Coming Soon: Thai Dining Institution Longrain Is Opening a Pop-Up Lunch Spot in the CBD

Longrain has long been one of Melbourne's best Thai restaurants — before and after Scott Pickett (founder of Estelle and Matilda) took over in late 2020.

He and his team serve a huge range of contemporary Thai fare within a converted horse stable up the top end of Little Bourke Street, but it has always been a dine-in situation. Lunch has only really been served on Friday arvos as well.

But that's all changing this autumn and winter. Starting Monday, May 13, the Longrain team will be serving lunch-style adaptations of Longrain favourites down on the west end of Little Collins Street.

Head Chef Long Le has turned the much-loved crispy pork hock into a loaded roll; the whole fish is now broken down into more manageable crispy fish fillets; and the prawn salad has been reimagined as a lunchtime dish that's leaps and bounds greater than your Kardashian-style shake-and-go salads. Rounding out the new Longrain Canteen menu is a stack of meat and vegetarian curries and the Thai milk tea panna cotta (for those wanting a sweet treat at their desk).

"Our menu is all about tasty, affordable meals that you can eat on the go. We have thoughtfully reimagined the flavours, techniques and presentation of Longrain classics that guests know and love without compromising on quality and authenticity. I look forward to welcoming long-standing Longrain patrons to try something a little different and welcoming new customers during our lunchtime trade," shares Le.

The food is all designed to be taken away, but a handful of seats will be available for those who want to dine in. Chang beer, canned wine, longan juice and Thai coffee will also be up for grabs.

Beyond the ready-to-eat dishes, Longrain Canteen will also be selling Thai pantry staples and hard-to-find ingredients for those who have been inspired to try a bit of Thai cooking at home.

Folks down on the west end of the CBD can soon sample some of Longrain's signature Thai eats without having to race across the city. Just be sure to get in soon — the pop-up site will only run until the start of spring.

You'll find Longrain Canteen at 430 Collins Little Street from Monday, May 13. It will be open Monday–Friday, 11am–2.30pm, until the start of spring. For more details, head to the venue's website.