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If you’re heading to watch a show in the West End, or going out for drinks in Soho, Thai Square Covent Garden is conveniently located for dinner just two minutes walk from Old Compton Street and the London Palace Theatre.
Thai Square
The popularity of this establishment is such that it has now spread to locations across the London, with its menu primarily filled with traditional Thai dishes, but also including options from across Asia. Entering the Covent Garden branch, you can start with cocktails at the bar before walking through to the high ceiling dining room replete with carved friezes, a life size golden Buddha, an array of ornaments and pagoda roofing.
The Menu at Thai Square
With its pan-Asian menu that combines traditional and modern recipes, starters include steamed dumplings with minced chicken, prawns and water chestnuts (£7.50), crab cakes with minced chicken coated with breadcrumbs (£7.50) or a spicy Tom Yum Goong Yai soup made with jumbo prawns, lime leaves, lemongrass, galangal and oyster mushrooms (£8.95).
While mains include dishes such as battered marinated duck with whisky sauce, green curries and chicken satay, I opted for the traditional Thai Laab Pla, a deep fried whole sea bass topped with a dressing of Thai herbs, chilli powder, fish sauce, lime juice and special roasted ground rice (£25.50). The crisp batter contrasted with the flakey sea bass while the acid and sweetness of the lime played off the chilli so that the dish was a medley of textures and flavours in the mouth.
The dessert menu offers light, refreshing dishes including fresh mango with sticky rice (£7.50) and the Thai Square Sundae of coconut ice-cream and sticky rice (£7.50).
Along with Thai beers such as Singha, there are 30 wines to choose from, classic cocktails and Thai Square creations such as the mek-jito – a combination of Mekhong Thai spirit, lime juice, sugar syrup, fresh mint, ginger and soda.
Overall Thoughts
The restaurant feels like a little oasis in the heart of the West End with its Thailand-evoking décor and flavourful menu, in the perfect location for pre-theatre meal or pre-night out dining.
Thai Square Covent Garden is located at 166-170 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JB
For more information, visit thaisq.com.
