Despite our vibrant medley of cuisines, I believe that it's Thai restaurants Gold Coast/Kombumerri Country excells at. Humbly crafting flavour-packed dishes that sing with lemongrass, and sizzle like a personal serenade, it's the kind of stuff that makes for an ideal celebration locale or a quick craving curber.
I've personally lost count of how many Pad Thai chow downs and Tom Yum slurp ups I've had with mates. And is there really anything better than polishing off a couple of bowls of jungle curry with a side of crispy spring rolls and that little pot of mystery sauce?
Be it pineapple boats or crying tigers you're after, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the calibre of eateries we have scattered across the Coast. So what makes a Thai restaurant one of the best? I believe it's an honouring of traditional flavours for some, and a creative reimagining for others. And I'd be lying if I wasn't also looking for cocktails that send me straight to Phuket.
From modern twists on authentic classics to traditional experiences with recipes passed down through generations, here are 17 of the best Gold Coast Thai restaurants according to Urban List, ordered from north to south.
The Best Gold Coast Thai Restaurants At A Glance
Northern Gold Coast Thai Restaurants
Charm Thai
388 Tamborine-Oxenford Road, Upper Coomera QLD 4209
It might be an unspoken rule that the less advertised a restaurant is, the more loyal their customers are—this is certainly evident at Charm Thai. Nestled unsuspectingly in Upper Coomera, this lowkey Thai restaurant serves up uncomplicated and damn delicious Thai—perfect for when you want takeaway Pad Thai on the couch.
Noodles are certainly the hero here; the Pad Thai, Pad See Eiw and Pat Kee Mow all come in very generous servings and can be customised with your choice of protein. With corkage of just $1.50 per bottle, it's also great for a casual night out that won't break the budget. Order 5-8pm any night of the week or opt for lunchtime Thai time weekends, 11.30am-2.30pm on weekends.
Nahm Thai
Westfield Coomera, 103 Foxwell Rd, Coomera QLD 4209 &
Paradise Centre Shopping Centre, 2 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image Credit: Nahm Thai | Instagram
With two locations on the Gold Coast, Nahm Talay Thai is perched beachfront in Surfers Paradise with inviting alfresco dining, while Coomera’s Nahm Thai is conveniently located within the Westfield Shopping Centre. With a cult following, these elevated Gold Coast Thai restaurants are the best pozzies for people watching, long lunches and they're the ultimate cocktail-lover’s dream.
I cannot stress to you enough how truly delicious the coco paradise mocktail is. It's a seriously incredible combination of coconut juice, meat and cream (I think it's the cream that makes this so utterly unforgettable). My sister and I literally make a trip here exclusively for this delish drop. Order it after dinner and it doubles as a dessert. Always order the fish cakes here, their pad see ew is next-level and I'm always tossing up between the satay stir fry and tom yum soup in main size. There's no wrong choice.
Opt for lunch or dinner, 11am-9pm in Coomewra and 12-3.30pm then 5-9pm in Surfers, seven days a week.
House of Siam
12 Santa Barbara Rd, Shop 5, The Boardwalk Marina Shopping Village, Hope Island QLD 4212
It's the pairing of live music and marina views with the sweet aromas of coconut and lemongrass dancing through the air that means House of Siam has my heart under lock and key. This is my favourite Thai restaurant Gold Coast locals make the trek for, and the way you've got to follow your nose along the Hope Island boardwalk to this place makes it even more exciting.
The team ramps up the volume on ambience and flavours—I recommend the Panang curry with its creamy, peanut and kaffir lime leaf-infused base, topped with green beans, capsicum and your choice of chicken, beef, pork or a range of seafood. I recommend you nab one of the waterfront seats for superyacht views. They're open Tuesday through Sunday 11.30am-3pm for lunch and 4.30-8.30pm for dinner.
Absolute Thai
56 Scarborough St, Southport QLD 4215
Image Credit: Nahm Thai | Instagram
As one of the most affordable Thai restaurants Gold Coast homes, Absolute Thai is Southport’s answer to authentic dishes set inside a humble eatery. I recommed opting for an outdoor seat. You'll feel tucked away, yet get a beaut view of Southport's cityscape. You even have the option to choose authentic Thai spice levels. Hot tip: when they say spicy, they mean spicyyyy.
This menu features an impressive variety of dishes that are harder to come by in surrounding Thai restaurants, like Southern-style spicy stir-fried minced pork. Finish up with the mango sticky rice and wink at yourself for a choice well-made. Absolute Thai is open for dinner seven days 5-9pm and lunch Monday through Friday 11am-2pm.
Amphawa Thai Restaurant
47 Ashmore Rd, Bundall QLD 4217
It would be rude to stop by Amphawa Thai and not slurp up a whip-topped ice milk tea. This Bundall favourite offers some of the freshest Thai dishes I’ve seen, at budget-friendly prices.
Located off the beaten path in Bundall, a trip to Ampawa brims with bountiful flavours from rich laksas to crispy pork belly and a smattering of papaya salads with your name on them. Stop by for lunch 11am-2.30pm, or dinner 4.30-8.30pm Tuesday through Saturday.
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Khao Soi Thai
32/3131 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Khao Soi Thai could quite possibly be the best Thai restaurant on the Gold Coast for it's surprise and delight factor. Firstly, it's tucked down an unnassuming alleyway. Secondly, the walls are lined with all kinds of kooky pics. And thirdly, the delightful team of friendly staff and passionate chefs at the back of house are always smiling. Tick, tick, tick from me. Each dish delivers authentic Thai flavours with that extra zing that comes exclusively from food created from the heart.
Pair Thai fried rice with a selection of piping hot curries, satiating stir fries and even street food like the Lamb Larb served with iceberg cups. They're open daily 5-10pm and from 12.30pm Sundays.
Valyn Thai
2G01, 15 Via Roma, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Make Valyn Thai your Valentine the moment you tuck into their Hokkaido scallops with chilli lime dressing. Seriously, the menu here is brimming with decadent selections of Thai food, reimagined. Plus there's heaps of space to 'oo' and 'aah' with misty meals set below closhes and cocktails with bubbles to burst and let the haze join your party.
This Thai restaurant is actually the creation of those behind Chong Co, Nahm Thai and Nahm Talay, so you'll definitely notice some familiar dishes on the menu. For the veggie lovers, head directly for the mahjesty is the mushroom salad, artfully displated with tiny flowers and chilli. Lunch service is 11.30am-3.30pm and dinner's 5-9pm or until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Chiangmai Thai
5-19 Palm Ave, Mantra Crown Towers Resort, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217 &
2779 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Transport your senses to the tropical savanna of Chiang Mai, without the airfare. The Theravanish family recreate a traditional Thai experience like no other across two Gold Coast locations. One of which is set across the road from my wedding ceremony locale, Cascade Gardens, so I may be biased. This joint is also on the tram line, making it an easy option to roll home laffin'.
Restaurant owners Michael and Nopporn originate from Chiang Mai and have made it their personal mission to pour their local knowledge and culinary expertise into every dish at Chiangmai Thai. The result does not disappoint. Crowd favourite dishes include the chicken satay, tom yum soup and Massaman curry, and you can taste the care that goes into bringing these traditional flavours to life. This Thai haven is open from 5pm to 9:30pm seven days a week.
Central Gold Coast Thai Restaurants
Chong Co Thai
Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Consider Chong Co Thai the ultimate oasis to refuel during retail therapy. Located within Pacific Fair’s food precinct, fast and friendly service is an impressive addition to standout dishes featuring creative plating.
What I love most is that dishes balance between traditional and refreshingly modern. In my opinion, it's the crispy pork salad with belly, ginger and mint that steals the show. Though the char-grilled Thai beef salad with herbage and chilli makes every other Thai beef salad you've ever had look sub-par. Someone had to say it.
Pull up a seat for lantern-lit meals like the gigantic lamb shank Massaman curry with cashews and potato. Or cool off with a cold one like the lemongrass mojito or Tom Yum Mule with a medley of vodka, tequila, lime juice, lemongrass, chilli, lemonade and kaffir lime leaves. The crew at Chong Co open daily from 11am to 4pm and 5pm to 9pm.
Spice Kitchen & Bar
Shop 67, Oasis Shopping Centre, 75 Victoria Ave, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Image Credit: Spice Kitchen | Instagram
Beneath a haze of neon lights, and between the leaves of palms, you’ll find Spice Kitchen & Bar. Read: the ultimate cyberpunk setting for a Thai foodie feast with all the trimmings. This moody haunt is from the team behind Seaside Kitchen and homes a range of dishes and banquets to settle even the loudest of stomach grumbles. Believe me, I've taken many a rowdy crew here and everyone's left satiated by crispy chicken bao buns, Thai beef salads and chilli jam seafood buckets everytime. What's a chilli jam seafood bucket you ask? A traditional Kung Tung spread in a spicy sauce, considered one of the more indulgent Thai dishes.
With generous portions, consider this your sign to pack your appetite and get adventurous with my pick, the spicy salad which combines apple, lime dressing, lemongrass chilli, coriander, spring onion, ginger and peanuts for one heck of a punch. Or the crowd favourite Pad See Eiw featuring thick rice noodles, fried egg, blanched carrot, capsicum and Kai Lan florets. Book your table between 11am and 9pm, seven days a week.
Lucky Buddha Thai
2375 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Image Credit: Lucky Buddha Thai | Instagram
Snuggled into the Mermaid Beach Village strip, Lucky Buddha Thai offers the self-confessed best Thai street food on the Coast. I used to live right around the corner and this place has basically kept the same prices for like ten years which is a real bonus. I can’t get enough of their quaint interiors and rotating lunch specials, not to mention their BYO beer and wines corkage set at a teeny $3.
The authentic menu is extensive, so the hardest choice you’ll have to make is what enticing dish to dive into. The signature BBQ crispy duck, grilled salmon with tom yum sauce and pork leg with five spices on the dinner menu are all must-orders in my opinion.
Open Wednesday through Monday for lunch 11.30am-3pm and seven days for dinner 4.30-9pm, add this family-owned joint to your list of best Thai restaurants on the Gold Coast.
More Thai
Shop 1/2243 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218 &
Shop 7/2705 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Got a hankering that only green curry can satisfy? More Thai located in both Mermaid Beach and Broadbeach is a much-loved Gold Coast icon that folks genuinely make a beeline for. Actually, people have even been known to fly in from other states just to tuck into one of More Thai’s meals. With 20 years experience, the owners and chefs often greet patrons at their table for fascinating insights into meals.
This crew used to have a Thai joint at 2309 Gold Coast Highway which was attached to my unit block back in the day. And let me tell you, the place was hopping at all hours. It got a rep' in our neighbourhood for the best Thai on the Gold Coast and it's wholesome to see a second locale open.
The team also plate up a range of gluten-free dishes like the Crying Tiger with grilled sirloin, chilli and tamarind sauce or the exotic seafood curry ladled with lashings of coconut milk. I recommend the Choo Chee Barramundi every day of the week. Swing by the Mermaid Beach locale Monday through Thursday 4-8.30pm and Friday through Sunday 12noon-8.30pm. Broadbeach is ready for you Monday and Tuesday 4-8.30pm and Wednesday through Sunday 12noon-8.30pm.
Tide Bar & Kitchen
1916 Gold Coast Hwy, Miami QLD 4220
I'll come right out and say it, Tide Bar & Kitchen dishes out the most impressive selection of Thai platters on the whole of the Gold Coast. Picture a charcuterie board, but instead of camembert and crackers there's chicken wings and grilled choo chee lobsters. It's actually a beautiful scene, all these crustaceans and crisp things sharing the stage together, accented by mounds of rice or tiny pouring vessels of sauce. It'll set you back $279 for one of these sets, but since its suitable for 4-6 people, you could taste your way around for less than a fifty each.
The impressive displays don't end there. My jaw literally landed on the floor the first time I marvelled at the crab meat and seafood tower. Think: a three-tier high tea spread but seafood. I'm sensing a theme here. I'm convinced that this friendly team and talented chefs are some of the best on the Coast.
There's something so special about their bowls perched atop tealight candles, to keep your soupy delights warm for way longer. I could go on, but you really must taste the glorious offerings at this Gold Coast Thai restaurant. I'm obsessed and I can basically guarantee that you will be too. Swing in for lunch Friday through Sunday from 12.30 and daily for dinner 5-11.30pm.
Southern Gold Coast Thai Restaurants
Seaside Kitchen & Bar
1742 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image Credit: Seaside Kitchen | Instagram
This standout Gold Coast Thai restaurant focuses on casual dining where the catch of the day meets major Thai flavours. Offering three impressive banquets that start at a modest $45.90 per person for three courses and a tea, Seaside Kitchen & Bar take the tricky dish selection step out of the process. Where other banquets can miss the mark on actually packing a flavour punch across courses, every star's a banger across every menu. My recommendation? Banquet B at $49.90 per person with a minimum of four diners because the Tom Yum prawn hot pot is what dreams are made of.
Prefer to choose? Opt to select dishes from the menu for delicacies like the crispiest pork bao buns on the Coast, topped with refreshing cucumber, chilli and coriander. Though I've definitely ordered my fair share ofr the coconut prawn salad with lashings of chilli jam, coconut, shallots and a sprinkling of mint and coriander, topped with red onion and lychee. Open 7 days from 11:30am to 9pm, I'm dubbing this one of the best Gold Coast Thai restaurant on the Gold Coast for seafood.
LimLay
Shop 1&2, 1730 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Meaning 'by the beach', LimLay is elevated Thai street food in a chic, breezy setting and its undoubtedly unlike any other Thai restaurant on the Gold Coast. You know Burleigh's main drag? Yep, right on the Gold Coast Highway. The former Suzy Q and Ghanda stores transformed into this sweer spot and it's seriously beautiful.
LimLay has a pretty interior, yes. Though it's the meals that are somehow even more impressive. Expect everything from BBQ meats, curries and wok-fried dishes to whole barramindi, salads, fried rice and noodles. Though creative additions like bright blue butterfly pea rice and oysters on the menu, as well as the option to sizzle your own hot pot, or slurp down the incredible BBQ chicken yellow curry with red onion, watermelon and coriander. This is my top pick for pineapple boats filled with prawn fried rice. So good.
For dessert? It'd be remiss of me not to mention the eye candy that is LimLay's sweet potato balls served atop a sea of blue, with milk. Honestly, it's hard to beat this place when rounding up the best Gold Coast Thai restaurants. Make your booking for lunch 11.30am-3pm weekdays, 11am-4pm weekends or for dinner 5-9.30pm daily.
Mirrors Thai
2/1093 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221
The folks at Mirrors Thai know their flavours. They keep things simple, so don’t expect anything fancy here but you can be assured of some damn delicious Thai. The vibe is pick up your Thai on a Thursday night in your PJs.
Chef specials include the Massaman beef curry, red duck curry and tamarind prawns, all around the $20-25 mark. Dinner service runs Thursday through Tuesday from 4.30pm to 8:30pm, with monstrous portions. You’ve been warned.
Sticky Rice
443 Golden Four Dr, Tugun QLD 4224
Image Credit: Sticky Rice | Instagram
Smack bang in the heart of Tugun, Sticky Rice offers Southern Gold Coasters a refined and modern Thai menu—all of which can be made gluten-free. Yes, everything on the menu can be modified. Here you’ll find plates celebrating Thai culture with fresh and delicious flavours such as soft-shell crab with chili jam, salmon fillet with Penang sauce, Massaman beef cheek and whole barramundi.
At Sticky Rice, the aesthetic is Thai-meets-tropical with an uber cool edge. Think bamboo-style seating, jungle wallpaper, hanging greenery and a thatched bar. On the cocktail menu (yes, cocktails) you;ll find cheeky gems like the Tom Yum Collins made with gin, fresh lime, lemongrass, kaffir lime and chilli. It's a vibe. Swing in from 5pm 'til late Tuesday through Saturday or make a booking on 5534 3902 to secure your seat.
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Main image credit: Nahm Thai | Instagram
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