Yamato Japanese Restaurant
Food: Japanese
Location: Soi Yamato (Soi 13/1)
Price: Medium
Rating: 4/5
Yamato Japanese Restaurant is a nice quiet Japanese restaurant located on the soi of its own name. If you’re on Beach road just turn left on 13/1 (have to circle around 13/2 if you’re on a bike as 13/1 is a one-way soi). Go down about 50 meters or so and it’s located on the left hand side of the soi.
The outside and inside are both set up and decorated in the traditional Japanese style that you see in Japan. Quiet looking little shops with usually just a small sign and not much else. It’s in places like these where you usually find good food since that’s what the owners focus on…not the advertisement of it.
Inside is quiet and usually close to empty when I go. The offer the full spectrum of Japanese food (for the most part) and all of it that I’ve tried so far has been pretty good. Better than Fuji I think and not too far off from what is really served in your average restaurant in Japan.
Sushi, beef, noodles, seafood and plenty more are offered at the Yamato Japanese restaurant.
Outside
Inside looking at sushi bar
Small shot of the menu. They offer way more than just sushi, but I figured the price of the sushi is usually a good indication of the rest of the prices.
Small free appetizer that comes with all meals. Includes greens, sweet potato, carrot, and salmon
Sushi plate with an edamame appetizer. The sushi in Yamato Japanese restaurant is fresh and served in large portions.
My main course was a salmon teriyaki set with tofu, miso, rice, pickled vegetables, and water greens. I enjoyed all of it although the salmon was a little bit on the dry side. I’m not the biggest fan of pickled veggies either, but they do ok with the salmon and then some rice after.
So all in all a nice place if you’re in the mood for Japanese, but don’t want all the hustle and bustle of the larger restaurants. I can easily recommend Yamato Japanese restaurant for a decent meal.
The Butchers Arms
Food: English
Location: Soi Bukhao next to Pook Swan House
Price: Average
Rating: 3/5
I went to the Butchers Arms Pattaya with a friend and his girlfriend to see what they had to offer and to give a bit of a review. I pass it just about every day on my motorbike and always thought the outside looked nice and that it was worth looking into.
Inside is very nice. I’m guessing it’s designed as sort of an English pub would be (that’s what they are going for I’m sure). It’s also a pub with tvs for the sports and what not. There’s not a lot of parking room, but you could always park somewhere near by and walk, not really a big deal.
The staff was friendly enough and we didn’t get any blank stares with them being like wtf?! The food came out fairly quickly and I enjoyed the pub type atmosphere inside while waiting on the food. You can tell they’ve put some money into the bar, it does look nice inside.
Butchers Arms Pattaya
Inside of Butchers Arms Pattaya
Menu from Butchers Arms Pattaya – Just to give you guys an idea of what the prices are like
Here’s my meal. I had a steak w/egg, mushrooms and chips. The chips were really good. The mushrooms were o.k. but I would have preferred a bit of gravy with them. The steak was pretty bad. Zero seasoning, thin, and tough. To be fair though I haven’t really had a good steak in any English joint except for Fawlty Towers maybe. Even there it wasn’t thick, but it is cooked nice. I reckon I should’ve tried either shepard’s pie or fish ‘n’ chips.
My friend had a cottage pie. He enjoyed it (ate every last bit of it), but thought it needed salt. I explained to him that maybe the chef wouldn’t over do it with the salt so that the customer could add his own for his personal taste. I tried some of his and I thought it was great.
I can’t remember what my friends girl had, but I believe it was either pork chop or a steak similar to mine. She thought everything was o.k. if I can remember. I thought overall that the place offered a pretty decent meal, but nothing to write home about. If it’s your local, or you’re just in to watch the game and fancy a bit to eat you should definitely be satisfied with the Butchers Arms Pattaya.
Big Horn Steakhouse
Food: Steak and grill
Location: Inside the small complex next to Kiss Foods on 2nd road, Soi Diana
Price: Medium
Rating: 4/5
The Big Horn Steakhouse is located on Soi Diana inside the little food complex right off of second road. I went with a friend of mine and his girlfriend. I’d been anticipating going here for a while, but just never had gotten around to it. They have a food eating special (which I love in the town when restaurants do this). It is the 1 kilo steak club. If you can finish off one of their 1 kilo steaks then you will get your picture on their site, a diploma, and your name on the wall of the restaurant. Now, if you can manage to beat the present record in time eaten then you can have your meal for free.
I haven’t had a whole lot of steaks in Pattaya, but I think the best I’ve had so far has been in the Big Horn Steakhouse. They’re thick, juicy, seasoned right, and cooked perfectly. Another thing I like about Big Horn Steakhouse is that they have a lot of different sauces to cover your steak in. Mushroom, onion, and peppercorn are a few of the sauces that I can remember. I think they offer around 10 different kinds.
Not only did the Big Horn Steakhouse do their steaks right they also have plenty of great sides to go with. What’s a steak dinner without bread, salad, and a loaded baked potato right?
You can either eat outside where you can watch some of Pattaya’s nightlife, or you can dine inside as well if you wish.
Nice and clean inside with nice staff that were attentive and spoke English well.
Quick peek at the menu from the
Big Horn Steakhouse
This was a seafood soup. Not too bad, but was a bit too rich for me. I couldn’t finish it.
Their bread is great and they’re not shy with it…they keep it coming. Another thing I like about the Big Horn Steakhouse sides is their salad. I think this might have been the only cold side salad I’ve had in Pattaya. I’m not a huge fan of thousand island dressing, but the veggies had actually been in a fridge…good idea!
This was my meal. Can’t remember the size or cut of the steak (I think tenderloin), but everything was great. Topped with onions and a mushroom sauce. Grilled asparagus, corn, and tomato with a bit of fruit. No steak dinner is complete without a baked potato. The Big Horn Steakhouse does them as good as anybody in town.
This was my friends meal…amazing isn’t it? I think he had a tenderloin with either a hollandaise or bearnaise sauce on top. A large grilled asparagus wrapped in bacon along with some other grilled vegetables. Finally you can of course see that the Big Horn Steakhouse does a nice mashed potato plate that the rest of the food rests on top of. Looks gorgeous.
My friend’s girl ended up ordering some cinnamon buns which we all tried and they were tasty. Hot, stick, gooey, and sweet.
I can easily recommend (and I have) the Big Horn Steakhouse to any steak lover visiting Pattaya.
Cherry Restaurant
Food: International
Location: 3rd road, across from Xzyte Disco
Price: Medium
We showered and took off to
Cherry restaurant
on 3rd road across from Xzyte Disco around 6pm. We walked in and were immediately seated towards the back at a table for five. Within a couple minutes we were brought a single half finger sized starter which was some kind of deep fried fish which lay on a dollop of tartar sauce with mint leaf decoration. Inside the fried crust on my piece was a small chunk of white meat I took to be fish only because of the tartar sauce. My girl’s piece was so hard she could not bite into it so I tried to crack off the hard outer shell, but when I was done I found almost nothing inside and what I did find was unrecognizable. Not a good start for the
Cherry restaurant
Almost immediately after the starter dish they brought out the main course which consisted of 3 large BBQ pork ribs, some very yummy looking thick fried potato slices (some in America might call these “home fries”) and half a corn on the cob. The home fries looked better than they were because they were not seasoned in any way. When I asked for catsup they brought a brand that tasted like it had been recovered from a week old garbage bin. The corn on the cob was average, but when it came to the ribs they were simply phenomenal. These ribs were as good as the best I have ever tasted anywhere in the US and there’s not much more I can say except that. Round 2 goes to the
Cherry restaurant
The service at the Cherry restaurant was very attentive, but almost too attentive and the food was served with a speedy nervous intensity I didn’t really like. I felt as if they were trying to rush us in and out again. My girl felt the waiters eyes on her the whole which was disconcerting to her. There was no reason for this rushed behavior because the restaurant was never more than half full if that.
With two BBQ rib all-you-can-eat dinners (270) and one water (30) our bill came to 570 baht. All in all I would recommend this restaurant for Friday nights simply for the ribs alone. Don’t waste time on the salad bar or dessert if ribs are your thing. After the initial plate is brought they will keep bringing ribs until you are full.
The dessert on Friday night is a choice between Tiramisu (mediocre at best), small banana split (average) or fruit plate.
Cherry restaurant has a special promotion for each night of the week.
Sunday – Special Set Menu 295 (not sure what this means)
Monday – Lobster Day 459 (I heard their lobster is not good)
Tuesday – Lamb Promotion 459
Wednesday – International Buffet 295
Thursday – Roast Dinner 295 (4 or 5 different meats)
Friday – BBQ Baby Back Ribs 270
Saturday – BBQ Buffet 395
So the Cherry restaurant gets our thumbs up
Bobs BBQ
Food: BBQ
Location: Soi LK/Metro
Price: Medium
Rating: 4/5
Bobs BBQ
is a BBQ icon in Pattaya. Excellent food all around and probably the best BBQ in town. If you’re from the U.S. and you’re in town and wanting something that reminds you of home, then this is the place. In 2005 Bob laid claim to the Guiness Book of World Record’s world’s largest hamburger. They offer a “Wagon Wheel Challenge” with the biggest burger in town. Only a select few have made it through this monstrous meal. This place is definitely a must see if you’re in town. I really enjoy Bob’s, but I have to space out the time I eat there simply because I end up eating so much every time I go.
Chili Cheese Burger w/fries and a Loaded Baked Potato
*Edit – Bobs BBQ is currently under different management as of late 2010. I can say without a doubt that the food is still wonderful. Last night I had a chicken fried steak sandwich, half rib plate, and a chimichanga. All of it was absolutely delicious. More sour cream would be greatly appreciated though…and sour cream for the baked potato as well.
Bobs BBQ
is still my pick for the best BBQ in town so far.
Village Chippy
Food: English
Location: “The Village” – 3rd road
Price: Cheap
The Village’s
Village Chippy
is located about 20meters inside of The Village housing complex on 3rd road across from the firestation. It offers fish ‘n’ chips at very affordable prices.
I had a medium cod, chips, mushy peas, and a mushy pea fritter (a first for me). Also had vinegar and tartar sauce. Overall, maybe not the best chippy in town, but the
Village Chippy
is good for the price and great if you live near The Village.
I like how they do their menus…you just mark what you want. Saves the headache of Thai/English communication breakdown
The mushy pea fritter is the thing on the right. It was delicious…wish more chip shops had them in town. All it is is a big glob of mushy peas that’s been fried. Seriously, how can that not be good?
I have to say that the “cod” was a bit fishy tasting. My friend mentioned that they may have given me the shark instead. I am American, so not really the local expert on fish and chips shops, but I do know what tastes good to me and what seems a bit off sometimes.
Still though, the
Village Chippy
is not bad at all and I would recommend it to others.
Fawlty Towers Hotel
Food: English
Location: 2nd road, Soi 10
Price: Cheap
Fawlty Towers Hotel
is located in Soi 10 off of 2nd road. It has a laid back atmosphere with outside dining. It is a guest house/bar and also offers delicious English food. Thai food is also available.
I have had 6 or so different items on their menu and all of them have been great. Better burgers in town, but all of their English food has been the best that I’ve tried in town so far. Not a native Englishman myself, but I do enjoy the food and can definitely tell what I like and do not like about different establishments around town.
They have the following weekend specials. Very competitive prices…some of the best in town. I try to have the fish and chips anytime I get the chance…it is tasty.
Pie, Mash, ‘n Liquor
Shepards Pie (gravy comes with it as well)
Sausages, Mash, ‘n Gravy (My personal favorite and one of the best English meals in town) – I can’t get enough of this filling meal. I think the English might take the top spot for some of the best sausages in the world. Do not quote me on that, but they have got to be up there.
So far if somebody asked me for my top recommendation of English food in Pattaya I would have to say the
Fawlty Towers Hotel
Cafe New Orleans
Food: American
Location: Soi 13/4, Beach rd (Soi Pattayaland 2)
Price: Above average
New Orleans Pattaya
is located on Soi 13/4, Beach rd and serves Southern style American food.
Blackened Chicken – This was really good, what can I say. Seasoned perfect and extremely tender.
Oysters – Cheese and crabmeat over mashed potatoes – Not exactly what I had in mind when I ordered it, but it was ok…not great.
The Cafe
New Orleans Pattaya
has a quiet and relaxed atmosphere. All the food was good and didn’t take long to prepare. A friend and I were the only 2 in the restaurant, so that could have something to do with the quick service, but I am not complaining for sure. I have not yet had the chance to try their BBQ ribs buffet, but believe that will be my next meal choice when I decide to return. Another thing that I should mention is that my friend is English and not to exposed to Southern-style cooking that we get back in the States.
This is the only restaurant in Pattaya that I know of that serves up good old fashioned soul food (as it is often called) that we crave down in the Southern States. Overall the meal was really good, and I can easily recommend the
New Orleans Pattaya
to anybody.
Rendezvous
Food: English/International
Location: Soi Siam Country Club
Price: Average
Rendezvous
Restaurant & Bar is located on Soi Siam Country club which is on the East side of Sukhumvit, or otherwise known as the “Darkside”. It’s a few miles down the road on the right not far before reaching the Lake Villa villas. The owner’s name is Dave and he is a good host for the night. The inside of the place is nice and he recently finished installing a pool out back. I believe they have bungalows available as well, but I can’t be quite sure. I went out there with a friend who introduced me to Dave. We initially just went to drink and have a good time, but ended up ordering some food there to try it out.
Bar area (there’s also a bar upstairs)
Restaurant area
Big clean bathrooms
The entire location itself is huge with a separate bar area from the restaurant. Both are very big and you can order your meal from the bar area if you wish. We ended up at an outside table that sat about 12 people and there were 12 of us there drinking and having a good time.
They have a mainly English menu with international fare as well as Thai food.
Menu examples
I ordered a Thai fish soup for 150baht and my friend ordered a roast beef meal for 220baht. Both were good. The roast beef was absolutely gorgeous. The potatoes are huge as well. I was really surprised when the roast beef meal came out. I wasn’t expecting it to look or taste anything like it did. The plate was huge and full of food. I had to help my friend a little and he is a pretty big lad.
You definitely need to check out the
Rendezvous
if you are ever out in the darkside area over on Siam Country Club
Jamesons
Food: Irish
Location: Soi Sukrudee (Soi A.R.)
Price: A bit expensive
Jamesons Pattaya
is an Irish Pub located on Soi Sukrudee (Soi A.R.). If you turn onto Soi 12 from Pattaya Klang (Central Pattaya road) and follow it all the way down you will see
Jamesons Pattaya
on the right hand side.
Prices are a bit expensive for a lot of the regular dishes, but they have a very good deal on a 3-course set for 255baht. Each portion of the set changes weekly so there’s always a good variety of dishes to choose from. A set consists of a starter, meal, and dessert. Each of these has 3 food options to choose from.
Australian avocados with tomatoes salad – This dish was a bit weak
Onion Soup – Wasn’t part of the set, but ordered separately. Rich and tasty
Steak w/baked potato and gravy – Baked potato not part of original dish, but the staff changed it for me…no problem – both tasted good
Went with Thai fruits for dessert because I was so full. Had to skip the more decadent choices
Go to
Jamesons Pattaya
if you want to relax in a nice setting, watch some sports (even play pool if you’d like) and enjoy some good food.
