Elephant Cafe

23384 El Toro Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
+1 949-472-3100
$$$ Thai restaurant
(497 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Welcome to Elephant Cafe, a delightful Thai restaurant nestled in the heart of Lake Forest, California. Located at 23384 El Toro Rd, this charming eatery invites you to embark on a culinary journey through Thailand, right in your neighborhood. With a menu that boasts a delightful array of authentic Thai flavors, Elephant Cafe is a must-visit for food enthusiasts.

The restaurant specializes in traditional Thai cuisine, where each dish is crafted with care and passion for the vibrant flavors that define this remarkable culinary tradition. Start your meal with the Thai Style Fried Rice, a savory delight featuring your choice of protein—be it chicken, pork, beef, or succulent shrimp. Each plate is artfully tossed with Chinese broccoli, peas, carrots, onions, and a perfectly cooked egg, ensuring a delightful blend of textures and flavors that will dance on your palate. For those who crave seafood, the Crab Fried Rice is a luxurious option, packed with generous chunks of crab meat.

For a fresh twist, indulge in the Pineapple Fried Rice, where sweet and savory harmoniously meet. The menu also offers refreshing beverages such as the iconic Thai Ice Tea or the invigorating Thai Lemon Ice Tea, both priced at just $3.50. Additionally, if you’re looking to unwind, select from the variety of Thai beers like Singha or Chang, each priced at around $5.95, perfectly complementing your meal's flavors.

The atmosphere at Elephant Cafe is equally inviting, with decor that captures the essence of Thailand, featuring charming elephant motifs that create a cozy and enjoyable dining experience. The ambiance is enhanced by friendly, attentive staff, ensuring that your every need is met with a smile. Customer reviews reflect a consistent appreciation for both the delicious food and the warm service. Melissa Ortiz recalls being so enamored with the spicy eggplant and tofu that she didn’t need any extra condiments, a testament to the remarkable flavors here. Jess Robach echoed her praises, stating that the Pad Thai is reminiscent of dishes enjoyed straight from the streets of Thailand.

With its commitment to authentic flavors and delightful presentation, Elephant Cafe stands out as a top spot for Thai cuisine in the Lake Forest area. Whether you're a Thai food aficionado or a curious newcomer, stepping into this café promises a dining experience that is both satisfying and memorable. Come discover why so many patrons rave about their meals—there’s a little something for everyone!

For reservations or inquiries, you can reach them at (+1) 949-472-3100. Experience the vibrant tastes of Thailand—visit Elephant Cafe today!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
From the business
Identifies as veteran-owned
Service options
Has no-contact delivery
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves healthy options
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

11:30 AM - 03:00 PM

,

04:30 PM - 09:00 PM

Tuesday

11:30 AM - 03:00 PM

,

04:30 PM - 09:00 PM

Wednesday

11:30 AM - 03:00 PM

,

04:30 PM - 09:00 PM

Thursday

11:30 AM - 03:00 PM

,

04:30 PM - 09:00 PM

Friday

11:30 AM - 03:00 PM

,

04:30 PM - 09:30 PM

Saturday

11:30 AM - 03:00 PM

,

04:30 PM - 09:30 PM

Sunday

11:30 AM - 03:00 PM

,

04:30 PM - 09:30 PM

497 Reviews
Melissa Ortiz

16 Sep 2025

The spicy eggplant and tofu was so perfect that for the first time in the 20 years that I’ve been eating Thai food I didn’t add any condiments at the table. Boom. And something as simple as the mixed vegetables tom yum could be such a write off other places - but here it’s craveable. Chock full of vegetables, spicy, sour, perfect. The one less than bright spot was the Pad Thai which was mostly noodles and had very little egg or scallions and very little tamarind or dried shrimp flavor. That being said, the tofu was cooked beautifully and was served in a massive portion. Service is wonderful. Prices are great. Would return to keep trying more of the menu.

Jess Robach

11 Sep 2025

Great spot! The pad thai was very reminiscent of a dish you would get in Thailand. This has been one of my favorite spots in the Lake Forest area- when I go back I’ll try some other dishes!

Alen Beygelman

21 Jul 2025

Absolutely delicious and at such a fair price! The ambience is also great. For sure #1 Thai restaurant in Lake Forest

Thepurps TV

20 Jun 2025

This place is amazing! The food is fantastic, service is great, and the atmosphere is pleasant and cute! This is probably one of the most authentic Thai places I have be to in OC. Love the decor and elephants everywhere. Highly recommended! Lunch special is great deal!

Alex Song

18 Jun 2025

Every dish was packed with authentic Thai flavor. The som tam, green curry, and pad thai were all incredible!

Orville Jackson

11 Jun 2025

overall, our experience was very good! The food was delicious. The Waiter was really nice. I was willing to accommodate us outside, while we were the only ones. she was more than helpful in explaining the different chilies that they offered with the meal. We had the drunken noodles With the meat combination, and the proteins were very tender! The noodles had a nice bite to them, but very soft, and it was very aromatic with the Thai basil. We also had the Thai fried rice with shrimp, and the flavor was delicious.We also got the Thai milk, tea and the crunchy pork belly, and both items were delicious. The thai tea was sweet and creamy, and the pork belly was delicious with the sauce that was provided and the assortment of chilies the restaurant provides. overall, this will be the first place I would come eat at whenever I come back to Lake Forest!

Join the Elephant Cafe Newsletter

Get the latest updates on seasonal pastries, special events, and local highlights directly in your inbox.