Siam Smiles

It’s no secret that Manchester is one of the UK’s best destinations for culinary adventures. And when it comes to Far Eastern flavours our beautiful sprawl pretty much has it all. Siam Smiles reflects the incredibly high standards of Thai food available in and around town, with this intimate little eatery hiding in plain sight amongst the landmark Great Northern. Proof that Deansgate Mews, a small row of indie stores, restaurants and bars just outside the massive cinema and entertainment complex, is a real hidden gem when it comes to quality eats in the city centre. 

Led by self-taught chef and owner May, the laidback and familial atmosphere greets you from the moment you walk into the sky blue-hued dining room. As the Daily Telegraph once put it, Siam Smiles is “the most exciting thing to happen to me in Manchester since the days of the Hacienda.” We’re not sure what the writer did in between, this spot really does stand out from the crowd for several reasons. Operating a cafe style menu coded for clarity, let’s start with the noodles and soups. Kuai Tiew Tom Yam Moo, Kuai Tiew Shed Yang, Kiew Goond Moo Dang and Pad Thai Goong give an idea of how authentic things are, with fish balls, squid, prawn, pork, vegetable, roast BBQ pork, wantons, egg or fiat noodles all present and correct. 

Next up comes the SR section of the menu (Siam Rice). Indulge in the rich meatiness of Sao Saam Sahai (crispy belly pork, crispy duck, jasmine rice, boiled egg), Kao Pad Ka Prow (spicy stir fry with holy basil, chilli and garlic), and even Pineapple Fried Rice with prawns. Prefer a snack? We recommend the iconic Prawn Tempura, deep fried Plek Kai Tod (chicken wings), Sai Krok E San (special sausage with cabbage and fresh chilli), or the Tofu Deep Fry with homemade dipping sauce. Available in dine-in or take-out formats, we recommend booking for the full experience — including imported Thai beers — as this place gets busy.