Pai
Burgers are a big deal in Pai and our arduous research has concluded that Maya does the best job. Everything is homemade, from the soft, slightly sweet…
Must-see restaurants in Thailand
Phetchaburi
Big and bustling from the late afternoon, head to this covered night market for all the standard Thai favourites plus Phetchaburi's famous kà·nŏm jeen…
Chumphon
Just a concrete floor, a corrugated roof and a chaotic kitchen turning out central and southern Thai dishes you know like đôm yam with free-range chicken…
Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat)
One of a number of funky little cafes on this stretch of Th Yommarat, Daya's is a friendly place that serves good strong coffee, but it's the delicious…
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai's best chicken emerges daily from the grills at this tiny cafe near Wat Phra Singh. The menu runs to salads and soups, but most people just…
Chiang Rai Province
East of the town centre, this is the most authentic Yunnanese restaurant in Mae Salong. Specialities include local mushrooms fried with soy sauce,…
Ko Chang & Eastern Seaboard
Free-range chicken, house-made ice cream, a reasonable wine list, excellent Thai dishes and an Italian touch – you can't go wrong here. Pan & David also…
Sukhothai
You haven’t been to Sukhothai if you haven’t tried the noodles at Jayhae, an extremely popular restaurant that serves Sukhothai-style noodles, pàt tai and…
Loei Province
This funky streetside cafe does great coffee and spectacularly good fresh-fruit smoothies, as well as homemade cookies and cakes and a couple of types of…
Udon Thani
The largest of Udon Thani's many night markets is also the one offering the most varied cuisine. There's a stage for live music as well. A few shops serve…
Phuket Town
Family-owned Kopitiam serves fabulous Phuket soul food in an atmospheric old shophouse: Phuketian pàt tai with a kick, chai chae (chilli-dressed noodle…
Bangkok
Located just behind Rajadamnern Stadium, this decades-old restaurant is where locals come for a northeastern-style meal before a Thai boxing match. The…
Chiang Mai
In the early morning, this market is Chiang Mai’s larder, selling foodstuffs and ready-made dishes. If you want to make merit to the monks, come early and…
Phuket
Peachy-pink and pineapple-yellow woodcarved doors frame a lantern-lit garden adorned with dreamcatchers at this boho-chic, Bali-inspired, multipurpose…
Kanchanaburi
This refined riverside eatery is ever so slightly upriver from the melee around the bridge, and has a pretty good view of it, especially from the raft…
Hat Kata
This delightful family-run place is the most popular foreign restaurant in Kata and for good reason. The food is simply splendid, ranging from big Western…
Phuket Town
A sister restaurant to well-established Raya, though the dishes here are cheaper, which is why Phuketians and visiting Thais crowd it out. There's superb…
Krabi Province
This cavernous, tin-roofed delight comes highly recommended for its seafood selection. There's no pretension here, just the freshest fish, crab, clams,…
Hat Kata
Dishes at this hidden-away eatery with a tiny terrace are more expensive than at Kata's other Thai restaurants, but they're delicious, MSG-free and…
Nakhon Si Thammarat Province
The buzz about this no frills, Muslim-run roti specialist will be apparent from the roadside, where tables and chairs overflowing with locals spill out…
Ko Samui
Pepenero remains as popular as ever, and it is easy to see why. This excellent and elegantly designed Italian restaurant has a beautiful garden dining…
Hat Kata
It's all very glam at the luxurious, beachside Boathouse, one of Phuket's most respected restaurants. The Thai/Mediterranean food (garlic-grilled tiger…
Ko Tao
Sociable chef Ed Jones allegedly caters for Thai royalty when they are in town, but you can sample his exquisite cuisine for mere pennies. Locally sourced…
Phuket
This chilled-out health-food kitchen plates up such organic, sugar-free vegan delights as tofu sandwiches, dried-fruits-and-quinoa salad, lentil soup and…
Ko Samui
This buzzing food market pitches up every evening in Na Thon pier's car park just as the sun begins turning the horizon a crimson red. Ideally located for…
Ko Phi-Phi
Swing by this local expat fave for homemade breakfast bagels topped with everything from smoked salmon to meatballs, or specials such as avocado-and-feta…
Phuket
For a break from Thai flavours, this low-key, orange-walled, Indian-owned restaurant with wooden tables by the roadside rustles up delicately spiced North…
Songkhla Province
Inside a restored historic building, this cafe-cum-restaurant serves a host of traditional Thai dishes from fried chicken wings with sticky rice to sôm…
Hat Patong
Deceptively simple, with wooden tables and photo-strewn walls, this is one of the best and busiest restaurants in Patong, thanks to its inventive and…
Hat Patong
Meat lovers crowd out an enormous, semi-open, multiroom space with swaying rattan lamps at the hugely popular Phuket outpost of this Bali-born, Australian…
Krabi Town
A classic travellers' meeting spot, May & Mark's is always busy. The homemade sourdough bread is popular and the coffee made from globally sourced freshly…
Ko Samui
With appetising Thai dishes, this beachside choice – home to Jaa's Cooking School (1500B per person) – is an excellent reason to escape to the southwest…
Ko Tao
This delightfully charming all-day cafe starts on the nonbeach side of the tiny walkway along Sairee Beach, crosses over and gently cascades down to the…
Trang
This highly recommended traditional night market will have you salivating over bubbling curries, fried chicken and fish, deep-fried tofu, pàt tai and an…
Chiang Rai Province
If you like authentic Chinese food this place is a lifesaver, not least because it stays open later than most Mae Sai eating spots. Dishes are vaguely…
Ko Pha-Ngan
Classic Bollywood hits play and wooden faces of Hindu gods Kali and Baghvan peer down at you inside this spacious venue decked out in Indian teak serving…
Mae Hong Son Province
This long-standing restaurant serves delicious and authentic Yunnanese-style Chinese dishes. There's a small English-language menu to choose from. Stewed…
Phang-Nga Province
Hidden off the main road, this wallet-friendly cafe with English-speaking staff serves healthy and delicious meals plus one of the best smoothies we've…
Fat Turtle Beach Bar & Restaurant
Ko Lanta
A refined beach bar and restaurant set on a wooden platform overlooking rocks towards the southern end of Long Beach, this is the perfect spot for a…
Ko Phi-Phi
The artfully presented gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options at this trendy cafe will have you salivating. Acai, spirulina, chlorella and turmeric are…
