ARANI Thai Restaurant — Restaurant in Victoria

FAKE THAI FOOD!!! SERVES OFF MEAT!

We chose this place over another Thai place in geelong from the review ratings and boy did we regret that. This is one of the worst Thai food my partner and I have ever had. We had hope as as we walked in the place was packed. We regularly eat Thai cuisine as my partner loves it but he was ready to get up and leave after 1 bite of the food. We knew it was a red flag when they also said they don’t have Thai milk tea??? We ordered the chicken Tom yum soup, lamb sweet and sour curry, coconut rice and beef pad Thai. Almost every dish was absolutely disappointing besides the coconut rice but that’s rice.

The curry literally came with 6 pieces of cheap frozen lamb and half a tin of canned pineapples. The soup had 2 pieces of dry chicken breast and did not taste anything like Tom yum.

Here’s the WORST part - the beef pad Thai. My partner immediately noticed a distinct off smell coming from the dish and he has cooked pad Thai at home and knew it was not the sauce. The entire plate had the smell of off meat. I told one of the waiters who took it back in the kitchen and came back out saying “the chef said it’s the beef do you want to change to chicken” where I asked for the entire plate to be taken off the bill. I cannot even put into words the smell that came off that dish. I’m extremely disappointed in this place and don’t want to give them the benefit of the doubt that it was cause they were busy but if every dish comes out like that it’s the...

Initially I wanted to give one star for accepting a reservation and cancelling it a few hours later.

That was really disappointing. I was told that google was the issue but that's not my problem. I even had to pay 60$ deposit to secure the booking. More on that later.

The first time I was in on a Tuesday, had a Gaeng Panaeng which was excellent. So the idea was to show my parents this restaurant.

We came first on a Saturday, they were booked out, we didn't get a table - all good, we accept this - no reason to deduct stars.

Knowing this, I have reserved a table for the next day which was the 11th of May (Mothers day) at 6:30pm. Reservation been made and accepted with the 60$ deposit. I thought it was all good. But then they cancelled my reservation, telling me they were fully booked which leads me to the question why they accepted my booking in first place.

When my parents witnessed this they said "Sorry Markus, we have seen enough" and I felt a little like an idiot.

At the end I got my money back including the bank fee. It was not a problem to get back my deposit which makes me giving them 2 stars - and also not lose faith in this restaurant. It may take some time to convince my parents to give it another try.

But really guys, you need to fix this issue with your booking system. Please don't...

Arani Thai Restaurant in Geelong CBD is a delightful spot for Thai food enthusiasts. The ambiance is welcoming, with soft lighting and traditional decor that gives it an authentic feel. The menu features a wide range of classic Thai dishes, from flavorful curries to stir-fries, each beautifully presented and packed with fresh ingredients.

One highlight is the Pad Thai, which strikes the perfect balance of sweet and savory, with a generous portion size. The Green Curry, another favorite, is creamy and aromatic, with tender chicken and fresh vegetables that add a nice crunch. For spice lovers, the spicy Basil Stir-Fry delivers a flavorful kick, though the staff are happy to adjust spice levels to taste.

The service is friendly and attentive, with the staff always willing to recommend dishes or adjust orders to suit dietary needs. Prices are reasonable, considering the quality and portion sizes, making Arani Thai a great value. Whether you’re after a casual lunch or a relaxed dinner with friends, Arani Thai in Geelong CBD is a fantastic choice for Thai food lovers looking for an authentic and...