Pai, ThailandA tiny local restaurant run by Na and her family, serving the most authentic northern Thai food in Pai - khao soi egg noodle curry, sai ua herbed pork sausage, and kaeng hang le Burmese-style pork curry at prices locals pay. The daily menu is determined by the morning market - Na cooks whatever is freshest.
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The finest dining restaurant in Pai - a romantic candlelit venue with live jazz most evenings, serving a menu of Thai and Mediterranean fusion that changes with market availability. The duck massaman curry, Burmese tea leaf salad, and wood-fired whole fish are standout dishes in a genuinely beautiful setting.
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A beloved Middle Eastern vegetarian restaurant run by an Israeli family with outstanding falafel, hummus, shakshuka, and fresh pita bread baked daily. Mama Falafel has been a Pai institution since the 1990s when Israeli travelers first made the hill town a regular stop - still the best falafel in northern Thailand.
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The most popular burger joint in Pai, with massive handmade beef and mushroom burgers, crispy fries, and cold beers in a casual open-air restaurant. The consistency, generous portions, and competitive prices have made Big Brother a must-visit for carnivores after a week of rice and noodles.