Limoncello Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar Pai — Restaurant in Mae Hong Son Province

Let me start with saying that if it was for the food alone, this place would have gotten 5stars. They use good quality food and they know how to cook it. Unfortunately a restaurant success is made of many things and not only food. Our overall experience was quite confusing if not poor. We came in what seemed to be their opening night, on the 24th of December. Quite the bold choice, considering it is Christmas Eve. The staff was probably told to dress up for Christmas, which led to two ladies dressed as “sexy” Santa, bartender and runner dressed in plain black and red and a lady dressed in white pajama pants and red shirt. The sign at the front says restaurant and wine bar and the decorations as well give a cozy warm restaurant feeling. The music was really out of the vibe, a playlist of dancehall covers, probably good for a cocktail bar but not for an Italian fusion Thai restaurant. Not to mention that the volume was a bit too loud. We started with 2 Aperol Spritz which arrived 10 minutes later than the appetisers. The Thai chef had to come himself to bring us the water we ordered, as the cold cut platter arrived before anything. As previously said the cold cut platter was great, good quality and nice portion. Can’t say the same about the Spritz, which was pale and really not a good drink. Probably the ratio 3 2 1 was not followed and the bartender did a 1 1 1 so the result was a soda tasting of Aperol. After the appetiser the chef came to ask if everything was fine and got our order again as the kitchen lost the ticket. It’s then time for our Amatriciana which we got to share (no spoon to serve it was given). The ingredient were the correct ones but the amount of guanciale was very small. At this point I would have preferred they used pancetta (therefore a cheaper cut) and put more for the sauce. The chef came again to ask if the food was fine and left. We ordered a bottle of wine. The empty aperol spritz glasses will stay on the table for the entire dinner. The second dishes arrived 15 minutes later, served by the chef. No cutlery was served. The runner took literally around 5minutes to serve us cutlery (only one steak knife, as they had only one apparently). In all of this our wine had not arrived yet. Finally after asking it arrived. A good Montepulciano for the price served. The chef came again to ask if the food was okay. He then came back a last time to ask again, and I asked him for a minute to tell him about the experience. He literally changed topic and dodged my attempt to honestly answer to his question. We ordered then dessert, a tiramisu (here again the chef asked us if we wanted a classic version or an ice cream version after he served both to a table who left a bit baffled by the fact that one tasted like tiramisu and the other was different, although they both ordered the same thing). We opted for the classic one and again I have to say that everything we tasted was amazing. We paid our dinner which was around 4300 THB and left. Overall this was a meh experience. Again not because of the food but because of the lack of competence of the waiting and bartending staff and the lack of sense of identity. The waitress left us with a “I am sorry” even though we haven’t complained about anything at all for the whole dining experience. However I find kind of ridiculous that the chef came 5times to ask if the experience was good and then refused to listen to it. If he had listened to my tips he wouldn’t have obliged me to write this review. I managed restaurant for 15years, in Italy and UK so please take all this as an encouragement to grow better. There is a lot of potential, but please do not make the mistake of thinking that a restaurant is only about the food. Not many people would spend fine dining rates for Pai hostel...

I’ve been here for a year before, First things I will review about staffs, all staffs always warm welcome and super nice service, especially the lady who got short hair with glasses,her name is AI she is a small girl but she full fill with mind service and knowledge about food and drink she always be nice with every table not only me she taking care in every part of service even some of unpolite habits in the restaurant.. for sure some of waiter or waitress they’re might not able or brave to say ‘ please keep your feet down’ with some of customers who is sitting as their house.. she is the only one waitress who keep saying that and that’s very nice thing that quality restaurant must have and she did it ! So good even it’s a small things but I saw that,for me we should be polite and keep follow the rules or be nice with any place and people when we go out such as eating at restaurants.. I am feeling good every time that I am back here..Limoncello it’s not only restaurant for me it’s a place which is full fill with love and joy Not only eat food,drink some cocktails and go,it’s a good place to communicate with nice staff and get a satisfying food. For now in 2025 has so many tasty food here and lots of rich pizza that ever never had in pai before Liomocello can serve you a tasty one..

For Sous Vide Chicken today is so good,it’s juicy and crispy skin that’s perfect dish,thank you chefs you are so good to make quality dish for us keep stable in this process.. Also I am a fans of red wine.. one thing that I want to recommend for serving a glass of wine should be served with temperature or little cold glass not iced-cold, red wine in iced-cold glass it’s drops down tannin from original wine.. just little things but keep doing in nice ways when we’re paring wine with food that’s will be perfect combination for fans of wine,thank you. Overall it’s good and still recommended to taste this restaurant,you will be get happy memories here for sure !

Food 9/10 Drinks...

A Slice of Sorrento in the Mountains of Pai ️

We almost walked right past Limoncello, tucked away on a quiet street in Pai, but the warm glow of lights and the sound of laughter drew us in. What we found was an unexpected and magical escape.

Forget the typical traveler fare; stepping into Limoncello is like being instantly teleported to a cozy, family-run trattoria in the Italian countryside. The atmosphere is intimate and genuine, not manufactured. We chose a table on the terrace, where fairy lights twinkled above us and the misty Pai mountains formed a dramatic silhouette against the evening sky.

The real magic, however, is on the plate. We started with the Bruschetta Pomodoro, and it was a revelation. The tomatoes were fresh and vibrant, the basil fragrant, and the olive oil clearly high-quality—so simple, yet so perfectly executed. It set the tone for the entire meal.

For mains, we shared the Gnocchi al Gorgonzola and a Prosciutto e Rucola pizza. The gnocchi were little clouds of potato-y goodness, smothered in a rich, tangy gorgonzola sauce that was decadent without being overly heavy. The pizza was a masterpiece: a crackly-thin, wood-fired crust topped with sharp, salty prosciutto and fresh, peppery arugula. You can taste the passion and authenticity in every single bite.

We paired it with a robust Chianti from their thoughtfully curated wine list, and it was the perfect companion. We finished with a shot of their namesake limoncello, which was the ideal sharp, sweet, and refreshing punctuation to the evening.

The service was wonderful—attentive without being intrusive, and the owner took a moment to chat with us, which made the experience feel personal and special.

Limoncello isn't just a restaurant in Pai; it's a destination. It’s the kind of place you find yourself recommending to every fellow traveler you meet. If you're in Pai and craving an meal made with soul, look no...