By the Sea with Thao Thao: A Story of Heritage and Homemade Flavours
In Margate, just moments from the sea, Thao Thao offers a fresh Vietnamese cuisine. Founded by chef and owner Nathalie, the restaurant blends traditional flavours with her own personal journey, from growing up in her family’s restaurant in France to building something of her own on the Kent coast.
Introduce us to Thao Thao – who are you, what do you do?
I’m Thanh Thao Nathalie. I’m French with Vietnamese heritage, and I’ve been living in the UK for about 8 years now. I opened Thao Thao in November 2023, an untraditional Vietnamese restaurant in Margate, where I am also the chef.
How did Thao Thao begin?
I’d always dreamed of running my own business one day, and also of living by the sea. When I moved to Margate, I realised there wasn’t anywhere I could go for the Vietnamese flavours I grew up with, and I really missed that. That’s when I thought… maybe I should be the one to bring it here. So when it finally felt like the stars had aligned, I took the leap. I started with a little stall in the Old Kent Market and a year later, I opened the restaurant on King Street.
How has your experience helped in creating and running Thao Thao?
I actually grew up around hospitality – my parents ran a Vietnamese restaurant in Bordeaux (France), and I worked there as a waitress during school holidays. At the time, I really didn’t enjoy it – the long hours, the pressure, all of it. So I went in a completely different direction and studied Marketing and Communications, then worked in digital marketing agencies in Paris.
But after a while, I realised sitting behind a laptop all day just wasn’t me anymore. It didn’t align with what I wanted from life. So I made a big change and moved to London to improve my English, and found my way back into hospitality. I started as a waitress and worked my way up to restaurant manager, and later worked in small cafés run by women. They were such inspiring business owners, and they really showed me that women can take up space and create their own rules, even in an industry that’s often male-dominated.
Looking back, all of those experiences have shaped what I’m doing today. And I still use my background in marketing and communications to promote and grow the business.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I’m a dog mum, so my day usually starts with a beach walk, which I feel really lucky about. I haven’t been able to go on holiday for the past two and a half years because of the business, so I really cherish those simple moments and feel grateful every day to have the sea at the end of my road.
Then it’s straight into the kitchen, doing prep and cooking during service, alongside a team member working front of house. After service, it’s cleaning, washing up, and getting everything ready for the next day.
Later, I take Sunny out for his second walk, which is also my time to switch off a bit and release the pressure. Evenings depend on how I’m feeling. You’ll either find me at home with my dog and a good homemade meal, out having dinner with friends, or occasionally dancing somewhere… but still making sure I’m in bed by 1am!
On my days off, I’m usually still working. Running a business means there’s always something to do, especially in the early years. Admin, planning, problem-solving… it never really stops. But I do try to prioritise rest, fun times, and find a balance. It hasn’t been easy, but I’m slowly getting there.
What’s the thing that’s surprised you most about Thao Thao – how you envisaged it vs the reality?
On a personal level, I’ve grown so much since starting the business. I didn’t expect that first year to take such a toll on my mental and physical health, but I’m really proud that I pushed through, even when I felt like giving up. At the same time, I genuinely love being my own boss and having the freedom to shape the business in my own way.
Professionally, I’ve learned everything from scratch. I’m not a trained chef, so I had to learn the hard way – experimenting, making mistakes, and trying again. Now, two and a half years in, I feel really proud of what Thao Thao has become.
What’s the thing you enjoy most here?
Definitely being creative in my kitchen, working with my team and our incredible customers. Someone recently told me that we’ve created a really special place for the community in Margate, and honestly, that blew my mind. That’s exactly what I could have hoped for.
What are some of the most popular dishes (and personal favourites)?
The bánh mì are definitely our best sellers – Vietnamese sandwiches that people just love. For me, it’s hard to pick a favourite because the whole menu is inspired by the dishes I grew up with, so they all feel really personal.
Is there anything on the horizon, any plans you’re excited about that we should keep an eye on?
I’m really excited to start hosting special nights with set menus, where I can showcase lesser-known Vietnamese dishes that deserve a lot more recognition.
Is there anything you recommend doing in Margate?
My top activities in Margate :
- A walk on the beach (even better with a dog at sunset)
- A movie night with pizza at 101 Social (Thursdays)
- A coffee from Big Shot, Forts, Curve or Doubloons
- A pain au chocolat from Oast
- A gig at Where Else
- A sandwich from Madre
- An exhibition at the Turner and all the small galleries
- A party at Arts Club
- A pool game at the Lido
- A heels dance class with Salty Heels and pole dance class with Solstice Studio
- A pasta dish from Bottega
- A book from Margate Bookshop
- A life drawing session with Studio Eden
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thaothao.kitchen@gmail.com
8 King Street, CT9 1DA Margate
Opening times: thurs 12-3pm, friday 12-3pm & 6-9pm, saturday & sunday 12-4pm – Closed monday to wednesday.
Photography Dan Pick & Joe and Charlotte
