Finding a cracking Thai feed can take some hunting, so I’m glad you’re here. I’m Jack, and for this Australia City Guide roundup I’ve eaten my way around Arundel’s Thai kitchens to find the spots worth your money. This Gold Coast suburb punches above its weight, with family-run kitchens and cosy dining rooms scattered through the neighbourhood.
Love a fiery curry or prefer something mild? You’ll find both here. Plenty of local restaurants blend old family recipes with fresh Queensland produce.
The result is Thai food that tastes like Thailand but feels like home. Here’s my pick of the seven best Thai restaurants in Arundel — every one of them visited in person.
Top 7 Thai Restaurants in Arundel
1. Amphawa Thai Arundel
Amphawa Thai Arundel is my first stop whenever I’m showing someone around. The room has that floating-market warmth, and the kitchen doesn’t muck around with the flavours. Every plate tastes like it’s come from a family recipe book.
The Pad Thai is the one locals rave about, and the crispy pork fried rice is properly moreish. Lunch specials are easy on the wallet. Check their site at arundelthai.com.au before you head in — bookings help on weekends.
2. Arunya Thai & Bar
Arunya Thai & Bar leans a little fancy — soft lighting, polished fit-out, the works. It’s the one I’d book for an anniversary or a birthday dinner. The menu runs wide, from old-school curries to dishes with a modern twist.
Service is sharp without being stuffy. Mains sit at the mid-range end, and there’s a decent wine list if you want a glass with your green curry.
3. Alicia Thai
Alicia Thai cooks like someone’s grandmother is watching — traditional methods, no shortcuts. You can taste the care in every bite. It’s the kind of place where the flavours are bold and unapologetic.
The menu covers the classics plus a few specialties you won’t see everywhere. Service is quick and friendly, and the casual room suits family dinners. Have a look at aliciathai.com for the menu before you go.
4. Thai House
Thai House is my pick for a relaxed weeknight feed. The portions are generous — you’ll leave full — and the room is clean, comfy, and welcoming.
The staff look after you without hovering. Dine in or grab takeaway; either way the food travels well.
5. China Palace
China Palace does something a bit different — Thai and Chinese under the one roof on High Street. Can’t decide between the two? You don’t have to. The menu is big enough to keep everyone at the table happy.
It’s a busy little spot at both lunch and dinner, and the prices are fair for what lands on the plate. Their website at www.chinapalace-arundel.com has the full menu.
6. Ta-Wan Thai Restaurant
Ta-Wan Thai Restaurant is the reliable one — the flavours are bold and balanced, and the kitchen doesn’t have off nights. Traditional techniques, done properly.
Service is efficient but never rushed, and the menu mixes the greatest hits with a few regional dishes worth trying. Check tawanthai.com.au for opening hours.
7. Absolute Thai Homemade
Absolute Thai Homemade lives up to its name — this is homestyle cooking, the real deal. It’s just over in Southport, a few minutes from Arundel, and the room feels like someone’s dining room.
The spring rolls and curries get rave reviews from the regulars, and you can taste why — everything’s fresh, nothing’s from a jar. Proper comfort food.
Read Also: Best Thai Restaurants Melbourne
Best Dishes to Try at These Thai Restaurants
Pad Thai
Rice noodles tossed through a tangy tamarind sauce with egg and bean sprouts, finished with crushed peanuts and a squeeze of lime. I judge every Thai joint by its Pad Thai — Arundel’s best pass the test.
Green Curry
Creamy coconut milk, green chilli paste, Thai basil, and vegies. A good green curry should be fragrant first and fiery second — ask for it Thai-hot only if you’re game.
Tom Yum Soup
Hot, sour, and loaded with lemongrass and kaffir lime. Tom yum is the soup I order when I want to wake my taste buds up. The prawn version is the classic.
Massaman Curry
Mild, nutty, and deeply comforting — slow-cooked meat in coconut sauce with potato and peanuts. If heat isn’t your thing, start here.
Spring Rolls
Golden, crunchy, and gone in seconds. A good spring roll shatters when you bite it — dunk it in sweet chilli sauce and don’t share.
Som Tum (Papaya Salad)
Shredded green papaya pounded with lime, chilli, and fish sauce. It’s crunchy, fiery, and refreshing all at once — the perfect counter to a rich curry.
Chicken Cashew Nut
Chicken wok-tossed with roasted cashews and crunchy vegies in a savoury sauce. Sweet, salty, crunchy — it ticks every box.
Steamed Fish with Thai Salad Sauce
A whole fish steamed until it flakes, dressed with a punchy Thai-style salad sauce. Light, zesty, and full of flavour — order it when you spot it on the specials board.
Experience Authentic Thai Flavours
What I love about this lot is the range. Some lean into street-food style, others dress it up for date night. But every kitchen on this list cooks with real intent — no watered-down flavours anywhere.
Don’t be shy about spice levels — tell the staff how much heat you can handle and they’ll sort you out. And keep an eye out for lunch specials; they’re the cheapest way to work your way through a menu.
After you’ve eaten your fill, do what the locals do and head for the coast. The Gold Coast’s beaches are a short drive away — a sunset walk along the sand is the perfect finish to a Thai feast.
Final Words
Arundel’s Thai scene punches well above its weight. These seven kitchens each bring something different — street-food energy, date-night polish, homestyle comfort — and all of them cook with real flavour. For the bigger picture, my best Thai restaurants in Australia rounds up the top Thai kitchens around the country.
If you’re chasing a great feed on the Gold Coast, start here. Try a few different spots to find your favourite, and don’t stop at Pad Thai — the curries, soups, and salads show off what Thai cooking can really do. Your taste buds will thank you.
Get out there and taste it for yourself. Warm rooms, big flavours, and plates that keep you coming back — that’s Arundel’s Thai scene in a nutshell. This is Jack, signing off from the Gold Coast.
Keep exploring: Best Thai Restaurants in Australia, Best Thai Restaurant Melbourne, Thai Restaurants in Jindabyne, Thai Restaurants in Maitland, Vegan Restaurants in Australia
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes traditional Thai restaurants authentic?
The real ones cook with proper Thai ingredients — Thai basil, galangal, lemongrass, fish sauce — and they don’t dumb down the flavours. If the pad Thai tastes like it could have come from Bangkok, you’re in the right place.
How much do Thai dishes cost in Arundel?
Most mains around Arundel sit in the mid-range, and lunch specials are usually the cheapest way in. Prices shift a bit between venues, so check the menu before you commit.
Can I request spice level adjustments?
Yes — just tell your server how much heat you like. Most kitchens are happy to dial it up or down.
Do these restaurants offer vegetarian options?
Absolutely. Every kitchen on this list does vegetarian and vegan dishes — tofu and vegie versions of most curries and stir-fries. For more plant-based eating, see our vegan restaurants in Australia guide.
What’s the best time to visit Thai restaurants?
Weekday lunches are usually the best value, thanks to lunch specials. Dinners — especially Friday and Saturday — get busy, so book ahead.
