Thai food has a way of making you feel like you have been transported straight to the streets of Bangkok, even if you are sitting in the middle of London or Edinburgh. From rich curries to fragrant soups and zesty salads, Thai cuisine is bold, comforting, and endlessly exciting.
The UK is home to some truly outstanding Thai restaurants that food lovers rave about online and in person. Here are 18 places worth adding to your must-visit list.
1. Smoking Goat, London
Forget white tablecloths and polished silverware. Smoking Goat in Shoreditch is raw, loud, and absolutely brilliant.
The menu is built around Thai barbecue and bold fermented flavours that pack a serious punch.
The fish sauce wings alone have earned a cult following in London. It is the kind of place where you order too much and feel zero regret about it.
Casual, chaotic in the best way, and full of energy.
2. Farang, London
Chef Sebby Holmes spent years cooking across Thailand before bringing those lessons back to North London. Farang in Highbury is the result, and it is a restaurant that genuinely earns every bit of praise it receives.
The menu changes with the seasons and leans heavily on British produce prepared with Thai techniques. Expect punchy curries, creative small plates, and a relaxed neighbourhood vibe that makes you want to linger long after the meal ends.
3. Som Saa, London
Som Saa started as a pop-up that Londoners simply refused to let disappear. Now a permanent fixture in Spitalfields, it serves regional Thai cooking that goes far beyond the typical high street menu.
The chefs focus on dishes from Northern and North-Eastern Thailand, using ingredients that are harder to find elsewhere in the city. The result is food that feels authentic, adventurous, and deeply satisfying.
Regulars say the slow-cooked curries are unmissable.
4. Rosa's Thai, Multiple UK Locations
Rosa's Thai began as a single cafe in East London and has since grown into a beloved mini-chain with locations across the UK. What has not changed is the commitment to honest, flavourful Thai cooking at fair prices.
The pad thai here is consistently rated among the best in the country by food writers and everyday diners alike. Whether you visit the Manchester, Birmingham, or London branches, the quality stays impressively reliable.
A great starting point for Thai food newcomers.
5. Kiln, London
There is something almost theatrical about watching the chefs at Kiln work over their wood-fired grills and clay pots. This Soho restaurant focuses on the cooking traditions of Northern Thailand and the border regions with Myanmar and Yunnan.
The menu is tight and focused, which means everything on it has earned its place. The lamb skewers and the baked crab curry are two dishes that food writers keep coming back to describe.
No reservations, so be ready to queue.
6. Chaophraya, Multiple UK Locations
Named after the famous river that winds through Bangkok, Chaophraya brings a sense of occasion to Thai dining. With locations in cities including Leeds, Edinburgh, Manchester, and Liverpool, it has become a go-to spot for celebrations and special nights out.
The food is refined without being fussy, with classic dishes executed with real care. The mango sticky rice dessert is the stuff of legends among regulars.
Dress up a little and let the team take care of the rest.
7. Patara, London
Patara has been serving refined Thai cuisine in London since the 1990s, and it still holds its own against newer competition. With several London locations including Soho and South Kensington, it caters to diners who want something a step above the average.
Royal Thai recipes form the backbone of the menu, and the presentation reflects that heritage beautifully. The massaman curry and the whole sea bass are two standout dishes that long-time fans recommend without hesitation.
Quietly excellent.
8. Thaikhun, Multiple UK Locations
Walking into Thaikhun feels a little like stumbling onto a Thai street market. Tuk tuks, hanging lanterns, and colourful market signage set the scene for a fun and informal meal.
The concept is Thai street food, and it is executed with real enthusiasm.
Locations across Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh, and more mean it is accessible to food lovers throughout the UK. The sharing platters are especially popular with groups.
Kids tend to love the atmosphere just as much as the adults do.
9. Mango Tree, London
Tucked away in the upmarket neighbourhood of Belgravia, Mango Tree has been impressing London diners since 2002. The setting is polished and the service attentive, making it a popular choice for business lunches and romantic dinners alike.
The kitchen draws on royal Thai culinary traditions to produce dishes that are as beautiful to look at as they are to eat. The soft shell crab and the signature Mango Tree curry are two reasons regulars keep booking tables here.
10. Busaba Eathai, Multiple UK Locations
Busaba Eathai was designed to feel like a modern Bangkok canteen, and it absolutely nails that vibe. The long communal tables and warm lighting create an atmosphere that feels buzzy without being overwhelming.
The menu covers all the Thai classics with a polished edge, from fragrant tom yum soup to rich massaman curries and crispy spring rolls. There are locations across London and beyond, making it easy to visit more than once.
Consistently solid and always satisfying.
11. The Giggling Squid, Multiple UK Locations
The Giggling Squid has built a loyal fan base by making Thai food feel approachable and fun for the whole family. With dozens of locations across the UK, it is one of the most accessible Thai restaurant chains in the country.
The Thai tapas concept encourages sharing, which makes for a lively and social meal. The bao buns and the coconut prawn skewers are crowd favourites that appear on nearly every table.
A genuinely enjoyable experience from start to finish.
12. Sukhothai, Leeds
Leeds has a strong food scene, and Sukhothai has been one of its crown jewels for years. Named after the ancient Thai kingdom, the restaurant brings a sense of history and artistry to its cooking that sets it apart from the crowd.
The menu showcases recipes from across Thailand, with particular attention paid to presentation. The beef massaman and the whole crispy fish dishes are consistently praised by local food critics.
A proper destination restaurant that rewards the journey to get there.
13. Sabai Sabai, Birmingham
Sabai Sabai translates roughly to "relax, relax" in Thai, and the restaurant very much lives up to that name. Birmingham diners have been coming here for years to unwind over well-made Thai food in a comfortable setting.
The menu balances familiar favourites with lesser-known regional dishes, giving both newcomers and experienced Thai food fans something to enjoy. The jungle curry is a standout for those who like heat, while the milder peanut-based dishes suit those who prefer something gentler.
14. Nipa Thai, London
Housed inside the Royal Lancaster Hotel near Hyde Park, Nipa Thai carries itself with a quiet confidence that comes from decades of experience. It opened in 1988 and remains one of the longest-running Thai restaurants in London.
The chefs are Thai-trained and the recipes stay close to traditional methods, which gives the food an authenticity that is hard to replicate. The green papaya salad and the red curry with roasted duck are highlights that have barely changed since opening day.
15. Lotus Thai, Bristol
Bristol's food scene is punching well above its weight these days, and Lotus Thai is a prime example of why. Tucked into the city's vibrant dining quarter, it has earned a devoted local following through consistent quality and warm hospitality.
The menu leans into comfort, with generous portions of fragrant curries and noodle dishes that feel like a genuine treat. The tom kha gai soup is a regular highlight, and the staff are known for making every guest feel genuinely welcome.
16. Thai Orchid, Edinburgh
Scotland might not be the first place that springs to mind for Thai food, but Thai Orchid in Edinburgh has been changing that assumption for years. The restaurant sits in the heart of the city and draws both locals and tourists in equal measure.
The kitchen takes pride in using fresh, quality ingredients to produce dishes that feel vibrant and alive. The massaman lamb curry and the pad see ew noodles are two dishes that reviewers mention again and again.
A real gem in the Scottish capital.
17. Siam Central, Manchester
Manchester's city centre is packed with great restaurants, but Siam Central holds its own with ease. It has been a fixture in the Northern Quarter for years, serving Thai food that feels genuine rather than watered down for Western tastes.
The chefs are not shy about using fresh chillies, fish sauce, and galangal in the way they are meant to be used. The larb salad and the grilled pork neck are two dishes that adventurous eaters will not want to miss.
Brilliant value too.
18. Thai Square, Multiple UK Locations
Thai Square is hard to miss, and not just because of its multiple locations across London and the South East. The interiors are genuinely stunning, with temple-inspired design, gilded details, and silk drapes that make every visit feel like an event.
Beyond the decor, the food is a serious draw. The menu covers an impressive range of regional Thai dishes, and the set menus offer excellent value for groups.
First-timers often leave feeling like they have discovered something special, because they have.
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