What to eat and drink in Thailand

Fresh, fragrant, and flavourful – exploring Thai cuisine is a must for any serious foodie. If you’ve ever wondered what is Thai food, it’s a vibrant balance of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet. From creamy satay skewers and warming tom yum soup to bold panang curry and refreshing papaya salad, there are endless Thai dishes to try. To learn about famous Thai dishes or find the best ones with real flavours, nothing beats tasting them in Thailand.

Thailand’s Food Culture

One of the first things travellers ask is: is Thai food healthy? The answer is yes – many dishes feature fresh herbs, vegetables, lean proteins, and rice or noodles. Another common question is: is Thai food spicy? Many dishes are spicy, but there are also many mild options. You can often adjust the spice levels to match your taste.

Head to one of Thailand’s buzzing night markets for fresh fruit, exotic vegetables, spice blends, and endless stalls serving local specialities. Watch pad thai tossed in a sizzling wok, or hear the crunch as crispy chicken hits the pan. From northern temple towns to Bangkok’s neon-lit streets, Thailand is a paradise for food-lovers.

Famous Thai Dishes to Try

Panang Curry

A rich red curry, panang, strikes the perfect balance between creaminess and heat. Best enjoyed on the beaches of Phuket, this dish is one of the best Thai dishes to sample during your trip. 

Massaman Curry

This southern speciality, influenced by Malaysian flavours, is milder but deeply aromatic. This dish is made with coconut milk, cardamom, coriander, and star anise. It is comfort food at its best and goes well with plenty of rice.

Pad Thai

Perhaps the most famous Thai dish of all, people around the world love pad thai. Stir-fried rice noodles with shrimp, chicken, or tofu are topped with egg, lime, and crushed peanuts. This dish is a street food favourite found all over Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Som Tam (Papaya Salad)

Light, zesty, and sometimes fiery, Som Tam combines shredded papaya, lime, chilli, and peanuts. A refreshing favourite often paired with rice or Thai side dishes like grilled chicken.

Mango Sticky Rice

No food journey in Thailand is complete without this iconic dessert. Sweet sticky rice paired with juicy mango and coconut milk is one of the most famous Thai dishes you’ll find across the country.

 Thai Iced Coffee

Rich, sweet, and spiced, Thai iced coffee is a pick-me-up loved by locals. Made with strong coffee and condensed milk, it’s perfect for cooling down in the tropical heat.

Thailand street food

The best way to understand what Thai food is truly about is through its street food. As dusk falls, Thailand’s streets transform into open-air kitchens. Pull up a stool and try recipes handed down for generations.

• Bangkok – Raan Jay Fai, the Michelin-starred queen of street food, serves an unmissable crab omelette.

• Chiang Mai –Sample Thai dishes with Islamic influences at Khao Soi Islam.

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• Phuket – Grab barbecued skewers of seafood or meat from night market stalls.

• Koh Samui –

  After a beach day, try fresh spring rolls or chilli-fried catch of the day.

Thai Food Prices

Wondering how much food costs in Thailand? At street stalls, dishes often cost under 100 baht (about £2.50). For a nicer dining experience, be ready to spend more at resort restaurants. They are great for romantic nights or family celebrations.

The best restaurants in Thailand

Thailand’s fabulous restaurant scene is more than a match for the flavours showcased on the nation’s streets. Watch a sunset, discover your new favourite drink and relax in a welcoming atmosphere with your family and loved ones. Some of our favourite restaurants in Thailand include:

• SEEN Restaurant & Bar Bangkok – Located in the Thonburi district, watch the sun set over the Chao Phraya River from this atmospheric rooftop spot. Try the red tuna tartare and toast the evening with a cocktail from one of the award-winning mixologists.
• The Grotto, Rayavadee – Enjoy an open-air barbecue in a unique setting. The Grotto sits within an ancient limestone cliff, overlooking Krabi’s spectacular Phranang Beach.
• Mix Restaurant – for a trendy take on Thai cuisine, head to Mix in Chiang Mai. Colourful red curry crab cornets make for a moreish (and photo-worthy) choice. Boutique Akyra Manor Hotel Chiang Mai is located just minutes away.

The best resorts in Thailand for foodies

There are plenty of fantastic resorts in Thailand, whether you’re planning an action-packed city break among the neon buzz of downtown Bangkok or escaping to the white sands of western Krabi. Here are our picks of where to stay – and eat well – on your south-east Asian adventure.

• The Sarojin – Feast on flavours from across Thailand at this luxury boutique beach resort in Khoa Lak. Be sure to try one of the private dining options, from candlelit dinners beside a waterfall to beach barbeques under the stars.
• Soneva Kiri – Dine among the treetops in your private bamboo-constructed pod, surrounded by birdsong and jungle flowers. Meals are delivered by a ziplining waiter – as daring as it is delicious.  
• Banyan Tree Bangkok – Nestled on the edge of Lumphini Park, you’ll find the contemporary Saffron on the 52nd floor of this five-star hotel. Tuck into tasty banana blossom salad and seared salmon while you gaze across the city’s skyline.

Apps for finding a place to eat

Bangkok is packed with great places to eat, from street corner noodle shops to high-end rooftop restaurants delivering fine-dining alongside a skyline backdrop. To make the most of this cosmopolitan dining scene, we recommend turning to your smartphone.

• Eatigo – this app helps hungry diners find empty tables and offers time-based discounts, sometimes up to 50%.
• Goloco – reserve restaurants and find classy cocktail bars with this handy app. You’ll also find regular discounts and deals from dining spots throughout the capital.

Cooking classes in Thailand

Book on to a cooking class in Thailand and take some new skills home with you. Many of our most popular resorts offer the chance to master your massaman and perfect your panang. You’ll be taught by the best in the business, learning tips and tricks you can try in your own kitchen. 

The secret to Thai cooking is a liberal use of herbs and spices. Galangal, lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves are firm fixtures in national dishes, and you’ll have a chance to gather these ingredients fresh on a morning market visit to kick off your class. Some of our favourite cooking courses are:

• Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort – Get up close to majestic elephants in the morning then whip up a crispy fish and mango salad or creamy coconut chicken soup in the afternoon, at the Spice Spoons restaurant.
• Manathai Khao Lak – Spend a slow-paced afternoon recreating regional and national classics, including deep fried fish cakes and fiery green curry, on this masterclass.  

Food in Thailand is best discovered by diving straight in. Take a look at our luxury holidays and begin planning your culinary adventure in the Land of Smiles.