The Cocoanut

Visited last night for dinner. Although not busy still a nice ambiance. Staff were lovely and food was amazing. Will come back again for sure. Some reviews criticise landlady. If you don't like a genuine thai person with a personality go to giggling squid and eat worse food for double the price! See you again soon! Top gun gav x

I've been to the restaurant a couple of time but also get regular take aways from them. The food quality is simply outstanding. Everything is freshly cooked and just taste authentic and delicious. The Satay chicken is just great and amongst the best I ever had. Everything we had from the menu so far is great. Definitely the best Thai in the Kingston area. Well done guys!

Firstly the service was excellent and we were recommended choices everyone enjoyed. I had the Jungle Curry with pork, which was delicious and well seasoned with good heat level. The Masaman was really good too. Will have that next time. The mixed starter to share was great. Make sure to get that. Everyone enjoyed it!

I'm going to lather the history on thick in this review, as we dive into Kingston's long-standing relationship with the Coconut. Firstly, this pub part, this is the *only* pub in the UK with this name, keeping the original spelling of Coconut to this day. Relevancy to be revealed... It's a charming pub, comfortable, and a friendly, knowledgeable landlord who allowed me to outstay my welcome, as I squeezed in a pint as they closed between shifts. Our dogs played, Peroni flowed, and we chatted a bit about the history and pubs in Kingston. Highly rated Thai food served here, and only a short walk from Kingston town centre, hidden down a quiet residential street, it really is one of the of the best finds in Kingston, and worthy of a visit. Secondly, did you know, The Coconut Shy game originated in Kingston? It first appeared at Kingston's Annual Pleasure Fair in 1867, where the local paper reported "for the small sum of one penny, you could have three throws with sticks with the prospect of getting a cocoa nut". Lastly, and the reason all of this is tied together, is that Kingston was one of the main importers of the coconut to the UK. Previously rare, it saw a boom in popularity due to its varied uses; mats, brushes, metal polish, and alternative candles. The area also has close links with Kew Horticulturists, as the refuse was used at Kew Gardens also. All of this propelled along by an industry that propped up a community with employment for decades. Down the road from the pub, along the Hogsmill river, there were mills used for a variety of industries, one of which was used for processing coconut fibre in around 1840, and became the epicenter of the coconut industry in Kingston. The pub itself was originally The Joiners Arms in 1840, but due to the proximity of the mill and the workers who drank there, it became affectionately known as The Cocoanut, landing a full licence in 1858. Now owned by Fullers since circa 1930, it stands as a reminder of the once thriving industry that hugged the nearby river. Sources; Richard Holmes (Pubs, Inns & Taverns Kingston), Hugh Harris/June Sampson (Surrey Comet), StJohnHeritage (Wordpress)

We visited evening dinner time, was not many people. But looks busy with take away. Staff are friendly and nice. Restaurant was clean :) Food was great 😊 delicious only thing was waiting for bit long time. May be they cook fresh and busy with take away. But we really enjoyed food and time here !! We will visit again. And you must try aubergine :) sweet and soy bean sauces great combination!!