Celebrated table

Farang London

Name: Farang London
Address: 72 Highbury Park Road, Highbury, N5 2XE, London, GB
Telephone: 020 7226 1609

Farang London delivers precise Thai cooking in Highbury, led by chef Sebby Holmes with weekly imports from Bangkok and a Michelin Bib Gourmand pedigree.

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The story

Farang London Review: Precise Thai Cooking in Highbury | wattafork

The chef and the kitchen

Farang London offers a precise approach to Thai cooking in Highbury, North London, rooted in founder Sebby Holmes' journey from street food markets to a permanent kitchen. The venue operates on a strict rhythm where fresh produce travels from Bangkok to Heathrow by Tuesday and reaches the restaurant on Wednesday. This schedule guarantees that every dish is made from scratch using ingredients flown in weekly, balanced with local touches like Thai basil grown in Leyton. The approach favours precise techniques and punchy flavours over rigid adherence to tradition.

Signature dishes and techniques

The kitchen produces a menu built for sharing, where creative twists sit comfortably beside classic foundations. The gaeng gari curry impresses with layers of crispy pickled onion that flake away at the slightest touch, while the braised Herefordshire beef cheeks bring deep richness to the selection. Lighter options include smoked mackerel miang bites folded in edible betel leaf, offering a fresh contrast to the sticky caramel pork belly topped with crispy shallots. This modern Thai cooking style highlights balance and seasonal availability.

Space and atmosphere

The dining room opens up with bright light streaming through tall windows, complemented by walls lined with rows of chilli sauce bottles. Plastic palm fronds suspend above the tables, adding a layer of playful character to the setting. Desserts draw strong interest, particularly the creamy coconut panna cotta and the vibrant mango jam cake. Guests often pair their meal with house wines starting at eleven pounds a glass, or opt for a pint of Singha beer or a bottle of Jiddler's Tipple.

Recognition

Awards & accolades

2026

The Good Food Guide

Good

Details

At a glance

The Good Food Guide 2026 — Good

Cuisines Thai

Services Bar, Catering, Delivery, Dinner, Events, Fine Dining, Lunch, Private Parties, Table Service, Takeaway

History

On the record

2026

The Good Food Guide — Good

‘Farang’ is a Thai term for a foreigner, though the restaurant that bears this name is now an established North London native, ensconced in Highbury Park since 2017. Inside, you'll find a bright space with tall windows, bottles of chilli sauce stacked along the walls and plastic palm fronds brushing against customers bound for their tables (with still more greenery suspended in pots above their heads). The menu divides into snacks, small and large plates – though it's easy to spot head chef Sebby Holmes’ preference for precise and punchy flavours based on ingredients that are flown in weekly from Thailand (apart from the Thai basil, which is grown in Leyton). Our visit kicked off with smoked mackerel miang bites with peanuts, ginger and lime – a burst of freshness folded in an edible betel leaf, and a counterpoint to a rich and sultry sticky caramel pork belly with crispy shallot. Curries are the mainstay of the ‘large’ dishes – though these yield some creative surprises, none more so than the 'gaeng gari' curry, with its layers of crispy pickled onion flaking away with the faintest nudge of a spoon. Most bigger dishes are substantial and designed for sharing, though every diner will want to lay claim to their own dessert: coconut panna cotta makes for a fine palate-cleanser. House wines start at £11 a glass; otherwise, opt for a pint of Singha Thai beer or a bottle of locally brewed Jiddler's Tipple. Don't forget to buy some of Farang's homemade dipping sauces and curry pastes to take home.

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Established

Location

Find us

72 Highbury Park Road, Highbury, N5 2XE
London, United Kingdom
020 7226 1609
reservations@faranglondon.co.uk
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