Christoff.ai

Kiln

restaurants•
London
London

Kiln

58 Brewer Street, London W1F 9TL, United Kingdom

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Christoff

Christoff's Take

Insider review

Tucked into Brewer Street, Kiln isn't just another Thai restaurant—it's a theatrical dining experience where chefs work over live charcoal while you watch from counter seats. This walk-ins-only spot earned Time Out's #1 London ranking in 2017 and National Restaurant of Year 2018, but be prepared for queues and intimate quarters.

Kiln: Soho's Award-Winning Thai Fire Show

Where live charcoal meets northern-Thai authenticity in cramped, brilliant chaos

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

Kiln operates with the energy of a bustling Bangkok street kitchen transplanted into Soho's heart. The venue scores a solid 7.8 for energy level, creating a lively atmosphere centered around the live-fire cooking spectacle. Counter dining puts you front-row to watch chefs work their magic over glowing charcoal, while the basement offers a more intimate setting with bookable tables for up to six people. The space embraces its cramped nature—this isn't somewhere you'll spread out comfortably, but the intimate seating adds to the authentic street-food vibe. With a uniqueness score of 8.5, Kiln delivers something genuinely different from typical London dining. The basement vibes mentioned in the tags suggest a cozy, underground feel that contrasts nicely with the ground-floor counter's theatrical energy. It's sophisticated enough (6.5 rating) without being stuffy, striking that perfect balance between authentic and polished.

Food & Drink

The menu showcases fiery northern-Thai barbecue with standout dishes like clay-pot glass noodles with Tamworth pork and crab, aged lamb cumin skewers, wild ginger beef neck curry, and venison laap. What sets Kiln apart is their commitment to UK-sourced ingredients—Cornish seafood and British meats get the authentic Thai treatment. Daily-changing small plates keep things fresh, with vegetarian and gluten-free options ensuring broader appeal. The sharing plates concept means dishes arrive as they're ready, creating a choose-your-own-adventure dining experience. European wines and fermented cocktails complement the bold, spicy flavors rather than competing with them. The kitchen's exceptional spice balance earned critical acclaim, delivering authentic heat without overwhelming palates. Don't expect desserts—the menu focuses entirely on savory dishes. The live charcoal cooking isn't just theater; it imparts genuine smoky depth that elevates each dish beyond typical Thai restaurant offerings.

Service & Experience

Service here is described as warm and brisk, reflecting the fast-paced nature of counter dining and the walk-ins-only policy. The staff navigate the cramped quarters efficiently while maintaining the energy that contributes to Kiln's 7.0 conversation-friendly score. Given the sharing plates format where dishes arrive as ready, servers need to coordinate timing across multiple orders—something they apparently handle well given the venue's accolades. The walk-ins-only ground floor creates a more casual service dynamic, while the basement's bookable tables likely offer slightly more traditional table service. With a flexibility score of just 3.5, don't expect much accommodation for special requests or timing preferences—you're very much working within their established system.

Value for Money

With a price level of 2 out of 4, Kiln sits in the moderate range, but the value proposition clearly resonates given their award recognition specifically for exceptional value. The combination of high-quality UK-sourced ingredients, authentic preparation methods, and award-winning execution justifies the Soho pricing. Small plates and sharing format means you can control spending somewhat, though costs can add up if you're particularly hungry. The live-fire cooking experience, theatrical element, and genuine authenticity provide value beyond just the food itself. European wines and fermented cocktails add to the bill but complement the experience well. Given the venue's Time Out #1 ranking and National Restaurant of Year recognition, you're paying for proven quality rather than just location convenience.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Queue early at 11:45am for lunch or 5pm for dinner, as there are no second chances once seats fill up. The venue operates Monday-Saturday 12pm-11pm and Sunday 12pm-9pm. Note they're temporarily closed January 6-21, 2025 for refurbishment, reopening January 22nd. Avoid peak weekend evenings unless you're prepared for significant waits.

What to Focus On

Don't miss the signature clay-pot glass noodles with Tamworth pork and crab, or the aged lamb cumin skewers. The wild ginger beef neck curry and venison laap showcase their northern-Thai expertise. Since it's sharing plates that arrive as ready, order multiple dishes to experience the range. Pair with their European wines or fermented cocktails rather than traditional Thai beverages.

Christoff's Insider Tips

The basement tables can be booked for groups up to 6 via their website, avoiding the ground-floor queue entirely. Check their Instagram @kilnsoho for daily specials since the menu changes regularly. Remember there are no desserts offered, so plan accordingly if you're expecting a full meal progression.

The Final Verdict

Kiln delivers exactly what it promises: authentic northern-Thai barbecue with genuine theater and exceptional spice balance. The cramped quarters and queue-heavy walk-in policy aren't bugs—they're features that maintain the authentic street-food energy. While the 3.5 flexibility score means you're playing by their rules entirely, the 8.5 uniqueness rating and proven track record of awards justify the effort. The live charcoal cooking provides both spectacle and genuine flavor enhancement, while the UK-sourced ingredients show thoughtful adaptation rather than lazy substitution. Yes, you'll wait, yes, you'll be cramped, but you'll also understand why this tiny Soho spot earned national recognition.

Christoff's Rating:
8.2/10

Perfect For:

authentic Thai food enthusiastscounter dining and live cooking fansaward-chasing food tourists

Quick Details

1

Kiln

⭐️ Live cooking
🇹🇭 Northern thai
⭐️ Award winning
⭐️ Counter dining

The live charcoal cooking creates an almost primal dining experience - you smell the smoke before you see the flames. This counter-only setup puts you ringside for northern Thai barbecue theater, watching chefs work clay-pot glass noodles with Tamworth pork and crab alongside aged lamb cumin skewers. The choose-your-own-adventure approach to sharing plates means dishes arrive as they're ready, creating a wonderfully chaotic rhythm. Time Out's #1 London restaurant in 2017 and National Restaurant of Year 2018 winner, this place understands that exceptional spice balance and value matter more than comfort. The cramped seating is part of the charm - you're here for the food, not the space.

What's Great

✓ Award-winning northern Thai barbecue with exceptional live charcoal cooking

✓ Time Out #1 London 2017 winner with outstanding value for quality

Keep in Mind

× Cramped seating and long queues expected with walk-ins only policy

Christoff

Christoff's Tip:

Queue early at 11:45am for lunch or 5pm for dinner - no second chances once seats fill up

Vibe check scores

Trendiness
Sophistication
Noise Level
Uniqueness

Venue details

🕐"Mon-Sat: 12pm-11pm, Sun: 12pm-9pm"
📍58 Brewer Street, London W1F 9TL, United Kingdom
💷£££
🌐Website

Featured In My Guides

Kiln has been featured in 1 of my curated guides. Here's where you can find more context and discover similar spots.

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