Atlanta’s vibrant food scene is about to get a splash of Thai flavor. Terminal 26, a new Thai street food restaurant inspired by the country’s iconic floating markets, will open on Monday, June 8, on the ground floor of Ponce City Market’s Central Food Hall.
The concept comes from sisters Niki and Tanya Pattharakositkul, who were born and raised in Thailand. The duo already operates popular Atlanta-area spots including 26 Thai, Pink Lotus, and Blackjack Bar Tapas, the latter known for craft cocktails and Asian tapas. With Terminal 26, they aim to transport diners to the lively energy of Thailand’s famous waterborne markets in a fresh, modern setting.
A Chef-Driven Celebration of Thai Seafood and Street Food
Open daily for lunch and dinner, Terminal 26 showcases traditional and creatively reimagined Thai seafood dishes led by Niki Pattharakositkul. With over a decade of experience in the Thai culinary world, Niki has honed her craft through hands-on restaurant work, extensive travel across Thailand, and a deep passion for sharing the depth, vibrancy, and creativity of her homeland’s cuisine.
The menu features bold, craveable dishes that capture the spirit of “street food on water”:
- Crispy Oyster Pancake: Fried seafood and egg, lightly battered in flour.
- Floating Market Red Curry: Thai red curry with Thai basil, eggplant, winter melon, and jasmine rice.
- Spicy Mango Salad: Mixed greens, fresh mango, grape tomatoes, carrots, peanuts, shallots, mint, and chili-lime vinaigrette.
- Tamarind Snapper: Deep-fried whole fillet served with Thai herb salad, jasmine rice, and chili-lime dressing.
- Chicken Khao Soi Roti Wrap: Fried chicken thigh, mixed greens, egg omelette, sweet chili sauce, roti, and khao soi curry.
- Khao Soi Noodles: Coconut yellow curry with egg noodles, crispy noodles, pickled mustard greens, and shallots (choice of chicken or tofu).
- Street Shrimp Pot: Shrimp, glass noodles, soy sauce, ginger, and Thai herbs.
Dessert options include the classic Mango Sticky Rice — sweet coconut sticky rice with fresh mango and coconut cream — and Coconut Custard Pudding (Khanom Tuay), a steamed coconut milk custard.
The beverage program offers an extensive selection of wines and beers, alongside floating market-inspired craft cocktails. A standout is the unique frozen Singha slushie, affectionately known in Thailand as “jelly beer.”
Immersive Design Inspired by Thai Floating Markets
Terminal 26’s ambiance is designed to evoke the feeling of dining aboard a boat drifting along a Thai river.
Created by Thai-based architects, the space features a reflective table in the center that mimics a flowing river, fishing nets hanging from the ceiling, and an illusion of falling water along the walls. Fresh seafood will be prominently displayed, and a glass window allows guests to watch chefs prepare dishes in real time.
Sisters with Deep Atlanta and Thai Roots
Both Niki and Tanya moved to the U.S. for college. Tanya studied engineering at Georgia Tech, while Niki earned a marketing degree with honors from Georgia State University. Niki’s lifelong dream of opening a restaurant led her to attend culinary school in Thailand, where she mastered authentic techniques. In 2016, she opened the first location of 26 Thai Kitchen and Bar in Buckhead’s Lindbergh neighborhood. Tanya later joined as co-owner and COO, helping grow the family’s culinary footprint.
Terminal 26 represents the culmination of the sisters’ shared vision — bringing the cherished spirit of Thailand to Atlanta in a vibrant new way.
With its flavorful menu, immersive design, and warm hospitality, the restaurant promises to be a fresh destination for both Thai food enthusiasts and curious newcomers at Ponce City Market.