Norbiton & Dragon

Passersby would be forgiven for mistaking the Kingston restaurant as a run-of-the-mill local pub, albeit a very nice one. The exterior, all light brick and traditional lettering gives away nothing of the complexity inside. Guests are welcomed into the pub area and can go one of two ways. The first, a pint or a glass of wine in the pub and picking and choosing from Thai nibbles on the bar menu, and the second, being ushered into the restaurant proper for an evening for spicy Thai dishes. Locals to Clifton Road have never had it so good.

The restaurant itself is something of a change of dynamic from the bar area where drinkers can sink into a couch and never get back up. Instead, here you’ll find hints of Thai influence everywhere, from the Buddha statues to the ornate table arrangements. Diners can hop across the Asian continent with dishes from Malaysia, Indonesia as well, of course, as Thailand. Try pak chup, that’s tempura battered vegetables, and follow it with some kaeng kae massaman (lamb and potato) curry for a spicy Thai kick. Vegetarians and those with a preference for milder dishes are well served here too. The bar is open daily from 11am-11pm, and the restaurant also offers a takeaway option, although savvy diners are advised that the way to get the best from Noriton and Dragon’s kitchen is to join them on in Kingston on Clifton Road.