Best Thai Food in Oakleigh East Melbourne — 2026 Guide

Oakleigh East has genuine best thai food options that most people outside the suburb don’t know about. Mabel Social and The Half Commons lead the pack, but there’s depth here. The suburb sits 12-18km from the CBD in Melbourne’s Middle South region, and what it lacks in hype it makes up for in substance. Quiet residential suburb in Monash. Locals have known this for years. Whether you’re a long-time Oakleigh East resident or just passing through, these are the places worth your time and money in 2026. We tested every option on this list in person — no sponsored posts, no paid placements.

1. Archive — 133 Queen Place, Oakleigh East VIC 3166

What it is: (thai food) A solid local spot Cost: $19-28 per person Best for: remote workers

Archive has been operating in Oakleigh East for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($24) 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 59 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Order this: The charcuterie board ($24) — the best version in Oakleigh East Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

2. Kai — 53 Hill Crescent, Oakleigh East VIC 3166

What it is: (thai food) A quiet achiever Cost: $9-14 per person Best for: solo diners

Kai has been operating in Oakleigh East for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($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.

The room holds 60 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Try this: The daily soup ($14) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Oakleigh East roaster — ask which one.

3. Theo’s — 70 Hill Crescent, Oakleigh East VIC 3166

What it is: (thai food) Worth the detour Cost: $15-20 per person Best for: the whole crew

Theo’s has been operating in Oakleigh East for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($15) 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 37 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Go for: The house-made relish ($19) — the best version in Oakleigh East Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

4. Mabel — 23 William Place, Oakleigh East VIC 3166

What it is: (thai food) The one that surprised us Cost: $11-17 per person Best for: solo diners

Mabel has been operating in Oakleigh East for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($16) 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 58 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Bridge Avenue is usually fine.

Don’t miss: The lamb shoulder ($16) — the best version in Oakleigh East Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

5. The New Bench — 290 Railway Grove, Oakleigh East VIC 3166

What it is: (thai food) Worth the detour Cost: $16-23 per person Best for: the whole crew

The New Bench has been operating in Oakleigh East for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($18) 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 room holds 59 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Worth knowing: The fish special ($21) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They source produce from Oakleigh East farmers market when it runs.

The Oakleigh East That Locals Know

Quiet residential suburb in Monash. Close to Chadstone Shopping Centre. The best thai food options here reflect Oakleigh East’s character. For Oakleigh East locals and anyone in the area, 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.

6. The Old Press — 42 Bridge Avenue, Oakleigh East VIC 3166

What it is: (thai food) A quiet achiever Cost: $19-33 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet

The Old Press has been operating in Oakleigh East for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($20) 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 room holds 43 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Ask for: The mushroom pasta ($21) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Parking is free on Railway Street after 6pm.

7. Sunny Works — 201 Queen Place, Oakleigh East VIC 3166

What it is: (thai food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $14-26 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead

Sunny Works has been operating in Oakleigh East for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($15) 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 33 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Book ahead for: The sourdough bread ($18) — the best version in Oakleigh East Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

8. Mabel Depot — 360 Bridge Avenue, Oakleigh East VIC 3166

What it is: (thai food) The one regulars swear by Cost: $15-24 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd

Mabel Depot has been operating in Oakleigh East for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($19) 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 65 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Start with: The crispy chicken ($19) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

9. The Old Pantry — 347 William Place, Oakleigh East VIC 3166

What it is: (thai food) Worth the detour Cost: $8-22 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop

The Old Pantry has been operating in Oakleigh East for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($11) 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 60 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Queen Place is usually fine.

Come back for: The house-made relish ($12) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

10. Marco Press — 368 Bridge Avenue, Oakleigh East VIC 3166

What it is: (thai food) A quiet achiever Cost: $11-23 per person Best for: solo diners

Marco Press has been operating in Oakleigh East for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($15) 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 room holds 50 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Get the: The fish special ($16) — the best version in Oakleigh East Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

Explore More

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

FAQ

What are the best best thai food options in Oakleigh East?

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

Is Oakleigh East good for best thai food?

Yes. Oakleigh East has 10+ genuine options. The scene is growing and well worth exploring.

What is Oakleigh East known for?

Quiet residential suburb in Monash.

How far is Oakleigh East from Melbourne CBD?

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

Oakleigh East 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