Chiang Mai
Set into a rocky ravine near Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, this restaurant inhabits a magical spot overlooking a forest reservoir, with the city lights…
Must-see restaurants in Thailand
Northeastern Thailand
This no-frills local favourite has been dishing up chicken and rice, and other simple but tasty Thai staples, for more than 50 years. Specialities include…
Ko Samui
This local market in the heart of the Muslim village of Ban Hua Thanon offers a glimpse of real southern Thai cuisine. Follow the path round to a row of…
Ko Lipe
Of the seafood barbecues put on nightly by Hat Pattaya’s resorts, Daya's is recommended as one of the best. You pay by the weight of the fish you choose…
Phuket
Perched on the cliffs at the northern end of the beach, Pullman, Nai Thon's glitziest resort, offers sophisticated Thai-international food in a swish…
Chiang Mai
Western breakfasts done right, killer local coffee and a bit of attitude. Overstand is a longstanding favourite for Chiang Mai expats due to its high…
Nong Khai
Docked down below Mut Mee Garden Guesthouse, this floating restaurant specialises in Thai and Isan fish dishes, and though the prices are a bit high, the…
Hat Patong
This stylish, indoor-outdoor restaurant under a canopy of bamboo at the southern end of Patong beach is very popular. It has excellent gourmet pizzas,…
Nan
The emphasis at this shaded, fun, wood-framed restaurant is on meat, served in the local style as lâhp (a type of minced-meat ‘salad’) or néu·a·nêung …
Bangkok
Plant yourself in this blue-walled ancient eatery for a glimpse into what restaurants in Bangkok once used to be like. The menu, much like the interior…
Phuket Town
A great spot to splurge on fine Belgian-inspired food, with serious Australian rib-eye steaks, lamb chops, spare ribs and beef carpaccio as well as meaty…
Bangkok
Bunker's sumptuous menu, easy vibe, grungy low-ceiling interior, excellent cocktail list and swish service all make for a special evening. Tapas, sharing…
Phuket
This shady spot immediately southwest of Rawai's pier steams clams, mussels and fish, and grills squid, prawns and lobster to perfection. For something…
Cantina Wine Bar & Italian Kitchen
Northern Bangkok
The popularity boom of the Ari neighbourhood brought in must-visit restaurants, which are mostly Asian, but this casual pizza and pasta joint is changing…
Chiang Mai
North of the old city, this market specializes in ready-to-eat gàp kôw (pre-made food served with rice) meals, with a whole rear section jammed with…
Krabi Town
The same people who set up May & Mark's have branched out – with even more delicious pastries and homemade goodies. This place is renowned for its…
Phuket
This relaxed, French-run place decked out in marine blue has more atmosphere than its nearby competitors, as well as a more individual menu. The seafood –…
Ko Tao
This neat and slim establishment the size of a gyoza (Japanese dumpling) is often full, doing a brisk trade in nigiri, sashimi and maki, while maintaining…
Bangkok
Despite the fast-food overtones in the name and logo, this long-standing restaurant is classy and popular with visiting businesspeople. The emphasis is on…
Ko Samui
This zestfully refreshed restaurant with cool lounge and bar zone serves up tantalising Italian cuisine, with a strong selection of vegetarian dishes,…
Bangkok
These two adjacent hangar-like buildings tucked behind Soi 10 are the main lunchtime fuelling stations for the area’s office staff. Cheap choices range…
Phuket
There's no beach view, but local expats swear by this quiet, simple place with a handful of tables sprinkled across the patio of a family home. Mam's…
Bangkok
Somboon, a hectic old-school seafood hall with a solid reputation, is known for doing the best curry-powder crab in town. Soy-steamed sea bass (þlah grà…
Ko Pha-Ngan
Emerging from swaying palms, this mock-Tudor mirage, transported from the English countryside and dropped into the steamy jungle, is one black pudding…
Banglamphu
This classic Bangkok eatery serves tasty Thai-Muslim dishes such as roti, gaang mát·sà·màn ('Muslim curry'), biryani, tart fish curry and má·đà·bà (deep…
Imm Aim Vegetarian and Bike Cafe
Chiang Mai
This vegetarian place was originally opened as a sister restaurant to Pun Pun. Although it is now independent, the manager still sometimes buys vegetables…
Thanon Sukhumvit
Popular with Bangkok's expat African residents as well as the city's foodie brigade, this no-frills restaurant serves extremely commendable Ethiopian…
Hat Patong
This spectacularly positioned, smart Italian restaurant serves generous portions of deliciously creamy pasta, gourmet pizza and meat and seafood mains…
Hua Hin & the Upper Gulf
There are both budget and beautiful restaurants along the coastal road, but some of the best food in Pak Nam Pran is in the town at this tall restaurant…
Hua Hin
Located in the beachfront Seenspace mall, Der serves northeastern Isan food the way it should be: spicy and boldly flavoured. A modern set-up is given…
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai’s original 'cafe with a cause', Free Bird Cafe supports community art and language classes for refugees from Myanmar. The vegan restaurant is…
Chiang Mai
No, your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you, those really are blue noodles. Naturally coloured by dark-blue butterfly pea blossoms, and known as anchan in…
Siam Square, Pratunam, Phloen Chit & Ratchathewi
Resident foodies associate this cheerful French-style cafe with hearty brunches on weekends. Choose from light bites such as a pastrami sandwich or a goat…
Ko Lipe
Delightful Nee offers an affordable fish grill nightly, all the standard curries (including a dynamite beef pá·naang), noodles and stir-fries (beef,…
Hat Patong
At this expat fave you can gorge on excellent, flavour-packed sandwiches, no matter what time of day or night. Pick your bread (baguette, ciabatta,…
Phuket
Practically everything is wholesome and tasty at this sweet, whitewashed cafe coated in flower prints. Wholemeal pancakes are topped with mango or kiwi…
Mae Sot
Unpretentious and friendly, Bai Fern is also surprisingly good. The Western food – breakfasts, steaks, pasta and pizza – is especially reliable, but this…
Thanon Sukhumvit
This cosy family-run Thai restaurant dabbles in a bit of everything, from ox-tongue stew to rice fried with shrimp paste. But the real reason to come is…
Ko Lanta
This super-relaxed place features beanbags, hammocks and low-lying tables spilling out onto a terrace. The global, want-to-eat-it-all menu employs quality…
Hat Patong
At the north end of town, busy, semi-open-air roadside Kaab Gluay is a hit for its authentic, affordable Thai food, with switched-on staff to match the…
