Looking for a Nunhead restaurant with great food, plenty of character and something a little different? Chai’s Garden at Skehan’s serves authentic Thai dishes, freshly prepared with traditional flavours. You can settle into the restaurant itself or enjoy your meal in the lively surroundings of the pub – and with live music six days a week, dinner doesn’t necessarily mean the end of your evening.
When people search for restaurants in Nunhead, they may not immediately think of looking inside a traditional Irish pub. But Chai’s Garden has been part of Skehan’s for more than two decades, making it a well-established part of Nunhead’s food scene.
A Nunhead Restaurant With a Difference
Chai’s Garden isn’t a recent addition created to jump on the popularity of Thai food.
Madam Chai has been running the restaurant for over 20 years, building a loyal following among local diners and Skehan’s regulars.
The food is freshly prepared by Thai chefs, with a menu filled with traditional flavours, appetisers and generous main courses.
There’s even a window looking into the kitchen from the garden, where you can watch the chefs at work.
Thai Food That’s Become Part of Skehan’s
One of the things we love about Chai’s Garden is how naturally two very different traditions sit alongside each other.
Skehan’s is an independent, family-run Irish pub with more than 25 years of history in the area. Chai’s brings authentic Thai cooking into that traditional pub setting.
Somehow, it works brilliantly.
What Can You Eat at Chai’s Garden?
There’s plenty to explore on the menu, whether you’re stopping for dinner or ordering several dishes for the table.
Popular choices include Pad Thai, Drunken Duck, Chicken with Cashew Nuts and Dim Sum, alongside a wide selection of other Thai favourites.
Sharing is also a great option. Order several starters and mains, put everything in the middle of the table and let everyone tuck in.
It’s an informal way to eat that suits Skehan’s perfectly.
Restaurant or Pub? You Choose
Here’s where Chai’s Garden becomes a particularly unusual Nunhead restaurant.
You don’t have to choose between going out for dinner and going to the pub.
Eat in Chai’s Garden Restaurant
If you want a more traditional restaurant experience, take a seat in Chai’s Garden and enjoy your meal away from the main bar.
Or Eat in the Pub
Prefer a little more going on around you?
Order from Chai’s Garden and eat your Thai food in Skehan’s instead.
This is particularly good fun when there’s an event taking place. You could enjoy dinner during Thursday’s pub quiz or share a Thai feast with friends while watching live sport on the pub’s screens.
The choice is yours.
Dinner Followed by Live Music
Another advantage of choosing Chai’s when you’re exploring restaurants in Nunhead is what happens after you’ve finished eating.
You don’t necessarily need to go anywhere.
Skehan’s has live music six days a week, and each evening has a different feel.
Tuesday brings alternating Irish and English trad sessions. Wednesday has the Writers Circle followed by the South London Jam. Fridays bring rock’n’roll or monthly karaoke, while Saturday is the big gig night. Sunday evenings slow things down with traditional folk music.
Enjoy dinner, order another drink and stay for the music.
Thai Food and a Pint in the Beer Garden
When the weather behaves itself, there’s another option.
Take your food outside to Skehan’s hidden beer garden.
There’s plenty of seating, making it a lovely spot for a relaxed meal with friends or family. Add a cold drink from the bar and you’ve got a pretty good way to spend a South London evening.
It’s another reason Chai’s feels different from many conventional restaurants.
Discover Chai’s Garden in Nunhead
There are plenty of restaurants in Nunhead, but Chai’s Garden offers an experience that’s difficult to replicate elsewhere.
You get authentic Thai cooking with more than two decades of heritage, the choice of restaurant or pub dining and all the atmosphere of one of the area’s best-loved independent locals.
Come for dinner and you might stay for a pint.
Come for a pint and you might discover your new favourite Thai dish.
And if there’s live music afterwards, you may find yourself staying considerably longer than you planned.
FAQs
Where can I find a Thai restaurant in Nunhead?
Chai’s Garden at Skehan’s serves freshly prepared, authentic Thai food in the heart of Nunhead.
Can you eat Chai’s Garden food inside Skehan’s pub?
Yes. You can dine in the separate restaurant or order your food and enjoy it inside the pub.
Can you eat Thai food in Skehan’s beer garden?
Yes. When the weather allows, you can enjoy food from Chai’s Garden outside in Skehan’s beer garden.
What time does Chai’s Garden serve food?
Chai’s Garden serves Thai food daily from 5pm until 9:30pm.
Does Skehan’s have live music after dinner?
Yes. Skehan’s hosts live music six days a week, including trad, folk, jam sessions and live bands.