Here at Urban List, ours is a well-documented appreciation for Brisbane/Meanjin’s Thai restaurants, and in the past we’ve made no secret of our dedication to their piquant delights. We love the spicy kicks, the generous servings and the fact that Thai restaurants are cosmically gifted pun factories.
Amid the dense throng of Thai pleasures, a few spectacular venues rise above the others. If you're looking for the best of the best, these places are the delectable MVPs of Brisbane’s Thai restaurant scene with the power to ruin you for future feeds.
Doodee Boran
46 Charlotte Street, Brisbane CBD
Doodee Boran is definitely a top contender for Brisbane’s best Thai restaurants, partly for their signature noodles and partly for their quirky interiors, chill vibes and live music on Friday nights. Hidden down an alleyway on Charlotte Street, you’ll need to work to find it, but do and you’ll be rewarded with a bowl of soul warming tom yum soup that you can customise with your choice of noodles, topping and sides. The duck curry is also a winner, but really, it’s all good here—good luck narrowing down your choices.
Pawpaw
898 Stanley Street East, Woolloongabba
You’ve no doubt been there for brunch, but have you made it to Pawpaw for dinner? Their evening Thai menu is good that they were just named Southeast Queensland’s best Thai Restaurant for 2024 by Restaurant & Catering Australia. Pawpaw plates up nothing that won’t leave you wanting more, and we mean this because we literally find ourselves there about once a month. Snatch up some of their crispy pork belly and do not, we repeat, do not miss out on their massaman beef cheek curry. Their sister venue Pawpaw Asian Kitchen in Balmoral is equally as good if you’re a little further east.
Same Same
46 James Street, Fortitude Valley
Image credit: Same Same | Facebook
Combining atmosphere by the bucket load with your favourite modern Thai dishes, Same Same captures the flavours we know and love, but with serious attitude. The best seats in the house are undoubtedly the bar stools encircling the open kitchen, where you can watch the chefs toss, grill and plate up endless plates of mouthwatering feeds. The Same Same chicken burger is a must order, as is the red curry of angus beef cheek—we wouldn’t go past the pad see ew either.
Short Grain
15 Marshall Street, Fortitude Valley
Nestled within the heritage-listed brick walls of the Stewart & Hemmant Building, Short Grain is the creation of award-winning chef and cookbook author Martin Boetz, with plenty of nods to Melbourne's iconic Longrain on the menu for those who know what to look for. Dig into dishes like dry red curry with crisp pork belly, a salted duck egg, and lime leaves, and yellow curry of Five Founders grass-fed beef curry, kiflers, and cucumber relish. If you’re not so much of a sucker for spice, you’re covered too. Just order their fried whole market fish with caramelised turmeric, pineapple, and fried basil. Sweeten the deal with a duck egg caramel custard tart wrapped salted pork fat pastry.
Jumbo Thai
Level 1/214 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane CBD
With its polished mix of traditional and modern design, Jumbo Thai is a step above your traditional Thai restaurant in Brisbane, but still with the same homely vibe—and a handy location for mid-week lunch ‘meetings’. On the menu, you’ll find all your favourite Thai feeds elevated to new heights, along with some potential new faves. Of course there’s crunchy spring rolls, creamy yellow curry and spicy tom yum soup, but they’re given a twist—those spring rolls are filled with five spiced pulled duck, the yellow curry is loaded with chunky local sand crab and the massaman curry comes with your choice of lamb shank or beef cheeks.
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Mons Ban Sabai
12 Martha Street, Camp Hill
Image credit: Mons Thai | Facebook
An oldie but a serious goodie we just love the traditional and delicious Thai food at Mons Ban Sabai. Housed in a stylish corner spot looking out to the leafy street, this eatery has been serving up moreish pad Thai for years. You know what they say, if it ain’t broke! They also cater to gluten-free foodies, with most of their dishes gluten-free, and vegans, offering up delights like red curry with roast pumpkin and veggies or pad Thai with tofu.
Tuk Tuk Thai
21 Park Road, Milton
For seriously fresh Thai food packed with flavour, look no further than Tuk Tuk Thai right in the heart of Park Road—it’s unmissable thanks to the Tuk Tuk parked out front. Handpicked ingredients are cooked according to ancient techniques and recipes, resulting in plates of food that are literally brimming with flavour. The salmon cakes are great for starters, then go for some curry or noodles for mains. They also have a great little list of desserts, which is an extra thumbs up from us.
Boo’s Kitchen
1/12 Annerley Road, Woolloongabba
Sandwiched between the Best Western Hotel and Annerley Road in Woolloongabba, Boo’s Kitchen is one of the top contenders for the best Thai restaurant in Brisbane in our opinion and we reckon it will come out on top in your eyes too. The menu at Boo’s is loaded with food based on owner Boo’s family kitchen in Isan, the Thai region she hails from, with minimalist interiors where you can feel right at home.
Lek’s Thai
Paddington
Image credit: Lek's Thai | Facebook
By day, this old Queenslander on Given Terrace is Paddington Social, but after 5pm from Tuesday to Saturday it turns into Lek’s Thai, a pop-up restaurant dishing up Thai feeds for dine in and takeaway. Now you can get your basic green, red and yellow curries here, but if you know what’s good you’ll be ordering the sticky pork ribs and sea salt and pepper wok fried pork belly with a side of crab meat fried rice instead.
Thai Boy Eatery
41/192 Wellington Road, East Brisbane
Mekhong Thai may be gone, but creator Joe Kittiphat Adams isn't—and you'll now find him over in Brisbane running his new spot, Thai Boy. All about northeastern Thai dishes based on the recipes of Joe’s own grandmother elevated to new heights, with a few signature Mekhong favourites making their way over too, this isn't your usual Thai restaurant—it's practically fine dining level food dished up in a relaxed and friendly venue where you'll feel right at home.
Thaiways
346 Sandgate Road, Albion
Thaiways dishes up amazing traditional Thai food, including plenty of dishes you’ve probably not had the opportunity to try before. They’ve got everything from soups and stir-fries to curries and salads, cooked with love and a handful of chillies, too. Chef specials include the pad kanar ped (stir fried roasted duck with Chinese broccoli and oyster sauce) and deep fried whole barramundi.
Ping Pong
76 Skyring Terrace, Newstead
Image credit: Ping Pong | Facebook
With hot pink interiors so bright they may just hurt your eyes, Ping Pong is definitely the most Instagrammable Thai restaurant in Brisbane and luckily, the cuisine matches up to the heights set by their interior designer. Kick things off with Sriracha and honey chicken bao, move onto sticky beef short ribs and tempura bugs, and make sure you order the banana and lychee fritters with condensed milk and sesame ice cream for dessert.
Siri Thai
2/24 S Pine Road, Alderley
On South Pine Road in Alderley you’ll come this suburban gem that’s been feeding locals for over 15 years. On the Siri Thai menu are plenty of starters from coconut prawns to salt and pepper soft shell crab, and if you love the freshness of Thai cooking, you’ll love the long list of Thai salads, with lemongrass and lots of fresh herbs. There’s also a healthful ginger stir-fry with 25 vegetables, perfect for boosting that immune system.
Kinn Thai
Westfield Mt Gravatt, Mt Gravatt East
A shopping centre restaurant it may be, but don’t let that fool you—Kinn Thai is a firm favourite amongst the Thai lovers of Brisbane. In fact, it’s so popular that you’ll need a booking most nights of the week, particularly since it’s BYO (wine only, for $3pp). From duck pancakes and satay chicken to massaman lamb shank and pad prik khing, they do all the favourite, but their signature dish is a whole deep fried barramundi with sweet fish sauce that you’ll want to split with your crew (or not).
Vela
West Village, West End
Image credit: Vela | Supplied
Brought to you by the renowned Kinn Group, a new modern Thai restaurant has found its home in West Village. Adorned with a patchwork of textures and colours, Vela’s interiors aren’t the only thing you’ll be gaping at. An assortment of fragrant dishes line its menu, from tamarind pork ribs and raw beef tartare with a Thai twist to chilli butter scallops and crispy pork pad see ew with rolled noodles. Don’t forget to pair these dishes with some of their showstopping signature cocktails.
Chalong
1/620 Moggil Road, Chapel Hill
Despite being tucked away in a neighbourhood shopping strip, Chalong is not your average suburban eatery. From the food to the decor, everything here is elevated. Vibrant flavours burst from familiar favourites—like the essential massaman beef cheek curry— while foodies can also rejoice over the punchy lesser known southern Thai dishes on offer, such as Moo Hong, a Phuket-style braised pork belly with green nam jim. Be sure to put this place on your list if you wish to spice up date night.
Ma Chim
4/165 Baroona Road, Paddington
If you're a fan of Newstead’s Ping Pong, then you need to try Ma Chim, a new restaurant from Bowyo Muangsong, the co-owner of Ping Pong, and her brother Yew. From grilled treasures, smoky wok-fried dishes, and rich curries, this spot perfectly executes traditional Thai recipes as an ode to the duo’s mother. And don’t worry—in addition to faves like the tom yum hot pot and the laab gai, Bowyo’s famed beef cheek massaman curry makes its coveted appearance on the lengthy menu.
Phat Boy
Brisbane Quarter, Brisbane CBD
Image credit: Phat Boy | Facebook
Phat Boy's cheeky attitude combined with its on-plate delights and quirky cocktails, is ticking all the boxes for not just dinner, but a night out. If you’re willing to get messy, their signature dish is the kung tung—a spicy seafood fry up that’s poured directly onto the table for you to dig into. As for the drinks, well, between the beer towers and cocktails like the Khao San Road, with butterfly pea infused vodka, dry martini, yuzu sake, lychee and orange bitters, you’re set. We should also mention that their sister restaurant, Phat Elephant (also in the CBD), is worth a visit too.
Chili Coco
Stones Corner
Pairing Stones Corner’s vintage vibes (think mismatched chairs and antique doors) with Thai food worth travelling for, Chili Coco has an extensive menu, with coconut prawns, fragrant salads, spicy soups, stir frys, curries, noodles and rice. Oh, and we can’t forget their salt and pepper soft shell crab, which is worth splurging on if you’ve got a hankering to branch out from your usual order of red duck curry (we know it’s hard to resist those lychees).
Special Mentions
There are too many incredible Brisbnae Thai restaurants to possibly list them all, so if you really want to do a deep dive into the city’s best massaman curry, here’s where else is worthy of visiting:
- My Thai Restaurant, Auchenflower
- Sings Asian Kitchen, Rosalie and Coorparoo
- Little Thai, Everton Park
- Thai Terrace, Rosalie
- The Phat Pantry, Sunnybank Hills
- Jao Jorm, Moorooka
- Thai Flavour, Holland Park
- Bangkok Milton, Toowong
- Red Galanga, Norman Park
- Naramit, Hendra
- Taragindi Thai, Taragindi
- Siam Sunset, Graceville
- Siam Samrarn, West End
- To Be Thai, New Farm
- Morningside Thai, Morningside
- Thai Legend, Bulimba
- Thai Pan Kitchen, Highgate Hill
- Thai Tamarind, Victoria point
- Thai Patcharin, West End
- Thai On New Farm, New Farm
- Thai On Grove, Ashgrove
- Thai Chada, Grange
- Pochana, Brisbane City
- Gala Thai, West End
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Image credit: Doodee Boran | Facebook
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