Cilantro Thai Kitchen — Restaurant in Melbourne

My partner and I chanced on this place late at night when we were in fact looking for another restaurant (which turned out to be closed). The owner/proprietor/chef/waiter was just closing when we got here, but obligingly kept open for us, and looked after us with great excellence.

The food was scrumptious, well cooked and prepared, elegantly served, and we didn't have to wait too long for anything (well, we were the only people in the place). I had the Panang Curry with rice - and it was one of the best I've ever had; and my partner loved his meal (I can't remember what it was; but either chicken or pork) and some he took home in a container. We started with the vegetarian spring rolls which were as delicious as they should have been - and served on a wooden platter, each roll resting in its own lettuce leaf.

Even though our being there forced the postponement of the restaurant closing that evening, there was never a hint to us that we should hurry; there was no stacking of chairs on tables and floor-mopping while we were eating (as I've seen elsewhere). The forbearance showed to us was quite wonderful. It's this level of customer service which separates a really good place from the rest.

For a small unassuming restaurant on a busy highway in an outer suburban location, this place is a real find, and I hope the locals patronize it as much as...

My partner and I found Cilantro Thai Kitchen on one of our Adventure Dates - where we just go to an area we haven’t been before and find a restaurant that looks good. We were so impressed!! The service was great, the food was amazing. So many delightful options on the menu it was hard to choose! In the end we each tried the entree platter, all 5 tastings were amazing! I loooove thai fish cakes, and these ones were particularly good!! We shared the duck and lychee curry, another one of our fav Thai meals. The duck was really well cooked it just fell off the bone, and being leg meat it was juicy and wonderful! We also had the 72 hour pork hock. I’m glad we shared it because it was so flavour dense that I don’t know if I could finish it all if that was my main meal! It was so good, everything you could ever dream of in a tasty slow cooked pork morsel!! Coconut lime panna cotta for dessert was very impressive. I’m not one to take photos of my food, but I had to take a photo of this dessert with the swirled toffee garnish and coconut chips.

I would highly recommend Cilantro to anyone who...

Last minute booking for 7, parked outside the place was dead quiet. Was thinking we made a mistake.

Chef comes out to greet us and tells us about tonight's special. I didn't really pay attention, due to kids stuffing about.

we're the only customer in the restaurant. My foodie friend proceeds to over order as usual.

The food was amazing, the front of house lady made our Thai milk tea which was perfect about of sweetness. Not the overly orange mix you would usually get and then having to water down the condense milk. This was proper Thai milk tea. I am surprised the place was dead quiet on a Saturday night.

Down the street was an ordinary Thai place and it was booming. The chef here has way more skills. I've uploaded pics, this must be the best that food around the 15km radius.

Will take my parents here, they...