Food and Naklua Seafood in Pattaya
Part of the Pattaya travel guide — see every topic in All Pattaya Guides.
Pattaya is a good place to eat fresh seafood, because it is a coastal city with a long fishing history. Naklua, in the north, is the best area for seafood that local people buy and eat. The city also has busy night markets and many restaurants by the sea. This guide covers where to eat, what to try and how to order seafood.
Naklua seafood
Naklua is the old fishing area in the north of Pattaya. It has a local seafood market where fishing boats bring fresh catch. You can buy prawns, crab, fish, squid and shellfish by weight. Some stalls nearby will cook what you buy for a small fee. There are also many seafood restaurants along the coast road in Naklua. They are popular with Thai families, especially at weekends. Prices are usually lower than on Beach Road, and the food is very fresh.
Ordering seafood
At seafood restaurants, the fish and shellfish are often on ice at the front. You choose what you want, and the staff weigh it. Ask the price per kilo before you order, and check the weight. Then tell the staff how to cook it, and ask how long it will take. Popular ways are grilled, steamed with lime and chilli, or fried with garlic. Pla kapong neung manao is steamed sea bass in a spicy lime sauce. Goong pao is large grilled prawns. Poo pad pong karee is crab fried with curry powder and egg.
Night markets
Night markets are a fun and cheap way to eat in Pattaya. Thepprasit night market, near Jomtien, is one of the largest. It is usually open in the evening from about Friday to Sunday. It has rows of food stalls, plus clothes and gifts. The Jomtien night market by the beach is smaller and open most nights. You can try grilled meat on sticks, papaya salad, noodles, fresh fruit and Thai sweets. Bring cash, and go hungry so you can try many things. Wet wipes and a small bag for rubbish are useful.
Seaside dinners
For a calm dinner with a view, try the restaurants on Pratumnak Hill or in Wong Amat. Many have tables by the sea and serve Thai and Western food. In Jomtien, small restaurants along the beach road serve seafood with sea views at fair prices. Bang Saray, south of the city, has simple seafood restaurants by the pier. Sunset is the best time for a seaside meal. Book a table at popular places on weekends. Many seaside places also have fans or air-conditioned rooms for hot evenings. Bring insect spray, because there can be mosquitoes by the water.
Street food and local dishes
Street food is easy to find around the city, especially in the morning and evening. Look for khao man gai, which is chicken with rice cooked in stock. Pad krapow is spicy fried meat with holy basil, served with rice and a fried egg. Som tam is a spicy green papaya salad. Fresh fruit is sold on carts, cut and ready to eat. If you want less spice, say "mai phet", which means "not spicy". Busy stalls with many local customers are often the best and freshest. Most stalls only take cash, but some accept QR payment apps.
Food and Naklua Seafood at a glance
| Getting there | Naklua is about 10 minutes north of central Pattaya by songthaew or taxi |
|---|---|
| Hours | Seafood market busiest in the morning and afternoon; night markets from about 5 pm |
| Cost | Seafood priced by weight; night market food is cheap |
| Best time | Weekend evenings for night markets; weekdays for quieter restaurants |
| Try | Steamed sea bass with lime, grilled prawns, crab with curry powder |