One of Australia’s leading Thai fine diners, the Longrain brand has proven itself so popular it’s expanded from a much adored duo of Sydney and Melbourne outposts to its first international restaurant in Tokyo. Restaurateur Sam Christie is the man behind the eatery, which weaves the communal eating philosophy (as evident in its bevy of shared tables) with vibrant Thai flavours. Matching cocktails and wines accompany. 85 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills; longrain.com/sydney.

Chef David Thompson has long been considered the Australian authority on Thai cuisine and has a burgeoning Thai-inspired empire under his belt. With eateries spread throughout South East Asia, Thompson’s Australian contingent currently numbers at three, with outposts in Sydney, Melbourne and more recently Perth. Modern Bangkok cuisine is on the menu here, with a smorgasbord of street food-inspired specialties complemented by an eclectic mix of wines and signature cocktails. State buildings, Barrack Street and St Georges Terrace, Perth; longchimperth.com.

A fusion of contemporary Australian and traditional Thai can be found on the Magic Mountain Saloon menu. Informal dining is the forte of this design-savvy institution, which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner until late. Must eat dish here? The decadent roti topped with almond butter, grilled banana and condensed milk. 62 Little Collins Street, Melbourne; magicmountainsaloon.com.au.

There’s no shortage of outposts from this Thai restaurant empire that still commands a crowd after 33+ years. From its OG location near Capitol Theatre, a flurry of waiters delivers the best of Thailand’s street food with precision. On the hit list: crisp fish cakes with pickled cucumber and a spicy, sweet and salty salad of green papaya with pickled crab. There’s no better lunch than the gratifying grapao gai sup or the emerald duck – fragrant five-spice roast duck served on a bed of just-cooked gai lan and bok choy. While finding a table can be difficult, it’s worth the wait. 20 Campbell St, Haymarket; chatthai.com.au

If you haven’t been to Cookie have you even been to Melbourne then? The Swanston Street favourite is a multi-level, multi-sensory experience that encompasses a beer hall, an eating house and a disco in one. The modern Thai-inspired menu ranges from banquets through bar snacks, depending on the occasion, promising that no matter your reason for visiting your experience will be heavy on atmosphere. Just don’t forget to give the duck jungle curry, with eggplant, baby corn and betel leaves a whirl. 252 Swanston Street, Melbourne; cookie.net.au.

The Sunshine Coast is not only home to Noosa and a bounty of beautiful beaches, but vibrant eatery Sum Yung Guys. The Asian-inspired den was created by 2016 MasterChef runner-up Matt Sinclair and three of his mates, and it remains a firm favourite on the Queensland coast thanks to a hearty Pan Asian menu which takes influences from the group’s various travels abroad. The interiors here are just as fun as the edible offerings – kitsch holiday vibes abound (in all the best ways), with raffia and neon signs aplenty. 8/46 Duke Street, Sunshine Beach; sumyungguys.com.au.

An unassuming alleyway in Brisbane’s nightlife district is home to one of the city’s best Asian restaurants. Sleek dining den LONgTIME has merged the flavours (and heat) of South East Asian cuisine, with contemporary Australian dining sensibilities – the mantra here is ‘informal, yet elegant’. Eating here is communal, with the restaurant famously lively and open till late six nights a week. 610 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley;longtime.com.au.

Traditional Thai with a contemporary twist is what you’ll find at the seriously suave Golden Boy. The award-winning Adelaide addition sits in the city’s East End and is designed with sharing in mind. Groups of six or more are also welcomed to indulge in the ‘tuk tuk’ share menu, which isn’t a set offering, but is instead designed in-keeping with guests’ personal preferences. Fresh is considered best here, with all pastes, condiments, and relishes made in-house, and wine largely procured from surrounding districts. 309 North Terrace, Adelaide; golden-boy.com.au.

Kitchen, restaurant and grocer in one, Boon Cafe in Sydney’s inner-city wears many hats. By day, Thai-inspired lunches and decadent sandwiches are served up at the cafe, with all the handmade condiments available to purchase and take with you at the accompanying deli. After-hours Isaan arrives, the restaurant which crafts hefty servings of North Eastern cuisine. Think ‘gutsy’ flavours, from fermented fish, to the brined and pickled, fresh herbs and vegetables, and (of course) plenty of spice. 1/425 Pitt Street, Haymarket; booncafe.com.

Nestled within the greenery of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland is clandestine Thai oasis the Spirit House. Home to an expansive restaurant and a much revered cooking school, the eatery has long been one of Queensland’s favourite outposts for Thai cuisine. If it’s not the menu itself that draws you in, the venue’s luscious tropical gardens and congregation of traditional thatched cottages will. 20 Ninderry Road, Yandina, Sunshine Coast; spirithouse.com.au.

Fun is really the main focus of this Richmond eatery. The interiors at LadyBoy are just as loud as the menu, with the eatery awash with colourful paper lanterns and parasols and the restaurant proclaiming ‘this is a fun fantasy land which sets the tone for a good night ahead.’ When it comes to food and booze the vibe is modern Thai, with cocktails like Phuket Bucket and Lychee Long Time accompanying dishes inspired by the bustling street markets of Bangkok. 394 Bridge Road, Richmond, Melbourne; ladyboydining.com.au.

As it’s name suggests, this Fitzroy favourite is a hawker centre meets beer hall. The menu here is a varied one, serving up an array of Laotian, Cambodian, Indian, Malay, Burmese and Thai flavours along a series of communal tables that make for one lively experience. There’s a bevy of different beers that can accompany your mains, alongside an array of cocktails inspired by South East Asian and Japanese ingredients. 127 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne; villagepeoplehawkerfoodhall.com.au.

Relaxed dining haven Phat Elephant sits right in the centre of Brisvegas. The purveyors of authentic Thai street food rustle up everything from classic Thai salads like Larb and Som Tum to steaming bowls of Pad Thai for the city workers that frequent the joint both day and night. Nothing here is overly traditional, but rather a casual foray into the fare of the South East Asian favourite. Post Office Square,215 Adelaide Street, Brisbane City; phatelephant.com.au.

Chef Nu’s latest venture is a passion project exploring the street style cooking of his homeland. Rotating regional specials fill the menu at this casual establishment, which is proudly focused on the more authentic of Thai flavours. The 120-seat restaurant does boast a rather unusual eating space, with a multitude of different rooms to explore, including one for Buddhist prayers. 10 Selby Street, Adelaide; lanternbynu.com.au.

Created by Karen Batson, the head chef of much adored fellow Melbourne eateries Cookie, Magic Mountain Saloon and The Toff is Colonel Tan’s. Settled in nightlife den Revolver Upstairs, the restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday, doling out traditional Thai cuisine amidst a self-proclaimed ‘cheeky American diner aesthetic’. The stand-out dish? The bangkok bolognaise of pork mince, tomato, basil and chilli. 229 Chapel Street, Prahran, Melbourne; revolverupstairs.com.au/colonel-tans.