Restaurant
Isan Soul
98 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Find Isan Soul
98 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Plan your visitAbout Isan Soul
Bourke Street’s two-story escape delivers punchy Thai regional cooking at central-city prices without cutting corners. Regulars head straight for dishes rarely spotted across town—namely the fermented pork fried rice, packed with sour nam sausage, alongside rich soft shell crab curry spooned over coconut rice. The transportive street-style setup spans two packed levels, keeping wait times manageable when midday office groups arrive to split the table. Round out the order with the red duck curry.
- Regional Isan Specialties: Regional specialties like fermented pork fried rice bring punchy sour notes rarely found on typical city Thai menus.
- Curry Staples for Sharing: Generous plates of soft shell crab and red duck curries are built to split over bowls of coconut rice.
- Two-Story Street Atmosphere: Two floors of themed decor channel street-side Thailand with enough seating to keep table waits short.
What's On at Isan Soul
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Choose Isan Soul
Authentic flavors, regional Isan specialties, and transportive dining on Bourke Street
Consistently Rich Curries
Signature curries like soft shell crab and red duck curry deliver rich, reliable flavors on every visit.
I always get the soft shell crab and red duck curry and it never disappoints me.
Michelle STL Uncommon Regional Specialties
The menu offers distinct regional dishes such as fermented pork fried rice that are rarely seen across central Melbourne.
Fermented Pork Fried Rice because it’s not a very common dish in the Thai restaurants in Melbourne
Faa Papon Dependable Meal Quality
Repeat diners trust the kitchen to uphold the same delicious standards visit after visit.
Food is still as consistent as last time we came!
Faa Papon Accessible Authentic Value
Guests feel completely satisfied enjoying high-quality, authentic Thai cooking without high CBD prices.
authentic Thai food at affordable prices
E L Transportive Atmosphere
An immersive cultural decor and street-style aesthetic create a genuine transportive feeling.
decor and setup makes you feel like you're in Thailand
George Two-Level Dining Space
Seating across both downstairs and upstairs levels accommodates busy CBD crowds and minimizes wait times.
with seating both downstairs and upstairs, there is usually not a wait
George
Most popular items
Customer favorites and regional specialties from the kitchen
Soft Shell Crab Curry
I’d also really recommend the 💛🦀 Soft Shell Crab Curry—eat the sauce with rice, divine!
Faa Papon Red Duck Curry
I always get the soft shell crab and red duck curry and it never disappoints me.
Michelle STL Fermented Pork Fried Rice
We always order the 🐽 Fermented Pork Fried Rice because it’s not a very common dish in the Thai restaurants in Melbourne.
Faa Papon Coconut Rice
Highly recommend order these curry with coconut rice!
Michelle STL
Before you head over
Helpful advice on peak times, seating, and ordering to make the most of your visit.
Arrive Early for Weekday Lunch
Weekday lunch hours get particularly busy, so plan to arrive early to secure a table and avoid extended food wait times when the room fills up.
Head Upstairs for Faster Seating
Two levels of dining upstairs and downstairs accommodate walk-ins smoothly, keeping table waits minimal even during lively peak periods.
Order Coconut Rice with Curries
Pairing rich dishes like soft shell crab or red duck curry with coconut rice creates the ideal balance to soak up flavorful sauces.
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