Giggling Squid - Oxford Reviews Summary

Atmosphere and Decor

Pros:

• "An open, festive, flowery environment welcomes you to the Giggling Squid."
• "The decor is gorgeous."
• "The inside of the restaurant was nicely decorated."
• "Upon entering the immediate impression was of a very pretty Thai themed environment."
• "The restaurant itself is very well decorated spanning across 3 floors overall vibrant and cosy."
• "Open and airy, nice atmosphere."
• "This place is absolutely lovely."
• "Beautifully decorated Thai restaurant."

Cons:

• "The atmosphere on a Thursday was okay but I’d go again on a weekend as it’s definitely better then!"
• "The service and atmosphere were a bit slow and lacking."
• "The only 'bad' thing I can mention would be the noise. There were 3 large groups and it was a bit noisy."
• "It was so noisy and one can hear every customers conversation all mixed up into one disturbing and annoying sound."
• "Very noisy, like a big canteen."
• "Interior is very nice. The food was good, however, the size of the stir fry, given its price and the lack of noodles- could've been either bigger or cheaper."
• "Unusual decor, like a beauty parlour, with school canteen lighting."
• "The atmosphere was amazing and good location, love the all staff because they always provide me a high standard of customer service."

Service

Pros:

• "The helpful, friendly staff get your order quickly and the food arrives promptly."
• "From start to finish the team were friendly, welcoming and helpful."
• "Great atmosphere…good fast service…well priced menu."
• "The staff are so friendly and readily available, willing to help out with recommendations."
• "The Giggling Squid managed to squeeze us in as we had not made a reservation. The staff were amazing."
• "Fabulous meal, and excellent service."
• "Lovely restaurant with good affordable lunches even on the weekends :)! Nice atmosphere and very friendly staff."
• "The staff here are really the stars - we love the food of course, but they made my sons birthday so memorable."

Cons:

• "It did take a while for someone to come over to take our drinks order."
• "Service wasn't bad, but it was a busy Saturday night."
• "However one note for the giggling squid staff is to maybe number or create a system for big orders like mine."
• "My further complaint is restaurants who add on service charge ought to ensure their waiting staff are properly trained."
• "Never again! Overpriced, poor quality food, service the worst I've ever experienced for a place that classifies themselves as upscale."
• "The service could be better. We got our meals and had to wait for our rice dishes."
• "Staff is trying to act professional and elite due to characteristics of customer and they end up being fake."
• "While the food was fine, the service was abysmal. It took ten minutes for someone to come seat us and thirty minutes before our drinks order was taken."

Food Quality and Taste

Pros:

• "All dishes were flavorful and fragrant. I'm a fan of coconut rice which we had in abundance."
• "The food was nice, our starter was lovely but the mains were a little bit underwhelming personally."
• "The food was good."
• "In terms of the food. Fantastic. I’m not new to giggling squid, I’m quite familiar with the one in Chichester, but as I expected the food was delicious, tasty and warm."
• "Their food is authentic, flavoursome and fresh compared with dishes you tend to get in mainstream Thai restaurants."
• "The food is also halal which is a bonus."
• "The food here is mouth wateringly good ... the fried squid was the best I've ever tasted."
• "One of those restaurants where you’ll discover flavours you didn’t know existed."

Cons:

• "Wouldn’t go again!, the garlic prawns were lovely, the sticky chicken and wings were awful and the squid was good but you get about 3 bits!"
• "The only positive I can remark of this restaurant is the decor. However, I was very disappointed in the vegetable spring rolls that were soggy and cut up."
• "The food was delicious and came at a timely manner, and we received plenty to drink. The ambience of the place was great and very pretty! The service was excellent by everyone we encountered."
• "Lovely Thai restaurant with good, fresh and tasty food. Friendly people and nice atmosphere. All the food is Thai, except the desserts, those are English factory made desserts."
• "The food was very tasty and all fresh. Pretty place and nice deco. The service could be better."
• "Honestly we weren't overly impressed. Whilst the food is generally very good flavour-wise, our starter and dessert were both served partially frozen!"
• "Do not order via Uber Eats. They have forgotten to include parts of the order on multiple occasions when delivering."
• "First time ordering from giggling squid and boy did it disappoint...Everything was ridiculously priced for what it is!"