Guide to the best Thai restaurants in London

Specialising in Thai grill, seafood and clay-pot dishes, Kiln is a very popular eatery in Soho. The food is prepared in an open kitchen, giving you some extra entertainment bang for your buck. The classic dishes on the sharing menu originate in the regions bordering Burma, Laos and Yunnan. Previous menus have included dishes like Northern-style Laap sausage, slow-grilled chicken & soy, and lamb and cumin skewers. Thankfully, the spiciness levels can be adjusted to your liking.

Forget private clubs, blockbuster premieres and the Queen’s bedroom – real ones know that the hardest place to get into is Leytonstone’s Singburi, a tiny Thai restaurant with no website, a sporadic phone line, limited opening times and so. Much. Hype. Considered one of the best eateries in London by experts and punters alike, Singburi keeps the crowds coming with affordable and authentic Thai dishes. Things to note: 1) BYOB 2) cash-only.

This delightful spot in Borough Market hails from the same brilliant minds behind Som Saa, promising yet another adventure into the realm of authentic Thai cuisine. Here the spotlight shines on the distinctive culinary tradition of marinating ingredients in coconut and grilling them over open flames. From succulent chicken to seasonal fish, seafood favourites, and enticing vegetarian creations, every dish is crafted with the skilled touch of the kolae technique. Housed in a charming three-storey former coach house, the venue boasts an inviting outdoor courtyard and an intimate private dining room.

Located within The Hoxton Hotel in West London, Chet's offers a relaxed atmosphere, perfectly blending Thai and American flavours. Sporting a retro vibe with 70s-style textiles and a neutral palette, it serves innovative dishes all day, from NYC-style sandwiches to Thai Cobb salads. By night, the focus shifts to Thai cuisine, featuring classics like larb and inventive takes on dishes such as lobster firecracker noodles. The drinks menu impresses with a wide selection of wines, original Asian-inspired cocktails, and non-alcoholic options, making it a go-to spot for unique cuisine and an effortlessly cool vibe.

Som Saa's stripped-down setting in a former fabric warehouse lets you enjoy the regional Thai specialities without distraction. Choose one of the “tem toh” kitchen selections of sharing plates for the table, or stick to the à la carte menu, which has previously included dishes such as sour curry of prawns, lotus shoots and Thai omelette or five-spice soy-braised pork. There are a lot of vegan and vegetarian options as well, and the restaurant also has a cocktail bar.

Champor-Champor follows the spirit of its name, loosely translated to “mix and match”, in both cuisine and furnishings. The den-like venue is crammed full of decor from all over the world, to lavish and cosy effect. Meanwhile, the menu draws on both Thai and Malay cuisine, offering various traditional dishes from both countries, for example beef rendang or king prawn green curry. The carefully curated wine list is designed to complement the intense flavours.

At 101 Thai Kitchen, the kitchen specialises in food from the northeastern and southern parts of Thailand, which is not a common sight at Thai restaurants. Expect to see unfamiliar dishes on the menu; for example, past menus have featured dishes like southern noodle curry, sour sausage or the signature 101 fish salad, along with the usual pad Thai and other classics. To drink, get one of the homemade Thai potions, or browse the curated gin list.

Specialising in delectable northern Thai cuisine, Smoking Goat comes from the founders of Kiln. The cosy setting in busy Shoreditch, with dim lighting providing the ambiance, is just the thing for tucking into one of their sharing dishes. Their tangy fish sauce chicken wings are said to be quite addictive.

For those who enjoy the spiciness of Thai cuisine, there's a Bangkok-inspired restaurant located on Rupert St. Led by Head Chef Luke Farrell. The restaurant serves zesty dishes filled with spice, which take customers on a journey to the bustling streets of Bangkok. Upstairs, there's a bar decorated in garish colors, serving drinks such as snake blood Negronis and slush beers. The food served at this restaurant is influenced by the Chinatown in Bangkok, and many of the dishes are packed with chili, making it particularly popular amongst heat-lovers. Expect dishes like whole fried mackerel in red curry with lime and chicken skins with heaps of seasoning. You can either come in for a full-blown meal that will blow your socks off or head upstairs for a late-night rendezvous.

Kin + Deum's sibling proprietors showcase the diversity of Thailand's capital at a minimal, stylish space with a long communal table in addition to separate seating. Harnessing the natural flavours of quality produce in authentic recipes, the menu has featured nourishing Thai staples such as pad si ew noodles, pad thai, katsu curry and other fried rice dishes, the signature massaman curry and more. The drinks include cocktails from Bangkok bars, Thai beverages such as iced milk tea, and refreshing plant tonics.

Kin + Deum's offshoot Plants of Roselyn is dedicated to showcasing plant-based Thai cuisine. Traditional Thai dishes, full of tropical flavours, are available throughout the day either as dine-in or takeaway. Past highlights have included Romanesco rice bowls, hummingbird tofu curry, courgette pad thai, katsu curry made with lentils and harvest vegetables, aubergine stir fry and more.

Farang in Highbury might be a little out of the way, but it's won numerous awards for its Thai food. In the past, the menu has featured dishes like pork belly, blooming onion and curries, or explore the depth of Thai cuisine through the tasting experience. The restaurant also has a larder that sells hot food, ready meals and ingredients straight from Thailand.

Featuring an elegant, modern interior with Thai highlights, Patara’s flagship in Soho caters to hungry creatives at lunchtime as well as the evening crowds. The fine dining aspect shines through in the carefully arranged, eye-catching presentations of the dishes. The sophisticated takes on Thai favs such as curries, pad Thai and prawn-fried rice are accompanied by more adventurous options.

The original Kaosarn restaurant is a beloved Brixton Market institution that draws on heritage and Thai tradition for its affordable eats. The family-run restaurants offer authentic handmade specialties from Bangkok’s colourful markets. Featuring staples such as massaman curry, kao pad fried rice and nutritious pad Thai noodles, the menu is available as both dine in and takeaway. Drinks are BYO, so stop by the shop on your way here.

They might be difficult to track down online, but the Poppy’s Thai eateries have become a beloved Hammersmith fixture, partly also due to their trademark whacky over-the-top decor. The other part is rooted in the combination of English breakfast fare, afternoon tea and Thai delicacies offered by this family-run restaurant, as well as the BYO policy in effect.

The Begging Bowl’s head chef Jane Alty trained at the Michelin-starred Nahm and has inherited the now-closed establishment’s techniques, suppliers and even some rare equipment. She has dedicated her Peckham venture to celebrating the complexities of Thai cuisine through original dishes that are inspired by that country’s street food. Sourcing the finest produce from Thailand and using painstakingly prepared homemade ingredients, The Begging Bowl serves up unique dishes and flavours.

Its green façade a London mainstay for 30 years and counting, Esarn Kheaw is a traditional, family-run Thai restaurant in every sense of the term. Over time, the home recipes have been honed into tasty dishes, many of which pack quite a spicy kick. The menu features all the classics, from curries to pad Thai, as well as house specials that originate in the northeastern regions of Thailand, for example, spiced catfish.

Nipa Thai, awarded two AA Rosettes, serves authentic dishes in the sophisticated setting of the Royal Lancaster Hotel opposite Hyde Park. With the help of her all-female kitchen staff, head chef Sanguan Parr carefully balances the five key flavours of Thai cuisine: sweet, sour, spicy, bitter and salty in dishes such as the spicy seafood soup with lemongrass, chillies and citrus.

Given the seal of approval by the many Thai expats who frequent it, Addie’s Thai Restaurant does honest Thai food. Following the recipes of the founder, who was a head chef at a leading five-star hotel in Thailand, the dishes are authentic street-style grub. The eatery occupies a ground floor and a basement area in Earl’s Court, and its various stir fries, noodle soups, meat salads and more come packed with characteristically intense flavours.

Supawan offers traditional Thai cuisine. Try small plates, salads, noodle dishes, rice dishes and signature specials. Zesty cocktails such as the lychee martini provide refreshment, or you can order one of the homemade soft drinks, for example, iced milk tea, with the option to add leaf jelly to them available as well.

Bringing together the best of both worlds, Maries Cafe serves proper Full English brekkies in the morning, then proper full Thai stir fries the rest of the day, as well as other classic Thai rice and noodle dishes, prawn toast and the like. The casual Waterloo spot might not be much to look at, but the staff is welcoming and friendly, the food is tasty, the prices are low and it's BYOB. No wonder it’s such a local favourite.

A sophisticated eatery in Belgravia, Mango Tree adds upmarket flourishes to classic Thai cuisine. The chic, spacious dining room has received accolades and even pop-cultural clout for its innovative takes on Thai staples and iconic dishes. Past standouts have included the Thai red curry with roasted duck, grapes and cherry tomatoes, served in a pineapple bowl, and the pad Thai with wild king prawns and topped with a fine egg net.

Tucked away beneath Paddington’s The Heron pub, Thai Zapp is a highly praised Thai restaurant that serves authentic food at affordable prices – and we’re not just saying that because the name starts sounding like Thatsup once you’ve had a few too many. If the weather’s right, you can enjoy your meal in the pub’s beer garden. Otherwise, dine in the chic, recently renovated basement area, or head upstairs to the welcoming pub.

Plaza Khao Gaeng is a Thai restaurant located on the mezzanine level of Arcade Food Hall, offering a unique culinary journey through Thailand's coast-to-jungle cuisine. The restaurant's specialty is the thick Southern Thai curries, prepared using fresh coconut milk and fragrant curry pastes. In addition to the curries, the menu includes stir-fried dishes, and set menus are available for the entire table. Plaza Khao Gaeng has been recognized for its excellent food and reasonable prices, receiving a Bib Gourmand award in the 2023 Michelin Guide.

Khanom Krok in London specialises in authentic Thai street food with their iconic coconut pancakes and a menu featuring fragrant curries, laab, and mouthwatering noodle dishes. Led by the talented couple, Worawan and Michael, the stall's recipes are passed down through generations. Their secret lies in top-quality ingredients sourced from esteemed suppliers, including Paul Wheeler Fresh Supplies, Ginger Pig, Grover's, and Shellseekers Fish & Game.

Greyhound's journey began as a fashion house in the 1980s, founded by Thai designer Bhanu Inkawat. Over time, it has evolved into a chain with restaurants across Asia and the UK. The decor is influenced by Bangkok, featuring shutters and shelves reminiscent of Thai grocery stores. A prominent feature is the hanging Sai fish trap, adorned with woven Tilapia fish, symbolising good luck in Thai culture. Their menu offers a variety of classic Thai dishes, including various vegetarian options.

The Churchill Arms usually receives accolades on account of its beauty – and it's definitely a looker, don't get us wrong. But rather than the flowering façade or Churchill memorabilia, we'll focus on the spicy and authentic Thai fare it serves in its butterfly-themed conservatory, a far cry from the usual boozer setting. You can try different curries or various stir-fried dishes with steamed jasmine rice, as well as snacks like spring rolls and prawn crackers.