Phat Boy

The CBD’s Phat Elephant and New Farm’s Chai Thai are arguably two of Brisbane’s best spots for Thai food. In 2019, owner Alyssa Phadungkiat added Phat Boy to her portfolio – a flash 140-seat Thai restaurant in Brisbane Quarter.

Phadungkiat says the food at Phat Boy is more refined then her other venues, but the aim is to keep it fun and accessible. The menu features kung tung, a seafood dish that is served directly onto the table. Diners are given bibs and gloves so they can dig into chilli sauce-coated prawns, crabs, clams, mussels and corn. There’s also san choy bow and DIY som tum (papaya salad), which adds to the interactive dining experience. “We thought it would be really fun for people to learn how to make [som tum],” Phadungkiat says. “We have everything prepped for you, so you just have to throw it together and bash it.”

The fit-out features light shades imported from Thailand and vivid neon green lighting throughout the venue. A feature wall is filled with graphics that the Phat Boy staff members designed themselves.

Drinks include a bunch of elaborate Thai-flavoured cocktails, a small wine list, and a beer list that includes Thailand’s Singha on-tap and available by the tower.