
Lin's Thai Cafe
Quick info
About Lin's Thai Cafe
Lin's Thai Cafe is a cafe-style Thai restaurant at 78 Elm Grove in Southsea. The menu is split into starters and mains, with pork toast among the starters and Massaman curry and drunken noodles among the mains. Diners can bring their own alcohol for a small corkage charge, and a shop nearby sells drinks for anyone who arrives without any. Payment is cash only, and cards are not accepted. The room is small and often has every table taken. The toilet is a cubicle painted like the Tardis from Dr Who.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention bring your own drinks, massaman curry, drunken noodles and beef salad.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention bring your own drinks, massaman curry, drunken noodles and beef salad.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often praise fresh, authentic Thai food, with the massaman curry and drunken noodles named as standouts and a beef salad that hit the spot, though one found it very spicy. Close behind are the friendly staff and warm welcome, along with value, with several describing generous portions and a modest bill for starters and mains. The bring-your-own-alcohol arrangement gets approval, though one reviewer mentions a corkage charge. Not everyone is convinced by the cooking. Two reviewers describe an unexpected sweetness, from spring rolls and fried fish that tasted like sweet and sour to a sea bass salad in a sickly sweet sauce with heavy batter. Another did not care for the pork toast starter, and one found portions small. A couple of reviewers say the room fills up and that booking is needed. The no-frills room also has a toilet cubicle painted as the Tardis from Dr Who, which one reviewer called the real selling point.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often praise fresh, authentic Thai food, with the massaman curry and drunken noodles named as standouts and a beef salad that hit the spot, though one found it very spicy. Close behind are the friendly staff and warm welcome, along with value, with several describing generous portions and a modest bill for starters and mains. The bring-your-own-alcohol arrangement gets approval, though one reviewer mentions a corkage charge. Not everyone is convinced by the cooking. Two reviewers describe an unexpected sweetness, from spring rolls and fried fish that tasted like sweet and sour to a sea bass salad in a sickly sweet sauce with heavy batter. Another did not care for the pork toast starter, and one found portions small. A couple of reviewers say the room fills up and that booking is needed. The no-frills room also has a toilet cubicle painted as the Tardis from Dr Who, which one reviewer called the real selling point.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“I’ve only been here once but have been meaning to come back. The food was amazing and so was the service. definitely recommend to visit.”
- Google user
“Eaten here a few times now. You have to book We really like it and It’s always busy with a great little vibe. Staff are always very friendly, accommodating and food is always tasty, fresh , lovely and fragrant. Great value, bring your own drinks which is great idea. It’s simply done out and everyone seems happy in there. Every table was taken And I’m not surprised as you get a warm welcome and a very reasonable bill at the end of it. I’d really recommend it if you like no frills, good honest food & service!!! Unfortunately I didn’t take any pictures! We had starters and main meals and it was under £50 …….. You can’t argue with that!”
- Google user
“This was a mixed bag. My sea bass 'salad' arrived in a sickly sweet sauce that I am sure was made with lime cordial and the fish was in heavy batter, which I was very surprised about (I had been looking for a light dinner option). Portions were small (so if you have a hearty appetite I would not choose this place). The selling point was really the toilet which is in a cubicle painted to look like The Tardis from Dr Who.”
- Google user
“Such a little gem in Portsmouth. The food is consistently amazing, always fresh, quick, and incredibly tasty. You’re always greeted with a warm welcome and served with a friendly smile, which makes it even more special. Highly recommend!”
- Google user
“Lovely massaman curry and drunken noodles! Would come again :D”
Highlights
“Extensive menu of freshly cooked Thai staples in a no-frills, cafe-style restaurant.”
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
- Popular for solo dining
- Healthy options
- Small plates
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Accepts reservations
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
Show more amenities
- Alcohol
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Beer
- Coffee
- Healthy options
- Service options· 1
- Delivery
- Offerings· 4
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Wine
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Dining options· 4
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Table service
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Planning· 1
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Trendy
- Crowd· 2
- College students
- Groups
Location
Thai restaurants near Lin's Thai Cafe
- Saro's Thai Cafe4.72050.8 mi£10–20
pad thai, green curry, red curry
- Pattaya4.63626 mi away£20–50
green curry, sweet and sour prawns, satay chicken
- Aroy Thai Cafe4.81306.1 mi away
authentic thai food, thai staff, fresh food cooked traditionally
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lin's Thai Cafe | 4.6381 | — | £20–30 | bring your own drinks, massaman curry, drunken noodles |
| Saro's Thai Cafe | 4.7205 | 0.8 mi | £10–20 | pad thai, green curry, red curry |
| Pattaya | 4.6362 | 6 mi away | £20–50 | green curry, sweet and sour prawns, satay chicken |
| Aroy Thai Cafe | 4.8130 | 6.1 mi away | — | authentic thai food, thai staff, fresh food cooked traditionally |
The 3 nearest thai restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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