Staines Food Court — Restaurant in Borough of Spelthorne

During a recent stroll along Staines High Street, I stumbled upon the Staines Food Court, a modern yet dimly lit space that vaguely resembles the vibrant night markets of Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand. This food court features a central dining area surrounded by kiosks offering a variety of Asian cuisines, including Chinese, Thai, Malaysian, Korean, and Japanese dishes.

While the ambiance aims for a contemporary vibe, it feels more gloomy than inviting, reminiscent of a Southeast Asian market with its low lighting. However, the most surprising aspect of my visit was the pricing. The concept of street food, typically characterized by its affordability, seems to have undergone a transformation here. What should be budget-friendly options now come with a price tag that is ten times higher than their counterparts in Asia, often exceeding even that of regular restaurants in the area.

If you’re reminiscing about your backpacking adventures from last year and long to relive those culinary memories, the Staines Food Court might be an acceptable choice for a brief nostalgia trip. Moreover, the food court’s layout allows groups with varied tastes to order from different stalls, catering to everyone's preferences.

However, the steep prices certainly detract from the overall experience. Another significant downside is the open kitchen concept, which allows patrons to observe the food preparation process. Unfortunately, I noticed that most chefs were not wearing hairnets or gloves, raising hygiene concerns. In one instance, I witnessed a chef handling cash and then proceeding directly to prepare food without washing their hands. The greasy woks and the unkempt kitchen environment were concerning and could deter health-conscious diners.

In summary, while Staines Food Court offers a range of Asian cuisines and caters to diverse palates, the elevated prices and questionable hygiene practices leave much...

Staines Food Court is, unfortunately, more of an eyesore than a welcoming place to eat. The overall hygiene and maintenance are shockingly poor. The floors were filthy, and the toilets were in an unacceptable condition. Urine was visible on the floor, and the doors were covered in graffiti and grime. The foul smell made it difficult to stay inside for more than a moment.

To add to the unpleasant experience, there was mold growing in one corner of the food hall, something that should never be overlooked in a public space. There was also a random M&S trolley abandoned in another corner, which made the place feel more like a back alley than a food court. It is baffling how little attention is paid to basic cleanliness and upkeep. With a little care, these issues could easily be prevented.

Despite the poor environment, the food court does offer a variety of decent restaurants. Places like Onde Onde, which serves halal Malaysian cuisine, Duck King, Eat Japan, Tea Me, Taste of Sichuan, Chicken Chi King, Dim Sum Jun and a bar are available. I have personally tried Onde Onde and Eat Japan, and the food has always been enjoyable, flavourful, fresh and reasonably priced.

However, the quality of food alone is not enough to excuse the disgraceful state of the premises. This food court could be a popular destination if it were kept clean and presentable. Until then, it remains a place people visit reluctantly, saved only by a few reliable eateries.

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Went to Staines food court for the first time. I was excited for Bubble Tea so went to TEA ME first to try it. I was surprised they did not put any ice in the tea, the taste was very mild and honestly I’ve had better Bubble tea than what they served me that day. Because there wasn’t any ice in my order, the tea turned luke warm quickly and wasn’t as enjoyable to drink had there been ice in it. Next I was excited to try Korean fried chicken from Chicken ChicKing, that was a disappointment. The fried chicken I had looked and tasted like they were refried plenty of times. It was a shame as the portion size is good enough for 2 people, sadly it was not all eaten. The only saving grace of my meal there was Dim Sum Inn, I can recommend that one as their Siu Mai, although only 3 pcs per serving is quite chunky in size. I’ve tried many types of Siu Mai/Siomai from different restaurants and their ones are one of the best. There are still a few stalls I have not tried and I think it’s worth going back to try them. The place is clean, you can park around the corner where people park at Elmsleigh...