Lily Thai brings serious heat and praised curries to River Falls

A strong public consensus

Lily Thai Restaurant stands out in River Falls with a 4.9 Google rating from 129 reviews. That figure is reinforced by diners who describe repeat visits, consistent cooking and a dining room kept notably clean, including the restrooms. One reviewer goes as far as calling it the best restaurant in the city, while another compares the food favorably with Thai cooking available in the Twin Cities.

This assessment is synthesized from public ratings and the sample reviews, rather than an in-person visit. The overall pattern is unusually positive: diners regularly praise the food, often commend the staff and find the atmosphere relaxed. The exterior or building may strike some as an odd setting, but reviewers do not treat that as a serious drawback once inside.

Curries lead the recommendations

Curry is the clearest strength across the reviews, though diners highlight different preparations. Massaman curry earns an especially enthusiastic endorsement for its rich, hard-to-stop appeal. Red curry with tofu is presented as a reliable choice from a repeat customer, while peanut curry receives another strong recommendation.

The rest of the menu also attracts favorable comments. Cream cheese wontons, chicken satay and pork dumplings are all singled out as successful starters. Chicken basil fried rice, a beef ginger dish and a chicken noodle dish are mentioned positively as well. No single dish appears repeatedly enough in the supplied reviews to qualify as a universal order, but the breadth of praise suggests that Lily Thai is not relying on one signature plate.

Drinks add a lighter counterpoint to the food. Passionfruit juice with basil seeds is described as sweet and refreshing. The regular lemonade runs tart, while the pink lemonade is the sweeter option.

Take the spice scale seriously

Lily Thai’s heat levels appear to be accurate and assertive. One diner reports that mild tastes mild and hot tastes hot. Another, despite normally enjoying spicy food, found level four overwhelmingly hot. A separate repeat customer specifically favors red curry with tofu at four out of five, showing that the upper range still suits committed heat seekers.

For most first-time diners, medium appears to be the prudent starting point. That is not a criticism of the kitchen. It is a sign that the spice scale carries real consequences and should not be treated casually.

Service and overall value

Most comments describe the staff as pleasant, professional, funny or attentive. One review, however, warns that service was very slow, even though the food ultimately compensated for the wait. Lily Thai therefore looks better suited to a relaxed meal than a tight schedule.

Prices are characterized as reasonable, placing the restaurant comfortably in the mid-range category. Taken together, the ratings and reviews point to a Thai restaurant with well-regarded curries, credible spice, clean surroundings and warm service. The occasional wait and unconventional building are the main cautions, but neither outweighs the strength of the food feedback.