Pai Restaurants: A Backpacker's Guide on Where to Eat

When asking other travelers about their thoughts on Pai, most will rave about the food (and the wonderfully weird hippy vibes, of course). This little mountain town somehow manages to have nearly every type of cuisine. Not only is the food fantastic, but they offer a great atmosphere, reasonable prices, and staff that make you feel like family. There are dozens and dozens of restaurants to choose from, but we’ve created a list of the top Pai restaurants so you can dine at only the best! Bon appétit!
 
 

Best Thai Food Restaurants in Pai:

Na’s Kitchen

Na’s Kitchen has a deceiving exterior. Little would outsiders know that found inside of this seemingly rickety venue is some of the most delicious Thai food in town. Not only is every dish on point but also incredibly affordable, with dishes starting out at as little as a dollar. The staff’s smiles were contagious and the food they make just behind the bar is delicious … what more could you ask for? The menu is divided into a number of sections, including starters, fried fish, Thai curries, soups, salads, stir-fries, and much more. All of these dishes are best paired with one of their refreshing fruit shakes, like the unique pineapple and basil shake combination (฿40).
 

The Blue Ox

This tranquil restaurant isn’t your typical Pai eatery. Dine under colorful lanterns and bunting banners in this open-air restaurant. The Blue Ox is open all day, proving tasty breakfast options including homemade jams, fresh yogurt, and made-to-order eggs. The trickling fountains and tiered seating create a comfortable and classy atmosphere that you’ll want to stay and relax at for hours. The menu is a bit pricier than other spots in Pai, but there are still a couple options for around ฿80. Order a Thai dish with a modern twist (try the deep-fried soft shell crab!), or enjoy a classic American favorite. As a bonus, The Blue Ox uses composting and recycling techniques and all food served here is organic and chemical-free!
 

Charlie and Lek’s

When a restaurant used to be a successful cooking school, you are almost guaranteed that the food is going to be good: Charlie and Lek’s is no exception. While the cooking school is sadly no more, we knew we still needed to stop by this restaurant to try the raged about Thai dishes … we were not disappointed. The staff is super flexible about making a dish exactly how you like it, so feel free to swap ingredients and tell them exactly how spicy you like something in order to have the most memorable dining experience! The first page of the menu is dedicated to the restaurant’s new and healthy vegetarian dishes, including their fresh spring rolls (฿60), their baby sunflower salad (฿160), and their khao soi (฿50), a delicious northern-style curry dish that visitors cannot leave the country without trying first. The price of each dish depends on the combination of ingredients you opt for, with tofu and vegetable dishes for only ฿50, chicken for ฿55, pork for ฿55, beef for ฿70, or shrimp for ฿75.
 

Ganesh Bar & Restaurant

For those looking for some basic, but superb, Thai food – you can’t go wrong with Ganesh. The portion sizes here are huge and super affordable at around ฿50-60 a plate. The staff here are known to be incredibly friendly, so it’s no wonder so many people frequent this place every day of their trip. Make sure to try the khao soi, possibly the best in all of Pai!
 

Karsa Long Thai Food

This Thai restaurant isn’t much more than a hole in the wall. Tables and chairs are simple as is the decor, but what this restaurant lacks in frivolous design it makes up for with its delicious and affordable meals. Outside of the restaurant, you will find an array of specials they are featuring that day as well as an extensive menu inside. If you aren’t entirely too ravenous, opt for one of their snacks, like their tasty vegetarian spring rolls or a pancake. Karsa Long Thai Food is also serving up all-day breakfast starting at only ฿60 (about $1.80). Come for lunch or dinner and instead indulge in one of their many Thai dishes, all of which can be made with either tofu, chicken, pork mushrooms, fish, shrimp, or mixed seafood. If you have yet to experience or try great Thai food before, this restaurant is a wonderful place to start as it has all of the staple dishes that make this country’s cuisine so memorable, including curries, pad see ew, and many more.
 

International Cuisine in Pai:

Witching Well

Found just a stone’s throw away from Pais’ Walking Street is Witching Well, a dining venue with a twist. Dining here will make you feel as though you have stepped into the Hansel and Gretel fairytale, with witch decor hanging from the ceilings and spicing up the seating arrangements. The restaurant is named after the well that sits in its front courtyard, and the venue has been impressing all those who visit with its unique aesthetic and fusion dishes ever since it opened in 2006. The menu is split up into five main sections: breakfast, starters, main courses, beverages, and desserts. Some of the most delicious dishes include their pumpkin salad (฿145), the penne with sausage and mushrooms (฿195), and the grilled pork with black pepper cream sauce (฿195).
 

A Taste of Joy

This cozy little restaurant is tucked away on a street just south of the center of Pai. The open-air concept lets in the sunshine and breeze to create a welcoming environment. The brick walls are decorated with hanging plants and pieces by the local Pai artist, Jongrak (you can check out more of his work on the walking street every night!) Their delicious menu offers various burgers, sandwiches, salads, and pastas, along with some tasty breakfast options, homemade kombucha, and a few mouth-watering desserts. The vibes and aesthetics of A Taste of Joy feels like a little slice of Europe in Thailand.
 

Grunge Burgers

Both vegetarians and carnivores can enjoy Grunge Burgers! This little joint right off the main walking street of Pai does burgers right, with their large portions and homemade fries. The beef patties at Grunge Burger are thick and perfectly cooked – make sure to top it with bacon, avocado, mushrooms, or homemade BBQ sauce (or really, all of the above). For vegetarians and vegans, their black bean burger or chickpea burger are sure to satisfy you. Take a seat at their minimalistic restaurant, or grab a burger at their stall on the walking street!
 

Baan Pizza

Sometimes, all you need in life is a good slice of pizza. Baan Pizza in Pai is here for that reason. Located on the east side of the main walking street, Baan Pizza provides a comfortable vibe with attentive and friendly staff. Their thin crust pizza, baked in a wood fire oven, is on point and is topped with a generous portion of cheese and toppings. If you’re not into pizzas (who are you?!), try one of their homemade plates of pasta. Be sure to accompany your delicious Italian food with a beer or local wine.
 

Cafecito

Located on the same small, but flourishing street as A Taste of Joy, lies Cafecito. This charming eatery has most of the Mexican dishes we know you’ve been craving since traveling around Southeast Asia. Tostados, tacos, tortas, carnitas, chorizo, chilaquiles – you name it, Cafecito’s got it! The owner has visited Mexico numerous times to perfect her skills, which is evident in the beautifully presented food. They’re open for breakfast (hello huevos rancheros!) and also make gorgeous desserts. This hip little restaurant has also perfected their Mexican decor and you can enjoy your meal inside or on the patio.
 

Silhouette Restaurant and Bar

For an elegant dining experience, head to Silhouette. This riverside spot is part of the colonial-style hotel, Reverie Siam Resort. The alfresco seating offers views of the pond and garden of the resort, extending out to the jungles and mountains of Pai. Every last detail in Silhouette reflects the sophistication and class this resort is known for. Lounge in the library, surrounded by antique instruments and books, and enjoy the live music in the evenings. With Italian and Mediterranean options, you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to a posh restaurant in Europe.
 

Le Rêve de Pai

If you’re in need of a night cap, head to this lovely wine bar. This aim of this restaurant is to provide slow food made from the heart. The small menu makes it easy to order – indulge in one of the homemade pastas or lasagnas but make sure to save room for dessert. Le Rêve, of course, also has a selection of wines from France, Spain, and Chile, along with cocktails and beers. The personable staff match the warm and inviting ambiance of the restaurant. Simplistic, yet effective, Le Rêve is a favorite amongst tourists and locals alike.
 

Burger Queen

With a selection of various types of burgers, Burger Queen is sure to delight every type of traveler. Choose between a chicken, beef, sweet potato and pumpkin, mushroom, or eggplant burger, it would be difficult to find something you don’t love here! Be sure to get the fries and garlic mayo, both of which are homemade and fantastic. The prices here are reasonable and they’ve also got board games you can play if you’d like to stick around longer.
 

Healthy, Vegetarian, and Vegan Food in Pai:

Chew Xin Jai Vegan Food

Whether you really enjoy Chinese food or abide by a vegan diet, Chew Xin Jai Vegan Food is one dining venue you will not want to miss out on. At Chew Xin Jai Vegan Food, all you have to do is point and choose from their buffet-style selection. If you want to sample the best dishes, be sure to come earlier in the day, as they seem to run out of the tastiest of choices by lunch-time! If that is the case, you can also order straight off their menu, and the prices are but a bit more expensive but well worth the baht. The buffet-style meal is only a few bucks for a selection of three dishes and a serving of brown rice. Delicious dishes on the menu include the vegetarian chicken on rice (฿69), the soy protein with basil on rice (฿49), and the pumpkin curry (฿99).
 

Bom Bowls

No visit to Pai is complete without stopping by Bom Bowls. This quaint eatery looks more like someone’s home than a restaurant, and it certainly feels that way as well because of the overtly kind staff members. Visitors to Bom Bowls can enjoy a great view of the surrounding mountainous terrain while they indulge in some of the healthiest of finds in the city. In addition to delicious food, Bom Bowls also offers yoga classes Monday through Saturday, and a drop-in is only ฿200. The instructor and manager of the restaurant, Hannah, is very diligent about going around to each visitor and readjusting as needed, so yogis of all levels are welcome to join. End a great class with an even better meal. The most popular dishes at Bom Bowls (as its name suggest) are the smoothie bowls, all of which are topped with homemade granola and bananas.
 

Earth Tone

If you are in need of a healthy break from Thailand’s renowned stir-fries, then Earth Tone is the cafe and restaurant duo to frequent. It is found just across the street from the Wat Phra That Mae Yen (White Buddha) and also doubles as a health shop, with plenty of probiotic drinks, raw and vegan-friendly desserts, and more to go around. Visitors must write their orders down on a piece of paper and bring it to the counter in this nature-inspired cafe. Earth Tone serves up all day breakfast with everything from gluten-free granola to organic black rice pudding on the menu. All of the dishes on the menu are either vegetarian or vegan-friendly, as well.
 

Art in Chai

Come as a stranger and leave as a friend every time you dine at Art in Chai. This venue’s claim to fame is certainly their cool decor, which is mostly dark red in color and spotted with cushioned floor seating. It encompasses a hippie vibe in every aspect, from its aesthetic to its menu, which only serves vegetarian-friendly dishes. The vegan chickpea and mushrooms burgers (฿120) are always a hit, while those diners looking for something a bit lighter may instead try the smoothie bowl (฿100). The venue is lit up after dark by twinkling, hanging lights, making it an ideal spot to enjoy a romantic dinner. You can also kick-start a night out here with a glass of red or white wine (฿120).
 

Fat Cat

For a quiet meal away from the city center madness, be sure to frequent Fat Cat. This restaurant resembles a treehouse more than it does a restaurant. A handful of wooden tables and chair are found on the second floor of the venue, with ample floor seating with plush, Thai-style cushions to relax on. Kick-start your day with a breakfast sandwich (฿150): an omelet with ham and cheese inside their signature homemade bread. There are also plenty of healthy breakfast bowls, salads, and more to choose from. Each of these pairs perfectly with one of their signature drinks, like a fresh coconut (฿50, pay more to add chia seeds, cacao, or cinnamon) or their delicious Thai green tea with milk (coconut and soy as a substitute).

The Link

The Link is a quaint Thai eatery found just outside of the city center. The owner, Link, grows all of her own vegetables and herbs right there on the property and is happy to give customers a tour of the garden! She used to work and live in Bangkok but found that she wanted something a bit quieter … and the perfect place for this was Pai. The Link is not only a restaurant but also a cooking school, should you want to try your hand at making some of the delicious dishes being served up here, as well.
 

More Information About the Best Pai Restaurants

Did you love this article about the best restaurants in Pai? Do you want even more information on where to eat and why? Then check out this list of articles we have rounded-up featuring the best eateries in town!

•  Eating in Pai, Thailand from Travelista Club
• Places to Eat in Pai, Thailand from Travelfish
• All the Food You Should Eat in Pai, Thailand from Marina’s Milestones
• The 5 Best Restaurants in Pai, Thailand by Chan Wing Yan from The Culture Trip

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