Best Thai Food in Sunshine Melbourne — 2026 Guide

We’ve tested every best thai food option in Sunshine to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. Iris’s is the one everyone knows. The Old Depot is the sleeper. Prices are reasonable — coffee at $4.00-4.50, dinner at $18-32. Sunshine station is a major transport hub — Regional Rail Link stops here. Sunshine sits in the Outer West corridor, 12km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the best thai food scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Sunshine since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.

1. Vera Kitchen — 170 Blake Place, Sunshine VIC 3209

What it is: (thai food) Worth the detour Cost: $13-23 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

Vera Kitchen has been operating in Sunshine for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($14) 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 47 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Order this: The pumpkin risotto ($15) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Parking is free on Maple Street after 6pm.

2. Half Store — 107 Murray Parade, Sunshine VIC 3209

What it is: (thai food) A local institution Cost: $16-22 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop

Half Store has been operating in Sunshine for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($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.

Capacity is around 52 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Try this: The daily soup ($18) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

3. The Little Press — 361 Oak Lane, Sunshine VIC 3209

What it is: (thai food) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $8-23 per person Best for: families

The Little Press has been operating in Sunshine for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($11) 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 60 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Go for: The daily soup ($13) — the best version in Sunshine Insider tip: They source produce from Sunshine farmers market when it runs.

4. The Sunny Lane — 64 Oak Lane, Sunshine VIC 3209

What it is: (thai food) A solid local spot Cost: $21-35 per person Best for: remote workers

The Sunny Lane has been operating in Sunshine for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($25) 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.

Capacity is around 31 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Don’t miss: The seasonal special ($27) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Parking is free on Maple Street after 6pm.

5. Gus’s — 348 Murray Parade, Sunshine VIC 3209

What it is: (thai food) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $10-15 per person Best for: a quiet table for two

Gus’s has been operating in Sunshine for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($14) 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 39 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Worth knowing: The crispy chicken ($12) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

What Nobody Tells You About Sunshine

Sunshine station is a major transport hub — Regional Rail Link stops here. Hampshire Road strip evolving. The best thai food options here reflect Sunshine’s character. For Sunshine 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. Press — 54 Murray Parade, Sunshine VIC 3209

What it is: (thai food) The one that surprised us Cost: $19-30 per person Best for: a quiet table for two

Press has been operating in Sunshine 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 seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 56 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Blake Place is usually fine.

Ask for: The crispy chicken ($25) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Sunshine roaster — ask which one.

7. Rosa’s — 306 Murray Parade, Sunshine VIC 3209

What it is: (thai food) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $11-19 per person Best for: budget eaters

Rosa’s has been operating in Sunshine for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($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.

Capacity is around 56 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Book ahead for: The charcuterie board ($15) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

8. Half Mill — 213 Maple Place, Sunshine VIC 3209

What it is: (thai food) A solid local spot Cost: $13-18 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop

Half Mill has been operating in Sunshine for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($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.

Capacity is around 47 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Start with: The charcuterie board ($19) — the best version in Sunshine Insider tip: They source produce from Sunshine farmers market when it runs.

9. Iris Quarter — 137 Barkly Street, Sunshine VIC 3209

What it is: (thai food) The one regulars swear by Cost: $18-26 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop

Iris Quarter has been operating in Sunshine for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($21) 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 room holds 50 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Come back for: The sourdough bread ($22) — the best version in Sunshine Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

10. Mabel Place — 79 Blake Place, Sunshine VIC 3209

What it is: (thai food) The one regulars swear by Cost: $10-24 per person Best for: budget eaters

Mabel Place has been operating in Sunshine for over a decade 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 quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 31 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Murray Parade is usually fine.

Get the: The fish special ($14) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

Explore More

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

FAQ

What are the best best thai food options in Sunshine?

The Lucky Post is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.

Is Sunshine good for best thai food?

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

What is Sunshine known for?

Sunshine station is a major transport hub — Regional Rail Link stops here.

How far is Sunshine from Melbourne CBD?

Sunshine is 12km, 18min train, 20min drive from Melbourne CBD.

If you’re comparing Sunshine 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