Looking for the best places to eat in Phetchaburi? These are the 10 best restaurants to satisfy your appetite and savour tasty Thai cuisine.
Thailand’s province of Phetchaburi sees relatively few international visitors, with many people whizzing through to get to the islands in the south or up to Bangkok. It is, however, a fairly popular destination with domestic tourists, with many Thais escaping the cities during weekends to relax on the shores of pretty beaches like Cha-Am. Phetchaburi is also home to Thailand’s largest national park, Kaeng Krachan, as well as the stunning hilltop palace complex of Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park (also known as Khao Wang) and the fascinating cave temple of Khao Luang. There’s enough to keep you more than busy for a few days, and you’re sure to work up a healthy appetite. Rest, recharge, and refuel in one of these excellent restaurants.
One of Phetchaburi’s swankiest restaurants, Swiss Palazzo offers a mouth-watering menu of Italian fare. Order a crisp and colourful salad to accompany a hearty dish of homemade pasta, rounding off with deliciously smooth ice cream made on-site using seasonal fruits. There’s a great selection of wine and the freshly brewed coffee is aromatic and strong. Relax indoors where soft music plays in the attractive dining room, or head up onto the roof terrace for an al fresco meal.
The wooden facade of Rabieng Rimnam restaurant in Phetchaburi
Housed within a historic teak house next to the river, Rabieng Rimnam is charming and atmospheric. The wooden furnishings and olde-worlde décor add to the rustic appeal, and the heavy wooden shutters are often thrown open to benefit from the gentle river breeze. The menu is extensive, with favourites like pad thai and som tam (spicy papaya salad), along with more unique dishes such as banana blossom salad, fruit curry with shrimp and sugar palm, and beer-roasted beef.
Within the upscale Sheraton Hotel, close to the provincial boundary between Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan, Luna Lanai Ocean and Beachfront Restaurant offers sophisticated dining in an attractive seaside setting. The a la carte lunch and dinner menus offer plenty of variety, with seafood dishes particularly popular. Friday evenings, however, are the best time for a full-blown feast, with a huge buffet and lawn BBQ that’s sure to make your eyes bulge and your stomach rumble. The tantalising aromas of grilled meats and seafood waft through the air, and you’ll find sushi, flavourful salads and a range of Asian dishes – not to mention a terrific selection of sweet treats to round it all off with. Sip a cocktail as you admire the ocean vistas and unwind.
Cucina is a cheerful and cosy eatery tucked down a small alleyway in Phetchaburi Town. Just a short stroll from attractions like the Nang Yai Museum and Wat Mahathat Worawihan, it’s an affordable and welcoming place to refuel while sightseeing. Enjoy Thai dishes like pork with ginger, crab and garlic salad, and chicken fried rice, or tuck into Western favourites like hamburgers, steaks, and spaghetti. The fruit smoothies are refreshing on a hot day and young and old alike are sure to love the homemade ice cream.
Savour Indonesian cooking and other Asian fare at Lombok Restaurant, a cheap and cheerful no-frills restaurant in Phetchaburi town centre. There are shaded tables and chairs right alongside the river, or you can dine on the open-sided terrace. The views are scenic and you can listen to the chatter of birds as you eat. The family-friendly restaurant attracts a mainly local crowd. Dishes include deep-fried shrimp, grilled fish, and various meats and vegetables with rice.
If you’re visiting Kaeng Krachan National Park and in need of sustenance, it’s tough to beat Rim Chai Hat Restaurant. The large dining room may be fairly simple, with plastic chairs and fans to keep you cool, but the food is delicious and you can soak up stunning views across the reservoir. The extensive menu contains almost all popular Thai dishes, including various types of grilled and fried fish, spicy soups and salads, and stir-fried dishes. The tom yam gung (spicy and sour shrimp soup) and pak bung (morning glory) are highly recommended.
If you’re craving noodles for lunch, Pen Prik Ped could be an ideal place to dine. Easy to find right opposite the large Wat Yai Suwannaram, the small eatery is always bustling so you may need to wait some time before you get a table. Ingredients sit in glass cases and vendors whip up tasty dishes before your eyes. Try the spicy noodles for an intense burst of flavour or the dry noodles with either pork or chicken (for something a little less fiery). The pork ball noodle soup is also popular, and you can use the condiments to flavour dishes to your exact taste.
A perfect restaurant for fans of deliciously fresh bounties from the sea, Monta Seafood is in Phetchaburi’s seaside resort of Cha-am. The clean family-run establishment offers a wide menu with a strong focus on fish and seafood. Prices are reasonable and you’ll likely find that you pay a little less than in similar nearby restaurants. Ordering is easy, thanks to Thai and English descriptions as well as photos of dishes. Sink your teeth into meals like sea bass, vermicelli meatballs and prawn curry. While there aren’t any vegetarian dishes on the menu, the chef will prepare basic veggie-friendly Thai meals, such as stir-fried vegetables and fried rice, to accommodate diners.
The menu may be concise but Pad Thai Mae Pad Serves some of the finest pad thai in Phetchaburi. Seating is indoors and you can choose from chicken, shrimp, or vegetarian versions of the popular noodle-based dish. Fresh cucumber and spring onion is served on the side and a crunchy peanut topping adds another layer of texture. The restaurant is often busy, a testament to its tasty fare, and it’s one of a handful of eateries in the town centre to stay open fairly late.
MonDee Suki Buffet provides the chance for some DIY Thai-style cooking; cook up some tasty suki (Thai-style hotpot) right at your table, adding a range of fresh ingredients like meats, seafood, and vegetables to egg, noodles, and broth. The vibrant colours, sizzling sounds, and temping aromas are enough to make your mouth water. Once everything is cooked, pour some broth into a bowl, grab some chopsticks, and enjoy.
