From towers of Tiki-inspired flavours in Bangkok to live jazz and lobster in Phuket, skipping breakfast would be unthinkable at these outstanding Thai restaurants.
While breakfast is often hailed as the most important meal of the day, Thailand’s buffets and brunches aim to elevate it into the highlight of your holiday. Whether indulging in sumptuous dishes to energise for a day exploring nearby beaches or settling in for a seaside Sunday session with free-flowing cocktails, Thailand promises a culinary adventure like no other. Read on to find out more about the country’s best hotel breakfast and brunch buffets.
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Where to go for the best breakfast buffets in Bangkok
For curated Catalan cuisine: Park Hyatt Bangkok
Catalonian chef Ferran Tadeo knows what he’s doing when it comes to the cuisine of his homeland – he trained for years under Spain's culinary great Ferran Adria at the three-Michelin-star El Bulli after all. He now calls Bangkok home and is the man responsible for the Park Hyatt Bangkok’s distinctive Sunday brunch. Hosted in the refined Embassy Room, the Catalan-inspired dining event includes a range of small bites and sharing plates that pack a flavour punch, starting with a selection of bread, marinated olives, sardines and truffle cheese. Among the larger dishes: quail egg, Krystal caviar and saffron hollandaise or pork stew with smoked mashed potato foam. Best of all, the open kitchen means you can see the chefs hard at work bringing your delicious dishes to life.
For Tiki and Mexican-inspired brunch: Anantara Riverside Bangkok
Guests are spoilt for choice when it comes to drinking and dining at the blissful Anantara Riverside Bangkok, with 10 onsite restaurants and bars. But the place to be on a Sunday is the Pacific-Rim-themed Trader Vic’s, which offers a dose of tiki culture alongside lively Polynesian tunes and a brunch buffet that’s bound to satisfy even the hungriest of guests. Feast riverside on lobster tom yum thermidor and Mediterranean poke, followed by a visit to the seafood bar, carving rotation and live pasta station. Finish the culinary journey with a delightful selection of tiki-inspired à la carte mains. Paired with live music and the option for free-flow cocktails, it’s a Sunday well spent.
Where to go for the best breakfast buffets in Phuket
For outstanding seafood: Trisara
With a Michelin-starred restaurant in its stable, there’s no doubting the culinary credibility of Trisara, a five-star oceanfront retreat in a quiet corner of Phuket’s northwest coast. Come Sundays, the luxury resort hosts an oceanfront brunch experience on its sun-washed deck, complete with live jazz and lobster. As the waves roll onto the shore, feast on oysters and giant prawns – picked by Trisara’s chefs that morning from the handwoven rattan nets of seafaring fishermen – plus a curated collection of small plates celebrating local and international flavours. Elevate the experience further by adding a bottle or two of wine or champagne.
Where to go for the best breakfast buffets in Koh Samui
For a never–ending breakfast: Centara Reserve Samui
Centara Reserve Samui doesn’t do anything by halves – and this includes its breakfast spread. Hosted at The Terrace, a convivial piazza-style setting, the morning meal at this five-star paradise is the perfect way to start any day. Order off the a la carte menu to try smashed avocado with poached eggs, tomato jam and wholegrain toast, or indulge your sweet tooth with the waffle stack, garnished with caramelised banana, chocolate parfait and honey hazelnuts. Come Sunday afternoons, venture to the Salt Society for their Vitamin SEA brunch, enjoying unrivalled sea views, soulful live music and freshly caught seafood, paired with your choice of soft drinks, wine, beer or cocktails.
Where to go for the best breakfast buffets in Chiang Mai
For a bespoke breakfast: Akyra Manor Chiang Mai
An Italian restaurant in the heart of Chiang Mai may not be the first thing that comes to mind for ‘Thailand’s best breakfast’, but it should be. At Italics, the signature restaurant of Akyra Manor Chiang Mai, it’s all about using the best ingredients and getting the most out of them. Home-baked pastries, fresh fruits and daily specials sit alongside a comprehensive a la carte selection – choose between eggs benedict, sunny waffles with fried egg and bacon or French toast, topped with seasonal fruits and whipped cream. Traditional Thai dishes, such as kuay jab, are also on offer for those wanting to eat like the locals do.
Where to go for the best breakfast buffets in Khao Lak
For breakfast on a boat: The Sands Khao Lak
Between November and February every year, the breakfast buffet at The Sands Khao Lak takes to the water, with tasty treats served directly from traditional Thai boats. Should you be visiting at another time, fear not: The Floating Market’s breakfast features a huge range of local and international delicacies year-round. Start with cereals, juices, pastries and bread, before moving on to your choice of fried or scrambled eggs, paired with any number of hot accompaniments. The family-friendly resort hasn’t forgotten its little visitors – a kids’ corner is flush with waffles and other appealing options to ensure the whole family starts the day well-fed.
Where to go for the best breakfast buffets in Koh Yao
For a beachfront buffet: Paradise Koh Yao
Start each day overlooking the private beach of Paradise Koh Yao with breakfast at The Seafood Terrace, the boutique resort’s open-air restaurant located directly on soft, white sand. It’s both an a la carte and buffet affair, with freshly baked bread and pastries, fresh tropical fruit and cereals. Move on to the pancakes, French toast and cold cuts, before visiting the egg station for a freshly made omelette or eggs your way. Paired with bacon, sausages, beans and salads, as well as a selection of fruit juices, teas and coffees, you’ll be perfectly set for a day exploring the deserted beaches and pristine forest that surrounds Paradise Koh Yao.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out Prized Pampering at Thailand's Top Wellness Retreats
Featured image: Paradise Koh Yao.
