The essence of Thai cuisine lies in balance - sweet, sour, salty, spicy and bitter in perfect harmony. When that ancient harmony meets the boldness of Modern Australian innovation, the result is something truly extraordinary. Across the country, Chefs are taking beloved Thai classics and adding a uniquely local spin - whether it's native herbs from a farm garden or inventive plating in edgy urban spaces.
From coastal escapes to bustling CBDs, these five Thai restaurants are elevating the game. Each one offers more than just a meal - they serve up a cultural collision that’s equal parts homage and evolution.
Jungle Fowl – Port Douglas, Qld
Tucked away on Wharf Street in the lush tropics of Port Douglas, Jungle Fowl is anything but ordinary. With vibrant wall art featuring tigers and exotic birds and a name that nods to the wild ancestors of the modern chicken, this venue offers a playful yet intimate backdrop for its contemporary Thai creations. The ambience? Part tropical resort, part urban jungle. With produce sourced from the nearby Oaks Kitchen & Garden, this is a true farm-to-fork experience that thrives on freshness and creativity.
Jungle Fowl's menu is a celebration of contrast and texture. A must-try is the pork belly - sticky with caramel, sharpened by coriander and lime. Then there’s the red chicken curry, built on layers of roasted pumpkin and smoky BBQ eggplant, which brings an earthy Australian warmth to the classic Thai spice palate. It’s Thai, yes - but not like you’ve had it before.
More More Thai – Broadbeach, Qld
A short stroll from the oceanfront, More More Thai in Broadbeach delivers exactly what its name promises: more colour, more flavour and more personality. Surrounded by a riot of plant-covered walls, bright art and reclaimed timber, it’s a space that feels like Summer - casual yet chic, the perfect post-beach pitstop for something satisfying and spicy. Outdoor diners enjoy the bustle of the Gold Coast Highway, drink in hand, while inside offers cosy, high-energy vibes.
The menu offers Thai staples, but with refined technique and a playful edge. The stir fry crispy prawn with cashews and chilli jam is a standout - sweet, sticky, crunchy and fiery all at once. Equally compelling is the red duck curry, where lychee and pineapple cut through the richness of tender duck, finished with a handful of fresh basil and a whisper of heat. This is comfort food, elevated for the discerning palate.
Step into Not Just Thai on Vulture Street and you’ll find a space bursting with colour and flavour, both on the plate and in the décor. Helmed by Executive Chef Sasivimol Wongsri, this venue goes far beyond the expected pad Thai and green curry - offering dishes from five distinct Thai culinary traditions including Northern, Southern, Central, Royal and ‘farang’ (Western-inspired). It’s a curated cultural journey wrapped in bold design and urban edge.
Here, the Crying Tiger earns its name and its reputation - a marinated Porterhouse steak, perfectly charred and sliced, served with a punchy nam jim jaew dipping sauce that sings with lime, chilli and roasted rice. For something more decadent, the yellow Thai curry with seared scallops, smashed avocado and mashed coconut sweet potato layers texture and spice with unexpected finesse. It’s traditional technique meeting a global mindset, all on one plate.
Kan Eang by Thai Culinary – Melbourne, Vic
At Kan Eang on Flinders Lane, Thai elegance is recast through a Melbourne lens. Imagine marble counters, sculptural lighting and a jungle of greenery flowing across the space - this is an urban oasis where contemporary design meets centuries-old flavour traditions. Whether seated beneath the mirrors or enveloped by soft blond wood textures, diners are drawn into an atmosphere of effortless sophistication.
The menu leans into opulence without excess. Take the signature fried lucky fish - a whole barramundi crisped to perfection, draped in dried chilli, Thai herbs and crispy rice flakes and finished with housemade tamarind sauce. It's a showstopper, but also deeply comforting. For those who prefer spice layered with sweetness, the red duck curry with watermelon, pineapple and cherry tomatoes is a masterclass in balance and flair.
Since opening in 2022, Thai Room has quickly cemented itself as one of Adelaide’s go-to dining destinations for modern Thai cuisine. Nestled in the city’s CBD, it strikes a fine balance between romance and polish, offering candle-lit tables, attentive service and a menu that pairs centuries-old recipes with today’s techniques and flavours. It’s the kind of place where a cocktail feels at home next to a slow-cooked curry.
The chu chee barramundi curry is a dish that perfectly captures the restaurant’s philosophy - locally loved fish, crisped and nestled in a lush chu chee curry sauce with green beans and bamboo shoots, delicately fragranced with curry leaves. For the entrée, pair a Purple Blossom rum cocktail with seared scallops and kaffir lime and you’ve got a meal that lingers well past the final bite. This is Thai food with a capital F - flavourful, fun and forward-thinking.
The rise of Thai cuisine with a Modern Australian twist signals more than a trend - it’s a testament to how culinary borders can blur in the most beautiful ways. Each of these venues brings something unique to the table, blending heritage with innovation and comfort with surprise. Whether it’s a jungle-inspired interior or a reimagined curry, the message is clear: Thai food is evolving and it tastes phenomenal.
