Ton Khao Bistro — Restaurant in Sunshine Coast Regional

Did you know that if you dine here, you are dining in a top 10% restaurant IN THE WORLD? If not, you won't be able to miss it because it's plastered everywhere around the place.

Listen, I'm a fan of letting people know of your achievements. But I feel that they just go so far overboard that it almost makes it an unattractive stop. It's almost like they are begging for your attention to stop here and eat. It makes me question, are they resting on their laurels? Are they still committed to delivering top quality food? I found this place by reading these reviews and felt that we should see what the people are talking about.

Upon walking up, we were asked if we had a reservation. This makes me feel that they may fill up, quickly, on later weekdays and weekends. So, if you are considering going, I would recommend calling to make a reservation.

After being seated, we were provided menus and a pitcher of cold water. You will quickly see that these menus are LARGE! It's nice that they give you pictures of everything they offer but you can become overwhelmed with analysis paralysis. I believe there was only one server when we visited and he came shortly after being seated to take drink orders. We were not ready at that time and asked if he could come back shortly. It took him a long while for him to come back and it wasn't until I waved him over.

As a starter, we ordered 4 of their scallops. I wished I would have gotten a picture of these as they were presented well but, unfortunately, they had absolutely no color to them, meaning that they were not seared. They were cooked but just lacked that beautiful color of a seared scallop. The flavors were spot on so I decided not to dock them a star because of that.

For my entree, I was waffling between two dishes but decided on the Phuket Yellow Curry Moreton Bay Bug as the Moreton Bay Bug is not something we have in the states. If you are weirded out about the sound of it, don't be. Think of it as a mild lobster. If you like a very mild seafood flavor, then these are for you. I was hoping for just a little more seafood flavor. However, the meal was spot on. It was absolutely stunning to look at. The Moreton Bay Bug is served in the shell, cut in half. It takes a little work to separate the meat from the tail with a fork and knife. The flavors are pretty great but what sends this plate over the pretty great threshold to amazing is a side of coconut rice (ordered separately). In my opinion, this meal should just be served with this rice as the curry is lacking. Who eats just curry?

When you are done, you pay the bill at the register and they ask you for your review.

Would I eat here again? Without a doubt. I feel their prices are a bit higher than the other Thai and Asian places in the area. That may be because they have received so many accolades. With that said, I would visit with my wife but not...

January 2025: We were recommended to go to this place - touted as the best Thai on the coast. We arrived, were seated at the front door with a floor fan directly behind me on full blast, blowing who knows what from the floor up to my face. The waitress was clearly not fully trained - I asked for the Vodka in a Caprioska to be replaced by gin. She was vague at best, and then swore blind it was "impossible". When I enquired later with someone who appeared to be in charge, they said it was possible - dah! I couldn't drink my Caprioska (a) because I really dislike vodka and apparently there were no gin alternative drinks (b) it was warm! The meal - we were looking forward to the two curries and coconut rice. What an absolute disappointment! They were lukewarm and the flavours through both meats and other ingredients indicated they have the base curries made up and then they just tossed in proteins and vegetables - these were cold. The ingredients were dry and lacked flavour. The duck curry with pineapple was the worst - many promises made in the menu - apparently a 'signature dish' - it arrived, as stated above, but the worst thing was the 'pineapple' was 8 pineapple pieces direct from the can, placed on top of the offending curry. We didn't finish the green chicken curry after the first mouthful for fear of food poisoning and the 'coconut rice' was more like saffron rice, but gluggy with a can of coconut milk waved somewhere vaguely nearby. Overall, one of the worst dining experiences we have ever had. Another poorly trained waiter had the misfortune to ask rather brightly "how was your meal" and I wasn't going to say anything but I thought how will they improve if they don't know it's crap. He immediately alerted the person in charge, who appeared shocked.......... really? To her credit she took on my feedback an offered a discount, which I was grateful for. We left, hungry and extremely disappointed. A restaurant, in Mooloolaba, in the middle of peak holiday season, needs to be better. Unsuspecting visitors, paying top dollar...

Food was lovely BUT DO NOT ASK FOR A GLASS OF WATER…. 👎

THEY CHARGE ‘$6.00’ FOR A GLASS OF TAP WATER (unfiltered) - WITH A TEEENY DASH OF LIME CORDIAL 👎👎

No I didn’t ask for Soda water - just tap water… As I was designated driver.

We walk up to the bar to order food… But come to the table to take the drinks order… “Is your water filtered” I asked… “No it’s not” (this always annoys me - I love restaurants that care enough to filter their water) “Can I please have a dash of lime juice cordial, to drain out the taste of chlorine, as I’m on tank water and struggle with any town water”.

That was fine, ate what we could of our meals - as they came out all at once, bread, mains and entrees…

Then as we were leaving I looked at the receipt to see I had been charged $6 PER GLASS OF UNFILTERED TAP WATER !!

The waitress argued why she believed it was an adequate charge… “Because of the cost of ice… staff…” I told the manager that if I had ordered Soda - I would expect to pay the same as Soft drink… But not for tap water!!

We also brought alcohol which would have definitely covered the cost of the staff member to pour the water into the glass!!

The next night we went to a Maroochydore restaurant and told them about this - They brought me over a big JUG of water with Lime Juice cordial...