Phayao

Eat and meet

Phayao

The city of Phayao, particularly the section next to the lake, is brimming with restaurants, bars and coffee shops. Your average out-of-the-way Thai town food scene it is not, and while you are in Phayao, you can be sure you will not go hungry. It is frankly hard to go wrong if you just head down to Chai Kwan Road on the lakeside and explore the general area, but here are a few worthy spots to get you started.

Khao Soi Seng Pian

Among the khao soi elite

Tha Kwan Road

Just off the lakeside stretch on Tha Kwan Road, this little gem serves up some of the best khao soi we've had at one the cheapest prices we've ever paid. A well sized portion sets you back 35 baht with your choice of chicken, pork meatballs, or beef meatballs, along with all the necessary khao soi ... read more
Lakeside bar scene

Bars, bars and more bars

Chai Kwan Rd

Once the sun goes down and the grilled fish restaurants put out their coals, the Chai Kwan Road bar scene sparks to life. All along this stretch of road and some of its smaller tributaries are bars and cafes that stay open well into the night, always quite crowded with locals and the nearby ... read more
Lakeside grilled fish

Phayao's signature meal

Waterfront

After a short walk down Phayao's waterfront, you will notice a trend in the restaurants that line Chai Kwan Road: there's a whole lot of grilling going on. Indeed, nearly every other property seems to be a restaurant that specialises in grilled fish (sourced locally, of course), chicken and pork, ... read more
Markets and street food

Something to eat morning, noon or night

Phayao has a few excellent markets, the biggest of which is smack-dab in the centre of town. Nestled between Pahon Yotin and Ratchasamphan roads, the day market sells everything from clothes and cheap sunglasses to fresh produce and recently butchered meat. In the morning, Ratchasamphan is taken ... read more
Taowit Pizza Shop

Maybe the only Western food in town

Tha Kwan Rd

Opposite the highly recommended Khao Soi Seng Pian on Tha Kwan Road, Taowit Pizza specialises in thin crust pizza It also does several other Italian and American favourites, and was the only Western option we found in town. The menu is lengthy, and though we did not get the chance to eat there when ... read more
Cupcake

Satisfy your sweet tooth

Chai Kwan Rd

This attractive little cafe is tucked away in the back of a peaceful garden lot on Chai Kwan Rd. Inside you'll find coffee and a variety of desserts, including cookies, brownies, cakes and of course cupcakes. The friendly staff will help you with your decision if asked; at least one employee speaks ... read more