The Best Thai Restaurants in Melbourne for a Flavoursome Feast

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!

Khao

Khao Soi is having a moment in Melbourne, and for good reason. This Northern Thai curry and noodle dish is a flavour-packed, nourishing delight. Try the fried chicken version at Khao, a super cute Thai restaurant in the CBD. The crispy chicken adds a satisfying crunch to the creamy soup and noodles. Each Khao Soi comes with side dishes and an ‘eating guide’ for the best experience.

Save room for dessert—the banoffee brown butter toast is a standout, and the bingsu variations, like mango sticky rice and salted egg with mixed pearls, are equally impressive. The venue is charming, and the prices are reasonable. Run, don't walk!

335 La Trobe Street, Melbourne

Khaosan Lane

Introducing your new favourite Moo Kata (Thai BBQ) spot: Khaosan Lane, hidden behind H&M in one of Melbourne's iconic laneways. Enjoy mouthwatering BBQ dishes with a touch of Esan flavour.

Khaosan Lane is perfect for savouring authentic Thai street food and sharing a refreshing beer tower with friends. If beer isn't your thing, try their charming cocktails named after Thai tourist spots—Thongler tipple, anyone?

From 8:30pm, live music sets the mood, transporting you to the lively streets of Bangkok. It's a new must-visit Thai restaurant in Melbourne. 

350 Bourke Street Shop G25 Melbourne GPO, Melbourne 

Khao Soi

Sydney’s famous Thai-Japanese fusion restaurant has landed in Melbourne - and it's a must for a mid-week catch up dinner with friends or even for your next casual date night. Khao Soi specialises in what it says on the tin - Khao Soi, also known as Thai curry laksa or Chiang Mai noodle soup - with a little kick of Japanese fusion thrown in for good measure. They also offer various curry and rice dishes, Northern Thai specialties and vegetarian options too.

Chinatown, 107 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne 

The Salted Egg

Salted Egg, located in Quincy Hotel in the CBD, invites diners on a sensory journey, with a menu dominated by traditional Thai cuisine with a twist. This vibrant eatery excels in offering a unique blend of classic and innovative dishes, such as aromatic king fish, a smoked duck betel leaf with jeaw, lemongrass, mint and coriander, and the tantalising Thai basil chicken. The menu is a testament to South East Asian culinary traditions, with a range of dishes designed to surprise and delight.

Whether enjoying a cocktail or a glass of wine, Salted Egg is more than just a dining destination; it’s a place where culinary creativity and adventure come alive.

Quincy Hotel, 509 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Khao Man Gai

Nine different styles of one of Thailand's most beloved comfort foods is being dished up at Khao Man Gai. Head on in for exceptional Thai chicken rice, and also for the first Thai milk tea slushie in Melbourne. Nothing beats a bowl of this flavourful dish. From classic chicken to even tofu rice for vegetarians, the menu here provides a variety of choices to suit everyone's palate.

Finish off with their irresistibly sweet and fragrant mango sticky rice; it's the perfect way to cool down from the kick of chilli you added to your dish. 

Shop A&B, 389 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 

Thai Tide

If you haven't paired Thai with a snappy little Pet Nat, you've really been missing out, and Thai Tide is here to show you why.

Regional Thai dishes, Australian natural wine and a feel good setting are all the keys you need for a good time, and they've got the formula down to a fine art.

Food wise, comforting Thai stir fries from Central Bangkok, grilled dishes, oysters, Thai salad, crispy pork belly and simmering curries with distinct flavour from different regions of Thailand fill the menu, alongside a cracking list of wild, cloudy and ultra-drinkable natural wines to be poured alongside. 

171 Bourke Street, Melbourne 

Soi 38

No, you’re not imagining things – that really is the sound of sizzling pans and the smell of fish sauce coming from deep inside a CBD carpark. By now Soi 38 is the stuff of legend, a pocket-sized Thai eatery that’s made a destination of the Mcilwraith Place car park. Here they sling some of Melbourne’s best boat noodles by day, and turn into a Chang-fuelled Thai barbecue and hotpot joint by night. Soi 38 is one our city’s best cheap eats too, with noodle bowls starting from just $10.

38 Mcilwraith Place, Melbourne

Thai Town

Night market and street-food inspired Thai Town is our go to spot for a tasty feed in QV Melbourne. Showcasing the authentic flavours of Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai, the menu is as striking as the ambiance. There are over 98 items to choose from - and there's a dessert counter at the entrance that also functions as a mini grocery - salted egg cake, anyone? 

Shop 25 Artemis Lane, QV Melbourne 

Kan Eang

Two siblings (and second generation hospitality leaders) May and Nat Pongvattanaporn are heading up this gorgeous Thai restaurant in Melbourne, tucked away on Flinders Lane. Go for the fresh interiors and colourful cocktails and stay for the menu featuring family recipes and contemporary twists on street food classics.

Kan Eang delivers big time, on an array of unsung Thai dishes you'd be pressed to find elsewhere in Melbourne. The signature fried lucky fish is a must, as are the fried spicy chicken ribs that put Colonel Sanders to shame, and the beef shank curry with avocado (sounds odd, but the avocado adds a smooth and soothing contrast to the curry). 

306 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 

Dodee Paidang

This buzzing basement eatery is always packed with hungry students, CBD workers and Thai expatriates seeking a taste of home. Dodee’s menu ranges wide and far, from Northern-style grilled meats and tangy som tum to all the classic noodles and stir fries you love. Hence, why it is considered one of the best Thai restaurants in Melbourne. Their bestseller by far, however, is their signature tom yum noodle soup – a street food favourite in Thailand, it’s a sweet, savoury and spicy flavour explosion, and you can customise the type of noodle, toppings and heat level to your liking.

353 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

Longrain 

Longrain, led by acclaimed chef Scott Pickett, remains one of Melbourne’s most beloved Thai dining destinations. The restaurant's vibrant atmosphere and sleek décor create an inviting backdrop for a truly memorable experience. Longrain shines with its standout dishes, such as the betel leaves with prawn and ginger, the refreshing eggnet salad, crispy tamarind fish, and the aromatic lamb Panang curry. Signature dishes like the slow-cooked lemongrass and tamarind beef short rib is another crowd-pleaser, celebrated for its classic punchy flavour with contemporary twists. With its dynamic ambiance and inventive cuisine, Longrain continues to captivate the city's palate. 

44 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

Chin Chin 

Famed for their long queues, party vibes and explosively delicious modern cuisine, Chin Chin is a stalwart of Melbourne’s dining scene, and is considered one of Melbourne's best Thai restaurants. After almost 10 years, enthusiasm for their food is as strong as ever (their signature jungle curry even appeared on this year’s MasterChef). Come early and come with a crowd – all the better for sharing their vibrant salads, stir fries, curries and noodle dishes. The bar’s house cocktails pack a punch too, laced with Asian flavours and ingredients that’ll take you straight to a tropical holiday.

125 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Nana Thai

Spicy gem alert! Expect a queue outside Nana Thai, but the wait is absolutely worth it. Their signature mookata dish is a must-try—this Thai hot-pot barbecues meat while boiling soup simultaneously. Enjoy pork neck, belly, liver, bacon, prawn, and calamari cooked to perfection, alongside a bubbling clear, salty broth with noodles, vegetables, enoki mushroom, and egg.

The menu also features dishes from Thailand's northeast, like moo joom, tom yum soup, deep-fried pork belly, and over a dozen varieties of som tum (papaya salad). Authenticity is key, so expect real spice—ask the staff to tone it down if needed. We think the heat is all part of the fun. 

169 Bourke Street, Melbourne

BKK

BKK serves Bangkok street food and tropical cocktails in a quintessentially Melbourne setting. With everything from spicy ocean trout salad to barbecue skewers, charred meats and Thai curries on the menu, we recommend sharing multiple dishes and sampling them amongst friends. Wines are picked to match the flavour profiles of the food, so you can rest assured you're washing down your dish with an appropriate drop. 

Level 3, HER, 270 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Cookie 

This perpetually buzzing Thai restaurant-slash-cocktail bar is one of Melbourne’s favourite places to get the party started (before heading upstairs to the rooftop bar). Order widely and freely because everything here is a winner, from the fiery drunken noodles and addictive crispy pork belly curry to the top-notch seafood dishes – just don’t forget to nab a side of roti to dip in everything. Their house cocktails will take you straight to the tropics, with concoctions like passionfruit vanilla sours and a gorgeous fig jam gin number.

First Floor, 252 Swanston Street, Melbourne

Rin Sura 

Modern Thai food in the heart of Brunswick - Rin Sura is a must for lovers of big, bold flavours and dishes that pack a punch. Trying out the fairly priced chef’s tasting menu for $60 allows you to sample a variety of options off the hefty menu, and takes the guess work out of it for you. Sit back, relax and wait to be served up plates of grilled tiger prawns with tom yum dressing, or twice cooked chicken ribs with caramelised sriracha and shallot.

206 Sydney Road, Brunswick

Vivid Cafe & Lounge 

Vivid Cafe & Lounge stands out as one of Melbourne’s most impressive yet surprisingly under-the-radar Thai restaurants. With its attentive and welcoming staff, paired with an inviting ambiance and plush, sofa-like seating, the restaurant creates a perfect setting for a memorable dining experience. The menu features authentic Thai flavours, showcasing dishes such as the aromatic red curry, succulent coconut prawns, vibrant som tam, pineapple fried rice, and the exceptional crying tiger.

Each dish is not only rich in flavour but also exquisitely presented. Offering generous portions and excellent value for money, Vivid Cafe & Lounge is an outstanding choice for anyone seeking genuine Thai cuisine in Melbourne.

Unit 114/616 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn

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

The Golden Peanut

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Reservoir, The Golden Peanut is a hidden gem you might easily overlook. Unsigned and off the social media radar, this eclectic little restaurant serves up incredible Thai fusion eats and books out daily. For just $49, the set menu is a steal, and with BYO wine, it’s the perfect way to enjoy an affordable date night.

Highlights include the dreamy chive cake, the irresistible Massaman curry, and a crispy barramundi salad that you'll wish you could eat every day. Fun and flavourful, The Golden Peanut will not disappoint. 

777 Gilbert Road, Reservoir

Tom Toon 

Often listed as one of Melbourne’s best Thai restaurants, 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. Heads up: 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.