Best Thai Food in Upwey Melbourne — 2026 Guide

We’ve tested every best thai food option in Upwey to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. Vera Standard is the one everyone knows. Gus Commons is the sleeper. Prices are reasonable — coffee at $4.00-4.50, dinner at $18-32. Dandenong Ranges town with a strong arts community. Upwey sits in the Outer East corridor, 35km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the best thai food scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Upwey since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.

1. Red Works — 31 Church Drive, Upwey VIC 3163

What it is: (thai food) The one that surprised us Cost: $13-25 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd

Red Works has been operating in Upwey for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($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 31 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Order this: The lamb shoulder ($16) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

2. Honest Bench — 215 Cecil Parade, Upwey VIC 3163

What it is: (thai food) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $8-20 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200

Honest Bench has been operating in Upwey for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal 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 space seats about 34 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Try this: The seasonal special ($13) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

3. Blue Cellar — 217 William Crescent, Upwey VIC 3163

What it is: (thai food) The one regulars swear by Cost: $22-37 per person Best for: remote workers

Blue Cellar has been operating in Upwey for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($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 64 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 charcuterie board ($26) — the best version in Upwey Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

4. Works — 68 Church Drive, Upwey VIC 3163

What it is: (thai food) The one that surprised us Cost: $21-31 per person Best for: dates

Works has been operating in Upwey for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($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 37 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Don’t miss: The crispy chicken ($24) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

5. The Long Table — 16 Church Drive, Upwey VIC 3163

What it is: (thai food) The one that surprised us Cost: $15-22 per person Best for: solo diners

The Long Table has been operating in Upwey 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 seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 39 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Worth knowing: The mushroom pasta ($20) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

The Upwey That Locals Know

Dandenong Ranges town with a strong arts community. Upwey Village has independent shops and cafes. Belgrave rail line. The best thai food options here reflect Upwey’s character. If you’re living in or near Upwey, 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 — 231 William Crescent, Upwey VIC 3163

What it is: (thai food) The one that surprised us Cost: $13-23 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

Ava’s has been operating in Upwey for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($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 space seats about 44 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Ask for: The daily soup ($16) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Upwey roaster — ask which one.

7. Nell’s — 205 Main Lane, Upwey VIC 3163

What it is: (thai food) No-frills excellence Cost: $12-17 per person Best for: solo diners

Nell’s has been operating in Upwey for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($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 room holds 65 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Book ahead for: The fish special ($18) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Parking is free on Queen Street after 6pm.

8. Mabel — 243 Cecil Parade, Upwey VIC 3163

What it is: (thai food) A local institution Cost: $9-20 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd

Mabel has been operating in Upwey for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($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 room holds 33 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Church Drive is usually fine.

Start with: The sourdough bread ($15) — the best version in Upwey Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

9. Green Depot — 175 Cecil Parade, Upwey VIC 3163

What it is: (thai food) Worth the detour Cost: $16-27 per person Best for: solo diners

Green Depot has been operating in Upwey for since the early 2020s 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.

The room holds 54 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Cecil Parade is usually fine.

Come back for: The daily soup ($21) — the best version in Upwey Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

10. High Corner — 276 William Crescent, Upwey VIC 3163

What it is: (thai food) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $17-25 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead

High Corner has been operating in Upwey for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($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.

Capacity is around 57 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Get the: The daily soup ($19) — the best version in Upwey Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

Explore More

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

FAQ

What are the best best thai food options in Upwey?

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

Is Upwey good for best thai food?

Yes. Upwey has 10+ genuine options. The scene is established and well worth exploring.

What is Upwey known for?

Dandenong Ranges town with a strong arts community.

How far is Upwey from Melbourne CBD?

Upwey is 35km, 55min train, 40min drive from Melbourne CBD.

Upwey isn’t trying to be the next Fitzroy. It doesn’t need to be. What it does, it does with zero pretension and real substance. That’s worth more than a trendy postcode.

Last updated: March 2026