Food & Dining
From 40 THB street food to fine dining - your complete guide to eating in Pattaya
Pattaya Food at a Glance
Approximate prices and key dining facts
Must-Try Thai Dishes
Essential Thai dishes to try during your visit
Pad Thai
ผัดไทยStir-fried noodles with egg, bean sprouts, and peanuts
Tom Yum Goong
ต้มยำกุ้งSpicy-sour shrimp soup with lemongrass
Som Tam
ส้มตำGreen papaya salad with chili and lime
Khao Pad
ข้าวผัดFried rice with egg and choice of meat
Green Curry
แกงเขียวหวานCoconut curry with chicken and eggplant
Moo Ping
หมูปิ้งSweet grilled pork skewers with sticky rice
Pad Kra Pao
ผัดกะเพราBasil stir-fry with minced pork/chicken and fried egg
Massaman Curry
มัสมั่นRich curry with beef or chicken, potatoes, peanuts
Cuisine Types in Pattaya
Explore the diverse culinary scene from around the world
Best Dining Areas
Discover the best food spots by neighborhood
Daily Food Budgets
Estimated costs for 3 meals per day
Budget
- Eat at markets
- Avoid tourist zones
- Drink water
Mid-Range
- Mix street & restaurant
- Use promotions
- Mall food courts
Premium
- Book ahead
- Try omakase
- Rooftop bars
Street Food
30-80 THB
Local Restaurants
60-200 THB
Seafood
150-500 THB
International
200-600 THB
Fine Dining
500-2,000+ THB
Dining Options by Category
Street Food
Authentic Thai dishes from roadside vendors and food stalls
Popular Dishes
Best Locations
- • Soi Buakhao
- • Jomtien Night Market
- • Naklua Market
💡 Tips
Point at what looks good, try everything. Most hygienic spots have high turnover.
Markets & Night Markets
| Market | Type | Hours | Highlights | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naklua Fish Market | Seafood | Daily 6am-6pm | Freshest seafood, cook-to-order, authentic atmosphere | ฿฿ |
| Jomtien Night Market | Street Food | Daily 5pm-11pm | Variety of Thai dishes, grilled meats, sweets | ฿ |
| Thepprasit Night Market | Mixed | Fri-Sun 5pm-11pm | Largest market, food + shopping, live music | ฿ |
| Soi Buakhao Market | Street Food | Tue, Fri 3pm-10pm | Local favorites, cheap prices, central location | ฿ |
| Pattaya Floating Market | Tourist/Traditional | Daily 9am-8pm | Boat vendors, regional cuisines, cultural experience | ฿฿ |
Dietary Requirements
Vegetarian/Vegan
Say "Gin jay" (กินเจ) for Buddhist vegan or "Mai sai neua sat" (no meat).
Good options: Indian restaurants, "Jay" food stalls (yellow flags), health cafes in Central Pattaya.
Halal
Growing number of halal restaurants, especially in tourist areas.
Look for: Indian restaurants, Middle Eastern cuisine, halal-certified Thai restaurants.
Allergies
Peanuts and shellfish are common. Learn key phrases or carry a translation card.
"Mai sai thua" (no peanuts), "Mai sai kung/poo" (no shrimp/crab), "Phom pae..." (I'm allergic to...).
Gluten-Free
Rice-based dishes are naturally gluten-free. Watch for soy sauce.
Safe options: Rice dishes, most curries, grilled meats without marinades.
Price Guide
Food Safety Tips
- Choose busy stalls with high turnover
- Watch food being freshly cooked
- Start with milder dishes to adjust
- Drink bottled water only
- Ice in restaurants is usually safe
- Carry stomach medicine just in case
- Wash hands before eating
- Avoid pre-cut fruits from street