It’s cemented itself as a real favourite of Newcastle diners and now Chilli Padi is expanding its horizons to another city, as it takes over a building on the outskirts of Durham city.
It’s been nearly a decade since Chilli Padi opened its doors for the first time in Newcastle city centre, just a stone’s throw away from St James’ Park and it took no time at all for it to become a real word of mouth success, with people flocking from miles around to sample the top notch Malaysian cuisine served up at the Leazes Lane venue.
Much buzzed about dishes on the Chilli Padi menu at the Newcastle restaurant, launched by Florence Lao, include the Nasi Lemak, Rendang, and Laksa noodles, with the former Sunderland University student keen to replicate the food she enjoyed so much from her childhood in Malaysia. Giving their verdict for ChronicleLive a few months after opening, the Secret Diner said they were confident he’d found his ‘go-to place in Newcastle for proper South East Asian food’ while it also came ‘highly recommended’ by another Chronicle reviewer in 2017.
In 2023, Chilli Padi announced they were going to launch their own food truck, which allow them to offer a pop up service at a number of different events and locations throughout the region and now it looks like its very much full steam ahead on Chilli Padi’s new venue in Durham, with signs carrying the restaurant’s branding going up outside the Aykley Heads premises previously occupied by Bistro 21.
Chilli Padi teased their move to Durham in a post that appeared on their Facebook page at the end of last year, which read: “We’ve been keeping a little secret, but it’s time to let you in! Our Christmas present came early this year, and we can’t wait to share it with all of you.
“Stay tuned to our page for updates—we’ll be revealing our official opening date soon! Let the countdown begin! And see you perhaps… in Durham very very soon!””
The news garnered a very excited response from Chilli Padi’s regular customers, with one replying: “This is great news! See you soon ” and another who commented: “Could not be more excited…..so much easier to come and visit you!!!”
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/chilli-padi-newcastle-restaurant-durham-31126523
