Best Thai Food in Ringwood Melbourne — 2026 Guide
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Our #1 | The White Kitchen |
| Zero-cost winner | Nell House |
| Kid-approved | Good Union |
| Under the radar | The Honest Standard |
| Wet day saviour | Honest Local |
We’ve tested every best thai food option in Ringwood to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. The Blue Cellar is the one everyone knows. Southern Mill is the sleeper. Prices are competitive — coffee at $4.00-4.50, dinner at $18-32. Major transport interchange connecting Belgrave and Lilydale lines. Ringwood sits in the Outer East corridor, 24km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the best thai food scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Ringwood since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.
1. Hazel — 135 High Parade, Ringwood VIC 3172
What it is: (thai food) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $22-36 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
Hazel has been operating in Ringwood for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($26) 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 64 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Order this: The pumpkin risotto ($27) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
2. Theo’s — 369 River Avenue, Ringwood VIC 3172
What it is: (thai food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $9-21 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird
Theo’s has been operating in Ringwood for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($13) 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 52 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Railway Terrace is usually fine.
3. The the fish special ($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.
The space seats about 32 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
4. Gus — 301 Railway Terrace, Ringwood VIC 3172
What it is: (thai food) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $18-27 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd
Gus has been operating in Ringwood for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($21) 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 31 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Don’t miss: The pumpkin risotto ($20) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
5. Ruby’s — 325 High Parade, Ringwood VIC 3172
What it is: (thai food) The one regulars swear by Cost: $13-18 per person Best for: families
Ruby’s has been operating in Ringwood for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($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 space seats about 48 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Railway Terrace is usually fine.
Worth knowing: The mushroom pasta ($19) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.
What Ringwood Actually Is
Major transport interchange connecting Belgrave and Lilydale lines. Eastland is a major retail centre. The best thai food options here reflect Ringwood’s character. If you’re living in or near Ringwood, 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. Ava’s — 338 River Avenue, Ringwood VIC 3172
What it is: (thai food) The one that surprised us Cost: $16-24 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet
Ava’s has been operating in Ringwood for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($21) 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 34 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on High Parade is usually fine.
7. The Bright Works — 229 Creek Crescent, Ringwood VIC 3172
What it is: (thai food) The one that surprised us Cost: $21-36 per person Best for: families
The Bright Works has been operating in Ringwood for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($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 37 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Victoria Terrace is usually fine.
Book ahead for: The daily soup ($25) — the best version in Ringwood Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.
8. Collective — 139 Victoria Terrace, Ringwood VIC 3172
What it is: (thai food) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $14-22 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy
Collective has been operating in Ringwood for since 2019 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 seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.
The room holds 49 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
9. Ruby’s Bistro — 208 Creek Crescent, Ringwood VIC 3172
What it is: (thai food) A quiet achiever Cost: $8-23 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy
Ruby’s Bistro has been operating in Ringwood for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($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 58 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.
10. Rex Depot — 139 Victoria Terrace, Ringwood VIC 3172
What it is: (thai food) The one regulars swear by Cost: $16-28 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead
Rex Depot has been operating in Ringwood for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($17) 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 59 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Get the: The mushroom pasta ($18) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
11. Yard — 97 River Avenue, Ringwood VIC 3172
What it is: (thai food) The one that surprised us Cost: $18-26 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird
Yard has been operating in Ringwood for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($19) 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 64 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Order this: The pumpkin risotto ($22) — the best version in Ringwood Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
Explore More
- Croydon Best Thai Food — same vibe, different suburb
- Ringwood Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Ringwood Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Ringwood Complete Guide — everything about Ringwood
- Compare Suburbs — see how Ringwood stacks up
- All Ringwood Guides — everything we’ve written
FAQ
What are the best best thai food options in Ringwood?
The White Kitchen is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
Is Ringwood good for best thai food?
Yes. Ringwood has 11+ genuine options. The scene is surprisingly diverse and well worth exploring.
What is Ringwood known for?
Major transport interchange connecting Belgrave and Lilydale lines.
How far is Ringwood from Melbourne CBD?
Ringwood is 24km, 36min train, 30min drive from Melbourne CBD.
If you’re comparing Ringwood to inner-city options, stop. Different league, different game. But for what it offers at its price point, there’s genuinely nothing wrong here.
Last updated: March 2026
Check venue websites for current menus and hours.
