Thai Lounge Restaurant and Bar - Huntingdon

'Huntingdon's Thai Lounge Restaurant and Bar offers a truly authentic Thai experience that stands out amongst the region's Thai restaurants'

Tucked away outside the busy ring-road, but still only a short walk from the centre of town, Huntingdon's Thai Lounge Restaurant and Bar offers a truly authentic Thai experience that stands out amongst the region's Thai restaurants, and that is well worth the journey if coming from farther a field.

Despite its substantial size, the venue offers an intimate setting, with the restaurant divided into several low-lit and exquisitely decorated areas, the walls adorned with complicated wooden carvings, highlighted by candles, and with delicate incense adding to the ambience. The attention to detail is brilliant, and adds to the authenticity of the experience. Offering take away as well as restaurant service, the venue benefits from a quiet, comfortable seating area, where you are welcomed on arrival and where you can enjoy complementary appetisers whilst studying the extensive and intriguing menu.

The à la carte menu offers an impressive, if a little daunting, assortment of traditional Thai dishes that will take some time to read in full - you may even want to arrive early to ensure you have enough time to study each and every dish, as well as enjoy more of the lightly spiced, Thai-style prawn crackers and chilli oil dip that are served as you read! Fortunately, the unfamiliar Thai headings are supported by an explanation of the dish, and the beaming Thai staff are well versed and happy to explain any of dishes or ingredients.

You can choose between highly spiced seafood, duck and vegetable salads; traditional soups served in large bowls to be shared between two; better-known Thai curry dishes such as green and red curry; and stir-fried and wok-sautéed chicken, duck, beef and lamb dishes; all of which are cooked with a mixture of fresh ingredients from sweet basil to tamarind juice and rice wine. It's worth ordering a few dishes to share so as to avoid any envy, as you'll want to try as much as you can.

The restaurant specialises in seafood, and features more unusual 'Hoy Shell', or scallop dishes, which arrive sizzling on their plate, dressed in Thai herbs. Each dish, although not excessive in quantity, offers beautiful flavouring, and the freshness of the food is confirmed as it arrives only moments after placing your order.

The menu is complemented by an international wine and beer list - the authentic Thai Singha beer provides a welcome respite from the intense heat of some of the food!

The food is of impressive value given the variety and quality and, although the menu is the same at all times of day, the Thai Lounge hosts a Banquet night on Tuesday evenings, where you can enjoy three choices from the à la carte menu for a set price. Just make sure you remember to bring cash, as without it you will be paying the usual price!

The Thai Lounge offers a unique evening in an enchanting restaurant, and the food, ambience and staff are all faithful to their tradition. It's an unexpected piece of Thailand on our doorstep, and one that is well worth visiting.


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