I booked the private dining area for 20 people for my birthday. I have to say the food was excellent and very good value for money. The only thing that let the restaurant down was the waitress - firstly, I don't think she knew how to smile?!!! Secondly, I felt like she was constantly hurrying us. I realise they only book the private room for 2 hour slots, so there was another party arriving straight after us... however, they should at least have a 15 minutes gap in between each sitting to give them enough time to clear up etc, rather than constantly rushing customers. I agree with the other reviewers - the staff do need to be trained on etiquette.

The food was adequate for the price, but I have never in my life found been exposed to such unnecessary snobbery from staff. It is like they want to make the dining experience as difficult for the customer as possible.

We went there for a friend's birthday and despite a bill of £400 for a sunday afternoon, the staff were terribly organised at dealing with a group of 15 (although we asked them beforehand whether they would be able to accommodate the size of the group, they assured us we should "just turn up" and so we were not given the chance to forwarn them of the size of the party even if we wanted to.

We were asked to wait outside until the entire party had arrived. As one person was late, this meant the entire group waiting outside for half an hour before they would seat us! Ridiculous and unnecessary policy.

After spending this much in the restaurant, we were told we were not allowed to cut a small shop bought cake for my friends birthday. No smile, no apology, just a blank "no, it is policy" and a stare.

Absolutely dispicable behaviour. Avoid this restaurant like the plague unless you enjoy being made guilty for attempting to have a get together, and paying for the privelige of these apparently elite inditiduals to serve you. I am disgusted at the treatment.

The food is good but the staff need more training on etiquette! Unlike the excellent service at the Selfridges branch they seem to think customers like being in close proximity to the staff. This is highly unsual!

Food at this Busaba Eathai appears to have gone down hill recently. The flavours used to be very good, but the duck salad today resembled no Thai salad I've ever had. To be honest it appeared to be duck in Hoisin sauce, just like you could get in any Chinese takeaway.


The butternut squash stir-fry was also rather heavy on the fish sauce and rather light on the chilli. What's going on Busaba Eathai?

Busaba Eathai has to be one of my favourite restaurants. Simply for the fact that it has really quick service, the food was amazing and when I go on a Saturday or Sunday evening, its never really that busy.

I encourage everyone to go to Busaba Eathai. Order the calamari with peppercorn. You will probably never have tried anything like it, it's so good.

I have been to Busaba many times and have to say that, for an after work meal, this is one of the best places to go. The atmosphere is brilliant and the service is quick and polite. The food is fantastic and I have never had a bad meal there. I have also recommended it to many people who also love it. I am very picky with my restaurants but would definitely recommend anyone to try Busaba Eathai.

A victim of its own success, Busaba Eathai offers a welcoming mixture of superbly prepared Thai/Asian Fusion foods, reasonably priced (perhaps even offering Great Value, it can be argued, given we're talking Central London here). But the staff are likely to get more and more dishevelled during the day (and night), and the queues for a place here go round the block (no reservations possible, alas). The set-up (dark woods, elegant dim lighting) combines with Wagamama-style communal benches and tables, so you never quite get that intimate-dinner-for-two or the ability to hold conversations without distraction - but you DO get a chance to see Londoners On The Town and toing and froing - a great part of the Soho experience.
Fun when you're in the mood and, of course, the food IS good.

Busaba Eathai is a beautiful and relaxed restaurant that balances intimacy and communal dining very well indeed. I have taken various different friends and relations there and have had nothing but glowing feedback on the menu. The prices are also very reasonable. I have read a couple of reviews suggesting that the waiting staff at Busaba are rude and arrogant but have not experienced this myself. I have found them to be polite and appropriately attentive and helpful.