iFood Thai Taste for the Best Wok Stir Fry Street Food in Exeter

If you’re looking for fresh, authentic Thai food in Exeter, iFood Thai Taste should be at the top of your list. Located on Sidwell Street, this unassuming restaurant and takeaway has steadily grown in reputation and for good reason. With generous portions, consistently delicious dishes, and speedy, friendly service, iFood Thai Taste delivers a genuine taste of Thailand that keeps diners coming back for more.

We’ve visited multiple times, and each experience has only deepened our love for the food, the team, and the overall vibe of this fantastic local eatery. Every time we dine at iFood Thai Taste, we’re reminded why it’s one of the best Thai restaurants in Exeter. The variety on the menu means there’s always something new to try whether it’s a fresh herb salad, a hearty curry or a fragrant stir-fry. And thanks to the consistently high quality and flavour, we know we won’t be disappointed.

Thai Comfort, Exeter Style

iFood Thai Taste is exactly what a great local restaurant should be, welcoming, consistent and absolutely bursting with flavour. Whether you’re grabbing a quick takeaway or sitting down for a relaxed meal, the food is freshly made to order, often right in front of you with each dish cooked individually in a flaming hot wok. This commitment to freshness is clear in every bite. Over time, we’ve sampled a range of their offerings, and every dish has been a hit. For fans of Thai cuisine or anyone seeking comfort food with soul, this place is a must-visit.

Atmosphere: Clean, Casual and Bright

Step inside iFood Thai Taste and you’ll find a space that’s simple yet spotless. With clean, modern interiors and a bright, functional layout, the restaurant has a relaxed, canteen-style feel. The venue is split into two areas: a sit-down dining space on one side, and a takeaway counter on the other, which is constantly buzzing with orders. It’s not fancy, but it’s cosy, warm, and always clean with tables cleared promptly and staff taking care to maintain a tidy, welcoming environment. A bonus: there’s free water on the tables, which adds to the casual, thoughtful service.

Service: Fast, Friendly and Consistently Excellent

One of the most impressive aspects of iFood Thai Taste is the speed and friendliness of the service. The staff are cheerful, polite, and always happy to help with menu choices. Orders are taken quickly, and food often arrives within minutes even during busy times. On multiple visits, we’ve noticed how well the team handles the rush without ever making diners feel rushed. Whether dining in or picking up, you’re met with genuine warmth and efficiency. The owner, in particular, has created a truly welcoming environment that regulars clearly appreciate.

At our last visit, they switched from taking orders at the table to self ordering at the counter, the same takeaway counter next to the restaurant area and paying for your food directly. This worked well for us as we could take our time to decide before approaching the counter and order more. Still, if you prefer, you can ask for orders to be taken at the table.

What We Ordered: Favourites So Far

Across several visits, three now to be precise, we’ve tried a wide range of dishes. Here are some of our favourites:

Pad Thai Chicken – Rice noodles stir-fried with tender chicken, vegetables, egg, tamarind sauce, and topped with crushed peanuts and crunchy bean sprouts. One of the best we’ve had outside Bangkok—rich in flavour and perfectly balanced.

Bangkok Egg Fried Rice – Thai jasmine rice stir-fried with egg, vegetables, and your choice of protein. We opted for Chicken on one visit and Beef on another. It’s full of wok-hei (the smoky, charred flavour from high-heat stir-frying), and perfect on its own or paired with a curry.

Panang Curry (Chicken) – Creamy and fragrant with a spicy coconut milk base, fine beans, peppers, kaffir lime, and fresh basil, served with jasmine rice. The curry was rich, bold, and comforting.

Massaman Curry (Chicken and Prawn) – A mellow, peanut-based curry with potatoes, onions, and subtle spice. Smooth and satisfying, with hearty ingredients and gentle heat.

Salt and Pepper Squid – Crispy, tender squid tossed with chilli, spring onion and seasoning. Served with a dipping sauce and fresh lime—it’s easily one of our favourite starters.

Crispy Breaded Prawns – Tail-on, butterfly-style king prawns coated in breadcrumbs and served with sweet chilli or sriracha sauce. Crunchy, juicy, and very moreish.

Seafood Salad – A refreshing medley of prawns and squid tossed with herbs, chilli, and lime juice, served on a bed of fresh salad with mint, basil, and lime leaves. Light, zesty, and bursting with Thai flavours. This is one dish that we thoroughly recommend if you are into seafood.

Egg Fried Rice – an add-on if you like, this is not your typical egg-fried rice but one that was prepared the same way, individually over a flaming hot wok. It went well with our seafood sides and curries and would be a perfect combination for the Seafood Salad.

Value: Affordable, Generous, and Worth Every Penny

At iFood Thai Taste, portion sizes are big, easily enough to share or save for later. The prices are what we’d call mid-range, but for the generosity and quality, they offer excellent value for money. Curries come with rice included, which is a refreshing change from many Thai restaurants. You also have the option to customise your heat level from 1 to 3 chillies (and even beyond, if you’re brave), so dishes can suit all spice tolerances. Whether you’re dining in or grabbing a takeaway, it’s a place where your money goes far.

Why We Keep Coming Back

Every visit has been consistent: freshly cooked food, fast and attentive service, and flavours that take us straight to Thailand. The Pad Thai and Bangkok Fried Rice are now family favourites, and we’ve recommended the curries to friends who’ve all come away equally impressed. The restaurant’s attention to detail, especially in preparing every dish to order and offering heat levels, makes every meal feel personal.

What We Look Forward to Ordering at Our Next Visit

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from our many visits to iFood Thai Taste in Exeter, it’s that the menu is full of surprises, and there’s always something new to look forward to. While we’ve already found favourites like Pad Thai, Massaman Curry, and Salt & Pepper Squid, the depth and variety of the menu keeps us coming back for more. And we already have our next order planned!

For selfish reasons, we have prepared this as a reminder to ourselves, to try out these dishes. Here’s what we’ll be trying next time and let’s just say, we’re already hungry thinking about it.

Lab Salad (Larb)

At the top of our list is the Larb Salad, a Thai classic we’ve yet to sample from iFood Thai Taste. This minced pork salad is packed with traditional Thai herbs, chilli powder, and a zingy lemon juice dressing. It’s finished with fresh coriander, red and spring onions, mint, basil leaves, and toasted rice powder for texture. We’re expecting a dish that’s full of contrast—spicy, sour, fresh, and deeply aromatic. And, as we have tried this elsewhere before, one prepared by our Thai friend and another prepared on our own at home, we are no newbie to Larb Salad and can give a critical account once we tried the version at iFood Thai.

Slow Cooked Tender Beef Noodle Soup

A comforting bowl of noodles is always welcome, and this one sounds like the ultimate Thai-style noodle soup. The broth is infused with slow-cooked beef, fried garlic, and fragrant herbs like spring onion, coriander, celery, and white pepper, served with your choice of yellow egg noodles or MaMa instant noodles. Topped with bean sprouts and cabbage, this hearty soup is just what we want on a cooler day—or any day that calls for soul food.

Beef Salad (Yum Nua)

We love a dish that combines meat and fresh herbs, and this Beef Salad promises to do just that. Thin slices of beef are tossed with Thai seasoning, chilli powder, and lemon juice, along with carrots, onions, spring onion, peppers, and plenty of fragrant herbs—coriander, basil, and lime leaves. It’s the kind of dish that balances richness and freshness beautifully. This we had to try since we were so taken by the Seafood Salad.

From the Stir-Fry on Rice Section

We’ve had their curries, and now we’re eager to try dishes from the Stir-Fry on Rice section. With Thai Jasmine rice as a base, there are several stir-fry sauces we want to explore:

Sweet and Sour – for a tangy, fruity punch
Spicy Chilli and Basil – a favourite in Thai street food, bold and fiery
Pepper and Garlic – simple, savoury and fragrant
Stir Fry Fresh Ginger – fresh and warming
Stir Fried Cashew Nuts with Chilli Paste – crunchy, spicy, and savoury

Each dish can be customised with a protein of your choice: Tofu, Chicken, Beef, Chicken & Prawn, Prawn, or Prawn & Squid. That level of flexibility makes it easy to find something for everyone.

From the Soup Section: Tom Kha & Tom Yum

We have yet to try the soup at iFood. So impressed with their wok hei and cooking skills in preparing the fried rice and curries, we totally ignored this section of the menu. Rest assured, we will return and try them soon.

Tom Kha Chicken – A favourite for coconut lovers, this mild and aromatic soup is made with coconut milk, galangal, lemongrass, mushrooms, and shrimp paste—finished with a swirl of chilli oil, spring onion, and coriander. Choose your protein (we’re going for Chicken this time) and let the warm, comforting broth do the rest.

Tom Yum Chicken & Prawn – This is a Thai classic and one we can’t wait to try. Spicy and sour, the soup features a rich base of tomato, mushrooms, onions, and chilli paste, accented by lime leaves, lemongrass, fish sauce, and evaporated milk. It’s bright, bold, and promises to awaken the senses.

Specials: Papaya Salad Set (Som Tam)

Only available from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm, the Papaya Salad Set is a lunchtime treat we’re keen to catch next time. Fresh green papaya, chilli, lime juice, garlic, and peanuts combine for a dish that’s spicy, crunchy, and refreshing. Often served with sticky rice or grilled meat, it’s a vibrant showcase of Thai street food flavours.

New Favourites Await

iFood Thai Taste is more than just a local favourite—it’s a destination in its own right. Perfect for student looking for comfort food, a couple seeking a casual date spot or a family in need of a flavourful meal, this restaurant ticks all the boxes. The authenticity of the food, the generosity of the portions, and the warmth of the team make this a must-visit every time we’re in Exeter. If you haven’t already tried iFood Thai Taste, make it your next food stop. Trust us, you’ll be planning your return visit before you even leave.

So next time we’re in Exeter (and there’s no doubt there will be a next time), we’ll be diving into this next round of dishes—and probably finding a few more favourites along the way.