Indian Restaurants in Thailand: Where to Eat in Pattaya, Bangkok & Phuket

Finding good Indian food in Thailand is not the struggle it was a decade ago. From a whole lane of Gujarati thali spots in Pattaya to Bangkok's storied Phahurat district and Phuket's cluster of Jain-certified kitchens, Indian food in Thailand has quietly become one of the best-served cuisines for visiting travellers — particularly in the cities most Indian tourists actually visit. This guide gives you a neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood picture, honest caveats about Thai "vegetarian" labelling, and a few practical phrases that will save you from accidentally ordering a dish made with fish sauce.

One important note before you go: Thai cuisine by default uses fish sauce, oyster sauce, and shrimp paste even in dishes that look vegetarian. The tips below will help you navigate that — but Indian-run restaurants are, obviously, the safest bet.

Our Bangkok pick: Bharat Flavours of India

A personal one: Bharat Flavours of India in Huai Khwang is run by Trip Dust's own founder, Kanoktip Lergdee. The chef is from Uttarakhand, so it is proper North Indian — Punjabi staples with a few Pahari (hill-country) touches — cooked in a real charcoal tandoor.

• Where: 2055 New Phetchaburi Road, Huai Khwang, Bangkok — about 5 minutes from Phetchaburi MRT and 2 minutes from Grand Mercure Bangkok Atrium, with free parking next door.
• Open: every day, 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM.
• What to order: Butter Chicken (฿280), Paneer Butter Masala (฿220), Dal Makhani (฿210), Chicken Tikka (฿260) and the biryani — 200+ dishes, both veg and non-veg.
• Good to know: halal-friendly, traditional Dastarkhan floor seating if you want it, and delivery on GrabFood, LINE MAN and foodpanda across Bangkok.
• Book or ask: +66 97 923 7281 (WhatsApp) · bharatflavours.com

Pattaya: Probably the Best Indian Food Scene Per Square Kilometre

Pattaya has a disproportionately strong Indian restaurant scene, largely because it is the single most popular Thai destination among Indian group tourists. The concentration is high enough that you will find a pure-veg or Jain option within walking distance of most hotels.

• Govindam Indian Restaurant (Pattaya Klang): 100% pure veg and Jain. North and South Indian, Rajasthani, Gujarati thali. Reliably consistent; a go-to for families and first-time visitors.
• Chotivala (near Central Pattaya Mall): 100% pure veg and Jain. Particularly good for thali meals with multiple regional options. Well-reviewed for portion size and taste that matches home.
• Jai Jinendra (Nongprue, Bang Lamung): 100% pure veg, vegan and Jain. Rated extremely highly on Google. Slightly away from the main strip but worth the short ride.
• TanaTan (near Walking Street, Pattaya 2nd Road): 100% pure veg. Gujarati, Punjabi, South Indian and Chinese Indian options all under one roof.
• Mahadev Restaurant: 100% pure veg and Jain, with Gujarati thali, Punjabi thali, and Rajasthani specials alongside breakfast staples.

Expect to pay around 250–350 THB per head at these restaurants. Many are clustered between Pattaya Klang and the Second Road area, so you can walk between a few before deciding. If you are heading out for a Coral Island day trip or an evening at the Alcazar Show, planning dinner at one of these restaurants before or after is easy — they mostly stay open until 10 or 11 pm.

Bangkok: Three Distinct Areas Worth Knowing

Bangkok's Indian food scene is spread across three different parts of the city. Each has a distinct character.

Phahurat — Bangkok's Little India

Phahurat (accessible from Saphan Taksin or Ratchawong pier) is the oldest Indian neighbourhood in Bangkok. The lanes around the India Emporium mall have textile traders, spice shops, and a food court on the upper floor where you can get a proper thali, lassi, and samosas at very reasonable prices (often 60–120 THB for a snack, 180–250 THB for a full meal). Royal India, Bangkok's oldest Indian restaurant established over 50 years ago and still operating in Phahurat, is a useful landmark and a solid North Indian option.

Sukhumvit — Scattered but Reliable

The Sukhumvit area has a number of Indian options, particularly around Soi 11 and Soi 11/1. Mrs. Balbir's (established 1975) is a Bangkok institution for Punjabi home cooking. Dosa King on the same stretch is 100% pure vegetarian, covering both Punjabi and South Indian with Jain-friendly options. Mid-range Indian dining in Sukhumvit runs 350–550 THB per person. There are also options closer to Soi 3, though quality is more variable and value less reliable in that stretch.

Silom / Bang Rak

Silom had a Saravanaa Bhavan branch, but as of mid-2025 this appears to have closed — do not rely on it. The broader Silom area still has several Indian options worth checking on arrival; it is worth a quick search before making a trip specifically for one restaurant.

If you are combining Bangkok meals with activities, Safari World is a full-day affair — plan an Indian dinner back in Sukhumvit or Phahurat on your return. Browse our Bangkok guide for what to do between meals.

Phuket: Patong Has the Highest Concentration

Phuket's Indian restaurants are mostly in Patong, a short walk or tuk-tuk from Patong Beach and Bangla Road. Options run from pure-veg Jain kitchens to non-veg North Indian restaurants to one Michelin-listed fine-dining spot.

• Shree Ganesha Pure Vegetarian Indian & Jain Restaurant (Patong): Top-rated on TripAdvisor for vegetarian Indian in Phuket. Dosas, thalis, Gujarati dishes, and proper Jain preparation.
• Hare Krishna Vegetarian Indian Restaurant (Patong): About 12 minutes' walk from Patong Beach. Known for bondas, lassi, and authentic chaat. Healthy, affordable, and 100% vegetarian.
• Tandoori Flames: Near Patong Beach, strong for non-veg North Indian with good vegetarian options too.
• Tantra Patong: Extensive vegetarian menu, reliable for Indian groups.
• Tambu Phuket: Rooftop fine-dining in Patong with Michelin recognition. Vegetarian options available; best for a special occasion dinner rather than a daily meal.

After a Phi Phi Island day trip or James Bond Island tour, most visitors return to Patong by late afternoon — plenty of time to clean up and find a table at one of the above. See the full Phuket guide for activity planning.

Navigating Vegetarian and Jain Requirements in Thailand

Thai kitchens do not automatically equate "vegetarian" with the Indian understanding of the word. Fish sauce, shrimp paste, and oyster sauce appear in curries, stir-fries, soups, and even fried rice by default. Here is how to protect yourself when eating outside Indian-run restaurants:

• Look for "Jay" (เจ) restaurants: These serve Chinese Buddhist vegetarian food — no meat, no eggs, no fish products, no garlic, no onion. Yellow flags with red characters mark them. Naturally Jain-compatible. Prices are low (40–80 THB per dish), and they are most common in Chinatown (Yaowarat), Bangkok.
• Useful Thai phrases: "Gin jay" (eat Jay / strict vegetarian); "mai sai nam pla" (no fish sauce); "mai sai kratiam" (no garlic); "mai sai hom yai" (no onion).
• Indian-run restaurants are safest: Every Indian restaurant listed in this guide understands Jain requirements. Simply state "Jain please" and confirm no root vegetables if that matters to you.
• 7-Eleven fallback: 7-Eleven across Thailand stocks fresh fruits, plain bread, packaged nuts, and some vegetarian instant noodles. Look for the green leaf symbol on packaging.

What to Expect on the Menu and Pricing

Indian menus in Thailand generally cover North Indian (dal makhani, paneer dishes, naan, biryani), South Indian (dosas, idlis, sambhar, uttapam), and Gujarati/Rajasthani thali — sometimes all three in the same place, reflecting where most of the owners and customers come from. Expect:

• Pattaya: 250–400 THB per head at most sit-down Indian restaurants. Thali meals are excellent value.
• Bangkok: 180–280 THB for budget options in Phahurat. 350–600 THB at sit-down Sukhumvit restaurants. Jay food in Chinatown from 40–80 THB per dish.
• Phuket: 300–500 THB per head at Patong Indian restaurants. Tambu is significantly higher for the fine-dining experience.

Prices are broadly in line with or slightly below what you would pay in a mid-range Indian restaurant in Mumbai or Delhi. Quality varies — restaurants with the word "Jain" in their name tend to be the most consistent because they operate to stricter preparation standards.

If you are planning a trip and want a package that factors in both activities and food logistics, have a look at our Pattaya 4-day package or Bangkok–Pattaya 5-day package — we can help with Indian restaurant recommendations at no extra cost when you book.

Tips Specific to Indian Travellers

• Carry a small spice kit: A few sachets of pickle and a small container of chaat masala can make a mediocre meal considerably better, especially on island day trips where restaurant options are limited.
• WhatsApp before you walk: Many Indian restaurants in Pattaya and Phuket respond to WhatsApp for reservations and pre-orders. Useful for large groups.
• Timing: Most Indian-run restaurants in Thailand open for lunch from around noon and serve through to 10:30–11 pm. Avoid arriving in the 3–5 pm gap when some kitchens close between services.
• Special requests work: Jain travellers who need no root vegetables (no potatoes, carrots, beetroot) should state this clearly at Indian-run restaurants. All the restaurants listed above will accommodate this with advance notice.
• Island trips have limited options: Phi Phi Island and Coral Island have beach-facing restaurants, but Indian food is not reliably available. Eat before you go or carry snacks for the day.

Need help planning an itinerary around your food preferences? Customise your package or reach us directly on WhatsApp at +66 82 885 5990.

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