Ugly Baby is Getting Revived in Williamsburg

By Michael Gonik

Approaching a year since chef and owner Sirichai Sreparplarn closed the doors on his beloved Ugly Baby in Carroll Gardens, the restaurant appears to be on the verge of a second life.

Sreparplarn has reportedly signed a lease to revive his spiced to fiery bliss Thai spot at 364 Grand Street, the former location of an Emmy Squared Pizza at the corner of Marcy Avenue. For longtime Ugly Baby fans, this should serve as a proper comeback. “The fundamental concept of the restaurant is the same,” the team told Eater. But Sreparplarn & Co. do plan on some recalibrations to take advantage of the new, larger space, which boasts a full bar, and they’re “excited about offering a new wild take that [Sreparplarn] been wanting to debut for a long time.”

Ugly Baby served its last meals at the former 407 Smith Street location in December 2024, abruptly closing after about eight years of critical and pedestrian acclaim. At the time, Sreparplarn was satisfied with what they’d accomplished and “just wanted to take a long, long vacation,” according to Angie Ruangphung, an Ugly Baby FOH alum who took over the lease and changed up the menu, opening their own blazing (and excellent) Thai joint, Hungry Thirsty, in its place—and, to a certain degree, in its honor—with fellow alum in early 2025.

Just what Sreparplarn has in mind for the sequel remains unclear, but it won’t be too long before we get to poke around the revamped menu for ourselves. The team is reportedly hoping to open the new HQ in February 2026.