Pattaya Street Food Guide, Best Places to Eat Like a Local in Thailand
One of the best things about Pattaya is that you never have to spend much money to eat well. For the Pattaya Street food can save your money.
Street food here is everywhere, from the busy night markets on weekends to the small carts parked along the beach road every evening. We have been eating street food in Pattaya for years, and in this guide, we will share with you our favorite spots and the dishes you should not miss.
What Is Pattaya Street Food Like?
Pattaya has a very mixed street food scene. You will find classic Thai dishes like Pad Thai and Som Tum next to grilled pork skewers, fresh seafood, coconut ice cream, and mango sticky rice. The price is usually between 50 THB and 100 THB per dish, which makes it one of the most affordable ways to eat in the city.
Most street food in Pattaya comes alive in the evening, from around 8:00 AM until late at night. Some areas, especially near Walking Street, even have food carts running until 4:00–5:00 in the morning.
The food quality is generally very good. Busy stalls with high turnover mean the ingredients are always fresh.
Best Places for Street Food in Pattaya
Thepprasit Night Market (best local food in pattaya)
Thepprasit Night Market is probably the most well-known food destination in Pattaya. From our experience, it is also the biggest and most complete night market in the area.
You will find roasted duck with rice, chicken satay, grilled seafood, noodle soups, BBQ squid, and many dessert stalls all in one place. The atmosphere is very local, a lot of Thai families and regular visitors come here rather than just tourists.
Important: The market is open From Monday to Sunday from around 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM. If you visit early, you will find some of them are closed.
Thepprasit Night Market location: Thep Prasit Road, Pattaya City.
We have a separate review of Thepprasit Night Market where you can find more details.
Jomtien Night Market (Jomtien Street Food)
If you are staying in the Jomtien area, you do not need to go far. Jomtien Night Market has a good selection of local Thai food stalls, fresh fruit, drinks, and grilled snacks. It runs most evenings along Jomtien Beach Road and has a very relaxed vibe compared to the bigger weekend markets.
The prices here are very low, and you can walk along the beach after you eat. From our experience, it is a great option for couples looking for a casual evening out.
Read more in our Jomtien Night Market review.
Runway Market (Near Terminal 21)
Runway Market is located just a short walk from Terminal 21 Pattaya. This is a newer option and has a very open, relaxed layout with shared seating in the center. You can order from different stalls and sit together, which makes it perfect and freedom for groups or couples to trying the different dishes.
The vibe is local and not crowded, so you can take your time and explore. It opens from around 5:00 PM until 10:00 PM.
We made a full review of the Pattaya Street Food Market at Runway, check it out for a video tour and more details.
Rattanakorn Market
Rattanakorn Market is another local market worth exploring, especially if you are looking for something outside of the main tourist areas. It has so many kind of street food stalls and a traditional market envoiroment.
See our Rattanakorn Market Pattaya article for more details.
Must-Try Pattaya Street Food Dishes
Pad Thai: stir-fried rice noodles with egg, bean sprouts, and a choice of shrimp, chicken, or tofu. This is one of the most well-known Thai street food dishes and easy to find in every market in Pattaya. A typical portion costs 50–60 THB.
Moo Ping (Grilled Pork Skewers): marinated pork on bamboo sticks, grilled over charcoal. Usually served with sticky rice. Very popular as a quick snack or light meal. Around 10–15 THB per skewer.
Som Tum (Papaya Salad): Shredded green papaya & tomato tossed together with green beans, crushed peanuts, lime juice, fish sauce, and a little chili powder. This dish is very spicy, yet refreshing. A typical portion will cost between 40 and 60 baht ($1.30 to $1.90). If you want your salad to have less heat, just tell the vendor’ Mai Phet ‘(not spicy).
Khao Man Gai, steamed chicken served over jasmine rice with a light soup and dipping sauce. One of the most popular and filling street food meals. Usually around 50–60 THB.
Mango Sticky Rice (Khao Niew Ma Muang): sweet sticky rice served with fresh mango slices and coconut milk. The best dessert on the street. Around 60–80 THB. Best when mangoes are in season from March to June.
Grilled Seafood, if you like seafood, you will be happy in Pattaya. Squid, prawns, and fresh fish go straight onto the charcoal grill in front of you. The smell alone will stop you walking. You can find this at Thepprasit Night Market and Jomtien Night Market. Price depends on what you pick and how big it is.
Roti: thin Thai-style pancakes filled with banana, egg, chocolate, or condensed milk. A popular late-night street food, especially near Walking Street. Usually 20–50 THB.
Is it safe to eat street food in Thailand?
Yes, street food in Pattaya is generally very safe. The rule is simple, look for the stalls with the most customers. High turnover means fresh ingredients.
Busy markets like Thepprasit and Runway are well-organized and have a lot of local and international visitors every evening.
If you have a sensitive stomach, it is a good idea to start with cooked dishes like fried rice or noodles rather than raw items, and always make sure your meat is cooked through.
Pattaya Street Food Prices (best street food in Pattaya)
Final Tips for Eating Street Food in Pattaya (Pattaya Thai street food)
- Always carry small change, 20 THB and 50 THB notes are very useful at street food stalls
- Most vendors do not speak much English, but you can point at the food and use fingers to show quantity
- Ask for “mai phet” (ไม่เผ็ด) if you want less spicy, or “phet nit noi” for a little spicy
- Bring a small bag or reusable bag, most stalls give food in plastic bags to take away
- Street food pattaya,in the weekend markets get busier after 6:00 PM, so go a bit earlier if you want to avoid the crowd
Feel free to DM me here on IG @fj.at.pattaya or @snny.travel.blog.
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