Despite being on opposite ends of the world, we’re pretty good at Thai food here in London Town. From fancy restaurants to cheap and cheerful pubs, BYOB restaurants and beyond, you’ll find a sizzling array of eateries across the city that are sure to satisfy those cravings. So, without further ado, here are some of London’s favourite Thai restaurants that you need to check out:
1. Champor-Champor
Located just minutes from the Shard, this bohemian, intimate and wildly unique Thai-Malay restaurant is one of Southwark’s hidden gems. You’ll head down an unassuming street, only to be greeted by a mouth-watering hotspot that’s adored by many. From the Pan-Fried Tandoori Prawn to some of the best green curries in the capital, complete your visit with one of their alluring desserts and you’ve got yourself a stellar meal!
๐ You’ll find Champor Champor at 62-64 Weston Street, SE1 3QJ.
๐ Nearest station is Bermondsey.
2. The Old Eagle
The trend of local pubs serving up top-notch Thai food is here to stay, and we’re so happy about it. One fantastic example of London’s love for Thai pubs is Camden’s The Old Eagle. Hidden away from the tourist frenzy along Camden High Street, this quirky pub serves up some cracking Thai dishes and plays host to some fun events throughout the year. It’s even home to a couple of cats and the viral Simpsons mural taking TikTok by storm.
๐ You’ll find The Old Eagle at 251 Royal College St, London NW1 9LU.
๐ Nearest stations are Camden Road and Camden Town.
3. Som saa
Nestled in a converted warehouse, som saa is a vibey Thai restaurant that serves up a dazzling selection of lesser-known Thai delicacies – like the Nahm Dtok Pla Thort, an incredible isaan style deep fried seabass with isaan herbs and roasted rice. This spot is also great for vegans, with an entire menu of delicious options available on request. Be sure to ask for drink recommendations, with a cocktail menu specifically curated with the food in mind.
๐ You’ll find som saa at 43A Commercial St, Spitalfields, E1 6BD.
๐ Nearest station is Aldgate East.
4. Patara
Transport yourself to a Grand Palace in the heart of Thailand, by booking yourself a table at Patara. The handcrafted, flower-shaped dumplings with caramelised chicken, peanut and sweet turnip are simply stunning. For main, don’t miss the tender Coconut-Braised Beef, served with lime, mint and lemongrass โ a dish fit for royals (literally – the dish has royal connections over in Thailand!) We suggest the dark chocolate pudding for dessert, washed down with a few of their signature cocktails or a crisp Thai beer.
๐ You can find Patara at different locations across London โ find your nearest here.
5. The Begging Bowl
A solid addition to this roundup of the best Thai restaurants in London here. As well as the usual suspects, you’ll find some slightly more unusual dishes at The Begging Bowl in Peckham โ but equally delicious none the less. Why not try some ash-baked celeriac, or the gola peanut curry charcoal-grilled on a banana leaf? Western ingredients are given an Eastern touch, and both their basic and experimental dishes are so good, you’ll be begging for more.
๐ You’ll find The Begging Bowl at 168 Bellenden Road, Peckham, SE15 4BW.
๐ Nearest station is Peckham Rye.
6. Rusty Bike
Another fantastic Thai pub, watch sports, drink pints, enjoy the beer garden, and eat noodles at this must-visit spot in Mile End. Our Editor Georgie swears the Jantaburi Pad Thai is ‘literally the only thing you need in your life’. Why not go and see if you agree? And if you’re feeling lazy, order it to your bed when those Sunday scaries are hitting hard.
๐ You’ll find Rusty Bike at 588 Mile End Road, E3 4PH.
๐ Nearest station is Mile End.
7. The Pineapple
Dive into some British history (and a couple of pints) while tucking into some top-notch Thai cuisine! This Grade II-listed pub has been woven into the fabric of the local community since it was built in 1868. From board games to fun events like quiz night, this boozer a brilliant place to tickle your Thai tastebuds every night of the week.
๐ You’ll find The Pineapple at 51 Leverton Street, NW5 2NX.
๐ Nearest station is Kentish Town.
8. The Churchill Arms
You may well recognise this place as one of the most Instagrammable pubs in London, but did you know that it also doubles up as a really good place for Thai food? For over 25 years, chefs at The Churchill Arms have been wowing guests with authentic regional dishes โ from soft and mild Pad Siew noodles to hot and spicy Kaeng Par curries, served in a beautiful, butterfly-themed conservatory.
๐ You’ll find The Churchill Arms at 119 Kensington Church Street, W8 7LN.
๐ Nearest station is Notting Hill Gate.
9. 101 Thai Kitchen
101 Thai Kitchen isn’t your typical Thai restaurant, but try something daring and we promise you won’t be disappointed! However, there are plenty of traditional classics on offer too. This adored eatery specialises in southern Thai dishes, and her homemade curry pastes are not to be missed in dishes such as the sour sea bass or prawn curry (Gaeng Lueng) or the spicy fish curry (Gaeng Tai Plaa). Being family-run and a local favourite, it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re a fan of Thai cuisine.
๐ You’ll find 101 Thai Kitchen at 352 King Street, W6 0RX.
๐ Nearest station is Stamford Brook.
10. Singburi
Singburi is undoubtedly one of the best when it comes to Thai restaurants in London. While it keeps itself pretty under the radar, it has gained quite the following and for excellent reason. Their blackboard specials never disappoint, especially the ‘Mod Krob’ pork belly with chilli and garlic โ a dish that is never rubbed off. Ultimately, Singburi serves great food at great prices. Oh, and did we mention it’s BYOB?!
๐ You’ll find Singburi at 593 High Road, Leytonstone, E11 4PA.
๐ Nearest station is Leytonstone.
11. Farang
What started off as a street food pop-up at markets throughout London in 2016, has since become a permanent Highbury & Islington resident; inducted into the National Restaurant Award’s top 100, and awarded a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand. Not bad, eh? This has got to be down to Farang’s young, enthusiastic team, and their commitment to using fresh, authentic ingredients (which have also been given the Thai select award from the UK Thai Embassy). A strong contender for one of the best Thai restaurants in London we say…
๐ You’ll find Farang at 72 Highbury Park, N5 2XE.
๐ Nearest station is Arsenal.
12. Faltering Fullback
A well-loved Finsbury Park pub, famously boasting Thai culture in more ways than one. Expect great beers, Thai grub (of course!), live games on the big screen, and the most beautiful beer gardens you have ever laid your eyes on. With many different layers for you to get lost in, find a spot and lose yourself in great conversation and an even better Pad Thai! This is definitely a must-visit.
๐ You’ll find The Faltering Fallback at 19 Perth Road, N4 3HB.
๐ Nearest station is Finsbury Park.
13. The Heron
Enjoy beers by the cosy open fire in this traditional English pub, before heading down to the basement where you’ll find The Heron Thai. From stir-fried duck tongue to fried century eggs, you are guaranteed a real taste of Thailand at this lovely Paddington watering hole.
๐ You’ll find The Heron at Norfolk Crescent, Hyde Park Estate, W2 2DN.
๐ Nearest station is Edgware Road.
14. Smoking Goat
The coolest Thai restaurant with cool cocktails and even cooler cuisine โ all inspired by Bangkokโs late-night canteens. They’ve got a whole host of excellent dishes on the menu, including barbecue chicken with smoked chilli jaew and wild mushroom nam d’tok. They’ve also got a fab wine and beer list to compliment the extensive menu. So, be sure to head to Shoreditch the next time you’re craving Thai food.
๐ Smoking Goat at 64 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JJ.
๐ Nearest station is Shoreditch High Street.
15. Kao Sarn
Three super cosy south London Thai restaurants run by one big family. Affordable food and a /”]bring-your-own booze[/trackLink] policy, minus the corkage charge! As for the food, expect those classic Thai dishes along with some unique offerings and stellar service.
๐ You’ll find Kao Sarn at three different locations in London. You can find out more here.
16. Kin + Deum
It’s simple: in Thai, kin means to eat, and deum means to drink. We love to kin and deum, so we already like the sound of this one โ and all the best Bangkok dishes can be found on the menu! You can never beat a Massaman curry, and their signature King Prawn Pad Thai looks equally delicious. If you really enjoy the flavours (which we are so sure you will) you can take home a pot of their Wholesome Roasted Chilli Paste to get cheffing yourself.
๐ You’ll find Kin + Deum at 2 Crucifix Lane, SE1 3JW.
๐ Nearest station is London Bridge.
17. Kiln
Not just your regular Thai restaurant, but Thai barbecue, seafood and claypots! The cooking style in Kiln has travelled from the very edges of Thailand, where the country borders with Burma, Laos and Yunnan. Their approach, however, is guided by their sourcing of British produce. Expect some very exciting dishes, from dry jungle curry of wood pigeon to wild ginger and beef neck curry from Myanmar.
๐ You’ll find Kiln Soho at 58 Brewer Street, W1F 9TL.
๐ Nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.
18. Esarn Kheaw
From living by the paddy fields in northeast Thailand in the 1960s, to opening the doors of their Shepherd’s Bush restaurant over 25 years later, the owners of this restaurant have always been passionate and determined cooks. Together, Mr & Mrs Puntar create dishes that remind them of their childhood in Ubon, Thailand, for Londoners to come and enjoy, such as the homemade Esarn Kheaw sausages, or the grilled catfish fillet with hot chilli sauce.
๐ You’ll find Esarn Kheaw at 314 Uxbridge Road, W12 7LJ.
๐ Nearest station is Shepherd’s Bush.
19. Paolina Thai Cafe
A family-run cafรฉ serving Thai classics, which you’ll get the chance to see being made! If it’s bang for your buck you’re after, then don’t miss out on this mouth-watering addition to this list, and their BYOB policy means you’re in for a super cheap and delicious meal in this cosy basement restaurant.
๐ You’ll find Paolina Thai Cafe at 181 King’s Cross Road, WC1X 9BZ.
๐ Nearest station is King’s Cross St. Pancras.
20. Nipa
Five-star food in a five-star hotel makes for a five-star experience! Nestled inside the Royal Lancaster, authenticity is a core value at Nipa; from the Thai teak dรฉcor, to their all-female, all-Thai kitchen. Their food is renowned for its finesse, focusing on five key flavours: sweet, sour, spicy, bitter and salty. Opt for one of their set menus, which pairs starters, mains and desserts with delicious wines. As the Thai translation suggests, this restaurant really is a ‘shining light’ on delicious Thai food!
๐ You’ll find Nipa on the first floor of the Royal Lancaster, Lancaster Terrace, W2 2TY.
๐ Nearest station is Lancaster Gate.
21. Busaba
This restaurant focuses on two traditional Buddhist values: โSookjaiโ described as avoiding chaos, enjoying life and having a happy heart; and ‘Gan Gin Gan Yuu’, which means โas you eat, so you areโ, meaning we are defined by our approach to food. Their approach to food is simple and effective: eat lots of the really good stuff. With this in mind, we recommend going to Busaba for a happy life and an even happier belly!
๐ You’ll find Busaba at various different locations in London. You can find out more here.
22. Marie’s Cafe
Fry-ups by day, Thai food by night. Great portions, great prices, and their BYOB policy is pretty great, too! Marie’s Cafe provides all of these things to make for a brilliant, unpretentious, relaxed evening in the heart of the capital.
๐ You’ll find Marie’s Cafe at 90 Lower Marsh, SE1 7AB.
๐ Nearest station is Waterloo.
23. Rosa’s
This may be classed as a small chain restaurant, but it’s absolutely delicious, so we’re going to include it anyway. Go in the day for one of their delicious lunch bowls, filled with one of their stir fries and topped with a fried egg, boiled egg, or Thai-style salad. Veggie and coeliac-friendly menus are available, including pumpkin crackers (instead of prawn) and vegan spring rolls.
๐ You’ll find Rosa’s at various locations in London. You can find out more here.
24. Mango Tree
Famed across the city (and the world), Mango Tree should be at the top of your list if you’ve got a liking for Thai food. The original restaurant in Bangkok branched out to Belgravia, offering exquisite Thai cuisine in a modern, stylish venue. The menu maps out the whole country of Thailand: rich and mild dishes from the north, spicy food from the east, mild dishes with Chinese influence from the central region, and hot and spicy food from the south.
๐ You’ll find Mango Tree at 46 Grosvenor Place, SW1X 7EQ.
๐ Nearest station is Victoria.
25. Addie’s Thai Cafe
Addie’s doesn’t look like much from the outside, but head into this unassuming street food bar and you won’t be disappointed. A (certified) excellent restaurant, and a rare, cheap find on the wealthy streets of West Kensington, be sure to pay this place a visit the next time you’re in the area.
๐ You’ll find Addie’s Thai cafe at 121 Earl’s Court Road, SW5 9RL.
๐ Nearest station is Earl’s Court.
26. Lao Cafรฉ
Though this choice may not be strictly Thai, Lao Cafe’s co-founder and chef brings her amazing Thai-Lao roots from Luang Prabang to London. What started as a temporary pop-up saw queues out of the door from day one, leading to Lao Cafรฉ gaining a permanent position in London’s restaurant core. Get a taste of Thailand by trying a hot-pot or a delicious Laoatian curry (minus the coconut milk, plus the herbs and spices), complemented, of course, by the staple in any Laoatian diet: sticky rice.
๐ You’ll find 101 Lao Cafe at 60 Chandos Place, WC2N 4HG.
๐ Nearest station is Charing Cross.
27. Greyhound Cafรฉ
Greyhound’s is a quirky story from fashion to food: with label Greyhound opening in Bangkok in 1980, and branching out to food eight years later. Inspiration for recipes comes from far and wide, whether it be travel memories, grandmothers’ recipes, or late-night fridge raids. Though they remain truly Thai at heart, their menu is anything but traditional – with crazy dishes including Sweet Corn Pops and Chicken Chilli Bombs! We recommend trying the Thai Tom Yum Soup with whole tiger prawn and prawn-stuffed ravioli. It’s truly delicious.
๐ You’ll find Greyhound Cafe at 37 Berners Street, W1T 3LZ.
๐ Nearest station is Goodge Street.
28. Supawan
Southern Thailand meets southern England in this understated but cosy cafe called Supawan. Chef Khongphoon says that, for Thai people, food is such an important part of life that they will often ask you what you had to eat before asking how you are! We can definitely get on board with these priorities, and after a meal at Supawan, you’ll be dying to tell people about it anyway!
๐ You’ll find Supawan at 38 Caledonian Road, King’s Cross, N1 9DT.
๐ Nearest station is King’s Cross St. Pancras.
29. Nuki’s Kitchen
Another friendly cafe where Thai lunch and dinner is proceeded by, you guessed it, a full English fry-up. (We love this idea more and more the more we hear about it). You can’t get much better value than Nuki’s lunch menu for an affordable bite that’s packed with flavour.
๐ You’ll find Nuki’s Kitchen at 58 Northfield Avenue, W13 9RR.
๐ Nearest station is Northfields.
30. Reun Thai
‘Reun Thai’ translates to ‘Thai Home’, and this restaurant has been serving as exactly that for residents of Hammersmith for over twenty years. Again, sour, sweet, salty, and bitter are the fundamental flavours found in their delicious food. Grab a Singha, or a Reun Thai cocktail, and enjoy a lovely meal under the candlelight in your new ‘reun thai’!
๐ You’ll find Reun Thai at 100 Fulham Palace Road, W6 9PL.
๐ Nearest station is Hammersmith.
31. Jack’s Bar
This lively cocktail bar meets Irish pub is cooking up a storm in their kitchen, serving up some of the tastiest Thai food in London. Jack’s Bar is the perfect spot for some post-work drinks, but we think it’s even better when you order something from their extensive menu of tasty Thai treats, created by Johnny Rice. We suggest ordering one of their curries – like the Gang Dang, their mouth-watering Thai Red Curry.
๐ You’ll find Jack’s Bar at 96 Isabella St, London SE1 8DD.
๐ Nearest stations are Waterloo and Waterloo East.
32. Thai Pot
Located smack-bang in the centre of the city, Thai Pot Restaurant is a no-nonsense hotspot for authentic Thai food. From their fabulous set menus to eating a la carte, treat yourself to a delicious Thai feast you won’t forget any time soon. We love their dishes on the spicier side, like the Thai Pot with Spicy Lamb.
๐ You’ll find Thai Pot Restaurant at 1 Bedfordbury, Leicester Square, London, Wc2N 4Bp.
๐ Nearest station is Charing Cross.
32. Sukho
Our penultimate addition to this roundup of the best Thai restaurants in London is a real gem. A meal at Sukho in Fulham is immaculate: from the earthy-toned decor to the dishes themselves. The food served here is bloody amazing โ signature dishes include steamed dumplings, marinated sea bass grilled in banana leaves, and roasted duck.
๐ You’ll find Sukho at 855 Fulham Road, SW6 5HJ.
๐ Nearest station is Parsons Green.
33. Wild Rice & Massaman
Our last addition to this roundup of the best Thai restaurants in London is born out of a passion for food, family recipes and a lot of travelling! Choose from a huge selection of lunch bowls at Wild Rice; from Hat Yai fried chicken and slow-cooked beef to vegan mixed vegetables and salmon poke. Head downstairs to Massaman, their basement cocktail bar serving Thai fried chicken, Larb fries and bubble tea cocktails.
๐ You’ll find Wild Rice at 28 Brewer Street, W1F 0SR.
๐ Nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.