Well, we all know Michelin will be making its way to Chonburi this year, but for weekend travelers, things are a little more complicated. Sure, there’s a smattering of fine dining in Bangkok’s beach hotspot to the west; if you really want to just cafe-hop and eat good food, there are plenty of stops in Pattaya. 

On the Road

You don’t get a lot of fun, design-forward cafes like One the Road much in Pattaya—but it’s Siam@Siam, so you know to expect some fun and kitschy design. Situated on the ground floor of Siam@Siam Design Hotel Pattaya, the new cafe is filled with eclectic 70s retro references, with sleek custom-made furniture, handwoven hanging chairs, colorful cushions, and rattan cage pendant lights evoking a Bohemian atmosphere. A lot of the design elements, including the menu, will be familiar to fans of Bangkok’s Chim Chim at the Siam@Siam in Bangkok. Open for early breakfast and a place to end the night with cocktails, this one’s a must-try. 

390, Pattaya Sai 2 Road, Moo 9, Siam@Siam Design Hotel Pattaya. 038-930-600. Open daily 8am-midnight. 

Prod.

Pattaya goes casual Thai fine-dining at Prod., the seafood and sustainability focused eatery just a stone’s throw from the city’s coastline. The restaurant champions what it calls a “fin-to-scale” approach to dining—think nose-to-tail but for sea creatures. It also boasts a lot of high-wire treatments for its produce, like dry- and wet-aging its fish (one concentrating flavor and the other completely transforming it) and oil blanching to turn scales edible. The restaurant is massive, too, with dedicated dining, cafe, VIP, and pet-friendly zones. 

Na Kluea Rd., Pattaya City, 081-235-5281. Open daily 10am-10pm.

The Glass House Silver

The Glass House on Najomtien has been on the list for holiday goers for a long time, but the newer spot, The Glass House Silver, is easy access from downtown. It’s European fare with Thai seafood spins and Japanese dishes from Atthapol Itthirattanakomo, who is also behind the popular Silver Lining dining space. If you’re down at Jomtien, be sure to check out the OG Glass House, which has been operating since 2011, but hit up this cool downtown space when you’re in the city. 

456, Zire Wongamat, Soi Naklua 18, Pattaya. 098-930-9800. Open daily 11am-midnight. 

Spa Café

If there’s one thing Pattaya has more than Bangkok, it’s space. Tucked away on Naklua road, Pattaya’s Spa Cafe is a bit outside the main area, but a must-try for cafe lovers. With a big, green outdoor space, inside is host to a cozy cafe setting with simple modern decor. Coffees start at B50 along with fresh juices and a selection of infused drinks. For bites, a lot of folks opt for the breakfast options but try their grilled salmon with lemon cream sauce (B400) for something a bit more substantial. 

571, 32/5 Muang Pattaya. 095-949-7132. Open daily 8am-9pm. 

Casa Pascal

A rare slice of fine dining in a city that’s not exactly known for its class, Casa Pascal is an old favorite. With years of awards from Restaurant Guru and plenty of loyal customers for their breakfast and brunch, the big get here is the Schlemmer set menus, featuring four courses with unlimited wine—and you can really test the limits of the word “unlimited.” Menus start at B890 for just the menu to B1,990 for the bottomless wine option. 

485, Pattaya Sai Song, Pattaya City, 061-643-9969. Open Tue-Sun 8am-2pm; 6-11pm.

Loaf Bakers and Brewers

Another one for you coffee fanatics out there—a cozy space with a cool design and great baked goods. Coffees start at B100, and you can get some fun mashups like their black yuzu fizz (B140). Their scrummy tarlets are all B55, so get plenty to go, including hojicha, uji matcha, and blueberry. They’ve got plenty of saccharine croissants for your sweet tooth, but there are two neat savory options worth mentioning: the maple bacon monkey bread straight out of a Canadian fantasy and the simple crab meat croissant roll (B225).

47/92, Soi Welcome Town, Pattaya, 098-359-2324. Open daily 10am-6pm.