Happy Thai – Giggling Squid in Oxford

So often as a family we can’t decide on a kid-friendly dinner out, which also ticks all the boxes required for more sophisticated adult tastes.

Last week however we decided to try the beautiful, family-friendly Oxford outpost of Giggling Squid – the Thai famed for its fantastic, floral interior and sumptuous Thai classics.

Giggling Squid is all about food with personality, cooked with expertise and shared with generosity. Plentiful dishes, bold flavours and exotic ingredients - to be shared and enjoyed together as family or friends.

The company started in 2009, from a determination to do things differently. Back then, what was missing from the food scene was that true Thai authenticity – energetic, informal, adventurous, and truly welcoming. The team believe food is to be celebrated and you don’t have to dress up to enjoy it. Relaxed, no standing on ceremony – it’s about having a good time, over something tasty.

It is important to Giggling Squid that everyone who walks through the door – children and adults alike - feel as if they’re coming into their own home.

The Giggling Squid story started when co-founder Pranee worked as a waitress at a family run Thai restaurant whilst studying in Brighton. She loved the fast pace, getting to know customers by name, the multi-tasking, quick problem-solving and the skill of turning tables. But she missed the true Thai experience and this sparked a hunger to have her own restaurant, designed in her own unique style.

Fast forward a few years to when Pranee and husband Andy were sitting in the basement of a tiny, tiny fisherman’s cottage (now their Brighton restaurant), pulling together Giggling Squid’s first Thai Tapas menu.

Taking inspiration from Thai traditions and legends, as well as Pranee’s own food memories, the idea was to cook proper Thai food and devise a menu that recreated the family mealtime experience in Thailand, involving lots of dishes and lots of sharing. This concept proved perfect for hungry children and the kitchen was more than happy to accommodate the ‘plain noodle options’.

We tried one of the mixed sharing platters (more than enough for 4) and our favourite Thai Green and Massaman curries – all cooked to perfection. Definitely going back!