Looking for Bangkok street food in the streets of London? Look no further than Pitaya, nestled in the heart of London on The Strand. The perfect pit-stop to grab some food before you hit the theatre district or when you’re out and about with friends or loved ones. 

Pitaya is all about giving you the Bangkok experience. When you enter you are greeted with a zebra crossing and their very own yellow tuk-tuk, this isn’t just for show, you can actually nab yourself a seat inside where you can tuck into your meal whilst soaking up the atmosphere (some may say it’s the best seat in the house)…

You will find wooden tables and seats to replicate what you would find in the streets of Bangkok, accompanied by chopsticks and napkins in the middle. Neon signs and street signs adorn the restaurant walls along with low hanging lampshades. Their traditionally trained chefs are situated on the ground floor, by the seating area, sizzling up rice and noodle dishes in a wok, over an open fire.

We ordered at the till and took our seats downstairs, I ordered the Beef Loc Lac. The Wok-fried sliced beef paired beautifully with the sautéed rice with tomatoes, which was very flavoursome, complementing the juicy beef strips. The mix of fresh vegetables perfectly laid on top also went down nicely, My dining partner had the yellow curry, she was equally as impressed with the taste and authenticity of the dish.

The menu comprises of rice and noodle-based dishes, with both meat and veggie options, you can also add extra vegetables, protein, carbs, sauces and toppings so you can create the perfect dish for your tastebuds to enjoy.

The dishes are generous so it took us a while to peruse the dessert menu. Desserts include passion fruit cheesecake verrine and a selection of sorbets and ice-creams including dragon fruit, Bulgarian yoghurt and lemon basil. You will also find a selection of Macarons with interesting flavour combinations including mango sticky rice, jasmine and lemongrass. The staff were top-notch, friendly and welcoming, we shall certainly be back for another bowl of Pitaya goodness! 

For more info. visit: http://www.pitaya.uk

Address: 419-420 The Strand, Covent Garden, London, WC2R 0PS

Written by Nyla S.