Thai Orchid - Banbury in Cherwell

The staff were rude and we were rushed through our meal despite other tables being available. The impression was that the staff just wanted us to hurry up and leave. Also the standard of the meal was poor and over priced compared to other Thai restaurants. I would not go back.

We have been here before a few times never had a issue that's why I thought I book there for my partner's birthday. HUGE SHAME I DID. I know it was a Monday evening in Banbury (We all work in hospitality) but basically we have been kicked out of the restaurant or just let's say we have been made feel very unwelcome. It was 4 of us and at the beginning I ordered a bottle of proseco but when we wanted to order more drinks the waitress took only 1 person's drinks order and run off. So we had to ask 2 more times for drinks because we just got ignored. We were still eating our starters when the waitresses came and told us the mains are ready and they want to serve it for us. So basically we weren't able to finish our starters and plates got taken away with food on them. We went out for a quick cig between foods and 2 mins later they were running outside to tell us our food is already at the table so we need to hurry up. One of our party's food arrived without the ordered noodles we asked if we could have that served too and basically we have been told we don't know how to order and next time read the menu better. At the end when it came to paying obviously I didn't leave any tip. I don't think that service deserved a single penny extra. However when they took the card machine back and they saw I haven't left they were visible upset about it and started to talk in their own language. Very unprofessional Extremely poor service we didn't wanted to stay here all night we just wanted to celebrate my partner's birthday and enjoy ourselves a bit. NEVER AGAIN

A bit tired & dated, certainly seems to be no real pride or enthusiasm in the business. Fish cake starter was actually quite good (hence the two stars) though beyond basic garnish just thrown on the plate (very unusual in Thai cooking!). Monkfish red curry ruined by dreadful pieces of fish that were almost inedible bits of skin & gristle. Really overpriced for what it is.

Great food lovely staff great value

I was looking for somewhere different for a lunchtime business meeting in Banbury and chose Thai Orchid, a long established haunt which I haven't visited for many years. My memory in the past was of having an exotic meal in a semi jungle environment. My recent visit showed there was much less foliage about and the place was less than busy at lunchtime. An interesting menu with plenty of choice but be honest I have had better Thai meals elsewhere. I would say the meal and service was adequet but not more. Service was efficient.

Really nice restaurant, from the small koi pond to the carved tables, gives a real authentic touch, the food has always been exceptional, one of my favourites is the pineapple rice served in a whole pineapple, all you can eat buffet at the weekend with their own made deserts.

Thai paradise!!!, sumptuous dishes and pleasant service coupled with authentic decor...thankyou.

Absolutely fantastic in every way, the honeycomb desert was the best pudding I've ever had ❤️

Came to Banbury for a drink. Saw the Thai Orchid and checked out trip advisor. After negative reviews thought we’d give it a miss. Then thought how bad could it be? Stunning food. Really nice people. Great ambience. Ordered off the menu. Maybe a little pricey but the quality was worth it. Will be back again

We have driven past this restaurant on a number of occasions and decided to visit whilst staying in the area. We were welcomed on arrival, shown to a table and provided with a wide ranging menu. Dietary requirements could be accommodated. The food quality and quantity was excellent, and the service was attentive and friendly. However, we did feel that the costs were comparatively high and would influence whether we would visit again.

I went there thanks to recomendation of my colleague that it is the best Thai restaurant in banbury area. I wasn't disappointed and can confirm his opinion. Food was fantastic, and servicewas discrete but very efficient.

Food is still excellent. Clearing table whilst people are still eating a big NO from me. I also noticed that the dress sense of the waiters and waitresses has definitely declined since my last visit, which adds to the ambience of the type of restaurant.

The buffet just wasn't being refilled quick enough lots of people moaning about the empty food dishes we stopped going for this reason years back but thought we would give another go who wrong we were thats it nether again. HongXin Oriental Buffet at Swindon is over £25 pounds Cheaper for 2 People and blows the Thai Orchid away for quality and service.

A delightful meal very pleasant staff thoroughly recommend 👌

Amazing food, great decor. Reasonably priced.

Had a wonderful meal here lovely place

Lovely lunch. Beautiful fresh food. First time eating here and wont be the last. Gluten free menu too.

Sunday buffet is the best here 😀 Everything is reported all the time. The entire staff is very kind and helpful. I recommend it because there is something to eat 😁

This restaurant was freezing cold and staff really did not want customers! I felt we were an inconvenience and they wanted to shut- we arrived at 7.45pm - so not late! Service was pretty awful and unfriendly. It got to 9.30pm and we were told they wanted to cash up because staff were going home and we had to pay (at the same time as ordering pudding!). At 10pm we were told very aggressively that we “time to go home- very late!”. I felt like a naughty child being told off! We won’t be back in a hurry. Such a shame, use to be a great place- no longer that. It’s expensive for such a cold, unwelcoming experience.

Excellent service and delicious food. This place has been going for years and still doesn't disappoint. The only problem is the price its just become a bit too much. I think its now over priced compared with similar restaurants but still worth a visit

Gorgeous food again, love this place x

First time visit. This place was my husband's fave go-to restaurant when he was stationed at a base nearby many years ago. We had lunch today. The hostess who greeted us was attentive and welcoming as well as the gentleman server. The decor looks pleasantly authentic. Reminds me of the establishments back home. Friendly service, great food and drink. Food was served hot, fresh, and promptly. Looking forward to trying their Sunday buffet. Maraming salamat Po ; )

Food wasn't worth the money nobody finished their meal

Visited lasy night 17th October 2023, amazing food and service. We will be back!!

Really authentic food, atmosphere, and service. The Chicken Satay appetizer is something that I've almost given up on outside Thailand, but I tried it here and it was perfectly cooked, seasons and sauced. It's a simple dish, but was made with care here. The decorations and hand carved furniture are interesting to look at and well above most Thai restaurant standards. We had some curries and one of the fried rice dishes and they were generous portions and delicious. Reasonably priced and enough food to take some home. I'll be back again next time I'm in Banbury.

Hadn't been here for many years but the food was as good we remember and we all had a great evening 😀

Food was pretty spot on. Would defiantly go back if in the area and try out the semi famous banquette. Had the honey duck and the lamb shank.. if you are sensitive to spice like, I'd assume anything with 'curry' has a little kick to it. Lamb shank was a little too spicy for me but the duck and coconut rice was beautiful

Had the pleasure of dining at “Thai Orchard” in Banbury for their Sunday lunch buffet and it surpassed all expectations! For just £23, it stands out as the most value-packed and scrumptious Thai buffet I’ve ever had in the UK. The spread showcased a delightful variety: the skewered roasted pork was juicy and perfectly seasoned, the curry rice carried a depth of flavors that was satisfying, and the coconut noodle soup was creamy with just the right hint of sweetness. Don’t even get me started on the roasted duck noodle soup; its rich broth and tender duck pieces were the stars of my meal. If you’re in Banbury, don’t miss the chance to indulge in “Thai Orchard’s” exquisite buffet spread!

Food is out of this world. Highly recommend

amazing food. I wish I could eat more to try all the food. if you’re looking for a signal, this is it. go to thai orchid :)

Good quality Buffet on the Sunday, £23 per person. Need to get their bang on opening to make sure get good pick on food. It does get really busy as you would expect for the price. Parking at Morrisons super market is free for 3 hours and a short walk. Starters are really good , the main curry’s and desserts let it down. The restaurant has nice decor but the feel of the meal is just head down and eat instead of socialise. Would recommend but one visit is enough as quality over quantity.

Nice selection of dishes. Remember, the buffet is all you can eat, not all you can carry!

The best Thai restaurant ever. This place is just gorgeous, atmosphere is amazing, staff are so friendly. The food is divine. Highly recommend.

Exceptional Thai food. The presentation was amazing. The flavour extraordinary. Enjoyed it all.

A group of 19 (and a baby), we had a really fantastic meal here. Food was exceptional and the service was very very good. They were well organised and friendly and nothing was a bother. We will absolutely be back and cannot recommend highly enough.

Delicious fish and rice evening at the Thai Orchid. bigger than it looks with friendly helpful service.

Fabulous food and service 👌. Not the cheapest but it was excellent. I had the mixed seafood 😋

This is the best place to eat if you like Thai cuisine. Everything is just perfect and set meal prices reasonable. Staff are so friendly and food is served quickly and just right temperature.

Have driven past multiple times in the last year and always wondered what it would be like. Well I am not disappointed in the least. Food was sensational, beautifully decorated environment and pleasant attentitive staff. Will definitely return!

Very tasty meal, well looked after by the staff too, great restaurant.

Beautiful restaurant, wonderful carvings on the surrounds and tables. The food is plentiful and very good. The service was excellent, highly recommended

Only one criticism no disabled toilets have to go up flight of stairs. Disabled toilet would be excellent on ground floor

With friends on a Monday night, not very busy but excellent Thai food. We chose a couple of the set menu's and they were perfect. There was just the right amount of food and it was very well presented. Interesting restaurant that seemed to go back quite away with plenty of seating and unusual decor.

Visited on a Monday evening in July and we had a great meal. Lovely decor inside and great service. The food was so fresh, 2 of us had the set meal at £33 a head which was good value for the amount and quality of the food served. Would recommend and would definitely go back again if in the area.

We found ourselves visiting a family friend in Banbury for the evening, and holy guacamole, am I happy that we chose this place for dinner. The Tom Kha Gai soup was killer. They served the Massaman curry on top of a candle lit bowl to keep it warm - super cool. Some of the best Massaman I've ever had and that's saying a lot as a Houstonian. My wife got the chicken pad thai and loved it. Anytime I find myself back in Banbury, I hope to spend my evening here again.

Never had Thi food before, did not know what to expect. I was surprised with the variety of food all of which was wonderful, fresh, well cooked and well presented. As for the venue, it was Magical absolutely wonderful place.

A little disappointed about vegetarian food menu. Not much choice. Have been to better thai restaurants

In the week you can order food from the menu and eat it in the restaurant or take it as a takeaway. On Sundays there is a lunch buffet. It is very popular so it’s best to book a table in advance. The buffet is £22 per person (£11 for young children). The buffer has a great selection of courses: about 30 starters, about 20 main dishes and about 15 desserts. There are parking spaces near the restaurant.

The decor is impressive. Foods are fabulous except for one dish which is quite salty. Hospitality is commendable. My only problem or issue is the communication. Accents or broken sentences are not the issue. However, if the message relayed has already altered the whole, then that's a massive problem. We ordered a set which says for 2, we clarified again and again and the waitress keeps saying something which we thought we understood each other. Until we got our bill was charged twice the expectations. Never again will I set foot on this restaurant. Sorry.

One star for poor service, they all seem to had a bad day. Another star for terrible taste of their house wine (obvious sour taste, either low quality wine or the bottle have been opened and stored for an extended period of time). Food is OK but there are definitely better options elsewhere in the town for the same money. The environment is nice, exotic decorations and calm background music.

Great food, slightly expensive but worth it as a treat now and then! thank you

Great food, service and authentic atmosphere. If you like Thai food, you will love it here.

The food was very good, the look of the restaurant was amazing, personel were very kind. I decided to give 3 stars only, because I felt like I was tricked. The bill was on £82.45 and I added a £5.00 tip. I Didn't check how much I paid untill I left. Then I saw the bill. The lady whom I paid via card, charged me for the food £87.45 plus she added £8.74 tip. It was unfair and it is theft.

Tried the all you can eat Sunday buffet lunch. Loads of dishes on offer, including meat and vegetarian options plus a big range of puddings. The food was super tasty and hot. The staff were very helpful and attentive. Would definitely recommend.

I went with my wife for dinner and whoa - what an experience we had. The food was one of the very best Thai cuisine we have ever experienced in the UK. The ambience was spellbinding and the service was exemplary. Would recommend anyone who seeks fine cuisine to try this restaurant. Truly world class Thai cuisine.

What a lovely restaurant. The decor is divine. I had a beef curry with garlic rice and it was very nice. I would most certainly visit again. Only thing I felt could be better would be the customer service. I am used to Thai people being really friendly and polite. I didn’t get that here.

We have been here in the past and always raved about it. Our experience this time was not the same at all…..our wedding anniversary treat to ourselves-was a shambles. We were directed to our table at the back of the restaurant in the conservatory where there were boxes and tables on top of each. The place was FREEZING. Everyone sat around us with their coats on! Service was slow, waitresses were rude. Food came out wrong. When correct food came out it was cold so we had to send it back. Obviously heated up in microwave- beef was tough. No crackers offered. We arrived at 7.30 and we finished eating at 10.30 - this is how long it took for the food to eventually arrive. We commented on our disappointment at the time and was offered a measly 10% discount. As this was our wedding anniversary celebration we were far from impressed. Will we return after this experience - No!

Worst experience ever. The restaurant was freezing due to the main door opening directly into the restaurant. We had banquet C for two and I can say it was the worst meal we’ve eaten in a long time. Even the drinks were disappointing with the lemonade in the white wine spritzer being flat and the keir that my partner ordered was warm. I wouldn’t recommend this place to my worst enemy. The total bill was nearly £90 and not worth £10😞

Went to eat here as we were visiting a friend in Banbury, The decor looks okay but very dated. The my partner and our friend are both gluten intolerant and were given a gluten free menu, but several of the dishes on that menu are on the regular menu and are several pounds cheaper. The dishes that were served were luke warm and smelled either sweaty or of pee ! My partner wanted the strawberries and meringue for dessert, but was told by the waitress that it contained sponge! very unusual and not entirely believable. The dessert he finally chose was Thai custard, which was actually creme caramel. The toilets had ivy growing through the window and was not very clean. When we were paying the bill with one of the several miserable waitresses, she asked how much we were going to leave as a tip, so she could add it to the bill. I said I would tip in cash, as I usually do, to make sure the staff get it. I am a bit silly and should not have tipped at all as it was not worth a tip because of the unhelpful staff, but anyway, as we got up to leave a Thai man was hovering next to us to see if we left a tip on the table. As soon as we moved, he pounced to see what we had left. Thank goodness, we found a nice little place across the road to eat ,next time we visit , as the place needs drastic improvement. !!

Awesome everything there food always amazing even my grandson loves it there 😀 😋

This is the 2nd trip to the Sunday buffet service and whilst the first time was a very good experience, hence the return, this time however left a bitter taste. The food was plentiful, tasty and a vast selection, but when it came to the end to pay the bill, it was a bit of a standoff between us and the waitress. We were entertaining family and we always split the bill, but when the waitress arrived she very rudely stated that she wanted us to pay a tip each and round up the bill. I fully appreciate that some staff are working flat out and the energy prices are through the roof etc etc, however I would only pay a tip if the service was above and beyond and the fact that it was a set price for the self service buffet, we shouldn't be bullied to add a forced tip on top. I'm afraid we won't be returning in the near future.

Most food was good but the beef dish I had was very salty, watery and lacking in depth of flavour. A large amount of the beef was fat and gristle and not as youd expect.

Food was great. Shame where they used to have crispy duck is now crispy pork, even for a Sunday…And the price is slightly higher. But still the best lunch in town.

Nice food, topnotch hospitality and friendly atmosphere.

My wife and I have been to this restaurant many times over the years and unfortunately have noticed things slipping of late. First the portion sizes have become much smaller where as the bill has become bigger. On visiting tonight we were treated almost as...

Finger licking food. Prices at the higher range. If you can afford, go for the seafood set menu.

A very warm welcome by the staff

Delicious meal and a lovely ambiance.

Delicious food, beautifully prepared and very tasty. Great variety to choose from too.

Very nice food, attentive staff. Nice interior

First return in several years while over. Food, service and ambience fantastic . Extensive menu and drinks selection . I thought the prices were great value and shall return before heading home . Captain Neil Isle of Man

Excellent Thai food served up by wonderful people. Highly recommended

Not impressed. Took the whole family for Xmas eve. 8 adults. The restaurant was pretty chilly, freezing when you went upstairs to the bathroom. Meals were nice tasting but small portions for the price. £15 for a main which if a curry didn't come with...

Slow. 40 min for food to arrive. Kids freaking out. £5 for small bottle lemonade felt gaugey and over priced. Food average to good but over priced.

Very nice food and friendly efficient staff. Food was delicious, service was exemplary and atmosphere was very good.

Christmas day Lunch, superb Friendly and attentive staff Splendid choice of food Will definitely book for next year

We've eaten there a few times but won't go back. The good is OK but the Chicken Satay was tasteless, the meat and the sauce. My seafood dish was too salty (better the first time). The red chicken curry was also salty and just OK. It's also quite pricey for a lunch, about £8 dearer than the one we frequent regularly and nearby. T

Very nice place and food , polite , definitely the best place

We went for a family birthday, we didn't realise it was a buffet lunch but it worked so well as we were able to try so many different dishes. The staff were so attentive and made us feel very welcome. Will definitely be returning soon

We have been here many times over the span of may years. There used to be a great atmosphere, with friendly, efficient staff and great Thai food. Now we find it has quite a cold feel. We'd often order the 'Banquet' which was always so amazing with lots of choice and plenty of food. Unfortunately this is not the case now. We booked the Banquet for 5 people and basically got what I would call a set menu, banquet it was not. We got a platter of starters to share, and four main courses one of which was vegetables. We could see a lot of the 'good' ingredients were either scaled down or no existent. We also recalled getting Thai prawn crackers, soup, as well as the main dishes – it was a real feast. The dessert trolley still had a good range but even that seems to be very heavy on the cream within the desserts. So all in all for £200+ we were a bit disappointed. The staff were generally pleasant, though the odd one wasn't. I would say stick to the lunchtime Buffet days which are good value for money if you catch it right when all the dishes are out. Sadly we probably won't be back for the a la Carte or Banquet. It's a shame as this used to be a great local restaurant.

Whether it’s buffet or from the menu - the food is delicious! Great restaurant with some very interesting design features. Well worth a look in if you are in Banbury.

Beautifully presented and tasty Thai food, in a lovely atmosphere. You could go there just for the intricately carved table designs.

Felt really authentic (although I've never been to Thailand!) And the food was delicious, it was great value for money - we had the set menu and I was genuinely full after the starters! The service was incredible, would happily re-visit.

An expensive treat that is well worth the money but AVOID THE DESSERTS. A beautifully decorated restaurant, with a very large dining area, a warm and inviting place with tons of character and style. The food is worth the money, it's all incredible, but it's not cheap at all. Two people can easily spend £100. One major recommendation is to completely avoid the desserts, they were honestly awful. Freezer burnt rock hard 'ice cream' that was bad enough to keep us away from the restaurant for well over a year.

Arrogant owners, they look like a Thai maffia restaurateurs

Visited here for only the 2nd time in 10 years and I remembered why. Not very welcoming from the staff and they don't look happy at all. The food that we ordered sounded lovely but once it was brought to the table and we started...

Definitely gone down hill.. food was bland and dry service was terrible in communication and really grumpy. Not worth the money.. staff couldn't communicate menu properly. Used to love this place but they have really lost the effort and way the food cooked. Our friends...

Excellent with great service and menu choices

Food was great and service was excellent. All staff were very efficient and pleasant. Would recommend

FOOD IS SUPERB. Couldn’t fault any of the dishes. It was perfectly seasoned — “Asian-style”, which for me meant that they were awesomely salty, unapologetically sweet in all the best possible ways! The place was busy when we went; nonetheless, still was a great experience and added to the atmosphere! By far the best Thai food my husband and I ever had. Also, if you love plants! This place is sooo green! [no other photos, we enjoyed our dining so much!!!]

Always heaving on a Sunday lunchtime, so best to book in advance to avoid disappointment. Great choice of food and dessert which is replenished often and polite staff.

Excellent service and food, fantastic setting and decor will definitely visit again. A touch expensive but worth it…..

Fantastic Thai meal with such lovely staff. Will be back time and time again!

Since the Oxford branch closed, I've really been missing a good decent Thai food. Luckily I remembered there is a brach in near by Banbury. So we went along similar venue and decor as the previous Oxford branch, food was good as i remembered. We had the seafood banquet plus some extras, really relaxing atmosphere with wonderful decor and ofcourse the fabulous food!

Well what a surprise! Could not believe how big this place was, from outside looks small, but when inside goes back so far, seating arrangements etc, Food Excellent, Staff so very polite and friendly. The ambience of the place so relaxing. Definitely One To Try if you like this type of food 👌⭐👍

Requested 'mild' it wasn't, returned meal (including sticky rice which had the meal poured over) but would only refund the curry! Absolutely the last time we try.

Hard to fault in any way. Authentic Thai food of top quality provided by polite but reserved staff.

Best Thai food in Oxfordshire! Food is so full of flavour, great friendly service and authentic atmosphere. The carved wooden furniture and decor really made it a great place to dine. Free street parking after 6pm. Definitely recommend.

Another visit to the Thai Orchard a year on as now back in Banbury for the Cropredy festival. Service was excellent and the dishes arrived very quickly. Spring roll starters for me and then chicken with cashews followed by my favourite enormous portion of chocolate...

I was horrified to learn that if you tip by adding it to your bill and paying by card the management are taking a 20% cut of that tip, when I questioned it with one of the management they advised that ‘it’s the government’, which is clearly what they have been telling their staff to get them to drop the subject. It’s utterly appalling to not only skim their tips but to lie so blatantly to their staff. I won’t be returning to the restaurant until this practice has stopped.