Sophon Food Market
Come here hungry and come here with cash. This is a proper open-air food market on Pattaya Sai 3, the kind where you wander the stalls twice before deciding, then sit on a plastic chair near whichever vendor won. Grilled chicken is what people rave about. Crocodile meat is on the menu too, if you want a story to take home. Pad Thai, grilled fish, drink stalls, all at local prices rather than beach-road prices.
It's grown a lot recently, with new vendors and a lot more seating than it used to have, and it stays cleaner than most street food setups in the area. Most vendors don't speak English. Nobody minds. Point at what you want, use a translation app for the rest, and you'll be fine. Give it a couple of hours if you want to eat properly rather than grab and go.
Taste more of Pattaya
Street-food tours, market visits, and Thai cooking classes near Sophon Food Market — a guided way to eat like a local.
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Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Sophon Food Market, round out your day in Pattaya with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
This is a great little growing market. It has changed a lot in the last year or so. Many new shops and lots of seating added. There is also parking along the back side. The market has several drink shops along with Pad Thai, grilled fish and meat products. Overall very happy with this little market. A great place to stop in the evening if you are looking for a snack or going home from work.
Delicious Thai food. Many options to choose from. Most vendors do not speak English, but between pointing and Google translate, there are never issues in ordering what you want. Every person I have met here is also very kind in helping a falang.
Clean environment. They have really good food with local price.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 215 reviews on Google.
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Sophon Food Market: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sophon Food Market worth visiting?
Sophon Food Market holds a 4.3★ rating from 215 Google reviews — a strong rating for restaurants & food in Pattaya.
What are the opening hours of Sophon Food Market?
Sophon Food Market is typically open 15:00-02:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit Sophon Food Market?
The best months to visit Pattaya are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: June – October (rainy, rough seas).
Where is Sophon Food Market located?
Sophon Food Market is at WV9H+WH2, Soi Durian Pattaya Sai 3, Muang Pattaya, Amphoe Bang Lamung, Chang Wat Chon Buri 20150, Thailand, in Pattaya. Getting around Pattaya: Baht buses (songthaews on fixed routes); Grab (widely available).
Location Info
WV9H+WH2, Soi Durian Pattaya Sai 3, Muang Pattaya, Amphoe Bang Lamung, Chang Wat Chon Buri 20150, Thailand+66 65 608 6695Visitor 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
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 Sophon Food Market
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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.
Nearby Places
Street Food Market
A bustling multi-vendor food court on Pattaya Tai serving traditional Thai dishes at wallet-friendly prices.
Sharmaji Vegan Thai Restaurant
Indian and vegan Thai cooking on one menu, open around the clock on Pattaya Second Road.
KASHI CHAAT PURE Vegitarian Indian Restaurant PATTAYA
Pure vegetarian Indian restaurant near Walking Street serving authentic chaat and street food daily until 2 AM.
Fra Pattaya
Late-night mid-range restaurant on Pattaya Tai, open daily from noon until 4:00 AM.
Similar Restaurants & Food Across Thailand
Kodtalay The Riverfront Seafood Buffet
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The Village Farm To Café
Looks like nothing from the highway, then opens up into green fields, high ceilings and properly fresh food.
Kodtalay Seafood Buffet Sukhumvit
Live river prawns from the tank, grilled at your table, and no clock ticking on how long you stay.
Pier 21
Cheap, genuinely good Thai food on the fifth floor of a mall, if you can find a table at noon.
Where to stay near Sophon Food Market
Find hotels in Pattaya on the booking sites travellers trust most.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
Bundle & save
Compare rates on Hotels.com
Member prices
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Location Info
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
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