Chon Buri is a coastal province on Thailand's Eastern Seaboard, best known for the resort city of Pattaya and its string of sun-drenched beaches along the Gulf of Thailand. The province blends vibrant beach tourism with industrial heritage, traditional fishing villages, and lush tropical landscapes just 80 km from Bangkok.
Chon Buri's culinary identity is dominated by ultra-fresh Gulf of Thailand seafood, from whole grilled fish and claypot crab to live dancing shrimp and giant tiger prawns. Pattaya's international tourist base has also produced an exceptional range of European, Japanese, Indian and Middle Eastern restaurants, while local markets in Na Kluea and Bang Saen serve the most authentic Central Thai dishes. The province is famous province-wide for tamarind candy, fermented shrimp paste (kapi), dried squid and fresh oysters from the Gulf.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Chon Buri.
Poo Pad Pong Karee
Stir-fried crab with yellow curry powder and egg — the defining Pattaya dish
Where to try: Moom Aroi or Somboon Seafood
Price: $14–22
Poo Ob (Claypot Crab)
Whole crab steamed in a clay pot with glass noodles and broth — a local classic
Where to try: Somsak Pu Ob, South Pattaya
Price: $8–12
Goong Ten (Dancing Shrimp)
Live tiny shrimp served in spicy lime dressing — unique to Si Racha area
Where to try: Si Racha waterfront restaurants
Price: $6–10
Khao Soi
Northern-style coconut curry noodle soup with crispy noodles on top
Where to try: Thong Dee Restaurant
Price: $3–5
Grilled Squid (Pla Muk Yang)
Whole fresh squid grilled over charcoal with sweet chili sauce — perfect beach snack
Where to try: Night markets and beachfront stalls
Price: $2–5
Mango Sticky Rice (Khao Niao Mamuang)
Ripe mango over glutinous rice with coconut cream — quintessential Thai dessert
Where to try: Night Bazaar food court and markets
Price: $1.50–3
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Nang Nual Restaurant
One of Pattaya's most iconic seafood institutions, open since 1986, serving exceptional fresh catches in an open-air setting by the sea at South Pattaya. Beloved by locals and visitors for consistently excellent grilled fish, crab and shell dishes.
Known for: Iconic Pattaya seafood restaurant with 35+ years of history
214-10 Moo 10, Beach Road, South Pattaya, Chon Buri 20150
Moom Aroi
A beloved seafood restaurant on the North Pattaya seafront near Na Kluea market, celebrated for outstanding fresh crab curry and whole grilled fish at reasonable prices. A favorite with Thai visitors seeking authentic local-style seafood.
Known for: Famous for fresh crab curry and whole fish dishes
Naklua Soi 16, Na Kluea, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri 20150
Mantra Restaurant & Bar
Pattaya's most ambitious fine-dining venue, housed in a dramatic open-air space on the Amari Hotel beachfront, divided into nine food stations covering Indian tandoor, Japanese sushi, Italian pasta, Chinese dim sum and more under one theatrical roof.
Known for: Nine world cuisine stations in one dramatic open-air venue
240 Pattaya Beach Road (Amari Hotel), Chon Buri 20150
Glass House Restaurant
An upscale open-air restaurant perched over the sea at Jomtien Beach, renowned for romantic sunset dining, fresh seafood platters and Thai contemporary dishes with stunning Gulf views.
Known for: Sunset seafood dining over the sea
279 Moo 4, Jomtien Beach Road, Chon Buri 20250
Rim Talay Restaurant
A lively open-air restaurant on stilts over the water at Jomtien, popular for generous portions of grilled seafood, somtam (papaya salad) and iced seafood trays at local-friendly prices.
Known for: Seafood dining on stilts over the water
Jomtien Beach Road, Soi 5, Chon Buri 20260
Bruno's Restaurant & Wine Bar
A longstanding Pattaya institution run by Swiss owner Bruno, serving refined European cuisine with an extensive wine cellar. Known for consistent quality, a cozy atmosphere and outstanding fondue and raclette dishes.
Known for: Swiss fine dining with outstanding wine list
306/63 Chateau Dale, Thappraya Road, Chon Buri 20150
Somsak Pu Ob (Crab Claypot)
A legendary no-frills local eatery in South Pattaya serving claypot crab cooked in broth with glass noodles — a dish locals have been queuing for decades. Rough-and-ready setting but extraordinary flavor.
Known for: Famous for claypot crab — a Pattaya classic since the 1970s
Soi Post Office, South Pattaya Road, Chon Buri 20150
Lan Pho Na Kluea Seafood Market
A sprawling open-air seafood market-restaurant at Na Kluea where you choose your fresh catch from market stalls, then have it cooked to order at adjacent cooking stalls. Ultra-fresh, ultra-local and very affordable.
Known for: Choose your seafood fresh from the market then have it cooked
Lan Pho Park, Na Kluea Road, Na Kluea, Chon Buri 20150
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Thai
Nang Nual Restaurant
Moom Aroi
Glass House Restaurant
Rim Talay Restaurant
Somsak Pu Ob (Crab Claypot)
Lan Pho Na Kluea Seafood Market
Jomtien Boathouse
Pattaya Beer Garden
MK Gold Suki Pattaya
Siam Kitchen
Pattaya Night Bazaar Food Court
Dee Dee Restaurant
Si Racha Goong Ten (Dancing Shrimp)
Ruen Thai Restaurant
Oasis Bar & Restaurant
Somboon Seafood Pattaya
Cha Cha Moon
True Coffee Pattaya
Thong Dee Pattaya
Pattaya Seafood BBQ Night Market
TupTim Thai Restaurant (Bang Saen)
Cabbages & Condoms Pattaya
French
Café des Amis
La Baguette
European
Bruno's Restaurant & Wine Bar
Fast Food
McDonald's Central Pattaya
Fusion
Mantra Restaurant & Bar
Greek
Zante Taverna
Indian
Ali Baba Indian & Middle Eastern
Indonesian
Mata Hari Restaurant
International
Horizon Rooftop Restaurant
International Bbq
After Beach Bar & Grill
International Grill
The Grill House
Japanese
Yamaha Restaurant
Seafood
Lobster Pot Restaurant
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Moo Ping (Grilled Pork Skewers)
Marinated pork on bamboo skewers grilled over charcoal, served with sticky rice
Find it at: Morning market stalls throughout Pattaya
Roti Banana
Flaky flatbread with banana filling cooked on hot griddle, drizzled with condensed milk
Find it at: Walking Street and night markets
Pad Thai cart
Fresh-made pad thai noodles cooked to order on portable wok stalls
Find it at: Pattaya 2nd Road evening stalls
Kanom Krok (Coconut Rice Cakes)
Half-sphere coconut rice pancakes in cast iron pans — sweet, crispy outside, soft inside
Find it at: Thepprasit Night Market
Fresh Fruit with Salt Chili
Sliced green mango, guava and jicama served with salt-sugar-chili powder dip
Find it at: Beach road vendors throughout Pattaya
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Thepprasit Night Market
Pattaya's largest night market with 200+ food stalls — the best street food in the city
Hours: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM Fri–Sun
Lan Pho Na Kluea Market
North Pattaya's premier seafood market-restaurant where you select live seafood for cooking
Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily
Jomtien Complex Night Market
Smaller night market near Jomtien Beach with good local food stalls and a quieter crowd
Hours: 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM daily
Nong Mon Market (Chon Buri City)
A massive weekend market in Chon Buri city selling preserved seafood, regional snacks and produce
Hours: Sat–Sun 5:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Point at seafood at market stalls to select your own catch, then choose your cooking method
Always ask for 'mai phet' (not spicy) if you can't handle heat — Thai chili is very strong
Lunch at Na Kluea market is excellent value — same quality as tourist restaurants at half the price
7-Eleven convenience stores sell cheap Thai ready meals, sandwiches and fresh coffee
Restaurant A/C can be extreme — bring a light layer for air-conditioned restaurants
- Vegetarian
- Vegetarian Thai food available but less common than in Bangkok; look for 'jeh' (vegan Buddhist) restaurants, especially near temples. Most markets will have vegetarian options on request.
- Halal
- Several halal Thai and Middle Eastern restaurants along Pattaya 2nd Road and near the mosque on Soi Khao Noi. Ali Baba is fully halal certified.
- Gluten free
- Thai cuisine is mostly naturally gluten-free (rice-based); however soy sauce contains gluten. Specify 'not soy sauce' when ordering. Most seafood dishes are naturally GF.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $3–8 per meal | Street food stalls, night markets and food courts — pad thai, rice dishes, fresh grilled seafood |
| Mid-range | $12–25 per meal | Sit-down restaurants including seafood meals with beer |
| Upscale | $50+ per meal | Fine dining at Mantra, Horizon Rooftop, Glass House or Lobster Pot |