Heading to Pai? Well, lucky for you because it’s a real foodie paradise. I’ve never been to such a small town with a diverse food scene. The town is centred around Walking Street with a thriving daily night market. After 2 months of living there, I’ve compiled a list of the best cheap budget friendly restaurants in Pai for less than THB 100.
1. Joy's Place, Pai
At the end of Walking Street next to Pedlar’s Cafe, you’ll find a no-fuss local eatery called Joy’s Place, which rightly earns its place on this budget restaurant in Pai list. The menu is small and simple and all dishes are maximum THB 40. Its run by two power women, one who I assume is the mum and her daughter. They always seem to be open and have such a strong work ethic. It was my go-to spot when I wanted something tasty and didn’t want to think about where to go.
Price: THB 40
Order: Pad Thai, papaya salad, mixed smoothie
Opening times: Everyday 10am – 9pm.
2. Pad Thai Pai Walking Street, Pai
Always parked up on Walking Street with his cart, the vegan pad thai man is on this list purely for his enthusiasm and passion for making Pad Thai. I’ve never seen anyone cook a pad Thai with so much passion. Oh, and the Pad Thai is also the best I’ve tried in Pai.
Price: THB 65
Order: Vegan Pad Thai
Opening times: Everyday 5pm – 10pm.
3. Charlie and Lek, Pai
Charlie & Lek is an institution in Pai. Everyone and their dog knows about it and for good reason. All the food is MSG-free which is a big plus as Thailand has a big problem with using MSG and preservatives in cooking.
No matter for lunch or dinner, it’s a bustling place, but you’ll always find a table. The menu is extensive but I’d recommend the tempeh and pumpkin curry with brown rice.
Price: THB 75
Order: Tempeh and Pumpkin curry
Opening times: Everyday 10.30am – 9pm apart from Sunday.
4. Dang Thai Food, Pai
Close to Walking Street, at Dang Thai; you’ll find an unassuming Thai restaurant with dishes for THB 40. Unlike Joy’s Place, don’t expect overly friendly hospitality here, but delish food is guaranteed. The owners act like they couldn’t care less about you, but it’s their style, and I find it quite funny, to be honest.
Price: THB 40
Order: Massaman curry
Opening times: Everyday 8am – 10pm.
5. Banh Banh Pun Pai Sandwich Vietnam, Pai
Located on Walking Street, Banh Banh Pun Pai serves a fried chicken sandwich which isn’t even close to an authentic banh mi but is a whole new invention in itself. Prepare to be turned away a few times by the lady who owns it. She often tells you to come back in 1hr, or that she’s stopped serving for a few hours to catch up. Keep going back until you’ve got that crispy chicken sandwich in your hand. Victory.
Price: THB 80
Order: Fried chicken sandwich
Opening times: Technically, everyday 4pm – 10pm, but the owner tends to open and close when she wants
6. Om Garden Cafe
Om Garden is another institution in Pai known for its healthy and affordable Western dishes, smoothies and juice. It’s hidden in a beautiful garden, and you could easily walk past the entrance if you didn’t know about it.
Go as early as possible to avoid the rush, as it gets busy after 10 am.
Price: THB 50-100
Order: Avo on toast, mango, coconut and pineapple smoothie
Opening times: Everyday 8.30 am – 5 pm, apart from Monday.
7. Khao Soi Stall
Khao Soi is an authentic curry in Northern Thailand, and it’s delish. The place to get it in Pai is a stall with plastic red chairs and tables outside the big 7/11 on Walking Street.
Price: THB50
Order: Khao Soi
Opening times: Everyday 10 am – 9 pm
8. Chew Xin Jai Vegan Food
This is a go-to for all vegans out there. Most cafes serving solely vegan food tend to ramp up the prices, but not Chew Xin Jai Vegan Food. It’s buffet-style, and you can choose one, two or three main dishes with a big portion of brown rice.
Price: THB 30-50
Order: The menu changes daily but its allll good.
Opening times: Everyday 8am – 7pm
9. Thai Truck Man, Pai
By the Thai Truck Man, I’m referring to the guy opposite Kwan’s Table who always plays Daniel Powter. I’ve spent many nights eating green Thai curry and listening to the iconic Bad Day playlist at his truck. He also lets you bring your own beer from the shop opposite.
Price: THB 70-90
Order: Thai green curry
Opening times: Everyday 5pm – 10pm
10. Authentic Thai Curry Restaurant
Located close to the PTT station, this place is super busy in the morning, and everything is gone by 1 pm. It has a daily changing menu, and everything starts from THB20.
Price: From THB 20
Order: Daily changing menu – Everything I’ve ordered has been insanely good.
Opening times: Monday – Friday 7am – 2pm
11. Jomyoot chicken rice and braised pork
Definitely not vegetarian-friendly, but Jomyoot is a must for all you meat eaters out there. It’s definitely a lunch place and closes at 3pm, so head there early if you wanna try it.
Price: THB 50/60 per plate
Order: I love the braised pork, but both options are delish.
Opening times: Thursday – Tuesday 7am – 3pm. Closed on Wednesdays.
There we go – the best cheap budget restaurants in Pai, all under THB 100. Enjoy!
