The Chat Thai restaurants helmed by Palisa Anderson have a well-established reputation for flavour and consistency across multiple venues, and the Chatswood outpost delivers on both fronts.

Complete with its own charming outdoor spaces, it has a slight treehouse feel, albeit one buzzing with conversation and big family tables getting their fix of spring rolls stuffed with blue swimmer crab and the famous Amy’s Noodle, named after late, great founder Amy Chanta.

Smiles abound and there’s friendly humour as the team offers gentle warnings about spice levels (the yellow crab curry is thrillingly hot) and nudges patrons to try something a little different, such as padt ma kruea yaaw, a sticky-sweet stir-fry of eggplant and minced chicken.

Young coconut ice-cream with candied palm seeds and roasted sweet potato cools the palate and adds another dose of fun to a venue not short on good vibes.