Wara Thai Restaurant, Melksham: Beyond Your Pad Thai, Green, Red, Panang & Massaman Curries

This was our second visit to Wara Thai, though technically our first time wasn’t here at their Melksham restaurant. Our introduction to Wara was in Chippenham, where we ordered some of the more “classic” Thai restaurant favourites; pad thai, massaman curry, that sort of thing. There it was called Wara Thai Cafe, while this is called Wara Thai Restaurant. This time, we wanted to lean into the street-food side of the menu, and I’m glad we did.

On our first visit, we ordered the Thai classics like Tom Kha (a variant of Tom Yum soup) with Chicken, Massaman Curry with Beef, Stir Fried Cashew Nuts with Battered Chicken. These are your typical Thai food gracing the menus of most Thai restaurants up and down the country. You can read up more about our visit to Wara Thai Cafe for Thai Street Food in Chippenham.

IMG_2171 Wara Thai Melksham Signboard — Wara Thai Restaurant in Melksham

What We Ordered

Let’s get straight to the point, the food. Here is what we ordered between the two of us.

Northern Thai Curry Noodles – Braised Beef

We went with the braised beef option, and it turned out to be the star of the evening. A generous bowl of creamy, lightly spiced curry sauce with yellow egg noodles, a half egg, pickled vegetables, fried onions, and a crown of crispy wontons.

The beef was tender but still had a satisfying chew, not overcooked in the slightest, and the thick curry sauce was comforting with just enough heat. It actually reminded me a little of mee rebus; rich, warming, and deeply savoury. I did ask for a bit more spice, and the staff suggested adding chilli flakes on the side, which worked brilliantly. That way, the curry’s flavour wasn’t drowned out, and I could dial the heat up to taste. My only wish? A few more noodles in the bowl, and a softer-centred egg would have taken it from excellent to exceptional.

The Northern Thai Curry is also available with Chicken, Prawn or Roast Duck.

Thai Boat Noodle Soup (Kuay Tiaw Reua) – Roast Duck

We chose the roast duck version, and wow; the broth here is something else. Dark, rich, and slightly cloudy, layered with spice and savouriness, it’s the kind of broth you just want to keep sipping. A real comfort food. The shredded duck meat was plentiful and tender, with just the right amount of vegetables mixed in. We’d never had Thai boat noodles before, but from what we’ve read about the dish, Wara’s version felt pretty authentic. Some recipes mention pig’s blood as a thickener, which would explain the intensity and depth of flavour here. Either way, it was one of the best bowls of noodle soup we’ve had in a long while. We were only disappointed in that the white cabbage served with the noodle soup was nearer the stalk, the bit you usually throw out.

The Thai Boat Noodle Soup is also available with Braised Beef or Braised Pork Rib.

Atmosphere and Service

We arrived early for dinner, but the restaurant filled up quickly. Clearly a popular spot, and we noticed many diners had made a real effort with their evening wear, a small detail, but it added to the sense that eating here is an occasion. The restaurant itself is clean, bright, and unfussy. Orders were taken quickly, service was smooth, and food arrived at the table without delay. The server also returned quickly after the food was served to ask if everything was to our satisfaction. This is exactly the kind of no-fuss dining we hoped for.

At around £15 each for our noodle dishes, it felt like very fair value for dinner – especially given the quality and portion sizes.

IMG_2167 Wara Thai Melksham Northern Thai Curry Yellow Noodle

IMG_2166 2 Wara Thai Melksham Thai Boat Noodle Soup

What We’re Eyeing Up Next Time

The menu is packed with dishes we’re itching to try, especially from the Esan and chef’s specials sections. The Esan Set (papaya salad, sticky rice, plus chicken wings, soft shell crab, or seabass) looks like a great way to get a flavour of Northern Thai favourites. The Sea Bass Samoon Pai – deep fried with chilli paste, cashews, and Thai herbs – sounds like a crowd-pleaser, while the Soft Shell Crab Stir-Fried with Yellow Curry promises that rich, creamy sauce we’re already hooked on. And the Lamb Shank Massaman? Absolutely on the list – slow-braised comfort food with a Thai twist.

Our second visit to Wara Thai confirmed what our first hinted at: this is one of the best Thai dining spots in the area. Whether you stick to the classics or dive into street food dishes, the flavours are deep, the execution is confident, and the overall experience is satisfying. With plenty of parking, friendly staff, and a bustling atmosphere, it’s well worth a trip. Just make sure to book ahead – especially on weekends – because this is not a place you want to miss out on.

We’ll be back, no question.