Thai Parklands

About Thai Parklands

Thai Parklands sits at 188 Parklands Avenue in Bell Block, New Plymouth, serving authentic Thai cuisine that has made it a local favourite. The menu reflects Thailand's diverse food culture, balancing aromatic spices and fresh ingredients across noodle soups, stir-fried noodles, curries, rice dishes and crispy specials, with options for adventurous eaters and those who prefer something mild.

Three dishes tend to steal the show: the Pad Thai, with its well-seasoned noodles, crispy peanuts and fresh lime; the Green Curry, rich and creamy with a proper kick of heat; and the Tom Yum Soup, a fragrant lemongrass and kaffir lime broth with a warming spicy-sour profile. Around them sits a full line-up, from gyoza, spring rolls and roti with satay sauce at the start of the meal to roast duck, crispy pork with bok choy and larb salads further down the list.

Inside, the room mixes modern and traditional Thai decor — warm lighting, wooden furnishings and colourful accents — creating a casual, inviting space that works equally well for a quick lunch, a relaxed dinner or a special occasion. Reviewers regularly praise the friendly, polite staff, who are happy to offer recommendations and accommodate dietary preferences or restrictions, and many regulars point to the consistency of the food and service as the reason they keep coming back.

The restaurant offers both dine-in and takeaway, is popular for lunch, dinner and solo dining, and also provides catering for larger events, making it a versatile choice for any occasion in New Plymouth.

Thai Parklands, Bell Block: Authentic Thai Food and a Warm Welcome on Parklands Avenue

Thai Parklands occupies a spot on Parklands Avenue in Bell Block, a short drive from central New Plymouth, and it has quickly worked its way into the affections of locals. The promise is simple: authentic Thai flavours, fresh ingredients and a cosy, welcoming room — a little culinary escape to Thailand without ever leaving the city.

Whether you are a long-time lover of Thai food or just starting to explore its rich, layered tastes, the kitchen here covers a lot of ground. It is the kind of place where a quick solo lunch and a relaxed family dinner feel equally at home.

What's cooking

The menu is a genuine tour of Thailand's food culture. It opens with the small plates Thai kitchens do so well: gyoza, crisp spring rolls, curry puffs, satay chicken kebabs and flaky roti served with a rich, nutty satay sauce. From there it moves into noodle soups — tom yum noodle soup, wonton, duck and beef noodle soups, and a chicken satay noodle soup praised for its tender chicken and savoury broth — plus stir-fried noodles like phad thai, phad see ew and Singapore noodles.

Curry lovers are well looked after with green, red and panang curries, a red curry with roast duck, and a crispy chicken green curry for something different. Rice dishes run from classic fried rice to a vibrant pineapple version, while the wok mains include ginger chicken, hot basil chicken, chicken with cashew nuts, chilli chicken and sweet and sour. There is even a crispy-and-roast section — crispy BBQ pork, crispy pork with bok choy, roast duck and herb-flecked larb salads — and a kids' menu serving familiar dishes with a juice.

Spice is handled thoughtfully: dishes run from mild and comforting to properly fiery, and the staff are happy to steer you toward either end.

The dishes people come back for

Three plates dominate the conversation. The Pad Thai is known for its well-seasoned noodles, topped with crispy peanuts and fresh lime — just the right balance of sweetness and tang. The Green Curry packs real flavour and heat into a rich, creamy base. And the Tom Yum Soup is the fan favourite: a fragrant broth built on lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves, with a spicy-sour profile that warms you from the inside out.

Around those three, reviewers single out the starters — the roti with satay sauce delivers a satisfying crunch alongside its nutty dip — and the fried rice, packed with vibrant flavours and vegetables.

The room and the welcome

The interior matches the food: a thoughtful mix of modern and traditional Thai decor, with warm lighting, wooden furnishings and colourful accents. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed, suited to everything from a quick bite to a special occasion, and the crowd is a blend of local groups, families and tourists passing through.

Service earns nearly as much praise as the cooking. Guests describe the staff as friendly, polite and attentive — quick with recommendations and happy to accommodate dietary preferences or restrictions. One visiting couple, caught out when their eftpos declined and left short of cash, were waved through with both dishes anyway; they wrote afterwards that it was the gesture, more than the dollars, that would bring them back.

Good to know

Thai Parklands is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 AM to 8:30 PM and closed on Mondays. Dine-in and takeaway are both on offer, popular for lunch and dinner as well as solo dining, and catering is available for larger events. Families are well catered for thanks to the kids' menu, and the premises include a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance and seating. Parking is straightforward, with a free parking lot and free-of-charge street parking, and payment is by credit or debit card.

Whether you are a Bell Block local or just visiting New Plymouth, it is the consistency reviewers keep mentioning — the same generous flavours, the same warm welcome, visit after visit — that makes Thai Parklands an easy recommendation for anyone craving Thai food in the area.

Signature items

• Phad Thai
• Green Curry
• Tom Yum Soup
• Roti With Satay Sauce
• Chicken Satay Noodle Soup
• Pineapple Fried Rice

Menu

Soups

• Tom Yum — Fragrant lemongrass and kaffir lime broth, spicy and sour.
• Tom Kha — Creamy coconut soup with a soft sour note.

Curries

• Green Curry — Rich and creamy with a proper kick of heat.
• Red Curry — Aromatic red curry simmered in coconut milk.
• Panang Curry — Creamy, gently spiced panang-style curry.
• Red Curry With Roast Duck — Red curry enriched with slices of roast duck.
• Crispy Chicken & Green Curry — Crispy chicken paired with creamy green curry.

Starters

• Gyuza — Crispy, savoury dumplings that pair well with the spring rolls.
• Spring Rolls — Light, crispy and refreshing — a classic favourite.
• Roti With Satay Sauce — Flaky roti with a satisfying crunch and a rich, nutty dipping sauce.
• Curry Puff — Golden pastry with a savoury filling.
• Satay Chicken Kebabs — Grilled skewers with classic satay flavour.

Wok Mains

• Ginger Chicken — Chicken stir-fried with fragrant ginger.
• Hot Basil Chicken — Chicken tossed with chilli and Thai basil.
• Chicken Cashew Nuts — Chicken with crunchy roasted cashews.
• Garlic Pepper — Wok stir-fry in a fragrant garlic-pepper sauce.
• Black Pepper — Stir-fried in a bold black pepper sauce.
• Sweet & Sour — A classic sweet-and-tangy wok favourite.
• Chilli Chicken — Wok-fried chicken with a spicy chilli hit.
• Chicken Curry Powder — Chicken tossed in aromatic curry-powder spices.
• Beef Oyster Sauce — Beef stir-fried in a savoury oyster sauce.
• Fried Fish Sweet Chilli Sauce — Fried fish finished with sweet chilli sauce.
• Stir Fried Mixed Vegetables — A fresh, lighter plate of wok-tossed vegetables.

Rice Dishes

• Fried Rice — Wok-fried rice packed with vibrant flavours and vegetables.
• Spicy Fried Rice — Fried rice with a chilli lift.
• Pineapple Fried Rice — Sweet-savoury fried rice brightened with pineapple.

Noodle Soups

• Steamed Egg Noodles With Black Sauce — Soft egg noodles with a savoury black soy sauce.
• Tom Yum Noodle Soup — Hot, sour and fragrant, with lemongrass lifting the broth.
• Wonton Soup — Plump wontons in a light, savoury broth.
• Duck Noodle Soup — Duck with noodles in an aromatic broth.
• Beef Noodle Soup — Beef and noodles in a comforting savoury broth.
• Chicken Satay Noodle Soup — Tender chicken, savoury broth and perfectly cooked noodles.
• Crispy Chicken Noodle Soup — Crispy chicken served in a warming noodle broth.

Stir-Fried Noodles

• Noodles With Gravy Sauce — Noodles topped with a silky, savoury gravy.
• Phad See Ew — Wide rice noodles stir-fried in sweet soy.
• Phad Thai Noodles — The classic — well-seasoned noodles, crispy peanuts, fresh lime.
• Phad Thai Yellow Noodles — The phad thai treatment with yellow noodles.
• Spicy Fried Noodles — Wok-fried noodles with a chilli kick.
• Fried Yellow Noodles — Golden yellow noodles tossed in the wok.
• Fried Singapore Noodles — Thin noodles with a gentle curry-spice toss.
• Goye Si Mee — Crisp-topped egg noodles with a savoury sauce.

Crispy & Roast Specials

• Crispy Chicken & Vegetables — Crispy chicken served with stir-fried vegetables.
• Crispy Bbq Pork — Crispy pork with rich, barbecued flavours.
• Crispy Pork With Bok Choy — Crackling pork stir-fried with fresh bok choy.
• Crispy Chicken With Rice — Crispy chicken served over steamed rice.
• Roast Duck — Tender roast duck, a house classic.
• Larb Chicken — Spicy minced chicken salad with fresh herbs.
• Larb Duck — The herb-flecked larb salad made with duck.

Kids' Menu (With Juice)

• Chicken Nuggets + Juice Combo — A kid-approved meal with a refreshing drink included.
• Roti With Satay Sauce — Kid-sized roti with mild satay dip and juice.
• Fried Rice — Kid portion of fried rice, served with juice.
• Chicken Satay Noodle Soup — A gentle noodle soup in a kid-sized bowl with juice.
• Sweet & Sour — Kid-sized sweet and sour, served with juice.
• Fried Singapore Noodles — Mild Singapore noodles in a kids' portion with juice.
• Crispy Bbq Pork — Kid-sized crispy pork, served with juice.
• Curry Puff — A golden curry puff with juice on the side.
• Goye Si Mee — Kid-sized crispy noodle plate with juice.
• Spicy Fried Rice — Mildly spiced fried rice, kids' portion with juice.
• Crispy Chicken Noodle Soup — Comforting chicken noodle soup, kid-sized with juice.
• Fried Fish Sweet Chilli Sauce — Kid-sized fried fish with sweet chilli, plus juice.
• Crispy Pork With Bok Choy — Kid-sized crispy pork with greens and juice.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Thai Parklands located?

At 188 Parklands Avenue, Bell Block, New Plymouth 4312, New Zealand.

What are the opening hours?

Closed Mondays. Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 AM to 8:30 PM.

What dishes is Thai Parklands known for?

The Pad Thai, Green Curry and Tom Yum Soup are the standout, most-praised dishes.

Can I get takeaway or catering?

Yes — Thai Parklands offers both dine-in and takeaway, and also provides catering for larger events.

Is there a kids' menu?

Yes. The restaurant is good for kids, with a kids' menu offering familiar dishes served with juice.

Is the restaurant wheelchair accessible?

Yes — there is a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance and seating.

Is parking available?

Yes, there is a free parking lot plus free-of-charge street parking.

Tips

• {"body":"Thai Parklands is closed Mondays; it opens 11:00 AM to 8:30 PM Tuesday through Sunday.","title":"Don't come on a Monday"}
• {"body":"The roti with satay sauce is a standout starter — flaky, crunchy and made for dipping.","title":"Start with the roti"}
• {"body":"Staff are happy to give recommendations and help with dietary needs, so ask if you want a dish milder or bolder.","title":"Ask about heat and flavour"}
• {"body":"One reviewer found some dishes on the sweeter side and planned to ask for a saltier version next time — worth mentioning your preference when ordering.","title":"Sweetness, your call"}
• {"body":"There's a free parking lot and free street parking, so driving in is stress-free.","title":"Parking is easy"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Good for kids with a dedicated kids' menu","dietary":"Staff happy to assist with dietary preferences and restrictions","parking":"Free parking lot plus free street parking","payments":"Credit and debit cards","accessibility":"Wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance and seating"}