will not be needing any boxes !
(1)Andy S.
G and I were hungry, so we decided to try this Thai restaurant. It looked fancy on the outside and it had an upscale vibe in the inside. However, the price point is rather inexpensive. The menu is a little overwhelming with thai food and sushi. We both ended up having thai food. Garrett had the Masaman beef curry. It came with lots of chunks of beef in a red curry. He said it was very good. I went with the shrimp curry. It was a hot green curry with a mix of vegetables. It was great! The sauce was too good. Even after I ate all the shrimp and veggies out of it, I kept eating the curry, like it was a soup. It was spicy and sweet at the same time. It would be hard for me not to order this one again. Service was fine. The meals were $15 and less. It is a good Thai restaurant in Knoxville.
(4)Susan T.
Really, really nice! I had (basically) yellow chicken curry and my husband had the duck, and both were absolutely wonderful. Our waiter was funny, and gracious...the atmosphere was warm and modern but welcoming...hot coconut yellow sauce with buttery chicken; what can I say, but that it was heavenly! A new favorite!
(4)Janine A.
Good for Knoxville. Pad Thai (Thai noodles) were mediocre. The masaman beef was tender and perfectly cooked, but the gravy it was smothered in wasn't nearly as tasty. The chicken Panama curry was, by far, the best- more like "one pepper" spicy though. How is it half priced sushi if it's half price very night?!
(4)LaMarco C.
The service was slow with a fourth of the restaurant full. I can only imagine what it would be like if it were a busy night. My chicken panag was good. Was a bit disappointed they didn't offer brown rice with meals. The menu can be overwhelming; there are too many options. I landed here because it was convenient but not sure I would see this restaurant out next time I'm in town.
(3)Samantha K.
Chicken curry was super delicious, also the lychee martini (uhh a cool $10, but worth it to feel like Sex in the *cough* Mid-sized City)! Very classy inside, great place for a date, swanky ambiance. Our waiter last night was the strong and silent, younger-Morgan-Freeman look-alike. He was slightly unprepared for how much water I was about to consume before my night on the town, so occasionally my glass of water went unattended...but hey, what are you going to do? Chug an emergen-C after stopping by Walgreens next door after the meal, that's what. Surin also has delicious sushi and the crab rangoon appetizer thing is really tasty, though they only give you four baby rangoons, fair warning. Enjoy!
(4)N S.
It's not Nama, but still satisfies my sushi fix. Half off sushi on weeknights is key.
(4)Dr. Scott N.
I just had the best Masaman (chicken) that I have ever had, I have traveled to Thailand and eaten several "authentic" dishes as well as having Thai in 15 or 20 cities in the USA and this is hands down the best I have ever had. The curry is almost more nutty than spicy and just amazing. Highly recommend. FYI the menu shows only Masaman Beef, but since I rarely eat beef, I asked for chicken. Again this is well worth $12.50 ($15 with tax) Head there now, tonight and enjoy!
(5)Channa P.
Meh... my Chicken Panang was okay, but I am not in love with this place. Maybe I should have stuck with the starter sushi I ordered. Or maybe it was my nice, but awkward server. Or was it the $2 fee for brown rice instead of white? Pros below. -Cheap, but good sushi that is half off on Sundays -Nice decor -Lots of space -Several menu options for sushi and Thai lovers -huge portions
(3)Amelia J.
Great place to get sushi! My family was in Knoxville for the night and we're looking for a good place to eat close to our hotel. Found this place thanks to Yelp and I was not disappointed! Honestly, probably some of the best sushi I've had in a long time! We also ordered pad thai, it was good but not great. FYI apparently Thursday night is half price sushi!
(4)Mary T.
4 Stars = The food 4 Stars = Great take-out, still good when you reheat 5 Stars = If Pete waits on you (The Thai server who gets you what you want) 2 Stars = If anyone else waits on you I have had mixed experiences with service. I finally know, ASK FOR PETE. Otherwise I would just get take-out. Seriously, I think they need someone to come in and properly train some of the staff. Pete gets the job done. When others tell you no, Pete says yes. He is always accommodating so if you want to enjoy your experience, take my advice. The FOOD: Love the curry dishes, spicy beef salad, sushi, and the noodle dishes. Eat the sushi there though, because like we all know, sushi is never good the next day. They close early some nights so make sure to get there before the doors are locked. :) Other than that, I hope you enjoy your experience with Pete! Cheers!
(4)Brittany F.
Great sushi and decent upscale Thai, with all the standard curry, noodle and rice Thai classics. The gorgeous interior decor really sets this place apart, including an enormous buddah statue and full service bar. Great cocktail list-- try the lychee-tini! Wait service was a little pushy, but attentive. My favorite thing to order here is the sushi-- it's good quality and pretty inexpensive. When you ask them to make things spicy, they have no problem doing so! I also know people that hate spice and love this place, so they can accomodate all levels!
(4)Meghan F.
For knoxville this place is awesome! It took me a while to try it because its not nearly as convenient for me as taste of thai or little bangkok but it's definitely better. So much better that I'll drive the extra 20 mins? The answer to that is probably sometimes. I was impressed with how good this place was though, it could hold its own in a big city with good Thai. The service was a bit disappointing, our server was not very attentive (and they weren't really busy). But the food made up for it. Nice ambiance. As a plus they have Pad See-U (I usually have seen it as Pad See Ew) on the menu which i love and the other thai places don't have it. Didn't try the sushi so this review is just about the thai dishes.
(5)Greg S.
Honestly, it's probably as good as it gets in Knoxville. Clean, beautiful, plenty of room. Quiet dining. My tip, come on a Tuesday for half-priced suchi. WOW. Talk about putting a hurt on the sushi sensei. The sensei was like "Ah, why you order so much sushi? I kill you." But, he didn't kill me, he kept making me sushi - and wonderful sushi at that. Thank you sensei. I love this place. I want to go back. I will go back. BTW, I hate you Nama's .. you're overrated.
(5)Jennifer S.
I had the chicken satay and duck red curry. The satay was good. The duck red curry was amazing. I have eaten Thai food all over the US and in many foreign countries and the curry here was one of the best.
(5)Sebastian W.
The Sushi is always fresh! Love the Half Off Sushi on week nights too! Friendly staff and good service.
(4)Madelynn M.
Their sushi specials are amazing. A great date night location. Service is a little slow and not exactly warm and inviting; it's not terrible, but not stellar.
(4)Alan S.
Best prepared trout at this location.
(5)Ryan K.
I have lived in Boston and New York, and I can tell you this was some of the best sushi I have had. The entrée was delicious as well. What topped it if was how friendly the staff was. Highly recommended.
(5)T D.
A group of us from all over the country met here for dinner. The Knoxville native tried sooo hard to find a nice local restaurant for us. Well, first of all, they didn't know how to make a coffee/espresso martini. Really? Ummmm, it's too much for the bartender to look it up on his phone? I had to actually ask the waiter to take away a huge filthy pile of plates that he ignored for 20 minutes. No one's entree had any spice at all. Dessert? Uh, no thanks. This restaurant shouldn't rest on their laurels. I had the distinct impression service is just not important to them. One more thing. They openly flaunted their half price sushi deal and *still* charged us full price! Not going back. Insulting experience. Just... go to the grocery store and cook it yourself.
(1)Scott S.
The service was horrible. We were totally ignored by our waiter and it was all we could do to get our check. The waiter was too busy talking to his friends to worry about us. Then to top it off I woke up at about 3 am with food poisoning from the scallops and shrimp. We'll never go there again.
(1)L L.
Great service!!! The food was delicious and beautifully served! They have a wide variety of noodles, sushi, vegetable and tofu/meat selections.
(5)Jay C.
Among the area's best Thai food. The spicy mixed seafood was amazing. Service was fantastic. Very nice modern decor, but If you're looking for quiet dining, this isn't your place. The food is worth the trip!
(4)Edith R.
Consistently good food, great curry. Spicy shrimp roll is wonderful. Fun for a date night!
(5)Leslie J.
Courteous and attentive staff, great sushi and a beautiful restaurant. I had lunch there today and would definitely come back again.
(5)Jane K.
Spicy beef salad is excellent as a meal or app. Basil rolls were excellent today too.
(5)Joy W.
Didn't try sushi. I like the fried beef noodles, it is a Canton style noodle, but a little bit sweet. I just don't get that why all the thai foods in the US are such sweet...for asians, they prefer less sweet entree.
(3)Michelle S.
I went here with two of my friends today around one pm. We had bought a groupon worth $40 of food. When we arrived, the outside of the restaurant is kind of boring, but the atmosphere and decor inside were wonderful. We were sat really quickly at a table, but it was literally less than a foot away from the people next to us, even though there were other open tables. It was like we were seated with a lady and her son. Our server was incredibly awkward and didn't even say hello, introduce himself, smile or anything. He hardly spoke to us at all. I ordered the Thai coffee and thought it was terrible. However, we all liked the thai tea. We ordered an appetizer of egg rolls, the duck curry, pad thai, and barbeque chicken lunch specials. It took so long to even get the soup! The people beside us got their soup and entrees way before we were ever brought anything. The coconut soup was really wonderful. After a really long while, we got our entrees. The food wasn't terrible by any means, but the service was so slow and impersonal that it was kind of disheartening. We didn't even get our egg rolls until ten minutes after our food. They weren't that great at all, by the way. Overall, the food is mediocre (not up to other Knoxville thai restaurants), the service is incredibly slow, but the atmosphere is cool. I guess if you buy a groupon, you could try it out.
(2)Charlie P.
BLAND. The veggie delight stir fry with tofu was tasteless. The spicy basil stir fry with basil had no basil and was also tasteless. The dude also gave me one pair of chop sticks when I clearly ordered two mains. Go to Taste of Thai which is much better.
(1)Mark A.
When I moved to Knoxville from Atlanta I was so sad to be missing all my favorite eateries and when I tried to find some good Thai I was always disappointed. When I saw that Surin was coming I was ecstatic and now that they've been here for a while, and I've been there a while. I can say that they are as good as they are in Atlanta, plus, they have the Sushi at this location, which they didn't at the Atlanta Highlands Surin. I love going to Surin, especially for lunch with the little gratis Tofu Coconut Soup. The perfect beginning to a great meal.
(5)Rich D.
Great ambiance. Went for an early dinner on a Thursday night and got seated immediately. Had veggie tempura roll and veggie egg roll that I split with my companion. Both were excellent; the roll was definitely above average. Had pad prik with tofu and added spice. It had an excellent taste and the portion size was good, not overwhelming. My companion seemed to enjoy his Massama Beef (though he had it with chicken). He was happy that it was not spicy as the server had assured him, though the menu indicated it was medium spice. I would eat here again.
(4)Jay L.
Food, service and ambiance were great, but sometimes a bad experience can ruin it... They charged us $5 for two dollops of brown rice. When we asked about it the owner came up and insulted our waiter ("is he giving you a hard time?"). Then he proceeded to explain why brown rice was a $2 upcharge for the first round and $3 for the second round because of blah blah blah. If he had just said sorry about the misunderstanding and we'll take care of it this time then he'd have a repeat customer. However, I don't think we're going back. Hope he reads this.
(1)Rich L.
New mgmt. deceptive business practices, and unwilling to admit fault and rectify disputes. Try Nama or Tomo instead. They charge what they tell you they charge and the sushi is what they promise. Hopefully mgmt will rethink their customer service. ---- EDIT: they made good on their errors, did some training, and worked on their messaging re: changes in their promotions. I'd go again now.
(4)Chris S.
We've been going to Surin for the past several years. In general it's pretty good Thai food. However over the past year or so, the curry has been getting more and more watery and soupy and less creamy and delicious. Additionally, service has suffered. Tonight was my last straw with this place. We ordered some food to be delivered - vegetable and tofu curry - with the instruction that we'd like no tofu and extra vegetables instead. We received a box of watery curry about half full of cabbage and bell peppers. Now in the past with this order they've done better than charging $12 for half full vegetable only curry - usually filling the box with lots of ingredients like potatoes, etc. - but our main issue wasn't even with the poorly prepared food. My wife called to politely complain, and the manager immediately starts talking over her, raising his voice saying "listen to me, I'M THE BOSS! You can't order it like that!". Never apologized, never offered to make things better, and instead just gave us attitude. We went to the restaurant to return the food and see if we could talk to someone more helpful, and this guy comes over and starts with the attitude again, telling me that I need to quit talking and listen to him, that the reason he yelled at my wife is that he was really busy. Busy? In a down economy, a restaurant is actually complaining to me about how busy they are, and acting as if that's a reason to yell at customers? I have no idea how you can get to manage anything in a service industry with this sort of terrible attitude, but this person has permanently lost Surin our business, and earned them this negative review. My advice would be to take your business to Taste of Thai. The food and atmosphere are just as good if not better, and I've never had them treat me badly.
(1)Alan P.
I had Roast duck in red curry sauce was good. The duck meat was just a tad too dry (but I'm nitpicking here). I didn't try their sushi, although it was on special (at very reasonable price) The bar is nice; it would be even nicer if there is draft beer on tap.
(4)Holly G.
Love Surin! It's a great venue, appears to be modeled on Tao in Vegas. It's unfortunately in one of those cursed locations on Bearden Hill that's housed several restaurants that didn't make it. I really want this one to stick around, because the food and drinks are great and it's not a hole-in-the wall strip mall joint. I hope they can break the curse! The menu covers Thai, Japanese, and Chinese cuisines. They have a basic sushi menu, but the Thai dishes are the best. Don't be intimidated, East Tennessee, this is some great stuff! Totally agree with the reviewer who said he would pass 10 PF Chang's to get to Surin. Prices here are about the same as a lunch/dinner at Chang's, Aubreys, Pueleo's, etc. For the best experience, take several friends and share your dishes family style. There are so many great things to try on Surin's menu. They also have a great cocktail menu. Love the martinis.
(5)Wm W.
Great restaurant: Food was good, and the service was great... Very nice atmosphere and vibe! Found it on Groupon...
(5)Bill K.
Sushi is fresh and high quality. The Thai food is some of the best I have had on the east coast. Sea bass is outstanding. Check this place out!
(5)Kevin P.
I would pass 10 pf change to get to surins. The food is a better quality than many resteraunts across all different food styles. Price is great. Ask for Pete. Tell him Kevin sent you. Make your next date night here.
(5)D R.
This place is soo good. My wife and I ate Thai food for lunch at one of the other Thai food restaurants and were disappointed. We drove by Surin in the evening and decided to give Thai food a try again. We went once, and have gone back nearly every week. The food is so good. The manager is very nice and all the staff is great. The decor is amazing, they have rocks in the bathroom sinks. I don't know why but I think it looks cool. The place is always busy and getting busier. For Thai it's just the best in Knoxville. Spicy beef noodle is always perfect. Cashew Chicken is killer, all white breast meat. The dumplings and satay from the app. menu were great as well. I've had the lamb as well, we haven't found anything that we didn't like.
(5)Jennie G.
My husband and I love Thai food. We were excited to try a new place. Unfortunately we had a very rude waiter who informed us that they are unable to make any changes to any menu item. (I simply wanted rice noodles in place of wheat noodles...wheat noodles have no place in a Thai restaurant to begin with). The dish I got was nasty, and I was sick later in the night. Looks like we will stick with the best Thai food in Knoxville (with very friendly staff who are willing to make any changes necessary to please their customers)...Taste of Thai!
(1)Tara S.
I was very, very skeptical about Surin. For one thing, this location has hosted a number of "Asian-Fusion late night bars" over the years. Read: bad food, flashy decor, after dinnertime it's a faux nightclub. I was sooo pleasantly surprised after my first visit. I feel like it's impossible to review without bringing up THE Thai Institution of Knoxville - Taste of Thai. I've been going to that place for almost 15 years, and as they've declined recently, in my opinion, I feel like Surin is a solid replacement. Totally different atmosphere, but incredibly authentic and fresh food. I've had Yum Woonsen, Shrimp fresh rolls, sushi, Tom Kha, Massaman, Spicy Beef noodles, and things I'm forgetting. It is really delicious and authentic. The place is super clean, the service was great (I sat in the booths around the bar area - this is usually my preference at most places because it seems like service is more on point).
(4)Melanie T.
This was one of the first restaurants I ate at when I first moved to Knoxville. Its nice and fancy-schmacy.I went with a group of about 10, including 3 young kids. The staff catered to us very well. My brother paid for everything so we got the best dishes, duck, sushi (yummmmm!), sweet and sour chicken for the kids just to name a few. Our food came out in a timely matter, our orders were correct, the server wasn't over baring and the ambiance of the place was nice. I'd definitely recommend this place, just come with a coupon.
(4)Brenna D.
I love this place! Right up there with Taste of Thai! Must try the Masaman Beef and Thai Noodles they are delicious.
(5)Gobo B.
I've been going to taste of Thai for years and decided to try this place out for something different, and I would have to say this place is much better! Their curries have a lot more stuff in them, they have a much bigger selection of food, ranging from thai, chinese, and some japanese, and half off sushi every night. I've tried just about everything here and haven't had anything I didn't like. My favorite appetizer would be the spicy beef salad and the namsod. The spicy beef salad has a lot of flavor and It's citrusy..you can taste the fresh lime juice. The namsod is like a lettuce wrap at pfchangs but with more oomph. Their curries are all awesome, my favorite being the vegetable and tofu penang curry. It comes packed with vegetables like green beans, baby corn, mushrooms, etc and the curry sauce is delicious! If you like seafood their spicy mixed seafood is awesome and the sauce that comes with it is delicious! I always have to ask for extra rice because I don't wanna waste any of the sauce lol. And don't let me forget about their sushi. They have a huge list of half off sushi each night and it's a great deal! My favorite rolls would be the volcano roll (which has a lot of tuna inside and out and a side of spicy aioli sauce.. like a spicy mayo) and their kaboom maki, which is a deep-friend roll with red curry sauce and some seaweed salad. The staff are very nice and attentive and they can make your food as spicy as you like, which is a huge plus for me. Their martinis are also very tasty and their creme brulé is awesome. If you haven't tried this place out yet, I definitely recommend you do....especially for lunch! Lunch prices are around 7$ and It's the same sized portions as dinner so It's a great deal! Dinner ranges from 9$-19$ and their portions are pretty good. I still like taste of Thai every now and then, but when I'm craving big portions and food with a lot of flavor, surin's the place to go! (^_~)b
(5)Leonard M.
Great over all meal. Cant beat half price Sushi. Had a few issues but the management resolved the issues and got my sushi made the way I like it.
(5)Krista B.
I love Surin! The chicken curry and coconut, tofu soup is AMAZING! I honestly eat here once a week, I can't get enough! They may have had a few hiccups at the beginning with service but all that's worked now, the food is so good it didn't bother me anyway:-)
(5)MoCe C.
Poor location couldnt find n # didnt work.
(1)Tarah J.
Party of 2 at Surin on a Saturday night-no wait time to be seated. Pete was our server and he was great-pleasant, polite and maintained the perfect balance of serving without being overly intrusive during one's meal. Everything we ordered was served in a timely manner. Pete was very prompt in first bringing out water to drink and then our beer. We ordered two rolls-Volcano and Kaboom-and a sashimi platter. My fiancé and I are by no means sushi connoisseurs, but we have had mediocre sushi and sashimi before--and this meal was definitely not subpar. The rolls and sashimi were excellent-good size rolls (size does matter!) and a very generous amount of tuna, white tail, and salmon for our sashimi. We are big fans of the "premiere" sushi place in Knoxville, but Surin was a fraction of the price without sacrificing quality. We will definitely be back for more :)
(5)Alan S.
This place is Awesome one of my favorites in Knoxville. We get the spicy beef noodle, I have tried to stop eating this dish many times when I get full but there is no stopping. I...just...can't...stop... Eating this dish! There really is just not enough good things to say about Surin. Not a big fan of the Thai Tea but that is just a personal preference. Great beer selection and their apps a great as well. They have some great sushi as well, if only I could stop eating the spicy beef noodle! LOL!
(5)Canny F.
I came here with one of my study buddies that love sushi and we were so hyped for it but left disappointed. The service was extremely slow that day - we waited an hour for our sushi. I loved their veggie friendly sushi options and it could just be a bad day in the kitchen. I would give surin a second chance. Egg/spring roll - I thought I was a picky eater..my friend said she could have popped a frozen pack of egg rolls from trader joes in the oven and had more for a cheaper price. I can't say I've had amazing spring rolls in Knoxville. I could be bias now since I am from NYC and my friend is from Washington DC. For the locals that won't be traveling for food, this wasn't bad at all. We felt it was over priced. Umeshiso - I was kind of disappointed because they didn't use real plum pieces; instead, they used plum sauce and had that over a cucumber roll. It was still tasty but it didn't make me have a sour face. Yasai maki - the only downside to this was the rice. It was too mushy and although it doesn't seem like it has a lot, it does because it was squashed. There's a huge difference in taste depending on how the way rice is prepared for sushi and the way the sushi is folded as well as the amount of rice used. Vegetable tempura maki - they had mini corns in it! I don't like mini corns so that threw me off. My friend was a tad harsh on the waitor for the amount of time we waited for our dishes but she worked in a restaurant before so she felt no sympathy. It's true though, time is of the essence. Starving customers that have to wait so long won't be happy.
(3)Amanda S.
Few reason they are getting a 5 star... 1. They treated us so nicely and put us in the back room. (Good idea with our bunch) 2. Our server Brian was super friendly and talkative. Helped with drink suggestions and really managed our loudness! (CINCO BIRTHDAY PARTY) need I say more? 3. Have 3 questions for you... Tacos Thai food Breakfast and Lunch which makes Brunch.. haha jkjk inside joke 3. Dumplings and both egg roll styles were super fresh and yummy! 4. It's so pretty and very clean. Great seating for outside. Super roomy 5. Main entrees were amazing. I had the Massaman Chicken in curry with Avacodo was really good. Not the best I have ever had, but delish non the less Drink ideas that the Bartender made for me. Thai Tea with Orange Vodka! Ohhhemmgeeee! If you want an adult beverage. Get on it. Or just try with reg vodka I'll be back! Gotta bring the "Pops" haha
(5)Christie B.
Sam was our delightful server and when you have a good knowledgeable person with a good personality the meal seems to be better. Every time I eat here it's good. The lemon drop martini is delicious and so is the sushi. The pad Thai with beef is wonderful and enough to share. The outdoor seating area is nice too.
(4)Lynn B.
We stopped in Knoxville on our way to Atlanta. I found this place on yelp and it didn't disappoint. Great service, atmosphere and food.
(4)Lindy P.
Hands down, this is the coolest Asian restaurant in Knoxville. The atmosphere is hip and modern, and the food is even better. With ample parking and tons of seats, this place is great for large groups too. Who knew your Asian dining experience could be so trendy?! The menu is huge and very well priced. The bar has a wide variety of wines and specialty cocktails. They have BOGO sushi plus tons of other Thai dishes. The pot stickers in a red curry sauce were unique and tasty, but the calamari was my favorite appetizer. I ordered the Ka Proud Lamb chops, which turned out to be one of the best Thai dishes I've ever had! The chops were juicy and cooked to perfection, served with a spicy dipping sauce and a large portion of shrimp fried rice. The plating was great- they made carrots into flowers! The dish was only $23, so it was definitely well priced for the portion and quality. I highly recommend Surin of Thailand for your spicy Thai needs!!
(4)John G.
Went here for the first time this past Saturday in the driving, cold rain. It was worth it! Nice, tranquil ambiance to this place, gorgeous decor and interior, but not at all pretentious. Service was great, even perhaps a bit quirky and entertaining, but certainly spot on,timely and the right amount of friendly, concerned attention. I don't like to be served by robots or cunning salesmen upselling me, not the case here at all. Had two apps, egg rolls and basil rolls, basil rolls the better of the two. I had the drunken noodle with chicken with a low level Of heat, could have handled more spice. My friend had the ginger chicken stir fry. Both dishes were plentiful and tasty. Total bill for two apps, two entree, one beer and a coke came out to around 43 bucks, quite reasonable for the quality of food and setting.
(4)Hunter H.
Surin is the place to go for Asian food in Knoxville, hands down! They have incredible service, a classy restaurant and atmosphere, and always tasty food. My personal favorite meals are pad prik beef, cashew nut chicken, Thai noodle, and chicken panang curry. Don't forget their awesome garlic chili paste anytime and also coconut soup when you dine in at lunch! Most important thing is they are consistent and have a lot of great options. Oh and ask for Pete to be your waiter. The guy is awesome!!
(5)Ben B.
Awesome! Kaboom Maki and spicy beef noodles are my fav. AND NOW THEY DELIVER TO YOUR DOOR! Delivery was fast and food was piping hot.
(5)Cindy D.
The sushi is always good. Half price Sunday through Friday after 5pm. Wonton soup is delicious.
(5)Chris L.
Excellent flavor right off of I40 in Knoxville. We had some Tom Kha to start that was a great light start while we waited for out appetizer and entree. For an appetizer we the Kaboom Maki. It was a shrimp tempura roll with cream cheese that was flash fried and arranged in a bowl of red curry coconut milk. In the middle was a cucumber seaweed salad. This roll is like a party in your mouth. My wife had thai noodles with shrimp and chicken that was close to what you would expect from pad thai. The quality was great. I had a red curry duck. The flavor was great here too. I do wish I'd indicated medium spice as the dish was a little mild for my taste but that's on me, not the restaurant.
(4)Todd W.
I would include this restaurant in my Knoxville Top Five. Is it the nicest restaurant in town? No. But there are only three Thai restaurants in Knoxville that I know of and this is my favorite. My wife likes the giant Buddha inside and the half priced sushi almost as much as I like the Masaman Chicken.
(4)Virginia T.
The food is pretty good and the menu is extensive if a little overpriced. The service is good and the ambiance is business casual. This is a good choice if you love Thai food.
(4)Terry B.
Wonderful sushi rolls!
(4)Lan N.
Oh my pockets. Good thai food comes with a price. I came here strictly for the thai dishes. The masaman beef is good and a bit on the sweeter side. Imagine stewed beef in a red coconut curry sauce with potatoes and sprinkles of whole roasted peanuts. Yum. Ask for the brown rice for $2extra. We requested for the spicy level to be 2 but it really only tasted like 0. I ordered the spicy beef noodle that supposedly comes to a spicy level of 2. Nope, it was not spicy enough. I'm thinking the spice level is really catered for those not wanting spice. No problemo. I've requested for spices on the side and the crush thai chiles that is made in house is phenomenal. The masaman beef came out luke warm. Sadly, the plates are not heated here. Overall the taste and service is on point. I would come back for the thai food. side note: 1/2 off sushi sunday through thurs from 5pm.
(4)Mark P.
Thank you yelpsters. Working in K-town overnight, I simply went to yelp and searched eateries close by. Tah dah! Surin. I started with the half price sushi. I figured I was going to need breakfast in the morning so I plan to take half my entree home. I had the volcano roll and it was very well prepared and tasty. For the entree I chose the vegetable and tofu panang. It was perfectly prepared and the presentation was beautiful. My server Brian advised me that the heat rating in the restaurant was 1, 2 or 3. I chose one and a half because sometimes I get carried away with spice and can't taste the food. It was just right. It didn't overpower the food and my handkerchief is soggy. I plan on coming back next month.
(5)Rob C.
Surin of Thailand is our favorite place to get sushi. We've had many of the items on the menu and have never been disappointed. We've been a few times when they had half-priced sushi and half-priced wine and the quality is still just as good as the regular menu! Also, we use this space as a venue when to host out Wine and Canvas classes and the staff always treats our customers well. The managers are a treat to work with as far as scheduling goes so if you are looking for a space for a special party or large group gathering they can certainly accommodate you! Pro's Great Food and Wine Helpful Staff Large space for group dining Con's None
(5)Chuck C.
I finally tried this place and although it was okay it was not at all special from many other Oriental place and was more expensive. I will not be so Anxious since I just tried it now and will choose another instead. Cheaper wins out when you are mediocre.
(3)Kellie C.
A favorite lunch spot! Service is usually fast and friendly. They have a nice patio and a wide variety of offerings. The spicy beef salad is one of my favorites for lunch (and truly spicy, which is refreshing). The pad prik pork is also consistently delicious. The sushi is not my favorite, but they do run good specials on it.
(4)Elva G.
If I can give this place a negative star i would gladly do it . Coming from Los Angeles where great food is everywhere ,especially Asian food our local friend recomended this place (YES HE IS STILL OUR FRIEND ) LOL!. Relocating this restaurant to Los Angeles would definetly go out of business .Maybe they should focus on there recipes and not so much on decoration . decor gets 5 stars . the thai waiter was extremely rude not just with us but with the other tables as well . We did not finish our food and NO!.....we will not be needing any boxes !
(1)Zach P.
Had a big group set up for us in back room for a friends surprise birthday party. Drinks came alittle scattered but they have two bars so I recommend just going up and ordering one of you need your fix. Apps and sushi (1/2 off on Wednesday) were great! Cool spot on Kingston Pike. Cool feel to this place and their patio looked a reason to return as I enjoy eating outside whenever possible!
(3)Andy S.
G and I were hungry, so we decided to try this Thai restaurant. It looked fancy on the outside and it had an upscale vibe in the inside. However, the price point is rather inexpensive. The menu is a little overwhelming with thai food and sushi. We both ended up having thai food. Garrett had the Masaman beef curry. It came with lots of chunks of beef in a red curry. He said it was very good. I went with the shrimp curry. It was a hot green curry with a mix of vegetables. It was great! The sauce was too good. Even after I ate all the shrimp and veggies out of it, I kept eating the curry, like it was a soup. It was spicy and sweet at the same time. It would be hard for me not to order this one again. Service was fine. The meals were $15 and less. It is a good Thai restaurant in Knoxville.
(4)Susan T.
Really, really nice! I had (basically) yellow chicken curry and my husband had the duck, and both were absolutely wonderful. Our waiter was funny, and gracious...the atmosphere was warm and modern but welcoming...hot coconut yellow sauce with buttery chicken; what can I say, but that it was heavenly! A new favorite!
(4)Janine A.
Good for Knoxville. Pad Thai (Thai noodles) were mediocre. The masaman beef was tender and perfectly cooked, but the gravy it was smothered in wasn't nearly as tasty. The chicken Panama curry was, by far, the best- more like "one pepper" spicy though. How is it half priced sushi if it's half price very night?!
(4)LaMarco C.
The service was slow with a fourth of the restaurant full. I can only imagine what it would be like if it were a busy night. My chicken panag was good. Was a bit disappointed they didn't offer brown rice with meals. The menu can be overwhelming; there are too many options. I landed here because it was convenient but not sure I would see this restaurant out next time I'm in town.
(3)N S.
It's not Nama, but still satisfies my sushi fix. Half off sushi on weeknights is key.
(4)Samantha K.
Chicken curry was super delicious, also the lychee martini (uhh a cool $10, but worth it to feel like Sex in the *cough* Mid-sized City)! Very classy inside, great place for a date, swanky ambiance. Our waiter last night was the strong and silent, younger-Morgan-Freeman look-alike. He was slightly unprepared for how much water I was about to consume before my night on the town, so occasionally my glass of water went unattended...but hey, what are you going to do? Chug an emergen-C after stopping by Walgreens next door after the meal, that's what. Surin also has delicious sushi and the crab rangoon appetizer thing is really tasty, though they only give you four baby rangoons, fair warning. Enjoy!
(4)Dr. Scott N.
I just had the best Masaman (chicken) that I have ever had, I have traveled to Thailand and eaten several "authentic" dishes as well as having Thai in 15 or 20 cities in the USA and this is hands down the best I have ever had. The curry is almost more nutty than spicy and just amazing. Highly recommend. FYI the menu shows only Masaman Beef, but since I rarely eat beef, I asked for chicken. Again this is well worth $12.50 ($15 with tax) Head there now, tonight and enjoy!
(5)Rob T.
Delicious. I sat at the bar and service was great. Had the chicken Panag curry and really enjoyed it.
(4)Julia H.
If you like curry, you will like this place. For only $11.00 for lunch, you will get more food than you can eat and feel full all day. My favorite dish is the ahi tuna salad. It's about ten dollars and you get thick cuts of tuna and so many you need a to go box. The owner personally checks in on tables and the service is pretty good.
(4)Channa P.
Meh... my Chicken Panang was okay, but I am not in love with this place. Maybe I should have stuck with the starter sushi I ordered. Or maybe it was my nice, but awkward server. Or was it the $2 fee for brown rice instead of white? Pros below. -Cheap, but good sushi that is half off on Sundays -Nice decor -Lots of space -Several menu options for sushi and Thai lovers -huge portions
(3)Amelia J.
Great place to get sushi! My family was in Knoxville for the night and we're looking for a good place to eat close to our hotel. Found this place thanks to Yelp and I was not disappointed! Honestly, probably some of the best sushi I've had in a long time! We also ordered pad thai, it was good but not great. FYI apparently Thursday night is half price sushi!
(4)Mary T.
4 Stars = The food 4 Stars = Great take-out, still good when you reheat 5 Stars = If Pete waits on you (The Thai server who gets you what you want) 2 Stars = If anyone else waits on you I have had mixed experiences with service. I finally know, ASK FOR PETE. Otherwise I would just get take-out. Seriously, I think they need someone to come in and properly train some of the staff. Pete gets the job done. When others tell you no, Pete says yes. He is always accommodating so if you want to enjoy your experience, take my advice. The FOOD: Love the curry dishes, spicy beef salad, sushi, and the noodle dishes. Eat the sushi there though, because like we all know, sushi is never good the next day. They close early some nights so make sure to get there before the doors are locked. :) Other than that, I hope you enjoy your experience with Pete! Cheers!
(4)Madelynn M.
Their sushi specials are amazing. A great date night location. Service is a little slow and not exactly warm and inviting; it's not terrible, but not stellar.
(4)Alan S.
Best prepared trout at this location.
(5)Ryan K.
I have lived in Boston and New York, and I can tell you this was some of the best sushi I have had. The entrée was delicious as well. What topped it if was how friendly the staff was. Highly recommended.
(5)T D.
A group of us from all over the country met here for dinner. The Knoxville native tried sooo hard to find a nice local restaurant for us. Well, first of all, they didn't know how to make a coffee/espresso martini. Really? Ummmm, it's too much for the bartender to look it up on his phone? I had to actually ask the waiter to take away a huge filthy pile of plates that he ignored for 20 minutes. No one's entree had any spice at all. Dessert? Uh, no thanks. This restaurant shouldn't rest on their laurels. I had the distinct impression service is just not important to them. One more thing. They openly flaunted their half price sushi deal and *still* charged us full price! Not going back. Insulting experience. Just... go to the grocery store and cook it yourself.
(1)Meghan F.
For knoxville this place is awesome! It took me a while to try it because its not nearly as convenient for me as taste of thai or little bangkok but it's definitely better. So much better that I'll drive the extra 20 mins? The answer to that is probably sometimes. I was impressed with how good this place was though, it could hold its own in a big city with good Thai. The service was a bit disappointing, our server was not very attentive (and they weren't really busy). But the food made up for it. Nice ambiance. As a plus they have Pad See-U (I usually have seen it as Pad See Ew) on the menu which i love and the other thai places don't have it. Didn't try the sushi so this review is just about the thai dishes.
(5)Greg S.
Honestly, it's probably as good as it gets in Knoxville. Clean, beautiful, plenty of room. Quiet dining. My tip, come on a Tuesday for half-priced suchi. WOW. Talk about putting a hurt on the sushi sensei. The sensei was like "Ah, why you order so much sushi? I kill you." But, he didn't kill me, he kept making me sushi - and wonderful sushi at that. Thank you sensei. I love this place. I want to go back. I will go back. BTW, I hate you Nama's .. you're overrated.
(5)Jennifer S.
I had the chicken satay and duck red curry. The satay was good. The duck red curry was amazing. I have eaten Thai food all over the US and in many foreign countries and the curry here was one of the best.
(5)Brittany F.
Great sushi and decent upscale Thai, with all the standard curry, noodle and rice Thai classics. The gorgeous interior decor really sets this place apart, including an enormous buddah statue and full service bar. Great cocktail list-- try the lychee-tini! Wait service was a little pushy, but attentive. My favorite thing to order here is the sushi-- it's good quality and pretty inexpensive. When you ask them to make things spicy, they have no problem doing so! I also know people that hate spice and love this place, so they can accomodate all levels!
(4)Sebastian W.
The Sushi is always fresh! Love the Half Off Sushi on week nights too! Friendly staff and good service.
(4)Scott S.
The service was horrible. We were totally ignored by our waiter and it was all we could do to get our check. The waiter was too busy talking to his friends to worry about us. Then to top it off I woke up at about 3 am with food poisoning from the scallops and shrimp. We'll never go there again.
(1)Jay C.
Among the area's best Thai food. The spicy mixed seafood was amazing. Service was fantastic. Very nice modern decor, but If you're looking for quiet dining, this isn't your place. The food is worth the trip!
(4)L L.
Great service!!! The food was delicious and beautifully served! They have a wide variety of noodles, sushi, vegetable and tofu/meat selections.
(5)Edith R.
Consistently good food, great curry. Spicy shrimp roll is wonderful. Fun for a date night!
(5)Dee O.
I've tried many of the Thai restaurants in Knoxville and i think this is my favorite, although not by a long shot. The ambience is really nice. It is a pretty big, open and well designed restaurant. It is yet another Sushi/Thai restuarant, which seems to be a common theme in the Knox. The food is excellent. Quick, well made, usually piping hot. I haven't had a negative food experience so far. The service could definitely be better. It has been hit or miss but the food more than makes up for it. It is not any more expensive than Taste of Thai and the ambience is slightly nicer. Definitely recommended!
(4)Leslie J.
Courteous and attentive staff, great sushi and a beautiful restaurant. I had lunch there today and would definitely come back again.
(5)Jane K.
Spicy beef salad is excellent as a meal or app. Basil rolls were excellent today too.
(5)Joy W.
Didn't try sushi. I like the fried beef noodles, it is a Canton style noodle, but a little bit sweet. I just don't get that why all the thai foods in the US are such sweet...for asians, they prefer less sweet entree.
(3)Jay L.
Food, service and ambiance were great, but sometimes a bad experience can ruin it... They charged us $5 for two dollops of brown rice. When we asked about it the owner came up and insulted our waiter ("is he giving you a hard time?"). Then he proceeded to explain why brown rice was a $2 upcharge for the first round and $3 for the second round because of blah blah blah. If he had just said sorry about the misunderstanding and we'll take care of it this time then he'd have a repeat customer. However, I don't think we're going back. Hope he reads this.
(1)Michelle S.
I went here with two of my friends today around one pm. We had bought a groupon worth $40 of food. When we arrived, the outside of the restaurant is kind of boring, but the atmosphere and decor inside were wonderful. We were sat really quickly at a table, but it was literally less than a foot away from the people next to us, even though there were other open tables. It was like we were seated with a lady and her son. Our server was incredibly awkward and didn't even say hello, introduce himself, smile or anything. He hardly spoke to us at all. I ordered the Thai coffee and thought it was terrible. However, we all liked the thai tea. We ordered an appetizer of egg rolls, the duck curry, pad thai, and barbeque chicken lunch specials. It took so long to even get the soup! The people beside us got their soup and entrees way before we were ever brought anything. The coconut soup was really wonderful. After a really long while, we got our entrees. The food wasn't terrible by any means, but the service was so slow and impersonal that it was kind of disheartening. We didn't even get our egg rolls until ten minutes after our food. They weren't that great at all, by the way. Overall, the food is mediocre (not up to other Knoxville thai restaurants), the service is incredibly slow, but the atmosphere is cool. I guess if you buy a groupon, you could try it out.
(2)Charlie P.
BLAND. The veggie delight stir fry with tofu was tasteless. The spicy basil stir fry with basil had no basil and was also tasteless. The dude also gave me one pair of chop sticks when I clearly ordered two mains. Go to Taste of Thai which is much better.
(1)Mark A.
When I moved to Knoxville from Atlanta I was so sad to be missing all my favorite eateries and when I tried to find some good Thai I was always disappointed. When I saw that Surin was coming I was ecstatic and now that they've been here for a while, and I've been there a while. I can say that they are as good as they are in Atlanta, plus, they have the Sushi at this location, which they didn't at the Atlanta Highlands Surin. I love going to Surin, especially for lunch with the little gratis Tofu Coconut Soup. The perfect beginning to a great meal.
(5)Rich D.
Great ambiance. Went for an early dinner on a Thursday night and got seated immediately. Had veggie tempura roll and veggie egg roll that I split with my companion. Both were excellent; the roll was definitely above average. Had pad prik with tofu and added spice. It had an excellent taste and the portion size was good, not overwhelming. My companion seemed to enjoy his Massama Beef (though he had it with chicken). He was happy that it was not spicy as the server had assured him, though the menu indicated it was medium spice. I would eat here again.
(4)D R.
This place is soo good. My wife and I ate Thai food for lunch at one of the other Thai food restaurants and were disappointed. We drove by Surin in the evening and decided to give Thai food a try again. We went once, and have gone back nearly every week. The food is so good. The manager is very nice and all the staff is great. The decor is amazing, they have rocks in the bathroom sinks. I don't know why but I think it looks cool. The place is always busy and getting busier. For Thai it's just the best in Knoxville. Spicy beef noodle is always perfect. Cashew Chicken is killer, all white breast meat. The dumplings and satay from the app. menu were great as well. I've had the lamb as well, we haven't found anything that we didn't like.
(5)Jennie G.
My husband and I love Thai food. We were excited to try a new place. Unfortunately we had a very rude waiter who informed us that they are unable to make any changes to any menu item. (I simply wanted rice noodles in place of wheat noodles...wheat noodles have no place in a Thai restaurant to begin with). The dish I got was nasty, and I was sick later in the night. Looks like we will stick with the best Thai food in Knoxville (with very friendly staff who are willing to make any changes necessary to please their customers)...Taste of Thai!
(1)Tara S.
I was very, very skeptical about Surin. For one thing, this location has hosted a number of "Asian-Fusion late night bars" over the years. Read: bad food, flashy decor, after dinnertime it's a faux nightclub. I was sooo pleasantly surprised after my first visit. I feel like it's impossible to review without bringing up THE Thai Institution of Knoxville - Taste of Thai. I've been going to that place for almost 15 years, and as they've declined recently, in my opinion, I feel like Surin is a solid replacement. Totally different atmosphere, but incredibly authentic and fresh food. I've had Yum Woonsen, Shrimp fresh rolls, sushi, Tom Kha, Massaman, Spicy Beef noodles, and things I'm forgetting. It is really delicious and authentic. The place is super clean, the service was great (I sat in the booths around the bar area - this is usually my preference at most places because it seems like service is more on point).
(4)Melanie T.
This was one of the first restaurants I ate at when I first moved to Knoxville. Its nice and fancy-schmacy.I went with a group of about 10, including 3 young kids. The staff catered to us very well. My brother paid for everything so we got the best dishes, duck, sushi (yummmmm!), sweet and sour chicken for the kids just to name a few. Our food came out in a timely matter, our orders were correct, the server wasn't over baring and the ambiance of the place was nice. I'd definitely recommend this place, just come with a coupon.
(4)Brenna D.
I love this place! Right up there with Taste of Thai! Must try the Masaman Beef and Thai Noodles they are delicious.
(5)Rich L.
New mgmt. deceptive business practices, and unwilling to admit fault and rectify disputes. Try Nama or Tomo instead. They charge what they tell you they charge and the sushi is what they promise. Hopefully mgmt will rethink their customer service. ---- EDIT: they made good on their errors, did some training, and worked on their messaging re: changes in their promotions. I'd go again now.
(4)Chris S.
We've been going to Surin for the past several years. In general it's pretty good Thai food. However over the past year or so, the curry has been getting more and more watery and soupy and less creamy and delicious. Additionally, service has suffered. Tonight was my last straw with this place. We ordered some food to be delivered - vegetable and tofu curry - with the instruction that we'd like no tofu and extra vegetables instead. We received a box of watery curry about half full of cabbage and bell peppers. Now in the past with this order they've done better than charging $12 for half full vegetable only curry - usually filling the box with lots of ingredients like potatoes, etc. - but our main issue wasn't even with the poorly prepared food. My wife called to politely complain, and the manager immediately starts talking over her, raising his voice saying "listen to me, I'M THE BOSS! You can't order it like that!". Never apologized, never offered to make things better, and instead just gave us attitude. We went to the restaurant to return the food and see if we could talk to someone more helpful, and this guy comes over and starts with the attitude again, telling me that I need to quit talking and listen to him, that the reason he yelled at my wife is that he was really busy. Busy? In a down economy, a restaurant is actually complaining to me about how busy they are, and acting as if that's a reason to yell at customers? I have no idea how you can get to manage anything in a service industry with this sort of terrible attitude, but this person has permanently lost Surin our business, and earned them this negative review. My advice would be to take your business to Taste of Thai. The food and atmosphere are just as good if not better, and I've never had them treat me badly.
(1)Alan P.
I had Roast duck in red curry sauce was good. The duck meat was just a tad too dry (but I'm nitpicking here). I didn't try their sushi, although it was on special (at very reasonable price) The bar is nice; it would be even nicer if there is draft beer on tap.
(4)Holly G.
Love Surin! It's a great venue, appears to be modeled on Tao in Vegas. It's unfortunately in one of those cursed locations on Bearden Hill that's housed several restaurants that didn't make it. I really want this one to stick around, because the food and drinks are great and it's not a hole-in-the wall strip mall joint. I hope they can break the curse! The menu covers Thai, Japanese, and Chinese cuisines. They have a basic sushi menu, but the Thai dishes are the best. Don't be intimidated, East Tennessee, this is some great stuff! Totally agree with the reviewer who said he would pass 10 PF Chang's to get to Surin. Prices here are about the same as a lunch/dinner at Chang's, Aubreys, Pueleo's, etc. For the best experience, take several friends and share your dishes family style. There are so many great things to try on Surin's menu. They also have a great cocktail menu. Love the martinis.
(5)Wm W.
Great restaurant: Food was good, and the service was great... Very nice atmosphere and vibe! Found it on Groupon...
(5)Bill K.
Sushi is fresh and high quality. The Thai food is some of the best I have had on the east coast. Sea bass is outstanding. Check this place out!
(5)Kevin P.
I would pass 10 pf change to get to surins. The food is a better quality than many resteraunts across all different food styles. Price is great. Ask for Pete. Tell him Kevin sent you. Make your next date night here.
(5)Leonard M.
Great over all meal. Cant beat half price Sushi. Had a few issues but the management resolved the issues and got my sushi made the way I like it.
(5)Timothy S.
Service was fast and skillful. We ordered the Surin Basket appetizers. They were served quickly, even before the waiter took out order for the main course and were excellent. I ordered the Masuman Beef as this was our first visit and I often use the Masuman curry as a calibration point in a new Thai restaurant. It was fairly standard, not very exciting, and not as spicy as I like, but it was very well presented, the curry had a refined taste to it, and there was lots of it. My wife had the stir fry with shrimp and cashews and found it excellent and perfectly spiced. The coconut ice cream was delicious. We definitely will be returning soon.
(5)Thanes S.
Surin of Thailand has been serving Authentic Thai Cuisine since 1990 to Atlanta, the Southeast and now serving in Knoxville, TN. The Surin of Thailand family invites you to experience our commitment to our customers, the satisfaction of the Thai Culture, and the variety of Thai Cuisine, fresh Sushi, and all the extras provided to highlight your visit.
(5)Richard L.
I thought it was really good. Had yellow curry and the coconut soup. Order a bowl of rice with the curry is my only suggestion.
(4)Liza M.
i really like this place. very tasty thai dishes & great sushi. the coupons they send out on a regular basis don't hurt either.
(4)James V.
I've been to this place approximately ten times. The food has always been good to excellet. Service is prompt and friendly. Noon prices are extremely reasonable. House wine excellent. My only complaint is the $10 martini. It's fine but it's too big. Also, it would be nice if they had some decent beers on tap. All brew is by the bottle.
(5)Gobo B.
I've been going to taste of Thai for years and decided to try this place out for something different, and I would have to say this place is much better! Their curries have a lot more stuff in them, they have a much bigger selection of food, ranging from thai, chinese, and some japanese, and half off sushi every night. I've tried just about everything here and haven't had anything I didn't like. My favorite appetizer would be the spicy beef salad and the namsod. The spicy beef salad has a lot of flavor and It's citrusy..you can taste the fresh lime juice. The namsod is like a lettuce wrap at pfchangs but with more oomph. Their curries are all awesome, my favorite being the vegetable and tofu penang curry. It comes packed with vegetables like green beans, baby corn, mushrooms, etc and the curry sauce is delicious! If you like seafood their spicy mixed seafood is awesome and the sauce that comes with it is delicious! I always have to ask for extra rice because I don't wanna waste any of the sauce lol. And don't let me forget about their sushi. They have a huge list of half off sushi each night and it's a great deal! My favorite rolls would be the volcano roll (which has a lot of tuna inside and out and a side of spicy aioli sauce.. like a spicy mayo) and their kaboom maki, which is a deep-friend roll with red curry sauce and some seaweed salad. The staff are very nice and attentive and they can make your food as spicy as you like, which is a huge plus for me. Their martinis are also very tasty and their creme brulé is awesome. If you haven't tried this place out yet, I definitely recommend you do....especially for lunch! Lunch prices are around 7$ and It's the same sized portions as dinner so It's a great deal! Dinner ranges from 9$-19$ and their portions are pretty good. I still like taste of Thai every now and then, but when I'm craving big portions and food with a lot of flavor, surin's the place to go! (^_~)b
(5)Krista B.
I love Surin! The chicken curry and coconut, tofu soup is AMAZING! I honestly eat here once a week, I can't get enough! They may have had a few hiccups at the beginning with service but all that's worked now, the food is so good it didn't bother me anyway:-)
(5)MoCe C.
Poor location couldnt find n # didnt work.
(1)Tarah J.
Party of 2 at Surin on a Saturday night-no wait time to be seated. Pete was our server and he was great-pleasant, polite and maintained the perfect balance of serving without being overly intrusive during one's meal. Everything we ordered was served in a timely manner. Pete was very prompt in first bringing out water to drink and then our beer. We ordered two rolls-Volcano and Kaboom-and a sashimi platter. My fiancé and I are by no means sushi connoisseurs, but we have had mediocre sushi and sashimi before--and this meal was definitely not subpar. The rolls and sashimi were excellent-good size rolls (size does matter!) and a very generous amount of tuna, white tail, and salmon for our sashimi. We are big fans of the "premiere" sushi place in Knoxville, but Surin was a fraction of the price without sacrificing quality. We will definitely be back for more :)
(5)