📍 149 Jackson Street, Petone, Lower Hutt
📍 Address: 149 Jackson Street, Petone, Lower Hutt 5012, New Zealand
📞 Phone: +64 4 568 2825
🌐 Website: smileelephantthairestaurant.business.site
Lovely food atmosphere and staff. My wife a newbie to Thai food and loved it. Spice level exactly as described
Went there for dinner last night, very busy night, their service is excellent eventhough the restaurant is busy. Food is always good and delicious. The only suggestion is that they could have give more vegetables with the sizzling steak dish, rather than a few pieces of veggies hidden underneath the few pieces of steak.
Situated in Petone’s vibrant dining scene, Smile Elephant has earned its reputation as a local favorite, and after a recent visit with friends, it’s easy to see why. This charming Thai restaurant combines warm, inviting decor—think rich wooden accents and soft lighting—with a menu that balances authenticity and approachability, making it a hit even for those less familiar with Southeast Asian cuisine (like this European-born diner!). Our group dove into a spread of dishes, and two standouts stole the show: the coconut rice, fragrant and subtly sweet, paired perfectly with every meal, and the crispy deep-fried fish, which arrived golden and tender beneath its crunchy exterior. While I’m no Thai food expert, the bold flavors—tangy, spicy, and aromatic—left no doubt about the kitchen’s skill. Despite the restaurant buzzing with a Saturday night crowd, the service remained attentive and friendly. Staff happily guided us through the menu and accommodated dietary requests with ease. A quick glance online reveals Smile Elephant’s well-deserved accolades, including nods for “Best Thai in Petone” and a loyal following built over many years. Whether you’re a Thai cuisine enthusiast or a curious newcomer, Smile Elephant delivers a memorable experience. Don’t skip the coconut rice—and bring friends to share the feast!
A surprise find in Jackson st Petone. A really nice well laid out restaurant, friendly helpful staff and a great range of Thai food available. The servings were a generous size and very tasty. My wife is a Thai chef and she was impressed. The priceing is resonable with our two main meals and a drink costing $45. Happy to recommend Smile Elephant and will be visiting again when we head to Welly. We went back and I got the spare ribs and chips, my wife curried chicken noodle bowl. ❣️
Five stars all round! Best Thai I've had! Food was so tasty and served in very decent portions. Green curry with coconut rice extra, chicken fried rice and chicken pad Thai. Also got the mixed entree platter and some roti to try a bit of everything. Would 100% recommend to anyone. Prices are great for what you get. Lovely place to dine in. Great atmosphere and plenty of tables. Will definitely be going back to try more dishes and the desserts.
First time we have dined there. Very impressed with the quality and quantity of the food offered from a good menu. The staff were super efficient and friendly
Everything is so delicious. Today I’m having Tom yum entree size, it’s $8.50. It is so delicious. I’m also having ginger stir fry with tofu. I always get this. Everything is perfect.
Delicious food, good service, reasonable price.
Well worth going to. Food was great. Prices not to bad. Service great.
Smile Elephant Thai Restaurant is located at 149 Jackson Street, Petone, Lower Hutt 5012, New Zealand
You can contact Smile Elephant Thai Restaurant at +64 4 568 2825
You can find directions to Smile Elephant Thai Restaurant by following this map link
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