Cassia is the only Thai restaurant in Namibia: every curry, noodle and salad cooked by a Thai owner, served in a warm little dining room beside the Gun Shop on Nelson Mandela Drive.
Cassia is named for the golden-shower blossom, Thailand's own flower, and the kitchen stays true to it: curries pounded from fresh paste, larb dressed to order, jasmine tea poured generously.
The room is small and unhurried. Dark teak tables dressed in folk-print cloth, floral art glowing on the walls, and food that leaves the kitchen in minutes at lunchtime. Reviews keep reaching for the same words: a hidden gem, cozy, the real thing.
Many dishes can be made vegan or vegetarian — just ask. Portions are generous, prices are reasonable, and the rooftop parking at the back is hassle-free.
The dishes guests keep coming back for — cooked to order, medium or Thai-hot, mild on request. This is a short taste; the full menu waits at the restaurant and on our Facebook page.
The hot-and-sour soup that defines Thai cooking: lemongrass, galangal and kaffir lime around succulent prawns.
The classic: rice noodles tossed with chicken, egg and bean sprouts, finished with crushed peanut and lime. A house favourite.
Fresh green chilli paste simmered in coconut cream with Thai basil and eggplant.
Minced chicken salad with toasted rice and herbs: "the best, especially for chilli lovers", say our guests.
Street-food favourite: holy basil, chilli and your choice of meat under a crisp fried egg.
Thai fried rice the proper way: wok-tossed with egg, tomato and spring onion, cucumber and lime alongside.
Ice-cold Singha, Thai iced tea in a generous glass, or jasmine tea while you choose.
Soups, papaya salad, choo chee, crispy pork laab, barbecue pork neck, vegan twists and desserts — see the full menu in-house or on Facebook.
Warm lamps, dark teak, folk-print cloth and glowing floral art — the dining room guests photograph almost as much as the food. Ground floor at Hidas Centre, next to the Gun Shop.
Park on the rooftop at the back — off the street, hassle-free, and a short stair down to the door.
Rated 4.6 out of 5 across roughly 245 Google reviews — here is the gist of what guests say.
A hidden gem I never expected to find in Namibia.Google review
Cozy atmosphere with friendly service that makes the whole evening. I visited three times in ten days.Google review
The larb gai is the best — especially for chilli lovers. Portions that could rival mains.Google review
Ground Floor, Hidas Centre, Nelson Mandela Drive
(next to the Gun Shop, cnr Sam Nujoma Drive)
Klein Windhoek, Windhoek, Namibia
+264 81 703 2730 — call ahead for takeaway; it's usually ready in minutes.
Rooftop parking at the back of the centre, off the street.