Aroy Thai Eatery is a family-owned Thai restaurant group with roots stretching back to a Thai restaurant opened in Palmerston North in 1998. The first Aroy-branded location opened on Cuba Street in Wellington in 2008, born from a desire to bring authentic, affordable Thai food to a city the founder felt was underserved. Back then, Thai restaurants in New Zealand often came with a fine-dining price tag and limited traditional offerings — Aroy set out to change that.
The group describes itself as hip and trendy yet casual, and has since expanded to multiple locations including sites in Wellington (Thorndon, The Terrace, Commerce Street), the Hutt Valley (Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt), Napier, and Sylvia Park in Auckland. All venues operate on the same founding principle: authentic recipes handed down through generations, served fresh and priced for everyday eating.
The kitchen uses fresh herbs and vegetables, sourced locally where possible, and cooks with a hot wok fire that seals in flavour and freshness. The Thai chefs come from different regions of Thailand, bringing regional variety to the menu. Dishes span creamy curries, laab (warm Thai salad), stir fries, appetisers, noodles, and classic Thai mains — alongside house-made Thai desserts and beverages. Selected wines and both local and imported beers are also available.
Aroy is part of a four-brand family that also includes Origami, a Japanese-inspired concept offering made-to-order sushi (using a premium Calrose and organic black rice blend with a distinctive purple hue), fresh sashimi, salads, ramen, and French- and Asian-inspired patisserie. Online ordering is available directly and through DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Delivereasy. A loyalty programme rewards returning customers, and bookings can be made by calling the restaurant location directly.
Aroy Thai Eatery is a Wellington-born Thai restaurant group with a story that stretches back to a family kitchen in Palmerston North in 1998. The chain's founder moved to Wellington as a student in 2005 and found the city short on good, affordable Thai food — the options that existed were expensive and often omitted traditional dishes because of limited access to the right ingredients. Drawing on recipes passed down by his mother and grandmother, he opened the first Aroy restaurant on Cuba Street, Wellington in 2008.
The name has since grown into a multi-location group with venues in Wellington (including Thorndon, The Terrace, and Commerce Street), the Hutt Valley (Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt), Napier, and Auckland (Sylvia Park). Aroy also encompasses four brands in total, including Origami — a Japanese-inspired concept offering made-to-order sushi, fresh sashimi, salads, and ramen, with a signature purple-hued rice blend made from premium Calrose and organic black rice, plus French and Asian-inspired patisserie.
Aroy's menu centres on fresh, healthy Thai cooking at an accessible price point. The kitchen uses fresh herbs and vegetables, sourced locally where possible, and cooks with a hot wok fire that seals in flavour and keeps meals quick for busy diners. The chefs hail from various regions across Thailand, bringing a breadth of regional dishes together under one roof.
The menu spans appetisers, noodles, classic Thai dishes including creamy curries, laab (warm Thai salad), and stir fries, as well as house-made Thai desserts and beverages. Wines (selected range) and local and imported beers are also available. A signature menu item drawing attention is the Thai Milk Tea Creamsicle — a creamy, fragrant house-made drink.
Aroy has made ordering flexible across channels. Online ordering is available directly from the website, and the restaurants are also listed on DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Delivereasy for delivery. A loyalty programme is available for regular customers. Bookings must be made by calling the restaurant directly — Aroy does not accept email bookings.
The group's mission has remained consistent since 1998: authentic Thai flavours, fresh ingredients, and honest pricing that makes good Thai food accessible rather than a special occasion. With a vision to keep expanding, particularly into the South Island, Aroy continues to grow while staying rooted in the family values it started with.