Brooklyn’s culinary scene welcomed a new addition this last month as Fish Cheeks, a beloved seafood-focused Thai restaurant, opened in Williamsburg.
Founded by Thai immigrants Jenn Saesue and Chat Suansilphong, Fish Cheeks quickly gained a reputation for its fiery, seafood-centric dishes and for a dining environment that feels like being invited into a Thai family’s dinner table. With the new Williamsburg location, they aim to expand their reach, offering a fresh yet authentic taste of Thailand to a broader audience.
The new 2,200-square-foot restaurant on Driggs Avenue location is Fish Cheeks’ first expansion since it debuted opened in NoHo in 2016.
Saesue, co-founder of the group behind Fish Cheeks, 55 Hospitality, said the team is excited to bring Thai food, culture and family style cooking to Williamsburg.
“This neighborhood feels like the perfect next chapter for us,” she told Brooklyn Paper. “We’ve always cooked from the heart, and opening here gives us the chance to reach new guests while staying true to the bold flavors and traditions that inspire us every day.”
Saesue was born in New Jersey but raised in Bangkok, and has dedicated her career to reshaping perceptions of Thai cuisine in the United States.
Her efforts, alongside her partner Suansilphong, have led to a series of critically acclaimed ventures. Fish Cheeks, in particular, has become a destination for New Yorkers seeking authentic Thai food. The restaurant’s menu intentionally avoids the typical “greatest hits” like pad Thai, instead highlighting lesser-known regional specialties and personal favorites that reflect the team’s cultural heritage.
“Fish Cheeks was born from the feeling that there wasn’t enough Thai representation in New York’s culinary scene. That was back in 2016, and while we’ve seen a wave of exciting Thai openings since, what we do is still deeply personal,” Saesue said. “At Fish Cheeks, we spotlight the food we grew up eating — the dishes we crave when we miss home — not just the greatest hits.”
The new Williamsburg location, designed by Space NY, promises to retain the restaurant’s signature high-energy ambiance. The space aims to evoke the lively, communal spirit of Thai street markets and family gatherings, making it an ideal spot for friends and families to share meals and stories over fiery, flavorful dishes.
Fish Cheeks’ menu features classics like Coconut Crab Curry and Pork Belly Chili Garlic along with dishes perhaps less well-known to American diners, like scallops with Choo Chee curry paste and Pla Tod Kamin, a whole fried fluke with crispy garlic, turmeric, and lemongrass.
“Dining at Fish Cheeks feels like being invited to a Thai family’s dinner. The food comes out fast, it’s meant to be shared, and the flavors are bold and exciting. We want every guest to leave feeling connected to Thai culture—joyful, loud, full of laughter and spice,” Saesue said.
Fish Cheeks Williamsburg is now open at 661 Driggs Ave. between Fillmore Place and Metropolitan Avenue.
