Food · Pattaya · Thailand
What to eat in Pattaya
The dishes, drinks and food experiences that define Pattaya, and where locals actually eat them.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Sergey S. Dukachev, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Start with Steamed sea bass with lime, Grilled river prawns and crab and Tom yum goong. Buy fresh seafood at the Lan Pho Naklua market and have it cooked on the spot, or eat at the seafood restaurants on the Naklua waterfront. At seafood restaurants, prices are often by weight; confirm the price per 100 g or kilo before ordering.
Key facts
- Signature dish
- Steamed sea bass with lime
- Vegetarian-friendly picks
- 2
- Tipping
- Tipping is not obligatory.
- Food experiences
- 4
10 foods to try
Dish
1.Steamed sea bass with lime (Pla kapong neung manao)
A whole sea bass steamed in a sharp broth of lime juice, garlic, chilli and fish sauce, served bubbling over a burner at the table.
Where: Seafood restaurants in Naklua, Jomtien and along the bay.
Dish
2.Grilled river prawns and crab
Large prawns, crab and squid chosen from ice displays and grilled or stir-fried with garlic, pepper or curry powder.
Where: Seafood restaurants on Walking Street and in Naklua, and the Lan Pho Naklua market.
Dish
3.Tom yum goong
Hot and sour prawn soup with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves and chilli, either clear or creamy (nam khon).
Where: Thai restaurants throughout the city.
Street food
4.Oyster or mussel omelette (Hoi tod)
Mussels or oysters fried in a crisp batter of egg and rice flour on a hot griddle and served with bean sprouts and chilli sauce.
Where: Night markets such as Thepprasit and Jomtien.
Dish
5.Moo kata
Thai barbecue-hotpot: meat and seafood grilled on a domed pan while vegetables and noodles cook in the broth around the rim; a social, all-you-can-eat favourite.
Where: Moo kata buffet restaurants in East Pattaya and along Thepprasit Road.
Dish
6.Som tam
Pounded green papaya salad with chilli, lime, fish sauce, tomatoes and peanuts; often eaten with grilled chicken and sticky rice.
Where: Street stalls and Isaan restaurants across the city.
Street food
7.Boat noodles (Kuay teow reua)
Small bowls of dark, rich noodle soup with beef or pork, served in small portions so diners stack up several bowls.
Where: Noodle shops in Central and East Pattaya.
Dessert · Vegetarian
8.Khao lam
Sticky rice with coconut milk and black beans, roasted inside bamboo tubes; the Chonburi version from Nong Mon market in Bang Saen is famous across Thailand.
Where: Nong Mon market in Bang Saen, north of Pattaya, and stalls at local markets.
Dessert · Vegetarian
9.Mango sticky rice (Khao niao mamuang)
Sweet sticky rice with coconut cream and fresh mango, at its best in the hot season from about March to May.
Where: Dessert stalls at night markets and Thai restaurants.
Street food
10.Pad thai
Stir-fried rice noodles with egg, tofu, bean sprouts, peanuts and prawns or chicken, cooked to order.
Where: Street stalls and night markets across the city.
Food experiences
Seafood in Naklua
Buy fresh seafood at the Lan Pho Naklua market and have it cooked on the spot, or eat at the seafood restaurants on the Naklua waterfront.
Weekend night market
Thepprasit Night Market on Friday to Sunday evenings has hundreds of food stalls serving grilled meats, seafood, noodles and desserts.
Moo kata buffet
Join locals for an evening of Thai barbecue-hotpot at a moo kata buffet, grilling meat and seafood at your table.
Rooftop dinner
Several hotels on Beach Road and Pratumnak have rooftop restaurants and bars with views over Pattaya Bay at sunset.
Quick bites and street food
- Oyster or mussel omelette — Night markets such as Thepprasit and Jomtien.
- Boat noodles — Noodle shops in Central and East Pattaya.
- Pad thai — Street stalls and night markets across the city.
Vegetarian options
Of the 10 foods in this guide, 2 are usually vegetarian: Khao lam and Mango sticky rice. Check preparation with staff, as stocks and fats vary.
Eating out: tips and etiquette
- At seafood restaurants, prices are often by weight; confirm the price per 100 g or kilo before ordering.
- Ask for 'mai phet' (not spicy) if you want milder food.
- Night markets and local restaurants are far cheaper than tourist restaurants on Beach Road.
- Alcohol sales can be restricted on major Buddhist holidays, so check before planning a night out.
- Drink bottled water; ice in restaurants is usually made from purified water.
Tipping
Tipping is not obligatory. Rounding up or leaving THB 20–100 in restaurants and tipping massage therapists and hotel staff is appreciated.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sawasdee krap / ka | Hello (said by men / women) |
| Khob khun krap / ka | Thank you |
| Mai phet | Not spicy |
| Tao rai? | How much? |
| Mai ao | I don't want it |
Questions travellers ask
+What food is Pattaya famous for?
Steamed sea bass with lime, Grilled river prawns and crab, Tom yum goong and Oyster or mussel omelette. A whole sea bass steamed in a sharp broth of lime juice, garlic, chilli and fish sauce, served bubbling over a burner at the table.
+Is Pattaya good for vegetarians?
Several local staples are meat-free, including Khao lam and Mango sticky rice.
+Do you tip in restaurants in Pattaya?
Tipping is not obligatory. Rounding up or leaving THB 20–100 in restaurants and tipping massage therapists and hotel staff is appreciated.