A Thai restaurant that transports diners to a bustling Bangkok street food market is set to open in Durham City Centre.

Authentic Thai chain Zaap has six restaurants across the UK including in Newcastle and York.

The brand has applied for an alcohol licence and is plotting a new eatery taking over two unused units at the Riverwalk development in the city.

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The application, which has been submitted to Durham County Council and posted on the door of the proposed venue is for the sale of alcohol from 11am to midnight every day and late-night refreshments from 11pm to midnight.

The Northern Echo: Inside the York venue, which opened in 2019. (Image: Frank Dwyer)Inside the York venue, which opened in 2019. (Image: Frank Dwyer)

Zaap has a menu boasting more than 80 of the “most authentic Thai street food” which it says will make your “taste buds rock to the Bangkok vibe”.

It opened in Newcastle in 2016 near the Gate, then York in 2019. The company, founded by chef Ban Kaewkraikhot after moving to Yorkshire from Bangkok, also has sites in Sheffield, Headingley, Leeds, and Nottingham.

The Northern Echo: The York venue, which is designed to transport diners to Asia.The York venue, which is designed to transport diners to Asia.

It is also understood to have submitted a planning application for a venue in Manchester.

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A Zaap spokesperson told the Echo: “We don’t have much comment at the moment as it is very early stages and we are waiting on planning consent.”

The venue could be open next year if plans are approved.

Anyone wishing to comment on the application can do so in writing to the council by post or by emailing licensing@durham.gov.uk by Tuesday, September 19.