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Local Thai Restaurant
Restaurants & Food
Pattaya

Local Thai Restaurant

4.7(136 reviews)

Tucked into the Nong Prue area of Pattaya, this small neighbourhood restaurant serves straightforward, home-style Thai cooking to a mix of locals and travellers who prefer authenticity over tourist-facing alternatives. The open-air kitchen and simple surroundings set the tone immediately — this is a place where the food does the talking. Dishes such as fried rice, stir-fried pork with kale, and crispy pork are prepared fresh throughout the day, and the consistently affordable prices make it easy to order generously. The atmosphere is casual and unpretentious, with both indoor and outdoor seating available. Visitors describe the food as genuinely flavourful and the staff as polite and helpful. As with most neighbourhood eateries of this style, the experience varies by dish — most reviewers are enthusiastic, though the occasional item has missed the mark, so ordering a spread of dishes is a reasonable approach. The setting feels lived-in and local rather than dressed up for visitors, which is precisely its appeal for travellers seeking a more grounded dining experience. A key practical note: the restaurant opens at 5:00 AM and closes at 5:00 PM every day of the week, making it well suited to breakfast and lunch but not evening meals. Arriving earlier in the day means fresher preparations and a fuller menu selection. Dress casually, carry Thai baht in cash as payment options may be limited, and keep expectations appropriately relaxed — this is neighbourhood dining at its most straightforward.

Experience hints

Hidden gem
Visitor favorite

Pair your visit. After Local Thai Restaurant, round out your day in Pattaya with contrasting stops nearby.

Visitor Reviews

Today I walked into a small local Thai restaurant on Beach Road, Soi 13. The kitchen is open-air, so there’s no air conditioning inside. I ordered a plate of fried rice and stir-fried pork with kale. The food was very good and the prices were very reasonable. This is a simple local home-style restaurant. If you’re not looking for fancy décor, this is a great place to try real Thai food.

Great affordable place to taste authentic Thai dishes. Underrated place to eat. But foods are delicious and sumptuous. 5 Star for me. Khop khun khrap Pattaya, Thailand!

Really tasty food! Indoor feels local and simple, has also seating outside. Prices are very good and also really good food quality. Staff were very polite and helpful.

Location Info

183/72, Tambon Nong Prue, Amphoe Bang Lamung, Chon Buri, 20150, เมืองพัทยา อำเภอบางละมุง ชลบุรี 20260, Thailand+66 80 260 6826
Opening Hours
Monday05:00-17:00
Tuesday05:00-17:00
Wednesday05:00-17:00
ThursdayClosed
Friday05:00-17:00
Saturday05:00-17:00
Sunday05:00-17:00

Visitor Information

Best time to visit

November – February

Avoid: June – October (rainy, rough seas)

Rainy season

May – October

Avg. temperature

24°C – 33°C(75°F – 91°F)

Crowds

High

Peak: December – January

Getting there

Minibus from Suvarnabhumi Airport (~1.5 hrs). Bus from Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal Ekkamai (~2 hrs). No direct train.

Getting around

  • Baht buses (songthaews on fixed routes)
  • Grab (widely available)
  • Motorbike taxis
  • Ferry to Koh Larn island

Where to stay near Local Thai Restaurant

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Tips for Visiting Restaurants & Food

Learn the Spice Scale

Say 'mai pet' for no spice, 'pet nit noi' for a little spice, or 'pet mak' if you want it Thai-hot. Most cooks will default to a toned-down version for foreigners unless you specify otherwise.

Follow the Crowds

The busiest street stalls are almost always the best — high turnover means fresh ingredients and a recipe that locals vouch for. An empty restaurant at dinner time is a red flag.

Ice Is Safe

Factory-made tube or cylinder ice (used in virtually all restaurants and stalls) is made from purified water and is safe to consume. You don't need to skip the iced Thai tea.

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