Rosa's Thai Guildford
Tucked away on the lively Friary Street, Rosa's Thai Guildford brings the bold, fresh, and fiery flavors of Thailand right to the heart of Surrey. From the moment you step into the restaurant at Unit 5-6 Friary St, Guildford GU1 4EH, you’re met with a warm, bustling atmosphere that perfectly mirrors the energy of Bangkok street food culture-but with a modern twist.
Rosa’s is not your average Thai eatery. What sets it apart is its ability to strike that sweet spot between traditional Thai comfort food and trendy, casual dining. Whether you're popping in for a quick lunch or settling in for a full-blown dinner with friends, the experience is consistently vibrant, flavorful, and comforting.
Let’s talk food, because that’s where Rosa’s really shines. The Pad Thai here deserves a spotlight-it’s tangy, nutty, and beautifully balanced with just the right hint of tamarind and lime. You can have it with chicken, prawns, tofu, or even vegan-style, and it never disappoints. For those who enjoy a bit more heat and zing, the Chilli & Basil Stir-Fry comes sizzling hot with tender slices of meat and crunchy veg, drenched in a sauce that hits all the right notes.
One of the under-the-radar stars is the Massaman Beef Curry-a deeply rich and aromatic dish that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. Paired with fluffy Sticky Rice, it’s a game changer, especially on a rainy Guildford day. And if you're a fan of curry with a kick, the Panang Curry delivers creamy coconut comfort with just the right amount of spice and fragrance.
Rosa's also gets playful with its starters and sides. Think Homemade Spring Rolls that are crisp and golden with a sweet chili dipping sauce you’ll want to bottle and take home. Or the Thai Calamari, which has a light batter, a subtle kick, and that signature Thai seasoning that keeps you reaching for more. The Chicken Satay is another crowd-pleaser, served with a velvety peanut sauce that's worth licking the plate for.
What’s fun about this location is that it's super family-friendly, yet trendy enough for a casual night out or even a solo lunch break. They also cater to modern tastes, offering a variety of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, all without sacrificing flavor. Plus, if you’re into sharing, the Classic Sharing Platter is the way to go-loaded with all the best nibbles like Samosa, Prawn Crackers, and more.
And let's not forget the drinks. Rosa’s Thai Guildford goes beyond your standard fare. They serve Thai Iced Tea and Bubble Tea-refreshing, sweet, and perfect for cooling down after a spicy main. If you’re feeling a little indulgent, a tangy Lemonade or even a cheeky cocktail is available too, keeping things casual but fun.
There’s even a little something for the sweet tooths out there. While Thai desserts aren't always front and center, Rosa’s gives a surprising twist with items like Churros-yes, churros in a Thai restaurant! Crispy on the outside, fluffy inside, and served with a dipping sauce that’s rich and satisfying.
What also makes Rosa’s Thai Guildford stand out is how accessible it is. It’s easy to get to, spacious enough for groups, and caters to takeaway and delivery if you're craving Thai at home. It’s the kind of place you end up bookmarking-reliable, flavorful, and always a pleasure to return to.
For those looking for alternatives to standard Chinese or Indian takeaway, Rosa’s offers a refreshing pivot: authentic Thai flavors with a contemporary vibe, in a space that welcomes everyone from spice lovers to cautious eaters. The team at Rosa’s has found a winning formula-keeping it simple, delicious, and full of soul.
Reviews
I had high hopes for my visit to Rosa's Thai restaurant in Guildford, especially given its generally positive reviews. We chose it last-minute for Father's Day lunch. As expected, the restaurant was incredibly busy, which unfortunately set the stage for a few issues. Our initial table near the front was problematic; speakers were blasting music at a rather loud volume, and combined with the general din of a busy restaurant and lively conversations, it created an overwhelming atmosphere. My daughter has some sensory sensitivities, so we had to request a move to a table at the back, which helped a little. Next, we ordered from the menu, which offered a traditional selection of Thai dishes, typical of UK-based restaurants. We opted for the classic Pad Thai, Basil and Chilli Chicken with fried rice, two kids' meals with stir-fried flat noodles, satay chicken, and prawn doughnuts. We also selected a sharing platter for our starter. Prawn crackers were brought out while our food was being prepared, which was a nice touch. However, the starters arrived strangely at the same time as the kids' meals. The sharing platter included spring rolls, squid, chicken wings, prawn crackers, and pork skewers, all with accompanying dipping sauces. The squid was genuinely amazing – truly the highlight of the meal. The chicken wings were also quite tasty and crispy! There were no complaints about the spring rolls. Sadly, the pork skewers were disappointing; they lacked flavour and were generally very dry. The kids' starters were less successful. The satay chicken was dry and overcooked, with a heavy, almost raw, spice flavour. While the satay sauce was okay, it couldn't redeem the chicken. The prawn doughnuts were unique; I didn't mind them, but my son wasn't a fan and much preferred the squid from the platter. The adult mains were a mixed bag. The Chilli and Basil Chicken (minced style) was flavourful, but halfway through, I really noticed the salt level, even with an ample portion of rice. The Pad Thai was decent and came with a good helping of chopped nuts on the side, though it was a little unvaried in taste. The kids' meals, made with large flat noodles similar to Pad Thai but not as good, were particularly disappointing. My son, who usually eats anything and everything, only had a quarter of his meal, which is highly unusual for him. My daughter tasted hers and was not happy with it, ultimately leaving it uneaten. What compounded our experience was the lack of attentive service. There were no usual checks to see if our meal was okay or if we needed more drinks; we felt largely ignored throughout our visit. They did offer to remove the kids' meals from the bill, and I agreed to one, as that seemed fair since my son had eaten some and was full. While some dishes certainly had a "sparkle," the overall experience and the lack of consistent quality were ultimately a letdown this time.
Joy served us: so lovely. I ordered the ribs- incredible!! My partner had the Thai green curry and loved it. Also, we shared calamari and prawn doughnut starters- again so so nice, seasoning divine and the dips were the perfect compliment! :)
First time trying this restaurant and it exceeded expectations! The food was so tasty and all the staff were so friendly! Benz was our main server and she was so accommodating and kind! We will definitely be back again, thank you! Highly recommend the chicken rice (so fresh and chicken was so tender), the pork skewers and dipping sauce were amazing and the spring rolls were so crispy and tasty! Were very accommodating of my nut allergy too - thank you!
Amazing place, great food and service. We had chicken red curry with steamed rice and ginger noodles. The Thai iced tea lemonade was very refreshing. The food came fresh and tasted great. Staff is attentive and friendly. The place has a lovely ambiance however it was cramped. The tables were too close to one another almost making it difficult and inconvenient to get up, specially when we had a baby with us. Overall a great experience and will return again and try more of their menu! P.S. their chicken is halal
We came to Guildford for a anniversary gateway, and wanted Thai so we came here - best decision. They congratulated us the moment we walked in. Pang who was our waiter was exceptional. And the food 10/10 from starter to main. We were so full we couldn't have any dessert