It started with a humble family eatery on Elizabeth Street. Now, nearly two decades later, the team behind one of Melbourne’s most beloved Thai dining groups is opening the doors to something a little different: Kan Eang Thai Bistro.
Located on Little Bourke Street, the new 130-seat space lands in the heart of the city with a fresh take on modern Thai dining, blending the soul of Thailand with the energy of Melbourne’s bistro culture.
Behind it are siblings May and Nathan Pongvattanaporn, second-generation hospitality leaders and the duo behind the Thai Culinary Group, which has been feeding Melburnians since 2006.
Kan Eang means ‘feel at ease’ in Thai and that’s exactly the point. The space is warm, generous and full of the energy that comes with shared plates, clinking glasses and good company.
Whether you're popping in solo, catching up over lunch, or kicking off a big night with cocktails, Kan Eang adapts to every appetite and occasion.
The menu is where tradition meets creativity. Chef Nathan Pongvattanaporn draws on his Southern Thai heritage to deliver vibrant, unexpected dishes made for modern Melbourne bistros.
From green curry spaghetti with chicken katsu to pad Bai grapow roti pizza and fall-apart massaman lamb shank, the menu balances familiarity with surprise. It’s Thai food that isn’t afraid to play, packed with unapologetic flavours, generous portions and a few twists you won’t see coming.
"We’ve always cooked from the heart,” Nathan says. "This menu is inspired by the meals we grew up sharing, reimagined through everything we’ve learned over the years.
"New flavours, new ideas and always with the same spirit. We want every dish to feel like something you’d come back for again and again.”
The drinks? They bring just as much personality. Start your day with a Kan Eang matcha cloud or cheesy Thai tea, then move on to the cocktail list, from the lavender-kissed Laven-groni to the zesty Yuzu Collins and tropical Banana Colada. Add bottomless sessions, Happy Hour specials and a laid-back wine and beer list, and you’ve got every reason to linger.
"This venue is a love letter to both our roots and our city,” says co-owner May. "It still feels like us, but it’s something new too. At the heart of everything we do is the joy of bringing people together. That’s what Thai dining is about. It’s generous, vibrant, full of flavour and laughter and always best when shared.”
You can find Kan Eang Thai Bistro at Shops 1-2/518 Little Bourke Street.
Soft launch bookings are now open via www.thaiculinary.com.au.
