Ting Thai Caravan is a gateway to Thai food in Edinburgh for many.
Due to its overwhelming popularity, there are now two locations in Edinburgh and one in Glasgow.
The original (8-9 Teviot Place) is always packed with students so expect a line outside to get a seat.
Ting Thai Caravan’s Lothian Road restaurant (55-57) is bigger.
The dining environment encourages quick feeds, with this ethos being backed by its no reservation policy.
The menu focuses on authentic Thai street food and according to the website, was first trialled by chefs, Ting and Ae Tapparat, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival back in 2012.
While Ting Thai Caravan is marketed as being owned by the Thai chefs, restaurateur Malcolm Innes is referred to as the owner online.
Innes also owns Ting Thai Caravan’s sister restaurant, Saboteur and The Outsider on George IV Bridge.
There are two menus, ‘sun up’ for lunch and a more extensive ‘sun down’ dinner menu.
Dry meals such as the noodle dishes are served in brown street food cartons while soups and curries come in bowls.
We like how the menu sets out exactly what is in each meal – Ting Thai Caravan knows some of their audience need this description with no surprises thrown in!
Gluten-free and vegan options are indicated on the menu.
Reviews always state that Ting Thai Caravan is great value for money, perfect for the student quarter!
If you are interested in finding out how much a trip to Edinburgh costs, check out this guide.
Soft and alcoholic drinks are available for purchase so you can sip a crisp Singha with your pad Thai and pretend you are really dining among the madness of Khaosan Road.
Look out for the moving image with the dog. No, you’ve not OD’d on rum in buckets, it’s just a trippy picture.
Ting Thai Caravan also does Thai takeaway for delivery and collection.
Location & Nearby
The original Ting Thai Caravan sits at 8-9 Teviot Place, right in the heart of the university quarter between George Square and the Meadows. Its overwhelming popularity spawned a larger second Edinburgh site at 55-57 Lothian Road and a Glasgow outpost. The Teviot Place branch is compact and almost always busy, so you will likely queue at peak times – part of the experience. It is a five-minute walk from the National Museum of Scotland and Greyfriars Kirkyard.
What to Order
The kitchen leans into authentic Thai street food across a lunch “sun up” menu and a broader “sun down” dinner menu. Dry dishes like the noodles arrive in brown street-food cartons while soups and curries come in bowls. The menu spells out exactly what is in each dish, and gluten-free and vegan choices are clearly marked. Pair a pad Thai with a crisp Singha and you are halfway to Khaosan Road.
Who It Suits
Students, groups and anyone after big, punchy Thai flavours on a budget. The no-reservation, quick-turnover ethos means it is better for casual catch-ups than a slow, quiet dinner – if you want a calmer, presentation-led meal, Nok’s Kitchen or Chaophraya suit better.
Practical Tips
- No reservations – arrive early or off-peak to skip the queue
- Two Edinburgh sites: Teviot Place (original) and Lothian Road (bigger)
- Cash and card accepted; great value for the portion sizes
- Vegan and gluten-free dishes flagged on the menu
- Soft and alcoholic drinks available, including Asian beers
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to book a table at Ting Thai Caravan?
No – Ting Thai Caravan operates a no-reservation policy at all sites. Arrive early or outside peak hours to avoid the queue, which is common at the busy Teviot Place original.
Is Ting Thai Caravan good value?
Yes. Reviews consistently praise it as excellent value for money, which suits its student-quarter location. Most street-food dishes are generously portioned and keenly priced.
Does Ting Thai Caravan have vegan options?
Yes – vegan and gluten-free dishes are clearly indicated on the menu, alongside classics like pad Thai and massaman curry.
