4 Culinary Destinations to Prioritise in Thailand

Thailand is famous for its stunning beaches, majestic temples and vibrant open-air markets. Its cuisine is also a major drawcard, adding to the country’s rich cultural appeal. Beyond the classic Pad Thai, there’s an incredible variety of dishes, with each region offering its own specialities shaped by history, climate and local ingredients.

In this article, we showcase four must-visit destinations for food lovers during your trip to Thailand. Whether you’re into street food or keen to try more traditional dishes, this guide has you covered!

 

Key Takeaways:

• Bangkok blends lively markets like Yaowarat and Ratchada Rot Fai with Michelin-starred restaurants such as Sorn and 80/20. You can also take cooking classes or enjoy innovative vegetarian and vegan options.
• Koh Samui is known for dishes based on seafood, coconut milk and fresh herbs, such as Yam Talay and Pla Tod Kamin. Its night markets and beachfront restaurants offer an authentic food experience, also catering well to vegetarian and vegan diets.
• In Hat Yai, you’ll find unique dishes like Khao Mok Gai and the famous Hat Yai fried chicken, often halal. The city is packed with diverse street food and markets like the Greenway Night Market.
• Recognised by UNESCO, Phuket offers a bold and diverse cuisine influenced by Thai, Chinese and Malaysian flavours. From lively markets to Michelin-listed restaurants and its annual vegetarian festival, there’s something for everyone.
• Each destination offers restaurants suited to meat-free diets, with creative and reimagined dishes. Whether in Bangkok, Koh Samui, Hat Yai or Phuket, you’ll easily find delicious vegan options.

 

Thailand’s capital is a must-visit destination to experience the full richness of the country’s cuisine. From buzzing street markets to Michelin-starred dining, there’s something for every taste, offering a great overview of Thai food as a whole.

Thailand is renowned for its street food scene, and Bangkok is no exception. Head to the following markets to sample a wide range of tasty and affordable dishes:

• Yaowarat Road: One of Bangkok’s main streets, packed with food stalls. You’ll find a wide range of dishes, especially Chinese cuisine—Peking duck, grilled seafood, crab fried rice and steamed bao.
• Sukhumvit Soi 38: A must for street food lovers. Try Pad Thai, mango sticky rice or pork skewers.
• Ratchada Rot Fai (Train Market): A lively night market known for its unique atmosphere and wide variety of street food. The original market is outside the city, but a more accessible version is now in the city centre.

Did you know? Bangkok has been ranked the world’s best street food city by CNN several times. In 2025, it was also named the second-best food city by Time Out, just behind New Orleans.

If you’re after high-end dining, Bangkok won’t disappoint, with plenty of Michelin-starred venues. Many also offer fusion cuisine blending Thai, Japanese and French influences.

Top spots include:

• Sorn: A must-visit for southern Thai cuisine, combining tradition with a modern twist in an intimate setting. Book well ahead!
• 80/20: A creative seasonal tasting menu focused on innovation and traditional techniques, with Lao influences.
• R-Hann: A refined dining experience inspired by Thai culture. Start with a cocktail before enjoying a multi-course menu full of surprises.

For a more authentic Thai experience, explore local food markets where you can shop for fresh produce, sample regional specialities or simply wander through the stalls:

• Or Tor Kor Market: High-quality fresh produce and artisanal snacks.
• Chatuchak Weekend Market: A must for sampling all kinds of sweet and savoury treats.
• Pak Khlong Talad: Known for its flower market as well as tropical fruits and Thai specialities.

Want to get hands-on and learn how to cook Thai dishes? Join a cooking class! These immersive experiences often include a visit to a local market, followed by a cooking session and a shared meal.

Some even offer the chance to enjoy your meal on a barge along the Chao Phraya River.

Bangkok caters well to modern diets, with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Many traditional dishes are reimagined, such as tofu Pad Thai or vegetable curries.

Top spots include:

• Mercy Republic: one of the best vegan food spots in Bangkok, where you’ll find plenty of reimagined traditional dishes, like Thai vegan chicken curry or mushroom pad krapow.
• May Veggie Home Express: with its 100% vegan menu, May Veggie Home is a must-visit in Bangkok if you’re keen to enjoy Thai specialities. Although it’s a bit out of the way, it’s well worth the trip!
• Tonklar Facai: this vegetarian restaurant is known for its tasty food and dishes made using ingredients sourced from local farms. Every dish on the menu is the result of collaboration between chefs and nutritionists, creating meals that are both delicious and well-balanced.

Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui is known for its idyllic beaches and cuisine rich in seafood, coconut milk and aromatic herbs.

During your time in Koh Samui, you’ll have the chance to sample plenty of local specialities, which are generally milder than in other parts of Thailand.

Among the island’s most well-known dishes, you’ll find:

• Pla Tod Kamin: a whole fried fish flavoured with turmeric and garlic. Marinated for several hours, it’s usually made with Pla Daeng, a type of red fish commonly found in Thailand.
• Gaeng Som: also known as Kaeng Som or Asam Rebus, this spicy fish soup is typically served with vegetables and is especially popular across Southeast Asia. It stands out for its tangy flavour, thanks to tamarind pulp, while palm sugar is often added to mellow the curry.
• Yam Talay: this Thai seafood salad is a must-try while in Koh Samui. It’s usually made with prawns, squid and mussels, and comes with fresh herbs, chillies and a zesty dressing. The name combines “yum,” referring to a spicy Thai salad, and “talay,” meaning “sea” in Thai.
• As for desserts, popular options include grilled coconut, steamed banana cake, as well as coconut sorbets and ice creams.

• Chaweng Walking Street: this market near Chaweng Lake is a great spot to catch the sunset. While it’s very popular with tourists, it’s a must-do for a relaxed, affordable meal.
• Nathon Night Food Market: open only on Tuesday nights, this night market is smaller but perfect for sampling a wide range of Thai specialities—coconut pancakes, crispy crepes, mango sticky rice, and plenty more.
• Si Khao Night Market: for a more authentic experience, head to this night market with around sixty stalls. Alongside the food specialities, you’ll also find several clothing vendors.

You’ll find plenty of beachfront restaurants all around the island, where you can enjoy a wide range of seafood dishes, grilled fish, and cocktails.

Coco Tam’s in Fisherman’s Village is a top spot for catching the sunset while tucking into a delicious grilled fish.

For something a bit more special, go for Tree Tops Sky Dining & Bar. With its super romantic vibe, you’ll enjoy an amazing meal set high up in a 120-year-old tree in Chaweng.

If you’ve got a bit more to spend, Dining on the Rocks offers a tasting menu with stunning ocean views. Make sure to book well in advance if you’re planning to catch the sunset from the terrace at this award-winning restaurant.

And if you’re after something more low-key, head to My Friend Restaurant—a chain you’ll find all over Thailand—where you can grab a well-priced pad thai alongside the locals.

The vegetarian and vegan scene is booming in Koh Samui, and you’ll find plenty of spots catering to these alternative diets. Many restaurants now offer suitable options, such as:

• Smoothie bowls and detox juices;
• Vegetarian Thai dishes like tofu pad thai or meat-free coconut curries;
• Vegan twists on traditional dishes made with tempeh, tofu or seitan.

It’s also worth asking when you arrive whether a restaurant can adapt dishes to be vegetarian or vegan.

Good to know: “vegetarian” is said mangsawirat in Thai, while “vegan” is pronounced jay.

Several places are particularly well known for being vegetarian- and vegan-friendly:

• Greenlight Café & Bar offers a great selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes, including buddha bowls, vegan burgers and lentil curries.
• The Art Club showcases a fully vegan menu in Nathon, and also regularly hosts art exhibitions.
• Pure Vegan Heaven serves a completely vegan menu, with gluten-free options available. You can also find this restaurant in Chiang Mai, Phuket and Koh Phangan.

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Located in Songkhla province near the Malaysian border, Hat Yai is a must-visit destination for food lovers during your trip to Thailand. Influenced by Malaysian and Chinese cuisines, the food scene here is rich and diverse, with some dishes also shaped by the Muslim culture of southern Thailand.

Here are some must-try dishes during your time in Hat Yai:

• Khao Mok Gai: a turmeric-spiced chicken and rice dish, similar to biryani, served with a sweet and spicy sauce.
• Roti Mataba: don’t miss this stuffed roti bread, filled with vegetables, curry or meat, typical of the region and often served with cucumber chutney.
• Kanom Jeen Namya: fermented rice noodles served with a fish curry sauce or vegetables—definitely worth a try while in Hat Yai.
• Hat Yai fried chicken: marinated and deep-fried chicken topped with crispy shallots, usually served with sticky rice and a sweet, spicy sauce. Famous across Thailand, it’s a must-try.

Street food is everywhere in Hat Yai, and you’ll have no trouble finding something to eat at any time of day or night.

The Asean Night Bazaar is a huge covered market packed with clothing, souvenirs, and a massive food court. You can sample grilled seafood, skewers, curries, spicy salads, sweet roti, as well as vegan and halal dishes.

For a more authentic vibe, head to the Greenway Night Market, where you’ll find plenty of stalls serving traditional Thai and Malaysian dishes.

You’ll also come across street food spots all over Hat Yai, especially in front of shopping centres, near university areas, train stations, and along the main shopping streets in the city centre.

Beyond street food, Hat Yai offers a wide range of restaurants to suit every budget—from casual eateries to more upscale dining.

For breakfast, check out Chokdee Dim Sum, which serves over 50 varieties of dim sum in small steamer baskets. The atmosphere is friendly, the service excellent, and the food absolutely delicious—all at very reasonable prices.

For lunch, head to Chen Long Boat Noodles, a spot specialising in fragrant noodle soups.

While vegetarian and vegan cuisine isn’t as widespread, you’ll still find options in Hat Yai if you know where to look.

You’ll come across several vegetarian restaurants near Chinese temples and in Muslim neighbourhoods. These places often serve meat-free dishes in buffet style, usually at very affordable prices.

Some of the more popular vegetarian spots include:

• Madame Cat: a well-known place with a varied menu offering vegetarian versions of traditional Thai dishes.
• Num Heng: affordable prices and tasty vegetarian food, popular with both locals and tourists.
• Chingzin: a family-run spot offering a buffet of vegetarian dishes served with rice.

If you’re strictly vegan, options are more limited. However, Num Heng offers vegan sausages and fried corn fritters that are great grab-and-go options. They also sell canned vegan products, which can be handy if you’d like to put together your own meal without any animal products.

In any case, don’t hesitate to ask whether vegetarian or vegan options are available when you arrive—many places are happy to adapt their dishes to suit your needs.

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Phuket is an island famous for its paradisiacal beaches, but also for its strong culinary identity. In fact, it was designated a UNESCO “Creative City of Gastronomy” in 2015. The local cuisine reflects influences from China, Malaysia, India, and even Europe.

Phuket is known for its unique cuisine, often spicier than in other regions of Thailand. Some of the island’s iconic dishes include:

• Mee Hokkien: stir-fried yellow noodles with pork, prawns, squid, egg, and bean sprouts—a must-try when visiting Phuket.
• Loba: fried offal served with a sweet and spicy sauce.
• Moo Hong: pork braised in a sweet-and-savoury sauce made with garlic, pepper, and dark soy sauce.
• Gaeng Tai Pla: an intensely spicy curry made with fermented fish.
• Oh Aew: a dessert made from red bean jelly and agar-agar, flavoured with banana or syrup.

Phuket is full of night markets where you can sample local food in a lively, festive atmosphere without spending much.

In Phuket Old Town, check out the Phuket Sunday Night Market, a pedestrian street that transforms into a night market every Sunday evening. Whether you’re there to eat or just stroll, it’s worth a visit to soak up the island’s atmosphere.

The Chillva Market is another must-visit. Set up in shipping containers, it offers traditional dishes and attracts a younger crowd with live concerts and DJs in the evening.

Seafood lovers should head to the Banzaan Market, a covered market near Jungceylon. You can buy fresh seafood and have it cooked on-site at one of the nearby eateries—an authentic experience that’s also budget-friendly.

Several Phuket restaurants are listed in the Michelin Guide for a high-end culinary experience:

• Raya: a highly acclaimed spot for all of Phuket’s specialities, popular with both locals and tourists. Housed in a well-preserved Sino-Portuguese building, the atmosphere is part of its charm. Expect around 200–250 THB per dish.
• Blue Elephant: enjoy royal and southern Thai cuisine in this stunning restaurant, located in a colonial palace. The setting is exceptional, and you can even take cooking classes if you want a hands-on experience.
• Suay Restaurant: for a modern twist, this restaurant serves refined, delicious food, often accompanied by live music from a local band.

Phuket is particularly welcoming for vegetarian and vegan travellers. Most restaurants offer meat-free options, and there are many establishments specialising in vegan cuisine.

• Tu Kab Khao: a Michelin Guide restaurant in the heart of Old Town offering a variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes.
• The Vegan Table: a renowned spot highlighting vegan cuisine, located near Old Town.
• Santosa Vegan Restaurant: one of the best vegan restaurants in Phuket, with a varied and delicious menu.

Additionally, Phuket hosts a vegetarian festival every October, organised by the large Chinese community on the island. This celebration is a chance to try 100% vegetarian dishes and witness spectacular rituals. Street food stalls pop up across the city, making it a unique event for both alternative cuisine enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.

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