Places to Eat in Chanthaburi
Chantaburi's diverse cultural background has fortunately left its mark on the food scene, making it a great destination for travellers with a passion for Asian food. And, if you venture to the coastal towns of Laem Singh and Chao Lao, you’ll be able to dine on some excellent seafood too.
In the city of Chanthaburi itself, those on a budget will be able to enjoy most of the local food, which can be found at restaurants, street stalls, and at the markets. There are also several international restaurants if you don’t mind spending a little more. But we would definitely recommend eating the excellent local food as much as possible, as you can’t eat it some of the dishes anywhere else in Thailand!
Local Food
The first stop on your food tour of Chantaburi town should definitely be the famous Chantorn Restaurant (102/5-8, Benjamarachutis Rd), a firm favourite among both locals and tourists alike. This is where to go if you want to try local specialities, such as pad sen chan buu (crab noodles), and red curry with durian fruit. They also sell local products which make for great souvenirs, including durian toffees and mangosteen cookies.
The atmosphere isn’t all that, so it would probably make a better choice for lunch, and then head to Sukhapiban Road to search for dinner. This road runs alongside the river, making it great for people watching and scenic views. This is where you’ll find lots of smaller shops selling cheap but delicious local delicacies and dishes.
There are plenty of places selling interesting snacks and Asian fruits, and as you walk south, you’ll find an excellent noodle shop, a café selling Thai ice tea next to the river, and even a Vietnamese-inspired sandwich stall. For those of you with a sweet tooth, Sukhapiban Road also hosts Rocky Ice Cream Parlour, which sells a variety of Asian inspired flavours, including green tea and durian.
Markets
Chantaburi has some great local markets that sell both local produce and prepared dishes, such as Chalerm Jan, Nam Phu and Chathuchak.
Chalerm Jan (by Wat Kate Na Boonyaram) is a small day market and is where to go for sweet treats, whilst Nam Phu is more of a general market selling local produce, souvenirs and handcrafts during the day. At night, it comes alive with street food carts – we recommend the noodle soup for both taste and price, only THB35 a bowl!
Finally, Chathuchak (other side of river, opposite Maharaj Alley) is a night market that specializes in tropical fruits such as durian, rambutan and mangosteen, but it has street food and cloth stalls too.
Western and International Food
If you need a break from Thai food, there are a few international restaurants scattered around town. By the Chatuchak market, there is a small mall that has several Western restaurants, including a steakhouse and pizzeria. There’s also a sushi house (near Kasemsarn Hotel) and an Indian-Thai fusion restaurant too (Si Chan Soi 4).
The best Western restaurants in terms of both food and atmosphere are probably Craze House and Koff House. Craze House (7333/1, Soi Tha Chalaep 8 Rd) has a delicious menu influenced by various cuisines, a fun atmosphere, and live music. Koff House (34/8 Moo 6, Chanthanimit) is where to go if you are craving pizza, and it has a great location right on the river, with plenty of outdoor seating.
Cafes and Coffee Houses
Thanks to the European influence here, Chantaburi is also home to some excellent cafes and coffee houses. If you can find it, there’s a superb bakery close by to Nam Phu market (centre of town, by fountain) that sells a variety of European style cakes and pastries. It's a great place to grab a quick breakfast before exploring the town.
On the other hand, Latte Coffee House (88, Maharaj Alley) is a cute boutique place by the river that sells amazing cakes, and is a great spot for relaxing for a few hours with a good book.
Seafood Restaurants
For those hoping to visit the beach towns of Laem Singh and Chao Lao, there's no shortage of seafood restaurants here, most of which are of similar quality and price. The seafood will be fresh and delicious wherever you choose to eat, but a good tip is to find out where the locals like to eat, and they'll be more than happy to make a recommendation! If you don’t mind stretching the budget, both Puja (53/1, Liap Chaihad Chaolao Rd) and Yai Tu (46/4 Chaloem Burapha Chonlathit Rd) are recommended choices, with delicious seafood and excellent service standards.
