Papaya - Thai Cafe And Noodle Bar in Brighton and Hove

Upon walking in, the waitress was incredibly kind and served us so nicely. When the food was ready, there wasn’t any napkins or knifes and forks as we were getting a takeout. We then asked the other waitress if we could please get napkins and knifes and forks. By this point she was talking with her friends and had been from The time we walked in. She then gave us a cold look and seemed really annoyed that we asked her something while she was talking with her friends. She then replied and said ‘ we just got chopsticks ‘ . The food portions are incredibly small and the taste was quite bland. For a restaurant it seemed a little weird that they only had chopsticks as we don’t know How to eat with chopsticks and I’m sure not everyone does either so we struggled to eat our food. Will not be going back.

The best dumplings in town! Thank you for a wonderful experience, I had a take away however, the service and welcome from the staff was out of this world. I’m new to the area I will be back soon!

I hate doing a bad review, but it was disappointing and very very bland. The only decent dish we got was pad Thai. Won’t be going back again. We had a takeaway. Wish I’d have cooked myself and saved the £50 it cost. Sorry 😞

Stumbled upon this cute restaurant and honestly amazing Thai food. The dimsum, panang curry and Pad Thai was very tasty, the staff were friendly and felt like home.

Very lovely food and amazing hospitality! Would highly recommend :)

Somebody using this business phone number called me claiming to be the O2 mobile phone network in an attempt to scam me. When I let them know they'd left their caller-ID visible and I could see them calling from 'Papaya - Thai Cafe & Noodle Bar' in Brighton, the caller hung up. People like this give Thai Cafes & Noodle Bars a bad name.

Lovely little cafe, very friendly and welcoming staff, and the food is amazing! Will be back tomorrow for more! 😋

Wonderful freshly cooked chicken stir fry for lunch. Delicious food and great service. Thank you

Very happy with the quality and portion sizes! Everything was flavourful.

The best Thai food we've had out of Thailand! And the people are so lovely. Have only got take away until today but we'll be back to eat again. Thank you ♡

I love everything about Papaya. The food is fabulous and very good value. We are always made to feel very welcome by everyone, in particular Natalie. It is a total gem of a place.

I went in here because I’m feeling under the weather and needed something fresh….ordered the Tom Kha and pad thai which I’ve never had before. Wow. Exactly what I needed and I genuinely think the pad Thai is one of the best things I’ve tasted. Thank you !

Just eat had no driver... so not restaurants fault. It was cold and we didnt want to microwave it.. Just eat has not enough drivers in Hove area.. This has happened to me befire wirh another takeaway recently. Then just eat offered me only half the meal back.... Not impressed Just eat

Ordered from this place as my usual Thai was closed. The food was a hour late for collection the staff gave me the wrong order to which when I got home I received a call from them saying they had given me the wrong order.the woman on the phone was very rude clearly customer service not her forte.i then had to drive all the way back to the place to collect my order and Wen I got it home. The food was disgusting no taste. Stay well clear of this place. Use so par so good for a good Thai food

Lovely food. Authentic and beautifully prepared. ynorroared. The lady who runs it is lovely and so obliging. Highly recommended.

We ordered a tofu tom yum soup, chicken Thai green curry and the drunken noodles. The Thai green curry was very tasty. The drunken noodles and soup were ok. Service was fine however, the tables were a little sticky.

Two dishes turned up without the main protein ordered. I rang up to see what they could do and the person took my number but no one called back.

Great little Thai restaurant. Highly recommended

Excellent, v fast service, great food

Visited this lovely little gem of a place with my friend this evening. This was my second visit and we will be going back. Natalie ( the owner) was very attentive and friendly and the food... well it's the best Thai food I've tasted in Brighton and Hove! The added bonus of BYO alcohol makes this place even better. Amazing food, good prices and excellent service. Please give this place a try, you won't be disappointed :)

I got the sweet and sour soup with a starter of salt and pepper squid while the other person got a pad Thai with dumplings and spring rolls, all of which came to around 20 quid, very reasonably priced and food came very fast! A must visit when moving through the hove area as long as u don’t mind ur food like the kitchen staff, hot and sexy!

26/7/23.Very Tasty Pad Thai Chicken £10.95.Small Portion,Little Meat.Coke £2.Will Not Return.

We often go to Papaya. Our visit two weeks ago was still good, but not as excellent as usual. Service was fine, and value good, but the green curry was very salty (almost inedibly so) rather than as well balanced as usual. Never been like that before, so I’m sure it’s a blip! We’ll try it again soon.

Great food well presented and very reasonable, well situated in George Street Hove easy access, byo drinks so much cheaper than buying in

Amazing padtai, my favourite. Street food of Thailand. Very affordable, great atmosphere and location.

Came here 5 times since Moved to Hove. First 4 times food wasn't tasty at all!! Even Pad Thai ! It was so oily. I kept going there cos after some shopping, I end up on George street and super hungry. I love Thai food. So I kept telling myself to give them more chance. Last time I went there and said to myself this gonna be my last time here if food still not tasty. But it was tasty! Amazing !! Didn't remember what I ordered. But friendly staff here.

My Favourite meal out in Brighton! A family run Thai with affordable and delicious food. The mother elder once cooked for Thai royalty. Her experience is a gem. Natalie her daughter is the friendliest waitress on the planet. It’s just one small room in George street but I’ve booked it for Birthdays many times and it can hold about 20 for a private evening. Very sadly they are retiring shortly so get there asap before they go! Papaya we love you and will miss you very much. Thanks for your wonderful food and vibes xxx

The best Thai food I had outside of Thailand! Wow!

I don't often leave reviews, but this place deserves it. Hands down the most authentic Thai food I've had outside of Thailand. The Pad Thai was incredible, not just the typical noodle and sauce dish most Thai places serve, the flavours took me straight back to travelling around Thailand. The Green curry was light and creamy, not heavy and floating in oil like the big UK chains. The coconut milk tasted real and not just out of a can. I'm just gutted we don't live in Brighton & Hove. Would 100% go back if we are ever in the area.

Food here is always freshly cooked, tasty and reasonably priced. Service is friendly and you can bring your own drinks and pay a small corkage charge.

Extremely good value for money. Food is amazing. We usually go for Papaya Salad and curries. But, the noodles are very good too. And I would recommend the salt & pepper squid as a starter. The decor inside might not be impressive but who cares if the food is that good.

Awesome Thai food and byo! Had a dinner with a friend and was perfect. Both the food and the service.

First visit here this evening. An incredibly relaxed and welcoming cafe style setting (rather than a formal setting). Food was excellent, incredibly tasty with spicing well judged and personalized. Well priced food, bring your own alcohol and reasonable corkage. Really friendly service - excellent balanced of interested but not over attentive. Plus great music!

Truly wonderful food! I had the chef's special crispy pork and it was just amazing. Can't recommend Papaya highly enough!

Some of the most genuine and amazing Thai food I've ever had! I can't recommend it highly enough. The homemade chilli oil was incredible, and the staff were absolutely lovely.

The owners are very sweet and kind, and the food is brilliant!

Thank you for the great food and hospitality yesterday. All the dishes had great flavours, all for a reasonable price, great portions and above all very welcoming staff :) Highly recommended.

Hadn’t planned to eat here as it’s off the beaten track, but we were delighted we did. Food delicious and authentic. Clean surroundings, and exceptional, helpful staff. We will definitely eat here again. Handy that you can BYO drink too. Worth a try.

Lovely little place for lunch, fast and fresh food. Had the massaman curry which was delicious and the perfect portion size. Can't wait to go back!

Perfect little lunch spot - Really delicious food, fresh, fast and super friendly.

Really good Thai food here, served by lovely people. As authentic as you can get in the UK. Love how the staff are chopping up herbs and spices at the table. Make sure you get mix up the order and share to get the best flavour !

The description of cafe is perfect, this is not a restaurant type establishment. This is not a bad thing as it reminded us of many casual places we have visited in Thailand. The food is excellent and authentic. The service is super friendly and attentive. Definitely recommend 👌

We had chicken with basil and asked for it 'Phed, spicy and it was perfect. We also had a prawn pad thai, equally as delicious. This is up there as one if our tastiest Thai outside if Thailand. Natalie was also really friendly and we enjoyed chatting about places in Thailand.

Fantastic fresh food , best Thai food in Brighton, friendly excellent service and good vibes Thankyou

The first time I ate here I simply loved it. The food was very good and I had a pot of Jasmine tea. I was made to feel welcome and couldn't wait to return. My second visit was less good. The man wasn't there, some of the other diners were poorly behaved, rowdy, kept jumping up and down and had an uncontrolled young son (4/5 years old?) who was ruling the roost and ordering the staff. The service was slow and I was given a mug with a tea bag as the only teapot was in use, and the prices had increased.

The place maybe isn't much to look at (very down to earth), but they sure serve the real stuff! Our first evening in Brighton, and we looked for Asian food. Reasonable prices for quality food.

Behind an unassuming facade lies an absolute treat of a restaurant. Fresh high quality ingredients are combined to create delicious authentic Thai food. Everything is made to order so you can also customise to cater for allergies. The owner is extremely friendly and passionate about her food. Top recommendation and we will certainly be back.

Lovely place ,food food. Only disappointment is prawn tempura is more like a breaded prawn.Bring your own alcohol too if desired

Very tasty, fresh cooked, authentic Thai food. Will be back.

Awesome everything is authentic, Moo krob best pork dish I've ever had

I do occasionally get a takeaway here- food is always great and I love my mango sticky rice, which they have here ❤️

Our son who lives in Hove, recommended this Thai cafe. We called in on Tuesday for a family meal and what an experience! The waitress was very helpful and friendly and reminded us to buy some drinks as it was a "bring your own" cafe. Armed with suitable meal accessories we ordered. The starters were fantastic and obviously freshly made (I gather even the little dishes of Thai sauce are home made). The main meals took everything to another level; possibly (no - make that certainly) the best Thai red curry I have ever tasted. What made things nice was the fact that we did not have a waitress or waiter hovering about asking if we wanted to buy more drinks. When we finished the waitress brought the bill quickly and only then asked if everything was OK with the meal. For the quality of the food and excellent service the prices were very reasonable. Next time we are in Hove - not too long I hope - it will be a "go to" place.

Great food. This must be the best Thai restaurant in the area, all the dishes were very tasty and it has a big selection for vegetarians. Good value too and the fact it’s bring your own alcohol makes it a bargain.

For those who know the area, think Tookta’s but much much better. Super fresh and crispy vegetables, complex sauces, so tasty, so Thai, so go there. BYO £2 a bottle. Lunch specials £8-10 inc rice. So pleased I spotted this unassuming cafe in George Street and secretly glad it is not round the corner from me, otherwise all my disposable income would vanish. This place is a cafe rather than a restaurant in feel and looks but oh boy the food is sublime. Going back next week. Biggest tip % I have ever left for a meal, it really was that sensational.

I love Papaya! Wonderful, warm and caring staff. Authentic delicious Thai cuisine lovingly prepared by the owner's Thai mother. Large portion sizes. The salt and pepper squid is the best I've ever tasted. You can bring your own alcohol too so very good value for money. It doesn't matter about the decor as it adds to it's charm!

Excellent authentic Thai food, reasonable prices, very friendly. Doesn't look much from the outside but well worth trying. Bring your own booze

Great authentic little restaurant. Amazing food and lovely friendly service. Highly recommend!!!

This restaurant is lovely! Can’t recommend enough! Delicious authentic Thai food and excellent really friendly customer service. Very simple no fuss quick quality food. Looking forward to trying more of the menu

Takeaway on NYs day. Good authentic food. Reasonably priced. Nothing to complain about apart from the laughably small sticky rice portion that was so flat and sticky that it looked like a prawn cracker.

Came here 5 times since Moved to Hove. First 4 times food wasn't tasty at all!! Even Pad Thai ! It was so oily. I kept going there cos after some shopping, I end up on George street and super hungry. I love Thai food. So I kept telling myself to give them more chance. Last time I went there and said to myself this gonna be my last time here if food still not tasty. But it was tasty! Amazing !! Didn't remember what I ordered. But friendly staff here.

The food was absolutely delicious and the service was incredible we loved the lady serving so much! It is great value and my friend and I had a really lovely evening at papaya - thank you!

Very friendly staff! Very thoughtful and accommodating - we could even choose our own music. Food was great - delicious and good value for money!

BOOKED TABLE FOR 4 AT 12 NOON. PARTY TURNED UP AT 11.50 AM TO FIND PLACE CLOSED AND IN DARKNESS! NO RESPONSE TO CONSTANT PHONE CALLS. SHAMEFUL CUSTOMER CARE!!!

Sticky rice and mango is very good!

I usually walk past this place a few times a week and have always been intrigued, so glad to finally go! Unbelievably good Thai food with incredible flavours and perfectly balanced spices, the crispy squid was some of the best I’ve had. The owners were super friendly and engaging. Will definitely be returning.

Beautiful Thai food and very friendly service.

An unassuming place, staffed by a solitary lady who cooked and served. The food was tasty and portion sizes good. We enjoyed our visit

Food was amazing, very authentic taste. Only a bit pricey.

This unprepossessing place serves some of the very best Thai food I've had - certainly the best I've had so far in Brighton! Really rich zingy flavours: you can see why the locals are so devoted. Worth a visit. -- try the crispy squid, seriously. Delicate, crunchy, nom.

Exceptional food, don't be put off by the buildings frontage the food is amazing. The staff are so friendly and personable it's a must try place. I've only had takeaways from there. the inside is pretty small so i'd recommend the takeaway option.

Fantastic food, great place, lovely staff

outstanding papaya salad, as a Thai, this place is a must-try.

Ordered papaya last night for a Saturday treat and all I can say is WOW! The vegetarian options was outstanding and freshly good. The service of picking up was fantastic as well. Highly recommend and can’t wait to get again! Love from Gemma and Will x

Probably some of the best tofu I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating, I highly recommend ordering the tofu chow mein!! Simply delicious 🤤😋

Papaya is INCREDIBLE! I have been going to them for years but due to Lockdown I havent had the pleasure of their amazing hospitality for a while! Yesterday was a special occasion (70th Bday)and I had placed an order for delivery a day in advance and my god it was AMAZING! The staff went well above and beyond in creating a gorgeous meal! And even supplied us with extra variety of food and a birthday card for the birthday "boy"!!! We all over ate, as the food was too good! I cannot recommend Papaya highly enough! Yesterday was a true testament as to why using an independent small business is waaaaaay better than using a larger chain! MASSIVE THANKYOU to Natalie and the team! 🙏🏽😘

Have been visiting and now days ordering food from papaya quite a lot. Never disappointed! Food authentic and delicious!very tasty. Made with love! Lovely and welcoming service 💜 can't recommend enough. Will be coming back again and again.

Great food, very good value for money, fantastic service and ever so helpful staff especially the owner, Natalie & Nicki. Over flattering? Well, go experience for yourself and you will realise what you been missing in Hove in terms of authentic traditional Thai cuisine at its best. Go.

Fantastic food! Really tasty and they don't use MSG!! The staff are genuinely friendly and helpful. Simple and great restaurant. The only negative thing is the lack of air ventilation in the kitchen, so the smoke and smell does come into the eating area, but everything else is so good that I forgive them! (also I don't think there's much they can do about it)

Very friendly staff and willing to work around a food allergie.

Best Thai curry ever! Really taste like home made food, simply good! Service and attention is great!

Absolute rubbish food. Avoid Avoid Avoid.

Hidden gem, maybe not an upmarket place with fancy decor, but really nice staff, great atmosphere and amazingly authentic and delicious food.

Great authentic home cooking and customer service

This was the very first time I visited this place even though I’ve lived around the area for years. What can I say . A little gem . Our hostess was Natalie who looked after us so well. Very friendly but not over doing it...

Having lived in Thailand for a long time perhaps I am too picky ? Som tam good. Pad Thai tofu not so good oily after taste. This was a take away otherwise I would have mentioned it to the staff who were delightful and friendly....

we Just got a take away from this lovely little place, it was beyond all expectations. i have eaten in many Thia restaurants that are no where near as satisfying as the meal we have just eaten. All the food was freshly cooked to perfection....

This little restaurant is absolutely amazing, fab staff and unbelieveably fantastic foid, mouth wateringly delicious, highly recommend x

I got a takeaway during lockdown and it was definitely better than most Thai food. The sweetcorn cakes had a subtle hint of lemongrass running through them and had some good, if a little bit sweet, tilapia. My partner had a tofu green curry, which...

Fantastic food, great service. Recommend the Thai Green Curry, my favourite! Mm!

Good and friendly environment very professionally

Great service, really friendly, helpful staff. Always Confident to order vegan meals here, which is rare. We are a fussy family and papaya George street are our go to for takeaway! Definitely recommend

Have got a few takeaways here recently. Great food, really good value, always so friendly! Will be going back soon!

Fab food, hot, tasty and just as good as it is when you can eat in. Ordered easily over the phone, picked it up and paid at the door. Social distancing easily adhered to. Thank you for a great meal.

Been meaning to try Papaya for while. Last evening I ordered takeaway enough food for a king and his staff. I must say the standard of food was excellent, tasty, wholesome lovely food. Would I go back - to flipping right I would. Thank you Papaya - The taxi man

My husband had already been there with his friends and yesterday he took me there for a meal. You bring your own bottle. The food is so good and even the aftertaste is amazing! Fresh vegetables cooked al dente and perfect spices. It's a family run place. They ensure that they cook the food exactly to your taste. It's like a little secret place. I highly recommend it!

Great authentic food and fantastic service! Will definitely be going back.

Freshly prepared, rich, authentic Thai dishes made with love. Friendly service. We'll be back. Try it!

Delicious food. We had four different dishes, each one really tasty. The meat was tender and the veg was so fresh. The service was friendly and welcoming. Thank you

Just delicious - so glad we checked it out based on the reviews on here. Cafe style decor. Food very good indeed and nicely presented. Friendly staff/owner.

Outstanding value for money the food was excellent and the service was very very good.