Four Restaurants For The Hopeless Romantic In Pattaya
Valentine’s day might be behind, but it doesn’t mean you should squeeze the love out only once a year.
If you’re coupled up and in Pattaya, rather than getting that fried chicken with a Diet Coke, book a table from one of the many beachside restaurants. And like the age-old aphorism in real estate, the success of a romantic, candlelit dinner is directly proportional to the location. The sunset will be there anyway, so get yourself seated at a proper seafood table (like the ones we have curated for you).
This is a guide to four beachside dining experiences worthy of popping the question.
Close your eyes. Imagine the waves calmly lapping the shoreline. The briny, aromatic smell of the ocean hitting your receptors. It feels calm, just like the beach club’s tropical decor of white rattan and light wood, appearing even more welcoming with some loose sand garnished on the patio. This restaurant specialises in, needless to say, mixing meat with seafood — the place is called surf and turf, not sure what we expected. Their fusion menu is not short of tasty, fresh, aphrodisiac foods: fine de Claire oysters, lobster, chocolate pizza (yes, really).
Old school GPS: Drive to the end of Naklua soi 16. If you stay at Red Planet Pattaya, download the mobile app, and book a 12-minute (Grab) taxi ride to the restaurant and back.
You guessed it again — it’s a house made of glass. This megalithic restaurant is the aquatic interpretation of farm to table. Sea to table. Thais line up to the Glass House on their weekend trips to Pattaya, but instead of fully booked beachfront tables, you’ll see a lot of locals sitting behind closed doors in the comfort of air conditioning, and sometimes braving to go outside for the ideal setting to the next Instagram post. While they are on their phones, you’ll be too busy staring either at the spectacular panoramic views, or the special someone you’re sharing the dinner with. The choice is yours. And the food deserves an equal amount of recognition — with a long menu of fresh seafood, local classics, and international hits (even the clichéd pasta carbonara is terrific).
Old school GPS: Take Najomtien soi 10 off from Sukhumvit road (it’s a long road), and you can’t miss it.
A garden by the beach. Bean bag chairs. Spectacular view. This doesn’t sound like a Pattaya restaurant at all. Set into a charming, natural environment with breathtaking sunset views of Pattaya Bay and Koh Larn island, the Sky Gallery brings any two lovebirds together. It’s the ideal place for dining authentic Thai dishes, fresh seafood and, being a trend in the restaurants in the area, many international dishes.
Old school GPS: It’s on Pratamnak Hill, right next to Chocolate Factory. A 30-minute car ride from Red Planet Pattaya, the best budget hotel in Pattaya.
Now for something completely different. The drop-dead beautiful teak decor, colourful seats, and traditional Thai tablecloths make this restaurant stick out from the previous modern patios on the beach. Set in a stunning location on an open-air deck, Cabbages & Condoms is guaranteed to award you some extra points from your better half. The name might bring a smirk on your face, but before you judge them, they started in social community development and health education. They still do that, but now they serve outstanding food.
Old school GPS: At the end of Phra Tam Nak soi 4, if you see a big golden Buddha, you’re going the right way.