Lucky Khao
Experience vibrant Northern Thai BBQ with a focus on local produce and a lively atmosphere, complemented by great cocktails and music.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Lucky Khao
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience vibrant Northern Thai BBQ with a focus on local produce and a lively atmosphere, complemented by great cocktails and music.
"Absolutely loved this meal. Definitely some of the best Thai I've had in Brighton. Great flavours and generous portions."
Adjust Spice and Salt
Don't hesitate to ask for less spice or salt if preferred; the kitchen is accommodating to personal tastes.
Book in Advance
Reservations are recommended to ensure availability, as popular dishes may sell out.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Northern Thai
Price
$$$
Phone
+44 1273 686668
Address
1d St James's St, Kemptown, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 1RE, United Kingdom
Website
luckykhao.com/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Authentic Northern Thai BBQ
Savor charcoal-roasted BBQ meats, curries, and sharing plates inspired by Thailand's northern region, using local Sussex produce.
Vibrant Atmosphere & Music
Enjoy sustainable cocktails and delicious food in a buzzing atmosphere with a thumping soundtrack of 90s hip hop and rock.
Awarded Thai Dining
Experience high-quality Thai dining recognized by the Michelin Guide, with chefs trained in Bangkok's top eateries.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Adjust Spice and Salt
Don't hesitate to ask for less spice or salt if preferred; the kitchen is accommodating to personal tastes.
Book in Advance
Reservations are recommended to ensure availability, as popular dishes may sell out.
Inquire About Mains
For larger portions or specific meat cuts, it's advisable to check availability before ordering.
Check for Offers
Keep an eye on their mailing list for exclusive discounts, like 50% off food.
Tips
from all over the internet
Adjust Spice and Salt
Don't hesitate to ask for less spice or salt if preferred; the kitchen is accommodating to personal tastes.
Book in Advance
Reservations are recommended to ensure availability, as popular dishes may sell out.
Inquire About Mains
For larger portions or specific meat cuts, it's advisable to check availability before ordering.
Check for Offers
Keep an eye on their mailing list for exclusive discounts, like 50% off food.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Lucky Khao offers a vibrant atmosphere and authentic Northern Thai BBQ, with many praising the delicious flavors and quality ingredients. However, some diners have noted issues with portion sizes, saltiness, and occasional availability of dishes, leading to a mixed experience for some.
"Absolutely loved this meal. Can't believe it's taken me so long to get there. Definitely some of the best Thai I've had in Brighton. Great flavours and generous portions. Lovely staff and ambience. Menu changes regularly but our sea bass and pork belly dishes were superb. Highly recommend"
Elliot Daly
"We discovered Lucky Khao accidentally whilst going for brunch at Red Roaster and decided to give it a go the same day. The happiest accident ever! Food was absolutely delicious, service was excellent (although, a few too many check backs!) and we were so full we had to skip dessert. Every dish was wonderfully different, well seasoned and exceptionally tasty.
Noted lots of comments in other reviews about Food being too salty and too spicy and will argue this to say that the menu does say if you’d like less spice to just ask, as for the salt - this is subjective and as a chef I thought the salt level was spot on.
We will definitely be back when next in Brighton! Thank you!"
Adele Hing
"Our experience started off on a strange note. When we called to let the restaurant know we might be running a few minutes late, the staff asked if we could arrive earlier instead, as we were the only ones booked for the night. I feel that they were trying to make us feel guilty about it, which was off-putting, especially since our reservation was for 7:30 pm. When we arrived, we were the only ones there, besides one other couple. It was a pretty dead ambience.
The interior was nothing special, just basic decor that didn’t add much to the atmosphere. We were eager to try the sea bass and pork krapao, both of which sounded great—especially the sea bass. Unfortunately, we were told they didn’t have the sea bass available. After considering the other pork dishes, we opted for a khmer curry instead, not wanting two pork dishes. Only after placing our order did we learn that they only had minced beef for the krapao, which was disappointing. The khmer curry was good, but the beef krapao was a complete waste—nothing like what we expected from the dish. It also doesn’t make sense to have beef in pad krapow. So overall, even though we were the only ones there, they didn’t have two of the items we wanted on the menu, and there was no offer to compensate for that.
Despite being the only customers, it was surprisingly difficult to get the waitress’s attention at times.
Overall, the experience felt more frustrating than enjoyable, and we left feeling quite let down."
Isar Krista-Leigh
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Lucky Khao specializes in authentic Northern Thai barbecue, curries, and sharing plates, inspired by the Isan region and local Sussex produce.
Yes, if you prefer less spice or salt, don't hesitate to ask. The staff are willing to accommodate personal preferences.
It is advisable to make reservations in advance to ensure availability, as popular menu items can sell out.
The restaurant offers a vibrant and lively atmosphere, with a thumping soundtrack of 90s hip hop and rock, making it a buzzing hangout.
Everything on the menu is dairy-free, which is a fantastic accommodation for many diners.
Portion sizes have received mixed reviews, with some finding them generous and others suggesting they could be larger for the price.
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Situated towards the bottom of the hustle and bustle of St James’ Street, this bougie hangout flies a little under the radar. That’s because the evening-only Lucky Khao operates under the same roof as Red Roaster, one of Brighton’s best independent cafes. By day, it’s a great place to get a caffeine fix, but by night, the kitchen staff rotates to a team of culinary wizards who’ve trained alongside some of Bangkok’s best chefs.
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Lucky Khao, Brighton’s exclusive Northern Thai restaurant, brings the flavours of BBQ meats, curries, and sharing plates to the city. Drawing inspiration from the cooler climate of Thailand’s northern region, which aligns closely with the UK’s, the Lucky Khao team underwent training at the esteemed Bangkok restaurant, 100 Mahaseth. The result is an authentic and high-quality Thai dining experience in Brighton’s Kemptown.
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Dishes at Lucky Khao / Image: Restaurants Brighton - Ellen Richardson. Neon lights and lip-tingling Northern Thai barbecue are the vibe at this perennially busy Kemptown favourite. The ingredients are local wherever possible, but the recipes and techniques strive for authenticity; most of the team at Lucky Khao have trained in Thailand.
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The talented team at Lucky Khao have worked at some of the best restaurants in Bangkok (including renowned Bo.Lan and 100 Mahaseth), before bringing authentic Thai barbecue back to Brighton. Get stuck into chicken larb, chilli lamb skewers, and sustainable cocktails, to a thumping soundtrack of 90s hip hop and rock.
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Lucky Khao situated at Red Roaster on St James’ Street is a new addition to the Michelin Guide for 2025. The first thing that hits you is the redolence of fragrant aromas filling the venue from an immaculate open plan kitchen. At the helm is chef Luke Larsson, who...
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