Russell's Thai Tapas — Restaurant in Great Britain

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An exceptional Thai dining experience in the heart of Chester.

We visited The Russell's Thai Tapas for lunch and chose the lunchtime special, which offers a starter, two main dishes, and a choice of rice or noodles. Not only is this great value, but the quality of the food was genuinely outstanding far beyond what you’d normally expect from a set menu.

Every dish was freshly prepared, bursting with authentic Thai flavour, and beautifully presented. The starter was light and flavourful, while the mains were a perfect balance of savoury, sweet, and spice. The ingredients tasted fresh and well-sourced, and the portions were generous without being over the top. We were especially impressed by how quickly everything arrived, yet nothing felt rushed or pre-prepared.

The service was fantastic welcoming, efficient, and genuinely friendly. The staff took time to explain the menu and made sure everything was to our satisfaction without hovering. The restaurant itself is clean, modern, and stylish, with a relaxed, intimate feel that makes it perfect for a casual lunch or a special occasion.

This was one of the best Thai meals we've had in the UK, and it’s clear the team at The Russell Thai Tapas care deeply about quality and customer experience. We’ll absolutely be returning, highly recommended for anyone looking for excellent Thai food.

Please note that the venue is small, so if youre visiting during peak hours, you may want to...

Phenomenally disappointing. Giving them the benefit of the doubt for the fact that it was a Saturday night but it took 45 minutes to get our drinks after ordering and almost 90 minutes to get our food. Other tables in that time received drinks so it was clear they'd forgotten to place our order even; we tried to get their attention during this time and even though wait staff saw us calling them over, we had to leave the table twice to enquire how long the wait would be. 4 times we asked for tap water, even had our glasses taken away and only received it at the end of our meal.

Even though it's tapas style so small plates are expected, two very thin, very fatty lamb chops (maybe two bites per lamb chop) for £12 50 is excessive and most of the food was overcooked and luke warm.

Their excuses ranged from having a large table upstairs to being new and not having their organisation sorted out yet but most of the time there were two wait staff at the bar not doing anything.

Tables are also crammed in too tightly.

They gave us a 10% discount and the 2 drinks for free after we told them what a bad...

A poem for Russels Thai tapas

In Chester’s heart where cobbles wind, We found a place, a peace of mind— Russell’s Thai, a glowing spark, Lit like lanterns in the dark.

Palm welcomed us with gentle grace, A kind and calm, familiar face. And Archie, with a knowing smile, Led us through each dish in style.

The lamb massaman—tender, deep, A stew of dreams we’d longed to keep. Then came the salmon, bright and bold, Archie’s pick, a tale retold.

Bao buns soft as clouds at dusk, Beef stir-fried in spice and musk. Sea bass sour, spiced just right, Each bite a spark, a soft delight.

We ate, we laughed, the hours flew, Bathed in warmth we somehow knew— Like kitchens from our younger days, Like safe old songs and firelight’s blaze.

It wasn’t just the food, you see, But how they made us feel so free. A kind of care you rarely find— Both belly-fed and soul-aligned.

So here’s to Russell’s, kind and true, To Palm and Archie—thank you too. For dishes rich, for hearts made wide, For bringing back that...