Papaya Tree — Restaurant in London

My wife and I were just looking for a good and tasty place to dine while in Kensington, we walked and walked... Past several restaurants but kept walking just letting the wind to guide us... Then we saw it there.. it was so tiny, only a small door that guided us to a basement, our first instinct was to not enter but I remember someone once told me that the best and most authentic ethnic restaurants are those small ones, family owned and attended by their owners... So we went in... Small but very cozy, its atmosphere was a reflect of Thailand .... We felt welcomed, the lady was so nice that I felt it like an aunt part of my family, even though we are from Latin America..... We started with this marvelous, delicious, amazing tasty coconut soup with mushrooms and lemongrass that made us wonder if we should just order a bigger bowl. But decided to just keep trying other dishes.. then an ultimate pad Thai, 1000 times better than any pad Thai we have tried before and wrapped with a delicious omelette... To die for. I had this noodles with spicy chicken that left me looking for more after all I had eaten.... We promised to be back the next day and believe me we wanted so but a bad information given to us by a nightly bus tour we had bought , did not left any time in the night. Now we wonder when will we be back cause we are leaving the next day. Please , if in London, don't miss it... You will not regret it... This is just a regular couple from America, having four days in London that happened to be lucky enough to find this wonderful tiny, marvelous thai restaurant while there. Just be kind enough to tell the lady there that we are so sorry that we couldn't make it. Another time for sure will be. Give them our love and gratitude for being so special and to let us remember why immigrants are always a blessing to...

Given the scarcity of good Thai restaurants in Kensington I was eager to try the Papaya Tree, and it did not disappoint in the slightest.

The menu offered a various selection of very good-looking dishes -- commonplace Thai foods as well as regional specialities from different parts of Thailand. The fresh trout looked very appetizing but this being my first visit, I wanted to compare with what I knew so ordered more standard fare: the pad Thai with prawns and also a green curry with chicken.

Made with very fresh ingredients, the pad Thai was tasty, offering multiple levels of flavor in a stir fry that was neither oily nor greasy, as so many badly done versions of this dish can be. The prawns were meaty and also tasted very fresh.

Moving on to the green curry, I would say it is not the best that I have ever eaten but a very good attempt. As with the pad Thai, the curry was made with very fresh ingredients allowing the complexity of flavours to shine through. Topped with generous pieces of chicken plus very fresh green beans, bamboo shoots and peppers, the taste was good. The sauce I thought a little bland and compensating with extra spices, but overall it was a very good dish.

The owners have done a nice job creating a contemporary restaurant with classic Thai touches in a basement setting. Because it is downstairs there are no windows but good attention to the lighting, and a quiet, jazzy soundtrack creates an intimate yet comfortable space. It would be a nice place to take a date.

I give it a very solid four stars and will definitely be coming back again to try some of the other delicious looking items...

Papaya Tree on High Street Kensington has been one of my favorite go-to spots for the past 4-5 years, and it never disappoints. It’s become a family staple, especially since my kids absolutely adore their Pad Thai and fried rice—both perfectly cooked and packed with flavor. If you are looking for something for your kids “Moo Ping” is something should order with sticky rice. It’s perfect combination that all young kid would love.

As for me, I can’t get enough of their chicken rice and shu mai. The chicken rice is consistently tender and flavorful, while the shu mai are perfectly steamed and always hit the spot. Their fresh spring rolls have also become a regular order for us—light, refreshing, and bursting with fresh ingredients. More suggested menu that I 💕 Tiger Cry Som Tum = Papaya salad Sticky rice These 3 menus should order as combo! They are perfect to eat together.

What truly sets Papaya Tree apart is the warmth and friendliness of their staff. They always make us feel welcome, which adds a personal touch to every visit.

If you’re in the area and craving delicious Thai food, Papaya Tree is a must-visit. It’s a gem that combines amazing dishes with exceptional service, and it’s been a delight to keep coming back...