Kala Thai is a Thai restaurant and bar on Old Christchurch Road, right in the middle of Bournemouth town centre. It's built a strong local reputation for authentic Thai cooking, picking up Best Thai in South England & Wales at the Deliveroo Restaurant Awards 2025, recognition for a menu that goes well beyond the usual high-street Thai staples.
The food
The kitchen's signature dishes lean into bold, classic Thai flavours: Weeping Tiger, a Thai-style grilled sirloin served with a tamarind-chilli dip; Gai Yang, BBQ chicken paired with papaya salad; roast duck in a honey-tamarind glaze; and Pla Neung Ma Nao, steamed sea bass in a sharp chilli-lemon sauce. Green curries and prawn dishes round out a menu built for sharing as much as for solo plates. As with any restaurant, dishes and prices move with the seasons, so it's worth checking the current menu on the website before you visit.
Atmosphere
Kala Thai pitches itself on "authenticity, class and a great atmosphere," pairing the food with exotic cocktails, quality beers and well-loved music, a setting that works equally well for a relaxed dinner or a livelier night out with drinks.
Good to know
The restaurant opens Monday to Thursday from midday to 10pm, Friday and Saturday until 11pm, and Sunday from 5pm to 10pm. Tables can be booked by phone on 01202 096357 or through the online booking system, with private events arranged directly by email. Its town-centre spot on Old Christchurch Road puts it within easy walking distance of the Square, the Lower Gardens and the seafront, making it simple to fold into a day out in Bournemouth.
For more places to eat nearby, browse our food & drink guide, or see what else fills a day out in town in our things to do guide.