We’ve all got that travel itch and with a constantly changing covid landscape, we all know that overseas travel isn’t looking like it’s coming too soon. Well, you’ll be glad to know you can be transported to a bustling dining precinct in the heart of Bangkok just by visiting our very own Beaumont St.

Brought to us by Darase Kraykaew, Bangkok Nights officially opened up the doors to their little oasis back in March giving diehard Thai food fans a much-needed foodie fix.

Born and bred in Thailand, Darase moved to Australia back in 1995 and has called Sydney home ever since. Launching her first Thai restaurant, At Bangkok, over 15 years ago, we’re excited to finally see her iconic Thai flavours hit Newcastle.

“We want to have a Thai restaurant which is purely doing Thai original flavour to cater for Thai community which is growing in Newcastle and surrounding areas. Also, for the Australian market who know what real Thai food is. We want to offer the alternative street food dishes exactly like how Bangkok offers back in Thailand,” Darase said.

Diners might remember the space as the old, and much-loved, Barcito! After closing their doors back in 2018, Darase jumped onto the vacant space and started renovations back in December 2019.

“We finished renovation in February 2020. We had planned to open in March 2020, but the COVID 19 pandemic happened, so we left it closed for the whole year.”

That’s right, this awesome venue has been sitting right under our noses and behind closed doors for a whole year!

“I found that Newcastle is becoming more multi-cultural in the last few years which is a good opportunity for us to expand our food culture, flavour, and philosophy. And I truly believe that people in Newcastle will love our food which is new and different from other Thai restaurants.”

One quick glance over the menu and you can see exactly what Darase is talking about. With a dedicated Street Food menu featuring dishes that you’ve unlikely heard of unless you’ve spent some time in Thailand. Check out the Yen Ta Fo – Flat rice noodle in pink fermented bean soup with fish balls, squid, fried tofu, bloody jelly, water spinach, and crispy wonton.

“We offer a whole range of street food dishes that you may not find in other Thai restaurants in Newcastle or even in NSW. Such as the Boat Noodle or Slow-cooked Pork Hock with rice (Khao Kha Moo). Also, we do not compromise with our flavour and taste, if it is meant to be hot and spicy.”

The menu is filled with goodies like the Pineapple Fried Rice complete with turmeric powder fried rice with your choice of meat cooked with soy sauce, carrot, onion, and cashew nut served in a whole pineapple shell! Or the Deep-Fried whole Barramundi with green apple and chilli salad.

The menu continues with pages upon pages with nothing but authentic Thai flavour combinations. What makes all this delicious food all that much better? Getting to tackle it amongst the coolest, retro-street food atmosphere.

“We brought Bangkok to you both in food and atmosphere. If you miss Thailand, come to dine at our restaurant, you will experience like you are dining at the real Bangkok.”

The new Thai venue on Beaumont St has big hopes for the space, wanting to offer a unique dining experience to the people of Newcastle. Next time you’re looking for somewhere new to check out, drop into Hamilton and give Bangkok Nights and their authentic Thai dishes a try!