The best Thai restaurants in London
Passionate about your pad thai? Then these are the eateries for you
Filling that void between a Chinese, Vietnamese and and a Curry, the Thai represents a more discerning kind of cuisine for a gentleman. Here are the places that showcase the best of the nation’s dishes.
A more discerning crowd frequent this salubrious lounge bar and relaxed restaurant on the first floor of the Lancaster London hotel. Diners not only come for Head Chef Sanguan Parr’s diverse mix of traditional dishes and variety of regional specialties, but the view of Hyde Park is a big draw, too. Offering lighter dishes with less course on its set menus benefits those watching their waistline, while sybarites can still indulge with impunity by opting for its Suriyan four-course menu paired with with three special Thai wines.
The words “fusion” don’t normally get our tastebuds firing, but Champoor Champoor’s confluence of Thai and Malay cuisine is certainly an exception to the rule. With its authentic boho mix interiors, intimate table arrangements and unhurried service, this is no homogeneous affair, and the menu reflects this. Choose from dishes such as roasted monkfish, spinach and ricotta ravioli, mango purée curry and team it with halloumi cheese and chili and spring onion and vegetarian pad thai, and you’ll be coming back for more in no time.
Sleek, modern and sophisticated, this is the go-to Thai for a business lunch in town. Located in the heart of the capital, it has three other locations in the city as well as Geneva, Singapore, Vienna and Beijing. Diners are treated to delectable starters such as golden stuffed chicken wings with crisp lemongrass and kaffir lime and poached king scallops, which can be teamed with a host of cocktails including its own Patar Royal creation (Hibiscus flower with Crème de cassis and Champagne). Its refined seafood mains are also something to hail with the grilled black cod with savoury ginger and chargrilled banana leaf-wrapped sea bass fillet scoring highly with our party.
Offering a different proposition from your normal Thai eatery, Esarn Kheaw offers a North Eastern twist to the usual dishes. Catering to a dedicated local crowd, the friendly staff serve up its delectable specials such as Tiger Cry (Charcoal grilled strips of sirloin steak, served with a hot chili sauce) and delicate Spice Catfish North East style. Still going strong after 25 years, a dedicated young crowd will only help secure its future.
Prefer to visit a Japanese restaurant instead? Seek out the 5 best Japanese restaurants here
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