Dining
The 5 Best Thai Restaurants in London
Fiery, fragrant and properly regional: where to eat the best Thai food in London.
In short: our top picks are Som Saa, Kiln and Smoking Goat. 5 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
London’s Thai cooking has moved well past the high-street staples into proper regional fire and fragrance. The best places source hard-to-find ingredients and do not tone the heat down. These are the rooms worth seeking out for Thai food cooked the way it should be.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Som Saa | Spitalfields | £££ |
| Kiln | Soho | ££ |
| Smoking Goat | Shoreditch | ££ |
| The Begging Bowl | Peckham | ££ |
| Speedboat Bar | Chinatown, Soho and Trafalgar Square | £££ |
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Editor’s choice
Som Saa
Why we pick itFiery, regional northern Thai cooking; the deep-fried sea bass is one of London's great dishes.
-
Kiln
Why we pick itLive-fire Thai cooking at a counter over the embers; the clay pot glass noodles are essential.
Worth knowingSkip it if you want a quiet table for a long conversation
-
Smoking Goat
Why we pick itBangkok-style bar food and natural wine; loud, brilliant and the fish-sauce wings are a must.
Worth knowingSkip it if you want subtlety or a quiet table
-
The Begging Bowl
Why we pick itColourful, balanced Thai sharing plates in Peckham; no bookings, so go early.
-
Speedboat Bar
Why we pick itBangkok Chinatown energy and proper heat; the drunken noodles and a cold Chang.
Worth knowingDownstairs is corridor-like with tables packed close together, most seating takes no bookings, and the cooking slips when the kitchen is under pressure.
Before you book
Ask for the heat as the kitchen intends rather than the toned-down version, and order to share across the table. The best places are often small and busy, so book where you can. And look for the regional specialists; the northern and southern kitchens cook very differently.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Som Saa is our editor's choice: Fiery, regional northern Thai cooking; the deep-fried sea bass is one of London's great dishes. Som Saa, Kiln and Smoking Goat lead the guide, with 5 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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