Talay Thai Restaurant in Lambeth

Ambience and decor was quite nice, a little bit cramped but as it was not busy that aspect didn't really matter.Service was good but considering that there were not many people dining in, it could have been a bit more attentive.The food was ok but... from the dishes I had this is Thai food toned down for the western palate. There was also some compromise with the ingredients.For example: it was good to see that there was Som Tam (papaya salad) made for vegetarians (no fish sauce, no shrimp) but there was lettuce in it and chunks of tomato rather than cherry tomatoes. As for the chili... couldn't find it!If you have experienced Som Tam in Thailand you will know that it can be very spicy-hot. Not so this version. Similarly the crushed peanut was not mixed in but rather found in a small pile at the side of the dish.Kow Neow (sticky rice) was served in a plastic bag in a traditional wicker basket. However it was too hot to touch - and the point of kow neow is that you hold it and shape it in your hand, eating it directly from the hand. This proved an impossibility unless you wait for the rest of the food to get cold.The Nam Manao (a Thai version of fresh lemonade) was too sweet and sickly. Rather than being just sweet enough to take the edge off the freshly squeezed lime juice.However, the portions were good despite just not having a really authentic taste. Even the sauces were just a basic bottled sweet chili rather than the home-made varieties that are standard fare in Thailand.This brings me full circle in this review: I went to Talay Thai to eat real Thai food, not the watered down, adulterated dishes that I was served. I wanted to eat food made for Thais, not food made for farang (Europeans).Would I eat there again? Possibly, but it would not be my first choice if I wanted to eat real Thai food.

Granted I hadn’t been to this Thai restaurant in a while so was still expected the same great quality I had experienced in the past. Unfortunately this was not the case. The food was presented well and ingredients were fresh, but the taste was absolutely not what expect from a Thai restaurant. We ordered, Tom Gar Kai, which was overly sweet, this should have been an indicator and the beancurd skin rolls ( vegan) which are a new addition and I wanted to try. However, they lacked any flavour and were rubbery with hardly any filling. The prawn pad see ewe was so overly sweet, not the right fat rice noodles made this dish unpalatable. Prawns in chilli oil again really sweet as was the Phad Talay. So disappointed as to the amount of sugar added to each dish, you could hardly distinguish the taste of the vegetables and shellfish and the steamed rice only served to accentuate how sweet all the dishes were. A real shame as this used to be one of our favourite Thai restaurants, but will not visit again.

Favourite take away restaurant in Streatham Hill! Love tofu pad tai

This was the second time I ordered and I have to say that this is the best Thai food I had from all the Asian deliveries I had in the past. You can taste the difference from all the greasy takeaways in this area. But I also have to admit that the lady (I guess the owner?) who answered my call tonight is very professional and polite. I thought I ordered for delivery as shown on my receipt, but the restaurant had the order for collection. Probably my bad that I didn't check the confirmation email, she managed the whole situation with a 5 stars service, arranged a delivery for me and the food was delivered within 20 minutes still nice and warm. Definitely next time I'd love to try the table service, and I am sure the food would be even more delicious. You must try it!

I’ve ordered my first order with Talay Tai, unfortunately it wasn’t impressive experience. Lady who took order was very polite and helpful and deserved 5 stars for customer service however food only get 2 stars, dishes were cold, greasy & tasteless. Sorry guys but I won’t be back.

Ate at Talay Thai two evenings in a row this week. The first night we queued up around 6:30pm and waited nearly 1.5 hours for a table. When we finally got it it was well worth the wait, we were in and out within 40 mins but we didn't feel rushed. All the food came together quickly, piping hot and tasted fresh. The staff were great also! The second night we got there at 5:30pm and only waited a few minitues. The service was just as good as the previous night, couldn't fault it. Deffo a must visit if in the area.

We've just been back to dine out from the Lockdown and Talay Thai didn't let us down. The food was divine! I love my Tom Yum fried rice and we shared a mixed starter platters. Mum loves her Panang Duck curry with coconut rice. The service was always friendly and attentive. We will be back again for sure :-)

Wanted to try a different place out and we are never going here again, it was appalling. We couldn’t even believe someone served this let alone a restaurant.Egg fried rice was very plain.Red veg curry was completely watered down.. wasn’t sauce at all.Tempura was tasteless- the broccoli tempura was soggy especially.Vegetarian platter was 2 containers with 6 pieces of tasteless, dry, different sides.. not worth 13 quid at all.The sauces seem watered down too.Never again.

We have enjoyed both delivery and dined in with Talay Thai. The restaurant has a lovely atmosphere and guests are well spaced out.The menu has all your stand Thai food options and is always hot, fresh and super tasty. The service is efficient and the staff are prompt.We will definitely be back!

We have just been here tonight. A mixed review if honest, friendly people and was fairly busy as we walked in.The food was okay taste-wise, having started with fried squid and Thai dim sum. We weren't too keen on the sauce provided, but that's more about trying something new.As much as it's essential for the restaurants, the number of delivery items being picked up by the workers was very noticeable and at times, quite distracting.The restaurant was a presentable area and worth a try.We give it A****LDT x