Songbird Thai BBQ

I don’t understand why there r so many good reviews for the food here. They were ok, nothing was very impressive. I do think the corn and the prawn cooked very well! Oh, the pork rib was very bad,super chewy and no flavor inside, only the Sriracha sauce flavor outside. The service from the lady who looks like a manager or owner was very lack of concern. The service from the host girl was lovely. I had a quite high expectation for this place. But I definitely won’t come back.

All I can say is what an incredible dining experience. Not only is the food cooked at a spectacularly high standard. If you sit up against the bar, you get to interact with the chefs as they plate and organise the dishes for the restaurants. By doing this you get a personalized experience of why the flavors were chosen, the best way to eat the dishes and how to pair them with the correct sides. Every dish was so well thought out, there wasn’t a single dish that wasn’t full of flavor and rich in culture. Highly recommend experiencing this restaurant with its incredible flavours.

Staying a night in Geelong, decided to try the famous Igni. Located in an alleyway but not difficult to find unlike some places in Melbourne, you know immediately which is the restaurant where your surprise menu awaits. Staff were really friendly and inviting. We started with some cocktails - the standout would have been the Chilled Red. Snacks at the start were good and interesting. The crumpet was yum but the edible flowers were slightly bitter (perhaps this was intentional). We thought the beetroot could have had more of a roasted beetroot taste perhaps? The blue eye was fresh but the dish itself lacked some taste (or so we felt). We thoroughly enjoyed the duck (even though we usually aren't fans of duck) and the extra fennel/calamari dish was great. Wasn't quite the fan of the cheese course but appreciated the complexity and artisan value it provided (looks like cauliflower from afar). In terms of drinks - the non alcoholic pairing was good and good value. Didn't think the alcoholic pairing was all too special (it was all wines, expected maybe a beer or some fermented beverage somewhere). Overall, I'd def recommend this place as a must try for fine dining outside of Melbourne, but maybe next time we'll stick to the cocktails and not the alcoholic pairing.

Can’t believe we waited so long to come here, one of the best meals we have had, and we have eaten in over 5 different countries. We got the feed me and it was a delight, everything was delicious and we were not disappointed. Would return in a heartbeat. Sat at the kitchen bar table and was a great experience. Thanks Songbird!

Small restaurant hidden in the alleylane. Waiters were very friendly. Unfortunately the meal did not meet our expectations. For a fine dining experience, we expect near perfection with each course as the sizes of each course were so petite. The snacks served were fairly average, we did enjoy the crispy chicken skin with the roe sauce. The oustanding course would have been the spanner crab crumpet. The duck was chewy and needed to be rendered more as we could still taste the fat and the skin was not crispy. The cauliflower puree was delicious however the amount in the bowl was so small that you could barely scoop any out of the bowel. I would recommend increasing the sizes of your dishes as they are quite small as most people will leave feeling hungry. The time each course is served needs to be sped up. It is not acceptable to wait 20-30min between courses. After reading the reviews of other customers I am also left unsatisfied with the food and price point as there are definitely many fine dining restaurants in Melbourne which would have delivered at this price point. We left feeling disappointed and not completely full.

Songbird in Geelong stands out as a gem for those craving authentic Northern Thai barbecue. From the moment you step in, it’s clear that the restaurant is committed to staying true to its roots, without any pretense. The menu showcases a range of traditional dishes, expertly prepared with bold flavours and fresh ingredients. Each dish I’ve had reflects the rich culinary heritage of Northern Thailand, allowing the smoky aroma of the grilled meats and the vibrant, herbaceous notes of the sauces speak for themselves. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with a hint of the smoke and smells of a evening walk down the streets of Chiang Mai-enhancing the overall experience of enjoying a meal that feels both authentic and personal. If you come here expecting dishes to be elevated beyond street food using techniques borrowed from several other cuisines and petite servings over a long dinner, then you are in the wrong place. In a dining landscape often filled with fusion twists, Songbird proudly embraces its identity, making it worth a visit for anyone looking to savor true Northern Thai barbecue. Come hungry, the servings are generous.

Edited Our IGNI date night was back in 2019 now we had it booked for ages but is still vivid in my mind and I just added some photos I found on my phone. From the moment we entered the restaurant it felt comfortable. It was a friendly and cool vibe, we sat at the bar and it was comfy. The staff made us feel so special. Every course came with a story, where it was sourced and how it was cooked. We only went the 5 course but even John who is a big eater was satisfied. We experienced some new tastes and love every minute. I liked it that much took My daughter who is a chef for lunch the next day we sat at the kitchen which was a whole new experience. All the staff made sure it was a new menu for us so I didn’t have any of the same foods again. The night and lunch were incredible a fabulous experience I still tell people about Loved it

Had really high expectations given the reviews but I found myself wanting more. Yes this is northern Thai food and yes this is street food, however the flavour just weren’t quite as punchy and the execution slightly lacking. The ribs tasted great. The som tum or green papaya salad lacked acidity and spice. I appreciate them using the traditional wooden pastel and mortar though. The beef short ribs weren’t particularly juicy and the roast chicken was really just a roast chicken to me. The pork belly didn’t taste as good as other place I’ve tried in Melbourne such as Roslyn Thai, nor did it taste like the one I had in Thailand. Unfortunately for value or taste, I can’t say it’s the best representation of thai food, perhaps in Geelong as there is not many other restaurants doing northern Thai food. The owner/manager seems to be very proud of the team and it is formidable, but every restaurant gets rated based on customer’s experience and often without a second chance, so it’s only fair that Songbird gets rated the same way.