Indian Food in Phuket and Pattaya: A Practical Guide

Indian food is easy to find in both Phuket and Pattaya, because so many Indian visitors stay there. In Phuket, look in Patong, Kata, Karon and Phuket Town; in Pattaya, Central Pattaya and Jomtien. You will find vegetarian thalis and North and South Indian dishes, and delivery apps and hotels fill the gaps, though Jain meals need clear requests.

Phuket and Pattaya are among the most popular Thai destinations for Indian families, honeymooners and groups of friends. Many want a mix of Thai and Indian food, especially on long beach and boat days. This guide explains where Indian kitchens cluster, how to choose them and how to plan around boat trips, without naming individual restaurants, which change often.

Where to find Indian food

Phuket

Patong, Phuket's busiest beach, has the largest number of Indian restaurants, many open late. Kata and Karon, popular with families, have several, and Phuket Town has a few. Many offer vegetarian thalis, dal, paneer dishes, dosas and Indian breakfasts. Our Phuket guide covers the beaches.

Pattaya

Pattaya has a long history of welcoming Indian visitors, and Indian restaurants line many sois off Beach Road and Second Road, with more in Jomtien. Vegetarian thalis, North Indian curries and South Indian dishes are common. Our Pattaya guide covers the town.

Krabi and the islands

Ao Nang in Krabi has a handful of Indian restaurants, and islands such as Phi Phi and Koh Lanta have a few. Choice is narrower, so plan ahead.

Jain-friendly food

Ask for food without onion, garlic and root vegetables, and confirm how dishes are cooked. Thai jay food, marked with yellow flags, also excludes garlic and onion. Jain travellers often carry ready-to-eat meals for boat days.

Hotel arrangements

Resorts used to Indian guests may offer Indian dishes at breakfast or on request. Ask when booking, and remind the hotel on arrival.

Delivery apps

Grab Food and LINE MAN operate in Phuket and Pattaya, listing Indian restaurants with menus and reviews, handy for villa or hotel dinners.

Choosing a restaurant

• Look for busy places with high turnover and visible kitchens.
• Read recent reviews that mention vegetarian or Jain food specifically.
• Ask whether the kitchen cooks meat and vegetarian food separately.
• Check whether ghee, onion, garlic or root vegetables are used if you are Jain.
• Confirm "no egg" separately, as egg is often treated as vegetarian.

Trying Thai vegetarian food

Try mango sticky rice, fresh fruit, vegetable stir-fries without fish sauce and jay food. Our vegetarian street food guide has ideas.

For families

Children and parents often prefer familiar food after a day in the sun. Plan one Indian meal a day if needed, and keep snacks handy.

Budget

Indian restaurants in tourist areas are moderately priced; hotel restaurants cost more. Thalis are usually good value.

Eating in Patong

Patong is lively, and Indian restaurants there are used to late diners after evenings on Bangla Road or the beach. Families staying in quieter Kata or Karon can take a short taxi to Patong for more choice, or use delivery apps.

Eating in Pattaya

Pattaya's Indian restaurants cluster along the sois between Beach Road and Second Road, with more in Jomtien and around the main malls. Many serve vegetarian thalis at lunch, which are good value. Groups of friends and families often choose hotels close to these streets for convenience.

Breakfast

Resorts in Phuket and Pattaya serve international breakfasts, and many add Indian items such as poha, paratha or dosa during peak Indian holiday seasons. Ask when booking.

Villas and kitchens

Families staying in villas can cook simple meals, buying vegetables, rice and dal from supermarkets and Indian grocery shops, or ask the villa to arrange a cook.

Festivals

During Diwali and the Indian holiday season, Indian restaurants in Pattaya and Phuket can be busy; book ahead for groups.

Useful phrases

At Thai restaurants, "mai sai nam pla" (no fish sauce) and "mangsawirat" (vegetarian) help. Our Thai phrases guide has more.

Kata and Karon

Kata and Karon, south of Patong, are popular with Indian families for their calmer beaches and resorts. A handful of Indian restaurants serve dinner, and more choice is a short taxi ride away in Patong. Many families combine resort breakfasts and Thai lunches with Indian dinners.

A sample boat-day food plan

The night before a boat trip, order parathas, theplas or sandwiches from an Indian restaurant or your hotel, buy fruit and snacks at a convenience store, and carry water. Tell the tour operator about vegetarian or Jain needs when booking. After the trip, enjoy a full Indian dinner.

Jomtien and north Pattaya

Jomtien, south of central Pattaya, is calmer and popular with families and longer-stay visitors, with several Indian restaurants. North Pattaya's Naklua area has resorts and fewer restaurants, so delivery apps are useful.

Eating safely

Choose busy restaurants, drink bottled water and be careful with salads and cut fruit in the first days. Carry basic stomach medicines.

Sweets and snacks

Indian sweet shops and snack counters in Pattaya and Patong sell mithai and namkeen, useful for festivals and as gifts.

Food in Krabi and Phi Phi

Ao Nang in Krabi has a few Indian restaurants along the main road, and Phi Phi's village has one or two. Choices are narrower than in Phuket or Pattaya, so plan meals and carry snacks, especially on longer island stays.

Using delivery apps well

Read recent reviews, check photos of dishes, and use the notes field to ask for no egg, no onion or no garlic. Deliveries to resorts may take longer.

Jain travellers on boat days

Jain travellers should carry khakhra, theplas, dry fruit and fruit for boat days, as island lunches rarely suit Jain diets.

A simple food rhythm

Many families settle into a rhythm: resort breakfast, Thai or snack lunch, Indian dinner.

Next steps

Read our Indian food in Bangkok guide, or see our Phuket page and Pattaya trip.

A BagPackerMe planner can plan your Thailand trip privately, with one named planner, WhatsApp support throughout and vegetarian and Jain food planned in.

Your questions, answered

Is Indian food easy to find in Phuket?

Yes, especially in Patong, Kata, Karon and around Phuket Town, where many restaurants serve North and South Indian food and vegetarian thalis.

Is Indian food easy to find in Pattaya?

Very. Central Pattaya, around Beach Road and the busy sois, and Jomtien have many Indian restaurants, reflecting the large number of Indian visitors.

Can I get Jain food in Phuket or Pattaya?

Some Indian vegetarian restaurants prepare Jain food on request. Ask clearly about onion, garlic and root vegetables, and carry ready-to-eat food for boat days.

Can hotels prepare Indian meals?

Many hotels used to Indian groups can prepare simple Indian vegetarian dishes or breakfasts on request. Ask when booking.