City dining guide
13 guide-listed restaurants — Michelin, Bib Gourmand, Black Pearl, Must-Eat List, World's 50 Best and more. Reference quality signals; never ranked by commission, no in-app checkout.
For over 60 years, this dessert stall has served classic sweetened sticky rice in the traditional way – cooked in bamboo with fresh coconut milk. Choose from original white or aromatic black sticky rice, garnished with taro, black beans, or ginkgo nuts; available in three portion sizes.
This local kitchen serves bold Thai flavours with fresh seafood and some wild meats in generous portions. The menu is based on the day's catch supplied by local fishers. Expect spicy, good-quality and honestly executed dishes, with curry pastes pounded by hand. They are renowned for their jungle curry soups: choose from a selection of wild meats and then sit back and embrace the intensity of the dark aromatic broth with ginger roots and Thai aubergines.
This place near Bang Saen beach has been popular with tourists for decades. The signature is, of course, pla tu (Thai mackerel), but the menu extends from seafood options such as sillago, sea bass and local scallops – all cooked in classic Thai style – to crispy deep-fried mackerel cheek with a chilli-garlic aroma that's addictive. If you prefer a milder taste, the staff are happy to adjust the spice level to suit your palate.
Attracting younger diners, this eatery has a reputation for fresh, affordable Thai seafood of uncompromising quality. The generous portions with sweet seasonings are good for sharing; the deep-fried mackerel with fish sauce is a must for its crispy skin and tender meat.
This unassuming noodle joint in a quiet alley offers a different take on yen ta fo with squid egg. The well-seasoned dry kao lao also impresses. The menu is short (and only in Thai) but the cooking is heartfelt, portions are honest, and prices fair. A favourite among locals.
Still drawing crowds 70 years on, Apollo Pork Satay is known for its tender pork, liver and intestine skewers – grilled to perfection and served with sweet satay and fresh Acar cucumber. The house-made crab rolls are a crisp, flavoursome bonus, to try with plum or seafood sauce.
Known for traditional Thai cooking, this long-established institution in Chon Buri serves royal-style dishes and classic local recipes that are hard to find nowadays. After starting with Thai royal snacks, try the crisp catfish with curry paste, or one of the rich lon relishes with your choice of protein. Cooked to order, some plates take a while. The décor reflects its long history, while the food continues to draw locals and tourists alike. Vegetarian options are available.
For a taste of long-established local fare, this eight-decade-old gem that holds itself to exacting standards of cleanliness is a must. Tender braised duck meat with savoury gravy is the signature, best enjoyed with rice; fans of spicy food will relish the house-made dipping condiments.
In these recipes passed down over nine decades, light seasoning allows the natural sweetness of fish, shrimp, roe and other seafood to shine. Served with two punchy dipping sauces, the standout dry-style seafood rice porridge and stir-fried seafood with egg are worth ordering.
With its wooden furniture and rustic charm, this is a delightful spot for an early breakfast or lunch. The real star here is the soup with aromatic dried squid and pork ribs imparting rich flavour. Each tasty spoonful is testament to the traditional recipe.
This local favourite offers the freshest seafood with bold Thai flavours, cooked home-style. The restaurant is simple, without air conditioning. The menu primarily focuses on seafood options, and the chef excels at deep-fried and stir-fried dishes. The rice dishes and daily catch are listed on the blackboard at the front of the shop. Bookings are only taken for groups of 10 or more. Expect to wait for a table on weekends.
This country-style restaurant serves up a splendid array of Isan dishes and Eastern Thai specialties from land and sea. The highlight is a spicy stir-fry with an original curry paste recipe from Chanthaburi province, capturing the authentic essence of Thai cuisine. There's no compromise on bold, genuine Thai flavours. The tranquil outdoor setting affords views of lush green rice fields, and the relaxed atmosphere makes it perfect for friend and family gatherings.
Diners come to this simple, rustic place for its range of less common proteins, including venison and wild boar, as well as frog, eel, snakehead fish and fresh blue crab. Ingredients are fresh, and staff are happy to guide you through the daily specials. Flavours land bold and intense, with clear character. Don't miss the garlic-fried frog with fried green pepper and chilli, or the jungle curry with snakehead fish or eel, depending on the day's consignment.