London has one of the most diverse restaurant scenes in the world and is home to some of the UK’s most incredible Thai restaurants. The city brings Thai’s dining scene to life with casual spots serving street-food-inspired dishes, fine dining gems sourcing top-notch local produce, and stellar destinations with prestigious accolades such as the Thai SELECT award – a prize given out by the Thai Embassy to symbolise excellence and quality – and MICHELIN Bib Gourmands.
Thai food is great for spice lovers, with comforting curries, pad Thai, a tom yam soups topped with chillies. If you love seafood, these Thai restaurants have plenty to get your mouth watering, with dishes like yellow crab curry or spicy calamari. So, whether you like to turn up the heat or you just want to try a transportative meal, read on for the best Thai restaurants in London and book your table on OpenTable.
The 10 best Thai restaurants in London – read on for a guide
For award-winning Thai food – don’t miss Farang London in Islington
Head chef Sebby Holmes has guided Farang London to receive a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand for five consecutive years. The restaurant was also awarded a Thai SELECT award for excellence in quality and ingredients by the British Thai Embassy – and for good reason. Freshness and quality are top priorities at Farang, which uses ingredients sourced directly from Bangkok to recreate the unparalleled taste of traditional Thai dishes. Farang’s kitchen team balances flavours and intensity – a staple tenant of Thai cuisine. Popular menu items include the chicken satay and whole seabass, which has a deliciously crispy finish and is paired with samphire and a spicy coconut and blackberry sauce. Come with a group of friends and splurge on the shareable feasting menu for a colourful spread of standout dishes, and a memorable night out.
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For a date night at one of London’s best Thai restaurants – try Patara in Soho, Oxford Circus, Knightsbridge, Wimbledon, South Kensington and Hampstead
With locations in Soho, Oxford Circus, Knightsbridge, Wimbledon, South Kensington and Hampstead, Patara has been serving hearty Thai food in London since 1990. Expect candle-lit tables, flower bouquets and an intimate vibe that make every venue the perfect spot for a romantic date night. Spicy curries use turmeric crab with spinach and honey-glazed duck with lychee and pineapple in creamy coconut milk, while vegetarian options include crispy corn fritters with kaffir lime, must-try avocado spring rolls, lemongrass-glazed tofu, and a signature crunchy omelette topped with basil. Set menus are a no-brainer for a feast of Patara’s best highlights. Pair your meal with a Patara Passion cocktail made with vodka and passion fruit and finish off with a stellar caramelized banana with vanilla ice cream and almonds flake for a memorable meal.
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For a traditional Thai dining experience – try Yum Yum Thai Restaurant in Stoke Newington
Dining at Yum Yum Thai Restaurant in lively Stoke Newington gives the experience of Thai cuisine in beautifully designed, traditional surroundings. Classic Thai eateries influence the restaurant’s interiors, with elegant outdoor wooden huts and traditional sunken seating areas. Popular dishes include a duck stir fry topped with chillies and Thai basil and a crispy fried sea bass in spicy coconut broth. The mango and passionfruit mousse is a refreshing way to finish off the experience, while the hot chocolate fondant offers a rich and satisfying end to the meal. Enjoy a fruity cocktail at the bar to top up a celebratory night out.
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For a special occasion at one of the best Thai restaurants in London – head to Nipa Thai in Bayswater
Located inside the glamorous Royal Lancaster London Hotel, Nipa Thai in Bayswater boasts an elegant dining room and a refined atmosphere that’s perfect for sophisticated work lunches or special celebrations. Run by a women-only staff, Nipa has received a Thai SELECT award for authenticity and quality and is one of the best Thai restaurants in London for fine dining fare. Inspired by traditional Thai cooking, Nipa focuses on balancing the strong spices and flavours that permeate the dishes with a sophisticated twist. The Saturday lunch menu offers a budget-friendly option at £30 for two and serves family favourites on Khantoke platters with fried prawn dumplings, steamed sea bass in lemongrass broth, bean curd curry, and grilled chicken with satay sauce. Nipa Thai also boasts a sophisticated wine selection, with vintages from all over the world.
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For Thai cuisine with a modern twist – try Asiatique Thai Restaurant in Richmond, Battersea and Putney
Having received a Thai SELECT award in 2020, Asiatique Thai Restaurant in Richmond, Battersea and Putney takes inspiration from Bangkok’s vibrant street markets to create traditional dishes a modern twist. Expect sleek and elegant interiors boasting traditional artwork and beautifully presented dishes. Explore a range of staple Thai classics. The chargrilled king prawns sprinkled with cashews and served with plum sauce is a seafood favourite. For meat dishes, the pad prik – chicken or beef stir-fried with onions, chilli and Thai basil – is a must-try. Vegetarians can also enjoy smoky stir fries with a mix of broccoli, corn and mushrooms. Don’t miss the signature yellow soft shell crab and the sizzling sirloin steak served with roasted vegetables and a spicy fish sauce.
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For Thai-style bottomless brunch at one of London’s best Asian restaurants – visit Greyhound Café in Fitzrovia
The chic nightlife vibe at Greyhound Café, Fitzrovia, makes this London restaurant a trendy hotspot for Thai food lovers. The menu is equally stylish, using traditional ingredients to create modern Thai-inspired dishes and giving Greyhound Café its reputation as one of the best Thai restaurants in London. Recommended dishes include the salmon in hot pursuit, salmon glazed with an in-house lime sauce, and the rib eye steak satay, a take on traditional Thai street food. Don’t miss the bottomless prosecco which runs on Saturday to Monday afternoons and includes one main and endless prosecco. To accompany all the bubbly, diners can choose from a variety of plates, including the crispy Thai chicken wings and the lamb chop panang – a creamy lamb curry made with tomatoes and asparagus.
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For pre-theatre dining at one of the best Thai restaurants in London – try Thai Tho in Soho
Located in London’s fashionable theatre district, Thai Tho – Soho is the perfect spot to grab dinner before a show or to enjoy some post-performance cocktails. Thai Tho is one of London’s best Thai restaurants for classic light bites, like tempura prawns or spiced squid. The curry selection features tempting Thai staples – enjoy the gang pha pak jungle curry made with chicken, cream and Thai herbs or the sweet and sour duck curry that balances fruity lychee and pineapple with a rich tomato sauce. The atmosphere at Thai Tho is relaxed and bohemian – something between a Soho pub and a fine dining spot. This family-owned venture has an experienced kitchen staff who bring their exemplary knowledge of Thai cooking to every dish. The head chef and restaurant founder, Nicky Santichatsak, has worked in kitchens for more than 20 years and has even cooked for Thai royalty.
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For a neighbourhood gem loved by locals – don’t miss Papaya Tree in Kensington
Papaya Tree in Kensington is centrally located on the main high street and is a popular spot loved by locals. One of the best Thai restaurants in London, Papaya Tree has relaxed, contemporary decor and a cosy intimate atmosphere that makes it a perfect destination for catching up with friends. The menu draws inspiration from all over Thailand, giving diners a range of options – from spicy northern Thai salads to complex southern curries. Only the freshest ingredients make it onto the menu and the restaurant regularly ships in traditional Thai ingredients from Bangkok. A comforting bowl of hot and sour tom yum soup topped with chicken, prawns or mushrooms is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a warming lunch. The chilli papaya salad, meanwhile, is the restaurant’s signature dish and features a crunchy blend of shredded lettuce, papaya, peanuts and a lime dressing.
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For healthy dishes and vegetarian options at one of London’s best Thai restaurants – try Thai Taste Restaurant in Kensington
People know Thai food for being fresh, colourful and loaded with vegetables and herbs. Thai Taste Restaurant in Kensington specialises in bringing out these elements of traditional Thai food and is popular with Kensington locals because of its friendly and welcoming service. Popular vegetable dishes include the pad broccoli hedhorm, made from crunchy greens and shitake mushrooms in a sesame and oyster sauce and a mouthwatering soft-shell crab curry. Thai Taste offers a full vegetarian menu, complete with curries, stir-fries and salads. The tom yam hed is a vegetarian version of the popular tom yum soup with mushrooms replacing the meat. Meanwhile, vegetarian starters, like the crunchy spring rolls and the deep-fried tofu with peanuts and chillis, are absolute must-tries.
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For a refined business meal at one of the best Thai restaurants in central London – visit Mango Tree in Belgravia
Mango Tree in Belgravia is one of the best restaurants in London for traditional Thai food. Its luxurious yet refined decor makes it perfect for a business lunch or a special occasion. As well as appearing on the hit TV show, Ramsay’s Best Restaurant, Mango Tree was also nominated for the ‘Test of Time’ award given out by Tatler. Mango Tree’s luxury set menu is a popular choice and comes with an assortment of appetisers, a main course with sides and a coconut mousse with raspberry coulee for dessert. Diners can also choose from the vegan menu. It incorporates classic dishes like a tofu pad Thai and fresh vegetable fried rice known for being light and fluffy. If you’re craving a cocktail after your meal, a Thai chilli martini has a sweet and spicy kick.
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London’s Asian restaurant scene is one of the best in the world and the amazing choice of Thai restaurants stands out. With its fiery blend of chillis and soothing aromatic herbs, Thai food is one world cuisine that’s absolutely worth trying. This list of London’s best Thai restaurants is just the beginning when it comes to fantastic Asian food in the city.
