Take a Thai culinary journey in London with Patara

The growth of London's Patara

For fans of Thai cuisine, this one’s for you. Patara boasts half a dozen London sites since opening for the first time in South Kensington back in 1990; the most recent opening was in Wimbledon in 2017. Other locations include Knightsbridge, Oxford Circus, Soho and Hampstead. Here’s why Patara has been able to grow its empire over the last 30+ years – not just in London – but across Thailand and Austria, too.

Patara, which translates as gracious lady, pays homage to Khun Patara Sila-On – the guiding force behind the Patara restaurant group.

Her unwavering spirit and generosity has transcended borders, giving rise to a culinary empire that spans two continents. It’s fair to say London loves Patara, with the Thai chain making the city its culinary home as it now boasts six restaurants across the capital.

For more than 30 years, the focus has never wavered. It’s all about delivering the highest quality Thai cuisine by blending traditional flavours with a contemporary twist. All of which is served in a relaxed yet elegant environment.

The restaurant may be a Thai chain, but it defies clichés at every turn. Here, patrons can expect beautifully executed, traditional ingredients with an innovative twist.

The restaurant’s most popular dishes include the King Prawn Pad Thai, Soft Shell Crab Mango Salad, Lamb Shank Massaman, Chor Muang and Beef Cheek Panang.

We here at Dish Cult are big fans of Thai curries and if you are too, then we highly recommend the Crab Yellow Curry. This homemade dish is rich colour thanks to the turmeric crab meat and is packed full of authentic, aromatic flavours with ingredients such as betel nut leaves and spinach.

If you’re very hungry and can’t wait for mains, then try the Spiced Fish Cake starters – especially if you like just a hint of chilli with your food. Be warned though, portion sizes are extremely generous! So there will be more than enough of the beautifully presented curry.

The extensive menu, which caters for non-meat eaters too, concludes with ‘Thai sweets’. This dessert menu is colourful and refreshing; we love the homemade mango cheesecake. It’s a real palette cleanser and the presentation pops with all that colour!

New for this month (September 2023), Patara has also introduced its ‘Journey of Patara’ menus, available across all branches in London:

NORTH: Elevate your taste buds with the Northern-style Hangley Curry Osso Buco, a tantalising fusion of bold Northern Thai influences that infuse every bite. (Available at Patara Hampstead).
NORTH-EAST: Savour a quintessential Thai favorite, Som Tam Tard, the embodiment of the vibrant street food culture that thrives in Thailand. (Available at Patara Wimbledon).
CENTRAL: Delight in the aromatic signature dish, Hor Mok Talay, a reflection of the gastronomic wonders of Thailand. (Available at Patara South Kensington).
SOUTH: Prepare for a fiery experience with Southern-style Khua Kling, a grounding and spicy masterpiece, and savor the timeless Kaeng Som Thai, a classic Thai home comfort curry. (Available at Patara Knightsbridge).
STREET FOOD: Immerse yourself in the bustling street-food vibes with Hoi Tod, a dish perfect for any time of day, and savour the enigmatic Look Chin Ping, a closely guarded secret recipe. (Available at Patara Soho).
ROYAL PALACES: Embark on a royal feast with the Royal Mixed Starter and savour the intricate flavours of Kaeng Nop Pa Gao, inspired by Thailand’s royal culinary traditions. (Available at Patara Oxford Circus).