You want Thai in Melton West tonight, but the usual takeaway scroll is already wasting your dinner window. Pick the right spot, order the right mains, and skip the dishes that make a $25 meal feel like a mistake.
The Verdict
Chiang Mai Kitchen is the pick if you only choose one Thai option around Melton West. It has the strongest rating in the group at 4.8/5, it is the only listed venue that delivers, and it is the best match for anyone who wants a proper massaman rather than just a safe pad thai order. The trade-off is price: expect roughly $29-39 per person, with the comparison table putting the average closer to $26. That makes it the most expensive option here, but also the one that feels least like a punt when you are ordering for more than one person.
Siam Kitchen is the value backup. It sits at 4.1/5, averages around $20 per person in the table, and works best when you want larb, pad see ew, or tom yum without dealing with a weekend queue. Thai Garden is the budget-friendly wildcard at $16-26 per person, especially if you want green curry or pad thai and BYO matters. Bangkok Bites is solid, but it is harder to justify unless you are already nearby: the food is dependable, the tom yum and larb order makes sense, but it is not clearly cheaper or more convenient than the others. Don’t get pulled into dessert-menu optimism at Siam Kitchen or Chiang Mai Kitchen – both are better as mains-only nights.
Local Reality
Melton West Thai is not a giant dining scene, so the smart move is matching the venue to the night rather than chasing a mythical perfect restaurant. Siam Kitchen is the easiest weeknight choice because there is usually no wait, the price stays sane, and the pad see ew plus tom yum order covers the comfort-food brief without overcomplicating dinner. Chiang Mai Kitchen is the one to plan around on weekends. The queue can build, so arrive early or order ahead if you are hungry enough to be annoyed by a delay.
Parking can be tight on weekends across the area, which matters more than people admit when you are collecting takeaway with hot curry in the car. Thai Garden and Bangkok Bites are both described as worth the trip if you are in the area, which is the key phrase: go because they are convenient to your route, not because they clearly beat the field. Thai Garden has the better low-price lane and BYO, while Bangkok Bites is the safer call if you want tom yum and larb and do not need delivery.
Skip this list if you are trying to host a fussy big group without booking. The article’s original notes recommend booking for groups of 4+, and that still holds. If you are outside easy reach of Melton West, do not cross town for a casual Thai craving; use this guide when these four are already in your orbit.
Who This Suits
If you are a curry person, pick Chiang Mai Kitchen for massaman or green curry and accept the higher bill. If you are feeding two people on a weeknight, pick Siam Kitchen, order pad see ew and tom yum, and keep it simple. If you want the cheapest-feeling night without giving up a proper sit-down or BYO option, pick Thai Garden and go for green curry and pad thai. If you are already near Bangkok Bites and want a dependable order, get the tom yum and larb. If you are organising four or more people, book ahead instead of assuming Thai will be an easy walk-in.
Cost-wise, this is mostly a $15-22 per person suburb if you order carefully, but the individual venues stretch wider. Siam Kitchen is listed at $19-29 per person, Chiang Mai Kitchen at $29-39, Bangkok Bites at $27-37, and Thai Garden at $16-26. The comparison table puts the average per person at $20 for Siam Kitchen, $26 for Chiang Mai Kitchen, $20 for Bangkok Bites, and $23 for Thai Garden. Delivery changes the equation too: Chiang Mai Kitchen is the only listed delivery option, while Siam Kitchen and Thai Garden both have BYO.
Time your visit around the kitchen, not just your appetite. Thursday and Friday are noted as the best nights for fresh prep, but they are also when planning matters more. Weeknights are easier at Siam Kitchen, while weekends need earlier arrival, especially for Chiang Mai Kitchen. Vegetarian options are available at all venues, so mixed groups have room to move, but check directly before relying on a specific dish.
What to Do Next
Order Chiang Mai Kitchen ahead for Friday, or use Siam Kitchen as the lower-friction weeknight backup. For a broader dinner shortlist, go next to the Melton West best restaurants guide.
Price Comparison
| Venue | Avg Per Person | BYO | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siam Kitchen | $20 | Yes | No |
| Chiang Mai Kitchen | $26 | No | Yes |
| Bangkok Bites | $20 | No | No |
| Thai Garden | $23 | Yes | No |
Original Venue Notes
1. Siam Kitchen
Rating: 4.1/5 | Price: $19-29 per person | Best for: larb
What to order: pad see ew and tom yum
Skip: the dessert menu – stick to mains
2. Chiang Mai Kitchen
Rating: 4.8/5 | Price: $29-39 per person | Best for: massaman
What to order: green curry and pad see ew
Skip: the dessert menu – stick to mains
3. Bangkok Bites
Rating: 4.1/5 | Price: $27-37 per person | Best for: pad see ew
What to order: tom yum and larb
Skip: nothing, it is all solid
4. Thai Garden
Rating: 4.3/5 | Price: $16-26 per person | Best for: pad thai
What to order: green curry and pad thai
Skip: nothing, it is all solid
What to Know Before You Go
- Best night to visit: Thursday-Friday for fresh prep
- Booking recommended? Yes for groups of 4+
- Parking: Can be tight on weekends – arrive early
- Dietary options: Vegetarian options at all venues
All venues visited and verified in 2026. Prices and hours may change. Check venue directly before visiting.
