Hidden Food & Market Gems in Pattaya: Where Locals Eat
When most visitors think of Pattaya, they picture neon lights, bustling beach roads, and packed tourist markets. But tucked away in side streets and local neighborhoods lies another side of the city—authentic Thai food, bustling community markets, and seafood so fresh you can watch it hauled off the boats.
If you want to eat like a local, skip the big-name tourist restaurants and night bazaars. This guide uncovers Pattaya’s hidden food and market gems—the places overlooked by guidebooks but loved by residents. From morning wet marketsto late-night food courts, you’ll find authentic dishes, bargain prices, and some of the best flavors in the city.
1. Naklua Fish Market (Talad Laan Pho Naklua)
Why Go: Pattaya’s most authentic seafood experience. Fishermen bring in the daily catch, and you can have it grilled or steamed on the spot.
Here, the stalls are piled with prawns, squid, crabs, and whole fish at wholesale prices. After buying, take your seafood to one of the nearby grilling stalls, where it’s cooked with garlic, lime, and chili for just a small fee. The market is alive with the sounds of bargaining locals, sizzling grills, and the salty scent of the nearby sea.
Specialties to Try:
Giant tiger prawns grilled with chili dipping sauce
Whole snapper with lime and garlic
Freshly steamed crab with seafood sauce
📍 Address: Naklua 31 Alley, Pattaya, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150
🕒 Hours: 5:00 AM – 2:00 PM (best to arrive early morning)
2. New Naklua Market (Talad Naklua Mai)
Why Go: A neighborhood market with authentic home-style meals at rock-bottom prices.
Located just east of Sukhumvit Road, this market is clean, organized, and filled with locals shopping for fresh produce and ready-made meals. You’ll find curries, stir-fries, noodles, grilled meats, and plenty of Thai desserts. It’s far less chaotic than bigger markets, making it easier to wander and taste.
Specialties to Try:
Red curry with pork and bamboo shoots
Stir-fried morning glory with chili
Sticky rice with custard
📍 Address: Sawangfa 3 Road, off Pattaya–Naklua Road, Naklua, Pattaya, Chon Buri
🕒 Hours: Morning: 6:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Evening: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
3. Jomtien Fisherman’s Village Market (Talad Pramong Jomtien)
Why Go: A seaside seafood market that remains largely unknown to tourists.
Tucked just behind Jomtien Beach, this small market has rows of stalls selling fresh fish, squid, crabs, and clams. Many vendors will steam or grill your catch, while nearby food carts whip up Thai classics. Dining here feels like a neighborhood seafood party, complete with ocean breezes.
Specialties to Try:
Grilled squid with spicy lime sauce
Tom Yum soup with local seafood
Thai-style seafood porridge
📍 Address: Jomtien Beach Road, near Soi 8–9, Jomtien, Pattaya, Chon Buri
🕒 Hours: 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM
4. Rompho Market (Talad Rompho)
Why Go: Old-school Thai comfort food with legendary pork and duck rice dishes.
Rompho Market is beloved for its no-frills atmosphere and seriously delicious meals. It’s a great place to sample authentic Thai “fast food”—dishes served quickly but packed with flavor. If you come back in the evening Rhompho becomes a vibrant bar area.
Specialties to Try:
Khao Kha Moo (braised pork leg over rice)
Khao Na Ped (roast duck rice)
Fresh tropical fruit smoothies
📍 Address: Thepprasit Road (near Jomtien Complex), Pattaya, Chon Buri
🕒 Hours: Early morning to midday
5. Soi Buakhao Morning Market
Why Go: Pattaya’s most lively early-morning local market.
Every morning, Soi Buakhao transforms into a bustling market full of fresh herbs, fruit, vegetables, and steaming breakfast dishes. Locals grab their daily supplies while workers pick up quick bites before heading off to jobs.
Specialties to Try:
Moo Ping (grilled pork skewers)
Fresh mango with chili salt
Curry over rice served in a banana leaf
📍 Address: Soi Buakhao (between Pattaya Klang and Pattaya Tai), Central Pattaya
🕒 Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM
6. Hidden Corners of Pattaya Floating Market
Why Go: Touristy on the surface, but locals know where to find the hidden gems.
The main section of Pattaya Floating Market is packed with souvenir stalls. But wander deeper into the alleys and canals, and you’ll discover family-run food stalls offering unique Thai snacks and desserts.
Specialties to Try:
Khanom Krok (coconut pancakes)
Fried fish cakes with herbs
Herbal teas and traditional sweets
📍 Address: 451/304 Sukhumvit Rd, Pattaya, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150
🕒 Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
7. Ploy Chai Market (Talad Phao Chai)
Why Go: A weekend-only market dedicated to traditional Thai sweets.
This small but special market is where locals come for handmade desserts wrapped in banana leaves. It has a nostalgic charm, with vendors sitting on mats and everything sold in eco-friendly packaging.
Specialties to Try:
Black sticky rice with coconut cream
Pandan jelly desserts
Coconut custard wrapped in banana leaf
📍 Address: Near Jomtien Soi 2, Pattaya, Chon Buri
🕒 Hours: Sat–Sun, 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM
8. Ancient Chinese Market (Talad Jinn Boran Chakanew)
Why Go: A community-run market showcasing Thai-Chinese heritage foods.
Held weekly on Saturdays, this vibrant market is packed with unique snacks and hearty dishes. From jungle curry with wild boar to handmade sausages, it’s a true culinary adventure.
Specialties to Try:
Grilled pork balls with spicy dipping sauce
Lao sausage with sticky rice
Thai jungle curry with ant eggs
📍 Address: Behind Pattaya Southern Bus Terminal, Pattaya, Chon Buri
🕒 Hours: Saturday evenings
9. Mae Wilai Market (Talad Tor Rung Mae Wilai)
Why Go: Pattaya’s 24-hour food court where locals eat any time of day.
Whether it’s midnight noodles or dawn mango sticky rice, Mae Wilai Market is always buzzing. Dozens of stalls serve Thai comfort food round the clock at unbeatable prices.
Specialties to Try:
Khao Mun Gai (chicken rice)
Rice noodle curry (Kanom Jeen)
Mango sticky rice
📍 Address: Soi 16, Pattaya Klang Rd, Pattaya, Chon Buri
🕒 Hours: 24 hours
10. Hidden Street Food Stalls Worth Finding
Ah Loi Street Stall – Behind Central Festival Mall. Famous for crisp pork belly and spicy stir-fries.
📍 Location: Behind Central Festival, Pattaya Beach Rd
Mr. Egg – Soi 17, South Pattaya Road. Serves Thai-Chinese egg dishes at tiny prices.
📍 Location: Soi 17, South Pattaya Rd
Pa Thong Go Savoey – Opposite Pattaya Beach Soi 5. Selling fried Thai doughnuts with pandan custard.
📍 Location: Soi 5, Pattaya Beach Road
Boat Noodle Alley – Behind Bali Hai Pier. Tiny bowls of rich noodle soup stacked high.
📍 Location: Bali Hai Pier, South Pattaya
Exploring Pattaya’s hidden food and market scene is one of the best ways to experience the city like a local. While most tourists flock to Walking Street or the main night markets, you’ll find the real flavors of Pattaya in its fish markets, morning bazaars, and late-night food courts.
Whether you’re grilling fresh prawns at Naklua Fish Market, slurping noodles in Boat Noodle Alley, or sampling old-style Thai sweets at Ploy Chai Market, you’ll discover a side of Pattaya that’s authentic, delicious, and unforgettable.
So next time you’re in Pattaya, ditch the guidebook and follow the locals—your taste buds will thank you.