Looking for a thali in Geelong? Every Monday night, Eastern Spice on the Eastern Beach waterfront serves a full Indian thali for $28 a person. There are vegetarian, non-vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free thalis, all night from 5pm to 9:30pm. Walk in, or book a table if you'd like a window seat.
It's the easiest dinner decision of the week: one price, one tray, a whole Indian meal, and views across Corio Bay a short walk from the Geelong CBD.
What is a thali?
A thali is how much of India eats every day. The word means "plate": one large tray holding several small bowls, so you get a little of everything in a single meal. Instead of choosing one curry and hoping you picked right, a thali lets you taste a balanced spread, something rich, something light, something tangy, with rice and bread to bring it together.
Thalis are found right across India, from the hearty home-style trays of the north to the vegetable-led plates of the south and west. What they share is balance: flavour, texture and a meal that leaves you full without feeling heavy.
What's on the Monday thali at Eastern Spice
Our Monday thali is a full Indian dinner on one tray, built from the same kitchen that cooks our slow-cooked curries and fresh breads every night. Choose the version that suits you:
Non-vegetarian thali, with meat from halal suppliers
Vegetarian thali
Vegan thali
Gluten-free thali
The dishes rotate every Monday, so there's a reason to come back each week. The bowls are drawn from our menu favourites, such as:
Curries: butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, lamb rogan josh, saag chicken or lamb, Madras curry and Malabari fish curry
Vegetarian: palak paneer, kadai paneer, mattar paneer and anjeer kofta
Daal: our 24-hour house black daal and daal tadka
Rice and bread: basmati rice with naan, or a gluten-free roti made from rice and lentil flour
Ask our team what's on tonight's tray when you sit down. If you have an allergy or a dietary need, tell us when you order and we'll guide you to the right thali.
At $28 a person, it's one of the best-value sit-down dinners in Geelong, cooked fresh, served at your table, with the bay outside the window.
See the full menu and current prices →
Why Monday on the waterfront
Plenty of Geelong restaurants close on Mondays. Eastern Spice doesn't. We're open Monday from 5pm to 9:30pm, which makes Monday Thali Night a simple answer to "where can we eat tonight?"
It's a short walk from the Geelong CBD down to Eastern Beach, and the walk is half the fun: along the foreshore, past the bollards, to 1 Bellerine Street. Come straight from work, meet friends after the gym, or bring the family for a midweek treat that doesn't break the budget. Read more about dining on the Geelong waterfront.
Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free thalis
Indian food is one of the friendliest cuisines for mixed groups, and the thali makes it even easier. Everyone at the table can have their own tray: a vegetarian, a vegan, a gluten-free diner and a meat lover can all eat together without anyone settling for a side dish.
The vegan and gluten-free thalis rotate too, built from dishes on our menu such as:
Vegan thali: daal tadka, aloo baigan (potato and eggplant), bhindi do pyaza (okra with onions), onion bhaji and vegetable momos, with rice and roti
Gluten-free thali: daal tadka, aloo baigan, bhindi do pyaza, house black daal, anjeer kofta, paneer tikka, butter chicken, rogan josh or scallop coconut curry, with rice and our gluten-free roti made from rice and lentil flour
Our menu marks vegan and gluten-free dishes clearly, and our team is happy to talk you through ingredients. Our kitchen handles gluten, nuts and dairy, so if you have a serious allergy, please tell us when you order. See our guide to vegan and gluten-free Indian food in Geelong.
Bring a bottle: BYO on Monday
Eastern Spice is BYO wine at $5 a person, so Monday Thali Night stays great value even with a glass of wine. A crisp white or a light red goes well with a spread of curries, and our team will happily open it for you.
Walk in or book
There's no need to plan ahead: walk in any Monday from 5pm. If you're coming as a group, or you'd like a table by the window at sunset, book a table or call us on (03) 5221 9544.
Can't make Monday? Our full menu is available Wednesday to Sunday too, and you can order pickup by phone for 10% off.
Thali Night FAQs
Where can I get a thali in Geelong?
At Eastern Spice, 1 Bellerine Street, Geelong, on the Eastern Beach waterfront. Monday Thali Night runs every Monday from 5pm to 9:30pm, at $28 a person.
What is included in the Monday thali?
A full Indian meal on one tray, with several small dishes plus rice and bread. The dishes rotate every Monday, from favourites like butter chicken, palak paneer, lamb rogan josh and our 24-hour black daal. Vegetarian, non-vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free thalis are available.
Do I need to book for Monday Thali Night?
No. Walk in from 5pm, or book ahead online or on (03) 5221 9544 if you'd like a particular table or you're coming as a group.
Is there a vegan or gluten-free thali?
Yes. There are vegan and gluten-free thalis every Monday night, alongside the vegetarian and non-vegetarian trays. The vegan thali draws on dishes like daal tadka, aloo baigan and bhindi do pyaza; the gluten-free thali comes with our gluten-free roti.
Which Geelong restaurants are open on Monday night?
Eastern Spice is open on Monday from 5pm to 9:30pm, a short walk from the Geelong CBD. We're closed on Tuesdays and open again Wednesday to Sunday from 5pm.
Plan your visit to Eastern Spice
Book a table · Order pickup by phone (10% off) · Catering · Party trays · See the full menu and current prices →
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