Tuk Tuk Thai Kitchen Restaurant & Takeaways — Restaurant in Wellington

After reading about the closing of their Waikanae branch, we dropped by to support this family business! Last time I was here I came for the rice burger, which had raving reviews, so this time we came to try what this restaurant was all about - authentic Thai food. With the backlog of liquor license, they are a few weeks out from reobtaining one, just as well none of us drink alcohol anyway, so we all ordered their mocktails. All 3 of our mocktails were beautifully presented and had a very nice refreshing flavour, we were torn between the raspberry or the strawberry one, as they were both nice in their own way. We got the larb wonton and prawn spring rolls to start, they both had a nice tangy and sweet dipping sauce and were great appetizers. We went for variety and ordered the lemon fish, masaman curry with duck, and the highly recommended pad thai, definitely worthy of being the most popular dish! (the peanut sprinkle and the lemon wedges came later after the photo was taken so just imagine them sprinkled on top, do not miss these condiments! They really picked up the flavours) one of the best Pad Thai we have had! We were all super impressed with the massaman curry, so much duck and that sauce was just divine, you can choose the level of spiciness but definitely recommend this if you are after a Thai curry when you visit! Afterwards, we decided to try one of each recommended desserts, the cheesecake was homemade and was nice and creamy with a very prominent flavour of raspberry sauce. The fried bananas were great but OMG, you must try that mango sticky rice! It was warm with a slight saltiness, drizzled with coconut cream balanced out with a scoop of ice cream, this was a heavenly dessert, we all could not stop raving about this! Also look! They had fresh mangoes! You don't get that everyday! Super spacious venue ideal for groups, with a very cute tuk Tuk by the window and all the other decorations were hand-picked in Chiang Mai, including that 3m door! We're looking to come back soon, especially since they will be participating in Welly on a plate...

Our GPS navigator took us a bit off highway 1 to avoid some traffic on a Friday evening. We were hungry and my wife was checking the map app for restaurants when we passed by the Tuk Tuk Thai Kitchen, there was no doubt about making a U-turn and so happy we did. I must explain - my wife is Thai (I'm not) and we've often joked about opening a Thai restaurant (nobody ever refuses a dinner invite to our house...). In my mind the imaginary restaurant is always in a countryside setting, a rustic building with lots of wood and coziness, and of course fantastic food. As we set foot inside the Tuk Tuk Thai Kitchen it was almost as if I was in a dream - everything as I had imagined it. We had arrived on a busy Friday evening when reservations are definitely advised, but the owner Daeng found us a table and soon we were enjoying some really good and authentic Thai food. The rice was excellent quality (very important for Thai people and the prime indicator of a good Thai restaurant), Daeng confirmed it was first harvest rice. The stir-fry dishes were loaded with very fresh and tasty veggies, and the flavors were just right. One reviewer noted that the restaurant did not have a liquor license - this is no longer the case (recently issued) and a variety of beers and wines are available (not sure about mixed drinks). Daeng says the menu will be expanding in the near future (the upcoming dishes all sound great!), locals and any chance passers-by should...

Authentic Thai Worth the Drive!

We recently made the half-hour trip south to Porirua in search of real, authentic Thai food—and it was absolutely worth it. Having been fans of this restaurant’s previous location in Waikanae, we were already familiar with their fantastic menu, but this was our first visit to the new spot.

From the moment we stepped through the beautifully carved front door, we were impressed. The interior is warm and welcoming, with every table uniquely styled and adorned with fresh flowers—a lovely touch that shows real care for the dining experience.

We started with the prawn spring rolls, which were clearly handmade on site—crispy, flavourful, and a far cry from anything frozen or mass-produced. For mains, we shared the duck curry and Padt Kra-Pow with rice and roti. Every dish was beautifully presented, perfectly spiced, and absolutely delicious. It was, without question, the best Thai meal I've had in a very long time.

The service was friendly and attentive, the wine selection excellent, and the room had a relaxed ambiance with comfortable sound levels—ideal for conversation. The hosts made a point of stopping by to check on diners, creating a genuinely hospitable atmosphere.

With reasonable prices, incredible food, and a welcoming vibe, this place is a real gem. Whether you're coming from nearby or even from Wellington (only 20 minutes away), it’s well worth the journey. We’re already looking forward to...