The Thai Orchid opened in 1986, and was a real shot-in-the-arm for Banbury, this exotically appointed Thai restaurant still outpaces its local rivals. You can't miss the flamboyant frontage, and inside it's a treasure trove of intricately hand-carved carved screens and furniture, luxuriant greenery, statues and trickling water.

Lunch is a great-value, help-yourself buffet, and the full menu trawls its way through all the staples of the cuisine, from soups and salads to curries and stir-fries. The list of chef's specialities includes baked fillet of sea bass with Kaffir lime leaves, herbs and 'chu chee' sauce or you might prefer Northern Thai steak, marinated then grilled with sesame oil and garlic.

Other items worth considering are moo phad prig khing (stir-fried pork in a deep red curry with spicy shrimp sauce and French beans), ped makam (baked marinated duck breast with tamarind sauce) and sizzling chicken breast with lemon grass, pepper and soy sauce.

Thai Orchid is also featured in: Hardens

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Thai

Lunch: 12.00 - 2.00pm
Dinner: 6.00 - 10.30pm

Visa, Master Card

• Family Friendly