The Begging Bowl in Peckham is a bright, inviting spot serving creative Thai dishes that draw in locals eager to savor its standout sea bass and flavorful curries.
"There’s a lot to like about The Begging Bowl, not least that this Thai restaurant on a village-y stretch in Peckham is the kind of spot we daydream about having around the corner. The conservatory setting means light floods in at early evening, and hands brush over candlelit miang kham come nighttime. There’s some great cooking on show here—like gai tod, crispy fried chicken with a lip-smacking tamarind sauce, and gorgeously tender gaeng bumbai (beef curry). Just know it holds back a little on sour whacks and searing hits of chilli compared to some of London’s other Thai spots." - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing, rianne shlebak, sinead cranna, daisy meager, riaz phillips
"The Begging Bowl isn’t just the best Thai restaurant in Peckham, it’s one of the best Thai restaurants in London. Head chef Jane Alty is the woman behind their menu of charcoal-grilled celeriac, garee braised beef curry, and spiced nut larb. It’s a relaxed neighbourhood spot that’s perfect for a big, group sharing situation. Make sure you get involved in the whole deep-fried sea bass with kohlrabi, roasted rice, and plenty of chilli." - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing, rianne shlebak, sinead cranna
"The Begging Bowl is a relaxed neighbourhood restaurant that just happens to have fantastic Thai food. This Peckham go-to is one of the best in London, and it helps that the staff are friendly and helpful with guiding you through the menu of sharing plates. Comforting Thai dishes like gaeng bumbai, a curry with beef so tender that you poke at it with your fork and pink strands will pull away, or deep-fried gai tod make this a memorable meal." - heidi lauth beasley, rianne shlebak, sinead cranna
"There’s a lot to like about The Begging Bowl, not least that this Thai restaurant on a village-y stretch in Peckham is the kind of spot we daydream about having around the corner. The conservatory setting means light floods in at early evening, and hands brush over candlelit miang kham come nighttime. But if you’re a fan of sour whacks and searing hits of chilli then The Begging Bowl might underdeliver a little. There’s great cooking on show here—like gai tod, crispy fried chicken with a lip-smacking tamarind sauce, and gorgeously tender gaeng bumbai (beef curry). It's just that things tend to sing from the same hymn sheet. Some canoodling dates might be relieved that there isn’t an assault of chilli, but London has some outstanding Thai restaurants and the ingredients at The Begging Bowl can certainly do more. Even so, the neighbourly service and vegetarian-friendly menu make it a reliable casual dinner option. Food Rundown Gai Tod These gold pieces of fried chicken are light in batter and topped with a handful of deep-fried onions. The meat is juicy to the bite and the tamarind sauce has a tart sourness to it. A little injection of heat would be welcome, though. video credit: Jake Missing Gaeng Bumbai The beef in this curry is undeniably tender. Poke at it with your fork and pink strands will pull away. Equally, the nutty brown sauce, with slices of carosello cucumber, is creamy and moreish with a polite tingle on the back of your throat. If anything, it’s a little too heavy on the coconut cream." - Jake Missing
"What happens when you combine a relaxed Peckham neighbourhood restaurant with some of the best Thai food in London? The Begging Bowl, that’s what. This place is all about modern takes on Thai classics involving everything from fermented yellow beans with stir-fried hispi cabbage to the ultimate zing factor of combining rhubarb and green mango with cured cod. Expect upbeat service that will help you make the crucial decision between a deep-fried whole sea bass and the chilli beef rump. Or just bring a group so you can try as much of the menu as possible. " - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing
