Looking for the best places to eat in Pai? This laid-back backpacker haven is bursting with character and flavour!
Tucked away in the mountains of Northern Thailand, Pai is a cute and charming town offering everything from authentic Thai food, a vibrant and bustling street market selection, bougie brunch spots and amazing plant-based options.
Throughout my guide to ‘The Very Best Places to Eat in Pai, ‘ I’ll take you on a delicious journey through the town’s top restaurants, hidden gems, and unforgettable bites.
From crispy Khao Soi to organic smoothie bowls, here’s where to eat in Pai if you want to taste the town at its best.
Disclosure: This Very Best Place to Eat in Pai Guide contains affiliate links. This means that if you click a link and purchase something I have recommended I will earn a small commission. This does not affect the price you pay but helps me to keep Travels by Izzy going.
A Mouth Watering Selection of The Very Best Places to Eat in Pai
Charlie & Lek
When it comes to authentic Thai food and the best places to eat in Pai, nowhere in Pai, in my opinion, does it better than Charlie & Lek. I first visited Pai 3 years ago and discovered Charlie & Lek then. When I revisited this year, it is still serving up some of the tastiest Thai food in Pai.
Offering a wide variety of freshly made traditional Thai dishes, salads created from veggies grown in their garden and a wide variety of fruit shakes, you cannot really go wrong with the options at Charlie & Lek.
Make sure to stop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner whilst you are in Pai for some of the freshest and yummiest food around.
Lemon Thyme Cafe
Lemon Thyme Cafe is my absolute favourite for breakfast and lunch, this place is an explosion for your taste buds with fresh produce from their organic garden and local farms being used wherever possible.
I have visited Lemon Thyme countless times for breaky and a few times for their lunch menu, offering up everything you could desire from properly packed bagels, yummy eggs, breakfast plates, pasta dishes, salads, an amazing drink selection and yummy desserts.
If you are like me and prefer to eat something a little more western first thing in the morning I cannot recommend them enough to get your day started!
Nong Beer
The Thai food in Pai is up there with some of the tastiest I’ve had and Nong Beer is another of my favourite spots with a delicious variety.
Here you can find all your favourite Thai dishes along with the northern specialities such as Khao Soi, they have amazing starters, chicken & cashew nut, as well as an increibly tasty massaman curry.
Located right at the end of the walking street, this is the perfect place to stop for dinner before taking a walk down the famous Pai night market.
Banh Banh Pun Pai Sandwich
If you have been to Vietnam, then you have definitely heard of a Banh Mi sandwich. This is no ordinary Banh Mi, but oh my are they incredible.
Located down the main walking street in a little shop, that has doubled in size since I was last in Pai, you will find Banh Banh Pun Pai Sandwiches, offering meat or veggie options and a large selection of fillings these sandwiches are a must try if you are looking for a quick and easy lunch.
They are absolutely packed full as you can see from the image below and super tasty so well deserving of their spot on my list of the best places to eat in Pai.
Duang Restaurant
Another amazing Thai food option for lunch or dinner, Duang restaurant has all of your favourite Thai classics. I highly recommend the sweet & sour, washed down with a yummy fresh coconut.
It is also located perfectly in the heart of the walking street, so an excellent place to people watch and admire as the hustle and bustle of Pai’s famous walking street market comes to life as the sun goes down.
The Pedlar
Another amazing breakfast spot if you want to start your day off with some western-style dishes.
Here they serve up very good coffee along with full breakfasts, egg plates, peanut butter bagels, wraps and more!
At The Pedlar, the restaurant is located inside, so you can sit back and enjoy the world go by from a nicely air-conditioned cafe while you start your day.
I’P Burger & Grill
I’P Burger & Grill does not look like much from the road, but these burgers are super tasty and not to be missed if you fancy something a little more western for lunch or dinner.
With a wide variety of choices from standard beef burgers to things a little less common, like crocodile, you are sure to find something you like on the menu.
You can watch as they prepare your burger in their open kitchen, and they do not scrimp on fillings either, with a larger selection of extras to add for additional cost.
BAAN23 House Cafe
Whilst in Pai this year, I stayed at 23 Pai House hotel, which has this cute little restaurant attached to it, we ate breakfast here most days as it was offered by the hotel in our stay as well as lunch.
It truly is a hidden gem and not somewhere to be missed whilst you are in Pai. Again, this is a more western style restaurant serving up yummy breakfasts like coconut porridge bowls, fresh fruit plates, souffle pancakes, which looked incredible and savoury options too, such as eggs and breakfast plates.
They also have acai bowls to pick from and some Mediterranean-style options for lunch. On this menu, you can pick from yummy wraps, hummus plates, and so much more.
Gyoza Queen
Gyoza Queen can be found along the Pai walking street night market, open every night. Gyoza Queen truly is the queen of Gyoza’s with different fillings to pick from, such as veggie, chicken, prawn or pork.
The Gyoza’s are fried up right in front of you on their giant wok, served perfectly crispy on the outside and packed with flavour on the inside. Make sure you don’t miss the homemade chilli sauce to go with them.
Cheese Madness
Whilst eating my way around Pai, doing my in-depth research for this post, I stumbled across Cheese Madness and knew I had to try it. If you are crazy about cheese, I highly recommend you try it too!
Imagine any cheese dish you can think of, now imagine any flavour or combination of cheese toastie you can imagine and I am sure Cheese Madness has it. From cheese sticks, cheese crisps, cheese plates, standard cheese & tomato toasties, even to options like cheese & chocolate, Cheese Madness really does have it all.
Time Cafe & Bistro
Another great western option for breakfast, brunch or lunch!
Time Cafe & Bistro has some great coffee and non coffee options, this was one of my favourite spots to stroll to each morning and grab a matcha.
It then offers all of your favourite breakfast choices such as eggs benny, smoked salmon, breakfast plates, bagels, and so much more. Time then transitions beautifully into their lunch menu with dishes such as wraps, salads, soups, sandwiches and freshly made rolls.
The Jerk Spot
Last but definitely not least is the Jerk Spot, if you are looking for something a little spicy and a little different then the Jerk Spot has got to be your choice in my Best Places to Eat in Pai Guide.
Located a little out of the centre in the Butterfly Hostel is the Jerk Spot, serving up jerk chicken, amazing fries, rice and peas, and so much more! Make sure to stop for dinner whilst admiring the rice paddies and mountain view from across the road.
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