Maeya
A busy, mid-priced Thai kitchen near Thanarak Market that keeps the same crowd coming back.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Daily 10:00–22:00
- Price
- $$$$
- Mid-range
- 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.
Taste more of Udon Thani
Street-food tours, market visits and Thai cooking classes near Maeya.
Food toursStreet-food tours in Udon Thani
Most bookings cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
See pricesCookingThai cooking classes in Udon Thani
Most bookings cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
See pricesMarketsMarket tours in Udon Thani
Most bookings cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
See pricesWhy go, and how to do it well
This is the kind of Thai restaurant a town gets attached to. It sits on Thanarak Market Road in Mueang Udon Thani, it charges mid-range prices, and it has clearly built a following of regulars rather than one-off tourists. That matters more than any menu description. Places that survive on repeat custom in a market street tend to cook consistently, because the neighbours would notice if they didn't.
My advice is to treat it as your default dinner when you're staying central and don't fancy hunting. It's open from 10:00 straight through to 22:00, seven days a week, so it also covers the awkward mid-afternoon gap when plenty of Udon kitchens shut and reopen. Turn up around three or four if you want a quiet table. Lunch and the early evening are when the crowd arrives.
I wouldn't go expecting anything designed for visitors. There's no elaborate setting to photograph and the appeal is straightforwardly the food and the price.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Sep 2026 · How we check places
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Maeya, round out your day in Udon Thani with contrasting stops nearby.
79, 81 ถนน ตลาดธนารักษ์, Tambon Mak Khaeng, Amphoe Mueang Udon Thani, Chang Wat Udon Thani 41000, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore restaurants & food nearby
All within 1.2 km away of Maeya.
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Nabe Nae
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The Good Corner
A dependable all-day dining spot in Udon Thani, open seven days a week from morning to night.
Tips for Visiting Restaurants & Food
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.
Use Grab for Delivery
The Grab app works for food delivery across Thailand, letting you order from street stalls and restaurants alike. It's invaluable on rainy days or when you want to eat in your hotel.
Maeya: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maeya worth visiting?
Maeya holds a 4.3★ rating from 1,878 Google reviews — a strong rating for restaurants & food in Udon Thani.
What are the opening hours of Maeya?
Maeya is typically open 10:00-22:00 — 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.
How expensive is Maeya?
Maeya is moderately priced (฿฿) relative to other restaurants & food in Udon Thani.
When is the best time to visit Maeya?
The best months to visit Udon Thani are December – February (Red Lotus Sea blooms Dec–Feb), with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January (lotus season weekends) — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: March – May (peak heat).
Where is Maeya located?
Maeya is at 79, 81 ถนน ตลาดธนารักษ์, Tambon Mak Khaeng, Amphoe Mueang Udon Thani, Chang Wat Udon Thani 41000, Thailand, in Udon Thani. Getting around Udon Thani: Songthaews on numbered city routes (฿10–15); Grab and metered taxis in the city.
Also popular in Udon Thani
Central Udon
Air-conditioned refuge in the middle of Udon Thani, with a supermarket, a cinema and a few hours of comfort.
Wat Pho Chai Phra Aram Luang
A working Nong Khai temple built around a gold Buddha that locals genuinely come to pray to, not photograph.
Nong Prajak Park
Giant inflatable ducks on a city lake, and half of Udon Thani out jogging around it at dusk.
Tha Sadet Market
A covered riverside strip of stalls where the Mekong view does as much work as the shopping.
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