Thai Cafe Makes Thai Food Sexy Again [Review]
I am beyond obsessed with Thai cuisine! Now, don’t hate me for saying this but I love it more than the traditional South African braai (gasp!) There’s just something about the juxtaposition of the sweet, sour, hot and salty flavours in Thai food that makes my tastebuds do a little jig. Alas, Thai food can be a smidge expensive, especially if you’re enjoying it at places like Simply Asia, leaving you apologising to your wallet for days afterwards. Luckily for me, I’ve found a new Thai joint with delicious menu offerings at more wallet-friendly prices (hooray!) So, if you love Thai food as much as I do then listen up because you’re going to want to give the incredible Thai Café a try!
With branches in Cape Town and Johannesburg, Thai Cafe is your go-to Thai eatery for sit-down or takeaway Thai eats. I love the modern and playful design of their dining areas and the fact that the vibe is warm and inviting. It’s the ideal spot for a laid-back lunch or an easy bite with friends on a weekday evening and you’ll love the fact that you can pop-in for a quick bite or linger longer for a chat and a three-course meal.
Speaking of the food; it’s divine! I got the chance to sample quite a few dishes from their menu and all I can say is; “Yes, yes NBS!” My dining buddy and I started our foodie adventure with a Thai Cafe starter platter for two (2 veggie spring rolls, 2 chicken satay, 2 wontons, and 2 curry puffs served with a fabulous peanut sauce and sweet chilli sauce – 76). The peanut sauce that comes with this platter is the absolute business and when paired with the wontons it’s a winner of note. The starter platter is a great way to stop your tummy from grumbling before your main meal and is the perfect thing to share with a special friend or loved one.
Because I never turn down the opportunity to enjoy a delicious bowl of soup I decided to have a soup course of Tom Yum Gai Soup (hot and sour chicken soup with vegetables, coriander and lime leaves – R42) before tucking into my main. I’m not even ashamed because the soup was fabulous. If you’re a fan of Thai soups then this soup is a must-try. It’s also packed with chicken so it makes for a great light meal over lunch.
Once I’d gobbled up all my soup it was time for the main attraction – Sweet and Sour Crispy Duck with rice noodles (half a deboned duck on a bed of fresh vegetables in a special oyster sauce with mushrooms, chilli, garlic and herbs – R100). Oh, what an experience this dish was! Because we’d stuffed our faces with all sorts of other delights, my dining buddy and I shared this dish and still couldn’t manage to finish it! The portion sizes at Thai Cafe are quite generous and I would say that 2 ladies could quite easily share a mains on the menu for dinner or lunch (seriously, go hungry!)
Thai Cafe can be found in Greenside, Cradleston and Crawford Johannesburg and in Hout Bay, Steenberg, Sea Point, Claremont, Rondebosch, and Stellenbosch in Cape Town and greater Western Cape. For more information visit the Thai Cafe website.
