Mai Thai Deli – an authentic taste of Thailand in London

Wimbledon to Wandsworth

The Wimbledon restaurant came first, opening its doors back in 1985 and receiving a refurb in 2016. This was later followed by a second venue in Wandsworth, launching in 2021, set right beside the River Wandle. Both are distinctly Thai in style with lots of leafy foliage, although the former is a little more traditional, with the latter featuring a contemporary take on southeast Asian decor. 

Each has an al fresco area to watch the world go by over your drinks and dumplings. The brand-new open-plan kitchen at the Ram Quarter is a sight to behold and showcases the latest in induction cooking technology. Book a table near to it if you want to see the culinary action unfolding, or outside beside the water for a romantic sunset meal.

Eat like royals 

Sample small plates like Chaw Mwang (purple dumplings filled with a minced chicken and nut filling); Thai Pancake (turmeric and rice flour filled with a coconut and bean sprout filling — a recipe once reserved for royalty); or Prawn Summer Roll with a spicy mint and basil sauce. And we’ve spotted some mouthwatering larger plates on the menu; Spicy Thai Basil Stir Fry served with butterfly pea-infused jasmine rice; Hainanese Chicken with ginger and garlic rice served with brown bean sauce; Weeping Tiger steak (dry aged for 28 days and grilled medium-rare, served with the spicy “Nam Jim Jaew” dipping sauce); and Red Jungle Curry (with vegetables, black peppercorns and Thai herbs). 

Then, if you can’t decide on dessert, opt for an assortment of smaller puddings to try a few in one fell swoop — we love the coconut milk, palm cake and sticky rice banana.

Colourful and nutritious 

The presentation is as much of a delight as the flavours. A much-needed antidote to the often grey winter days of the UK, Mai Thai’s food is packed with colour, incorporating the kinds of bright rainbow fruits and vegetables of which Jamie Oliver would approve. Come rain or shine, your food and drink will bring some sunshine into your life.

From the bar…

You may be in London, but you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to Bangkok, once you taste a Mekhong River Mojito, a Lychee Ampawa, or a Peang Thai Martini. Perhaps you’re more of a wine drinker. If so, why not branch out from your usual vino by trying a Colombard and Shiraz by the lesser-known Monsoon Valley Wine, whose products are derived from specially grown grapes in the coastal town of Hua Hin. 

You’ll also spot Singha Beer — which has been the country’s official brew since the 1930s — on the drinks list. Non-alcoholic treats are just as plentiful at Mai Thai Deli; the Pandan Leaf Milk Tea is a winner and the former Liverpool FC player, Kevin Keegan, was recently seen enjoying a house coffee.

Special events and offers

There are some great money-savers, such as the Special Express Lunch Menu, served between noon and 3pm. And look out for promotions, like the recently added Terrific Tuesdays in Wandsworth, where you can benefit from 50 per cent off all bottles of wine and prosecco and 25 per cent off champagne every Tuesday — it’s the perfect way to celebrate a midweek something. 

The venues love to mark an event; tennis season is of course a prime opportunity for a party, but you’ll also find ticketed evenings held around festivals, including Halloween. Do keep an eye on Mai Thai Deli’s social media pages to stay tuned.

Take home 

You can also take some items home with you; the brand sells coffee (hand-picked from the mountains in Chiang Rai), unusual organic teas, such as Rose Flowers, Almond Spice and Mint and Melissa Mix, veg boxes and fruits like the dorian, honey mango and jackfruit. And the venues offer a takeaway service for when time is short or you need to eat on the go.  

There are plenty of choices for vegan and vegetarian diets, as well as for those seeking healthier options to feed the body and nourish the soul. So book a table at either the Wandsworth or Wimbledon restaurant and take your taste buds on a long-haul adventure to another continent without leaving the capital.