Nipa Thai

Located inside the Royal Lancaster Hotel opposite Hyde Park, Nipa Thai is a renowned Thai restaurant that serves authentic dishes in a sophisticated environment. It’s the lifelong work of head chef Sanguan Parr, who leads the all-female kitchen team in carefully balancing the five key flavours of Thai cuisine: sweet, sour, spicy, bitter and salty.

This delicate equilibrium is enshrined in the menu, which features dishes such as tom kha kai – chicken and coconut soup with mushrooms, lime leaf, galangal and lemongrass, or tom po taek, the spicy seafood soup with lemongrass, chillies and citrus. There are different curries to choose from, as well as numerous pan-fried dishes, such as stir-fried chicken or pork with chillies and basil leaves, or the deep-fried marinated chicken wrapped with pandan leaves and served with dark soya sauce. The head chef’s signature dish, meanwhile, is the pad Thai.

The brightly-lit space in the Royal Lancaster Hotel features carpeted floors and polished teak wood furnishings, combining a classy, luxurious atmosphere with Thai-style trimmings for an upscale yet authentic experience. The restaurant is open for dinner five days a week, but is also available for private lunches throughout the week. The whole venue can also be hired for larger groups.