Pattaya's food scene runs from street carts and market stalls to seafood restaurants and hotel dining rooms. The best meals are often the simplest: a plate of noodles from a busy stall, a papaya salad made to order, or grilled seafood eaten at a table overlooking the water.
This is not a list of the best restaurants. Places open and close, and a recommendation from last year may not be there now. It is a guide to what to eat, how to order it and how to find the kind of place you are looking for.
The short version
- Look for busy stalls with a short menu and food cooked to order.
- Learn a few words for spice levels and dietary needs before you order.
- Naklua is known for seafood; night markets are good for variety and low prices.
- Street food is usually safe when it is freshly cooked and busy, but use judgement.
- Thai food is often shared; ordering several dishes for the table is normal.
Dishes to start with
A first-timer's shortlist
| Dish | What it is | Good if you like |
|---|---|---|
| Som tam | Green papaya salad with lime, chilli, fish sauce and peanuts | Fresh, sour and spicy flavours |
| Pad thai | Stir-fried rice noodles with egg, tamarind, peanuts and bean sprouts | Sweet, savoury noodles |
| Tom yum | Hot and sour soup, often with prawns or chicken | Bold, aromatic broth |
| Green curry | Coconut curry with Thai basil and green chillies | Creamy curries with heat |
| Massaman curry | A milder, sweet-spicy curry with potato and peanuts | Gentle spice and richness |
| Khao pad | Thai fried rice with egg and your choice of meat | A safe, familiar meal |
| Boat noodles | Small bowls of dark, spiced noodle soup | Deep, savoury broth |
| Mango sticky rice | Sweet sticky rice with coconut cream and fresh mango | Dessert |
Menus vary by region and by cook. Ask what is in a dish if you have allergies or dietary restrictions.
Where to eat in Pattaya
Night markets are the easiest way to try several things in one go. You can walk around, see what is being cooked and order small portions. Pattaya has markets in several parts of the city, and the food is usually cheaper than a restaurant meal.
Naklua is the area to head for seafood. The restaurants along the waterfront are busy with Thai families at weekends, and many have tanks or displays where you choose the fish. Ask the price before ordering, especially for seafood sold by weight.
Jomtien Beach Road has a long strip of restaurants, from Thai kitchens to casual international places. Central Pattaya has the widest range, including street carts, food courts in shopping centres and hotel restaurants. If you are staying in a resort outside the centre, the hotel restaurant is convenient but usually more expensive than eating locally.
Naklua · Luxury, Beachfront
Cape Dara Resort Pattaya
A beachfront resort in Naklua, close to the seafood restaurants along the waterfront. It suits a trip where dinner is part of the reason for choosing the area.
Rates confirmed on request.
Naklua · Budget
Garden Paradise Hotel
A small budget hotel and serviced-apartment building in Naklua with a swimming pool. It is a lower-cost base for exploring the area's seafood restaurants, though it is not a waterfront resort.
Rates confirmed on request.
How to order
Spice is the thing most visitors underestimate. Thai chilli is hot, and "not spicy" means different things to different cooks. Useful phrases are "mai phet" (not spicy), "phet nit noi" (a little spicy) and "phet mak" (very spicy). Even when you ask for mild, taste before adding more chilli from the condiment tray.
- "Ao som tam mai sai nam pla" — papaya salad without fish sauce, if you are vegetarian or vegan. Ask about shrimp paste too.
- "Mai sai nuea" — without meat. This does not guarantee a vegetarian dish; fish sauce and stock are common.
- "Phet nit noi" — a little spicy. "Mai phet" — not spicy.
- "Khao suay" — plain rice, useful if the curry is hotter than expected.
- "Check bin" — the bill, in a casual restaurant. "Kep tang" is also used.
A little etiquette
Thai meals are often shared. Dishes arrive in the middle of the table and everyone takes a little at a time, rather than each person ordering a main course. If you are with Thai friends, follow their lead. In a restaurant, it is normal to order several dishes for the table and a separate plate of rice.
The usual way to eat rice dishes is with a spoon in your right hand and a fork in your left to push food onto the spoon. Chopsticks are used for noodles. Do not leave chopsticks standing upright in a bowl of rice, and do not touch anyone's head. These are small things, but they are noticed.
Tipping is not compulsory. In restaurants, rounding up or leaving a small amount is common if you are happy with the service. At street stalls, pay the price on the menu.
Is street food safe?
Street food in Thailand is generally safe when it is busy and cooked in front of you. Choose stalls with a queue, food that is hot and freshly prepared, and clean utensils. Avoid dishes that have been sitting out in the heat, and be cautious with raw vegetables, cut fruit and ice if you have a sensitive stomach.
Tap water is not drinking water. Bottled water is widely available, and hotels usually provide it. If you are unsure about ice, ask for drinks without it.
Eating around a hotel stay
If you are staying in Jomtien or Wong Amat, the hotel restaurant may be the easiest option on the first night. After that, walk or take a short ride to a local restaurant or market. The difference in price is usually significant, and the food is often better.
If you want a hotel near the food you care about, tell us. We can point you towards Naklua for seafood, Jomtien for beach-road restaurants or Central Pattaya for choice, and quote hotels in the area. Request a personalised quote.
Need help choosing?
Need help finding a hotel in Pattaya?
Send us your dates, who is travelling and roughly what you want to spend. We will suggest hotels that fit, with the current rate and cancellation terms confirmed before you commit.
