Set to open in October, the launch follows a year-long residency above Borough Market pub The Globe Tavern, which will come to an end in mid-September.
Palmer and Larsson are also behind Brighton’s Lucky Khao, which is currently closed but expected to reopen soon.
The permanent Khao Bird will be positioned as an ‘inclusive and affordable restaurant’, serving contemporary interpretations of ‘hyper-regional Chiang Mai techniques with a focus on barbecue’.
Dishes will include prawn khanon jeen — fermented rice noodles served cold with minced prawn curry and mustard greens; khao soi with beef brisket; Burmese fermented tea leaf salad; and a take on beef larb that replaces the blood and bile traditionally used in the dish with Campari.
The two-floor restaurant will seat 48 downstairs and 30 upstairs. The interior will feature raw materials such as galvanised steel for structural elements, oak flooring upstairs and concrete below.
A blue-and-steel colour palette will reference Chiang Mai traffic signage, with walls decorated with layers of Thai crafts and artwork collected during research trips. Architect Ben Spong has overseen the design.
Wine expert Zeren Wilson will return to curate the wine list, with pours selected to complement Thai aromatics and spice.
Draft wines and Thai beers will be joined by UK small-batch brews, while the cocktail list will rotate regularly and be guided by the kitchen.
“Now, with this exciting opportunity in Soho, we’re diving further into the unique cuisine of Chiang Mai,” says Palmer. “The name Khao Bird is a nod to our love for the city’s famous BBQ chicken. The menu features Northern Thai classics, particularly the flavours that light up the city’s night markets, with playful twists that reflect our journey from Brighton to Thailand.”