Thai restaurants in Asia
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Chote Chitr
This third-generation shophouse restaurant boasting just six tables is a Bangkok foodie landmark. The kitchen can be inconsistent and the service consistently grumpy, but when they’re on, dishes like mèe gròrp (crispy fried noodles) and yam tòoa ploo (wing-bean salad) are in a class of their own.
reviewed
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Paradise Behind the Sea Restaurant
If you're cruising the east coast for scenery, stop in for a view and a meal at this cliffside restaurant. Vietnamese and Thai dishes crowd the tables and cool breezes provide refreshment. In Thai, this is called 'Lang Talay'.
reviewed
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B
Nanork Seafood
A charming stone and timber seafood restaurant with a daily mixed-grill selection and blooming flowers on tables nestled in the sand.
reviewed
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C
Rub Aroon Cafe
This traveller-friendly cafe is a pleasant escape from sightseeing in Ko Ratanakosin. The restored shopfront opens directly out to the street with cosy seating and patient service. The dishes are basic and satisfying, served alongside fruit drinks and coffees for sipping away tropical fatigue.
reviewed
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D
Krua Thai Restaurant
North of Sam’s Bar, this is another good open-air Thai place. The food is reasonably authentic (ie spicy), with good curries, tom yam soup and papaya salad, although some dishes taste more Chinese than Thai.
reviewed
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E
Mythai Jim Thompson
As you’d expect for a Jim Thompson operation, the decor here is lovely, with silk cushions and other decorative items that can be purchased at the store on the gallery’s 3rd floor. The food is equally fab and includes dishes that you’d rarely find outside Thailand.
reviewed
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F
Linda Sathaporn Restaurant
Linda Sathaporn’s three (yes, three) plastic folders filled with pictures of their varied tasty Thai dishes make it worth the trip. It’s very popular with Thais, and with smart service and large portions it’s easy to see why. Seating is inside or in the more pleasant shaded courtyard out back.
reviewed
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G
Palaad Tawanron
Set into a rocky ravine next to a waterfall (in wet season) near Doi Suthep, this is a spectacularly sited restaurant. The Thai menu is extensive and includes plenty of seafood such as serpent-head fish, freshwater prawns, and sea bass. There's an extensive outdoor seating area overlooking a small reservoir and the city of Chiang Mai beyond. It's a magical spot in the evenings and much cooler than in the city. Follow the signs at the end of Th Suthep.
reviewed
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H
Aroon Rai
The Aroon Rai is a basic, Thai-style, open-air eatery proclaiming to have the best curries in town. It certainly does have variety: soup, noodle and rice dishes along with the curries, even frog dishes, appear on the menu. It's very popular with Thais and budget travellers, and is an excellent cheapie; peruse the northern Thai sausage and pots of curry on the way in to warm-up your appetite.
reviewed
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Vientiane Kitchen
Night after night, this open-air barn is alive with Isan (northeastern Thailand) music, dancing and the chatter of families sitting at low tables. But the vibe comes second to the authentic Isan specialities, like frog lâap (minced frog salad), kài yâang (grilled marinated chicken) and the ubiquitous sticky rice. Be sure to tip the band on your way out.
reviewed
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Krua ‘Aroy-Aroy’
Krua ‘Aroy-Aroy’ (Delicious Kitchen) is the kind of family-run Thai restaurant where nobody seems to mind a cat slumbering on the cash register. Stop by for some of the richest curries around, as well as the interesting daily specials including, on Thursdays, kôw klúk gà·Ъì, rice cooked in shrimp paste and served with sweet pork, shredded green mango and other toppings.
reviewed
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K
Suan Lum Night Bazaar
Find a seat (as far from the stage as possible if you value your eardrums), order a draught hefeweizen and a dish of deep-fried soft-shell crabs, and settle down for an evening of typically tasty Thai entertainment. Although the live music performances might not be to everybody’s taste, the combo of decent eats and copious beer tends to tip the scales. There has long been talk that Suan Lum is slotted for the wrecking ball, but until the bulldozers arrive, we remain sceptical.
reviewed
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L
Asia Ocha
In business since the mid-1940s, this place serves filtered coffee to an all-Thai clientele who sit at vintage marble tables in this antiquated building. Don't miss the food either – the roast duck is delectable.
reviewed
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Bailan Bay Resort Restaurant
Our taxi driver recommended this hilltop restaurant south of Lonely Beach that serves spicy sôm·đam with a view.
reviewed
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Ban Amphur
This fishing village 15km south of Pattaya is a dinner destination for Thais. A half-dozen seafood restaurants line the beach road and some are so large the waiters use walkie-talkies. Pick one that doesn't seem lonely or overwhelmed and order all the seafood specialities. You'll have to hire transport to get here.
reviewed
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M
Ban-Jerd-Loei
Mekong fish (try the 'black pepper fried river fish') is the speciality of this riverside place hiding behind a barber shop, but its other Thai dishes are good too.
reviewed
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N
Ban Ploy Samed
Better than having to haul in your meal, you are hauled to this floating restaurant by a boat-and-pulley system. Fresh seafood dishes, especially the whole steamed fish variety, await.
reviewed
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O
Blue Rice
Along with standard Thai dishes, chef Apple has created some ingenious culinary twists, such as the eponymous rice and the wonderful yam sôm oh.
reviewed
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Boat
Popular with Thais for its comfy seating and cheap food – the real puller is the local people-watching. It's about 300m northwest of Th Khlorng Chonprathan on the left hand side of Huay Kaew as you head towards Doi Suthep from the city.
reviewed
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P
Chai Dun
The crowds are exhibit A for how tasty (and cheap) this all-you-can-eat buffet is.
reviewed
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Q
Charlie & Lek Health Restaurant
This popular place does central Thai-style fare for foreigners: lots of veggie options and light on the flavours.
reviewed
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Chula
It has all the charm of an airport hangar, but the food at this local favourite is solid. Pick-and-choose from prepared dishes, or do the same with the raw ingredients displayed out front, which will be fried before your eyes.
reviewed
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Cookies Salad
Worth tracking down if you're staying on the west coast, this casual restaurant, perched atop a cliff on the south side of Hat Salad, offers a stunning assortment of Thai treats (don't miss the Penang curry) and unique smoothies (including a rich nutella swirl). Sadly cookie salads are not on offer.
reviewed
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Day Market
This market is even more Thai than the night market. Among the tropical-fruit stands are simmering curry pots, and banquet trays of steaming noodles with fried squid, sautéed beef, devilled eggs, fried fish and boiled corn. Eat daring. Though called the day market, it's open most nights too.
reviewed
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T
Dee Dee Pohchanah
How good is Dee Dee? Just look at the crowds – but don't be put off by them. Despite having a full house every night, this simple place is a well-oiled machine and you won't be waiting long. Open until 2am.
reviewed