Pattaya, Thailand, is a sensory explosion of aromas and flavors, presenting a delightful challenge: deciding where to eat. With options ranging from budget-friendly street food to upscale international cuisine, planning your meals can be an adventure in itself. Here’s a guide to navigating Pattaya’s diverse culinary landscape.
Breakfast in Pattaya offers incredible value. A basic breakfast of bacon, eggs, toast, juice, and coffee can be found for around 50-80 baht. Hotel buffets, such as those at the Lek Hotel, Apex, and Diana Inn on Second Road (approximately 110 baht), provide a wider selection, though the quality can be hit or miss.
For a truly satisfying breakfast, The Sportsman on Soi 13 is a local favorite. Their full English breakfast, priced around 240 baht, is a hearty platter featuring bacon, sausage, eggs, toast, beans, bubble and squeak, and fried tomatoes – a meal guaranteed to keep you full for hours.
Lunchtime in Pattaya presents an overwhelming array of choices. Street vendors and fast-food outlets are ubiquitous, ensuring you’re never far from a quick bite. For a convenient and varied experience, head to the food court on the upper level of the Royal Garden Shopping Center. Purchase a pre-loaded card (200 baht is usually sufficient, with refunds available for unused credit) and explore the numerous stalls offering Thai specialties like soups, rice dishes, and noodles. Most meals range from 30-40 baht, with beverages and desserts also available.
For dinner, consider exploring the street food scene. A cluster of vendors operates on Soi Buakhao, just north of Soi LK Metro, offering delicious and affordable options. The northernmost vendor is particularly popular, serving boiled chicken, fried pork, and cooked red pork, all served with rice for just 25-30 baht. Bottled water is an additional 10 baht.
No matter the hour, Pattaya caters to your cravings. Mobile and stationary street vendors offer an astounding variety of dishes, including soups, barbecue, and rice and noodle creations. For the adventurous, sample Northern Thailand snacks such as grasshoppers, silkworms, ants, and beetles.
Eating is integral to Thai culture, and you may find yourself enjoying 4-6 small meals throughout the day. Be mindful of the spice level in Thai dishes, particularly the chili peppers. If you prefer familiar fare like pizza, burgers, and fries, you’ll find them readily available throughout the city.
Pattaya also boasts excellent steaks and European cuisine. Seafood lovers will rejoice at the availability of fresh lobster and crabs at prices significantly lower than in many Western countries. In Pattaya, hunger is simply not an option.