Ruen Bo Lan Thai Restaurant in Darlington

Never again. We have been numerous times before and have put up with the total incompetence of the front of house as the food is amazing. But tonight was the last straw. Booked for 8.30pm and on arrival there was only 5 tables occupied. Chart music playing in the back ground which is the norm for this place, but some very unhappy looking faces greeted us from those table which were occupied. Should have known Really !! So after 45 mins, having taken our drinks order 6 times and food order once we still had nothing to show for our time and patience. It’s was defiantly time to leave when he confirmed that the kitchen hadn’t even started our order and asked what we wanted to drink once more. A real shame as the food is amazing, if only they would give it a Thai atmosphere, turn off the chart music, employ some staff and make it feel like a Thai restaurant. This could be a little gold mine and a wonderful place to eat.

The second time that we have had a pre show meal at this little family run restaurant. The food is excellent, clearly freshly cooked. The stir fry had loads of ginger - as described- and was really delicious. We asked for it spicy and it was perfect, enough to make you know you’ve have some chilli - but not enough to overpower the fresh flavours. Washed down with a couple of cold Singha beers made a spot in pre theatre meal. We’ll be back at some point to try out the full menu.

We arrived at 5.30pm for a pre-concert meal and were the only customers. This place just seemed to have given up being a restaurant with a generally scruffy air, poorly presented waiter, a dire singer on repeat loop and a bored teenager playing computer games in the corner. A hand written menu in plastic sheets was amateur with no drinks section. We ordered two courses each plus one rice and a large and small bottled beer. The food was only okay but there was no coffee as the machine was broken.We were given an ancient chocolate each from a dirty jar behind the bar and a bill of £46. The large beer was £7 and the smaller £4. I used the loo which was grim and the hand dryer was out of order. Pretty horrid experience. This place seems to have two different names so be aware it is also called the Bangsean Thai so beware.

Seven of us went for dinner on Thursday 26 September we were the only people in and at first we were a bit worried. The food and service was absolutely fantastic I would highly recommend ! Don't let first impressions fool you you won't be disappointed

Very authentic Thai food, freshly cooked not just microwaved. Great tastes and large variety for all palates. Very friendly staff and owner. Toparks for opening restaurant for me despite a day of closure. Will have another dinner there tonight. Thank you for your unique hospitality in true Thai style.

Amazing meal very friendly staff and the best Thai I have ever had ! Great for a pre show meal 🥘 loved the Green curry and tasty prawn crackers will be back next time we travel from Manchester

Prior to going to the theatre my wife and I had a starter and main meal from the main menu (not the pre theatre menu) Presentation of the food was exceptional on really attractive crockery. The quality of the food and size of the portions could not be faulted at all. A really nice meal and certainly one of the best we have had. I go as far as to say it was an exceptional meal. I hope they management keep this standard up. We will visit again.

Restaurant is OK, doesn't seemed to have changed much for years. The pre-theatre menu, which is I think 5-7pm, is VERY limited - 3 starters (inc 1 vegetarian), 3 mains (inc 1 vegetarian), though you can change the chicken in the non-vegetarian mains for duck or prawn (at a cost). Includes plain rice which you can also upgrade, at a cost. The basic meal is decent value but check your drinks prices, we doubled the food bill by adding 3 beers and 3 bottles of wine between 6 of us.

Tasty green curry and good sticky rice. Difficult to eat though as curry was in a bowl on the plate. There wasn't a wine list and our second bottle was a different brand to the first one. Definitely worth a visit

We were looking for a special place for my wife's birthday and found it Opposite the theater in Darlington Thai food to perfection We were asked how we liked it cooked and it was cooked exactly the way we wanted it Served up very nice We were also asked if we were going to the theater so we could have time to get there It had been refurbished since last time we were there to a modern clean bright high standard Well worth a visit Ample free parking (night) in car park to the rear

The food was really nice, fresh with high quality ingredients. The Thai green curry was so good as well as everything else. The service was also very good as they helped bring our big order out to the car. Would recommend to anyone wanting authentic Thai food.

Went for my birthday with husband and friend. Food was so tasty and freshly made, a special mention to the made fresh prawn crackers! Don’t be put off by it not looking that busy, worth a visit!!!

Having booked to go to the Theatre we thought a bit of Thai food before would be good. Long time since we have been to this restaurant, but always was good. Arrived just before 6, shown to a table, busy but still free tables so not full and a table that was the biggest in there had their main courses so were all served. Ordered drinks and food, drinks arrived quickly, starters not long after, easily be over the road for 7 ready for the show...and then the wait started. We waited and waited and waited, 1/4 past six became 1/2 six became 6:45, people started to look longingly and anxiously at the kitchen. Just before 7 our main arrived, Food was ok,we were lucky. The table next to us got 1 of the 2 meals they had ordered and shared that, by the time the other one arrived, they had to get it to go. Another table paid for starters and left. We rushed our food and paid and left. Shame as I guess a number of people wont be back including us... and the place is a mess on top of this, chaos in chaotic surroundings.

We have wanted to try this restaurant for ages and wish we had earlier Great welcome by a very down to earth owner who we all warmed to instantly My daughter had a spring roll for starter and we shared duck Both we well presented and very nice I had a green curry, my wife a red one and my vegetarian daughter had tofu Again all superb Kenny the owner who we had got on first name terms by this point ensured the meals were all spiced to our individual taste I’m not a Thai conisuer but have eaten this cuisine all over the country and would say this is the best I would highly recommend anyone to give it a try We had a bottle of Rioja and a 7 or 8 bottles of Singa and the bill only came to £90 Give it a try and Kenny and his team will look after you

What a great little find. A friendly place that simply wants to serve amazing food. A really pleasant surprise. We accepted happily that the food may take a little time to arrive as everything was cooked fresh to order and we were not disappointed with how long we had to wait or with the quality of the food. When the starters arrived they tasted as good as they looked. they were incredible -packed with taste and obviously fresh and home made. No bought in supermarket specials reheated here! We were pleased to have asked for advice as to our mains and we were not disappointed. Every single dish was packed with flavour and the portions were very generous. I like a little bit of kick in my food and this didn't disappoint. Seriously good Thai food here - i will look forward to coming back. Fresh food. Friendly service. What's not to like?

Went tonight based on a recommendation from a work colleague and could not have enjoyed it more.

Walked in as going to a charity even nearby. Very basic restaurant in terms of furnishings, but that just gave it a more authentic feel. Was busy with a nice atmosphere. Staff very friendly and accommodation. Had early bird special, which was delicious. I had the seabass curry, wasn't convinced seabass would work in a curry, but absolutely delicious. Thoroughly recommend. A real family run business, rather than a faceless chain. Well worth a visit

its the 15 September 2018. I have been latelly cooking Thai and fancied authentic.And takeaway. rang early and met with anger machine. WOW. got. a call back. I didn't have a menu so was a bit his and miss ordering. got there though, sorted for 3. Arrived to collect at 6pm on a Saturday, door locked so knocked. Answered. I can only the service as eccentric, pleasant, polite, but eccentric. Nearly fainted at the cost, add £18 to £22 on from average Indian or Chinese takeaway. However...... food was bloody good, authentic, spiced to my order perfectly, was excellent. I will use again, just occasionally due to cost.

Really tasty food, and the most friendly, accommodating service! Adjusted the spice to suit. Great value!

My wife and I tried the restaurant tonight, had mixed starter, sea bass and red curry for mains. They were amazing!!! The food is fresh cooked and the chef will accommodate your taste preferences byp letting you choose how spicy you want your meal which is fantastic! The taste of all the food was to die for and the service was brilliant, really friendly and made the meal that little bit more special. Definitely worth a visit.

Restaurant empty when we arrived but it was a Wednesday night and most customers had booked the pre theatre meals . Mixed starter was lovely , beef red curry was good , the beef pad kra ? was not great - had more of a gravy on it and beef abit tough . Very friendly owner was helpful and cooked the food to order depending on how spicy we wanted it which was a nice touch .

Me and my partner are regulars at this restaurant and we are always impressed with the warm welcome and excellent food. The food is cooked fresh for your order and made with the highest quality ingredients. The dishes are always beautifully presented and taste authentically Thai. I recommend this restaurant to anyone that wants to taste real Thai food as this place is a real hidden gem of Darlington.

Can’t fault the food here, chef can and will accommodate specific dietary requirements (veg/vegan)food is worth waiting for as it’s prepared and cooked fresh to order Not just your generic watered down Thai food but authentic recipes, never had a bad meal

I wanted to treat a couple of my friends to a Thai meal as it was there birthdays. Their meals were OK and unfortunately, my Tofy Pad Thai, a vegetarian meal tasted strange and then I bit into a large piece of duck skin, complete with gristle as I thought it was crispy tofu. The waiter was doing his best to serve customers and was understandable stressed as he was the only one on duty. He agreed to take a look at my dish and after he took it to the kitchen, he returned immediately to say that it was egg and not duck. Well, take a look at the photos and see what you think. I tasted duck fat and had to spit it out. The rest of the Pad Thai was not great. I love Pad Thai and this dish was wet, greasy, over-salty and very disappointing. The waiter offered me money off my dish, but I asked not to be charged for a dish I could not eat and he agreed to not charge me for the dish. The service was slow due to a lack of staff and although I did feel sorry for the waiter, I did have a disappointing experience at this birthday meal.

We had a very good meal here one evening. I had Phad Thai whihc I usually have my first time at a Thai restaruant. This is my way of seeing what the food it like for a standard dish. It was excellent and not expensive. However the resiaurant is very untidy with what appears to be a living area towards the rear of the room and boxes stacked by the bar/drinks servery. A quick tidy up would give this five stars. This does not diminish the quality of the food nor the price.

Went the restaurant on a Sunday for pre-theatre meal before crossing the road to the Hippodrome. There is convenient parking just behind the restaurant. Food was some of the best Thai food we've come across in the north east. In fact, my wife thought her Tofu Green Curry was the best she's ever had! - although the pre-theatre menu choice was limited my Chicken Pad Khing was aromatic and rich. Not what I would normally choose, but very tasty nonetheless. Highly recommended.

We live in Darlington and love Thai food we decided to give this resturant a go as in the reviews it seemed it had new owners and we were not sorry

Ate here recently and have to say the food was simply superb, we hadn’t realised that this restaurant had changed hands but happy to report the new owners have maintained the standard of previous restaurant. We ate early so it was quiet, owner was friendly, food order taken promptly, we were asked how hot/spicy we wanted our food and we got exactly what we ordered, green curry was excellent. We will be back. Recommended!

Thought we would visit as had heard it was under new managment and looking for good thai food in Darlington. Food was beyond expectations. Tasty and freshly cooked. Restaurant was a bit sparce but they have just taken over. Needs a bit of investment in the decor and ambience. Hope the new owners succeed as would be great to have a good Thai in town. I would encourage oter people to go.

We went on Friday night, it was very quiet. Easy free parking via the side street.

Had a excellent meal here last night with hubby & friends before heading over to The Forum. Lovely friendly staff couldn't do enough for us. Ordered 4 starters to share, 3 mains & rices food was fantastic would definitely recommend & will be definitely go back.

Ordered a takeaway tonight. Waited 25 minutes in a cold restaurant for my order to be taken despite asking 3 times. Chicken curries were 'OK'....just (kids opinion), one steak dish was bland but edible but a 4th dish which I really couldn't identify was inedible. The beef looked like it has been swept off the floor, was rubbery and instantly made me realize I'd regret eating it. They'd even managed to burn the prawn crackers. A once in a lifetime experience and never again.

Visited the restaurant for the first time tonight, will defiantly be going back the food was incredible! The owners were fantastic, so warm and welcoming! Would highly recommend the restaurant!

We visited this evening. It was quite, as it was early Sunday evening, the food was fabulous especially the Thai green prawn curry with coconut rice. All freshly cooked. We look forward to our next visit.

This restaurant is really an hidden gem! If you want to eat commercialized, toned-down Thai food there are plenty of restaurants to go in the area, but if you want to eat authentic, flavourful, home-made Thai food this is THE place!!! It's almost hard to believe that Darlo has a place like this.

As soon as we walked in we were made to feel extremely welcome, the chef came out personally and she delivered some beautiful food which we quickly cleared and wolfed down. Will be heading back here soon as we have the seafood to try!

This restaurant is recently under new management and now called the "Bangsaen Thai Restaurant".

We would highly recommend this restaurant, we certainly will be going back. Absolutely wonderful food that is cooked fresh and plenty of choice. The owners have catered for families going to the Hippodrome too which is the menu we went for and it was more than sufficient. Wonderful restaurant and genuinely lovely owners too.

We love the food in this restaurant as the sauces are all freshly prepared so that it is easy to ask for a particular dish but specify, for example, no garlic. The owner Alysa is a Thai lady who became expert at sourcing fresh foods in Thailand as a girl and then learned recipe variation from her relatives, using herbs and the juice of fresh fruit and vegetables within her cooking. This does mean that the food is not cooked with pre-prepared pastes and so it can take a little longer to prepare and serve. We don't mind this (in fact we prefer it) as the food is refreshingly different, healthy and delicious. The green curry is fabulous but so are many other dishes.

My party of 4 have just walked out of this awful restaurant and am now waiting for a takeaway after disgraceful service. The restaurant itself is freezing cold cluttered with rubbish and children's toys. When the starters eventually arrived at different times, they were freezing. After waiting an hour for service, where the staff clearly had no idea what they were doing, we eventually asked for the bill. And they charged us £40 for a few starters which they refused to reduce at all despite the dreadful starters and service! Never ever go to this restaurant! Can't believe they are allowed to operate as a restaurant and I will be reporting them to the council asap!

Amazing quality food, price of food is great and it is represented in the quality! Great produce used and waitress had fantastic knowledge of the menu she advised her recommendations after conversing previously as what type of pallet we had. She then tailor made each curry to the heats requested. Owners came to the table and greeted us and ended up after the meal having a beer with us. Food was brought Within a reasonable time and is all cooked fresh to order so to ensure quality i'd rather not have it rapid to my table and wait slightly longer for the fantastic quality and great service. Staff all friendly and excel with service, great choice in alcoholic beverages and soft drink. And initially I was apprehensive to attend with seeing negative reviews and honestly can not understand where this has came from as the owners bent over backwards for us and made a special meal for my son and would highly recommend if you like high quality authentic Thai food. Location is very central, great parking out the back and literally opposite the Darlington civic theatre , all food allergies accounted for and asked at time of order or any dietary requests along with Spice level you require. Also fantastic children options.

We ordered a takeaway to collect -

We visit this restaurant on a regular basis, at least once a month, as the food is amazing and it is great that you get to have the food cooked the authentic Thai way by a Thai cook. The dim sum starter is always good (I have this almost every time) and the sticky ribs are amazing - the meat literally falls off the bone into your mouth. Every main dish we have had has been wonderful and the portions are very generous. However, by far, the best dish is the spicy seafood soup - it is wonderful and I could literally just have bowl after bowl of that. Not too spicy (they will cook all dishes to your requested spice level as they are all cooked fresh) but leaves a welcome tingle in your mouth. Would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone and everyone.

Great food, made me feel welcome. Looking forward to coming back to another good meal. Go for the chicken pad Thai if you are unsure x

The staff are very polite couldn’t do enough for us they explained the dishes and the food was freshly cooked and delicious a good range refreshments will definitely be going again would highly recommend this hidden gem of Darlington can’t recommend this place enough and the Thai green curry is to die for with chicken their actually brought a small bowl for us to try before we ordered our meal by the time we left their where like friends we each got a friendly goodbye.

We went recently with a few friends the service was second to none great fresh quality ingredients any questions we had on the dishes were explained in detail.

Didn’t have a booking and walked in, restaurant was very quiet. Went in sat down and ordered our drinks and starters. Waited a while for the starters, came out staggered so friends had nearly ate there’s before mine arrived. Ate only a few mouth fulls of my Tom Ka Gai - it tasted very powdery. Friends had a platter and was black, like charcoal. Told the owner and he said ‘oh it shouldn’t be like that!’ Took it away and that’s the last we heard. (Yet was still on the bill)

Stale prawn crackers. Food served randomly, ordered the set menu for 4, they missed two meals. Argued about the price for about 30 mins with the waiter and waitress who I would guess were the owners. The waiter then swore. Certainly wouldn't go back. Visit at your peril!

Went looking for Thai food, still not quite sure what we found!!

Popped in here the other Friday night, the food was delicious and plenty of it. The service was polite and fairly prompt, we will return.

There has been a Thai restaurant here for a long time, but now it is under new Management and ownership. Superb Thai food from the Thai Chef's and great friendly staff. Clean and well presented establishment in a nice location with ample parking near by.

This lovely welcoming restaurant is only minutes off the A1 and definitely worth returning to. Wonderful authentic Thai food, various curries, the squid in black bean sauce was delicious. Great service, good value, great chef too the whole meal was just heavenly.

My fingers were crossed when we visited this restaurant last week as there have been several different owners over the years. I was not disappointed. The service was excellent and the food authentic and delicious. The owners could not have been more welcoming or accommodating. YUM! I will definitely visit again soon.

Finally Darlington has a first class Thai restaurant again.

It was my first time of trying Thai food and was a bit worried in case it didn't like it but I needn't of worried Alishia the owner explained every thing to me and said that what ever I chose would done to the way I wanted it not too spicey

At first I was worried about this place - when I arrived there was only the owner in. The food though was excellent as was the service. I had the green curry and it was one of the best Thai meals I have had - very tasty and plenty of food. If in Darlo give it a try

We live up the road from this place and having passed it many times and being fana of thai food decided to give it a try. The place always looks empty and on our visit this was no exception.

We visited last Saturday evening. Has certainly been spruced up. Very clean, friendly & helpful service. We settled for the set meal for 2. This was plentiful & very tasty. Due to the fact in was not placed on hot plates it soon cooled down! Unfortunately it was very quiet so lacked a little atmosphere. Another downer point was the music was very loud and poor choice, softer Thai type music would have been nicer. However, overall it was a pleasant evening and yes, we will return and recommend. It is early day's for the new owners so we wish them every success for the future and hopefully they can wipe out the bad press the previous owners acquired.

My friend and I went to the restaurant at the beginning of January. We had a lovely meal and the service was excellent. The owners made us feel very welcome and were friendly and helpful.

I went to the restaurant with friends and family and we were made most welcome by the hosts, we were seated straight away and our drink orders were taken.