Boasting a rich food culture, Thailand makes for an easy getaway, no matter whether you’re more drawn to its luscious islands, or the buzzing capital of Bangkok. All over the country, from the big smoke to the teeny towns and provinces further afield, there’s good food to be found. To help guide you on your way, we’ve curated a list of the best restaurants in Thailand. From Michelin-starred sensations to street food stalls worth waiting in line for, we’ve found 18 of the best restaurants scattered right across the Asian nation.
Dreamt up by Kolkata-born chef Gaggan Anand, this is the eatery that continues to top the list when it comes to best restaurants in Thailand. Innovation and creativity in surplus can be found at the Bangkok fine diner where molecular gastronomy forms the heart of the constantly evolving menu. gaggan.com
Fine dining fiends will find another friend in the similarly Bangkok-based Aksorn. The Michelin-starred eatery is the latest creation of celebrated chef David Thompson that seeks to celebrate traditional (and forgotten) heritage Thai dishes. aksornbkk.com
The cooler crowds tend to flock to Samrub Samrub, the home base of chef Prin Polsuk where Modern Thai features prominently, and are served up in an intimate (and unique) chef’s table dining experience. samrubsamrubthai.com
Forget what you think you know about resort restaurants – Jahn at the Conrad Koh Samui is a revamped take on the steakhouse, partnering an elegant menu with great wines and an outstanding view of the surrounding Phang Ka Bay. conradkohsamui.info
A US expat’s ode to Southern Thailand’s cuisine is Laad Phuket (its name translates to ‘Phuket market’). Thanks to a combination of zesty cocktails, natural wines and richly flavoured curries, this place is popular all week through. laadphuket.com
Proof that Phuket isn’t just beaches (and beach parties) is Pru – Phuket’s first and currently only Michelin-starred restaurant. Rare Thai ingredients are grown on site here at the sleek venue’s own organic farm, then whipped into intricate dishes by Chef Jimmy Ophorst. prurestaurant.com
Immerse yourself in Thai history at Raya, the 30-year-old eatery sitting within a heritage mansion in the old town of Koh Samui. If curries are what you crave (especially crab-based specialties), there is nowhere better to grab a bite to eat. rayarestaurant.net
Noodles are taken seriously in Thailand, with recipes proudly guarded for generations. Try some of the best in old Phuket town – Mee Ko Lan is famous for its 100 year old recipe of egg noodles, served swimming in umami-rich pork broth and veg.
Chef Pim Techamuanvivit leads the charge at the COMO Hotel-based NAHM in Bangkok. Heritage dishes (and those from Pim’s own childhood) have heavily inspired this Michelin-starred eatery. comohotels.com
It is one dish and one dish alone that you’ll discover on the menu at Phed Mark. The casual haunt comes courtesy of a crew of friends (food bloggers and chefs) who adore Bangkok favourite pad kaprao (Thai basil stir fry). Heads up – the venue’s offering is famously spicy, though you can choose to reduce the heat factor if you’re so inclined. phedmark.com
The jungle is no longer reserved for foliage in Thailand – Chiang Mai is a thriving food destination home to the likes of the innovative Blackitch. The minimalist 16 seater is passionate about sustainability, crafting modern dishes from local ingredients leaning in to fermentation aplenty – they make fish paste, soy sauce, pickles and more in house. blackitch.com
It’s dumplings that form the heart of this casual eating house in Phuket. Join the breakfast crowds here at the start of the day to tuck into plates of steamed dumplings of all shapes, sizes, and stuffings topped by the venue’s famed spicy dipping sauce.
Isaan cuisine is a Northern Thai specialty, and a type of dining that Samuay & Sons holds dear. Hosted in his family’s former tailor shop, chef Weerawat “Num” Triyasenawat welcomed the restaurant as an ode to local Thai ingredients, all farmed (or foraged) within a 100km radius. samuayandsons.com
Award-winning is an understatement – not just one of the best restaurants in Thailand, but among the world’s 50 best is Nusara. Chef Ton (Thitid Tassanakajohn) crafts what he calls ‘colourful Thai cuisine’, creating futuristic dishes which simultaneously nod to history (it’s named after Ton’s grandmother after all). nusarabkk.com
Another of Chef Ton’s venues sits in Phuket – SAMUT is another of the best restaurants in Thailand. An ode to the sea (samut means ocean in Thai), this degustation-focused venue serves up 16 delicate dishes in 8-courses, focusing (as you’ve guessed no doubt) on local seafood. samutphuket.com
