The Smiling Elephant

Welcome to The Smiling Elephant, a charming Thai restaurant nestled at 2213 8th Ave S in Nashville, TN. Step inside and you’re instantly embraced by its cozy, inviting atmosphere that feels less like a restaurant and more like a friend’s home. This delightful eatery is celebrated for its authentic Thai cuisine that beautifully balances bold flavors and fresh ingredients.

The menu is a treasure trove for Thai food lovers, showcasing a variety of dishes that cater to every palate. Start your culinary journey with one of their hot and fragrant soups, such as the Tom Yum or the creamy Tom Kha Coconut Soup, both priced at just $5.95. They’re the perfect warm-up, invigorating your senses with aromatic spices.

For your main course, be sure to explore their signature entres, where you have the unique opportunity to customize the spice level to your liking: Mild, Hot, or Thai Spicy. Among them, the Seafood Hot Pot is a must-try. Bursting with a medley of shrimp, fresh lump crab, tilapia, mussels, and calamari simmered in your choice of invigorating soup, this dish beautifully encapsulates the essence of Thai dining for just $29.95. The Seafood Pad Pong Karee is another standout, enveloping your taste buds in a rich, creamy milk sauce with hints of karee curry that will leave you longing for more.

As you savor the flavors, the welcoming demeanor of the staff further enhances your dining experience. Reviewers have consistently praised the attentiveness and knowledge of the team, ensuring that every detail of your meal is just right. “I had a great experience at The Smiling Elephant! The food was flavorful and clearly made with fresh ingredients,” shared Manoj M, echoing the sentiments of many who leave with smiles on their faces. There’s a unique charm in being served by people who genuinely care about your experience—this is at the heart of The Smiling Elephant.

However, not every dish hits the mark perfectly, as some guests have noted. For instance, while Tania B enjoyed the vibrant papaya salad, she found the dumplings to be a tad bland. The beauty of The Smiling Elephant lies in its commitment to authenticity and freshness, which sometimes leads to different experiences with a single dish. Yet what shines through is the restaurant's desire to ensure customers find satisfaction through their extensive offerings.

The Smiling Elephant is a culinary gem that promises not just a meal but a memorable dining experience steeped in the heart of Thai culture. It's a place where tradition meets community, exactly what you want from a local restaurant. So, gather friends or loved ones and embark on a delightful exploration of flavors that will undoubtedly keep you coming back for more. Call them at +1 615-891-4488 to make a reservation or simply walk in and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. Your taste buds will thank you!

Appetizers - Small Soup

• Tom Yum

  (Lemongrass Soup)

  US$5.95

• Tom Kha

  Coconut Soup)

  US$5.95

Appetizers - Steamed Dumplings

• Veggie

• Chicken and Cabbage

• Pork and Black Mushroom

• Shrimp Hacao

  (rice flour)

Appetizers - Rice Paper Rolls

• Fresh Roll

  Carrots, Bean Sprouts, Woonsen Noodles, Cilantro, Scallion Caramelized Sweet Radish

  US$5.95

• Peanut Roll

  Fresh Roll with Peanuts

  US$6.95

• Steamed Vegetables with Peanut Curry Dip

  US$5.95

• Edamame with Sea Salt and Roasted Chili Pepper

  US$5.95

• Fresh Mussels, Steamed with Basil and Lemongrass

  US$12.95

• Stir Fry Mussels in Curry and Basil

  US$15.95

Appetizers - Baos

• BBQ

  US$4.00

• Pork with Bamboo

  US$4.00

Appetizers - Small Salad

• Side Salad with Lime

  Lemongrass Vinaigrette

  US$5.95

• Ajad

  Cucumber Salad

  US$5.95

• SomTum

  (Papaya Salad)

  US$10.95

Signature Menu - Lunch

• Entree

  Dishes can be made: Mild, Hot, or Thai Spicy **Please inform us of food allergies before ordering. We will try to accommodate food allergies but cannot guarantee no contact during preparation, cooking, and/or serving. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase your risk of food borne illness Entrees served with your choice (choose one) of Organic Tofu , Chicken Tenderloin, or Pork Loin In the mood for something different?

  US$14.95

• Smiling Elephant Pad Thai

  Stirfry Rice Noodles with Tofu, Egg, Bean Sprouts, Peanuts and Choice of Meat. Please note that our Padthai is not a sweet/sticky Americanized version but prepared traditionally with Tamarind Sauce and Palm Sugar.

• Pad Kra Pao

  Spicy Minced Pork or Chicken Stir Fry with Holy Basil (May seasonally substitute with Thai Basil), Garlic, and Chili Peppers served with a Fried Egg and Jasmine Rice

• Khao Kai Ra-bert

  Mild stir fry with Minced Pork, Garlic, and Ground Black Pepper served with a Fried Egg and Rice

• Daily Curry with Rice

  Please ask your server about our daily selection served with choice of meat and Jasmine Rice

• Pad See-Ew

  Stirfry Rice Noodles with Soy Sauce, Eggs, Broccoli, Garlic, and Choice of Meat.

• Pad Ka Na

  Stirfry collard greens with soybean sauce, served with steamed rice, fried egg, and choice of meat.

• Pad Makea

  Spicy, Sour Stirfry with Minced Pork, Eggplant, Tomatoes, Bamboo Shoots, and Thai Basil

• Minced Pork Noodle Soup

  Pork broth noodle soup with bean sprouts, cilantro, green onion, minced pork, dried garlic, rice noodles and side of pork rinds.

• Chicken Cashew Stir Fry

  Sauteed with Pineapples, Chili Paste, Onion Served with Jasmine Rice and Satay Sauce. *Also Great with Tofu!

• Gai Yang

  Chicken Sauteed with Cilantro and Garlic served with a Sweet and Sour Sauce and Jasmine Rice.

• Gai Jee

  Grilled Marinated Chicken served with fresh and steamed vegetables and Jasmine Rice.

• Tamarind Pork

  Moo Sahm Rhot Sauteed sweet and sour pork, drizzled with three flavor tamarind sauce and sprinkled with fresh lemongrass, served with Jasmine Rice.

• Pad Kee Mao

  Stirfry Rice Noodles with Kaffir Lime Leaves, Egg, Vegetables, Garlic, and Choice of Meat. *Best noodle dish if you want something spicy!*

• Make-Your-Own Noodle Soup

  Noodle: Woonsen, Starch, Egg, or Rice Noodle Protein: Chicken, Pork, Tofu or Fish Ball Soup: Clear Broth or Lemongrass Soup

• Chicken Satay

  Chicken Marinated coconut milk with a blend of Turmeric, Cumin, and Cinnamon. Served with Satay Sauce, Cucumber Salad, and Jasmine Rice

• Ginger Chicken

  GF by Request Stirfried Chicken with Fresh Sliced Ginger and Black Mushrooms. Served with Jasmine Rice.

• Thai Fried Rice

  Pan Fried Jasmine Rice with Vegetables, Eggs, Chinese Broccoli, Garlic, and Choice of Meat For different flavor, try fried rice with: Prik Khing Fried Rice (Spicy Curry Paste) or Yellow Curry Fried Rice (Yellow curry powder)

• Thai Vegetable Stir Fry

  GF by Request Seasonal Vegetables with Soy Sauce and Garlic served with Jasmine Rice.

• Curry BBQ Chicken

  Sweet and Spicy Smashed Chicken: Sweetened with Palm Sugar and Brown Sugar Spiced with Roasted Curry

• Savory

  (Raberd ) Lettuce Wraps Minced pork sauteed with black pepper,sweet soy sauce, and garlic

• Smiling Elephant Salad

  Lettuce and spinach topped with carrots and pineapples. Pick Gai Yang, Gai Jee, or Ginger Chicken for your meat. Served with Lemongrass Ginger Dressing

• Larb Lettuce Wraps

  Minced Pork tossed with Fresh Cilantro, Scallions, Onions, Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice, and Roasted Rice. Served with Lettuce and Jasmine Rice.

Signature Menu - Dinner

• Entree

  Dishes can be made: Mild, Hot, or Thai Spicy **Please inform us of food allergies before ordering. We will try to accommodate food allergies but cannot guarantee no contact during preparation, cooking, and/or serving. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase your risk of food borne illness Entrees served with your choice (choose one) of Organic Tofu , Chicken Tenderloin, or Pork Loin In the mood for something different?

  US$16.95

• Smiling Elephant Pad Thai

  Stirfry Rice Noodles with Tofu, Egg, Bean Sprouts, Peanuts and Choice of Meat. Please note that our Padthai is not a sweet/sticky Americanized version but prepared traditionally with Tamarind Sauce and Palm Sugar.

• Pad Kra Pao

  Spicy Minced Pork or Chicken Stir Fry with Holy Basil (May seasonally substitute with Thai Basil), Garlic, and Chili Peppers served with a Fried Egg and Jasmine Rice

• Khao Kai Ra-bert

  Mild stir fry with Minced Pork, Garlic, and Ground Black Pepper served with a Fried Egg and Rice

• Daily Curry with Rice

  Please ask your server about our daily selection served with choice of meat and Jasmine Rice

• Pad See-Ew

  Stirfry Rice Noodles with Soy Sauce, Eggs, Broccoli, Garlic, and Choice of Meat.

• Pad Ka Na

  Stirfry collard greens with soybean sauce, served with steamed rice, fried egg, and choice of meat.

• Pad Makea

  Spicy, Sour Stirfry with Minced Pork, Eggplant, Tomatoes, Bamboo Shoots, and Thai Basil

• Minced Pork Noodle Soup

  Pork broth noodle soup with bean sprouts, cilantro, green onion, minced pork, dried garlic, rice noodles and side of pork rinds.

• Chicken Cashew Stir Fry

  Sauteed with Pineapples, Chili Paste, Onion Served with Jasmine Rice and Satay Sauce. *Also Great with Tofu!

• Gai Yang

  Chicken Sauteed with Cilantro and Garlic served with a Sweet and Sour Sauce and Jasmine Rice.

• Gai Jee

  Grilled Marinated Chicken served with fresh and steamed vegetables and Jasmine Rice.

• Tamarind Pork

  Moo Sahm Rhot Sauteed sweet and sour pork, drizzled with three flavor tamarind sauce and sprinkled with fresh lemongrass, served with Jasmine Rice.

• Pad Kee Mao

  Stirfry Rice Noodles with Kaffir Lime Leaves, Egg, Vegetables, Garlic, and Choice of Meat. *Best noodle dish if you want something spicy!*

• Make-Your-Own Noodle Soup

  Noodle: Woonsen, Starch, Egg, or Rice Noodle Protein: Chicken, Pork, Tofu or Fish Ball Soup: Clear Broth or Lemongrass Soup

• Chicken Satay

  Chicken Marinated coconut milk with a blend of Turmeric, Cumin, and Cinnamon. Served with Satay Sauce, Cucumber Salad, and Jasmine Rice

• Ginger Chicken

  GF by Request Stirfried Chicken with Fresh Sliced Ginger and Black Mushrooms. Served with Jasmine Rice.

• Thai Fried Rice

  Pan Fried Jasmine Rice with Vegetables, Eggs, Chinese Broccoli, Garlic, and Choice of Meat For different flavor, try fried rice with: Prik Khing Fried Rice (Spicy Curry Paste) or Yellow Curry Fried Rice (Yellow curry powder)

• Thai Vegetable Stir Fry

  GF by Request Seasonal Vegetables with Soy Sauce and Garlic served with Jasmine Rice.

• Curry BBQ Chicken

  Sweet and Spicy Smashed Chicken: Sweetened with Palm Sugar and Brown Sugar Spiced with Roasted Curry

• Savory

  (Raberd ) Lettuce Wraps Minced pork sauteed with black pepper,sweet soy sauce, and garlic

• Smiling Elephant Salad

  Lettuce and spinach topped with carrots and pineapples. Pick Gai Yang, Gai Jee, or Ginger Chicken for your meat. Served with Lemongrass Ginger Dressing

• Larb Lettuce Wraps

  Minced Pork tossed with Fresh Cilantro, Scallions, Onions, Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice, and Roasted Rice. Served with Lettuce and Jasmine Rice.

A la carte

• Fried Egg

  US$1.50

• Peanut Sauce

  US$2.00

• Extra meat/veggies in entrees

  US$2.00

• Jasmine Rice

  US$2.00

• Brown Rice

  US$2.50

• Sticky Rice

  US$2.50

Specials

• Seafood Hot Pot

  umbo Shrimp, Fresh Lump Crab, Tilapia, Mussels, and Calamari Your choice of Tom Yum or Tom Kha Soup with Extra Herbs.

  US$29.95

• Seafood Pad Pong Karee

  Jumbo Shrimp, Lump Crab, Tilapia, Mussels, Calamari in Creamy Milk Sauce with Karee Curry Powde

  US$29.95

Desserts

• Coconut Custard

  (2)

  US$4.50

• Sticky Rice in Banana Leaf

  US$4.50

• Sweet Sticky Rice and Roasted Coconut

  US$5.95

• Roti with Chocolate and Condensed Milk

  US$6.95

• Sticky Rice and Mango

  US$7.95