Best Thai Food in Elsternwick — 2026 Guide

Elsternwick 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. Ada — 185 William Place

Hours: Wed-Sun 5:30pm-10:30pm Price: $20-32 per person

Ada is the benchmark for thai food in Elsternwick. 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 ($20) as a main, plus massaman to share. Insider tip: The specials board changes weekly and is usually better than the printed menu.

2. Rex’s — 269 Smith Place

Hours: Tue-Sat 5:30pm-10pm Price: $18-37 per person

This is the locals’ pick — less polished than Ada 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 ($18). Simple, executed perfectly. Pro tip: BYO wine on Tuesdays ($5 corkage).

3. Little House — 324 Anderson Drive

Hours: Wed-Sun 5:30pm-11pm Price: $15-26 per person

Little House 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 ($23) is the one regulars order.

When to go: Sunday lunch is the sweet spot. Same food, half the crowd.

4. Old Local — 326 Nicholson Street

Hours: Wed-Sun 12pm-3pm + 5:30pm-10pm Price: $14-24 per person

The takeaway option on this list. Old Local 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 Elsternwick. The green curry ($14) is the standout.

5. Hugo’s — 6 Smith Place

Hours: Tue-Sat 5:30pm-10:30pm Price: $20-33 per person

A solid all-rounder. Not the cheapest, not the most experimental, but consistently good across the entire menu. The pad thai ($24) and the wok-charred ($23) are both worth ordering. The wine list is surprisingly thoughtful for a thai food place.

Quick Comparison

Thai Food Price Guide — Elsternwick

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 Smith Place is metered until 6:30pm. Side streets are usually 2-hour. After 6:30pm, most are free. Best option: Public transport options in Elsternwick.

Dietary: Every restaurant listed handles vegetarian requests. Vegan and gluten-free: call ahead to confirm, but most are accommodating.

Delivery: Old Local and Ada 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
• Elsternwick Cheap Eats — when budget matters
• Elsternwick Bars — post-dinner drinks
• All Elsternwick Guides

Last updated: March 2026

Keep Exploring

More in this area:

• Best Japanese in Elsternwick
• Cheap Eats in Elsternwick
• Best Restaurants in Elsternwick

Useful tools:

• Melbourne Food Guide
• Melbourne Coffee Price Tracker
• Explore Elsternwick