I've been a few times, I've always had lovely service whether eating in or taking away. However I'm a sucker for a good curry, and cannot endorse the Red Duck Curry enough. Fantastic sauce and the duck was incredibly succulent. Otherwise I've never been left disappointed with any meal I've ordered. I'm happy to swing by whenever I'm in the area.
Love it here! The chef is incredibly good at what he does! The waitresses are always polite and helpful, would definitely recommend here to friends and family. Great prices too!
We decided to give this one a go at the last minute last night. What a find! Although the menu is not as extensive as most they make up for it by doing what they do really well. We had the pork hock and the massaman beef last night and they were full of flavour. We shared the panna cotta and this chef has this down pat. It was one of the best we've ever had. The staff are very polite and friendly but are intuitive enough to not approach when you have a mouth full of food which is often the case elsewhere. And to top it all off there is no bill shock at the end of the evening. In Arnie's words "We'll be back!!"
This place is a gem. We live in the area and decided to give it a try. We had the red curry duck legs, which was off the bone tender and bursting with flavours. The pork hock was tender on the inside and crispy on the outside, just amazing. The pad thai was as good as the ones in Thailand. Will definitely be back. The place for authentic Thai food.
What a great little restaurant! Flavours are divine, the chef/owner is very passionate about his food (and why wouldn't he be?), and the menu has a great modern twist. My wife and I have been looking for something like this for ages and even though we've only been here once, we haven't stopped talking about it. Only had lunch so I can't wait to go there for dinner. The panang beef was beautiful! The better of the two Thai restaurants in Bayswater in my opinion.
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Hubby and I dined here for lunch on a Monday. Being a very quiet Monday afternoon, the restaurant was empty upon our arrival. We were greeted by the owner and chef. Who gave us a complete run down of their menu. We are told they are not always open for lunch, so ring ahead to check first.
We were delighted to see a $10 lunch special was available, so we chose to order entree as well. I opted for Tom Yum soup for entree and stir fried basil beef with rice for main. My Tom Yum was probably the best I have ever had. Delicious, clean flavours with four large whole prawns. My beef main was equally yummy. Hubby had the chicken satay skewers for entree and a Penang beef curry for main. Hubby stated that he was blown away by the flavours. Oh and the size of our mains for our bargain basement price of $10 was amazing!
We will definitely go back to try some of the other items from the menu. When reading the menu, although small, it seems that there is something for everyone. We loved the modern twist given to each item on offer. Each protein on this menu is specifically chosen to perfectly compliment the sauce.
This restaurant is far superior to the other Thai restaurant just a few doors down. Do yourself a favour and give it a try.
The Domestic Traveller
+4.5
Cilantro brings the power of passion, the quest for a unique experience and a twist on modern Thai cuisine all rolled into one. One word? DAYUM!. Located at 723 Mountain Highway in Bayswater, you could drive past this place and not even give it a second thought. With so many restaurants open all around it, you are spoiled for choice in Bayswater. But let me just outline all the reasons why you should go here. If you are looking for parking and can’t find anything on the street, I would recommend you park behind the restaurant – there is plenty of space there.
Really impressed, such a small restaurant but such great food. Chef came out to ask about the food and I quite honestly said I enjoyed my meal, lovely people and lovely food.
Absolutely love coming here! The food and flavours are always perfect! Never had a bad dish! The chef takes so much pride in his food, from the presentation to the flavour.
He even comes out after you’ve eaten to make sure you enjoyed your meal! And is great at recommending other dishes to try!
Best Thai food I have ever eaten!
Great food, great location plenty of variety. We had the Chefs plate for Entrée which was a mix of spring roll, satay chicken, fish cake, samosa... delicious we followed this with a Masamam beef curry which was flavoursome and very tender beef and coconut rice. Its BYO wine with minimal corkage...
Would certainly recommend and will return.
My second visit to Cilantro did not disappoint at all.
Between the four of us we had the 72 hours caramelised pork hock, the Crispy Pork Stir Fry, the Massaman Beef Curry and the Green Chicken Curry as well as the Peking duck Spring Rolls as an entree.
All meals were excellent, there is no other way to describe them.
The chef, Raymond, has popped out to talk with us on both occasions and is very friendly and accommodating.
If you like Thai food, you will love Cilantro. Do yourself a favour and give it a try.
Food is delicious and fresh. Staff are friendly and chef even took the time to pop out and great us. Genuinely great experience and I would highly recommend Cilantro for their personalised service!
Try this place. It is always quieter than a few of the well known/established local Thai places...but seriously Cilantro has stepped it up as far as eating out in Bayswater is concerned! Presentation superb, flavours divine and quality excellent. Step out of your comfort zone and step inside. You will be pleasantly surprised!!! Oh and I must mention the awesome desserts...try the Pannacotta :-)
Nice Thai restaurant in Bayswater, delicious food and very friendly staff, sometimes the chef will provide free desert or entree as well! Recommend.
Wowee，what a restaurant. After having 2 weeks in a row of bad thai food，it was great to come to a restaurant out in the burbs and get such flavour. Great depth of flavour，but not over the top. Service was great not just from the front of house but also the chef who came out personally and asked us how thw foos was.
We had the son in law eggs (simple but lovely)， pad thai (great flavors)， roti bread (not the best roti， but ok)，and massaman curry (great subtle flavours and tender beef).
Come eat here people，I would highly recommend it.
There are a few Thai restaurants along Mountain Highway, so it's hard to decide which one's best when you walk past.
My partner and I chose Cilantro Thai Kitchen and were amazed by the food. It's the best I've had since going to Tamarind in Camberwell, years ago. The food was wonderfully flavourful, cooked to order, vegetarian and vegan friendly, and while not super spicy it could be spiced up.
Raymond our host was engaging and passionate about food, espousing the benefits of cooking from the source (whole duck, whole coconuts) – there's not a tinned item in sight.
All sauces are homemade too, as is the tofu.
We loved it and hope lots of people try it out so it can remain a fixture in Bayswater.
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A bit out of the way for my family and I, but after rave reviews from a mate we made the trek out to Bayswater. It was 100% worth it! The service was really nice, the presentation was gorgeous and you can tell the chef really has a passion for food. The mixed entree plate was a highlight, with everything on it being delicious. My dad had the Tom Yum soup and it was the best one any of us had ever tried (and my dad is obsessed with Tom Yum!). For mains we shared the massaman curry, basil beef stir fry and pineapple fried-rice, with a side of coconut rice. The chef was really accommodating to the fact that my mum doesn't deal with spice well, which was really good for her but a little unfortunate as I think the dishes would've benefited from a little bit of a spice kick. Not the kitchens fault though! I think that's probably more personal preference, and as mum doesn't take spice well they made it so everyone could enjoy it. We finished with the pannacotta, the coconut ice-cream affogato and the black sticky-rice pudding with mango ice-cream. It was a delightful, delicious way to end the meal. I would definitely recommend this to friends, it's a shame that they don't have as much business as I reckon they should be getting!
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2nd visit
Had the duck curry again as it was just too good the 1st time. Didn't disappoint, it was yummy! Green chicken curry was good but had room for improvement. Chicken salad, fried barramundi was worth the trip. Ordered the trice cooked pork hock ahead of time and it melted in the mouth. Had so much flavour and texture. Our 2nd visit did not disappoint for sure. Well done Raymond and team.
1st visit
Did not expect the food here. Walked past and there was only one party there for dinner. We were greeted warmly by Raymond who's 1st question was "do you like hot food?" That drew us in immediately as he took out a couple of dishes for us to try. The red duck curry with lychees was among the best I've had. The pork curry with lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves was astounding. The Yum Moo, which was suckling pig with apple and a lime dressing, absolutely refreshing. I can't remember the names of the other dishes but I was already planning my next trip back to Cilantro. We topped it off with a lemon grass panacotta and coconut affrogatto with kahlua. My stomach was bursting and filled with peace and joy like Christmas. I didn't want to give it a rating of 5 as it doesn't give me room to rate it higher the next time but dear Zomato, you might just have to start rating out of 10.
Delicious authentic Modern Thai cuisine at reasonable prices.Excellent service - the owner/chef Raymond was very friendly and attentive. We had a lovely dining experience. Will be back again. Thanks for having us. :-)
A hidden gem - a regular dining spot for us. High quality food, excellent food presentation, friendly & helpful staff. ....... give it go !
Highly recommended, if you like Thai, the best in the area without doubt.
Our first visit to cilantro and we absolutely love it. It is not those commercial luxury restaurant, but more like a home kitchen where you can taste real local Thai food. Chef Raymond is a friendly guy. We were surprised that they didn't put any MSG or chicken powder in their dishes, instead they use their homemade chicken stock and they taste equally if not more tastier, and of course, healthier. Short waiting time and reasonable price. Highly recommend caramelised pork hock, it is so soft that it melts in your mouth. We had massaman curry and pla Sam rod (whole snapper) as our main, both are good, just that the fish is too big for the both of us. Raymond recommended coconut pannacotta and it was yum! Will definitely come back to try other dishes!
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25th Oct edit--
This time we were introduced to Raymond's signature dish, caramelized five spice pork hock which took 7 days to prepare! It was so tender and juicy. Duck spring rolls were like peking duck with spring roll. I can never say no to peking duck alike hehe. Fresh prawns with pad thai, pork curry where pork was cooked in broth and fresh ginger for a more intense flavour. We really appreciate your superb talents Raymond! Not to forget the little things like cutting lemon at the right size so it was easy for diners to squeeze. Thank you and thank you!
End of edit --
Awesome find in Bayswater! Worked till pretty late on a Sunday night and most restaurants closed at 9, we thought we would give Cilantro a try. Walked past it a few times but it was always empty and we never bothered. I was glad we finally tried cos food was spot on! We had the coconut king prawns for entrée which weren't too oily, unlike most Thai restaurants where you could only taste the batter. Had massaman beef brisket curry and deep fried barramundi with coconut rice for main. You can certainly see the skills and TLC put into the dishes. We were tempted by Raymond to get the chocolate brownies with espresso icecream. That was certainly the highlight for C, perfect combo. The icecream was refreshing and counter the sweetness of the brownies. We also tried their coconut panna cotta which was my favourite. Definitely give it a try, Raymond and your team, great work!
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We keep on getting blown away with the dishes that are served up everytime we go!!! My partner and i have been going to cilantro since it opened, it ISN'T your typical thai restaurant which is such a massive breath of fresh-air. We have dined at longrain in the city and loved the food but hated the dining experience which was rushed in and out!! Cilantro is at such a high quality thanks too the passionate chef's who strive to create different dishes to keep the menu interesting and do not shy away from explaining how they are created. The manager is the nicest guy we have met while dining out, he genuinely likes to here whether any tweaks to the food is required and describes the processes they take to create these amazing dishes!! Now for the food, me and my partner are huge believers in quality over quantity, the portion sizes are great, prices are fantastic considering the quality of the fresh ingredients! It is yet to attract a large audience as i believe most get put off by not seeing many diners in the restaurant! If your after the quality of melbournes top restaurants without the large crowds and 'no booking' policy, then i strongly suggest this gem of a restaurant!
What a gem! If you find the usual Thai food a bit too sweet for your liking, and you hate MSG in food, then this is the place for you. Raymond has put much thoughts into the menu. His creativity & refined palette shine through in his menu! Definitely will be back :) P.S. Do yourself a favour and save some room for the coconut & kaffir lime panna cotta dessert... sooo good!
Best thai I've ever had. Amazing thai never going to thai tables again !
WOW! We love our thai food and we were so impressed by everything - the food was amazing and the service was just excellent. Massaman curry is a must have, as are the vegetarian spring rolls and the chicken chilli and cashew nut stir fry. Satay chicken skewers didn't quite measure up compared to everything else but still very very happy with everything we had! The coconut and kaffir lime semifreddo at the end of our meal was such a wonderful touch. Will definitely come back again!
Amazing food!. You would not expect such seriously good Thai food from a little restaurant in Bayswater! We travel to Thailand every year just to eat the street food and this restaurant had some of the best Thai food we've ever had this side of Thailand. If this restaurant was in the CBD they could be charging so much more. The menu is so cheap! We were just on our way through Bayswater on our way back to the city and stopped for dinner. I wish this place was closer to us!
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10/10 Stars; no faults at all. Everything was beautiful. Best Thai food I have ever had in my life, even better than the food I've had in Thailand.
The restaurant itself was very modern, and had a very homey feel to it, (it was also very quite because of the carpet floors- awesome!).
The food was just amazing. Highly recommend trying any food from here, as you will not be disappointed! Prices might seem towards the higher end at first, but after you eat your meal, the price would be considered as cheap compared to the quality and taste of the food- it is incredible.
We ordered the Pad Satay, Red Duck Curry, Pad Thai, Entree Platter, Golden Bags, Panna Cotta (dessert), and Sticky black rice (also desserts). We could not find one single fault with any of these dishes.
The head chef himself came around to the tables to see if everything was in order, and if he could make any improvements in anything, (which he could not, because again: AMAZING)!
Great customer service, great atmosphere, great food. HIGHLY RECOMMEND
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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 they should.
Great little Thai restaurant. Super fresh and delicious food. Definitely a hidden gem and a must try if you haven't already.
Best authentic Thai food my family has eaten in Melbourne! The pork curry was really tender and the satay had that smoky charred flavour to it. The owner told us that he makes everything in house, including the sauces and prawn crackers. Definitely Worth Trying #CilantroThaiKitchen!
Undiscovered gem of delicious Thai cuisine in the suburbs
Date nights remain special even after 40+ years of marriage and it was a little worrying when we walked into an empty restaurant despite the good reviews, especially after walking past a packed one a few shops away.
Their good reviews are well deserved. The service was good and the food excellent but be warned, the dishes are large. We skipped entrées and ordered 2 main dishes to leave room for their iconic dessert but alas, it was not to be.
The barramundi was perfectly fried with a light touch of sweetish Thai hot and sour sauce, the Chiang Mai pork was balanced and tasty.
There are no pretensions of a la carte fine dining, just a lovely modern café and, for tonight at least, a quiet dinner for two.
Amazing food! We have been three times now ordering different meals each time and have loved it every time. Amazing flavours for great prices, absolutely love we will be back to try everything on the menu.
Cilantro was easily accommodated us (which 15 people) before 9.30pm. The food was really great it just a bit pricey for a small serving of food. Good ambience and nice location in Bayswater.
What a hidden gem, unbelievable Thai food! We have been here a number of times now and everything we’ve tried has exceeded our expectations. Beautiful family business!
Recommended items:
Entree: Fried Chicken Wings
Mains: Pork Hock
Dessert: Pana Cotta
Cons: Only having one stomach. LITERALLY YOU WANT TO GET EVERYTHING HERE. It is seriously that good!
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