CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Global brand launches first Scottish restaurant in St James Quarter

Thai Express Kitchen, recognised around the world for its fast and fresh take on traditional Thai cuisine, is opening its first Scottish restaurant - in the heart of the capital.

Global brand launches first Scottish restaurant in St James Quarter

Article Source: Thai Express Kitchen
Last Updated: 15 November 2021 11:21

A BRAND recognised around the world for its fast and fresh take on traditional Thai cuisine is opening its first Scottish restaurant - in the heart of the capital.

Thai Express Kitchen will launch within St James Quarter this month, a milestone moment for the Canadian brand – and its first “kitchen” venture within the UK, expanding on its beloved takeaway menus to also offer casual dining and a licensed bar.

The Edinburgh restaurant will centre on an open-plan kitchen, with expert wok chefs cooking to order and using fresh and seasonal produce.

Customers will be able to choose from a mostly familiar menu, including pad thai, green curry and papaya salad – however they’ll be encouraged to customise their dish and request their level of spice.

It’s an exciting moment for Uzma and Sachin Pattani, who brought the 300-outlet “Thai Express” brand to the UK in 2012.

As the first Thai Express “Kitchen”, Edinburgh will be their eighth and largest setting, with St James Quarter joining similar buzzy locations including Croydon, Wembley and Birmingham.

Sachin, 42, has been at the heart of the £100,000+ transformation of the site, project managing each process to ensure they meet exceptionally high standards – as well as hand-picking a 35-strong team.

He said: “In our view Thai food is the most exciting cuisine in the world. We can’t wait to open our doors and bring the Thai Express brand to Edinburgh and Scotland.

“I got involved with the brand because I am a Thai food obsessive. I wanted to find the world’s best Pad Thai and bring it to these shores. We can cater for people just like me, who’ll go to lengths to find the best Southeast Asian food.

“Likewise we’re fiercely proud to be affordable and accessible. This cuisine should be opened up to everyone – and our chefs are happy to adapt and listen to the customer.

“Edinburgh will shake up the stale food-to-go market, giving an alternative to pre-packed sandwiches, while also offering our first restaurant setting in the UK.”


The eatery, within the £1billion St James Quarter’s Leith street Eats area, will feature 100 covers. For the first time in the UK it will bring innovative “double decker” seating pods, giving groups a mix of privacy and fun to add to the experience.

Originally from Canada, Thai Express is now featured in more than 6 countries. It is the global leading brand for fast casual Thai Dining – and it attracts a wide audience, from families to students to office workers, with a combination of fresh food at a reasonable price.

For more information about Thai Express Kitchen at St James Quarter, visit: https://thaiexpress.co.uk/ or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.


Sponsored Links

Children's Classic Concerts
Edinburgh Street Historians
TGC Leisure
Headline PR
Escape The Past

Latest Edinburgh News

Peppa Pig Casting Announced

Peppa Pig Casting Announced

Fierylight, in collaboration with Hasbro, are thrilled to announce the cast for the upcoming ‘oinktastic’ UK tour of Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show, coming to Edinburgh Playhouse in March.

READ MORE
Edinburgh Christmas Parties & Activities 2025

Edinburgh Christmas Parties & Activities 2025

With Christmas just around the corner, there's never been a better time to start thinking about your Edinburgh festive celebrations.

READ MORE
Bongos Bingo Christmas Cracker and Big Fat Bingo of the Year

Bongos Bingo Christmas Cracker and Big Fat Bingo of the Year

This festive season at The O2 Academy, Bongo’s Bingo is transporting everyone back to the time when coloured tree lights and flammable tinsel ruled supreme.

READ MORE
Casting for MAMMA MIA! Announced

Casting for MAMMA MIA! Announced

Full casting is announced for the sensational feel-good musical MAMMA MIA! which comes to the Edinburgh Playhouse for the festive season playing from Tue 9 Dec 2025 - Sun 4 Jan 2026.

READ MORE
Women lead the way in the National Galleries of Scotland 2026 programme

Women lead the way in the National Galleries of Scotland 2026 programme

National Galleries of Scotland announces an unmissable programme of free and ticketed exhibitions set to take over the National, Portrait and Modern galleries in Edinburgh throughout 2026.

READ MORE
Flight Club is giving out hundreds of prizes on the streets of Edinburgh in October

Flight Club is giving out hundreds of prizes on the streets of Edinburgh in October

The team behind the home of Social Darts is embarking on a nationwide charity tour in celebration of its 10th birthday and dishing out treats to its fans along the way!

READ MORE
Scottish Building Society brings communities together for largest walking rugby event in Scotland

Scottish Building Society brings communities together for largest walking rugby event in Scotland

Scottish Building Society hosted Scotland’s largest walking rugby festival last month, bringing together players of all abilities for a celebration of sport, community, and accessible active living.

READ MORE
Olympic hero Sir Chris Hoy joined Sir Tom Hunter to lead out Edinburgh Kiltwalk

Olympic hero Sir Chris Hoy joined Sir Tom Hunter to lead out Edinburgh Kiltwalk

Olympic hero Sir Chris Hoy joined philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter to lead out 8,500 Kiltwalkers at the Edinburgh Kiltwalk (Sunday September 14) raising £1.5 million for 800 charities.

READ MORE
Edinburgh school kids team up with Kabin Crew to create a new rap song in Irish and Scottish Gaelic

Edinburgh school kids team up with Kabin Crew to create a new rap song in Irish and Scottish Gaelic

Young musicians from Edinburgh and Cork are breaking new grounds with a unique hybrid international hip-hop collaboration led by Cork’s Kabin Crew.

READ MORE
Capitals Bartenders Cast Their Vote As Edinburgh Bar Awards Reveal Finalists

Capitals Bartenders Cast Their Vote As Edinburgh Bar Awards Reveal Finalists

Edinburgh’s top bartenders have had their say, as the Edinburgh Bar Awards today (Thursday, 11th September) reveal the 2025 finalists across 11 categories.

READ MORE
Take to the skies with Daredevil Photographer Alfred Buckham at the National Galleries of Scotland

Take to the skies with Daredevil Photographer Alfred Buckham at the National Galleries of Scotland

This autumn at the Portrait gallery in Edinburgh, take to the skies and see the world from above the clouds through the remarkable work of Alfred Buckham: Daredevil Photographer.

READ MORE
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition

Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition

Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition on the big screen in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Inverness from 1st to 19th October 2025.

READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival Programme Announced

Scottish International Storytelling Festival Programme Announced

With support from the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund and Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funding, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival launched its 36th festival programme.

READ MORE
Mindroom Fundraising Heroes Drive Charity Support Forward

Mindroom Fundraising Heroes Drive Charity Support Forward

Mindroom is celebrating a series of extraordinary fundraising activities, led by charity co-founder 81-year-old Robin Dow, living with stage 4 cancer, as his 25-mile walk raised a huge £70,000.

READ MORE
Fresh deals for freshers

Fresh deals for freshers

Calling all students in Edinburgh! Britain’s biggest craft brewer, BrewDog, has announced some fresh new deals for freshers and returning students to toast the new academic year.

READ MORE
Carol Main MBE FRC appointed Chair of National Centre for Music

Carol Main MBE FRC appointed Chair of National Centre for Music

The development of a new National Centre for Music has reached another key milestone, with the appointment of Carol Main MBE FRC as Chair.

READ MORE
Eat Spain Drink Spain returns for a Culinary Fiesta across Edinburgh

Eat Spain Drink Spain returns for a Culinary Fiesta across Edinburgh

Get ready to embark on a culinary journey as the "Eat Spain Drink Spain" campaign makes its much-anticipated return to Edinburgh.

READ MORE
Haggis the pygmy hippo to say goodbye to Edinburgh Zoo

Haggis the pygmy hippo to say goodbye to Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo has announced that Haggis the pygmy hippo will be moving to another zoo as part of the breeding programme for the Endangered species.

READ MORE
Spooky Season Arrives at Dynamic Earth this October

Spooky Season Arrives at Dynamic Earth this October

This October, Edinburgh’s Science Centre and Planetarium, Dynamic Earth invites visitors of all ages to step into the shadows and uncover the science behind the spookiest stories ever told.

READ MORE
Cineworld 4DX Rewind returns for 2025

Cineworld 4DX Rewind returns for 2025

Cineworld is excited to announce the return of 4DX Rewind this September across Cineworld 4DX cinemas nationwide!

READ MORE
Edinburgh bridal expert shares her top trend prediction for Taylor Swift wedding

Edinburgh bridal expert shares her top trend prediction for Taylor Swift wedding

Now is the time to shop for that perfect dress, as Rachel Scott Couture has announced it will be hosting a one-off, three-week long sample sale at its Queensferry Street boutique.

READ MORE
Marcos unveils first of its kind interactive karaoke room

Marcos unveils first of its kind interactive karaoke room

Whatever kind of music you’re into, the brand-new interactive karaoke room at Marco's is the place for uninhibited singing, selfies and self-expression.

READ MORE
Final countdown to the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run 2025 is on

Final countdown to the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run 2025 is on

Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow next month, and there’s still time to secure your place.

READ MORE
Divino Enoteca launches September tasting menu and free wine tastings

Divino Enoteca launches September tasting menu and free wine tastings

This September, Edinburgh’s Italian wine bar Divino Enoteca, is offering plenty for food and wine lovers to explore.

READ MORE
September offers for Freshers Week at Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh

September offers for Freshers Week at Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh

Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh is giving students an extra reason to head out this semester with 20% off food, non-alcoholic drinks and merchandise when they show a valid student ID.

READ MORE
Marstons and Tom Shepherd join forces once more to serve up the best ever pub pie

Marstons and Tom Shepherd join forces once more to serve up the best ever pub pie

Marston's and Michelin-starred chef Tom Shepherd have teamed up once more to serve up The Best Ever Pub Pie to locals across the country.

READ MORE
Edinburgh Fringe smash hit Oran embarks on first UK tour

Edinburgh Fringe smash hit Oran embarks on first UK tour

Òran, the award-winning sell-out hit of the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe embarks on its first ever UK tour this autumn as company Wonder Fools take their work to a host of venues across Scotland.

READ MORE
Dynamic Earth partners with Scottish Water to deliver Water Cycle Workshops

Dynamic Earth partners with Scottish Water to deliver Water Cycle Workshops

Dynamic Earth is to join Science Centres across Scotland to deliver Water Cycle Workshops as part of Scottish Water's Generation H2O education programme.

READ MORE
Edinburgh Cocktail Week 2025 programme announced

Edinburgh Cocktail Week 2025 programme announced

The Edinburgh Cocktail Week programme for 2025 has been announced, reaffirming its status as the UK’s leading cocktail festival.

READ MORE
Iconic films to take centre stage at Vue venues in Scotland

Iconic films to take centre stage at Vue venues in Scotland

Iconic movies celebrating key milestones this year are returning to Vue for a limited run - including Steven Spielberg classic Jaws.

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Fayre Play
Hilton Glasgow
Hilton Glasgow
Hostelworld
Edinburgh Dungeon
ATG

Sponsored Links

Children's Classic Concerts
Edinburgh Street Historians
TGC Leisure
Headline PR
Escape The Past
Fayre Play
Hilton Glasgow
Hilton Glasgow
Hostelworld
Edinburgh Dungeon
ATG

Popular Events

Doors Open Days - Edinburgh
Scotland's annual Doors Open Days festival gives you free access to lots of fascinating buildings across Edinburgh! This year's event will be held on September 27th & 28th!
The Talented Mr Ripley
This electrifying new stage adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley brings Patricia Highsmith’s iconic psychological thriller to life like never before. Catch it at the Festival Theatre in September!
Conifox Terror Scream Park
Terror Scream Park, Edinburgh’s most intense 18+ horror event, launches for the very first time this autumn at Conifox Adventure Park.
Out With The Buckleys
James and Clair Buckley are taking their vlog offline and around the UK on an unfiltered, unedited live tour and bring it to the Usher Hall on Friday 1st May!
Santa & Elf Dash 2025
Put on your Santa hat and join Blast Running for festive fun at the Santa & Elf Dash, set in the beautiful Cammo Nature Reserve in north-west Edinburgh on Sunday 21st December!

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall