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Restaurant

Chat Thai - Circular Quay

Gateway Shopping Centre, L05/1 Macquarie Pl, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

Recommended by 18 people

Updated

Find Chat Thai - Circular Quay

Gateway Shopping Centre, L05/1 Macquarie Pl, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 2 9247 3053
HoursMonday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Chat Thai - Circular Quay

Chat Thai delivers punchy, uncompromised Bangkok heat and wok-seared classics right across from the Circular Quay wharves. It is a reliable standby for quick dinners before an Opera House show or catching the evening ferry, backed by a finely tuned open kitchen that keeps plates moving fast. Standouts include crisp-edged pad see ew carrying deep wok hei, rich beef massaman curry, and crab omelettes packed with lump meat. Groups with mixed diets have an easy run thanks to dedicated vegetarian and vegan menus rather than makeshift swaps. Weekend visits offer par tuhng go—craggy fried dough sticks served with warm, fragrant pandan custard.

  • Dedicated Plant-Based Menus: Dedicated standalone vegan and vegetarian menu sections ensure groups dine easily without custom requests.
  • Weekend Par Tuhng Go: Fresh, crisp fried dough served with pandan custard is prepared exclusively Friday through Sunday.
  • Pre-Wharf & Opera Timing: Fast ticket times and a harbor-side setting cater well to quick pre-theatre or ferry dining.
RestaurantThaiRestaurant

What's On at Chat Thai - Circular Quay

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Diners Choose Chat Thai Circular Quay

Experience authentic Thai culinary excellence, seamless group dining, and harbor-side transit convenience.

  • Authentic, Punchy Regional Flavours

    Dishes deliver genuine heat, fresh herbs, and wok-seared balance without muting traditional spices.

    The flavours were spot on! Fresh, punchy, and really well cooked.

    J K

  • Exclusive Weekend Par Tuhng Go

    From Friday to Sunday, guests can order traditional fried dough served with fragrant pandan custard.

    Freshly made, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, served with delicious pandan custard.

    Arthima Kham-on

  • Stress-Free Group Gatherings

    Dedicated vegetarian and vegan sections make group dining effortless and inclusive for all dietary requirements.

    They have options for Vegan and Vegetarian guests which is a safe restaurant choice for groups who have different dietary requirements.

    Michelle Magsarili

  • Lively Shared Dining Experience

    A vibrant atmosphere with smooth group hosting allows colleagues and friends to unwind comfortably.

    The place was packed, but the staff handled everything smoothly and made sure we were well taken care of.

    Pacific Hwy

  • Ideal Pre-Theatre Dining

    Located at Circular Quay, the venue provides quick service tailored for pre-show dinners.

    If you arrive early, service is fast and you can have a wonderful meal before going to the Opera house for a performance.

    Soniqbuoy

  • Effortless Transit Stop at the Wharves

    Situated directly opposite the wharves, it offers a convenient and satisfying meal stop before boarding.

    The location is also excellent, making it a great spot to stop by for a meal before catching the ferry.

    유민규

Core signature curries, noodles, and stir-fries praised by Circular Quay diners

  • Pad See Ew

    The pad see ew was one of the best Thai dishes I have had. It hit the right flavor & texture notes, the veggies were fresh & the amount of oil just right.

    Smruti Kimitch

  • Crab Omelette

    The Thai crab omelette was incredible crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and packed with generous chunks of crab.

    sydney_edited

  • Pineapple Fried Rice

    We ordered pad see ew & pineapple fried rice. They were delicious.

    Smruti Kimitch

  • Beef Massaman Curry

    My personal favourite is their Beef Massaman Curry and the Crab Omelette.

    Michelle Magsarili

Other favorites

Traditional Thai desserts, specialty street snacks, and beverages

  • Par Tuhng Go

    Came here especially for the Par Tuhng Go and it was absolutely worth it!

    Arthima Kham-on

  • Khao Niao Dam Piak

    We got the Khao Niao Dam Piak for dessert, the sticky rice on a coconut base with fresh lychees was delightful.

    Smruti Kimitch

  • Thai Milk Tea

    The Thai Milk Tea was delicious and creamy.

    Minty Vo

  • Mango Sticky Rice

    Also the mango sticky rice dessert is delicious!

    Maria

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful operational details that elevate the dining experience at Gateway Circular Quay

  • Dedicated Plant-Based Menu Sections

    A dedicated standalone section on the menu lets plant-based diners browse every available vegan and vegetarian dish directly without having to decipher ingredients or ask for tofu swaps.

  • Weekend-Only Par Tuhng Go with Pandan Custard

    Served exclusively from Friday to Sunday, freshly fried Par Tuhng Go dough is paired with rich pandan custard in generous portions designed for sharing.

  • On-Site Organically Grown Herbs and Produce

    The kitchen grows its own organic vegetables and herbs, supplying fresh produce directly into daily wok dishes, curries, and salads.

  • Foyer Waiting Lounge for Peak Service Periods

    Located on an upper level opposite Circular Quay wharf, a dedicated foyer seating area accommodates waiting diners comfortably during peak services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I book a table in advance?

The venue accepts reservations and booking ahead is strongly recommended. Long lines frequently form during peak dinner periods, though walk-ins may encounter waiting times or tight indoor seating.

How spicy is the food?

Dishes stay faithful to authentic Thai recipes and pack significant heat. Servers can note your spice tolerance, but asking for Thai spicy delivers authentic, potent chilli heat rather than milder Australian-adapted flavours.

Are there dedicated vegetarian and vegan options?

Yes. The menu features dedicated, standalone sections for vegetarian and vegan diners, and the kitchen prepares dishes using organic herbs and vegetables.

How do I find the restaurant inside Circular Quay?

The restaurant is situated on Level 5 inside Gateway Sydney at Circular Quay. Visitors take the shopping centre escalators upstairs to reach the entrance and waiting foyer.

What should I know about portion sizes and takeaways?

Portions lean slightly compact, so groups often order extra shared mains. If you have leftovers, take-away containers incur a 50-cent charge per container.

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