Food is one of the highlights of any trip to Pattaya.

From giant prawns to spicy som tam salad, there is every imaginable cuisine here. Cajun, Chinese, Indian, French, Vietnamese, German and Russian restaurants vie for your baht along every street.

Not only is the quality excellent, but so are the prices. Meals out here can cost from as little as 50 baht, and will rarely be over 500 baht per person.

The only headache is trying to decide which restaurant to try. Patta-Yai! is aware of such dining dilemmas, and so has comprised a restaurant guide, especially designed to highlight the best that Pattaya has to offer.

This isn't just a list of names and addresses - we've been out and sampled food from all of the places mentioned (you see how dedicated we are?)


Eating advice

Thais like food.

Thais also like to socialise, and so these two assets often go together like a knife and fork.

• When ordering Thai food, it's best to pick a few dishes and stick them in the middle, so everyone has a little of everything. Thais don't generally pick one dish for themselves.

• They don't do starters here, and food may appear in any particular order. Just eat what arrives, and eventually everything will appear.

• Many restaurants add a service charge of 10 per cent, and some also stick on a 7 per cent tax as well. So read the small print first.

Thailand is legendary for its spicy dishes. Even if you're used to your vindaloos back home, be wary. 'Mai phet' means 'not spicy' and is one of the most oft-used phrases around here.

• Contrary to popular belief, beer isn't the answer to a burning tongue, rice or cucumber works better.

• If you do brave the 'som tam' or 'tom sep' then you'll certainly go up in the estimations of those around you.

Go for bottled water and ice with holes in.

Gway-tee-ow stalls are everwhere and serve delicious noodle soup. They don't have menus, so simply prop yourself on a plastic stool and point at what you want.

Gway-tee-ow moo is pork and noodles, while gway-tee-ow gai is noodles and chicken. A variety of herbs and chilis on your table mean you can choose how spicy things get.