A long-running Sunshine Coast restaurant has started again in a new community after more than a decade serving customers from its former home.
Panwa Thai Garden opened at Parklakes Drive in Bli Bli last month, continuing the family business Anong Wongduean and Samart Ngaogate established as Panwa Thai in Maroochydore in 2014.
The restaurant operated for more than 10 years in Big Top Shopping Centre in Maroochydore before closing in 2025, when its lease ended.
Ms Wongduean said leaving had been difficult after years of building relationships with regular customers.
“Rather than simply looking for another location in the same area, we saw this as an opportunity to start something new and develop a restaurant that reflected our vision for the future,” she said.
The move was not primarily driven by redevelopment, with the owners instead deciding the end of the lease was an opportunity to consider a different part of the Coast.
They chose Bli Bli because of its growing residential population and mix of families, retirees, working professionals and people from different cultural backgrounds.
“We felt there was an opportunity to bring something special to the local dining scene: a Thai restaurant where people could enjoy good food, relax with family and friends, and feel at home,” Ms Wongduean said.
The Parklakes Drive premises were previously occupied by Salt n’ Battered Bli Bli, which closed in January.
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The new restaurant has about 50 seats and an open-air dining area, providing a different setting from the former Ocean Street restaurant.
“We want guests to enjoy a peaceful and comfortable environment rather than simply coming in for a meal and leaving,” Ms Wongduean said.
“Our focus is on combining authentic Thai flavours with a welcoming atmosphere, friendly hospitality and a space suitable for different occasions.”
Panwa Thai Garden continues to serve several dishes associated with the former Maroochydore restaurant, including seafood red curry, deep-fried whole fish with Thai herbs, Pad Thai and cashew nut stir-fries.
Its menu also includes dishes such as chicken satay, fish cakes, prawn cakes, deep-fried tofu, vegetable spring rolls and salt and pepper squid.
The owners said the menu brought together familiar dishes and flavours from across Thailand.
Their approach centres on the balance of sweet, sour, salty, spicy and savoury elements they consider important to Thai cooking, along with fresh herbs, spices and aromatic ingredients.
“We hope returning customers will recognise the flavours they have enjoyed over the years, while new customers will discover their own favourites at Panwa Thai Garden,” Ms Wongduean said.
Ms Wongduean and Mr Ngaogate retained the Panwa name rather than rebranding the business after the move.
“The name Panwa is the identity we have built and developed over the years,” Ms Wongduean said.
“We wanted to retain the name because it represents our history, our experience and the customers who have supported us since 2014.”
The owners said the first weeks in Bli Bli had brought support and interest from customers but acknowledged establishing themselves in a new community would take time.
“What excites us most is the opportunity to start again, meet new people and build something meaningful in Bli Bli,” Ms Wongduean said.
“After more than 10 years in Maroochydore, moving to a new community is a big step. It brings new challenges, but also new opportunities.”
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