Reviewed by Daniel · El Albir resident since 2007 · Updated November 2026 · Write to meThe Banana Tree is Albir’s Asian restaurant with a big menu: Thai, Chinese, sushi and curries under one roof, in an attractive place with a large terrace. It’s one of those places you go to as a group or with children, because everyone finds something they like.
What The Banana Tree is
It’s a Thai and Asian restaurant. The menu is long and complete, with sushi, curries, wok dishes and plates to share. It has vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, high chairs for children, takeaway and wheelchair access.
What you’ll find on the table
Although it presents itself as Thai, The Banana Tree is really a multi-cuisine Asian restaurant with a Thai base: its menu has Thai, Chinese, Indonesian, Indian and Japanese dishes. It’s worth knowing so you order well.
The Thai base: balance. Thai cooking aims for sweet, salty, sour and spicy to all be present in each dish at once. The sweetness comes from palm sugar, the saltiness from fish sauce, the sourness from lime or tamarind, and the heat from chilli.
Thai curries. They’re nothing like Indian ones. They’re made with a paste of chilli, garlic, lemongrass and galangal, a root similar to ginger, and cooked in coconut milk. Green is usually the hottest, red is in between and massaman, with Muslim influence, is the mildest and most spiced.
The wok. Many dishes are stir-fried in a wok over very high heat for a short time, so the vegetables stay crunchy. That’s where the stir-fried noodles and rice come in.
What isn’t Thai. Sushi, Chinese dishes such as the chicken in fruity sauce that several customers single out, and others from South-East Asia complete the menu. That’s what makes it good for tables where everyone wants something different.
If you arrive hungry. Order to share: a Thai curry, a noodle or rice wok dish and some sushi for balance. With that and rice, a table of four eats well without ordering a dish each.
What to order
A Thai curry. It’s the backbone of the house.
Sushi to share. To balance the table between dishes.
Sharing plates. The best thing is to order several and share: that’s how you’ll enjoy it most.
How much it costs
In the mid range, between €20 and €30 per person (approximate price). A group of five said they ordered food for six, plus three bottles of wine, and it came to about €25 a head.
Location, opening hours and bookings
It’s at Avenida de l’Albir, 155, in the same shopping centre as the Sapporo Asian buffet, with underground parking. It’s open every day, from 12:00 to 23:30. The phone number is 865 673 491.
What the ratings say
On GastroRanking it scores 7.9 out of 10 from almost 1,800 reviews. On Tripadvisor it averages around 3.9 out of 5. What people praise most is the cosy atmosphere, the decor, the friendly service and how complete the menu is.
Where it falls short
Lukewarm reviews among tourists. On Tripadvisor the score is a little lower, a sign that not everyone leaves equally happy. The criticisms don’t follow a clear pattern.
It’s not a chef-driven Thai. It’s a broad Asian menu designed to please everyone. If you’re after very authentic Thai food, you might miss something.
The Banana Tree or Sapporo
They’re in the same shopping centre and people often wonder which to choose. If you want to eat as much as you like for a fixed price with drinks included, Sapporo. If you’d rather order à la carte, in a nicer setting and with Thai curries, The Banana Tree.
Local’s tips
Go as a group and order to share. If you have any dietary restrictions, mention them when you order: they have vegan and gluten-free options. And park downstairs, in the shopping centre.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of food does The Banana Tree serve?
Thai and Asian: curries, wok dishes, sushi and plates to share.
Is it open every day?
Yes, from 12:00 to 23:30.
Does it have vegan and gluten-free options?
Yes.
Is it a good choice with children?
Yes, it has high chairs and a broad menu.
To finish
The Banana Tree is the Asian restaurant to go to as a group in El Albir: a long menu, a pleasant setting and a reasonable price if you share.
If you want to compare it with other options, my guide to restaurants in El Albir by what you’re looking for has every place with its closing day and approximate price. If you’re on a tight budget, take a look at my tips for eating cheaply in El Albir, and if you’re coming by car, check where to park in El Albirbefore you go. For everything else, go back to the El Albir guide told by a local.
Prices, opening hours and ratings are approximate, checked against public listings and customer reviews in November 2026. They may change: confirm with the restaurant before you go.
I'm Daniel and I've lived in El Albir since 2007. LiveinAlbir.com started because so many people would stop me in the street to ask where to eat, where to stay, which areas are worth it and what living here is really like.
Questions about El Albir? Write to me and I will get back to you.
