The Best Thai Restaurants in London

We start with the crown jewel in London’s Thai dining scene, and a restaurant which very much does what it says on the tin. Chef-Owner John Chantarasak has dual Thai-British heritage and brings it to bear in creative and downright delicious ways on a set, sharing-style menu that’s underpinned by superb British ingredients and delightful Thai influences. The sauces are a particular highlight, underlining the technical skill of the kitchen team and their understanding of flavour and balance.

One of four Thai restaurants in London with a Bib Gourmand for its great cooking at an appealing price tag, Farang is an endearing restaurant located outside the city centre and a short walk from both the former and current Arsenal football stadiums. Dish inspirations come from all over Thailand, allowing you to get a taste of multiple regions in one meal, while the electric atmosphere and feasting-style sharing menu make this the perfect place to celebrate with friends and family.

It’s easy to see why so many people love Kiln. The dedicated team run the restaurant with pride and enthusiasm; the prime Soho location translates into a buzzing atmosphere inside; and the menu incorporates on-trend wood-fired grilling. Most importantly, each brilliantly priced dish is simply delicious. Influences sometimes come from beyond Thailand’s borders, while the cooking is both intensely flavoured and astutely balanced. To make it even more zeitgeist-capturing, diners sit up at an open-kitchen counter to feel part of the action.

Over the last couple of years, the area around Borough Market has become an increasingly popular spot for the capital’s chefs, with top restaurants constantly popping up on the edge of the bustling covered market. Chief among the draws round here is the diversity of cuisines on offer – and it’s Kolae that proudly flies the Thai flag with a specific focus on the south of the country. Each dish on the sharing-inclined menu comes with ample amounts of flavour, with the reasonably priced set menu the way to go if you’re indecisive.

The final piece in London’s trio of Thai restaurants beginning with ‘K’, Kruk is one of the best spots for capturing the atmosphere of Bangkok’s liveliest eateries. Situated under a railway arch in Peckham Rye, any noise from overhead trains is quickly drowned out by happy diners chatting away and tucking into well-balanced dishes like the fried chicken ‘gai prik’, where a clean kick of heat enhances rather than overwhelms the meat. Like Kolae, it’s a great place for vegetarian diners too, with each dish available in a meat-free version.

Another excellently located spot – this time on the edge of Soho inside the Arcade Food Hall – Plaza Khao Gaeng is exclusively focused on the cuisine of Southern Thailand. The dishes are generously sized, especially for their price, and come with bags of flavour – the massaman curry in particular is so satisfying you’ll want to return again and again. The compact seating and steady flow of eager diners ensure there’s a vibrant atmosphere and plenty of fun to be had.

Few restaurants in the last few years have captured London’s online-foodie imagination quite like Singburi. Beginning as a tiny family-run operation in Leytonstone, its popularity soon exploded, leading to the move to a bigger premises in Shoreditch’s Montacute Yards. It continues to be a hit and it’s not hard to see why: the dishes are exuberantly flavoured and skilfully cooked, with the likes of aubergine pad phet hitting the spot with their big, satisfyingly simple flavours and plenty of spice.

Another kitchen that leans towards Southern Thailand for inspiration, Supawan – whose owner is from Phuket – is one of the most verdant dining rooms in London. Its shelves overflow with plants, adding a lush greenery to the vibrant interior design. The cooking is authentic and executed with evident care, resulting in dishes such as the standout moo hong; stick around for dessert too, as the mango sticky rice is a joy. Topping it all off is a warm, friendly and knowledgeable service team.