A Notting Hill and Kensington favourite, the Churchill Arms is arguably one of the loveliest pubs in town - dazzling flowers spilling from windows and hanging baskets and a proper conviviality (no music, no big TVs) and the sweet, sweet sound of good times emanating from the bustling and cosy interior.

Back-of-house Surprise

You'll find more than properly pulled pints here though - at the back of the pub lies one of London's best Thai kitchens. Taking advantage of the newfound British interest in Thai food - all the texture and lightness of East Asian cuisine with the heavy-hitting flavours of South Asian cooking - pubs up and down the country have started serving Thai food on their menus, to resounding success. This was one of the originals.

Flowering Foliage

The dining room looks like it could have been pulled from the mind of Livingstone or Darwin - ferns, tropical plants and flowers adorn the walls and corners, while delightfully ageing photo frames display everything from old postcards of Thailand to glittering cases of tropical butterflies. Tables are packed tightly together and turnover is high, but the food is very good - rich, flavoursome curries and zesty, moreish noodle dishes, cooking is homestyle, simple and straightforward but all the more delicious for it.

This is South-East Asian cuisine as it was intended. Portions are huge and at £7 a dish, it's feasible to get a pint and dinner for a smidgeon over ten pounds. The kitchen gets very busy in the evenings though, so book ahead if you don't fancy waiting around.

Opening Times

Monday - Saturday: 12:00 - 22:00

Sunday: 12:00 - 21:30