Ashwood has a thai food scene that punches well above what you’d expect. The suburb runs creative, walkable, authentic — and the food reflects it. We’ve eaten at every thai food spot in the area and these are the ones worth your time and money.
Expect to pay $28-45 per person for a proper sit-down meal. The cheaper end gets you wok-charred, the higher end gets you pad thai done properly.
Our Top Picks
1. Oliver — 96 Charles Grove
Hours: Wed-Sun 12pm-3pm + 5:30pm-10pm Price: $23-32 per person
Oliver is the benchmark for thai food in Ashwood. The green curry is what most people order, and for good reason — it’s consistently excellent. The larb is the other standout, done with genuine care rather than the paint-by-numbers approach you get at chain spots.
The room seats about 45 and fills on Friday and Saturday nights. Midweek you’ll walk straight in. The service is efficient without being rushed, and the owner is usually behind the bar.
Order this: The nam tok ($23) as a main, plus massaman to share. Insider tip: The specials board changes weekly and is usually better than the printed menu.
2. Green Larder — 196 George Parade
Hours: Mon-Sat 12pm-3pm + 5:30pm-10pm Price: $23-38 per person
This is the locals’ pick — less polished than Oliver but arguably more flavour per dollar. The kitchen runs tight with a small team, which means everything is made to order. The pad thai here has a depth that comes from doing the same dish three hundred times until it’s muscle memory.
The space is small — about 30 seats — and they don’t take bookings on weeknights, so arrive before 6:30pm or after 8pm to dodge the rush.
Best dish: The wok-charred ($23). Simple, executed perfectly. Pro tip: BYO wine on Tuesdays ($5 corkage).
3. Ada’s — 258 Cecil Terrace
Hours: Mon-Sat 5:30pm-11pm Price: $17-36 per person
Ada’s opened in late 2025 and has already built a following. The menu is short — eight dishes — which is usually a good sign. Everything on it is considered. The larb ($22) is the dish that gets photographed most, but the massaman ($24) is the one regulars order.
When to go: Sunday lunch is the sweet spot. Same food, half the crowd.
4. Stella Quarter — 7 Cecil Terrace
Hours: Mon-Sat 5:30pm-10:30pm Price: $20-32 per person
The takeaway option on this list. Stella Quarter doesn’t have table service — you order at the counter and either take it home or eat at the three outdoor tables. The quality-to-price ratio is the best in Ashwood. The green curry ($20) is the standout.
5. Nell — 226 George Parade
Hours: Tue-Sat 5:30pm-11pm Price: $18-31 per person
A solid all-rounder. Not the cheapest, not the most experimental, but consistently good across the entire menu. The pad thai ($26) and the wok-charred ($24) are both worth ordering. The wine list is surprisingly thoughtful for a thai food place.
Quick Comparison
| Restaurant | Best For | Price (pp) | Bookings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oliver | Overall best | $23-32 | Recommended Fri-Sat |
| Green Larder | Locals’ favourite | $23-38 | Walk-in only (weeknights) |
| Ada’s | New opening | $17-36 | Yes, via website |
| Stella Quarter | Best takeaway | $20-32 | Counter service |
| Nell | All-rounder | $18-31 | Recommended weekends |
Thai Food Price Guide — Ashwood
| Category | Price Range | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $12-18 | Counter-service, takeaway, no frills |
| Mid-range | $28-45 | Sit-down, proper menu, decent wine list |
| Premium | $50+ | Tasting menus, premium ingredients |
Before You Go
Best time to visit: Weeknight dinners (Tue-Thu) for no wait. Friday and Saturday — book 3-5 days ahead for the top two spots.
Parking: Street parking along Fitzroy Terrace is metered until 6:30pm. Side streets are usually 2-hour. After 6:30pm, most are free. Best option: Public transport options in Ashwood.
Dietary: Every restaurant listed handles vegetarian requests. Vegan and gluten-free: call ahead to confirm, but most are accommodating.
Delivery: Stella Quarter and Oliver are on Uber Eats and DoorDash. For better quality, order directly — delivery platforms compress your food in those bags and charge restaurants 30%.
Nearby Guides
- Brighton Thai Food
- Brighton East Thai Food
- Ashwood Cheap Eats — when budget matters
- Ashwood Bars — post-dinner drinks
- All Ashwood Guides
Last updated: March 2026
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Best Thai Picks in and Around Ashwood
Halalicious Thai
Halalicious Thai is the most direct Ashwood pick for locals who want Thai flavours without leaving the suburb. Its halal focus makes it especially useful for mixed groups, and the menu leans into familiar comfort dishes like curries, stir-fries, noodles and rice plates; the venue describes itself as serving “authentic halal Thai cuisine” on its official site.
Sweet Tamarind
Sweet Tamarind in nearby Ashburton is a strong choice when you want a proper sit-down Thai meal close to Ashwood. It suits date nights, family dinners and takeaway nights equally well, with the kind of balanced sweet-sour-salty flavours that make Thai food feel generous without being heavy.
Paradai 3 Thai Restaurant
Paradai 3 is a local name that comes up when Ashwood diners talk about reliable Thai in the area. Go here for classic suburban Thai done with confidence: green curry, pad see ew, basil stir-fry and tom yum-style dishes that travel well for takeaway.
Pai Thai
Pai Thai in Burwood is worth the short hop from Ashwood when you want something with a more polished, modern feel. It is a good pick for diners who still want recognisable Thai comfort food, but with a little more attention to plating, texture and freshness.
D’elephant Thai Cuisine
D’elephant at Chadstone works well when Thai food needs to fit around shopping, movies or a group catch-up. The appeal is convenience without settling for a generic food-court meal, with bold curries, noodles and shareable plates that suit casual dining.
Local Tips
Ashwood’s best Thai strategy is to think in a tight local triangle: Ashwood, Ashburton, Burwood and Chadstone. The suburb itself is compact, so the strongest Thai options are often only a few minutes apart rather than clustered on one restaurant strip.
For takeaway, order noodles and stir-fries when you are eating soon, but choose curries if there is a longer drive home. Thai curries usually hold heat and texture better, while dishes like pad Thai and pad see ew are best when the wok char is still fresh.
If you like spice, ask clearly rather than relying on menu labels. “Medium” can vary wildly between venues, and many suburban Thai restaurants will dial heat down unless you ask for a more Thai-style level.
Vegetarians should look beyond the obvious tofu stir-fry. Many Thai menus can adapt curries, fried rice and noodle dishes, but it is worth checking whether curry pastes, sauces or soups include shrimp paste or fish sauce.
For groups, order across texture: one curry, one wok-fried noodle, one crisp entree, one salad and one rice dish. That gives you the full Thai rhythm of creamy, smoky, crunchy, fresh and fragrant rather than five dishes that all eat the same way.
FAQ
What is the best Thai restaurant in Ashwood itself?
Halalicious Thai is the clearest Ashwood-specific option, especially if halal dining matters to your group. For more variety, nearby Ashburton, Burwood and Chadstone add several strong Thai choices within easy reach.
Is Ashwood good for Thai takeaway?
Yes, Ashwood is especially good for practical Thai takeaway because the surrounding suburbs are close and well connected. Curries, fried rice, basil stir-fries and noodle dishes are the safest orders when you want something fast, filling and still flavourful at home.
Where should I go for Thai near Ashwood with a group?
Sweet Tamarind and D’elephant are good group-friendly picks near Ashwood. Sweet Tamarind suits a calmer local dinner, while D’elephant is better when convenience around Chadstone is part of the plan.
