If you love Thai food, it’s time to get yourself down to Park Row to visit the iconic Giggling Squid.
When partners Andy and Pranee Laurillard opened the first-ever Giggling Squid in Brighton in 2002, they might not have known what was to come. Fast forward to today, the brand has 53 venues, and their Leeds restaurant is marking their biggest site to date. Here’s everything you need to know about the arrival of Giggling Squid.
The Giggling Squid dream was born when Andy and Pranee huddled around a table in the basement of a fisherman’s cottage. That same cottage is now their Brighton restaurant! The pair had a vision – to disrupt the Thai dining scene, serving shareable tapas-style Thai dishes within venues adorned with distinctive floral interiors.
The 200-cover Leeds restaurant is situated in the former Royal Bank of Scotland site on Park Row. The Grade II-listed building is a fitting home for the venue, seamlessly blending history with modern elegance. There’s a striking stone exterior, but step inside and you’ll find a colourful contrast – floral wallpapers, banquette seating and statement lighting.
The food more than lives up to expectations. A gigantic menu is packed with hearty dishes, made with love using premium ingredients. Expect bold flavours and dishes designed to enjoy Thai-style – that’s shared with your loved ones. It’s a great chance to order a huge array of dishes, digging into a tongue-tingling variety of flavours.
Starters serve up everything from steamed pork dumplings to chicken satay skewers, alongside sprawling sharing platters like the epic Fisherman’s Feast – soft shell Crab, crispy squid bits, salt and pepper squid and zingy papaya salad. Served with Thai herb and sriracha dipping sauces, it’s a taste sensation.
As for mains, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Hearty Thai curries are all present and correct, as are favourites like Pad Thai, but this is a restaurant where it pays to experiment. The lamb shank massaman is guaranteed to impress, while the duck confit pairs tender duck meat with tangy tamarind sauce.
There’s plenty for veggies too – in fact, nearly half of the menu is meat-free. Kick things off with salt and pepper chilli mushrooms, then dig into the likes of creamy vegetable paneang, punchy pad kee mao or chilli and basil stir fry. Show-stopping sides include garlic pepper steamed noodles, fresh Thai salad and golden brown roti.
Visit for lunch and you’ll find remarkable value. Their Samrub sets serve up four hearty portions of menu favourites from as little as £12.95, while the tapas menu is packed with smaller dishes that you can mix and match. Expect to find this place very busy when lunchtime rolls around.
They’ve got an exceptional drinks menu to boot. Sup on wines, beers or spirits, including exotic Thai specialities like the colour-changing Butterfly Cannon Tequila, or experiment with creative cocktails like the Mango Chilli Mosquito – a Mojito-style cocktail with Mekhong Rum, mango, pineapple, lime, ginger ale and a cheeky chilli sting in its tail.
So, what’s the thinking behind the restaurant? “Our aim is to create a vibrant space where people can enjoy delicious meals with friends and family in a warm and welcoming environment,” Pranee Laurillard, co-founder of Giggling Squid said.
With this philosophy at its heart, Giggling Squid is more than just a restaurant – it’s a place where diners can gather, indulge and celebrate the joy of Thai food with their nearest and dearest. We’re already planning our order. Only one question remains – when are you paying a visit to Giggling Squid?
Giggling Squid, 27 Park Row, Leeds, LS1 5QB.
