A favourite on the Edinburgh dining scene is Spirit of Thai, which opened to a fanfare of rave reviews in the summer of 2006. From the same team who brought Thai Lemongrass, Jasmine Chinese and Time 4 Thai to the city, this stylish Grindlay Street eatery is conveniently situated in the theatre district, and perfect for grabbing a relaxing meal before or after visiting any of the nearby cultural landmarks, with the Lyceum, the Usher Hall and the Filmhouse in close proximity. Spirit of Thai’s interior is a subtle blend of the traditional and the modern, with tiled floors, magnolia walls and wooden ceiling beams creating a comfortable cottage feel, where customers can enjoy an authentic Thai meal in a tranquil atmosphere. The warmth of the service and surroundings extends to the exotic, aromatic food. Each dish on the extensive menu is clearly and accurately described, and the welcoming staff are more than willing to offer help should you require it. It’s said that you can gauge the calibre of a Thai restaurant by the quality of its Pad Thai Noodles, and Spirit of Thai exceeds even the most optimistic of expectations with a sublime, steaming dish of stir-fried flat noodles with fragrant spices, chives, peanuts and succulent king prawns. There’s a range of vegetarian options to choose from for lunch or dinner, and prices are more than reasonable, with a 3-course lunch offer for £7.95 and a range of magnificent dinner banquet menus available at around the £20 mark. On the A la carte menu, appetisers start at £4.95 per dish and main courses at £8.95. Fabulous value, considering Spirit of Thai’s sought-after location and the superior quality of the fare on offer.