My Favorite Places to Eat in Thailand
Updated: Nov 8, 2022
Street food stall in Bangkok
Eating vegetarian definitely cuts down the food options in Thailand significantly (especially for street food), but it’s doable. The one thing you can almost always find is a veggie stir-fry, but after a while it can get pretty old. On some islands, like Koh Lanta and Koh Phangan, there are actually quite a few vegan restaurants with variety.
Food in the cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai are considerably cheaper than food on the islands because there is street food. For a hearty meal on Koh Phangan we spent 380 baht ($12.32) for two people. The cheapest meal we got was in Bangkok at the trail station which was 40 baht ($1.29) for two people. The average cost for a meal in Chiang Mai was around $5 for two people or less, while on Koh Yao Noi we payed almost $8 for a pasta for just one person. You can find less expensive meal options most of the time, but there is a large price difference between cheap on the islands and cheap in the cities. Just something to be aware of when budgeting for food.
Something to note is the probability of getting sick is more likely in a western style restaurant in Thailand, then in eating the street food. We took charcoal every day to help prevent any upset stomach. We ended up at some of the places we ate just not looking at how or where the food was being made. We just sort of closed our eyes and prayed we wouldn’t get sick.
I didn’t plan on making a post like this when I went to Thailand. If I had, the pictures would have been a lot better. So bear with me with the quick iPhone pictures I took.
Bangkok
Bangkok Train Station - Food Court
Food: Rice & veggie stirfry
Cost: 20 baht per plate (40 baht total; $1.29 USD)
The best stir fry I had was in the train station in Bangkok. It was in the cafeteria type looking area of the train station. There was no name, but it was one of the best veggie stir fry’s I had in Thailand. We had to purchase tickets for 40 baht at a little stand, then we went up to the food counter and got the rice and veggie stir fry. Sadly we were so hungry we didn’t take any pictures of the food, but I have a picture of the train station that shows the food court sign above.
Fruit Street Stands
Food: Pineapple
Cost: 20 baht per baggie (we usually got one each so 40 baht total; $1.29 USD)
One of my favorite foods that you could get right on the street was fresh fruit, especially the pineapple. There is nothing like the pineapple in Thailand. It doesn’t have as strong of an acidity as the pineapple in the U.S. which means you can eat a lot more of it before your mouth doesn’t like you.
Chiang Mai
Be Beez Cafe & Guest House
Food: Yellow Curry
Cost: 75 baht; $2.43 (for 2 curries 150 baht; $4.86)
The best yellow curry I had in Thailand was here. My Dad and I both liked it so much we came back a few times. I discovered yellow curry isn’t very common in Thailand because it is a cross between Indian and Thai curry. So it’s more difficult to find. The main difference in the yellow curry in Thailand from the U.S. is that it has more of a turmeric taste and less coconut milk (like in the U.S.). It’s still really good, just be aware that it’s a little different.
Crusty Loaf Bakery
Food: Bread
Cost: Small Baguette 11 baht; Ciabatta 25 baht (total 36 baht)
I didn’t expect when I went to Thailand that I’d be eating bread, but this bakery is very good. They have a variety of delicious breads. It ranged from 10-75 baht.
Street Stalls/Markets
Food: Pineapple (20 baht), bananas (10 baht), grapes, mangosteen, dragonfruit (117 baht)
Some of the best fruit can be found in the markets or from vendors along the road. I’d recommend walking around a little bit and looking at the different prices. We saw bananas for anywhere from 10-20 baht. If you look around a little, even if it’s just in one market, sometimes you can find a cheaper option.
Place that had Italian Soda
Food: Italian soda
Cost: 40 baht ($1.46)
We got to Chiang Mai at around 7am and explored the city until around 1pm. We had 2-3 hours left until we could check into our hotel and this restaurant/guesthouse was right next to our hotel. So we decided to grab something to drink and sit there for a while. I wasn’t expecting it to be anything grand, but it turns out it was very delicious and much needed since we were in Thailand in the hottest month of the year. They only had two flavors, but the one I got was really good. I actually got a drink here like 3 times, if I’m remembering right.
Food: Whatever you choose to make from the options
Cost: 1000 baht per person for 1/2 day class
This isn’t a restaurant, but you get to learn how to make Thai food so that you can continue eating it once you get back home. I discovered my favorite Thai dish from taking this class, holy basil with tofu. You get a certificate and a recipe book to take home.
It was one of the coolest experiences we had in Chiang Mai. My Dad and I would both do it again. When we went they had a full day or half day option. You have to book ahead on their website and on their site you can find all the information you need about cost, classes and availabilities.
I made: Holy basil with tofu, a veggie soup, fried spring rolls, green curry and a curry paste.
My Dad made: Cashew stir fry, coconut soup, papaya salad, masaman curry and a curry paste.
Koh Yao Noi
Sabai Corner
Food: Spaghetti
Cost: 220 baht ($7.14)
The food on Koh Yao Noi was by far the most expensive food we had. If both of us got a plate of pasta it was $14.27. That cost is more in line with how much it costs to eat in the U.S. There weren’t many options, so we had to eat what was there. The pasta was incredible though and the lady that owned the restaurant and bungalows was very nice.
Green Coffee Shop
Food: Cinnamon bun, pineapple shake
Cost: 120 baht total — I can’t remember their prices separately.
This was a delicious combination. The cinnamon bun was similar to a cinnamon roll, but not as sticky. The fruit shake was delicious and the view from the restaurant was beautiful.
Koh Lanta
Veed View
Food: Strawberry pineapple shake
Cost: 85 baht
Veeds View had one of my favorite fruit shakes. I went there multiple times just for it! My Dad tried their green curry and thought it was good. I’m not a huge fan of green curry personally.
It was on the pricier side for a fruit shake, but it was so delicious it was worth it. Plus it’s right on the beach and we watched the sunset while we ate a couple of nights. All the pictures I took of my drink were blurry so here’s a low quality picture of my Dad and I at the restaurant above.
Food & cost: Stir fry mixed veg with tofu (120 baht), mixed fruit and vegetables with tofu in sweet and sour sauce (120 baht), falafel burger with fries (220 baht), veggie burger with fries (180 baht), pineapple fruit shake (70 baht)
Happy Veggie is a fully vegan restaurant and the food is incredible! Each time we went I liked what I got. The colors of some of the food might throw you off like the burgundy rice and blue burger buns, but I promise they are delicious and the color doesn’t effect the flavor.
We liked both the stir fries we tried. Our favorite burger was the falafel burger. It was very rich and full of flavor. The veggie burger was blah in comparison to the falafel burger. We’d usually get one pineapple fruit shake and split it.
Two Scoops Gelato
Food: Pina colada sorbet, gelato cookie sandwich
Cost: 180 baht for both ($5.84)
If you’re in the mood for “ice cream” this is the place to go. It was a nice mix up from the greasy stir fry we’d been eating. It was nice that they had vegan options since I don’t eat/drink diary.
Koh Samui
Imchai ThaiFood
Food: Fried spring rolls, fruit shakes
Cost: 120 baht ($3.89) — I can’t remember the cost of the fruit shakes. It was between 55-70 baht if I’m remembering right.
Imchai has the best fried spring rolls for your buck. Plus they are delicious! They were the best spring rolls I have ever had. I also discovered the best sweet and sour sauce. I’ve never been a big fan of sweet and sour sauce, but I discovered a spicy version. You definitely should give it a try, it will change fried spring rolls forever. They had really good fruit shakes too. Strawberry is my favorite flavor, quickly followed by pineapple.
French Bakery & La Fabrique French Bakery
Food: Croissant
Cost: 40 baht ea
After having been in Thailand for almost a month, the occasional “western food” was nice to mix in with all the Thai food. The croissants were so soft and fluffy.
Koh Phangan
Doppio Coffee
Food: Carmel Machiatto Cinnamon Roll, Strawberry shake
Cost: 195 baht ($6.32) *I can’t remember the prices individually but that’s the total for both.
Doppio Coffee was one of my favorite places on Koh Phangan. I discovered one of the most delicious and unique cinnamon rolls. I like to think of myself as a cinnamon roll expert. The name might throw you off a bit, but it is freaking delicious. There isn’t a coffee taste to it, just carmely goodness. I loved the thickness of the strawberry shake they made. I was able to ask for mine to just have sugar added and no dairy.
Taboon
Food and cost: Falafel plate (220 baht), classic pita (60 baht), classic hummus (160 baht), lime and mint water (60 baht ea)
6 words. The best falafels I’ve ever had! If there is one restaurant on Koh Phangan you have to go to it’s Taboon. We went here multiple times. It was a very filling meal. Every time we went to the restaurant we were starving so we didn’t even think to take pictures until after we ate. So I don’t have a picture of the full spread sadly. While we were there they had a falafel plater deal for 2 people. It was 260 baht for the falafel plate and pita bread. I can’t remember if it came with hummus or not. I think it did.
One time we went there I wrote down that we got the falafel deal and 2 lime and mint drinks for 380 baht ($12.32 USD).
Loccos PizzaBar
Food: Pizza & Bread Dip Plate
Cost: Marinara pizza + olives (180 baht + 30 baht), pane (80 baht)
This restaurant is run by an Italian family that lives on Koh Phangan. The pizza was okay (they had vegan options!). It was pretty salty, but compared to some of the awful vegan restaurants we had tried it was good. The bread dip plate was so freaking delicious! The orange sauce was incredible!!!! If I’m remembering right, we got the marinara pizza and added olives to it. The bread dip dish I think was “Pane” on the menu. Both were vegan.
