5 Best Restaurants in Sukhothai

Jae Hae Sukhothai Noodles is a famous family-run roadside restaurant popular for its kuaytiaw Sukhothai, Sukhothai's own speciality noodle dish. You know a restaurant is good when it's always packed with locals and domestic travellers, and Jae Hae is such a place. The spicy dish comes with thin rice noodles called sen lek, slices of roasted pork, sliced green beans, and herbs.

Almost every restaurant in town serves this meaty dish. But Jae Hae’s variation is extra tasty as the soup is cooked in pork bones – no soup stock or flavouring added. There is no English menu, but the staff will assume you've come for their famous dish. 

From the outside, Mi Krang Krung looks like a typical Thai restaurant. But step through the door, and the beautiful decor will immediately transport you to an older time. There are Thai antiques to admire at every turn, including old lanterns, ancient ceramic Sangkhalok bowls, and pottery. Even the staff are dressed in traditional Sukhothai Thai attire.

The menu at Mi Krang Krung may be small, but it includes excellent noodle dishes and Thai desserts at great prices. Standouts include pad thai, rice with shrimp paste and dry Sukhothai-style noodles. Many locals say dry Sukhothai noodles are tastier than the soup version as they retain the roasted pork's crunchiness. Plus, you can play around with the flavours as it's served unmixed.

Ta Puy Noodle is a well-established eatery frequented by locals and domestic travellers looking for a delicious bowl of authentic Thai noodle dishes. The most popular item to order is kuaytiaw Sukhothai, a spicy soup consisting of thin rice noodles, slices of BBQ pork, green beans, and various herbs. The menu also lists a variety of Thai food, fresh coffee, and desserts. 

Ta Puy Noodle is about 2 km southwest of the Sukhotai Bus Terminal. Ask for a table in the air-conditioned zone to make your meal more enjoyable.

Sinvana Restaurant is a large, clean and well-run eatery in Sukhothai. It's set in a semi-outdoor space surrounded by lush plants and ambient lighting. On the menu, you can find a wide variety of traditional Thai food, including vegetarian options. Save room for homemade coconut ice cream and a cup of coffee.

The staff are friendly, and the service is fast. If the restaurant isn’t busy, you can sometimes be served within 5 minutes of ordering. Sinvana Restaurant is close to the historical park in Old Sukhothai and is easy to reach by bicycle.

Poo Restaurant is a welcoming eatery in New Sukhothai. It's known for serving large portions of traditional home-cooked-style Thai food and Western staples at fantastic prices. Menu highlights include pad thai (stir-fried noodles), phanaeng (red Thai curry), and Sukhothai noodle soup. Vegetarian dishes are also available. Free Wi-Fi and great coffee, as well as ice-cold Belgian and Asian beers, round out the experience.

The restaurant has an air-conditioned room with large windows, making it a great lunch spot when the midday heat becomes unbearable or when you're in the mood for some cocktails in a cool environment. Don't forget to write a message on the wall before you leave.