Sala Thai — Line, Wait & How to Get In · Upper West Side, NYC

//The line

The Infatuation's Upper West Side restaurant guide warns diners that at Sala Thai they "might encounter a wait at the door," advising readers to "book in advance if you can." The publication's separate review of the restaurant links out to an OpenTable reservation system rather than describing a walk-in-only model, indicating booking ahead is the intended way to guarantee a table, per The Infatuation.

Diner reports on Tripadvisor are mixed on how long a walk-in wait can run. One reviewer said they arrived without a reservation and were seated at a table for four after only a short wait, while another described calling ahead, being told the restaurant had plenty of open tables, and then facing a 20-minute wait upon arriving ten minutes later; a third reviewer reported waiting about 30 minutes for a table for two with no reservation, per Tripadvisor.

Sala Thai's own site reinforces that reservations are the more predictable path, listing OpenTable booking and a phone line alongside a policy that "we only seat completed parties," meaning a table won't be released until the whole group has arrived, per salathainyc.com.

//When the line peaks

Wait at the door possible, especially at dinner — per The Infatuation's Upper West Side guide Walk-in waits of roughly 20 to 30 minutes reported without a reservation — per Tripadvisor reviewers Small dining room stays busy; reservations recommended for larger parties — per Tripadvisor reviewers

Patterns as reported by press and regulars — not measured by damnlines.

//Getting in

Reservations: Reservations accepted via OpenTable or by phone; the restaurant only seats completed parties, per salathainyc.com.

Walk-ins: Accepted, though wait times of roughly 20 to 30 minutes have been reported without a reservation, per Tripadvisor reviewers.

Sun-Thu 11:30am-10:00pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-10:30pm, per salathainyc.com.

Book a table → · Official site →

//FAQ

How long is the wait at Sala Thai?

Reported walk-in waits vary widely: Tripadvisor reviewers describe anything from a short wait to about 20 to 30 minutes without a reservation, and The Infatuation's Upper West Side guide warns that diners "might encounter a wait at the door." Booking ahead is the more reliable way to avoid it.

Does Sala Thai take reservations?

Yes — the restaurant accepts reservations via OpenTable, as linked from both its official site (salathainyc.com) and The Infatuation's review page, or by calling the restaurant directly.

Can you walk into Sala Thai?

Walk-ins are accepted, but per Tripadvisor reviewers the wait can range from minimal to roughly 20-30 minutes, especially at dinner. The Infatuation's Upper West Side guide recommends booking in advance if possible.

Does Sala Thai seat partial parties?

No — the restaurant's official site states it "only seat[s] completed parties," meaning it won't release a table until the entire group has arrived, per salathainyc.com, which can extend the wait if guests arrive separately.

What are Sala Thai's hours?

Per the restaurant's official site, Sala Thai is open Sunday through Thursday from 11:30am to 10:00pm and Friday through Saturday from 11:30am to 10:30pm.