The best restaurants Northeast – Isaan

Without a doubt the best option for dinner. The place has a modern architecture, with a large terrace and wooden furniture. It serves Isaan and local specialties. The food is authentic, so be careful with the chillies! The dishes are carefully prepared. The restaurant offers a wine list, which is rare enough to be highlighted. You can also sit at the counter of the small bar for a drink. It's a little more expensive than other establishments, but the prices are honest. To be discovered.

The IDA is the place of predilection of the youth of Phimai. You can eat, drink and watch a concert. Rock atmosphere in this warehouse style room with brick walls where Harley exhaust pipes are hung. It has a high ceiling and two floors. On the menu: Thai specialties and some steaks. The most impressive thing is the beer list, with many local and international beers! Bands play there some evenings. A modern place that is a bit different in this small provincial town

Right in the center of town, this typically Chinese establishment is located on the second floor (above a large parking lot). It's a large room with a canteen atmosphere, but the quality of the dishes is quite good for the prices. Prices are in fact for dishes for 2 to 8 people: practical for group dinners. Communication with the waiters is a little difficult, as their level of English is very low, but the menu includes a few photos, which makes it easy to understand! A good address.

This unassuming establishment is highly regarded by the locals. The food is good, and you can try some recipes that are hard to find elsewhere. Unfortunately, there's a small English menu that only covers a quarter of the Thai menu... A limited choice for foreign customers. What's more, the service isn't exactly efficient. It's a pity, because this place could do with a comprehensive English-language map.

A popular café-restaurant in the region! It's a pleasant place, nestled in a large green garden. The menu features traditional dishes brilliantly executed, including a tempting shrimp pad thai, delicious crab recipes and excellent curries. Flavours to die for! Two options for seating: on the terrace or in the lovely air-conditioned dining room. Great choice of home-made pastries and cakes. One major drawback, however: you'll need to reserve and place your order several weeks in advance!

Yong Poo Ob, or Yong Pu Aob, is Thai for the local specialty: crab. The place looks a little cold from the outside, but the inside is warm and carefully decorated. On the menu: crab specialties, shrimp, fish, squid, fish... The choice is vast. The products are of excellent quality and, naturally, the prices follow... The service is good, but it's sometimes a little difficult to get your order right.

As you wander the streets of Khon Kaen, you'll quickly realize that there's a large Vietnamese community. Baan Heng is one of the city's many restaurants serving Vietnamese specialties, and arguably the best. The establishment is on a street corner and occupies three floors. The sober, modern decor is pleasing, and the service pleasant. Try the fried eggs served with sausages and bread, accompanied by a strong black coffee. On-site boutique offering quality products.

This little establishment doesn't look like much, yet it's a favorite with Khon Kaen's expatriate community. The reason? It serves very good international cuisine, including excellent breakfasts, excellent burgers, Thai dishes, Indian curries, Vietnamese-style grilled pork brochettes, beef bourguigon, steaks, sandwiches, salads... The setting is modern and pleasant, with soft background music. Billiards, spirits and cocktails. Attentive, friendly service.

Welcome to a Thai brasserie! Established in 1979, this city institution is always busy. Uniformed waiters are constantly busy in this superb art deco building. The menu is well-stocked, and if you don't know what to choose, we recommend the house specialties ("signature dishes") such as roast duck red curry or crab dishes. Several vegetarian options are also on the menu. Wide choice of drinks and desserts. Efficient service. Warmly recommended.

Close to the Tha Sadet market, this unpretentious establishment enjoys a superb location on the promenade along the Mekong. The cuisine is simple but very good, with freshly prepared dishes made from the finest ingredients. Portions are generous. Breakfast, drinks and desserts are also à la carte. Friendly service. The setting, overlooking the river, is particularly pleasant for enjoying the early evening breeze.

Around 5 p.m., some thirty stalls preparing a wide range of cuisines set up shop at the night market. It's hard to resist these delicious and inexpensive dishes! One of the best stalls isn't Thai, but Vietnamese. It offers delicious egg rolls and baguette sandwiches that sell like hotcakes. The same is true near the bus station, on Chayang Khun Road, where you can find popular cuisine for just a few baht.