This quirky traditional pub with a modern twist keeps up to date with the times without compromising its old-fashioned character.

The Venue
A stone's throw from Waterloo, down a pretty street that still holds its pre-war features, this boozer has been satisfying thirsty punters for years. From the tiny tables, chairs with fabric seats and draping curtains complementing the dark wood in the front two bars, to the long benches and small dining tables in the back restaurant section, it’s easy to see why. Bric-a-brac items add further character and you will find these scattered all over the pub – old-fashioned telephones, road signs, black and white drawings, pots, pans, multiple quotes scrawled on blackboards, and stained glass are just some of the retro oddities. And, unlike some venues, there's nothing strategically placed about the random objects, this pub has just developed its authentic quirky character over many years.

The Atmosphere
During the week, The Kings Arms is busy with local office workers who flock to the pub for a bite to eat or a swift half on the way home, whilst the weekends can be quiet – and the back area of the pub can be hired out during this time. Expect to see a mixture of suited office workers, tourists visiting the historical street and students’ studying at the nearby university. Staff are friendly, cheery and amazingly good at multi-tasking.

The Food
You might expect hearty English favourites, but think again. The back of the pub is rented out to a Thai-run restaurant, serving Yvonne's Thai Cusine, a good-sized menu of starters, curries, stir-fry and rice and noodle dishes, all priced under £7.95.

The Thai mixed vegetable spring rolls (por pia pak, £3.95) are perfectly cooked and a generous starter. The rolls aren't greasy, but still have a bite to them, and the vegetables inside are varied and nicely seasoned. The sweet chilli sauce is perfect for adding a kick, too. The spicy Thai fishcakes (tod mon pla, £4.95) are on the pricier end of the starters, but the succulent and gently spiced dish is worth the money. The zesty lemon-flavoured dipping sauce also works very well with the fish.

Packed with vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, aubergine and cauliflower to name a few, as well as your pick of chicken, beef or prawn, the Thai red curry (gaeng paneang) is a very substantial main course. The gently spiced creamy curry is rich, but not too sickly, and has been cooking for enough time so the flavour is deep and intense. The steamed rice that's served with main meals is light, fluffy and deliciously fragrant.

The Drink
There's a fine selection of real ales, such as Boondoggle, Adnams Bitter, Doom Bar, Hobgoblin and Wychwood, as well as favourites such as Peroni, Strongbow, Fosters and Guinness. All pints cost around £3-£4. The wine list is pretty good and you'll pay about £13 for a bottle of house. La Casada Merlot (£12.85) is an enjoyable red; light and soft, it's really tasty and goes well with most Thai dishes. It's worth noting the bar and restaurant at The Kings Arms are completely different entities – while they share the same roof, you'll be charged for food at the back in the restaurant area and drinks at the front.

The Last Word
Cosy and full of character, the Kings Arms is great for Thai food and good ale.

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