Earthy northern Thai cuisine bursts out of the charcoal-fired kiln and hot clay pots at this barbecue-focused wonderland in Soho. Take in the action in the fascinating tiny open kitchen and you'll spy sizzling cumin-dusted cull yaw mutton skewers and chargrilled chicken thigh bites, along with other local Thai village-style dishes that crackle with influences from Laos, Myanmar, and Yunnan in China. Pick up pungent wafts of Thai parsley and Burmese wild ginger in a slew of authentic dishes such as lime-bathed langoustines or claypot-baked glass noodles with Tamworth pork belly and chewy crab meat.

Take a front row seat at the counter to see Chef Meedu Saad’s rustic Thai food come together over fire and embers, like the charred, cumin-dusted aged lamb skewers we always order on arrival. Ingredients on the short, changing menu here are impeccably sourced, from Cornish seafood (delivered fresh each day) to British-grown Thai and Chinese herbs. The turmeric-laced red mullet's a must, if it’s on the menu; ditto the raw langoustines, spiked with mint and Kaffir lime.

Clay pots, woks and grills are all used in the creation of the fiery, skilfully cooked Thai dishes at this busy little spot round the corner from Golden Square. The cooking is largely influenced by the northern part of Thailand and the neighbouring cuisines of Myanmar, Laos and Yunnan Province. The produce is mostly British however, and is fashioned into sharing dishes that have a wonderful spicy kick without allowing the flavours to become overwhelmed.

Kiln is one of the go-to Thai-influenced restaurants in London. The bar is where you want to be at this hot hot hot Soho restaurant, where the clay pots sizzle in front of your eyes, and a bead of sweat forms on your head as you take another bite of ox heart laab. Although we prefer being opposite all the action, if you’re in a group you’ll be just as happy eating pork belly and crab baked glass noodles, and Burmese-style beef curry downstairs.

This casual, Soho walk-in specialises in Northern Thai food (specifically the regions where Thailand borders Myanmar, Laos and Yunnan). It’s affordable, democratic and fun – especially if you’re able get a seat at the long steel counter to watch the chefs cook at their clay pots. The restaurant shuns gas and electricity, instead cooking its deeply savoury and super spicy food over open flames and smoky coals.

Kiln, run by Ben Chapman who’s also the man behind Smoking Goat, offers another take on Thai barbecue. Here British produce, like Tamworth pork and Cornish greens, are combined with Thai flavours and the results are spectacular, particularly the clay pot baked glass noodles. There are a handful of spiced cocktails but the orange wines on the drinks list are a great match for the boldness of the food.

This buzzy Soho eatery comes courtesy of the same folks behind Thai BBQ joint Smoking Goat, however this time around the focus is specifically Northern Thai cooking (the type you’d find in the regions boarding Burma, Laos and Yunnan) crafted using locally-sourced, British ingredients. The best seats in the house are upstairs facing the massive open kitchen – you can sit and sip a cocktail (made with the same herbs and spices found in the kitchen) and watch the chefs work the flames at the massive charcoal grill. The menu – designed to share – changes regularly, however you’ll always find a mix of smaller bits (cumin-spiced aged cull yaw skewers or northern style laap sausage) as well as larger curries or claypots packed full of spicy soups and noodles.

A ker-ching of a chef’s counter, Kiln has hit the jackpot by offering a tickbox of Londoners’ favourite things. It’s not just Thai cooking but Thai *barbecue* cooking, served at both a chef’s counter for couples and weeny tables where in-the-know diners can show off to their friends about that great little place they know in Soho serving the best Thai food in the capital. Kiln is what self-taught British chef Ben Chapman did between closing the original Smoking Goat and re-opening it in Shoreditch, exposing the best native produce (aged cull yaw, raw beef, Cornish greens, pork offal) to exhilarating levels of spicing one doesn’t usually encounter at the farmers’ market: a sour curry of mussels with winter squash, say, or a long pepper duck curry.

With its flavours guided by the regions where Thailand’s borders meet Myanmar, Laos and Yunnan, Kiln Soho’s menu is steered by the sourcing of fresh British produce – before adding a seriously spicy twist. With differing cuts of meat available daily, as well as whatever the dayboat catch brings in, dishes vary but range from a Chantaburi curry of cull yaw (mutton) with celeriac, and braised beef shin curry with wild garlic and nettle, to mussels with aubergine and broad beans and slow grilled chicken and soy. With a whole host of dishes to get your tastebuds tingling, even if you don’t quite know what they are, this isn’t your standard pad Thai and satay gaff.

In fact, it’s a national favourite too, having been named National Restaurant of the Year at the 2018 National Restaurant Awards. The chef’s line work along a charcoal barbecue, manipulating the heat from the hot coals to perfectly char the aged lamb and cumin skewers; heat the bold, original ox heart laap in a seasoned iron wok; and cook the clay pot baked glass noodles and other favourites from the short, affordable menu. Focusing on dishes from the north of the country, particularly the border regions and the exciting culinary cross-pollination such areas are known for, eating at Kiln is an idiosyncratic Thai food experience.

London’s theatres have competition on their hands, because Kiln also offers front row seats to one of the best shows in town. Take your seat around the sleek stainless-steel kitchen, and watch as chefs chargrill the likes of cured Yunnan sausages & aged cullyaw and work claypots filled with pigs head and steamed blood cake, in the same nonchalant manner one might see at some of roadside stalls found in the North of Thailand, bordering Laos and Myanmar. A word of warning: this part of Kiln takes walk-ins only, so it’s not just the theatre dealing with competition here.

Kiln should be nicknamed the king of the meats, with its fusion of northern Thai flavours and locally-sourced Tamworth pork and seafood straight from British shores. But let's be clear, there's so much more more to Kiln than its roasted meats (the kitchen uses wood-burning ovens and grills). The restaurant - which won the 2018 National Restaurant award - has an innovative approach to Thai cuisine which has allowed its chefs to craft a wide selection of new dishes including a clay pot of silky, glass noodles, mutton laap served with pink radicchio and hogget.

Soho's Kilnis an Asian-inspired gem serving fresh Cornwall ingredients in every dish. The venue itself echoes the simplicity and charm of a Thai roadside restaurant sporting large stainless steel counters and an open kitchen fuelled by wood-fired ovens, imparting a rustic touch to each and every dish. Speaking of, their signature clay pot-baked glass noodles, featuring Tamworth pork belly and brown crab meat, are the talk of the town – soft, crunchy, and drenched in a concentrated soy sauce and green chilli pepper symphony.

This is the place to go when looking for grilled Thai food in Soho. At Kiln, the focus is on local specialities from all regions of Thailand, with a penchant for the areas of Yunnan, Burma and Bangkok’s Yarowat Road (also known as the city’s Chinatown). What all these different influences have in common is a meticulous attention to carefully-sourced native produce, so that herbs, fish and vegetables are of the freshest quality, and the meat cuts might change daily according to what’s available.

Where other open kitchens flaunt Big Green Eggs and sous-vides, Kiln, opened by Ben Chapman of Smoking Goat fame, goes far more rustic: assorted clay pots filled with embers, over which the bijoux restaurant's excellent Northern Thai street food-influenced dishes are prepared. Perhaps it's the simplicity of the technology that gives the kitchen an unusually calm, laid-back feel. Perhaps it's the confidence that the cooking will speak for itself.

The menu regularly changes, but the Thai barbecue concept remains ever-present. Often considered not just of the city’s best Thai restaurants, but one of its best full-stop, Kiln is known for its trademark open kitchen, wood burning, and noodles. It was named the best restaurant in the UK in the National Restaurant Awards in 2018, beating off far for expensive offerings, and placed 6th in the latest awards, continuing to push on and innovate.

A Soho favourite which promises exquisite cuisine without the high cost, this is amongst the most popular mid-price restaurants in the city. The venue is a great place to indulge your fondness for strong flavours and exciting dishes, and proves particularly popular with groups. Expect plentiful curries and a relaxed yet elegant ambiance, providing the ideal low-key way to sample great cuisine while staying at the Montcalm Hotel London.

Known for its fresh seafood, this is a very famous Thai restaurant in London where you get to taste the traditional Northern Thai flavours. This restaurant has won the National Restaurant Award for the year 2018. One of the main reasons why this place remains an authentic Thai restaurant in the UK is because they keep inventing new recipes and somehow each of these dishes end up making their way to the bestsellers' list.

Quickly establishing itself as a Soho institution, as its name asserts rather than suggests, open-fire cooking is key to Kiln’s flavour-packed plates. The menu draws influence from the borderlands of Thailand, such as Laos and Yunnan, meaning a spectrum of spirited dishes. Whilst interiors may be more industrial and minimalist than ornate in style, the food is explosively vibrant, drawing crowds throughout the week.

What: Award-winning Soho barnstormer Kiln is far from your average Thai takeaway - the restaurant examines the regional specialities of Thailand's borders with Burma, Laos and Cambodia. If you manage to get a coveted seat, expect to see chefs cooking dishes like dry red mackerel curry and pork offal laap in woks and claypots over hot coals right before your eyes. Where: 58 Brewer Street, W1F 9TLBook now: Kiln

The menu is rooted flavours and processes from Hunan and has loads of options. You’ll want to try it all. Some of my favourites are the soup of pickled fish; pork ribs in glutinous rice wrapped in lotus leaf and baked in clay pots; and cold poached chicken and chilli oil with the cucumber salad – a great combination. Corkage is £10, so great for a night out with some special bottles too. – Meedu Saad, Kiln

Sign us up please……True to the name, this teeny tiny Soho restaurant uses a kiln to cook the food over charcoal. Proud of its no-tech approach, no electricity is used to prepare the food, which is instead prepped in hand-hewn bowls. Like most quirky restaurants in London (who isn’t on the search for cool in the capital?), you may need to queue as this place only takes bookings for tables of four or over.

Holding a Michelin Bib Gourmand title, rural Thailand has been brought to Soho by the one and only Kiln. Soak up the theatre of the dish preparation with a hotseat at their counter as Thai influenced dishes to life in flaming woks. Top tip: If your chilli tolerance is weak, come clean from the get go to be steered away from the fiery flavours or have the heat taken down a notch with bespoke servings.

It was named the UK’s best restaurant at the 2018 National Restaurant Awards and we can confirm that Kiln defo lives up to the hype. The food is inspired by the Thai borderlands, including Burmese and Yunanese spices and flavours, and there’s lots of cooking over an open fire. The jungle curry of brill is a winner (and spicy too) and the clay pot-baked glass noodles are an absolute must-order too.

This contemporary Thai small plates restaurant specialising in fire-cooked dishes may be casual, but it’s pretty hip as well. Counter seating wraps around the open kitchen, so solo diners can get a front row seat of the action. Diners can go for a larger plate, such as braised beef shin curry, or lighter options include mussel, aubergine and broad bean omm, and grey mullet chak som sour curry.

Kiln is a Thai-inspired restaurant serving dishes cooked over an open fire. With a compact yet cozy setting, this counter dining eatery offers a first-hand view of the chefs at work, enhancing your dining experience. From their spicy claypot noodles to their sour curry mussels, the menu is packed with flavorful options, complemented by a selection of natural wines and Thai-flavored cocktails.

Winner of National Restaurant of the Year in 2018, Kiln’s cuisine is influenced by the regions where Thailand borders Burma, Laos and Yunnan but all produce used is sourced in Britain. Customers can sit at the far counter to watch chefs prepare fiery Thai food in clay pots, woks and grills. Menu highlights include wild ginger and beef neck curry from Burma and grilled cull Yaw collar chop.

With its open kitchen and rustic ambience, Kiln takes you on a culinary journey through the bustling streets of Bangkok. From their sizzling clay pot dishes to their fiery grilled meats and fragrant curries, each bite is a symphony of bold and authentic Thai flavours. And the emphasis on fresh, high-quality ingredients and traditional cooking techniques sets Kiln apart.

As one of the most popular and talked about restaurants in London, it’s no surprise that Kiln in Soho won the UK's Best Restaurant title in the 2018 National Restaurant Awards. And the title is well deserved. Founded by Ben Chapman and Brian Hannon in 2016, they’ve got everything just right from the seemingly effortless chic and hip decor to their phenomenal Thai menu.

Utilising fresh produce and traditional cooking methods – on the grid over piping hot coals – this Thai restaurant in central London creates some of the most incredible, rustic dishes. The best part is that the kitchen is entirely open so that you can watch all the heated action from your seat. This, accompanied by vibey music, creates a sociable, cosy atmosphere.

Kiln, a hidden gem located in the heart of London, is a culinary delight that left me craving for more. From the moment I stepped foot into this charming eatery, I was greeted with friendly smiles and a warm ambiance that instantly put me at ease. The aromas coming from the open kitchen ignited my senses and heightened my anticipation for the feast that awaited.

Treat yourself to Thai grill, seafood and claypots at Kiln in Soho. The popular Thai barbecue spot serves up seasonal menus, with dishes including clay pot glass noodles with Tamworth pork belly and brown crab meat and jungle curry with smoked kippers. Grab a no-reservation stool at the counter and soak up the buzzy atmosphere while watching the chefs at work.

Kiln is the go-to spot for open-kitchen cooking and BBQ Thai cuisine. Their sharing menu showcases beloved classics such as Northern-style Laap sausage, slow-grilled red mullet, and succulent lamb and cumin skewers. Despite its well-deserved reputation as one of the country's top restaurants, Kiln maintains affordable prices, ensuring accessibility for all.

This small and funky restaurant is situated at the heart of Soho. It has won the 2018 National Restaurant award for serving delicious northern Thai-style food. Furthermore, this Thai restaurant is popular for its vivid, intense, as well as its unique cooking style, inspired from the edges of Thailand where the country borders Laos, Yunnan, as well Burma.

Kiln is a low-key Soho eatery serving Thai-inspired dishes fresh from their wood-burning ovens and grills. A prime spot for sharing dinner post-work with mates or a casual date setting alike, Kiln’s short but sweet menu features a selection of small plates and sharing dishes that will have you planning your next visit as you’re taking your second bite.

In the heart of Soho, this small, funky restaurant serves excellent northern Thai-style food. British chef Ben Chapman’s obsessive fascination is reflected in a short, cleverly put-together menu with seasonal specials. Dishes range from the simple satisfaction of perfectly grilled chicken to the rich delights of glass noodles with crabmeat and pork.

Ideal for a celebration of the best of British ingredients, told through a Thai lens…. The second restaurant from the aforementioned Ben Chapman, Kiln is quite the spectacle, with bar seating overlooking flames, coals and clay pots. The vibe transports you right out of central London and to somewhere altogether hotter and more rustic.

Sorry, you need to accept cookies from Instagram to view this content. A lot of restaurants have a hero dish that they’ve become the most synonymous with – a plate that transcends the restaurant itself and has lodged itself firmly in the zeitgeist. Or, at the very least, lodged itself on the feeds of Instagram influencers.

Known for its Thai barbecue delicacies using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. A good casual dining spot for groups, this restaurant has primarily bar seating overlooking the kitchen area. There are a few tables on the lower floor and the aroma of lemongrass and spices hits you the moment you open the door and enter.

With just four tables and a handful of counter seats, getting a spot at Kiln can be a challenge. But it is one that is absolutely worth the wait. Chosen as the UK’s Best Restaurant in the 2018 National Restaurant Awards, this Soho hotspot specialises in a roadside barbeque style of Thai cooking.

Sit up at the counter at this Soho spot for some of the best Thai food to be had in London. Using open-fire cooking, Kiln takes inspiration from the countries bordering Thailand so expect Burmese, Yunnanese and Laos spicing and flavours here too. Open: Lunch and dinner

A fictional lesbian choir – said to be the only one in the country – face tensions from inside and out as they try to win a place on the Pride main stage in The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs, external, a musical comedy at the Kiln, London, 13 June-12 July.

There’s a reason Kiln has accrued a legion of fans that continues to grow with each passing year. From its quirky, out-there Thai dishes to its laughably affordable prices, this is the sort of spot you can’t believe still exists in central London.

This incredibly quirky restaurant takes its name from its cooking method. The chefs cook in small clay kilns full of charcoal with a wok on top. If you are seated at the bar, you’ll get a first-class seat of the chefs at work!

Kiln is a Thai restaurant in Soho that’s so good I hardly know what to do with myself. It’s a great place to sit alone at the bar and order everything on the menu. All plates are small and unbelievably delicious.