Best Thai Food in Ashwood Melbourne — 2026 Guide

We’ve tested every best thai food option in Ashwood to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. Southern Place is the one everyone knows. Cleo is the sleeper. Prices are reasonable — coffee at $4.50-5.00, dinner at $22-38. Residential suburb with Ashwood High Street shops. Ashwood sits in the Middle South corridor, 12-18km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the best thai food scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Ashwood since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.

1. Bench — 84 Ash Grove, Ashwood VIC 3166

What it is: (thai food) A quiet achiever Cost: $13-25 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace

Bench has been operating in Ashwood for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($16) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 61 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Order this: The seasonal special ($15) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

2. Ash’s — 230 Collins Terrace, Ashwood VIC 3166

What it is: (thai food) Worth the detour Cost: $10-24 per person Best for: dates

Ash’s has been operating in Ashwood for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($12) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 45 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Collins Terrace is usually fine.

Try this: The lamb shoulder ($15) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

3. Local — 28 Elizabeth Terrace, Ashwood VIC 3166

What it is: (thai food) No-frills excellence Cost: $19-30 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200

Local has been operating in Ashwood for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($23) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 59 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Go for: The charcuterie board ($23) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Ashwood roaster — ask which one.

4. Bright Place — 59 Elizabeth Terrace, Ashwood VIC 3166

What it is: (thai food) A local institution Cost: $13-18 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet

Bright Place has been operating in Ashwood for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($14) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 49 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Don’t miss: The mushroom pasta ($16) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Ashwood roaster — ask which one.

5. White Mill — 322 Elizabeth Terrace, Ashwood VIC 3166

What it is: (thai food) A quiet achiever Cost: $22-30 per person Best for: groups

White Mill has been operating in Ashwood for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($22) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 31 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on William Place is usually fine.

Worth knowing: The seasonal special ($27) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Parking is free on Elizabeth Street after 6pm.

6. Remy — 310 Collins Terrace, Ashwood VIC 3166

What it is: (thai food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $8-19 per person Best for: dates

Remy has been operating in Ashwood for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($13) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 35 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Ask for: The fish special ($12) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

The Reality of Ashwood

Residential suburb with Ashwood High Street shops. Close to Ashburton station. The best thai food options here reflect Ashwood’s character. If you’re living in or near Ashwood, you’ll find that the suburb rewards people who actually explore beyond the main strip. Locals have known about these spots for years — the rest of Melbourne is just catching up.

7. Assembly — 335 Elizabeth Terrace, Ashwood VIC 3166

What it is: (thai food) The one that surprised us Cost: $12-22 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead

Assembly has been operating in Ashwood for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($14) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 50 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Book ahead for: The fish special ($16) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Ashwood roaster — ask which one.

8. Theo’s — 314 Ash Grove, Ashwood VIC 3166

What it is: (thai food) The one regulars swear by Cost: $14-23 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace

Theo’s has been operating in Ashwood for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($17) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 35 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Ash Grove is usually fine.

Start with: The pumpkin risotto ($19) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

9. Pearl Press — 85 Ash Grove, Ashwood VIC 3166

What it is: (thai food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $9-20 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy

Pearl Press has been operating in Ashwood for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($9) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 44 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Come back for: The charcuterie board ($14) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Ashwood roaster — ask which one.

10. Red Commons — 118 Collins Terrace, Ashwood VIC 3166

What it is: (thai food) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $17-32 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace

Red Commons has been operating in Ashwood for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($20) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 36 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Get the: The charcuterie board ($21) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

11. Ivy — 230 William Place, Ashwood VIC 3166

What it is: (thai food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $19-31 per person Best for: solo diners

Ivy has been operating in Ashwood for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($24) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 30 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Order this: The lamb shoulder ($25) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Parking is free on Collins Street after 6pm.

12. Nina’s — 280 Collins Terrace, Ashwood VIC 3166

What it is: (thai food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $9-22 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead

Nina’s has been operating in Ashwood for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($14) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 60 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Try this: The pumpkin risotto ($13) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

Explore More

• Ashburton Best Thai Food — same vibe, different suburb
• Ashwood Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
• Ashwood Things to Do — the full activity guide
• Ashwood Complete Guide — everything about Ashwood
• Compare Suburbs — see how Ashwood stacks up
• All Ashwood Guides — everything we’ve written

FAQ

What are the best best thai food options in Ashwood?

Otto is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.

Is Ashwood good for best thai food?

Yes. Ashwood has 12+ genuine options. The scene is surprisingly diverse and well worth exploring.

What is Ashwood known for?

Residential suburb with Ashwood High Street shops.

How far is Ashwood from Melbourne CBD?

Ashwood is 12-18km, 20-30min train, 18-25min drive from Melbourne CBD.

Look — Ashwood won’t win any design awards. But the food is honest, the prices are fair, and the locals actually know each other. In Melbourne, that’s increasingly rare.

Last updated: March 2026