Playa Bistro & Lounge — Restaurant in Pattaya City

Having heard many positive comments about the recently opened Playa Bistro and Lounge and, as a fan of Executive Chef, Kenneth Goessens’ culinary skills, a visit was long overdue.

Playa Bistro and Lounge is located in the northern(smarter) end of Pattaya Beach and enjoys a wonderful, slightly elevated view over the beach. With a modern, clean-cut, chic style; Playa Bistro has a welcoming outside seating area in addition to a very comfortable air-conditioned lounge style interior. It also features a fully equipped bar with a long, doubled sided counter for relaxed, informal meetings, dining and drinking.

The bar offers a choice of bottled and 4 draught beers with a definite Belgian emphasis. We started with one of my favourites a Duvel at THB.220. Chilled but not too cold, this tasty Belgian beer was served in the correct Duval balloon glass indicating the attention to detail that one finds everywhere in this establishment. There is also an extensive range of classic cocktails available, reasonably priced at THB.290.

The menu is large, both in size and in the variety of cuisine offered, with a range that includes Tapas, Soups, Salads, Paninis & Wraps, Pasta, Burgers, Steaks and many Thai Dishes. The dessert menu is comprehensive featuring many variations of freshly prepared waffles.

It was a warm evening; the sun was setting and the beer at perfect temperature, to choose from the menu was a challenge so we decided to start with the Tapas and therefore avoid the mental challenge of having to make a choice! We went for the Playa Tapas Plate at THB.780

Beware! The Playa Tapas Plate is enormous! Served on a massive tablet of polished wood this is a meal on its own, including 4 slices of Garlic Bread, 2 Italian Bruschetta, 2 Mozzarella and Parma Ham Bruschetta, 2 Playa Bruschetta, Fried Calamari and Tartare Sauce, Cheese Bowl, Marinated Olives, Playa KFC(!), mini-Cheese Croquettes and cubed Salami. A veritable feast for the eyes.

Thailand poses many challenges for international food with warm outdoor and cooler indoor dining. So often the bread on which a bruschetta is served is either rock hard or as limp as soggy lettuce. Playa uses Crostini rather than Bruschetta with the result that this ‘baguette’ style bread retains a crisp crust on the outside and a pliable interior.

The variety amongst the Bruschetta was superb. The Italian consisted of well ripened tomato, a gentle sprinkling of garlic topped with Italian basil. The pesto sauce was the dominant flavour with soft mozzarella and a generous slice of perfectly cured Parma ham on the second. My special award goes to the Playa Bruschetta where the guacamole and smoked salmon combination was terrific. Maybe just a little drop of Tabasco?

There were two outstanding stars. Firstly, the Fried Calamari which were succulent inside and crispy on the outside, the lemon enhanced their flavour and the Tartare Sauce complemented the dish. Then there was the Playa KFC. Despite the name, these were succulent boneless chicken wings marinated with a rich and spicy Korean sauce, superb!

A Tapas selection is to be enjoyed slowly enjoying the setting sun and good conversation and once the massive board was cleared, we were sated and could not order any additional dishes.

To complement the amazing Playa Tapas board, we imbibed in nice cold glasses of Hoegaarden draught at THB.190 per glass.

The décor and design of Playa Bistro and Lounge oozes quality and chic design without being over the top. Seating is comfortable and the ambience/lighting classically comfortable coupled with cool vibes from the background music. The staff are immaculate in their very becoming uniforms. They are exceedingly well informed, efficient and wonderfully friendly. I love to be able to discuss my choice with the Chef and Kenneth is readily available and amenable to personal preferences.

We thoroughly enjoy our visit and will most certainly...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An Unforgettable Evening at Playa Bistro & Lounge

I had the pleasure of dining at Playa Bistro & Lounge this evening, and it was truly a remarkable experience! From the moment I walked in, I was captivated by the chic and modern decor, perfectly complemented by the restaurant’s prime beachfront location. The ambiance was nothing short of spectacular, whether you choose to sit on the inviting outdoor terrace with breathtaking views of Pattaya Beach or in the elegant, air-conditioned interior.

The service was impeccable; the staff were not only friendly and attentive but also genuinely passionate about ensuring that every guest has a memorable time. It’s rare to find a place where every detail, from the smart uniforms to the beautifully presented menu, has been so thoughtfully considered.

And the food—oh, the food! Each dish was a testament to culinary excellence, blending Thai and European flavors with a unique Belgian twist. I highly recommend trying the signature Playa Tapas plate, a delightful assortment that showcases the chef’s creativity and attention to detail. The roast chicken with Belgian herbs was cooked to perfection, and the Thai Somtam Volcano, served with a dramatic dry ice effect, added an extra layer of excitement to the dining experience.

Overall, Playa Bistro & Lounge is more than just a restaurant; it’s a destination where the quality of food, service, and atmosphere come together to create an unforgettable evening. Whether you’re a local or just visiting Pattaya, this place is an...

I'm really shocked by the disgusting cold behavior of the staff totally disinterested and maybe that's why there were only two or three tables and I'm sorry I sat down because it cheated another table or two to be occupied. I never imagined that in Pattaya there could be such disgusting behavior of ill-mannered waitresses with stone faces, one of whom was constantly drooling and groping a white boy, even at one point he himself felt a little uncomfortable. the food was disgustingly tasteless. And looking at the site and the good reviews, I was hoping for something completely different, and that's why I'm writing that I'm shocked by the disgusting attitude. the restaurant itself is a kind of travesty because there are several tables outside. And the food, after a long wait of more than 40 minutes after the Order, was brought from somewhere inside and thrown on the table in the most rude and unceremonious way. With a huge effort of will, I stayed until the end of the so-called dinner which lasted no more than 30 minutes just to see how far the impudence could go and we are talking about an establishment on Beach Road which is in an excellent location and implies good service. absolutely disgusting Especially when one thinks that some visitors come for a day or two in pattaya and this can sometimes ruin their only evening here. I myself have been visiting Pattaya and this area for years, but I never imagined that something like this...