10 Most Popular Restaurants
in Phitsanulok

If you want an evening meal in Phitsanulok with something to watch while you eat, Wiroj Pochana — known universally as the "flying morning glory" restaurant — is the place to go. It's an old-school late-night congee restaurant with over forty years behind it, situated in the city near Mittraphap Road not far from Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat (Wat Yai) and the Nan River. The signature that made it famous is the flying morning glory: the cook finishes the stir-fry and then launches the greens up and over the heads of diners for a server on the other side of the room to catch on the plate in mid-air. It's a small spectacle that children love and everyone films.

Beyond the showstopper dish, reviews frequently mention stir-fried soft pork intestines with garlic, dry-style spicy pork ribs, spicy stir-fried catfish, and hot congee paired with Thai-Chinese sides. Multiple reviewers say flavors have stayed consistent over the years, food comes quickly, and prices are easy on the wallet. Good for families and friend groups who want to order multiple dishes and share.

The setting is an open-air late-night congee restaurant style — lots of tables, easy parking. Open until late, which makes it a regular evening-to-midnight gathering spot for Phitsanulok people. Per-person cost sits in the low hundreds of THB if you're sharing dishes. The combination of consistent flavors and the flying morning glory performance keeps this place a fixture after all these years.

The restaurant focuses on evening and late-night trade. If you specifically want to see the morning glory toss, come when the place is buzzing. On weekends, expect a wait for a table. For anyone who wants a local landmark with a story to tell, this is a solid first or last meal in Phitsanulok.

Ask any local in Phitsanulok where to eat noodles and "Rim Nan Hoi Kha" — Jae Daeng's place — comes up within the first few names every time. The restaurant is a Thai wooden house on the Nan riverbank, just a few minutes' walk from Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat (Wat Yai). The defining feature is the "hoi kha" seating: diners dangle their legs over the bank edge while slurping noodles and watching the river flow past. It's a scene people come specifically to photograph. An excellent stop after visiting Wat Yai.

The most popular order is the Sukhothai-style tom yam noodles — thin rice noodles in a tom yam broth with a boiled egg, char siu pork, fish balls, and crispy wontons piled on top. Most reviews agree the toppings are generous and the broth leans slightly sweet, in the style of lower-northern-style tom yam. Also worth ordering are the dry Sukhothai-style noodles and poached fish balls with a spicy dipping sauce. Bowls start around 45–75 THB — reasonable for the quality and the location.

The restaurant's popularity shows up in the midday crowd that genuinely fills the place. Ratings on Wongnai sit around 3.9 stars and TripAdvisor around 4 stars. Some praise it as the best noodle bowl they've had in Phitsanulok; others note that prices have moved up with the restaurant's reputation — but most come back because the atmosphere is genuinely hard to find elsewhere.

Open 08:30–16:30 daily. This is a daytime restaurant — it does not open for dinner. On holidays and festivals the riverside hoi kha seats fill fast; arriving early means a better spot. Air-conditioned seating and parking for larger groups are also available.

When Phitsanulok people think of the city's oldest congee-and-Chinese-sides restaurants, "Restaurant 25 Nor — Yee Jub Ngow" comes up for practically everyone. It has occupied Chao Phraya Road in the old city centre for over 70 years, directly across from Amarin Nakhon Hotel. The single shophouse has been renovated and decorated in a Chinese style with soft Chinese music — a heritage restaurant that has kept itself in good shape. Ideal for anyone who wants hot congee with multiple Thai-Chinese dishes in the evening, especially for families and friend groups who like to order and share.

The most talked-about dish is the house palo — braised and simmered until fragrant, beautifully colored, and outstanding alongside congee. Then cashew nut chicken (soft chicken, crunchy nuts) and nam liang minced pork, a classic smooth-flavored congee companion. For those who want more boldness there's also salty mackerel tong krueng. Reviews consistently praise the presentation, the flavors, and the restaurant's ability to maintain its original quality.

Price range 101–250 THB per person — reasonable for the quantity and quality; sharing multiple dishes improves the value further. The restaurant has parking, accepts credit cards, and has vegetarian options. Its enduring popularity comes from the local attachment to a true institution, combined with a renovation that gave it photogenic corners attractive to younger crowds and visitors checking in.

Opens afternoon-to-evening only: Tue–Fri 15:30–21:00, Sat 17:30–21:00, closed Sunday and Monday. If you plan a weekend dinner, check ahead and factor in waiting time, as the restaurant is small with limited seating.

Ask Phitsanulok locals which chicken noodle restaurant has been part of their food memories the longest and "Juk Kai Thai" consistently comes up first. The restaurant traces its recipe back several decades from its original Phichit roots, eventually settling in Phitsanulok where it became a city staple. There are now branches both in the city centre and on Phutthabucha Road beside the Nan River. For a relaxed riverside seat, go to the Rim Nan branch; for a quick in-and-out, the city branch works well.

The star is the dry free-range chicken noodle. What makes it special is the house-made fresh noodles: round, pleasantly chewy, and silky — completely unlike the flat machine-made noodles elsewhere. The kitchen makes 25–30 kilograms of noodles per day; when they're gone, they're gone. The chicken is genuine free-range sourced from a regular supplier — dark meat, firm texture, bouncy skin — slow-simmered into a sweet, fragrant broth. Reviews consistently say the dry noodles are the order here, with a side of chopped or sliced chicken to share. Those who like bold flavors can try the free-range chicken tom yam noodles.

Affordable prices: noodles at 40–60 THB per bowl, filling one person for under 100 THB. A large chicken platter to share is around 200 THB. The restaurant has parking, accepts cards, and offers delivery. Open Mon–Sat around 10:00–21:00; Sunday hours are shorter and worth checking.

Because the hand-made noodles are made in limited quantities daily, coming too late in the day risks missing the signature. The restaurant's reputation means some wait time during busy periods.

If you want khanom chin noodles with a sauce that locals will vouch for, Khanom Chin Ton Kampoo Wat Chan is the first name many people mention. The restaurant is set inside a Lanna-style wooden house under a large rain tree that shades the entire terrace. There are shaded outdoor seats and a cool air-conditioned room. Works well for families, groups, or anyone looking for a relaxed midday meal in the city. The key draw is having multiple nam ya sauces available under one roof, plus a buffet-style fresh vegetable station in the middle of the room.

The most talked-about dish is khanom chin nam ya pu (crab nam ya): generous crab meat, thick and fragrant sauce, with a flavor that reviewers describe as rich without being fiercely spicy. Those who want authentic northern style should try the Lamphun-style nam ngiew (the recipe is distinct from the standard northern version), plus nam ya pa (coconut-free, lighter sauce). The northern-food side menu is fully stocked with Lamphun sai ua, nam phrik ong, and hang lay curry. Also popular: lemongrass-marinated grilled chicken wings and large grilled prawns.

One of the restaurant's charms is that the sauces are served in separate cups for self-pouring. The portions aren't huge, making it easy to sample several things at once — good for those who want to try everything in one meal. Price range mostly 101–250 THB per person; grilled chicken wings around 80 THB; special crab nam ya about 200 THB. Fair for the quality.

Open daily 09:00–16:30, on Siharachadechochai Road in Wat Chan sub-district near Hotel Shinnapura. Parking is available both in the lot and along the road. The kitchen closes early, so coming before noon means a more relaxed seat and a fuller selection. Crab nam ya is sometimes only available on Saturdays — if that's your main target, check before you go.

Krua Jae Chok is a long-established river fish restaurant in Phitsanulok on Siharachadechochai Road in the Wat Chan area, about 500 metres from the Ton Wa intersection. Jae Chok originally cooked and sold food near the rice landing before setting up as a full restaurant. Phitsanulok locals have been attached to the place for years. If you're arriving in the city and want fresh river fish cooked to order, dish by dish, this is the spot locals point to first. Great for families and friend groups who want to spread multiple dishes across the table.

The star of the show is fresh river fish. The most popular orders are pla khao thod sadung nam pla (fried and finished with a sweet-salty fish sauce reduction — crispy outside, soft inside) and clear-broth pla kod kang tom yam (sharp and invigorating). Also a must: chuu chii deep-fried pla nuea on, springy pla krai fish cakes, and if you like prawn, try the tamarind sauce prawn (pleasantly tart). Reviews consistently praise fresh ingredients, a home-cooking-style flavour profile, and generous portion sizes.

The restaurant is a casual local made-to-order setting: plenty of tables, comfortable, no dress code. Worth knowing: it fills up fast — multiple reviews say tables are full well before 18:00 on some evenings. Large groups coming for dinner, especially on weekends, are better off calling ahead. Per-head cost around 101–500 THB depending on what you order; whole fish and prawn dishes push the price up, but the freshness and portions justify it.

Open daily 10:00–22:00. Roadside location makes it easy to stop on the way in or out of the city. Fried pla khao at roughly 100 THB per piece is accessible. For a first visit to Phitsanulok and the desire to try genuine river fish that the city is proud of, Krua Jae Chok is a confident choice.

If you want Thai food in Phitsanulok that tastes the way a local mother cooks — the kind of food that gets served when hosting out-of-town guests — Baan Mai on U Thong Road is the name that surfaces first. It's a two-storey wooden house filled with timber furniture and antiques, with an atmosphere as warm as eating at a relative's home. Open for over twenty years, it has become a provincial staple. Great for families, groups, and any visitor who wants one genuinely Thai home-style meal.

The dish at every table is the coconut curry with bamboo shoots and hed phaeo mushrooms with grilled fish — some people drive specifically to Phitsanulok for this one bowl. The thick, fragrant curry paste is hand-pounded, the mushrooms have a pleasant crunch, and the accompanying grilled fish is aromatic. Another must is the pork with dried fish sauce — savoury, gently sweet, outstanding with fresh vegetables. Prawn in tamarind sauce (tart and sweet) and garlic-fried pla nuea on are perennial favourites. Those who like a salad can try the wing bean yam.

Reviews consistently praise bold, authentic Central Thai flavors, attentive service, and prompt food. There is a spacious car park at the front of the restaurant, located opposite Hotel Ayara Grand Palace, easy to find. Price range 101–500 THB per person depending on the order. A few reviews note that some dishes can be on the pricier side — checking the menu before ordering keeps things comfortable.

Open daily 11:00–20:30 (kitchen closes around 20:30), but closed Sundays and the last Monday of each month. On weekends and at lunchtime the restaurant fills; large groups should call ahead for a table reservation.

When Phitsanulok locals think of a steak restaurant, "Penang Steak" (Penang Steakhouse & Fusion Food) on Mittraphap Road is the name that comes to mind first. It has been part of the city for over a decade — a large fusion steak venue that is comfortable, easy to park at, and works well for family meals, group gatherings, or a long evening out. The menu runs to over 300 items, spanning steak, Thai food, noodles, and fried dishes, so the whole table will find something.

The star is still the beef steak. For meat lovers, the filet mignon (tenderloin) with thick, tender cuts and the ribeye with good marbling are the go-to orders. Popular across reviewer mentions are also sun-dried charcoal-grilled wagyu-style beef and German pork knuckle with crispy skin, which sparked a crowd during a promotion run. Beyond steaks: American-style fried rice, Penang sesame-crusted beef, and gypsy chicken in lime sauce. Reviews consistently praise the quality of the beef, value for money, and the satisfaction of a proper hot-plate steak experience.

Prices are accessible: starting from the low hundreds of THB up to around 500 THB per person for large beef cuts. The spacious restaurant accommodates large groups easily. Open daily around 11:30–21:00. Located on Mittraphap Road, only about 500 metres from Phitsanulok bus terminal — very easy to find. A Google score of around 4.0 from thousands of reviews reflects steady repeat business.

On weekend evenings the car park fills quickly. For groups, arriving before peak hours or calling ahead to reserve is advisable. With so many menu items, food can sometimes take a little longer — building in a bit of extra time means a relaxed meal.

Ton Tan Restaurant is a Thai restaurant in central Phitsanulok that locals name first when they want to take family or out-of-town guests to a proper sit-down meal. It sits in front of The Grand Riverside Hotel on Phra Ruang Road by the Nan River — a large glass pavilion set among green trees, with both cool air-conditioned sections and a semi-outdoor garden area. The selling point here is Thai and Royal-style Thai food with carefully sourced ingredients, attractively plated. A good choice for those who want a comfortable setting with genuinely Thai homestyle flavors.

Frequently ordered and reviewed dishes include Ton Tan fried pork, crispy-noodle royal-style mi krob, hed phaeo mushroom coconut curry, nam phrik long reua, and beef picanha hang lay curry. For seafood, stir-fried fragrant squid and betel-leaf-wrapped pla kraphong are worth trying. To finish, palm fruit cake — made from the fragrant sugar palm flesh that gives the restaurant its name — rounds things off perfectly. Reviews on Wongnai rate it around 4.3 out of 5 and the majority of diners praise flavorful, well-seasoned food. International visitors have described it as one of the best meals of a Thai trip.

The glass-and-wood pavilion is a recognized atmospheric strength — high ceilings, garden and fountain views, light and airy. Long tables and private rooms accommodate large groups, events, and functions. There is parking, credit cards are accepted, and WiFi is available. Per-head price 251–500 THB; single dishes starting in the low hundreds up to around 290 THB. Good value relative to the quality and setting.

Open daily 11:00–22:00, centrally located on the Nan riverbank — convenient for both Phitsanulok residents and visitors making the trip to worship at Wat Phra Phuttha Chinarat. On weekends and evenings the restaurant fills; call ahead for a table reservation if you want a private room or a riverside spot. The Ton Tan brand also has a second branch — Baan Ton Tan in the Si Tham Traipidok area — in a warmer, home-like setting if you want a different atmosphere.

Tup Fah Cafe is a café inside Wing 46, on the road toward Phitsanulok Airport — known for its photogenic aircraft backdrop. If you're driving through the airport area and want to stop for a coffee, take some great photos, or bring the family somewhere shaded and comfortable, this place covers it. The main draw is the replica BT-67 aircraft set up for posing, plus the "Stairway to Heaven" stretching upward, a garden, a riverside walkway, swings under large trees, and a treehouse with a view from the top. Come once and you can shoot all day.

Popular orders include Tup Fah fresh coffee, iced latte, and colorful Italian sodas — strawberry and kiwi are popular for their photogenic quality. Light bites include crêpe cake, brownies, French fries, chicken nuggets, and golden bags stuffed with shrimp. For a more substantial meal there are spaghetti and steak options. Reviews mostly praise the atmosphere and note the very wide drinks menu covering coffee, non-coffee, and fruit juice. The coffee is described as dark-roasted and bold — good for people who like strong coffee.

Prices are approachable: drinks start well under 100 THB; with food added expect around 100–250 THB per person. The café has an air-conditioned minimal white-and-blue interior room as well as outdoor seating on a lawn and around a pond under canvas shade — breezy and comfortable. Ample parking. Located inside Wing 46, Aranyik sub-district, Mueang Phitsanulok. Open daily 09:00–18:00.

Tup Fah Café works because it's the only aircraft-themed café of its kind, suitable for couples, families, and anyone who likes photography. Afternoon light after midday is ideal for outdoor shots. Note that the café is inside a military area — entrance is straightforward but dress respectfully and drive slowly. On weekends crowds build early; arriving early secures the best photo spots.