Looking for a Peckham Thai restaurant? Just a mile from Peckham, Chai’s Garden at Skehan’s offers a dining experience unlike anywhere else in South East London. Enjoy authentic Thai cuisine in a peaceful garden restaurant or order from the same menu while soaking up the atmosphere inside one of the area’s most welcoming family-run Irish pubs.
If you’re deciding where to eat, Chai’s Garden gives you more than excellent food. It offers authentic Thai cooking, two completely different dining experiences and the chance to enjoy live music, quiz nights or live sport alongside your meal.
A Story That Started More Than 40 Years Ago
The story of Chai’s Garden is about much more than great food.
In a short film shared by Skehan’s, Madam Chai reflects on arriving in the UK from Thailand at just 13 years old, speaking no English and beginning a journey that would eventually help shape one of South East London’s most distinctive pubs.
After building a successful pub and Thai kitchen together in Islington, Madam Chai and Bill Skehan took on Skehan’s in Nunhead. At the time, the pub looked very different from the welcoming destination visitors know today. Parts of the building needed extensive renovation, including an old barn that had once been used to stable horses, while the pub itself had only six or seven regular customers.
Through years of hard work, determination and a shared vision, they transformed Skehan’s into the thriving community pub it is today, where live music, authentic Thai food and friendly faces fill the pub almost every day of the week.
If you’d like to hear the story in Madam Chai’s own words, you can watch the video below, where she shares her memories of arriving in Britain, renovating the pub with Bill Skehan and building the foundations of what has become a much-loved local institution.
A Peaceful Garden Restaurant Full of Character
Unlike many busy restaurants, Chai’s Garden offers a calm and welcoming atmosphere where you can take your time, enjoy great conversation and savour freshly prepared food.
During the warmer months, the surrounding garden makes the experience even more memorable, creating one of Nunhead’s hidden gems.
Authentic Thai Dishes Prepared Fresh Every Day
From flavour-packed starters to traditional curries and stir-fries, every meal is cooked fresh to order.
Whether you’re trying Thai cuisine for the first time or returning for your favourite dish, you’ll find quality ingredients and authentic flavours at the heart of every plate.
A Pub With Thai Food Unlike Anywhere Else
One of the biggest reasons people return to Skehan’s is that you don’t have to choose between a restaurant and a pub.
The complete Chai’s Garden menu is also available inside Skehan’s itself, making it a genuine pub with Thai food—something that’s surprisingly rare in South East London.
Whether you prefer the lively atmosphere of the pub or the peaceful setting of the restaurant, you can enjoy exactly the same authentic Thai dishes.
Choose Between the Restaurant or the Pub
Fancy a quiet evening? Relax in the beautiful glasshouse restaurant.
Meeting friends for drinks? Order your favourite Thai meal and enjoy it in the pub alongside award-winning Guinness and the welcoming atmosphere that has made Skehan’s a local favourite for more than 25 years.
Live Music, Quiz Nights and Sport With Your Meal
Your evening doesn’t have to end when dinner is finished.
Visit on a Tuesday to enjoy authentic Thai food while listening to the Irish and English Trad Session. Come along on Thursday for the popular Quiz Night, or catch Premier League football, rugby, GAA and more on multiple screens throughout the pub.
Few places offer the opportunity to enjoy authentic Thai cuisine alongside such a varied programme of entertainment.
Fresh Thai Food Just Minutes from Peckham
Although Chai’s Garden is located in neighbouring Nunhead, it’s only around a mile from Peckham, making it an easy choice if you’re looking for excellent Thai food nearby.
Many visitors first arrive searching for a Peckham Thai restaurant, only to discover that the short journey rewards them with something far more memorable than a typical restaurant experience.
With a hidden beer garden, live entertainment, friendly service and authentic cooking, it’s easy to see why so many people return time and time again.
Why Peckham Diners Choose Chai’s Garden
Great food is only part of the experience.
People choose Chai’s Garden because they know they’ll receive a warm welcome, freshly prepared Thai dishes and the flexibility to enjoy their evening exactly how they want.
Whether you’re planning a relaxed dinner in the restaurant, a lively meal in the pub or an evening that combines great food with live music or sport, Chai’s Garden offers something genuinely different.
If you’re searching for a Peckham Thai restaurant, make the short journey to nearby Nunhead and discover why Chai’s Garden has become one of South East London’s favourite places to enjoy authentic Thai cuisine.
FAQs
Where is Chai’s Garden Thai Restaurant?
Chai’s Garden is located within Skehan’s pub in Nunhead, around one mile from Peckham.
Can I eat Thai food inside the pub?
Yes. The full Chai’s Garden menu is available in both the restaurant and Skehan’s pub.
What time is Thai food served?
Authentic Thai food is served daily from 5:00pm until 9:30pm.
Does Skehan’s have live entertainment?
Yes. Enjoy live music throughout the week, a popular Thursday quiz, live sport and a welcoming community atmosphere.
Is Chai’s Garden suitable for groups?
Yes. Whether you choose the peaceful restaurant or the lively pub, Chai’s Garden is ideal for family meals, celebrations and evenings out with friends.