Phutawan Resort

The name of the restaurant encourages guests to ‘focus on eating’ at this quaint house with an open-air pavilion overlooking a serene pond. The chefs, veterans in the kitchen, prepare simple Thai dishes and make their own chilli paste from scratch. The regular pounding of the pestle in the mortar reverberates through nature’s own soundtrack. Try the stir-fried crispy fish with aromatic ginger and salted eggs.

This cosy shop bathed in natural light serves 50 to 70 types of authentic Thai desserts. They freshly squeeze coconut milk each morning for rich flavours and aromas. As well as the signature khanom mo kaeng (silky Thai custard), you can sample sweet sorghum, thua paep or piak pun.

This simple eatery is set in the chef-owner's house. The mouthwatering Thai dishes are made from local ingredients and fresh seafood that’s hard to find in this province. This place offers good cooking and well-seasoned recipes with lovely herbal aromas and the natural umami of shrimps and crab meat. Don’t miss the yellow curry soup with lotus roots. It’s best to arrive early, as bookings are not accepted.

Here at this blue-roofed local favourite they prove there’s more to Ayutthaya than grilled river prawns. Ingredients are carefully selected from produce grown within the community and it uses fish from nearby rivers as the catch of the day. The herb-scented fish cakes are delectable, while stir-fried Chinese kale with deep fried salted fish is equally impressive. Portion sizes are generous, so check before ordering.

This third-generation family-run street food joint has been offering tasty boat noodles for over five decades. Try their pork or beef boat noodles for great value — it comes in a small bowl, so more than one may be needed to truly enjoy it.

On Ayutthaya-Ang Thong Road, near Wat Phanom Yong, the shredded chicken noodle soup needs no extra seasoning. The tom yum broth is perfectly balanced; chicken is tender, while slow-cooked chicken feet are an option. Available for breakfast and lunch only.

This lively spot, opened in Khao Yai over a decade ago, serves up bold Southern Thai flavours in a welcoming setting with both open-air and air-conditioned areas. The kitchen works with house-made curry pastes, delivering punchy dishes such as stir-fried petai with kapi, minced pork and shrimp – each is intense, fragrant and satisfying. Expect generous portions, quick service and made-to-order cooking that keeps the pace brisk, especially during peak season.