Be Like Chris: Explore the Best of Buriram, Thailand (Part 1: Top Picks for Dining and Drinks)

Greetings, dear colleagues and friends. In this weekend’s blog post, I’d like to introduce the uninitiated to a simple guide to life in Buriram — a city that may be small compared to Bangkok, but is full of warmth, charm, and culinary surprises. It will be a practical guide, listing some of the many fantastic restaurants and bars in the city, and providing a brief description of each for your perusal.

As someone who’s been based here since October 2021, I’ve grown to know and love my adopted home. With a metro area population of just under 500,000, Buriram is, of course, much smaller than megacities like Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, but that does not mean it lacks much to offer.

A city that has grown exponentially over the past 30 years continues to expand due to renewed investment and now offers a vast range of culinary delights and entertainment venues, some of which I will explore here. It’s a friendly city full of the joys of life for visitors and residents alike — including many of us who teach in Thailand and have made it our second home.

Where Culture Meets Community

Being a smaller city means it can be easier to meet people and to make friends with locals and expat workers. There’s an undeniable sense of connection here — something every educator who comes to teach English in Thailand can appreciate.

Now, let’s dive into some of Buriram’s best restaurants and bars, handpicked for great food, atmosphere, and community vibes.

Sláinte Pizza Homemade and Restaurant

Located just behind the city’s bus terminal, Sláinte Pizza Homemade and Restaurant (Sláinte is an Irish word meaning ‘health,’ although I have yet to discover an Irish connection to this restaurant apart from my own patronage) is small in size but very large in its ability to leave its customers happy.

Pizza is their specialty dish, and in my humble opinion, they produce the finest quality pizzas in Buriram and probably in all of Isaan. They are very active on Facebook, so check out their page for what’s on offer if you arrive by bus, as they are just a 2-minute walk from the drop-off point in the centre of town.

I attended a recent birthday celebration at Sláinte, and the food was fantastic. For teachers in Thailand or travelers visiting for the weekend, it’s a great stop to relax and enjoy a friendly, casual meal after a long school week.

Mexican Restaurant Buriram

Seriously, who doesn’t love Mexican food? Serving the best Mexican food this side of Mexico itself, the aptly named Mexican Restaurant is a relatively new addition to the Buriram landscape and a welcome addition at that. It started as a tiny venue a few years ago but has since changed location and expanded to one of the busiest restaurants/bars in town.

Naturally, Mexican food is king here, but they, of course, offer all of the usual Thai favourites. They also hold a hugely popular killer pool contest every Friday night, and although I have yet to win, I will keep on trying.

If you happen to drop by, I’ll happily play you in a game. Whether you live here or teach in Thailand for a while, it’s a must-visit spot for fun nights and good food shared with friends.

London Steak Buriram

London Steak Buriram has one of the most diverse menus in the city, something which should please all foodies. This International and Thai Cuisine restaurant is located on the busy Thani Road, an ideal spot for a restaurant with such a diverse menu. Serving everything from traditional British fish and chips to carbonara and spaghetti, there should be something for everybody on a menu as eclectic as theirs.

Live music can be found here some nights, and the family-friendly atmosphere of the restaurant ensures it is popular with a wide-ranging diaspora. Also noteworthy is its very early opening time of 7:30 a.m., which is perfect for breakfast and not all that common here in Buriram.

The interior of London Steak in Buriram City Centre offers a cozy, welcoming vibe — perfect for anyone teaching in Thailand who craves a taste of home.

Paddy’s Bar Buriram

It seems every city in the world must have an Irish Bar of some description. Paddy’s Bar Buriram offers a smaller food selection than some of the previously mentioned eateries. Still, it does provide great entertainment, as is to be expected with Irish bars the world over.

A number of weeks ago, I launched a weekly quiz night here. The bar was kind enough to allow us to use their space for the quiz and had laid out some snacks and bites to eat during quiz time. That is very much appreciated, and I hope that the quiz night will continue to go from strength to strength.

Quiz night takes place every Wednesday, and I have been delighted to see support from my fellow BFITS teachers here in Buriram. I do think it is vital to have an outlet from the pressures of work from time to time, and I feel that we are provided with one of many in this instance. For many who teach English in Thailand, this kind of social outlet is one of the best parts of living abroad.

Up A Notch Buriram

Up A Notch Buriram is a classy, relaxed restaurant suitable for date night. Beef is the order of the day in Up A Notch, a small, intimate restaurant located beside Buriram Ram Hospital. This steak house and burger joint offers the finest Australian wagyu available in the city.

Although it can be a tad on the expensive side, the ambiance and chilled vibe make it the perfect location for Friday date night. Try the ribs, my favourite dish when I last called. High-quality steak is on the menu at Up A Notch Buriram Restaurant.

Uptoyou Bar Buriram

Uptoyou Bar Buriram is probably best known for its Sunday roast dinners. The place has been doing a roaring trade in traditional Sunday roast dinners for the last while, and although I have yet to sample it here myself, I am reliably informed that they do an excellent job.

I have only visited here on one or two occasions, but have always found the staff to be very helpful and pleasant. I have tried the Thai food here and was very satisfied. A relaxing atmosphere permeates throughout, and there is a small outdoor section where you can sit, relax, and watch the world go by.

A nice place for an easy Sunday. This is a favorite spot among expats and teachers in Thailand who love to unwind and enjoy a taste of home at the end of the week.

AfriKa Bar / Restaurant

AfriKa Bar / Restaurant is best known for its curry dishes. Specializing in Indian curries and Indian food in general, the restaurant is family-friendly and serves both the local and expat community.

There is plenty of room with both indoor and outdoor seating available, and TVs on site showing all of the significant sporting events. I watched some of the last football World Cup here, and they have a huge cinema-type big screen, which is undoubtedly the biggest I have seen in the city.

Friday night is the main curry night, offering deals for hungry patrons. Worth a visit for sure, although I should add that it has recently been put up for sale, so I do not know what will become of AfriKa Bar / Restaurant in the future. Indian food is de rigueur here, despite the restaurant’s name.

Bamboo Bar Buriram

Bamboo Bar Buriram has regular live music, creating a great atmosphere. The place can be found just in front of the main entertainment area of Buriram, where nightclubs and (very) late-night venues are located. It’s a lively bar that does offer food, but the main attraction here is probably the regular live music.

It’s definitely a place to visit before continuing the party late into the night in the venues just behind. They do the best club sandwich in town, mind, so it’s always an option for a quick lunch also.

More Local Favorites to Explore

I have covered just 8 restaurants/bars in this blog, but there are so many more that deserve a visit here, as we are not short of quality or choice to discover, and among them are the following:

• The Swan – fantastic full English breakfast available
• La Lom Bar & Restaurant – an excellent location by the picturesque La Lom canal
• Book’n Bed – Cozy and great value for money
• Oshinei Japanese – a great value all-you-can-eat option, ensuring you never leave hungry

There is a Walking Street Market which opens every Saturday and Sunday from about 5 pm – late. Here, like most markets in Thailand, you can find a wide variety of food and snacks. My problem here is that my eyes are usually bigger than my stomach, and I inevitably leave with too much food (can you ever have too much food??). I will delve further into Walking Street in a future blog and be sure to share it with you.

In addition, for those who like to party long into the night, there are clubs such as Speed, Tawandang, and Full House Buriram, which open late and offer all the usual madness you can expect.

An early start after visiting any of these is not to be recommended, but fun is guaranteed. — a must for anyone new to teaching in Thailand and eager to experience local life.

Food, Friends, and Finding Your Place

To conclude this blog, I want to emphasize that there is an abundance of choices when it comes to eating out here in Buriram. All of the establishments I have mentioned have a wide variety of drinks on offer, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

If you’re visiting for a short-term trip or considering moving to this part of the country, you will be very welcome. As someone who came here to teach in Thailand, I can say that Buriram has a special charm — small enough to feel like a community, yet vibrant enough to never feel boring.

As always, do not hesitate to contact me for further information or any questions you may have.

Chris, BFITS Math Teacher
Buriram Pitthayakhom (BP) School