Central Festival food hall Pattaya has recently expanded with the entire basement offering an incredible range of delicious food. The section above is near the Beach Road entrance.
Thai seafood
Squid corner has many seafood options beside squid. 🙂
If you like your food on a stick
Then this is the place for you. 🙂
A nice looking bar for a beer or two.
There are so many great beers on offer in Pattaya.
The hanging ducks of Babylon
Or should I say the hanging ducks of Central Festival food hall Pattaya?
A bottle of wine perhaps?
One of the very few things I dislike about Thailand is the horrendous tax on wine. For a price comparison check out THIS LINK.
Good prices here…
Six for B100, or $4.80 AUD, great value.
Fabulous seafood range
You name it, they have it.
Mouth watering oysters from France
Enjoying fresh oysters is one of the great passions in my life, for confirmation just follow THIS LINK.
Now I wait for these to come on special
On special the price drops to B120 for 3. Today March 8th 2020 I ordered 9 for B360 & they gave me 2 extra for free. 🙂
Sydney Rock & Coffin Bay oysters from Australia.
The thought of these makes me homesick.
Shucker at work
My friend Hamish Elton was quicker than this guy, take a look HERE.
You gotta love oysters
A great way to start a meal, however my friend Mark Yagalla paid B640 fir 6 oysters & at a counter nearby I only paid B420, so the tip is to make sure you shop around. 🙂
Central Festival food hall
The perfect lunch, fresh prawns & salmon sashimi.
To finish off a perfect lunch
A truly iconic Thai classic, mango & sticky rice.
Grill Bar adjacent to or part of Tops supermarket.
Central Festival food hall Excellent coffee, + the custard tarts were very good also. 🙂
Low cost sandwiches
At B45 & B60 they are terrific value.
Aussie lamb chops
My friend Mark Yagala said these were the best chops he has ever eaten in Thailand, only B620 or $20 USD.
Back another day for oysters, prawns & sashimi
These are the same my friend paid B620 on another counter, my cost was B420.
Absolutely delicious
Fine de Claire from France.
A repeat of what I had a few days ago.
When you are on a good thing stick to it. 🙂
Mr Donuts
Starbucks change B115 for a latte, here at Mr Donuts I paid B93 for what you see.
Baked Ham & vegetables
Absolutely delirious & only B200 or $10 AUD.
Thanks for visiting my Central Festival food hall photo blog, I intend to have lunch here at least once a week in the future.
Holiday Inn Seafood Buffet at the East Coast kitchen in the executive tower on the 6th floor. Available from Thursday night until Sunday night. Priced at B1100, very reasonable for what they offer.
Lots of seafood choices
Apart from seafood there are are a variety of Thai dishes, salads & deserts to choose from.
Oysters from Korea
I always enjoy a buffet that offers fresh oysters.
Holiday Inn Seafood Buffet
Korean oysters don’t particularly impress me, I prefer French or Australian, check out THIS LINK for lots of variety.
Barbecue prawns were delicious
Oysters to start followed by these prawns.
Delicious crab
Very fiddly to eat of course, you just need to persevere. 🙂
The busy chefs
They do a great job on the barbecue making sure everybody has plenty to eat.
There is also an indoor kitchen
When you count all the waiters & waitresses there is a huge number of polite staff looking after you.
Thai food is also available
A very good variety of food to please all pallets.
Desert to finish off an excellent dinner.
There is also lots of ice cream flavors on offer.
A choice of 2 place in the hotel for a pre dinner cocktail.
Before dinner we went to the sky bar for happy hour, two for one drinks between 5 & 7 pm are terrific value.
Holiday Inn Seafood Buffet
This is also a wonderful venue for cocktails at sunset. I’m so lucky to live only 200 meters from this fabulous hotel, I guess you could say it’s my local drinking hole. 🙂
Thanks for visiting my Holiday Inn Seafood Buffet photo blog.
Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.
The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.
Fresh seafood Naklua market, it’s been 4 years since I published my blog on this lively venue, so I thought it was time to re-visit & see what changes have taken place.
The variety is amazing.
So is the crowd, better to visit mid week if you can.
Price is per kilo
I’m guessing you would get around 3 for a kilo.
Many varieties of fish
Including live fish that they will clean for you on the spot.
Fresh seafood Naklua market
Lots of fresh vegetables also on sale.
Scallops look very good.
There are so many choices, how do you make a decision on what to have for lunch? 🙂
First I’m going to try an oyster.
These are B50 each or $1.60 USD, there are also some for B40, or $1.30 USD. I can buy imported oysters from Franceat El Mercado in Bangkok for the same price.
Quite large as you can see
I was pleasantly surprised, very tasty even without lemon, lime or sauce.
OK, now for some fresh prawns
B270 or $9 USD a kilo, what a bargain.
Now here is the clincher…
This guy will cook your prawns or other seafood for B30 a kilo, how easy is that?
He will even supply a chair. 🙂
So you can eat the freshly cooked seafood right here. We had our prawns boiled rather than barbecued, so we decided to eat them at home after they cooled down.
Fabulous fresh seafood Bangkok, where else but El Mercado’s seafood room in their wonderful market restaurant. After I enjoyed another memorable lunch I purchased 2.5 dozen fresh oysters to take home to Pattaya.
Prawns look terrific.
In fact everything looks so fresh and appetizing.
The question is……
Where do you start? 🙂
Fabulous fresh seafood Bangkok, here is where I start.
Oysters natural from France, 6 No 4 Cancale B35 each or $1.70 AUD, & 6 No 3 Claire B55 each, or $2.66 AUD.
Price rise at el Mercado
It’s now June 2022 & the price for Fin de Clare hase jumped to B99 each.
Cultured on the French Atlantic coast, Fine de Claire is the favorite oyster of people who love less fleshy and more juicy oysters with a balanced taste. This oyster must be refined in the shallow water of the claires basins, according to a strictly stipulated number of months and a maximum limit on the number of oysters per square meter. The result is a less meaty but juicy oyster rich in water, with translucent or white mantle, an earthy flavor, smooth with an incredible lingering aftertaste.
How about this beauty?
I’m guessing it’s from Alaska.
Many types of oysters available
Most are from France but there are some Irish varieties as well.
OK, lets take some home to Pattaya.
The guys are packing up my “to go” box of 2.5 dozen.
Two nights later the feast begins on my balcony
Of course they need to be shucked, luckily my friend Hanish Elton, who I call the oyster man, has a glove & a knife we purchased in Coffin BaySouth Australia a few months ago.
There is a huge choice of cold cuts & cheese from all over the world. The Salami truffle was sensational.
Fabulous fresh seafood Bangkok
Here is the view from my balcony, what better place could you pick to enjoy 2.5 dozen oysters? I have eaten oysters all over the world, check THIS LINK, however this is by far the best view.
Australia has wonderful seafood, check out THIS LINK.
Thanks for visiting my Fabulous fresh seafood Bangkok photo blog. I am planning a trip to the east coast of France to indulge in an oyster feeding frenzy. 🙂
Bangkok river buildings photographed from the Iconsiam free ferry shuttle on the Chao Phraya River. Everything from tall modern skyscrapers to ancient waterfront homes. The photo above is the State Tower which was built in 2001, it is the largest building in Southeast Asia, with 300,000 m² floor area. The building on the right is the Shangri-La hotel.
Shangri-La hotel
One of the best locations in Bangkok, 5 minutes walk to the sky train. On the right is Centre Point hotel. For a discount at the Shangri-la just use THIS LINK.The rooms in Center Point are excellent, for a discounted room rate just use THIS LINK.
Long-tail boat looking for customers.
These boats are very good for exploring the Bangkok canals. See more on THIS LINK.
Often referred to as the Ghost Tower, the Sathorn Unique is an abandoned Bangkok skyscraper. Not only is it illegal to enter but it’s also in a state of dangerous disrepair. Where there’s a will there’s often a way, however, and many daring souls have slipped a “tip” to the security guards and made their way through the debris to experience an exhilarating adventure with glorious views over Sathorn’s towering buildings.
CAT Telecom Tower
This impressive office building is owned and operated by the Communications Authority of Thailand (CAT). Consisting of 30 floors.
View from Iconsiam shopping mall
Great view of the CAT building with the State Tower featuring Sirocco restaurant on the far right with the gold dome.
Bangkok River Park condominium
Bangkok River Park is located at Trok Saphan Yao, Chakkrawat, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100. Construction was completed in 1994. The condominium comprises of a single building, having 36 floors and includes 97 units.
Old waterfront homes
Such a contrast compared to the the modern high-rise buildings along this great river.
River City Bangkok shopping complex
River City opened in l984 and was the first riverside shopping complex of its kind in Bangkok. With over 47,000 sqm of space and a couple hundred retail spaces, the mall offers a wide selection of shopping choices. Its main focus is on Thai cultural articles and antiques. It does offer standard retail shopping as well. The mall also hosts a number of exhibitions, events, festivals and auctions throughout the year.
To the right is the Royal Orchard Sheraton, for an excellent room discount just book through THIS LINK.
Bangkok river buildings
Icon Siam Mall is called the “Mother of All Malls”, with 500 shops and 100 restaurants from more than 30 different countries. Developed by the same tycoons behind Siam Paragon and EmQuartier, Icon Siam offers high-end brands, an indoor floating market, an art gallery, exhibition space, and a beautiful riverside location with views of downtown Bangkok.
Thanks for visiting my Bangkok river buildings photo blog, this great city is forever changing, put it on your bucket list.
Iconsiam Bangkok great food, however there is a problem, there are so many great places to eat it is difficult to make a decision. There is a selection of over a hundred famous restaurants from all over the world in seven different zones, each of them catering to diverse culinary tastes. The incredible choice of dishes available come from venues ranging from Michelin starred restaurants to famous Thai street food stalls.
Excellent Japanese food
Very authentic, it’s as good as you get in Tokyo. 🙂
California role, Unagi & Miso soup
Only B420 or $14 USD. Siam Takashimaya offers three zones of Japanese food venues, the ground floor features a food court and more Japanese restaurants, while cafés and bakeries from across Japan on UG floor are divided into three smaller zones named after the Japanese prefectures of Kyoto, Hokkaido and Nara.
This restaurant specializes in seafood from Hokkaido.
Food Park Central Marina is a great example of eating cheap in Thailand. Only 5 minutes walk from my condo & offers a huge variety of very good fresh food.
There are so many choices here
Like most food courts you put money on a card & get your refund when you finish.
Duck is always popular
The hanging ducks are a common sight in Thailand.
Fresh seafood is available
So many choices & such little time. 🙂
Food Park Central Marina
Cooked food examples on display to tempt you.
Wonton soup
A favourite of mine & only B70 or $3.40 AUD.
Lots of skewers
The staff here are deaf, but you would never really know.
Bbq skewers
They also specialize in sausages however the skewers are world class.
Teriyaki chicken
Absolutely delicious, as good as I have ever eaten, and only B15 each or $0.70 AUD. These great skewers just melt in your mouth.
Food Park Central Marina & finish off with a Thai classic
Magnificent Mango & Sticky Rice. Certainly one of Thailand’s iconic dishes.
Sadly now in October 2020 we are in the middle of the Covid-19 crisis & 80% of the outlets here at the Food Park have closed. I really can’t see them re-opening until mid 2021.
If you have the time please check out some of my favourite restaurants, just follow THIS LINK.
Thanks for visiting my photo blog. For a selection of cheap places to eat just follow THIS LINK.
Tough times Thailand 2019 on two fronts, first we have Thai immigration making it more difficult for expats to live in this wonderful country, secondly the exchange rate for Thai Baht to the Aussie dollar (and other currencies) is hitting rock bottom.
The following 2 charts will highlight the situation.
This is not a travel blog, it is part of my personal photo history.
This photo blog covers from July 1st to December 31, for the first 6 months of 2019 please go to THIS LINK.
Australian $ to Thai Baht
In 2012 there was 33 Baht to the dollar, today it’s 21.
Australian term deposit rates
In 2012 they were over 5%, today it’s a miserable 1.5%.
Rising costs for food etc
Five years ago in 2014 this selection cost $72 AUD, today it would be $98 Aud, one of the reasons Thailand has become less attractive for expats.
Life is still very good in Thailand
Just ask my good friend Hamish, he hasn’t a care in the world. 🙂
Most afternoons I tear myself away from the computer & enjoy an afternoon coffee.
A small tip for a little lady
I often give this nice lady a B20 tip when I see her of a morning sweeping the road at Terminal 21, it’s just under $1 AUD. She gets so excited you would think it’s 200. 🙂 I’m guessing they don’t get paid too much.
Love watching the storms roll in
So exciting when the storms roll in over Pattaya Bay.
There’s nothing like a September sunset.
I was sipping a red wine at the Holiday Inn watching this magnificent sunset.
Doug Burrows, Bill Perry, David Herd, Brian Rawnsley & Shane Andrews. Shane is here for some major dental work which is around 1/3 of the cost in Australia.
Fusillo Italian restaurant
A nice evening with Matt Harkness & is girlfriend Bow.
Spaghetti seafood
Fusillo is in Naklua Rd, what a great looking dish.
From floor 22 in Markland. For more magnificent sunsets follow THIS LINK.
A super cloud
This was 8 am on the morning of October 13, the previous shot was 6.15 pm the same day.
Halloween
Lola, Nina & Lucky playing trick or treat. I anticipated the visit & stocked up on lollies etc.
The boys from Oz
Shane Andrews, Bill Perry & Greg Caldwell were here for some major dental work. According to Greg he paid 55,000 Baht or $2650 AUD for 1 x Implant – 1 x Root canal – 2 x removals and a complete clean which took 2 hours’ in the chair.
Holly’s coffee at Terminal 21.
helping me maintain my 112 kilos.
Tough times Thailand with high levels of pollution in Pattaya
The unhealthy haze from farmers burning their crops in Thailand & neighboring countries.
Thailand is the least miserable country
Australia comes in at 54th. 🙂
Let’s talk about convenience, I often wonder what it would be like living in Australia again. I ask my friends on the Gold Coast to imagine if they could walk from their home to Robina Town Centre, Southport Park & Pacific Fair in less than 12 minutes? How convenient would that be?
Well folks, that’s what I can do in Pattaya, add to that the 6 five star hotels also within 12 minutes of where I live. All with terrific restaurants & coffee shops.
Plus I have a 24 hour supermarket, chemist & The Coffee Club on the ground floor of the condo where I live on the 20th floor with a view to die for. I probably should mention the 200+ restaurants & food courts also within 10 minutes walk.
Convenience folks, are you getting the picture? 🙂
The burning question is, could I be happy living in Australia again?
Cruise ship visits Pattaya
December 7 & a cruise liner anchors in Pattaya Bay.
Flow Cafe Holiday Inn Pattaya is my usual venue for afternoon coffee, only a 150 meter walk from my condo at Markland in Beach Rd. The shot above is the hotel reception, turn left to fond the Flow Cafe Holiday Inn.
Terrific cakes & pastries.
Also meat pies, sandwiches & sausage rolls, and excellent coffee of course.
So many choices….
And such little time. 🙂
My favourite waitress
This lovely lady with the gorgeous smile is Opor, that’s the shortened version of her name, she always makes me a special coffee. 🙂
How sweet is this?
Opor takes great pride in her work. 🙂
Luckily I get a 25% discount.
For a small cost you can get a “Hi Club” Card which gives you the discount on food & beverage except for the specials.
Other hotel specials
Happy hour every day between 5 & 7pm.
Pizza happy hour
In fact they ate my favourite pizzas in Pattaya.
There are specials every day.
Every day is a good day at the Holiday Inn Pattaya.
Flow Cafe Holiday Inn
Thanks for visiting my Flow Cafe Holiday Inn photo blog, you will find me there most days around 3 pm. 🙂
Something different
It tasted as good as it looked, very healthy indeed. 🙂
New sandwich system
Instead of ready made sandwiches you now order from this list.
Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.
The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.
Sutus Court is a great budget hotel right i the heart of one of Pattaya’s main bar areas, just use THIS LINK for a terrific room rate. 420/100 Moo 9 Soi Buakhao.
This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located opposte the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate.
Beachfront restaurant Pattaya is aptly named Surf & Turf & is rated number 100 out of 1187 restaurants in Pattaya. For far better food photographs than in this post just check out THIS LINK for my previous Surf & Turf photo blog.
Location
On the beach next door to the Long Beach Garden Hotel.
Beachfront restaurant Pattaya
A fairly ordinary front entrance.
Air conditioned inside section
It’s much nicer inside which you can clearly see.
Catering for the smokers
The further away from me the better. 🙂
Inside in the aircon.
Especially during the day the front area beside the beach is the most popular part of the restaurant.
Another outdoor area
There is quite a number of different sections in this popular Beachfront restaurant Pattaya.
This is the beachside section
No aircon but they have plenty of fans & there is usually a beautiful breeze coming off the ocean.
An unusual dish
My friend ordered snapper, as you can see the portion was rather small & there was a skewer of beef with it.
Here is the seared tuna
Rather delicious.
Chicken Satay
The peanut sauce was excellent.
Oysters from France
Delicious, rather expensive here, around B500 or $24 AUD for 6, double what I pay at El Mercado in Bangkok.
My 2 Australian friends
Ian Fraser-Smith & David Robertson from the Gold Coast in Australia are regular visitors to Pattaya. They were both impressed with the food at the Surf & Turf.
For far better food photographs than in this post please check out THIS LINK for my previous Surf & Turf photo blog.
Thanks for visiting my Beachfront restaurant Pattaya photo blog, Surf & Turf has good food in a great seaside location.
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