Bushey, Thai Restaurant Guide

2021 Review: The “lovely Thai food” at these reliable cafés is “impressively authentic given that they are a chain” – “excellent value” and “fast”, if occasionally let down by “iffy service”. Founded in 2008 by Saiphin and Alex Moore, who inherited the name of their first East End site, the group has 18 branches in London and expanded to Liverpool, Manchester, Reading (delivery only) and Leeds following the sale of a majority stake to US investors. The couple also have two spin-offs, Lao Café in Covent Garden and the new Chinese noodle bar Hoh Sek in St Katharine Docks.

2021 Review: The “lovely Thai food” at these reliable cafés is “impressively authentic given that they are a chain” – “excellent value” and “fast”, if occasionally let down by “iffy service”. Founded in 2008 by Saiphin and Alex Moore, who inherited the name of their first East End site, the group has 18 branches in London and expanded to Liverpool, Manchester, Reading (delivery only) and Leeds following the sale of a majority stake to US investors. The couple also have two spin-offs, Lao Café in Covent Garden and the new Chinese noodle bar Hoh Sek in St Katharine Docks.

For “a more upmarket Thai experience”, head to the branches of Khun Patara Sila-On’s “very pleasant” group (which is over 30 years old, with branches from Asia to Europe). “Well-presented flavoursome dishes” from “good-quality ingredients” are provided by staff who “always seem happy to see you”.

“Very good Thai food” remains the order of the day at this “cramped” fixture of the local scene, whose extensive menu (wok dishes, curries, fresh papaya salads) represents excellent value for money. From Tuesday to Saturday there’s a lunchtime noodle bar, and they also do a swift trade as a takeaway.

2024 Review: This “exciting local gem” near Stamford Brook serves “excellent Thai cuisine in a no-nonsense setting”, attracting aficionados from far and wide who warm to an “authenticity” that makes it “almost an ‘in-country’ experience”. The uninitiated may miss the point other than the good prices. Top Tip – “if they say something is hot, believe them!”

“Somewhat weird interiors” packed with chandeliers, stuffed animals and other antique-shop paraphernalia mean it’s easy to be “transfixed by the decor” at these four neighbourhood cafés in Hammersmith (which added a new branch near Ravenscourt Park this year). The decor boosts what’s essentially a cheap ’n’ cheerful Thai caff experience: “a lot of the food is deep-fried but always fresh” and it’s “staggeringly good value… and it’s BYO!”

“Somewhat weird interiors” packed with chandeliers, stuffed animals and other antique-shop paraphernalia mean it’s easy to be “transfixed by the decor” at these four neighbourhood cafés in Hammersmith (which added a new branch near Ravenscourt Park this year). The decor boosts what’s essentially a cheap ’n’ cheerful Thai caff experience: “a lot of the food is deep-fried but always fresh” and it’s “staggeringly good value… and it’s BYO!”

2021 Review: The “scruffy basement of a pub” in Bayswater is the setting for what some in the fooderati believe to be “hands-down the best authentic Thai cooking in London” – “food like you’d have in Thailand”. Top Tip – “the bbq pork neck is melt-in-your-mouth”.

This well-regarded Thai has established itself as a stalwart local in Marylebone since it opened in 2007. “The lunch menu is particularly good value” at under £15 for two courses.

“Somewhat weird interiors” packed with chandeliers, stuffed animals and other antique-shop paraphernalia mean it’s easy to be “transfixed by the decor” at these four neighbourhood cafés in Hammersmith (which added a new branch near Ravenscourt Park this year). The decor boosts what’s essentially a cheap ’n’ cheerful Thai caff experience: “a lot of the food is deep-fried but always fresh” and it’s “staggeringly good value… and it’s BYO!”

2023 Review: This “deservedly busy” Thai canteen has been an Earl’s Court staple since the late 1990s, serving a cheap and tasty menu which is “all good, from the prawn crackers to som tum”.

“Deservedly popular Thai local with welcoming staff and very tasty (if not exactly distinguished) cooking”, which opened a few years ago opposite the Olympic Cinema in Barnes. No reports on its Finchley sibling, but TripAdvisor says it’s one of London’s best!

“A jolly pan-Asian mish-mash that’s good value for the West End” inspires ongoing interest in this Fitzrovia venue. Most of the action is on the ground floor, but there’s also an outdoor bar and basement chef’s counter.

“Original and cleverly spiced new-wave Thai food” graces the “unusual menu” at this former pop-up in Highbury from chef Sebby Holmes – “brace yourself for a decent walk afterwards if you’re tempted to eat rather too much of the very delectable food”. Top Tip – “the cleverly done make-at-home range is almost as good as the restaurant”.

In the “quirky” surroundings of a shop that’s a florist by day, this “vibrant and interesting Thai” is to be found in the no-man’s-land around King’s Cross (“the best place to sit is the section where they sell flowers – it’s beautiful”). “It’s a very busy and bustling restaurant and the food makes it clear why”: chef Wichet Khongphoon’s cooking is “true Thai (not the western version)” and the “good-value” dishes are “authentic, exceptionally tasty and worth continually revisiting”. Top Menu Tip – “the waiter surprisingly suggested pairing the main course of sea bass fillet and tamarind sauce with beef cheek in Massaman curry. I was very glad that I took his advice because the blend was delicious”.

2021 Review: First European outpost of a Thailand-based chain – a sizeable operation in Fitzrovia that’s now in its second year. Some “lovely spicy combinations” help create a “really interesting menu” but views divide a little on the trendily-designed space: “lacking atmosphere” to some but “lovely” and “den-like” to others.

For “a more upmarket Thai experience”, head to the branches of Khun Patara Sila-On’s “very pleasant” group (which is over 30 years old, with branches from Asia to Europe). “Well-presented flavoursome dishes” from “good-quality ingredients” are provided by staff who “always seem happy to see you”.

For “a more upmarket Thai experience”, head to the branches of Khun Patara Sila-On’s “very pleasant” group (which is over 30 years old, with branches from Asia to Europe). “Well-presented flavoursome dishes” from “good-quality ingredients” are provided by staff who “always seem happy to see you”.