Best Thai Food in Chelsea Heights Melbourne — 2026 Guide
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Best overall | The Good Corner |
| Best free option | Marco |
| Best for families | Marco |
| Best local secret | Marco Works |
| Best for rainy days | The Good Kitchen |
The best thai food scene in Chelsea Heights is better than most people realise. Start at Southern Works, then check out Finn. Residential suburb between Chelsea and Edithvale. Located 18-41km from the CBD, Chelsea Heights is part of Melbourne’s Bayside region — an area that’s seen serious growth in recent years. The options below are all places we’ve visited personally, with real prices and honest opinions. No fluff, no affiliate nonsense. Just the spots that Chelsea Heights locals actually recommend.
1. Leo Yard — 54 Lygon Terrace, Chelsea Heights VIC 3198
What it is: (thai food) A local institution Cost: $16-22 per person Best for: dates
The room holds 50 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Chelsea Heights roaster — ask which one.
2. Hugo Corner — 165 Johnston Grove, Chelsea Heights VIC 3198
What it is: (thai food) The one regulars swear by Cost: $14-26 per person Best for: solo diners
The room holds 38 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on Plenty Place is usually fine.
Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
3. Ava — 117 Johnston Grove, Chelsea Heights VIC 3198
What it is: (thai food) The one regulars swear by Cost: $22-33 per person Best for: budget eaters
The room holds 44 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. New Union — 327 Plenty Place, Chelsea Heights VIC 3198
What it is: (thai food) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $19-30 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet
The room holds 52 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Cecil Avenue is usually fine.
Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
5. The New Social — 16 Plenty Place, Chelsea Heights VIC 3198
What it is: (thai food) Worth the detour Cost: $18-33 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
The room holds 41 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.
6. New Lane — 160 Lygon Terrace, Chelsea Heights VIC 3198
What it is: (thai food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $18-24 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
The space seats about 61 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
What Chelsea Heights Actually Is
Residential suburb between Chelsea and Edithvale. Chelsea Heights Hotel is a local landmark. The best thai food options here reflect Chelsea Heights’s character. Whether you’re based in Chelsea Heights or visiting from nearby, 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. Zara — 353 Main Grove, Chelsea Heights VIC 3198
What it is: (thai food) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $9-23 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
The room holds 42 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
8. Pantry — 85 Lygon Terrace, Chelsea Heights VIC 3198
What it is: (thai food) Worth the detour Cost: $18-26 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
Capacity is around 37 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Johnston Grove is usually fine.
9. Atlas Depot — 118 Johnston Grove, Chelsea Heights VIC 3198
What it is: (thai food) A solid local spot Cost: $15-29 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd
The space seats about 42 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
10. Ruby’s — 309 Lygon Terrace, Chelsea Heights VIC 3198
What it is: (thai food) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $19-32 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird
The space seats about 50 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
11. Pilgrim — 161 Johnston Grove, Chelsea Heights VIC 3198
What it is: (thai food) A local institution Cost: $21-35 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy
The room holds 53 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.
12. Honest Pantry — 83 Lygon Terrace, Chelsea Heights VIC 3198
What it is: (thai food) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $11-24 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
The space seats about 41 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Explore More
- Patterson Lakes Best Thai Food — same vibe, different suburb
- Chelsea Heights Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Chelsea Heights Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Chelsea Heights Complete Guide — everything about Chelsea Heights
- Compare Suburbs — see how Chelsea Heights stacks up
- All Chelsea Heights Guides — everything we’ve written
FAQ
What are the best best thai food options in Chelsea Heights?
The Good Corner is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
Is Chelsea Heights good for best thai food?
Yes. Chelsea Heights has 12+ genuine options. The scene is established and well worth exploring.
What is Chelsea Heights known for?
Residential suburb between Chelsea and Edithvale.
How far is Chelsea Heights from Melbourne CBD?
Chelsea Heights is 18-41km, 32-55min train, 25-47min drive from Melbourne CBD.
Chelsea Heights is the kind of suburb you move to for practical reasons and stay for the character. Give it six months. You’ll stop driving to the inner city for everything.
Last updated: March 2026
