Best Thai Food in Brunswick East Melbourne — 2026 Guide
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Our #1 | Max Place |
| Zero-cost winner | The Old Place |
| Kid-approved | Common Quarter |
| Under the radar | Cleo’s |
| Wet day saviour | Lena’s |
We’ve tested every best thai food option in Brunswick East to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. Long Table is the one everyone knows. Lena’s is the sleeper. Prices are fair — coffee at $4.50-5.00, dinner at $22-38. Lygon Street extends into Brunswick East with cafes and Italian heritage. Brunswick East sits in the Inner West corridor, 5km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the best thai food scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Brunswick East since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.
1. Rosa’s — 28 Blake Drive, Brunswick East VIC 3024
What it is: (thai food) A local institution Cost: $9-18 per person Best for: budget eaters
The space seats about 52 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Blake Drive is usually fine.
Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Brunswick East roaster — ask which one.
2. The Common Place — 271 Brunswick Lane, Brunswick East VIC 3024
What it is: (thai food) The one that surprised us Cost: $9-21 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace
Capacity is around 36 — book for Friday and Saturday. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Try this: The lamb shoulder ($13) — solid
3. The Long Commons — 178 Elm Grove, Brunswick East VIC 3024
What it is: (thai food) No-frills excellence Cost: $10-18 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd
Capacity is around 59 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
4. High Yard — 38 Blake Drive, Brunswick East VIC 3024
What it is: (thai food) The one regulars swear by Cost: $20-28 per person Best for: budget eaters
The room holds 38 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Brunswick East roaster — ask which one.
5. The Bright Union — 220 Elm Grove, Brunswick East VIC 3024
What it is: (thai food) The one that surprised us Cost: $18-24 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead
The space seats about 35 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Worth knowing: The fish special ($24) — solid
6. Rex Kitchen — 140 Blake Drive, Brunswick East VIC 3024
What it is: (thai food) No-frills excellence Cost: $8-21 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
Capacity is around 58 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
Why Brunswick East Is Worth Knowing
Lygon Street extends into Brunswick East with cafes and Italian heritage. CERES environmental park. The best thai food options here reflect Brunswick East’s character. If you’re living in or near Brunswick East, 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. Pearl’s — 380 Creek Parade, Brunswick East VIC 3024
What it is: (thai food) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $14-27 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet
The space seats about 61 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
8. Kai’s — 115 Elm Grove, Brunswick East VIC 3024
What it is: (thai food) A local institution Cost: $18-25 per person Best for: families
The room holds 39 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
9. Golden Post — 91 Thomas Grove, Brunswick East VIC 3024
What it is: (thai food) Worth the detour Cost: $15-22 per person Best for: budget eaters
Capacity is around 55 — book for Friday and Saturday. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Brunswick East roaster — ask which one.
10. Lena Lane — 17 Creek Parade, Brunswick East VIC 3024
What it is: (thai food) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $19-32 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy
Capacity is around 30 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Get the: The pumpkin risotto ($25) — solid Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
11. Green Post — 304 Blake Drive, Brunswick East VIC 3024
What it is: (thai food) No-frills excellence Cost: $11-19 per person Best for: groups
The room holds 51 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Order this: The seasonal special ($15) — solid Insider tip: They source produce from Brunswick East farmers market when it runs.
12. Luna’s — 369 Creek Parade, Brunswick East VIC 3024
What it is: (thai food) The one regulars swear by Cost: $15-30 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird
The room holds 50 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Brunswick Lane is usually fine.
Explore More
- West Footscray Best Thai Food — same vibe, different suburb
- Brunswick East Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Brunswick East Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Brunswick East Complete Guide — everything about Brunswick East
- Compare Suburbs — see how Brunswick East stacks up
- All Brunswick East Guides — everything we’ve written
FAQ
What are the best best thai food options in Brunswick East?
Max Place is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
Is Brunswick East good for best thai food?
Yes. Brunswick East has 12+ genuine options. The scene is growing and well worth exploring.
What is Brunswick East known for?
Lygon Street extends into Brunswick East with cafes and Italian heritage.
How far is Brunswick East from Melbourne CBD?
Brunswick East is 5km, 15min tram, 12min drive from Melbourne CBD.
Look — Brunswick East 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
