admin June 26, 2024
Vivid Cafe & Lounge in Hawthorn should be added to the must-try restaurant list of any food lover – serving up authentic Thai food in Hawthorn. Launching earlier this year, Vivid knew there was demand in the area for a truly authentic offering. The venue is cafe for breakfast, transforming the menu for lunch and dinner, including an All You Can Eat on Saturday and Sunday lunchtimes for just $29pp.
Sitting inconspicuously on Glenferrie Road (just south of Burwood Road), Vivid is a restaurant that opens its doors to an inviting space offering you a mix of relaxed padded lounge chairs and tables, standard seating and large convivial tables perfect for groups or getting to know new people through sharing.
Ideal for any occasion, Vivid Cafe & Lounge serves up a menu that suits individuals, couples, groups of friends and families.
Authentic Thai Food In Hawthorn
Featuring a diverse array of dishes, Chef Nobphadon Kaewkarn aka Chef Bird, works tirelessly to recreate the authentic flavours that are enjoyed in the faraway shores of Thailand – without the need to get on a plane. Vivid Cafe & Lounge unquestionably serves up some of the best Thai cuisine in Melbourne.
The exceptional menu delivers a selection of Entrees, Soups, Salads, Noodles, Curries, Stir Fries, Fried Rice & Roti and there are so many delicious options that it is hard to choose, but it provides the perfect excuse to return time and again.
Dishes that have to be tried are the house-made Curry Puffs (vegetable and chicken & vegetable), and Coconut Prawns to start. The refreshing Yum Pla Tod salad (Thai salad with whole barramundi, apple, chilli, lemon and cashew nuts and special sauce) and Vivid Som Tam Combo (Thai papaya salad, chicken satay skewer, crispy pork belly, soft shell crab, Thai grilled chicken and sticky rice) are great to start.
Curries that should not be missed include Penang Curry with Lamb Shank, Red Curry with Duck and Green Curry with Grilled Salmon. Making a statement is the Pineapple Fried Rice (onion, carrots, pineapple, curry powder, cashew nuts, sultanas) with choice of veg, protein or seafood, served in a half pineapple.
Southern Thai Dishes
If you love spicy food then head straight to the Southern Thai Menu with dishes including Kua Kling (stir fried spicy curry with pork mince and kaffir lime leaves), Hot & Sour Fish Curry (chef’s hot and spicy curry mix with shrimp paste married with barramundi & bamboo shoots), South Thai Curry with Pork Belly & Stink (Sator) Beans (spicy pork belly curry with shrimp paste, sator beans, bamboo shoot, Kaffir lime leaves with coconut milk). Dishes can be altered to accommodate the level of spice for those who want to experience the flavours but do not like it quite as hot.
Other signature dishes include:
- Crying Tiger – char-grilled caramelised beef Porterhouse, toasted chilli, fresh salad, Nim Jim Jaaew, served with sticky rice
- Thai Bay – stir-fried mixed seafood (calamari, mussels, scallop, deep fried king prawns) cooked with basil, black pepper, onion, capsicum, chilli and garlic
- Vivid Salad – deep fried king prawns, calamari, mussels, scallops, onion, cucumber, tomato and coriander
- Pad Thai – with any of the proteins but king prawn comes highly recommended
Seasonal Thai desserts are offered as specials if you have any room for something sweet!
$20 Lunch Deal
If you are looking for a great lunch deal then you can choose a curry or stir-fry with egg fried rice and a can of drink for just $20.
All You Can Eat Thai Lunch On Weekends For $29
If you are looking for the perfect excuse for a delicious lunch out, look no further than Vivid’s All You Can Eat offering on Saturdays and Sundays.
For just $29pp, you can enjoy 90 minutes of delectable dishes including Spring Rolls, Curries – Red, Green or Massaman (chicken, beef or vegetable), Pad Thai, Pad See Ew or Thai Fried Rice (chicken, beef or vegetable), Rice and Roti.
Vivid’s Drink Offering
Cocktail lovers are covered with six perfect mixed options to suit all moods. Kick off the evening with a classic Cuba Libre or Aperol Spritz (both included in the Happy Hour 5pm-6.30pm $15 and $12 respectively) or go straight to the signature Vivid Elixir (vodka, lime juice, Purezzo sparkling, Kaffir lime leaf, mint, Thai basil, sugar and chilli garnish).
If you want to be taken to Thai’s capital then Bangkok Smack (white rum, Thai basil, lime, cucumber juice, sugar & chilli) should be the go-to, while beach holiday vibes can be found with the Pina Colada and the Melbourne favourite Espresso Martini is on the menu offering the ideal digestif. If you are looking for a mocktail then check out the Nojitos (mango, passion fruit and strawberry mojitos).
All but one wine is served by both the glass and the bottle, with house red and white wine available for a wallet-friendly $10 a glass. Alternate drinks include bottled beer (Asahi, Corona and Chang), spirits and non-alcohol options. During Happy Hour beers are $7.50 and selected wines are $11.
Open Wednesday to Sunday for dinner and all day on weekends, Vivid Cafe & Lounge is Melbourne’s destination for the best authentic Thai food.
Vivid Cafe & Lounge, 616 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn, VIC, 3122
