Region: Northern Thailand> Province: Phayao> Location: Phayao

General

By far the most popular area to eat is by the lake. There's some good quiet restaurants along with some not so great ones, along with a reaonable number of places just dedicated to drinking.

Aem - Tasteful spot on the lake
31 Chai Kwan Rd - Phayao
Tel: (054) 431 232;

This tasteful Thai restaurant and bar does good Thai food and is one of the more popular restaurants on the lake. Prices are reasonable.
Type of Food: Thai /

Ban Tae - Deservedly popular spot
49 Tha Kwan Rd - Phayao
Tel: (054) 481 349;

This comfortable little Thai and dim sum joint just around from Coffee serves up delicious and well-sized portions. The service is friendly, if terribly slow.
Type of Food: Chinese / Thai /

Drinks with a view - Too many to name
Chai Kwan Road - Phayao

At the far eastern end of Chai Kwan Rd are a string of shopfronts with low-level tables and axe pillows set up for people to relax, enjoy the sunset and drink. There is a bit of a seedy karaoke element to them, but overall they're not too bad.

Sangjan Restaurant - Good though over-priced
17/4 Chaikwan Rd - Phayao
Tel: (054) 431 971;

Note the framed picture of the owners with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra -- perhaps the membership fees for Thai Rak Thai were so high they had to increase the prices to compensate. Whatever the reason, this very comfortable indoor and outdoor restaurant is definitely overpriced, though the food is very good.

It's a good spot to spend some time in the late afternoon as the sun sets over the lake, with splendid views over the water.
Type of Food: Seafood / Thai /

Street food - Scattered all over town

Phayao has a lot of good curry shops where you can choose from a selection made earlier in the day. Prices are rock-bottom and the range can be superb.

You can find good shops near the Bangkok Bank on Dom Saman Rd and on Ratchawong Rd. See the map for details.
Type of Food: some vegetarian / Thai /

Wiang Tan - Popular Korean barbecue place
Chaikwan Rd - Phayao

This large shopfront place specialises in Korean barbecues with a large buffet put on nightly. The food is reasonable and the service okay. The position on the lake is excellent.
Type of Food: Korean /