What should I do in Pattaya?

1fortheroad · December 22, 2020

So my plans might change depending on the virus, but I plan to head to Pattaya in early January.

Will probably take the girlfriend.

I’m looking for recommendations on:

- what is the absolute best restaurant in Pattaya, higher end/fine dining (if possible)

- Best place for an English breakfast?

- Best place for selection of beers (I like imported/craft beers)

- Good day time activity to take the girlfriend and her niece

I'll be staying at the Dusit Thani but I have a car so transport is not a problem.

Thank you

fredob43 · December 22, 2020

Best of luck. Some good restaurants remain but in general the place is Dead. Just look at the many Vlogs on Y/Tube if you want some idea of how it is. I would say it's a ghost town but that's in insult to Ghosts. I have just come back from Pattaya went for a Birthday bash. We booked for 3 nights left after 36 hours. That'll give you some idea of how good/lively it is.

Edited December 22, 2020 by fredob43

1fortheroad · December 22, 2020

2 minutes ago, fredob43 said:

Best of luck. Some good restaurants remain but in general the place is Dead. Just look at the many Vlogs on Y/Tube if you want some idea of how it is. I would say it's a ghost town but that's in insult to Ghosts. I have just come back from Pattaya went for a Birthday bash. We booked for 3 nights left after 36 hours. That'll give you some idea of how good/lively it is.

oh no.

I was hoping it would be quiet but not 'dead'

PatOngo · December 22, 2020

21 minutes ago, 1fortheroad said:

Will probably take the girlfriend.

Bring the whole family and enjoy the endless world class family facilities!

fredob43 · December 22, 2020

1 minute ago, 1fortheroad said:

oh no.

I was hoping it would be quiet but not 'dead'

There maybe others that will say it's fine. But just to give you some idea we stayed in a 200 room hotel and we were the only ones staying. Supermarkets are still doing ok with the local Expats. But thousands of shops, bars, restaurants closed or empty for rent of for sale. What worried us was the lack of customers, and how fresh with little or no turnover was the goodies they were selling. Only good thing I can report was lots of places have had to reduce their prices just to encourage Peeps to come in. Sorry to say even that's not working.

Tip stay out of north Pattaya. North of the Dolphin R/A as that's almost closed down. As usual lots of traffic belching out fumes. If it were me I would use the Hotel pool during the day, And find a place to eat that was open and had at least some customers. Best of luck.

scubascuba3 · December 22, 2020

15 minutes ago, 1fortheroad said:

oh no.

I was hoping it would be quiet but not 'dead'

It's quiet, not dead, can still enjoy the bars, restaurants, massage shops, walking Street, whatever it is you want. In a year or so it will be full of Chinese again so enjoy it while you can. Even consider a day trip to koh Lan, 30 baht by ferry

ezzra · December 22, 2020

This is NOT the Pattaya we use to know and love, many things have changed, come up with open minds and plans and be spontaneous is the best for now...

fredob43 · December 22, 2020

3 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

It's quiet, not dead, can still enjoy the bars, restaurants, massage shops, walking Street, whatever it is you want. In a year or so it will be full of Chinese again so enjoy it while you can. Even consider a day trip to koh Lan, 30 baht by ferry

It's high season and there's not a sole about. Walking street is as good a closed. M/Shops those that are open are empty. Bars yes, some open but again Not a customer about, fine if you want to sit in and empty bar watching the ladies playing connect 4. Ko Lan might be ok, cant comment on that, as I said we left asap. So didn't do it, but if it's anything like the rest of Pattaya I would give it a miss.

scubascuba3 · December 22, 2020

22 minutes ago, fredob43 said:

It's high season and there's not a sole about. Walking street is as good a closed. M/Shops those that are open are empty. Bars yes, some open but again Not a customer about, fine if you want to sit in and empty bar watching the ladies playing connect 4. Ko Lan might be ok, cant comment on that, as I said we left asap. So didn't do it, but if it's anything like the rest of Pattaya I would give it a miss.

You're not right, Walking St is good if you pick the right places, you seem to be just looking for closed places. Soi Buakhao at night is buzzing. High Season? you realise there's a pandemic?

Edited December 22, 2020 by scubascuba3

KannikaP · December 22, 2020

7 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

It's high season and there's not a sole about.

Sh.t, that's my favourite fish!

And I hate walking barefoot!

Edited December 22, 2020 by KannikaP

fredob43 · December 22, 2020

2 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

You're not right, Walking St is good if you pick the right places, you seem to be just looking for closed places. Soi Buakhao at night is buzzing

We stayed in Sutus court 1. So do know how things were in S/B. Sorry but other than some lights on it's as dead as a Doe Doe. Not a sole about. Might be though we didn't have our rose tinted glasses on. You'll be saying next that Soi Pot hole is Busy/Buzzing. Thanks for the laugh anyway.

And know we didn't look for closed/shuttered places they popped up everywhere. Hard to miss as there were lot's more of those than the ones that were open.

Bangyai · December 22, 2020

15 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Sh.t, that's my favourite fish!

Well, if there isn't a sole around try another plaice.

scubascuba3 · December 22, 2020

8 minutes ago, fredob43 said:

We stayed in Sutus court 1. So do know how things were in S/B. Sorry but other than some lights on it's as dead as a Doe Doe. Not a sole about. Might be though we didn't have our rose tinted glasses on. You'll be saying next that Soi Pot hole is Busy/Buzzing. Thanks for the laugh anyway.

And know we didn't look for closed/shuttered places they popped up everywhere. Hard to miss as there were lot's more of those than the ones that were open.

seriously you may be depressed, always seeing things negatively. All the guys i know think it's been the best time in years, but everyone's looking for different things i guess

Golden Triangle · December 22, 2020

Well if you do get here I'd very much like to read a brief trip report and your honest thoughts, a very nice restaurant that I use fairly frequently is Casa Pascal on 2nd road, the set menu ( Schlemmer menu) with free flow, good quality wine is excellent value for money at 690 Baht, or go Ala Carte, high end quality dining. Google it ????

Nong Nuch gardens on the Suchamvit road towards Sattahip is worth a visit, I've never been to Koh Larn island but people have said it's quite nice.

Then there's also the water park, and the Aquarium, never been to either, and then there's also the indoor Iceland or whatever it's called if your G/F & her daughter have never seen snow and ice ????

Enjoy your trip and please report back here ????????

Kerryd · December 22, 2020

There are a number of "English" pubs around that service English breakfasts and more than a few other restaurants do as well.

Someone had a thread a few days ago about some night time places to go, where you basically just sit at a table and do nothing (which apparently is exciting for some people). I think the main attraction was the variety of beers available.
Actually, it was a repost of a "Dan about Thailand" article. In it he lists some places to go that he thinks are great. However, your preferences (and mine) may vary from what he thinks.
https://danaboutthailand.com/2020/12/07/why-hold-on-to-the-old-pattaya-nightlife-scene-when-the-new-emerging-one-looks-so-good/

Day time activities ? Depends on what you want to do really. Nong Nooch Gardens/Silver Lake Winery Khao Chi Chan (Big Buddha etched into a "mountain") are all in the same general vicinity and would make a nice afternoon outing.

The teakwood temple (Sanctuary of Truth) (North Pattaya) might be a worth a visit as well. Another place maybe the the "Frost Magical Ice of Siam" place which apparently is open, as is the Dolphinarium. I've never been to either but they maybe be OK for a visit.
https://www.facebook.com/frostpattaya

https://pattayadolphinarium.com/

Plenty of other activities as well. Plus the malls, though I doubt they have much to offer that you can't already get in Bangkok (for less money no doubt).

fredob43 · December 22, 2020

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

seriously you may be depressed, always seeing things negatively. All the guys i know think it's been the best time in years, but everyone's looking for different things i guess

We went to try and enjoy ourselves for a Birthday bash. And it was a complete disaster.

I don't know if anyone has seen the latest news, but many roads have been shut and they are putting a hold on anyone that wants to travel and stay out of province. Just been announced on the TV in Thai??? I haven't got the full details as of yet, but that's what my wife has just told me. As you all know it does take some time to get the full info translated. Suggest you all look to see the full details.

Edited December 22, 2020 by fredob43

J Town · December 22, 2020

Whenever I have friends visit Pattaya for the first time, I always take them to Tiffany's. I just drove by today and it's dead, closed, finished. I drove through Walking Street a month ago Friday night and was attacked by tumble weeds. 9:00 p.m. and the only people on the street were the security guards. Sure, you can find bars/restaurants still open, and if you like sushi I highly recommend Tsunami Sushi. Pattaya's not quite dead, but in a near coma.

bkk6060 · December 22, 2020

2 hours ago, 1fortheroad said:

Will probably take the girlfriend.

Probably?

So, if you have not comitted to this, I would come alone.

DaLa · December 22, 2020

There's still plenty to do in Pataya but I have to honestly say some of the restaurants have not lost customers only due to C-19, they just offer bad value for money and bad food. I'd suggest driving up the coast one day to Jomtien and try Pupen restaurant. Then a few of the bars on the same beach road are still buzzing.

4737 Carlin · December 22, 2020

Hops Brew House on Beach Road is worth a visit. They brew a very nice Bavarian-style weissbier and a pilsener on the premises. I'd imagine it'll be quiet but the place has a nice atmosphere and the menu is pretty good too.

PETERTHEEATER · December 22, 2020

3 hours ago, fredob43 said:

It's high season and there's not a sole about

Sounds fishy to me......

dabhand · December 22, 2020

Wizard Brewery might be worth a look. It's just off 2nd Road and was reviewed recently by the U.S. youtuber Rides4Kickz.