This beautiful venue has a split personality. During the day, it trades as Red Roaster – a relaxed coffee shop/café serving pimped-up brunch dishes such as crab on toasted brioche or a free-range chicken burger. By night, it becomes home to Thai barbecue concept Lucky Khao, which serves northern Thai food such as barbecued meats and curries.
The cosy interiors have a buzzy atmosphere, as staff dart between the open kitchen and restaurant delivering plates and bowls. Hanging greenery overhead gives the restaurant a pop of colour, and there are a few stools up at the counter for those who like a front row seat at the action too. The restaurant also features an Instagram-famous bathroom, which is home to many a selfie.
Lucky Khao champions local Sussex produce wherever possible, using local organic meat and farm produce as well as quality Asian ingredients. On the menu, you can expect to find dishes such as charcoal-roasted chicken marinated with chilli, lemongrass, ginger and coriander, or a sour aubergine curry with bean sprouts and pickled greens. There’s also a lean towards good drinking food, such as fish caramel chicken wings with crispy garlic and shallot, moo ping pork skewers with oyster sauce, and a beef larb of bavette, birds eye chillies, lime and fish sauce. There’s plenty more on offer too, from crab fried rice and drunken noodles, to a beef brisket massaman with Jersey Royal potatoes.
The menu accommodates vegan and gluten-free diners, while the bar serves sustainable cocktails, natural wines and a range of fresh softs which are offered with or without sugar. A thumping soundtrack of 90s hip hop and rock helps to keep the atmosphere buzzing.