Buddha Belly Thai Leigh — Restaurant in Great Britain

Update - Went to the restaurant again yesterday (8/10/25) Got a very warm welcome once again from Khun Pla, who gave us an amazing experience on our first visit. Shout-out again (and again!) to Khun Pla for being so helpful and friendly as always, she really sets the bar high for great customer service! The food was, as always, delicious and consistently maintained its high standard. It was our fourth time here and we’ll definitely be back again soon! It was our second time visiting Buddha Belly Thai in Leigh-on-Sea. As a Thai person, I really appreciate the authenticity of the food here the flavours are brilliant, and I didn’t regret coming back.

However, this second visit was let down by the service, which didn’t compare to the excellent experience we had the first time. Although we had booked in advance, our reserved table was taken, and the young staff (apart from the English boys) asked if we wanted to sit in the garden instead. Once seated outside, it felt as though we had been forgotten. No one came to check on us for quite a while, and when menus were given, they were simply placed on the table without even asking if we would like to start with drinks.

During our first visit, the service likely from the owners was outstanding and made the whole experience memorable. This time, unfortunately, the customer service felt more like a 2/10, while the food itself remained a perfect 10/10 for authentic...

I’ve only been here twice. Once for lunch with a friend, which was pretty good. Hence I decided to return for a Friday evening. It turned into a bit of a disaster. Our mains arrived before our starters (despite us asking to have them separately), which they corrected, and then I was given the incorrect main course (and what they gave me had no sides, so I then had to wait for rice/egg to be cooked). The waitress advised they would not charge extra for the sides (as these would have been included in the original dish I ordered), but when we got the bill, they HAD charged us! However, the main issue with this restaurant was the atmosphere. Let’s just say that several men in the restaurant were a bit over familiar with the staff and ordering shots like they owned the place. I found it noisy and aggressive in there, as if something was about to kick off. I don’t think I’ll be back, at least not in the evening,...

Absolutely love Buddha Belly! The food is consistently delicious, packed with flavour, fresh ingredients, and so beautifully presented. You can really tell how much care goes into every dish.

The staff are amazing, so friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. It’s always such a nice atmosphere, whether you're popping in for a quick bite or having a full sit-down meal.

The decor is stunning, with a modern yet cozy vibe that makes you feel instantly relaxed. And don’t miss the outdoor garden in the summer, it’s such a lovely hidden spot to enjoy your food and soak up some sun.

One of my absolute favourite places to eat in Southend....