Charlie Chans Bar & Bottleshop — Restaurant in Sydney

📍 𝗠𝗿𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗞𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗻 ⭑.ᐟ

❤︎ 𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗱-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱: Craving authentic Thai street food in a hidden little corner ❤︎ 𝗙𝗮𝘃 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗵: Hot Basil Original Thai Style with Rice (+fried egg!) ❤︎ 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿: Thai food lovers, spice chasers, quick comfort meal seekers ❤︎ 𝗩𝗶𝗯𝗲: Low-key and bustling

ꫂ ၴႅၴ

I dropped by Mrs Chans Kitchen on a Thursday afternoon, just missing the lunch crowd—it was wonderfully quiet, only us in the shop. The setting is simple, located in a corridor-like lane, which gives it this gritty, authentic feel as people walk past nonstop.

I ordered my go-to Thai fave: Hot Basil Original Thai Style with Rice and also tried the Calamari Hot Basil with Rice. The original was chef’s kiss—fragrant, flavour-packed, not too spicy, and beautifully balanced. Don’t skip the fried egg on top—it adds a creamy richness that melts into the rice. The calamari version was also tasty, with a slight sweetness to it that made it a bit different from the usual savoury profile. The portion was generous, and everything came out hot and fast.

ꫂ ၴႅၴ

ⴵ 𝗪𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲: 14:48–14:55 (super quick!) 𐀪 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: Empty during my visit, but usually full at night ☼ 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱: Thursday (weekday) ‎𐂐 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘂 𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱: ✦ Hot Basil Original Thai Style with Rice ($14.9) + Fried Egg ($2.5) ✦ Calamari Hot Basil with Rice ($17.3) + Fried Egg ($2.5)

𝗪𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻? ꕤ 𝗬𝗲𝘀! It’s a solid go-to for Thai cravings, especially when I want something comforting and fast. Might try their boat...

Very dissapointed with the big guard that was at the door around 5pm. Extrmley rude and sexist. I entered with my partner whom Is 30 and myself 27, my phone had died, however I had my phone charger with me.

The security asked for my license in which I said I only have the digital version, I expressed my phone had died. I asked if he could place my phone on charge while I wait outside, he said NO THE CHARGERS ARE SLOW. To which I replied and say "oh I have my charger with me, you can use this"

Security guard then told me there is no PowerPoint's!

I was like huh!

I asked could you please put it on charge behind the bar??

Again the security guard said NO

I asked my partner whom had valid ID to please go in the venue and charge my phone.

After 5 minutes my partner returned with my phone that was charged enough for me to turn on and present my digital license.

The guard viewed it! He said nothing.... and I just walked in.

To point out, he also let several young people in the venue without checking ID while I awaited for my phone to be charged at the time.

Moral of the storey!! What a rude nasty man. Unpleasant experience. We have been coming for years and I've never met such a nasty guard.! Bad for business.

All the thai girls and managers that work there are amazing!!!

Funny because we only came to get some food from Charlie...

Charlie Chan's has a laid back, low key sort of vibe. The front has a fireplace which is rustic but then there's a television above the fireplace. The middle is a corridor of green cushioned seats and the back is where you order your thai food. The thai is reasonably priced and well cooked.

When I used to work in Haymarket, Charlie Chan's was a regular venue for your after work drinks. They have great cocktail specials but it's now changed. They have very reasonably price bottles of wine too.

They have what they call the 555 special which means there are $5 James Squires, $5 House Wine and Sparkling and $5 house spirits from 6pm to 9pm. You better get there on Thursday or Friday nights though for their half price cocktails from 6pm to 9pm.

My favourite cocktails were the Berry Chi or your classic cosmo. However I had to settle for my normal Vodka Cranberry as I was last here on a Wednesday evening.

Enjoy a quiet drink and a quick thai dinner in good company.

Location: 631 George St,...