Thailand Food & Drink Guides

Thai food changes character as you move around the country. The north leans to khao soi and milder, herb-heavy dishes; Isan brings the som tam and grilled meats most people picture as "spicy Thai"; the south goes hot and coconut-rich, with the best seafood curries in the country. Ordering well means knowing which region you are eating in.

These guides name dishes, stalls and neighbourhoods rather than dealing in generalities about vibrant street food scenes. They cover what things cost, which markets are worth the trip, when stalls actually open, and where the cash-only rule will catch you out.

Alongside the street food there is a serious cafe culture in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket built around specialty coffee and remote work, plus rooftop bars and night markets. Vegetarians and anyone avoiding fish sauce will find the ordering phrases worth learning before the first meal.