Pad Thai. Tom yum. Green curry. These are just a few of the drool-worthy dishes that have put Thailand on the culinary map. Yet they represent just a fraction of what the Kingdom has to offer. Travel a few hundred kilometres in any direction, and you’ll discover entirely different flavours, ingredients and cooking traditions, each reflecting the landscape, history and people who call that region home. In this guide, we explore the ins and outs of regional Thai food – across Northern, Northeastern, Central, and Southern Thailand – and recommend some of our favourite restaurants along the way.
Northern Thailand
If you’ve only ever experienced Thai food through the likes of pad Thai, green curry, or tom yum, Northern Thai cuisine can come as something of a surprise. Once the heart of the ancient Lanna Kingdom, Northern Thailand has developed a distinct culinary identity shaped by its cool, misty mountain landscapes and centuries of cultural exchange with neighbouring Myanmar, Laos, and southern China. Rather than the brighter coconut-rich curries and seafood dishes found further south, meals here revolve around smoky, herbaceous flavours, slow-cooked meats, and comforting broths paired with sticky rice rather than jasmine rice.
It’s one of the country’s most distinctive regional cuisines – and, if you ask us, one that deserves more international attention.
Must-try dishes
Sai Oua
A Northern Thai staple, sai oua is a grilled pork sausage flavoured with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, and chilli. Smoky, fragrant and packed with herbs, it’s a must-order whenever you spot it on a menu.
Khao Soi
Northern Thailand’s iconic curry noodle soup combines egg noodles, a creamy coconut broth, tender braised meat, and a topping of crispy noodles. It’s intense, comforting, and widely considered one of Thailand’s best dishes.
Gaeng Hang Lay
Gaeng hang lay is a flavour-packed pork curry with roots in neighbouring Myanmar, made without the use of coconut milk. Keep an eye out for this criminally underrated dish.
Khanom Jeen Nam Ngiao
A staple of Lanna cuisine with Tai Yai (Shan) roots, khanom jeen nam ngiao pairs fermented rice noodles with a richly spiced tomato broth.
Northern Larb (Larb Kua)
A richer, earthier take on the classic minced meat dish, Northern larb is stir-fried with an aromatic spice blend rather than tossed with lime juice.
Our favourite restaurants
Chiang Mai
Yook Samai
The lunchtime crowds are all the proof you need that Yook Samai is doing something right. Tucked inside Chiang Mai’s creative Baan Kang Wat community, it’s become one of the city’s hottest spots for khao soi.
Huen Muan Jai
A favourite with locals and visitors alike, this Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant serves authentic Northern Thai fare in a charming Lanna-style villa. Standout dishes at Huen Muan Jai include fried bamboo shoots stuffed with pork, and chicken coconut soup with egg noodles.
Kum Sang Dao
For a feast of authentic Northern Thai flavours, few places deliver quite like Kum Sang Dao. This long-standing local favourite serves everything from smoky grilled meats and rich curries to fiery nam prik, making it an excellent introduction to Lanna cooking.
Chiang Rai
Locus Native Food Lab
Locus Native Food Lab reimagines Lanna classics through an intimate chef’s table experience. Expect a seasonal tasting menu built around native ingredients sourced from local producers, with optional wine pairings that elevate every course.
Lu Lam Restaurant
For more than four decades, Lu Lam has been introducing diners to the rich flavours of Lanna cuisine from its picturesque setting on the banks of the Kok River. Its extensive menu of Northern Thai classics and peaceful setting make it an excellent choice.
Pai
Khao Soi Zister’s
Khaosoi Zister’s has become one of Pai’s go-to spots for Northern Thai comfort food. Its rich khao soi may steal the spotlight, but don’t overlook the Shan-style nam ngiao, another regional favourite.
Northeastern Thailand (Isan)
Less visited than Thailand’s other regions, the northeastern region – known locally as Isan – rewards those who make the journey with a cuisine unlike anywhere else in the Kingdom. Shaped by generations of Lao and Cambodian influence, Isan cuisine is defined by bold flavours, fragrant herbs, zesty lime and the unmistakable savoury ‘funk’ of fermented fish. Sticky rice is the staple, traditionally rolled into small balls with your fingers to scoop up every last mouthful. Trust us: Isan cuisine is worth venturing off the beaten track for.
Must-try dishes
Som Tam
Born in Isaan, this classic salad combines strips of unripe green papaya with chillies, pungent garlic, dried shrimp, roasted peanuts, and tomatoes. It’s the perfect balance of sour, spicy, and savoury flavours.
Larb
A staple of Isan cuisine with deep Lao roots, larb is a minced meat salad tossed with fresh herbs, lime and toasted rice powder. It’s bright, punchy and best enjoyed with sticky rice.
Gai Yang
Often described as Thailand’s answer to barbecue chicken, gai yang is a charcoal-grilled street food favourite that originated in Isan.
Sai Krok Isaan
Sai krok Isan is a fermented pork sausage originating from northeastern Thailand. It’s made with pork and rice, and typically eaten with bird’s eye chilis as a snack.
Tom Saep
Think of tom saep as Isan’s answer to tom yum. This hot and sour soup combines tender pork or beef with fragrant herbs and fresh lime to create one of the region’s most comforting dishes.
Our favourite restaurants
Khon Kaen
Tumkratoei Sagate
A MICHELIN-recommended favourite, Tumkratoei Sagate has become one of Khon Kaen’s go-to restaurants for authentic Isan cuisine. Expect bold flavours, beautifully presented dishes and an extensive menu that showcases the best of northeastern Thailand.
Khon Kaen Grilled Pork Neck
Sometimes, one dish is all you need. Awarded a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand, this humble street food institution has built its reputation on exceptional kor moo yang – Isan’s famously smoky, charcoal-grilled pork neck.
Praprai
For more than two decades, Praprai has been introducing diners to authentic Isan cuisine. This family-friendly MICHELIN Bib Gourmand restaurant serves a wide range of regional classics, making it an excellent introduction to northeastern Thai food.
Udon Thani
Krua Khun-Nid
A beloved neighbourhood institution for more than 40 years, Krua Khun Nid has earned a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand for its generous family-style feasts. Freshwater fish, seasonal ingredients and lesser-known Isan specialities all feature prominently on the menu.
Chabaa Barn
Set inside a charming barn-style restaurant, Chabaa Barn serves hearty Thai dishes with a strong Isan influence. Seasonal ingredients take centre stage, with regional delicacies appearing alongside generous, cooked-to-order favourites.
Ubon Ratchathani
Krua Samchai
Few restaurants showcase the flavours of Isan quite like Krua Samchai. Fresh fish from the Mekong and Mun rivers, fragrant herb-laden soups and perfectly charcoal-grilled chicken have made it one of Ubon Ratchathani’s standout dining destinations.
Mok
Housed inside a converted two-storey home, MICHELIN Bib Gourmand restaurant Mok brings a contemporary touch to traditional Isan cooking. Expect inventive interpretations of regional recipes, where fermented fish, local herbs and seasonal ingredients are treated with remarkable finesse.
Central Thailand
Central Thailand has had the luxury of borrowing the best from almost every direction. Positioned at the heart of the Kingdom and home to centuries of trade, migration and royal patronage, the region’s cuisine has been shaped by influences from nearby China and India, as well as lands as distant as Persia and Portugal. It’s here that fragrant jasmine rice replaces sticky rice, coconut-rich curries flourish, and the delicate balance of sweet, sour, salty and spicy flavours reaches its peak. Better still, many of the dishes that first introduced the world to Thai food were born right here.
Must-try dishes
Pad Thai
Iconic for a reason. This quintessential Thai dish combines rice noodles, your protein of choice, and a sweet-savoury tamarind sauce, typically topped with crushed peanuts.
Pad Kra Pao
A staple of Thai home cooking that deserves more international love, in our opinion. This dish consists of minced meat stir-fried with holy basil, garlic and chilli, served with jasmine rice and a fried egg.
Tom Yum Goong
Thailand’s world-famous hot and sour prawn soup pairs succulent prawns with fragrant herbs in a broth that’s bold, citrusy, and wonderfully aromatic.
Kuay Teow Reua (Boat Noodles)
Originally sold from small boats navigating Bangkok and Ayutthaya’s canals, kuay teow reua is a deeply savoury noodle soup made with beef or pork.
Green & Red Curry
Green and red curry have become global symbols of Thai cuisine. Made with fragrant curry pastes, rich coconut milk, and your choice of meat, they differ mainly in the fresh herbs and dried chillies that give each its distinctive character.
Mango Sticky Rice
Sweet mango, sticky rice and rich coconut cream come together in Thailand’s most iconic dessert. Save room—you’ll regret it if you don’t.
Our favourite restaurants
Bangkok
Krua Apsorn
A Bangkok institution and MICHELIN Bib Gourmand favourite, Krua Apsorn has been serving impeccably executed Central Thai classics for decades. Don’t leave without trying its legendary crab omelette and rich yellow crab curry.
Sanguan Sri
Family-run since 1962, Sanguan Sri has built a loyal following with beautifully prepared Central Thai comfort food. Its extensive menu and old-school charm make it a favourite with locals and in-the-know visitors alike.
Pride Bar and Restaurant
Owned by the same gay couple behind Bangkok’s legendary Circus Bar, Pride Bar and Restaurant serves classic Thai favourites in a welcoming setting. Many regulars insist it dishes up one of the city’s very best pad Thais!
Fuel up at Pride Bar and Restaurant, then check out these incredible queer nightlife hotspots in the Thai capital!
Soei
Queues form early at Soei, and for good reason. This no-frills favourite has earned a cult following for its unapologetically bold flavours, with seafood dishes and fiery curries among the standouts.
BTW: Some of Bangkok’s best meals are still found at roadside carts and bustling night markets, so keep an open mind when exploring the city.
Ayutthaya
Pa Lek Boat Noodles
One of Ayutthaya’s most celebrated noodle shops, Pa Lek has been perfecting boat noodles for decades. The rich, intensely savoury broth and famously small bowls stay true to the dish’s canal-side origins.
Ruay Goong Pao
If there’s one dish Ayutthaya is famous for, it’s giant river prawns. Ruay Goong Pao grills them over charcoal until beautifully smoky, allowing their naturally sweet, succulent meat to take centre stage.
Note: Don’t leave Ayutthaya without grabbing a freshly made roti sai mai from one of the city’s roadside vendors. These colourful spun-sugar pancakes are the ancient city’s signature sweet.
Nakhon Pathom
Krua Baan Yee San
Around an hour from central Bangkok, Krua Baan Yee San occupies a beautifully preserved 200-year-old Thai wooden house. Its MICHELIN-recognised Central Thai seafood is every bit as memorable as the setting.
Southern Thailand
Bordered by two coastlines and shaped by centuries of maritime trade, Southern Thailand serves up some of the country’s boldest and most popular dishes. Influences from neighbouring Malaysia, Indonesia, India, and the Middle East have helped create a cuisine that’s unapologetically spicy, intensely aromatic, and packed with seafood fresh from the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand. Punchy shrimp paste, fragrant turmeric, and coconut all play starring roles in this cuisine that is every bit as colourful and diverse as the coastline itself.
Must-try dishes
Gaeng Som
Southern Thailand’s signature bright orange sour curry combines fish or prawns with vegetables in a flavourful, turmeric-rich broth. Containing no coconut milk, it’s thinner than many Thai curries.
Khua Kling
A Southern Thai classic, Khua Kling is a simple but punchy stir-fry made of minced meat and a Southern Thai-style curry paste.
Massaman Curry
With Persian roots, massaman curry combines slow-cooked beef or chicken with potatoes, peanuts, and warming spices in a rich coconut curry. It’s perfection in a bowl.
Moo Hong
A Phuket favourite with Chinese influences, moo hong consists of pork belly slowly braised with garlic, soy sauce, and spices until irresistibly tender.
Pad Sataw
Pad Sataw is a famous, fiery, and deeply umami Southern Thai stir-fry featuring stink beans (sataw) as the star ingredient.
Our favourite restaurants
Phuket
Naam Yoi
Tucked away from Phuket Town’s main streets, Naam Yoi is where locals head for uncompromising Southern Thai food. From fiery gaeng som to Phuket-style specialities, every dish is packed with bold, authentic flavour.
Raya
Housed inside a beautifully preserved Sino-Portuguese mansion, Raya is one of Phuket’s most celebrated restaurants. Its legendary crab curry alone is worth the reservation.
Krabi
RuenMai Krabi
Set within lush tropical gardens, RuenMai has been introducing visitors to authentic Southern Thai cuisine for decades. Expect regional classics served in one of Krabi’s most charming dining settings.
Zama Local Thai Restaurant
Southern Thai and Phuket-Chinese flavours take centre stage at Zama, where beautifully presented local dishes are given a contemporary touch.
Koh Samui
Phensiri Thai Restaurant
A long-time favourite on Koh Samui, Phensiri serves beautifully prepared Southern Thai dishes in a relaxed, family-run setting. Fresh seafood, fragrant curries and warm hospitality have earned it a loyal following.
Pink Pig Southern Thai Restaurant
Pink Pig is a highly rated local eatery in Koh Samui, celebrated for serving traditional, punchy Southern Thai flavours and fresh seafood caught by local fishermen.
Hat Yai
Pa Yang Restaurant
A Hat Yai institution, Pa Yang has built its reputation on beautifully executed Southern Thai food. Its authentic regional dishes make it a favourite with generations of locals.
As you’ve hopefully discovered, Thai food is far more diverse than many travellers realise. From north to south, every region tells its own story through food. Explore some of these LGBTQ+ friendly hotels across Thailand and start planning your own culinary adventure.