Practical information : Eating out Thailand
Timetable
Restaurant opening times are very varied. Traditional restaurants are open as in France, for lunch and dinner, often with a weekly closing day (or two). Small local restaurants are open for a single service eight hours a day. If the restaurant opens early in the morning, they close around 2pm. Those that open late in the morning provide service until around 7pm. And then there are those that open around 5pm and close late in the evening. Present in every Thai city, night markets are open from 5pm to 10pm . On the islands and in seaside resorts, beach restaurants and bars are generally open non-stop from morning to night.
Budget & Tips
Found in every city in the country, the night markets offer cheap evening meals, often with a wide choice of dishes. Small restaurants frequented by locals are also often inexpensive, but you'll have to choose a dish "blind" or by showing a photo of the menu, as the latter is very rarely translated into English. Payment is made in cash in the smaller establishments, and by credit card in the more upscale ones.
Don't forget to check out the "Where to stay" sections to find a good place to eat, as most hotels and guesthouses have their own restaurant, and some are well worth a visit.
What costs extra
Prices are generally inclusive of all taxes. Sometimes, however, the 7% tax is added to the total amount of the bill, as is the case in some top restaurants. Taxes are often indicated at the bottom of menus. Look carefully, as the bill can sometimes climb surprisingly high!
In some restaurants, it's a good idea to leave a small tip for the staff. It's not compulsory, but it's much appreciated.
In some local establishments, you will be charged for glasses and ice cubes. Please note that in these establishments the price of drinks is often very low.
The local way
In Thailand, you eat with a soup spoon and a fork, the latter being used to push the food. Of course, in restaurants serving foreign cuisine, you'll also be given a knife. Some establishments, particularly those specializing in noodle soups, make chopsticks available to customers. This is not a Thai tradition, however, but an import from Chinese culture.
Thais, when they're with friends or family, like to share lots of different dishes laid out in the center of a table. If you're a guest, you should know that you never take a portion from a communal dish and eat it straight away, but arrange it on a small plate of your own before eating it.
To be avoided
In the south of the country, some establishments run by Muslims don't serve alcohol (or pork, of course). There's no need to ask and offend your interlocutors!
Kids
In all tourist towns, restaurants offer menus or specialities for children. This is even more common in seaside resorts.
Smokers
Smoking is strictly prohibited in public places. However, many establishments tolerate cigarette smoking on their terraces, particularly in tourist resorts and even in Bangkok. Just be careful not to disturb your neighbors.
Tourist traps
In some resorts, such as Ao Nang (Krabi), barkers wave their menus under customers' noses and desperately try to seat them on their terraces. Take the time to look at the prices and make sure you're happy with the menu before you sit down.
