Khai Thai Cuisine (809 Seymour Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone: 604-682-7000) is a nicely decorated, airy room with skylights, and a layout of tables and cozy nooks in which to enjoy a relaxing Thai meal.

Located conveniently in the heart of downtown Vancouver near hotels such as the Vancouver Westin Grand, as well as the Vancouver Public Library, Khai Thai Cuisine has affordable lunch time specials, with a variety of choices of curries and other Thai dishes such as the Pad Thai.

The combinations are $9.95 at lunch, and come with a green salad (pictured below), rice, deep fried spring roll, and a main course such as the Penang Curry with Chicken (also pictured below). I found the service was excellent and the flavors of the curry were so good that I finished every last spoonful!

Panang Thai Chicken Curry, served with rice, spring roll, and green salad (pictured above), all for $9.95 (at lunch time).

The Urban Thai Bistro (1119 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone 604-408-7788, located in the downtown Yaletown restaurant and shopping district) offers one of the best lunch specials in the neighborhood. For around $7.50 you can get a salad, spring roll, and a tasty entree such as spicy chicken with green beans (pictured below), with rice. The attractive prices and yummy food attract big crowds - a good reason to arrive just before 12 noon, so you can be sure to get a table. The dinner menu has a more expanded selection but the prices are still quite reasonable. (For more photos of Urban Thai Bistro, view: Part 1.)

Tropika (web site, 1128 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone 604-737-6002) is one of Vancouver’s most popular Malaysian and Thai restaurants. Located in the heart of the trendy downtown Robson Street shopping district, Tropika is a good sized restaurant with modern, upscale decor, but more importantly, really outstanding food.

Pictured below are the satays (meat skewer appetizers, $1.20 each), roti canai (Malay bread, $2.95), Hainanese chicken (half chicken, $12.95), pineapple fried rice with ham and chicken ($12.95), and a special drink: coconut juice served in a fresh coconut. We had a large group (9 people) and made reservations a few days in advance. The serving staff and kitchen handled our group flawlessly and we enjoyed the flavors of the dishes very much.

Two other locations of Tropika Restaurant in Vancouver are: Tropika at Cambie (2975 Cambie Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, phone 604-879-6002) and Tropika at Aberdeen (Unit 1830, Aberdeen Centre, 4151 Hazelbridge Way, Richmond, BC, Canada, phone 604-233-7002)

Beef, chicken, lamb, and pork satay skewers ($1.20 each)

Roti Canai (Malay Bread, $2.95) – this was really puffy and tasted great with the accompanying sauce.

Hainanese Chicken (Half $12.95)

Pineapple Fried Rice with Ham and Chicken ($12.95)

Coconut Juice – served in a real coconut!