Overview

When I visit another city, I prefer not to eat in the hotel as I like getting out and exploring. However, on this particular evening, I didn’t feel like going too far. A quick bit of research showed that Mantra Thai was a local favourite, so I went there, and I’m glad I did. I had the chicken satay skewers to start, which were tender and flavourful, and the red curry with sticky rice, which had just the right amount of spice.

Transport & Parking

Whilst there is a car park, and it’s free for restaurant visitors, there are no accessible parking spaces. This isn’t a big issue until someone blocks you in. Combined with the lack of marked spaces, it’s a bit of a free-for-all. Additional parking is available at the nearby Stephenson Quarter multi-storey, which has designated accessible spaces, though there is a charge to park there. There are no bus stops in the immediate vicinity, and Newcastle Railway Station and Central Subway Station are 1,130 metres from the restaurant.

Access

The venue is mostly accessible, with a ramp to the right of the single step at the restaurant and plenty of seating options throughout. There is ample space to move around, and the staff will remove chairs if you use a wheelchair. However, I didn’t see a hearing loop, braille menus, or any alternative formats in use.

Toilets

There is a single accessible toilet to the left of the dining area. The door opens outwards and does not require a RADAR key. Immediately on the right as you enter, there is a console table with cleaning products, which makes it difficult to turn a wheelchair and prevents those using mobility devices from looking in the nearby mirror – we like to check we look presentable too! There is space for a left-side transfer to the toilet, which has a soft backrest and contrasting grab rails on either side. However, the transfer space is rather tight and close to the radiator, which feels a bit dangerous. The sink is small, with a lever-style tap and contrasting rails on either side. The soap dispenser is mounted on the wall just above. Despite the limited space, there is room for a wheelchair user and two additional people.

Staff

The staff accommodating, quick to move chairs out of the way so i could sit at my table.

Photos