Laicram Thai in Lewisham

Confession: my partner and I visited Laicram after reading the truly woeful reviews because we could contain our morbid curiosity no longer. And by god, it didn't disappoint. The first clue was that we were the only people there. We saw one delivery leave, but that and us appeared to be the sum total of Laicram's business that night. Given the absence of punters, one might think that we would be spoilt by the staff, in an effort to (Thai)curry favour. One would be wrong. I can only assume that the waitress had already accepted the restaurant's inevitable doom, because she seemed to have given up. We were tossed a bowl of mixed prawn crackers taken from another table (no dipping sauce was offered). To start, I had Thai fish soup, my partner choosing a coconut chicken soup. The dishes did not arrive together, and presented with all the hallmarks of having been cooked by Monsieur Microwave. The lack of chilli-heat cited in so many other reviews appeared to have been addressed, but it was tooth-hurtingly sweet and mouth-coatingly greasy. I would guess that the seafood was from a frozen mix bag; the chicken was dry and flavourless. That being said, I didn't *hate* the soups: after all, there was chilli and lemongrass. For the mains, we chose weeping tiger (a sizzling, spicy beef dish), pork with basil and chilli, and chicken rice. Again, all the dishes arrived separately - do they only have one freaking microwave? - and they were all... Not Good. The weeping tiger was aptly named, because I did want to cry. The beef was so sad: a grey, stringy, tangled mess. It was not sizzling. I don't think it had ever been sizzling. The hot sauce was like a tamarind syrup. The pork, though tough and anemic, was probably the most edible of the meats, but some limp basil and a chopped chilli does not a Thai fry make. The rice was fine: it was rice. The accompanying chicken was predictably overcooked. Bizarrely, large, unseasoned chunks of incongruous veg (broccoli, cauliflower and courgette) accompanied the rice. We paid the bill (service automatically included) and left, our curiosity being the only thing satisfied. For what it's worth, my partner quite liked the veg.

Food was below average and highly overpriced. Only the Murphy chicken and Thai fish cakes starters were good, the main stir fried beef dish was grey and watery, didn’t look or taste great and the prawn pad Thai was bland and sticky. The noodles were under seasoned while the prawns were too salty and didn’t taste fresh. There was also a lingering musty odour from the containers - as if they’d been stored in a damp place. It was unpleasant and I won’t be ordering from them again.

Only doing takeaways currently. Shame 'cos the food and atmosphere are great (I've dined in, in better times). By takeaway standards, their food is magnificent, it's just the presentation at home doesn't match theirs. I'm happy with that while I wait for them to reopen for dine-in.

Have ordered food on-line a couple of times. Food has been really good. I ordered tonight on line and totally messed up the order. I had to call them to sort it. They couldn’t have been more helpful. Nothing was too much trouble, really appreciated it and will make sure i add a top next time.

Great food and with 50% off this month, means it taste all that much sweeter

The place has the look of a cheap Thai restaurant with the chinsy decor which gives you hope that it might be an authentic gem. Saddly it isn't. The food is ok at best, mostly tasting like that slightly synthetic Chinese takeaway flavour. The thai currys did at least have a nice aromatic flavour which had more authenticity. Visited during the pandemic so service was a little slow and maybe the kitchen was stretched so maybe visit when the world is over this thing

Great value Thai. Often busy in the restaurant and the take away is popular too. An mix of standard British furniture and Thai decoration make for an interesting ambience but who cares?! Food is usually pretty good and the staff work hard. Also good for groups.

Went to this restaurant tonight for the first time. Was initially rudely greeted and gestured towards a table. It took 25mins to even take an order, it then took a further 40mins to get the first course after numerous prompts!We weren't the only ones, the other 4 tables were also growing extremely impatient. The problem seemed to be the takeaway side of the business and they took priority over the in-house diners! When the food finally arrived it really wasn't worth the wait. Chicken curry turned up with two whole thighs with anaemic gelatinous rubbery skin and a grey tint!Even the bill took 15mins to arrive.Avoid this place like the plague.

The food was good if a little over priced, however the service was awful. We had a 40 minute wait between the starter and main course and the waitress did her best to avoid eye contact throughout. When we complained afterwards she was utterly disinterested and refused to reduce the hefty bill despite admitting that they had been focused more on sending out take aways.

I like going out for Thai food and accept that not all restaurants can be amazing; reasonably priced and mediocre can be fine. Yesterday I tried Laicram for the first time and began with the special mixed starter, that turned out to be a plate of tasteless and overly fried hard vegetables, which we mostly left; the following curries and rice were serviceable, though the beef was like eating tough leather. This could all be accepted if the price reflected the cheap quality, but the bill was equivalent or higher than far better places in central London!