BangPop — Restaurant in Melbourne

My partner and I enjoyed dinner here today, for Valentine’s Day.

Location wise, it’s conveniently located by the DFO and along the river. I imagine the views would have been beautiful, but we were seated in the alcove area (on the opposite side, along the small walkway between the restaurant and the convention centre steps) at a small corner outdoor metal table, which was a little sad looking. I was a little worried that I would drip curry or my drink on the table (one of those that are made up of holes) and get it on my dress underneath. People were seated along the stairs smoking and restaurants were wheeling rubbish and trolleys along the walkway, which kinda killed the mood (though I know there’s not much the restaurant can do about this). The table was squeezed up against a piece of glass, which meant we were facing another table with another couple and made awkward eye contact a few times haha

Service was great upon arrival and being seated, although you do order online through a QR code on the table. We didn’t have any interaction without our server besides being shown to our table and the food arriving so can’t really comment. The girl who seated us was lovely, and even complimented me which was very sweet. Because we already paid online, we just kinda got up and walked out lol?

Food wise, we felt that it was a tiny bit overpriced for what you get. I was initially a bit sad to see that there was no coconut rice (as that’s my favourite when I get Thai) but the sticky rice was an interesting alternative. It arrived in two plastic square bags, which we had to squeeze the rice out of ourselves. I quite enjoyed the sticky rice. We also ordered the green chicken curry, pork belly and prawns and drinks. The curry was chock full of chicken and tasted great. But the pork belly was quite dry and there was barely any prawns - the dry pieces that were there were more like thin chunks shaved off a bigger prawn. The dish was mainly shredded unripe green papaya.

My favourite was the raspberry bomb mocktail. It was really nice - very refreshing and fruity.

Overall, I feel like we would have enjoyed the meal more if we had a better table but the place has potential and I can see why it’s so busy. We only tried a few items off the menu, so definitely need to try more...

Absolutely Amazing Thai Experience at Bangpop!

If you’re looking for authentic Thai cuisine in Melbourne with a vibrant atmosphere and riverside views, look no further than Bangpop. I had the pleasure of dining here recently, and I honestly can’t stop thinking about the entire experience—it was that good.

From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with warm smiles and seated quickly, even on a busy night. The staff were friendly, attentive and genuinely enthusiastic about the food they serve. They offered great recommendations and checked in at the right moments without being intrusive.

The ambiance is lively and fun, bright pops of color, funky décor and a relaxed vibe that makes you feel right at home. The Yarra River backdrop adds something special, especially if you’re lucky enough to snag an outdoor table.

Now, let’s talk food. Bangpop absolutely nails it. Every dish we ordered was full of bold, authentic Thai flavors with just the right balance of spice, sweetness, and freshness. We started with the crispy pork belly bao buns, jackfruit bao buns and betel leaf trout. They were all perfectly cooked and packed with flavor. For mains, the green curry with chicken was an absolute standout: rich, aromatic, and comforting without being heavy.

The cocktail menu is just as impressive. I had the Long Thai Iced Tea, which was incredibly refreshing and paired beautifully with the spices in the food. There’s a solid range of drinks to suit any palate, including mocktails and Thai-inspired twists on classics.

What really sets Bangpop apart is the consistency. Every element from food to service to ambiance was top-notch. It’s rare to find a restaurant that delivers on every front, and Bangpop truly exceeded my expectations.

Whether you’re a Thai food lover or just someone who appreciates great food and atmosphere, this spot is an absolute gem. I’ll definitely be returning, and I’ve already recommended it to friends and family.

Do yourself a favor and make a reservation, you won’t be disappointed. Five stars...

ORDERED 2025: 🦑 Flash Fried Squid - small: with tom yum spice & nam jim talay dipping sauce ($19.90) 🥭 Mango Sticky Rice: NT mango cheek, black & white sticky rice, mango curd, coconut milk, roasted mung bean & coconut ice cream ($15.90)

REVIEW: Top tier food. This was my creative combo for a work lunch, with a higher weighting for sweet food. 🤍 The flash fried squid was delicious, a crispy dream with the perfect bite to the squid. The tom yum spice added a umami nature to it, while the nam jim added a spice that was addictive. 💛 The best mango sticky rice I've had so far!! Delicious roasted mung bean added a crunchy texture, while the coconut ice cream complimented the sweetness of the mangoes. Black and white sticky rice gave me the carbs and the coconut milk helped to blend it all together. 1 serving was perfect for me.

Ordering through the QR code is efficient. You should book for a work lunch - it got pretty packed! ORDERED 2023: 🍖​Beef Short Ribs: Twice cooked beef short rib w/ chilli caramel, cucumber, mint, coriander, red pepper, house pickled vegetables, bean shoots, lime & nam jim talay dipping sauce ($34.90)

REVIEW: This was flavour packed in a big plate. Really soft beef short ribs with a layer of fat that was my favourite. Glutinous and jam packed full of flavour. This was accompanied with a great tangy salad that was great at breaking down the heaviness of the ribs. Great balance!

Since it's so filling, I would recommend you split/share with a friend. I tried solo-ing this over a work lunch but it needed an extreme amount of effort. I couldn't even finish it!

Not a 5 star because: Would've liked to see the salad with a lot less onion. Too much onion which meant at times it was the unpleasant kind of tanginess. Would love to see Bangpop with a lunch time menu. Considering it's close to offices, it'll be great to stop by and have something that you don't have to share with colleagues. A lot of dishes on their menu appear to be shared, and in great big...