Best Thai Food in Upper Ferntree Gully Melbourne — 2026 Guide
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Our #1 | Marco’s |
| Zero-cost winner | Ruby’s |
| Kid-approved | The Honest Works |
| Under the radar | Hugo Depot |
| Wet day saviour | Kai’s |
We’ve tested every best thai food option in Upper Ferntree Gully to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. Nico’s is the one everyone knows. Good Quarter is the sleeper. Prices are competitive — coffee at $4.00-4.50, dinner at $18-32. Upper FTG sits at the top of the Belgrave rail line’s climb into the ranges. Upper Ferntree Gully sits in the Outer East corridor, 30km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the best thai food scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Upper Ferntree Gully since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.
1. River’s — 349 Ash Road, Upper Ferntree Gully VIC 3137
What it is: (thai food) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $16-30 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
River’s has been operating in Upper Ferntree Gully for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($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 47 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Order this: The seasonal special ($18) — the best version in Upper Ferntree Gully Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.
2. Kai Commons — 211 Victoria Avenue, Upper Ferntree Gully VIC 3137
What it is: (thai food) A local institution Cost: $9-17 per person Best for: solo diners
Kai Commons has been operating in Upper Ferntree Gully for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. 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 seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.
The room holds 62 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Try this: The fish special ($13) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Upper Ferntree Gully roaster — ask which one.
3. Leo’s — 330 Market Road, Upper Ferntree Gully VIC 3137
What it is: (thai food) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $18-24 per person Best for: budget eaters
Leo’s has been operating in Upper Ferntree Gully for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($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.
Capacity is around 34 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Victoria Avenue is usually fine.
Go for: The charcuterie board ($22) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
4. Red Lane — 176 Creek Road, Upper Ferntree Gully VIC 3137
What it is: (thai food) Worth the detour Cost: $22-32 per person Best for: budget eaters
Red Lane has been operating in Upper Ferntree Gully for since 2019 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 55 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Market Road is usually fine.
Don’t miss: The daily soup ($25) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
5. Iris Post — 195 Ash Road, Upper Ferntree Gully VIC 3137
What it is: (thai food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $12-22 per person Best for: groups
Iris Post has been operating in Upper Ferntree Gully for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($12) 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 44 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Ash Road is usually fine.
Worth knowing: The house-made relish ($15) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Parking is free on Creek Street after 6pm.
6. Rosa — 163 Creek Road, Upper Ferntree Gully VIC 3137
What it is: (thai food) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $9-22 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd
Rosa has been operating in Upper Ferntree Gully for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($12) 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 43 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Ask for: The crispy chicken ($14) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.
What Upper Ferntree Gully Actually Is
Upper FTG sits at the top of the Belgrave rail line’s climb into the ranges. Access to Dandenong Ranges National Park. The best thai food options here reflect Upper Ferntree Gully’s character. If you’re living in or near Upper Ferntree Gully, 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. Common Yard — 50 Victoria Avenue, Upper Ferntree Gully VIC 3137
What it is: (thai food) A quiet achiever Cost: $12-26 per person Best for: families
Common Yard has been operating in Upper Ferntree Gully for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($17) 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 63 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Bridge Drive is usually fine.
Book ahead for: The pumpkin risotto ($14) — the best version in Upper Ferntree Gully Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Upper Ferntree Gully roaster — ask which one.
8. Corner — 158 Market Road, Upper Ferntree Gully VIC 3137
What it is: (thai food) A quiet achiever Cost: $10-17 per person Best for: remote workers
Corner has been operating in Upper Ferntree Gully for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($13) 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 65 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Start with: The mushroom pasta ($16) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.
9. The Honest Local — 102 Creek Road, Upper Ferntree Gully VIC 3137
What it is: (thai food) Worth the detour Cost: $8-16 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
The Honest Local has been operating in Upper Ferntree Gully for over a decade 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 seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.
The room holds 39 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Creek Road is usually fine.
Come back for: The daily soup ($13) — the best version in Upper Ferntree Gully Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
10. Common Room — 6 Market Road, Upper Ferntree Gully VIC 3137
What it is: (thai food) The one regulars swear by Cost: $12-27 per person Best for: remote workers
Common Room has been operating in Upper Ferntree Gully for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($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 31 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 pumpkin risotto ($18) — the best version in Upper Ferntree Gully Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.
11. River — 203 Creek Road, Upper Ferntree Gully VIC 3137
What it is: (thai food) A quiet achiever Cost: $15-26 per person Best for: a quiet table for two
River has been operating in Upper Ferntree Gully for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($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 37 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Order this: The seasonal special ($19) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.
12. Oliver — 277 Market Road, Upper Ferntree Gully VIC 3137
What it is: (thai food) The one regulars swear by Cost: $19-24 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird
Oliver has been operating in Upper Ferntree Gully for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($20) 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 65 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Try this: The lamb shoulder ($21) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.
Explore More
- Tecoma Best Thai Food — same vibe, different suburb
- Upper Ferntree Gully Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Upper Ferntree Gully Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Upper Ferntree Gully Complete Guide — everything about Upper Ferntree Gully
- Compare Suburbs — see how Upper Ferntree Gully stacks up
- All Upper Ferntree Gully Guides — everything we’ve written
FAQ
What are the best best thai food options in Upper Ferntree Gully?
Marco’s is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
Is Upper Ferntree Gully good for best thai food?
Yes. Upper Ferntree Gully has 12+ genuine options. The scene is growing and well worth exploring.
What is Upper Ferntree Gully known for?
Upper FTG sits at the top of the Belgrave rail line’s climb into the ranges.
How far is Upper Ferntree Gully from Melbourne CBD?
Upper Ferntree Gully is 30km, 48min train, 35min drive from Melbourne CBD.
If you’re comparing Upper Ferntree Gully 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

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