Subscribe
Subscribe
The Best Thai Restaurants in Melbourne for a Flavoursome Feast
Find yourself in sweet, salty, spicy and sour heaven at the best Thai restaurants in Melbourne.
If there’s one cuisine we’re always down for, it’s Thai. Known for its punchy and complex, yet fresh nature, dishes from this tropical country balance sweet, salty, spicy and sour flavours like no other.
In Melbourne, we’re spoilt for choice, with both well-loved local haunts and bustling modern eateries pumping out beloved classics and regional specialties.
Grab a crew and order widely and adventurously when you taste-test the best Thai restaurants in Melbourne. You won’t be disappointed!
Best Thai Restaurants in Melbourne CBD
Boonchoou
Boonchoou squeezes big Thai character into a Chinatown laneway, serving a refined, regionally minded menu spanning Thailand’s four corners. Plates arrive with precision: fiery stir-fries, slurpable noodles and small plates that read like culinary postcards from Bangkok to Isan. The low-lit, convivial fit-out suits late-night crowds and focused lunches alike, while reliably attentive service keeps things effortless. Moderately priced and popular with CBD workers and food hunters, Boonchoou is a brilliant option for a no-fuss, high-flavour feed.
11 Heffernan Lane, Melbourne
Nora Thai
Nora Thai brings the punch and poetry of Southern Thailand to Melbourne’s CBD and South Yarra, delivering dishes that sing with herbs, spice, and umami depth. From fiery soft pork-rib curry to betel leaf crab and stir-fried Malindjo greens with egg, every plate balances tradition with fearless flavour. The CBD location hums with weekday energy, while the intimate South Yarra space charms with close-knit, aromatic dinners. Vegetarian and gluten-free options abound, and takeaway is effortless.
Nora Thai is a feast of precision, heart, and generosity; Thai cuisine in Melbourne that is unapologetically vivid and endlessly satisfying.
111 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
69 Davis Avenue, South Yarra
Kang Eang Thai Bistro
Kan Eang Thai Bistro has landed on Little Bourke Street, bringing Melbourne the heart and soul of Southern Thai cuisine with a modern bistro twist. Behind it, siblings May and Nathan Pongvattanaporn fuse family recipes with inventive playfulness — think Green Curry Spaghetti with Chicken Katsu, Pad Bai Grapow Roti Pizza, and fall-apart Massaman Lamb Shank. The 130-seat space hums with warmth, clinking glasses, and shared plates, while cocktails like the lavender Laven-groni or zesty Yuzu Collins sparkle alongside cheeky twists on matcha and Thai tea. Thai dining here is unapologetically generous, bursting with flavour, and endlessly joyous.
Shop 1&2/518 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Khao
Melbourne can’t stop talking about Khao Soi, and Khao in the CBD proves why. The fried chicken Khao Soi is a triumph — crispy chicken dunked in creamy curry broth with noodles, served with sides and a handy ‘eating guide’ for maximum enjoyment. Save room for dessert: the banoffee brown butter toast is dangerously good, and the mango sticky rice bingsu is pure bliss. Friendly, fun, and effortlessly satisfying, Khao serves up Thai comfort with flair — and at a price that keeps you coming back for more.
335 La Trobe Street, Melbourne
Khaosan Lane
Say hello to your new Moo Kata obsession: Khaosan Lane, hidden behind H&M in one of Melbourne’s iconic laneways. Fire up the BBQ and dive into Esan-inspired favourites while sharing a towering beer with friends, or sip a cheeky cocktail named after a Thai hotspot (Thongler tipple, anyone?). When the clock strikes 8:30pm, live music brings the laneway alive, whisking you straight to Bangkok’s bustling streets. Casual, lively, and endlessly fun, Khaosan Lane is street-food energy with a splash of Melbourne cool.
350 Bourke Street Shop G25 Melbourne GPO, Melbourne
Khao Soi
Sydney’s celebrated Thai-Japanese fusion hotspot, Khao Soi, has landed in Melbourne, perfect for a mid-week catch-up or a casual date night. The restaurant excels at its namesake dish — Khao Soi, the fragrant Northern Thai curry noodle soup — with a clever Japanese twist. Beyond the signature bowls, the menu stretches to curry and rice dishes, Northern Thai classics, and plenty of vegetarian options, all bursting with flavour. Warm, welcoming, and effortlessly fun, Khao Soi delivers comfort, spice, and a touch of culinary theatre in equal measure.
Chinatown, 107 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
The Salted Egg
Salted Egg, perched inside the Quincy Hotel in the CBD, takes diners on a full-sensory Thai adventure — with a cheeky twist. The menu flirts with tradition and innovation: aromatic kingfish, smoked duck betel leaves with jeaw, lemongrass, mint and coriander, and the irresistibly punchy Thai basil chicken all showcase Southeast Asia’s depth and flair. Each bite surprises and delights, while the cocktails — bright, bold, and expertly mixed — hit just as hard as the food.
Quincy Hotel, 509 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Khao Man Gai
Khao Man Gai serves nine styles of Thailand’s beloved chicken rice, plus Melbourne’s first Thai milk tea slushie. From classic chicken to vegetarian tofu rice, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss the fragrant mango sticky rice — a sweet, cooling finish to your meal.
Shop A&B, 389 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Thai Tide
If you haven’t paired Thai with a snappy Pet Nat, you’ve been missing out — Thai Tide is here to show you how it’s done. Moody neon lights, Australian natural wines, and Thai-inspired cocktails set the tone for a menu that spans the country: Patthalung fried chicken, braised beef shin Massaman curry, charcoal-grilled porterhouse with Thai chilli relish, and more. Every dish carries a distinct regional flavour, bold yet approachable. Gather friends, grab a glass, and let Thai Tide turn dinner into a full-sensory adventure.
171 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Soi 38
Soi 38 has officially upgraded — from a tiny CBD carpark haunt to a Bourke Street destination that’s big on space and even bigger on flavour. The street-food vibe is intact: bright colours, a noodle cart, and a Thai tuk-tuk set the scene. Boat noodles remain the star, joined by new wok-fired hits like pad krapow with dry-aged beef, Chang-fuelled barbecue, and hotpot. Round it out with spicy cocktails, Thai pancakes, and an ever-evolving menu, and you’ve got Melbourne Thai done with flair, fun, and unapologetic heat.
235 Bourke Street, Melbourne (enter via Royal Lane)
Thai Town
Night-market vibes meet street-food swagger at Thai Town, our QV Melbourne go-to for a seriously tasty feed. The menu channels the bold flavours of Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai, and with over 98 dishes to choose from, decision fatigue is guaranteed, but in the best way. Hit the dessert counter on entry, which doubles as a mini grocery (salted egg cake, anyone?), grab a plate, and dive in. Colourful, bustling, and unapologetically fun, Thai Town turns every meal into a little adventure.
Shop 25 Artemis Lane, QV Melbourne
Kan Eang
Siblings and second-generation hospitality leaders May and Nat Pongvattanaporn are at the helm of Kan Eang on Flinders Lane, where fresh, airy interiors set the stage for vibrant cocktails and a menu steeped in family recipes. Street-food classics get contemporary twists: the signature fried lucky fish is unmissable, spicy fried chicken ribs put Colonel Sanders to shame, and the beef shank curry with avocado surprises with its silky, soothing contrast. Gather a crowd, order generously, and let the flavours — and the atmosphere — sweep you away.
306 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Dodee Paidang
This buzzing basement eatery has earned a cult following among students, CBD workers and Thai expatriates craving a taste of home. Dodee’s spreads its wings across two city locations, plus Glen Waverley and Box Hill, with a menu that runs the gamut, from Northern-style grilled meats and tangy som tum to all the classic noodles and stir-fries you adore. The standout? Their signature tom yum noodle soup — a street-food favourite that’s sweet, savoury, spicy, and endlessly customisable with your choice of noodles, toppings and heat level.
353 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
245 Swanston Street, Melbourne
100 Kingsway, Glen Waverley
1 Main Street, Box Hill
Longrain
Longrain, under Scott Pickett, is Melbourne Thai elevated — vibrant, daring, and endlessly shareable. Set in a converted 1900s horse stable, the space hums with energy, a perfect foil for dishes that sing: betel leaves with prawn and green chilli, eggnet parcels brimming with pork and caramelised coconut, crispy tamarind fish, and slow-cooked Massaman lamb that melts off the bone. Bold flavours, thoughtful twists, and an atmosphere alive with chatter and clinking glasses — Longrain turns every meal into a celebration.
44 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Chin Chin
Famed for its long queues, infectious energy and explosively delicious modern Thai, Chin Chin has cemented its place in Melbourne’s dining scene. Even after nearly a decade, excitement for their food shows no signs of waning — their signature jungle curry even starred on this year’s MasterChef. Arrive early and bring a crowd to share vibrant salads, punchy stir-fries, rich curries and noodle dishes. The bar keeps pace, with house cocktails infused with Asian flavours that transport you straight to a sun-soaked tropical escape.
125 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Nana Thai
Queues are a given at Nana Thai, and for good reason. The star attraction is mookata — a Thai hotpot where meat grills over charcoal while broth simmers beneath. Pork neck, belly, liver, bacon, prawns and calamari all find their place, joined by noodles, greens, enoki mushrooms and egg in a bubbling, salty soup. The menu stretches into Thailand’s northeast with moo joom, tom yum, crisp pork belly and more than a dozen riffs on som tum. The spice runs true — fiery, authentic, and half the fun.
169 Bourke Street, Melbourne
BKK
BKK brings the heat of Bangkok street food to a Melbourne stage, all fire and theatre from its open kitchen and neon glow. The space hums with energy — exposed brick, copper accents and leather banquettes setting the mood for plates that demand to be shared. Spicy ocean trout salad, smoky barbecue skewers, charred meats and rich curries land at the table in a rush of flavour, while roti waits to mop it all up. Cocktails taste like summer holidays, wines are matched to the spice — gather your crew, order big, let the feast unfold.
Level 3, HER, 270 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Cookie
This always-buzzing Thai restaurant and cocktail bar is one of Melbourne’s go-to spots to kick off the night — before heading upstairs to the rooftop. Order with abandon because everything here delivers: fiery drunken noodles, addictive crispy pork belly curry, and standout seafood plates. A side of roti for dipping is non-negotiable. To drink, the house cocktails channel the tropics, with creations like a passionfruit-vanilla sour or a fig jam gin that’s as pretty as it is potent.
First Floor, 252 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Best Thai Restaurants in Melbourne
Naga Moon
Naga Moon gives Moonee Ponds a fresh spin on Thai dining, playful yet deeply rooted in tradition. The menu brims with flavour: coconut-crusted prawns, kingfish sashimi, sticky pork belly, spanner crab fried rice, and a pandan tiramisu worth lingering over. Happy hour (Tuesday to Sunday, 4pm to 6pm) brings cocktails with polish, while the $69 bottomless brunch on Fridays and Sundays is reason enough to clear the diary. With its warmly lit Hall Street home, Naga Moon feels as welcoming as it is deliciously inventive.
Shop 6/40 Hall Street, Moonee Ponds
Ranong Town
Ranong Town in Ferntree Gully brings Southern Thai flavours to vivid life. Hat Yai fried chicken snaps with crunch, boat noodles brim with layered aromatics, and Massaman curry delivers soothing, spiced richness. Casual yet considered, the space hums with warmth, while the menu embraces vegetarian and gluten-free diners. From takeaway to lingering over a long dinner, Ranong Town serves bold, nuanced Thai dishes with heart and authenticity, making it a standout spot for anyone craving flavours that are fearless, precise, and endlessly satisfying.
73 Dorset Road, Ferntree Gully
Rin Sura
In the heart of Brunswick, Rin Sura dishes up modern Thai with serious swagger — big, bold flavours designed to linger. The $60 chef’s tasting menu is the best way in, giving you a generous sweep of the menu without the guesswork. Expect plates like grilled tiger prawns dressed in tom yum, or twice-cooked chicken ribs sticky with caramelised sriracha and shallot, all served in a setting that invites you to settle in and savour.
206 Sydney Road, Brunswick
Charlong
Charlong is one of Melbourne’s most exciting new Thai arrivals, taking pride of place on Carlisle Street, St Kilda. The latest venture from Alex Kaew — former head chef at Longsong and Rice Paper Scissors — the menu draws on her Chanthaburi childhood, reimagined with a contemporary edge. Think king prawn dumplings swimming in tom yum bisque, or a Massaman lamb shank slow-braised for 12 hours until it falls from the bone. Familiar favourites like green curry and pad see ew also shine, while Melbourne artist ERA1DOG’s bold mural sets the tone for a dining room that feels both relaxed and full of character.
2/124 Carlisle Street, St Kilda
3 Sisters Eatery
For authentic, homestyle Thai cooking, 3 Sisters Eatery is a must-visit. Every dish bursts with flavour, from housemade fish cakes and garlic chive dumplings to twice-cooked pork belly and prawns in tofu and fennel green curry. With friendly service and vibrant dishes, it’s the perfect spot for a casual mid-week dinner date in Melbourne.
Unit 1/41 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
TaiThai
Hidden in the heart of North Melbourne’s buzzing Ezistreat, TaiThai brings Taiwan and Thailand together on the plate. A trailblazer in fusing these two beloved cuisines, it serves up a dining experience worth seeking out. From the signature Tai Thai Pad Krapraw—fragrant with Thai basil and chilli—to crispy stinky tofu with house-made pickles, every dish speaks of bold flavour and authenticity. The braised Tainan duck rice and stewed pork belly capture the soul of Taiwanese comfort food, while the Tai Thai fried chicken, laced with peppercorn crunch, delivers a modern edge.
Ezistreat, 275 Macaulay Road, North Melbourne
Jinda Thai
Everyone knows that if you’re looking for authentic Thai cuisine, Jinda is the place to go. Here, they certainly don’t hold back on the heat, and you’ll find regional specialties like crispy catfish and pickled crab not commonly seen elsewhere. Make sure to book ahead so you don’t have to wait in line for their spicy papaya salads and stir fries, smoky grilled meats and warming soups and curries.
1 Ferguson Street, Abbotsford
Tom Toon
Often listed as one of the best Thai restaurants in Melbourne, low-key Tom Toon isn’t to be overlooked. A charming spot dressed up with warm wood panelling and artisan pots, this cosy eatery serves up an array of aromatic dishes that always manage to master the perfect balance of flavours. The waiters are friendly and will happily accommodate your personal spice tolerance, and with the food so fresh and reasonably priced, it’d be hard not to make this your go-to spot for when you’re craving Thai.
241 Victoria Street, Abbotsford
Luxsmith Restaurant + Bar
Leafy and lovely Seddon has a fantastic local in Luxsmith Restaurant + Bar (also a wine shop). It’s a culinary destination for those who love Thai and Vietnamese inspired Modern Asian cuisine. The menu is packed with rich, colourful and flavourful dishes, served in a relaxed, cosy and light-filled dining room, with a side of warm hospitality.
Enjoy spicy duck spring rolls, kingfish sashimi, pad thai and beef brisket massaman curry with your best gal pals – you won’t regret it!
5 Gamon Street, Seddon
Tom Phat
One of Sydney Road’s pioneering food destinations, Tom Phat is a beloved neighbourhood restaurant in Brunswick. It’s been serving up addictive South East Asian eats and endlessly sippable cocktails since 2004. The inspired, quirky interiors are matched by a relaxed, cosy ambience and paired with friendly staff who’ll help you start the night with a round of fun drinks, before you begin sharing your way through a menu filled with punchy flavours.
Word to the wise: the twice cooked chilli caramel pork belly with Asian slaw is to die for.
184 Sydney Road, Brunswick
Loved our pick of the best Thai restaurants in Melbourne? Continue eating your way around the world at the best Japanese, Greek, Italian and French restaurants in town.
