Inside the new Thai cafe opening in Deansgate’s majestic courthouse building

One of London’s best-loved Thai cafe’s is about to open on Deansgate in the old courthouse building.

Founded by chef and best-selling cookbook author Saiphin Moore, it already counts a number of famous fans in the capital, including Coldplay’s Chris Martin and comedian Russell Brand. 

And having been to visit the original London cafe, we’d say it’s more than likely to amass more up here. Saiphin’s dishes are authentic, bright and full of flavour – and the cocktails are pretty decent, too.

The new restaurant on Deansgate will be the restaurant’s nineteenth, and opens next week with a 50% off soft launch for Manchester diners. We went down ahead of its launch to get a sneak peek.

Working with London designers Gundry & Ducker, who also designed the original Spitalfields and Carnaby Street restaurants, Rosa’s team have spent the past few months transforming the old Handmade Burger Co space into a bright and airy haven.

First things first – that terrible revolving door is gone, replaced by a pine one set slightly back into the building. It now, finally, looks a worth neighbour to its fellow Courthouse counterparts Hawksmoor and One Eight Six, rather than a lost office building.

Original features of the old Courthouse have been enhanced, its cornicing and tall sash windows trimmed in a dark mossy green enhancing the old building’s high ceilings.

And the beautiful herringbone flooring remains, as does the original fireplace in the back of the restaurant.

South-East Asian design influences have been elegantly mixed in, too, with rattan boards mixed in with the bevelled wood panelling that is a signature feature at all of Saiphin’s restaurants. Here, it’s been painted a light, dusty green – but there are touches of the natural wood showing, too.

Their distinctive doilies are ever-present, too, stencilled on the white-washed bricked walls and on the tops of some of the tables.

With room for 60 covers, the restaurant will open for lunch and dinner seven days a week serving up favourites like its best-selling pad thai, signature red butternut curry with sweet basil and drunken noodles with galangal. 

Diners can select dishes from their all-day menu, weekday lunch, veggie friendly and coeliac friendly menus, alongside a drinks menu of beer, wine and cocktails which includes Rosa’s Thai PA – an inspired craft pale ale especially blended for Rosa’s with lemongrass and lime essence. 

Using only the best in fresh British produce alongside traditional Thai ingredients including coconut milk, jasmine rice and tamarind paste, sourced directly from farmers in Thailand, for fans of Thai food this new opening is a must-try. 

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