By Gary Lee
Smile Buffalo sets itself apart from other local Thai restaurants by providing a more upscale dining experience. With an elegant ambiance and sophisticated decor, it provides a refined atmosphere that elevates traditional Thai cuisine in the West.
Smile Buffalo is a brightly lit establishment situated in the vibrant heart of Yarraville, conveniently located near the iconic Sun Theatre.
The welcome to Smile Buffalo was impeccable. We were greeted immediately with big smiles, as our wait staff quickly grabbed an iPad (to take our orders) and ushered us to our seats.
The restaurant was bustling. The natural materials throughout the interior and the soft lighting made the space warm and inviting. We particularly liked the hanging greenery; long, wispy ferns draping down from the ceiling. The walls are a mix of dark, solid surfaces and intricately patterned wooden panelling. At the back of the room, centred against the wall is a prominent neon sign that reads ‘SMILE BUFFALO’ with stylised bull horns.
The impressive bar complements the space, featuring an extensive selection of premium spirits, wine and cocktails; making it a perfect destination for those seeking a fun night out, or for a celebration.
We ordered the spicy steamed barramundi with garlic, mint, coriander, fish sauce, chilli, celery, and lime juice dressing. Despite the menu indicating a spiciness level of three chillies for the dish, it wasn’t as spicy as we anticipated, so we requested fresh red chillies, and they were fiery! We also had the crispy pork belly stir-fried with Chinese broccoli, soybean sauce, oyster sauce and chilli. The two dishes we ordered were both fresh, flavourful and complemented steamed rice beautifully, so make sure you order some.
The overall dining experience was pleasing. We really appreciated the large windows that provide an expansive view of the Yarraville pop-up park outside, an ideal setting for observing the vibrant atmosphere and diverse activities of the area.
The service provided was exceptionally attentive, with the wait staff consistently refilling our water throughout the evening.
And finally, the cashier offered us delightful fruity chewy candies after we paid, just a little sweetener to a great night.
Whether you’re dining in, grabbing takeaway, or ordering for a group, it’s the kind of place you’ll want to come back to repeatedly.
I enjoyed this place so much I returned for their Pad Thai on another day. A true showstopper, their signature Pad Thai was impeccably prepared with egg, dried shrimp, and tofu, then tossed in the restaurant’s special Pad Thai sauce, and served in a delicate, eye-catching egg net.
