som saa to reopen in November after fire closure

som saa, the critically acclaimed Thai restaurant from chefs Andy Oliver and Mark Dobbie, will reopen on Monday, November 11, following a five-month closure caused by a kitchen fire earlier this year.

Located on Commercial Street in Spitalfields, east London, som saa first made its mark in 2015 after evolving from a Hackney pop-up into one of the city’s most influential dining destinations. The restaurant’s return is one of London’s most anticipated reopenings of the year, reigniting interest in the regional Thai flavours that helped shape its reputation.

A refreshed return for a Thai pioneer

Since its debut, som saa has been credited with sparking a wider appreciation for regional Thai cuisine in the capital, celebrating dishes from Isaan, northern, and central Thailand. Now, after a challenging period of rebuilding, the team says it is coming back stronger, with an evolved food and drink offering that stays true to its roots.

As with its sister restaurant Kolae, which opened in 2023 showcasing southern Thai cooking, som saa’s relaunch will continue its commitment to authentic Thai food using high-quality British and Thai ingredients.

Andy Oliver said: “The fire and resulting period of closure have been very challenging, but the silver lining is that we've been able to reflect on how som saa has developed and matured since opening nearly ten years ago.

"The Thai food scene in London has come a long way since then, so it feels like a nice moment to re-introduce the restaurant to people who might not have visited in a while.”

New dishes, same bold spirit

The updated menu draws on the team’s travels and recipe development during the hiatus. Diners can expect bold, uncompromising flavours across both returning favourites and entirely new creations.

Highlights include lemongrass salad with squid, pork and cashew nuts, and salted beef and fresh bamboo braised in coconut cream, alongside the much-loved Isaan-style deep-fried seabass.

For the first time, som saa will also introduce a dedicated bar snacks menu, offering smaller plates designed for drinks pairing. Dishes will include pickled mango with fried shrimp paste relish, rice crackers

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with grilled cockles and chilli jam, and returning signatures such as crispy chicken skin with sriracha and cashew nuts with lime leaves and dried chillies.

A new specials section will rotate regularly, debuting dishes like glass noodle claypot with smoked duck and garlic chives, red curry of grilled pork, holy basil and green banana, and a salad of coconut palm heart, prawns and Thai peanuts.

Drinks with a Thai twist

Som saa’s drinks programme has also undergone a full refresh. Innovative new cocktails include the Green Negroni (clarified Campari, pandan-infused gin, Cocchi Americano) and the Snowglobe Sour (bourbon, coconut cream, lime, Thai tea and cassia foam).

Non-alcoholic options have been expanded to feature zero-proof cocktails, cold brew sparkling teas, and house-made kombuchas flavoured with palm sugar, galangal, and mandarin, all inspired by Thai ingredients.

The restaurant’s wine list continues to highlight both classic and low-intervention producers, with a focus on Riesling to complement the spice and acidity of Thai cooking.

A refreshed space

Earlier this year, som saa collaborated with A-rnd Studio on a renovation that refreshed its distinctive industrial interior. The dining room retains its signature warmth, a mix of brick, wood, and soft lighting, while subtle updates improve flow and comfort.

Mark Dobbie said: “We loved the experience of opening Kolae recently, and having some time away from som saa has allowed us to remember what makes it such a special place for us. It’s a nice opportunity to give some attention to our first child, so to speak.”

From setback to revival

The restaurant’s temporary closure followed a kitchen fire on May 4, 2025, which caused significant damage to its extraction system. At the time, the team praised the London Fire Brigade for its rapid response, confirming that everyone was safe and vowing to rebuild.

Now, just over five months later, the reopening marks a new chapter for one of London’s most celebrated independent restaurants.

Som saa’s return reinforces London’s growing appetite for regionally faithful Thai food — a movement that Andy and Mark helped ignite nearly a decade ago and continue to lead today.

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