Pattaya food tour
If you want to know what Pattaya really tastes like, you have to look where the locals are fuelling up. Beyond the Pattaya of postcards; come to Naklua, a 100-year-old traditional fishing community where you can escape the neon nightlife and discover a different side of the city.
Begin at the century-old market, where our foodie guide will navigate the bustling stalls to see the fresh catch brought in from the boats bobbing in the harbour. Tuck into a bowl of kuay jub rolled noodles, swimming in a dark, aromatic broth that carries a bold black pepper kick.
Welcome to 'Old Pattaya' - a place of wooden shopfronts and narrow alleys where family lineages stretch back further than the first tourist resort. Watch clouds of steam rise from backstreets marked by steamers with space-age lids, hiding the fluffy moo daeng pork buns.
The pace quickens as we hunt down the street-level essentials. From fish cake skewers charred over coals to pan-fried gui chai dumplings from the legendary Grandpa Ta-Pae, a local rite of passage. Weβll snag thumb-sized parcels of rice dumplings and khanom buang crispy crΓͺpes filled with airy coconut cream.
Look out for juicy oysters flash-fried into a golden batter, and melt-in-your-mouth braised pork leg slow-cooked for hours in a master sauce of cinnamon and star anise. Try mok pla - a fish curry mousse steamed inside a banana leaf, to lock in the herbal aromatics of wild ginger and kaffir lime. Among many more surprises, thereβs 15+ tastings in all, a deep dive into the bona fide food scene of the Chonburi coastline.
Seek out a hidden gem run by former fishermen who still use walkie-talkies to call their next catch. Weβll tear into seafood specialities: fresh squid sautΓ©ed in midnight-black buttery ink, a soufflΓ©-like egg volcano pot bubbling over flames, and freshly seasoned fish, fried to a crisp.
This isn't just a food tour; it's a window into the traditional heart of Naklua, a far cry from the laminated menus of Walking Street. Come hungry, and visit the family-owned eateries that unveil the real Pattaya. This is the side of the city's cuisine that you never knew existed.
Why this tour is awesome
Join our evening food tour for a backstage pass to the real Pattaya. We leave the tourist bubbles behind to meet the local street food heroes who have been perfecting their secret recipes for decades. We venture into a historic fishing community that most visitors never see. You'll eat, eat, repeat, and see up close how Pattaya's true culinary heart beats.
Your guide
A licensed Thai tour guide, Juen grew up moving between the chilli-spiked kitchens of his homeland, and in the slipstream of his fatherβs tour operations in Japan. Learning between two cultures - allowed Juen to blend Thai vibrancy with Japanese precision. He is a passionate cook and storyteller dedicated to sharing the deep-rooted traditions and bold flavours of Thailand. When he's not guiding, youβll find him in the kitchen refining traditional recipes or outdoors snapping with his camera.
Your guide
For Kak, the real Thailand isn't always found in a brochure; itβs forged over a smoky campfire or found in the crunch of a deep-fried fish and mango. Licensed guide, obsessive trekker, and a student of the fascinating story that is Thai culture. Whether he's leading a food tour or camping under a canopy of stars, Kak is a firm believer that you'll learn more about a place through its food than its monuments.
Your guide
Usa's life is a road trip, that includes a continuous inspection of the cafes and local landmarks that map out the Thai food experience. Usa is a firm believer that to understand a country, you have to feel it in your bones, which is why she's also trained in the Thai sauna and massage culture, perfect after a day's food expedition.
Braised pork in five-spice sauce
Pattaya's food heroes in the historic Naklua city
Decades-old street food chefs with closely guarded recipes
Banana leaf wrapped delicacies at the market
See locals in a centuries old fishing community
Pan fried chinese chives cakes
Our local foodie guide explains the ingredients behind Pattaya's cuisine
The bubbling pot of volcano seafood soup
Ink-stained squid and seafood specialities
Traditional Thai dessert bua loy
Includes
- Price US $49 per person
- Tastings 15+ food tastings included, more than any other Pattaya food tour
- Drinks Bottled water included
- Transport / Walking Walking tour with 9-10 stops
- Small group tour Maximum of 8 guests (private tours or groups of 9+, please contact us)
- Start Time 4:00PM
- Duration Around 3.5 to 4 hours, depending on the pace of the group
- Guide Led by one of our superb Pattaya food hosts
- Child Policy Children aged 3-12 years: 50% discount. Infants 0-2 years: free
- Instant Confirmation Book instantly on our live calendar. If your date is unavailable, please contact us
- Cancellation policy Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
- Language English
- Pick up / Drop off Not included. Easy to find meeting point for all guests
Dietary information
- General Advice Many streetside vendors specialise in signature menus, and may not have alternatives. It is not always possible to cater for all dietary requests at every stop
- Vegetarian Meat and seafood are used in 5-6 tastings with limited alternatives available
- Vegan Unsuitable as meat, seafood and eggs are used in over half the tastings
- Pescatarian Possible, though meat is used in 3-4 tastings with limited alternative available
- Pork Possible, though pork is used in 2-3 dishes. Unsuitable for halal diets.
- Halal Unsuitable, as there are no vendors on the tour route that hold halal certification.
- Gluten Intolerance / Celiac Disease Possible, though gluten is used in 1-2 tastings, and soy sauce in more tastings. Unsuitable for celiac disease.
- Lactose intolerance Suitable for lactose intolerances
- Peanuts / Tree Nut Allergy Peanuts are used in 1-2 tastings. There are no other known tree nuts. Possible for mild allergies only.
- Seafood / Shellfish Allergy Seafood is used in 5-6 tastings with limited alternatives
- Severe Allergies Due to the nature of street food cooking, we can never guarantee any dish to be 100% free from allergens, as there is always the risk of traces and cross-contamination. It is unsuitable for severe allergies. Contact us: info@achefstour.com
How to book
To join our Pattaya evening food tour, use the live booking calendar to select your date and secure your tour. If the date is unavailable, or for special requests and private bookings, pleaseΒ contact us. Safety and comfort of guests is our first priority, so if you have any questions on dietary information or food allergies, pleaseΒ contact usΒ before booking.
What to expect
This tour is designed for adventurous eaters with an interest in discovering the food locals eat. Itβs a walking tour, but the pace is gentle, the terrain flat and there are plenty of rest (eating) stops along the way. Join us on the best PattayaΒ food tour in the city, you won't regret it.
Meeting point
This Pattaya evening food tour starts atΒ Naklua in North Pattaya. We'll meet at the main triangle entrance of Naklua Chalermprakiat Park. Itβs a short taxi ride from Pattaya City and features a beautiful waterfront view of the city skyline. At the end of the experience, your guide can help you find transport back if you wish. More details will be sent upon booking.
Cancellation Policy
Why you should book with us
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99% 5 star reviews across our tours -
Secure payments through provider Peek
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No hidden charges - all food tastings included in the price
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Authentic food experience, escape the tourist traps