International Food
in Thailand
Because even the biggest Thai-food fan eventually wants pizza, sushi, curry from somewhere else, a proper steak, a Sunday roast or the comfort food they grew up with.
Thailand’s international food scene is much bigger than hotel restaurants.
For residents, long-stayers and repeat visitors, international food is part of normal life. Bangkok has world-class depth, but Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, Samui and Hua Hin all have communities large enough to support serious independent restaurants, family-run kitchens and familiar comfort food.
That is what this guide is for: not one “best restaurant” list, but a way to discover what is available when you want a change of flavour.
Eight easy ways into the international scene.
Start with the cuisine, then use the city sections below for actual places worth putting on your shortlist.
Italian
Pizza, handmade pasta, trattorias, regional Italian and polished date-night dining.
Japanese
Sushi, izakaya, ramen, yakiniku, omakase and everyday neighbourhood Japanese.
Indian
North and South Indian, modern Indian, tandoor, biryani, vegetarian and regional specialists.
Middle Eastern
Lebanese grills, mezze, shawarma, Turkish cooking and Gulf favourites.
Mexican & Latin
Tacos, ceviche, burritos, contemporary Latin kitchens and lively margarita nights.
European
French bistros, German kitchens, Scandinavian cooking, tapas and continental comfort food.
Steak & Grill
Steakhouses, charcoal grills, barbecue, rotisserie and big-format sharing dinners.
Pub & Comfort Food
Sunday roasts, pies, fish and chips, burgers, breakfasts and the food expats miss from home.
Sometimes you want discovery. Sometimes you just want dinner that feels familiar.
A city becomes easier to live in when you know your reliable favourites.
One good Italian, one dependable Indian, somewhere for breakfast, somewhere for a steak, a Japanese place you trust and a pub or café where you know what you are getting.
Reliable & easy
Neighbourhood restaurants, lunch sets, casual Japanese, pasta, curries and places you can use repeatedly.
Social food
Pizza, mezze, tapas, barbecue, Mexican and restaurants designed for a table of friends.
A taste of home
Roasts, pies, bread, cheese, breakfasts, familiar sauces and the food people miss after months away.
Go up a level
International fine dining, steakhouses, chef-led kitchens and destination restaurants for celebrations.
Six major international food scenes — and plenty to contact.
Every restaurant below opens a Google Maps search so readers can check the current location, hours and reviews before travelling.
Bangkok international dining
Thailand’s deepest international dining market: Japanese, Italian, Indian, Korean, Middle Eastern, French, Mexican, steak, vegan and almost everything between.
Find Bangkok restaurant deals visually.
Open JLIT’s Bangkok Miniature City to explore participating restaurants, nearby venues, member offers and directions on the map.
Sühring
Open in Google Maps →Appia
Open in Google Maps →Pizza Massilia
Open in Google Maps →Indus
Open in Google Maps →Al Saray
Open in Google Maps →El Mercado
Open in Google Maps →La Monita
Open in Google Maps →Smokin’ Pug
Open in Google Maps →
Chiang Mai international dining
A strong independent scene built around long-stay residents: Italian, Japanese, Indian, Mediterranean, vegan, burgers, bakeries and relaxed neighbourhood restaurants.
Why Not?
Open in Google Maps →The Duke’s
Open in Google Maps →Rajdarbar
Open in Google Maps →Italics
Open in Google Maps →Accha
Open in Google Maps →The Salad Concept
Open in Google Maps →
Phuket international dining
International dining is woven into island life: Italian, French, Russian, Indian, Japanese, Middle Eastern, steak and resort-led destination restaurants.
Acqua
Open in Google Maps →La Gaetana
Open in Google Maps →Café del Sol
Open in Google Maps →Delhi Darbar
Open in Google Maps →The Siam Supper Club
Open in Google Maps →Suay
Open in Google Maps →See restaurants in context on JLIT’s interactive Bangkok map.
Bangkok is the first city where JLIT can take restaurant discovery beyond a list. Open the interactive Miniature City, move around the neighbourhoods, spot participating restaurants and nearby businesses, and use the map as the bridge from inspiration to actually choosing where to eat.
Pattaya & Jomtien international dining
One of Thailand’s easiest places for expat comfort food, European restaurants, Indian dining, steakhouses, German kitchens and international breakfasts.
Casa Pascal
Open in Google Maps →Beefeater
Open in Google Maps →Hops Brewhouse
Open in Google Maps →Indian By Nature
Open in Google Maps →Pan Pan
Open in Google Maps →Cafe des Amis
Open in Google Maps →
Koh Samui international dining
A surprisingly broad island scene: Italian, French, Mediterranean, Indian, Japanese, steak, beach clubs and expat-run neighbourhood favourites.
Prego
Open in Google Maps →The Larder
Open in Google Maps →Baci
Open in Google Maps →Noori India
Open in Google Maps →Chez François
Open in Google Maps →The Ranch at Shook!
Open in Google Maps →
Hua Hin international dining
A mature expat dining town with Scandinavian, Italian, French, Indian, steak, pub food and long-established European favourites.
Andreas Italian Restaurant
Open in Google Maps →Prime Steakhouse
Open in Google Maps →Brasserie de Paris
Open in Google Maps →Everest Indian
Open in Google Maps →Father Ted’s
Open in Google Maps →Carlo Ristorante Italiano
Open in Google Maps →Serve Thailand’s expat and long-stay audience?
International restaurants are a natural fit for JLIT. A useful listing can put your venue in front of residents, relocating families and travellers already looking for exactly what you serve — with member offers, map exposure and editorial opportunities as the platform grows.
Go somewhere completely different next.
Cafés, Coffee & Brunch
Specialty coffee, bakeries and long breakfasts.
BACK TO THAILANDStreet Food & Markets
Markets, stalls, smoke, noodles and snacks.
MAKE A NIGHT OF ITRomantic Dining
Special tables and destination dinners.
GO UPMARKETFine Dining & Michelin
Thailand’s ambitious kitchens and Michelin picks.
Living in Thailand does not mean eating one cuisine forever.
The best international food scene is the one that gives you options: somewhere new when you want discovery and somewhere familiar when you simply want your favourite meal done properly.