Thai Orchid — Restaurant in Exeter

I really don't understand the previous reviews of this restaurant. Totally overrated! This restaurant is basically just an upscale version of street food in Thailand with a ridiculous price compared to the portions of food you get.

My husband and I have been to Thailand and also been to Thai restaurants in different countries and they have all been of various quality, but this place is by far the lowest.

First, the confusing menu that you have to order either 1,2 or 3 courses and the combos are all set with fixed price. This means you are tied into a minimum of over £20 for each diner. There is individual price for each dish. So if you order something out of the combo, you have to pay for the individual extra dish (of which the price will be confirmed only after you make the order). It is a scam designed to get more money out of you. No individual priced dishes. When we asked how much for an extra appetizer rather than a combo we were told they would have to check on a price. As though it was abnormal to order a la carte appetizers. Completely ridiculous.

Second, the portion/size of the dish is significantly small for the price. Please look at the photos and see our main dishes are just as small as the size of my fist.

Third, the accuracy of the dish described in the menu is not what you will receive. We ordered a side dish of stir fry 'mixed' vegetable but what we got is cabbage instead, the cheapest possible kind of veggies!

Fourth, and most importantly, the dining experience. We were there upon arrival. The restaurant is small but has two floors and enough space to ensure an intimate dining experience. However, we were told to sit in the middle of the restaurant at a table for two. Us being the only customers.

Shortly after sitting, another couple arrived and rather than spread people out so we could enjoy some quiet and privacy, they were seated right next to us. At a table 30cm from ours. Regardless of the fact the rest of the restaurant was empty.

Then, a few minutes later, a larger group arrived, and again, rather than spread out customers, they were seated immediately on our other side. So, in a restaurant with two levels and at least 20 tables they sat the only three tables, two couples and a group of four, all next to each other. We were surrounded on both sides with people 30cm from either side of us. Lovely people, but we all would have enjoyed a little privacy. Why they felt the need to cram the only three tables into exactly the same space and not utilising the space is beyond us. We felt like cattle being herded into a chute for a feed.

All in all, there is no way we will come back to this place again. If you fancy a Thai meal, go up the road 3 minutes to Rosa’s. A modern spacious environment that will perhaps be a much...

Went there on Wednesday and the restaurant was very busy. I have asked at the door if they can arrange a table for 4 and the gent said he would need few mins to look and would be back. About 5 mins after us another group arrived asking for table. We have waited another 15 mins and the group arrived after us got seated. Due to covid measures I just didnt want to walk in but after waiting 25 mins outside with 2 young children i walked in and asked when few mins will end and when will I know whether there is a table available or not and why the group arrived after us got seated and we were just forgotten? The gent was very apologetic but after all I Waited 25 mins outside waiting to see if a table is available and just a simple apology is just not good enough. If you are asking a customer to wait for few mins then you need to remember no matter how busy you are or maybe hospitality is not for you. Very disappointed needless to say. Also when I walked in to ask I see that all tables were very close to each other with no social distancing measures in place what so ever. There were few clear screens but not sure if they would actually do anything, last time I checked viruses are able to travel over screens :-) Just extremely bad customer service, would...

This was the best meal my boyfriend and i have had in ages by far! We had the spring rolls, chicken pad thai, the rad na gai and the banana fritters with vanilla ice cream. i was blown away by the flavours, it was the best pad thai i’ve ever had in my life. the spring rolls were amazing and the rad na gai reminded me of a soup i had as a child that i’ve never had since and it was absolutely amazing. as for the banana fritters… where do i start? this is now in my top 5 favourite desserts i have ever had. i will think of this meal every day. the service was also so incredibly attentive and i felt so calm and at home in this restaurant. the staff were absolutely wonderful and you can tell they have a true passion for what they do. they even gave us little chocolates at the end of our meal! i wish this restaurant was in london so i could come every week, but whenever i am in exeter i will come out of my way to go here, it is the best. this is a very lengthy review but i just loved this meal, the restaurant and the staff. thank you so...