Must-Try Thai Food: Where to Find the Best Restaurants in Thailand

The moment you step off the plane in Thailand, your senses are immediately awakened by the intoxicating aromas wafting through the air—lemongrass, chili, garlic, and fresh herbs create an olfactory symphony that promises culinary adventures ahead. Thai cuisine is consistently ranked among the world's best, and for good reason. It's a masterful balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors that dance on your palate with every bite.

But with so many dishes to choose from and countless restaurants, street stalls, and food markets scattered across the country, where do you even begin? Don't worry—I've eaten my way through Thailand multiple times, and I'm here to guide you through the essential dishes you absolutely must try and exactly where to find the best versions of each.

Essential Thai Dishes You Can't Miss

Pad Thai: The Gateway Dish

Let's start with the obvious—Pad Thai is Thailand's most famous export, and while you've probably tried it back home, nothing compares to eating it fresh from a sizzling wok on a Bangkok street corner. This stir-fried rice noodle dish combines tamarind paste, fish sauce, dried shrimp, garlic, shallots, and eggs, topped with crushed peanuts and fresh lime.

Insider tip: The best Pad Thai is made to order in small batches. If you see a vendor cooking huge quantities at once, keep walking.

Tom Yum Goong: The Iconic Soup

Tom Yum Goong is a hot and sour soup that perfectly encapsulates Thai cuisine's complexity. The fragrant broth features prawns, mushrooms, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and Thai chilies. It's simultaneously refreshing and warming, with a spice level that'll clear your sinuses in the best way possible.

Som Tam: The Refreshing Salad

Originating from Thailand's northeastern Isaan region, Som Tam (green papaya salad) is a revelation. Shredded unripe papaya is pounded in a mortar with tomatoes, long beans, peanuts, dried shrimp, garlic, chilies, lime juice, and fish sauce. It's crunchy, tangy, spicy, and utterly addictive.

Massaman Curry: The Aromatic Wonder

Often called the "king of curries," Massaman Curry is a rich, slightly sweet curry with Persian influences. Tender beef or chicken simmers in coconut milk with potatoes, roasted peanuts, and a complex spice paste featuring cinnamon, cardamom, and star anise. It's comfort food at its finest.

Khao Pad: Simple Perfection

Khao Pad (Thai fried rice) might sound basic, but when done right, it's extraordinary. Jasmine rice is wok-fried with egg, garlic, onion, and your choice of protein, seasoned with fish sauce and white pepper. Served with cucumber slices, lime, and fish sauce with chilies on the side.

Mango Sticky Rice: The Sweet Finale

No Thai food journey is complete without Khao Niao Mamuang (mango sticky rice). Sweet glutinous rice is steamed with coconut milk and sugar, then served alongside perfectly ripe mango slices and drizzled with more coconut cream. It's simple, elegant, and absolutely heavenly.

Where to Find the Best Thai Food by Region

Bangkok: Street Food Paradise

Thailand's capital is a food lover's playground with options at every price point.

For Street Food:

• Yaowarat (Chinatown) – Come hungry after dark when the street transforms into an open-air food festival. Try the legendary seafood at T&K Seafood or grab grilled satay from any of the countless vendors.
• Thonglor Soi 38 – Though gentrification has changed it, this night market still offers excellent Pad Thai and boat noodles.
• Victory Monument – Locals flock here for boat noodles, served in small bowls meant to be eaten in multiples.

For Restaurants:

• Jay Fai – This Michelin-starred street food stall is famous for its crab omelet. Expect long waits and high prices (for street food), but it's worth the experience.
• Supanniga Eating Room – Refined Thai-Isaan cuisine in a beautiful heritage house setting.
• Err Urban Rustic Thai – Creative Thai comfort food with excellent cocktails.
• Gaggan Anand – For a splurge, this progressive Indian-Thai fusion restaurant offers an unforgettable tasting menu experience.

Chiang Mai: Northern Thai Delights

Northern Thai cuisine has its own distinct character—less coconut milk, more herbs, and unique dishes you won't find elsewhere.

Must-Try Northern Dishes:

• Khao Soi – Egg noodles in a creamy coconut curry broth, topped with crispy noodles and pickled mustard greens. This dish alone is worth the trip to Chiang Mai.
• Sai Oua – Northern Thai sausage packed with herbs, lemongrass, and spices.
• Laab – Minced meat salad with herbs, lime, and toasted rice powder.

Where to Eat:

• Khao Soi Khun Yai – Arguably the best Khao Soi in the city, served from a humble shophouse.
• Huen Phen – A local institution serving authentic northern Thai dishes in a charming antique-filled setting.
• Warorot Market – Chiang Mai's largest market is perfect for sampling local specialties and picking up Thai cooking ingredients.
• SP Chicken – Legendary grilled chicken that locals have been queuing for since 1946.

Phuket and Southern Thailand: Seafood and Spice

Southern Thai cuisine is characterized by bold flavors, generous use of turmeric, and incredible seafood.

Must-Try Southern Dishes:

• Gaeng Som – A sour, spicy curry quite different from its central Thai counterpart.
• Moo Hong – Slow-braised pork belly in a rich, dark sauce.
• Fresh Seafood – Grilled prawns, steamed fish with lime, and stir-fried crab are coastal specialties.

Where to Eat:

• Raya Restaurant (Phuket Town) – Serving Phuket-style Thai food since 1957 in a gorgeous Sino-Portuguese building.
• Go Benz (Phuket) – A local favorite for authentic southern Thai dishes.
• Rawai Seafood Market – Choose your seafood fresh from the boats and have it cooked to order at adjacent restaurants.

Practical Tips for Eating in Thailand

Navigating Spice Levels

Thai food is meant to be spicy, but you can always ask for "mai phet" (not spicy) or "phet nit noi" (a little spicy). However, I encourage you to embrace the heat—it's part of the experience!

Street Food Safety

Contrary to popular belief, street food in Thailand is generally safe. Follow these guidelines:

• Choose busy stalls – High turnover means fresh food
• Watch the cooking – If it's made fresh and served hot, you're usually fine
• Trust your instincts – If something looks questionable, skip it
• Start slow – Give your stomach a few days to adjust before going all-in

Timing Your Meals

Many of the best food stalls and restaurants operate on their own schedules:

• Breakfast spots often close by noon
• Night markets typically start around 5-6 PM
• Popular restaurants may sell out of signature dishes by early evening

Budget Expectations

• Street food: 40-80 THB ($1-2.50 USD) per dish
• Local restaurants: 80-200 THB ($2.50-6 USD) per dish
• Mid-range restaurants: 200-500 THB ($6-15 USD) per dish
• Fine dining: 1,500+ THB ($45+ USD) for a meal

Key Takeaways for Your Thai Food Adventure

Be adventurous – Some of the best meals come from the most unassuming places. That plastic stool on a busy sidewalk might lead to the best Pad Thai of your life.

Eat like a local – Skip the tourist restaurants and follow the crowds of Thai diners. They know where the good stuff is.

Try regional specialties – Thai cuisine varies dramatically by region. Don't just stick to the familiar dishes—explore Khao Soi in Chiang Mai, seafood in Phuket, and Isaan food in the northeast.

Embrace the chaos – The best food experiences in Thailand often come with plastic chairs, fluorescent lighting, and zero English menus. Download Google Translate, point at what looks good, and enjoy the ride.

Thailand's food scene is a treasure trove waiting to be explored. Whether you're slurping noodles at a midnight street stall or savoring a tasting menu at a world-renowned restaurant, every meal tells a story of tradition, passion, and incredible flavor. So pack your appetite, bring your sense of adventure, and prepare for a culinary journey you'll never forget. Aroy mak! (Delicious!)