Skehan’s Freehouse is a family run independent Irish pub at 1 Kitto Road in New Cross. Known for its traditional front bar, live music, sports screenings and spacious garden, it has the character of a genuine South East London community local. Food is served across the restaurant, bar, garden and front terrace, allowing diners to choose between a lively pub atmosphere and a more settled meal.
Chai’s Garden Thai Restaurant operates within the pub and serves freshly prepared dishes by Madam Chai each evening. Traditional Thai flavours shape the appetisers and main courses, with aromatic herbs, chilli, citrus and savoury sauces creating a menu that is bright and generous. The kitchen’s location beside the garden also adds to the informal appeal, with diners able to see the chefs at work through the window.
The wider food programme gives regulars reasons to visit beyond the Thai menu. Tuesday burger night pairs juicy burgers with homemade onion rings, chips and a cold pint, while Sunday lunch centres on a slow cooked, hand carved roast. These familiar pub dishes sit comfortably beside the more vibrant Thai cooking and make the venue useful for groups with different tastes.
Drinks, food and entertainment are closely connected at Skehan’s. A pint in the front bar can lead into dinner, live music or a match on the screen, while the rear garden offers more space for a leisurely meal. The combination of daily Thai cooking, dedicated weekly specials and an unpolished neighbourhood welcome helps the pub feel distinctive rather than formulaic.
Address: 1 Kitto Road, New Cross, London SE14 5TW, United Kingdom
Skehans Freehouse Menu
STARTERS
Salt & Chilli Tofu
Vegan tofu, stir-fried with onions, peppers & chillies, served with sweet chilli sauce
Salt & Chilli Squid
Lightly battered squid, stir-fried with onions, peppers & chillies, served with sweet chilli sauce
Satay Chicken
Grilled marinated chicken skewers served with peanut sauce & cucumber relish
Thai Fish Cakes
Deep-fried Thai style fish cakes served with sweet chilli sauce and crushed peanuts
Vegetable Spring Rolls
Crispy pastry rolls stuffed with vegetables, served with sweet chilli sauce
Prawn Crackers
Traditional Thai-style prawn crackers served with sweet chilli sauce
Spare Ribs
Marinated pork ribs deep-fried and served with sweet chilli sauce
Chicken Wings
Deep-fried marinated chicken wings served with sweet chilli sauce
SOUPS
Tom Yum (Chicken)
Hot & sour soup with chicken, mushrooms, tomatoes, lemongrass, galangal & kaffir lime leaves
Tom Yum (Prawn)
Hot & sour soup with prawns, mushrooms, tomatoes, lemongrass, galangal & kaffir lime leaves
Tom Yum (Vegetable)
Hot & sour soup with mixed vegetables, mushrooms, tomatoes, lemongrass, galangal & kaffir lime leaves
Tom Kha (Chicken)
Coconut milk soup with chicken, mushrooms, lemongrass, galangal & kaffir lime leaves
Tom Kha (Prawn)
Coconut milk soup with prawns, mushrooms, lemongrass, galangal & kaffir lime leaves
Tom Kha (Vegetable)
Coconut milk soup with mixed vegetables, mushrooms, lemongrass, galangal & kaffir lime leaves
SALADS
Som Tum
Spicy green papaya salad with tomatoes, carrots, green beans, peanuts & lime dressing
Yum Nua
Spicy grilled beef salad with onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, mint & lime dressing
Larb Gai
Spicy minced chicken salad with onions, mint, roasted rice & lime dressing
CURRIES
Green Curry (Chicken)
Traditional Thai green curry with chicken, bamboo shoots, aubergines & basil in coconut milk
Green Curry (Prawn)
Traditional Thai green curry with prawns, bamboo shoots, aubergines & basil in coconut milk
Green Curry (Vegetable & Tofu)
Traditional Thai green curry with mixed vegetables & tofu, bamboo shoots, aubergines & basil in coconut milk
Red Curry (Chicken)
Spicy Thai red curry with chicken, bamboo shoots, aubergines & basil in coconut milk
Red Curry (Prawn)
Spicy Thai red curry with prawns, bamboo shoots, aubergines & basil in coconut milk
Red Curry (Vegetable & Tofu)
Spicy Thai red curry with mixed vegetables & tofu, bamboo shoots, aubergines & basil in coconut milk
Panang Curry (Chicken)
Thick red curry with chicken, lime leaves & mixed vegetables in coconut milk
Panang Curry (Prawn)
Thick red curry with prawns, lime leaves & mixed vegetables in coconut milk
Massaman Curry (Beef)
Slow-cooked beef in a rich Massaman curry with potatoes, onions & peanuts in coconut milk
Massaman Curry (Chicken)
Chicken in a rich Massaman curry with potatoes, onions & peanuts in coconut milk
STIR FRY
Pad Kra Prow (Chicken)
Stir-fried minced chicken with chillies, garlic, green beans & basil
Pad Kra Prow (Pork)
Stir-fried minced pork with chillies, garlic, green beans & basil
Pad Kra Prow (Tofu)
Stir-fried tofu with chillies, garlic, green beans & basil
Pad Khing (Chicken)
Stir-fried chicken with ginger, onions, peppers & mushrooms
Pad Khing (Pork)
Stir-fried pork with ginger, onions, peppers & mushrooms
Pad Khing (Tofu)
Stir-fried tofu with ginger, onions, peppers & mushrooms
Pad Med Ma Muang (Chicken)
Stir-fried chicken with cashew nuts, onions, peppers & dried chillies
Pad Med Ma Muang (Pork)
Stir-fried pork with cashew nuts, onions, peppers & dried chillies
Pad Med Ma Muang (Tofu)
Stir-fried tofu with cashew nuts, onions, peppers & dried chillies
Pad Prik King (Beef)
Stir-fried beef with red curry paste, green beans & lime leaves
NOODLES & RICE DISHES
Pad Thai (Chicken)
Stir-fried rice noodles with chicken, egg, beansprouts, spring onions & peanuts
Pad Thai (Prawn)
Stir-fried rice noodles with prawns, egg, beansprouts, spring onions & peanuts
Pad Thai (Vegetable & Tofu)
Stir-fried rice noodles with mixed vegetables & tofu, beansprouts, spring onions & peanuts
Pad See Ew (Chicken)
Stir-fried flat rice noodles with chicken, egg, broccoli & carrots in dark soy sauce
Pad See Ew (Beef)
Stir-fried flat rice noodles with beef, egg, broccoli & carrots in dark soy sauce
Pad See Ew (Vegetable & Tofu)
Stir-fried flat rice noodles with mixed vegetables & tofu, egg, broccoli & carrots in dark soy sauce
Drunken Noodles (Pork)
Spicy stir-fried flat rice noodles with pork, chillies, garlic, vegetables & basil
Drunken Noodles (Chicken)
Spicy stir-fried flat rice noodles with chicken, chillies, garlic, vegetables & basil
Khao Pad (Chicken Fried Rice)
Thai fried rice with chicken, egg, onions, tomatoes & spring onions
Khao Pad (Prawn Fried Rice)
Thai fried rice with prawns, egg, onions, tomatoes & spring onions
SIDES
Steamed Jasmine Rice
Fragrant steamed Thai jasmine rice
Sticky Rice
Traditional Thai sticky rice
Egg Fried Rice
Stir-fried rice with egg & spring onions
Chips
Portion of chips