Oli's Thai
Well-regarded Thai food in a tiny room with a BYOB policy — no corkage, no fuss.
Oli's Thai is a well-regarded Thai restaurant run from a small shopfront on Magdalen Road with maybe twenty covers. The owner-chef learned to cook in Thailand, and the menu reflects a depth of knowledge that sets it apart from more generic Thai restaurants.
The BYOB policy is the other reason people love this place. No corkage fee, no fuss — bring whatever you want to drink with it. A pad kra pao and a bottle of wine from the Co-op across the road for under twenty quid a head. Try finding that deal anywhere else in the city.
What to order
The pad kra pao (holy basil stir-fry) is the most-ordered dish. The massaman curry is rich and deeply spiced. The som tum (green papaya salad) has real heat. The prawn cakes are also well regarded. The menu changes occasionally, and specials are always worth ordering.
Good to know
Book well in advance — this place has maybe 20 seats and it's full every night it opens. Tuesday to Saturday only, evening only. Cash and card accepted. The BYOB policy means there's an off-licence and a Co-op within a two-minute walk. No reservations via the website — call to book.
Nearby
Within a few minutes' walk