Hat Patong
Get fantastic Thai food in a homey, friendly setting with attentive staff. The larb gai (minced-chicken salad with chilli, mint and coriander) is…
Must-see restaurants in Thailand
Salween River Restaurant & Bar
Mae Hong Son
Salween is an old-school traveller’s hang-out, with a menu ranging from burgers to Burmese, beers and cocktails and a few shelves of paperbacks. But…
Ko Pha-Ngan
Sit in a long-tail boat looking out over the sunset and a rocky pier. Lit up at night, this is one of the island's nicest settings, and the food, from the…
Thanon Sukhumvit
On Sukhumvit Soi 38, brunch lovers will find a hidden gem straight out of Sydney. Flat whites, cold-pressed juices and eggs Benedict rule the menu, but…
Bangkok
Zanotti has a well-deserved reputation for Italian dishes. The dark wood and framed paintings of the gentlemen’s-club-like dining room set the scene,…
Ko Tao
Off the radar of the island’s tourist traffic, ‘Uncle Pae’ sits on a terrace in hilly jungle with views over the blue sea below. The speciality here is…
Ko Pha-Ngan
Travellers still rave about the pizza here – little wonder given the staff and the stone oven were reportedly brought over from Italy – and the al dente…
Phuket
The signs say ‘Broken English spoken here perfect’, but the ever-popular Mr Kobi speaks English very well. He handles the drinks, while Malee deals with…
Ko Phi-Phi
Here’s some real-deal Thai food – cheap, tasty and spicy – served in heaping portions. It has your basil and chilli, all the curries, sôm·đam and đôm yam…
Bangkok
This stylish white-tablecloth place does tasty versions of all of the Lebanese standards you could possibly imagine, plus quite a few dishes you’d never…
Northern Bangkok
Flashing a strategically placed copy of Larousse Gastronomique, and serving dishes ranging from sushi to wood-fired pizza, Salt is the epitome of the type…
Phuket
This is a popular Italian-run roadside cafe tucked away near Karon's temple. Homebaked cakes and pastries, cooked breakfasts, ciabatta and focaccia…
Kanchanaburi
The menu at this little roadside restaurant is split between Thai and Western food, from green curry to grilled Norwegian salmon to wood-fired pizza that…
Nan
In new digs by the bus station (there's no Roman-script sign), this veteran place is a hit with the locals. Don’t miss the gaì tôrt má·kwàan (chicken…
Ko Samet
Better than most of the beachfront restaurants on this popular beach, this is a romantic place for dinner, with tables almost lapped by the waves. Don't…
Thanon Sukhumvit
Strategically located at the intersection of the BTS and MRT – perfect for that rush-hour snack – this place serves top-notch pizzas, which are sold both…
Ko Pha-Ngan
Thong Sala’s terrific food market is a must for those looking for doses of culture while nibbling on low-priced street food. Wander the galaxy of stalls…
Phitsanulok
There are several Thai-Muslim cafes near the Pakistan Mosque on Th Phra Ong Dam, and this is the biggest and best of them. Thick roh·đee (crispy dough …
Phang-Nga Province
Seafood from around the world is the theme at Esenzi, the latest incarnation of the acclaimed restaurant at the exclusive Iniala Beach House. The menu…
Prachuap Khiri Khan
Popular with the locals, the pàt pŏng gà·rèe þoo (crab curry) comes with big chunks of sweet crab meat, and the yam tá-lair (seafood salad) is spicy and…
Ko Samui
Perched atop a rocky overlook, Dr Frogs combines beautiful ocean vistas with delicious seafood, Thai and Italian favourites. It's a romantic setting but…
Ko Pha-Ngan
Run by energetic Swiss artist Gil and his Thai wife Na, this relaxing spot before you hit the roundabout for Than Sadet is a lovely place to pitch up for…
Ko Tao
Everyone 'round here loves Bam Bam. The food is cheap, they'll deliver it to your hostel and when you eat it, it tastes like something a Thai grandma has…
Chiang Khong
Run by a guitar-playing hippy with a love of Mexican dishes, this chilled, long-standing spot offers burritos, enchiladas and tacos, as well as pasta and…
Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi
The English-language menu is limited at this old-school Thai eatery, but simply pointing to the delicious dishes being consumed around you is almost…
Chiang Mai
Products from the Queen's agricultural projects are whisked into delicious salads, soups, stews, stir-fries and other healthy Thai meals at this neat…
Pai
Kefir, kombucha, beet juice and wheatgrass are indicators of the vibe of this eclectic and popular cafe. But coffee, herbal teas, soft drinks and alcohol…
Northern Thailand
Popular with the locals for its pleasant, semi-open-air garden setting, come here for kôw soy (noodle soup with a curry broth), as well as kà·nŏm jeen …
Ko Pha-Ngan
The plant-based vegan menu at the Samma Karuna retreat is delicious, fresh and wonderfully aromatic. Banana gnocchi in eggplant, zucchini noodles or…
Chiang Mai
Hidden but found by expats looking for Western breakfast and coffee a cut above the rest, this place takes great care to serve perfectly cooked eggs,…
Sukhothai
Pretend you’re a local in the know and have a meal at this long-standing riverside restaurant. The speciality here is freshwater fish dishes, such as the…
Ko Tao
Tucked away down a quiet alley, away from the main drag, this is one of Sairee Village's best burger shacks. Beef or pork burgers are tasty and…
Ko Samui
This small gelateria is not cheap – it's 150B for one cup of ice cream or sorbet – but there's a tempting range of 25 flavours and it's a decent place to…
Ko Lipe
Every second restaurant on Lipe offers fresh seafood barbecue, but this is the one the locals patronise the most. The other dishes on the menu are also…
Pai
Chew Xin Jai stands out from Pai's ever-increasing number of vegan/veggie eating spots by virtue of its Chinese take on vegetarian cuisine, with Taiwanese…
Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat)
With both variety (Thai, Isan and more) and quality, many locals consider this Khorat's best night market. Most customers are here for takeaway, but there…
Chiang Rai
This shophouse restaurant next to the mosque on Th Itsaraphap dishes up tasty Thai-Muslim favourites, including a fine kôw mòk gài (the Thai version of…
Ko Pha-Ngan
We love the aromatic and fresh Indian chai at this laid-back, hip little cafe that also serves delicious vegetarian Thai dishes. Located along the busy…
Hat Khao Lak
Several seafood restaurants are located along this strip of road near the Khao Lak Merlin Hotel. As the sun sets, smoke starts to rise from the barbecues…
Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi
This branch of the internationally renowned cafeteria chain has familiar servings of eclairs, millefeuilles and sandwiches to go with a robust cup of…
