Shaftesbury Arms

If you qualify this as a ‘pub’, and their menu as ‘pub food’, then this is by far the best pub food I’ve had in England so far. In fact, I really hesitate to call this a pub at all. It’s upscale, super clean, super comfortable, relaxed, but clearly a restaurant. I loved it!
I ordered a fish special with potatoes and salad and it was soooo good. The potatoes were like a smashed, chunky, seasoned mix of deliciousness and the salad was perfect. The fish was perfectly seasoned and cooked. My husband ordered one of their steak plates and he was also super happy.
Not only was the food good, but the server who seated us in the restaurant knew that we had wanted to sit in the back garden and, as soon as a table was available, moved us there. He was attentive and super nice.
I feel like I’ve said the word ‘perfect’ enough, so I can only recommend that if you come to Richmond, you have dinner at the Shaftesbury.
PS — while walking past one evening, noticed that they had live jazz as well — it looked so nice and I will be going back as soon as they have more.

Wandered into the pub after Kew Gardens. We were looking for a good pint and some Thai. Thai food had moved on a couple of years ago. Replaced now by steak & fish menu. Thought it was going to be expensive, but wow, it was really impressive, 8oz aberdeen angus rib-​eye for under £15. Can’t get that anywhere in London. My missus had the most wonderful grilled plaice and my steak was on of the best I have tasted. Apparently, they use firewood from Richmond Park to cook! A very unassuming pub with fantastic food, very simple menu, steak and seafood. I have never come across a menu like this, not a gastro menu or dish in sight. No pork belly or exotic bangers & mash. Very honest and reasonably priced for the area.
Only let down was the erratic service. Bar maid was welcoming at first but clueless about what she was serving or about the food. Rolled her eyes when I asked for mustard for the steak and insisted I needed a steak knife for my meal. I later overheard her moaning about lacking of tips from punters to the chef! Little wonder!!! with attitude like that. Chef and assistant were unconventional but attentive and friendly. Very chatty and passionate about food. Will definitely return when we are in the area, but will steer clear of bar.

Visited this place once for a quick drink and to watch the football one evening and discovered that they serve thai food. I wasn’t that keen but my girlfriend twisted my arm and she ordered for the both of us.
Engrossed in the football, i wasn’t that fussed about the arrival of the food. however, when i looked down i was pleasantly surprised. When i started eating I was amazed. It was better than most thai restaurants locally and cheaper as well.
Since that night we have been back many many times trying different things from the menu and we have never been disappointed.
Now here’s the bad news,
Recently we popped past and thought we’d stop for our favorite little Thai but Shock Horror the menu had been taken down and the Landlord said they were no longer doing it for the immediate future.
I hope they have come to their senses and brought it back and if not I hope they do soon.

Went to this pub on Sunday and it was a great little pub. The staff were friendly and the food was excellent and lovely outdoor setting.
We had both fish and chips and pork and both were cooked perfectly.

I echo Ms Mole on this one — went to this place for something a bit different and was impressed with the food. Very genuine thai fare, and my mate (who runs the Depot restaurant in Barnes — very classy) was quite happy too. We chose the cheap and cheerful set menu A for 2 at £7.95 each, which consisted of mixed starters and then green chicken curry, a beef dish and a spiced vegetable dish with some glutinous rice. A very satisfying meal for a very cheap price given that this is Richmond! Highly recommended
They have a website too —

If you were just driving past the Shaftesbury Arms you’d think it was just a local boozer. Walking in as well you’d be right, as at week-​ends a large number of older Richmond locals tend to meet here to watch the big screen games. However, venture a bit further inside and you’ll find a fantastic Thai restaurant (well at least on Monday to Saturday).
There’s a Thai supermarket a few yards away on «Richmond Circus» and apparently the restaurant cooks also provide frozen curries for the supermarket.
My friends and I had a delicious set meal (£9.95 for a minimum of two people — although three of us had were eating and there was stacks of it).
The traditional starters, satay, fish cakes and spring rolls are what you would expect, but we had a delicious chili fish dish that I could have happily dined on for the rest of my life. The fish was melt in the mouth texture with a piquant chili sauce that didn’t blow the roof of your mouth off. The chicken red curry was creamy, fragrant and had all the right ingredients of kaffir lime leaves, baby kaffir limes themselves and lemongrass.
The only downer for me was that they don’t serve any Thai beer there and that you have to order your drinks from the bar.
Otherwise highly recommended for a great Thai meal without having to venture into the busy Saturday night crowd in the main drag of Richmond.