From rooftop Chinese fine dining to beachfront Mediterranean fare, Melia Pattaya sets a new benchmark for creativity and conscious gastronomy on Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard
Melia Pattaya is reshaping Pattaya’s culinary landscape with an inspired line-up of restaurants that fuse authenticity, sustainability, and imagination. From a rooftop Chinese restaurant with panoramic views over the bay to Nikkei fusion and Mediterranean beachfront classics, the resort is fast emerging as one of the most dynamic dining destinations on Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard.
“Authenticity is at the heart of everything we do,” says Peter Laird, Director of Food & Beverage at Meliá Pattaya. “Each restaurant tells its own story, but they all share the same values — respect for ingredients, creativity rooted in tradition, and a genuine sense of hospitality.”
Leading the culinary collection is Yitong, a contemporary Chinese restaurant and sky bar that elevates both flavour and perspective. Blending Cantonese finesse with Sichuan spice, Yitong celebrates shared dining traditions with standout dishes such as wood-smoked Peking Duck, dim sum classics, and Sichuan hot and sour seafood soup. The restaurant sources locally caught seafood and Royal Project produce, aligning with its wellness-driven, sustainable ethos. Signature cocktails like the Kuaile De (gin, goji berry, honey, cava) and Year of the Snake (kiwi, lemongrass, pear) pair perfectly with its refined menu.
Adding a cosmopolitan flair, DEN introduces Pattaya to Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei cuisine, one of the world’s most exciting cross-cultural dining movements. Its vibrant menu merges Japanese precision with Latin spirit — tiradito with yuzu and aji amarillo, miso-marinated cod with quinoa salad, and matcha tres leches for dessert. Playful yet precise, DEN embodies the evolution of global fine dining through creative fusion done right.
For a connection to Thai heritage, Sanehh Sarae pays homage to the coastal kitchens of Bang Saray and the spice gardens of Eastern Thailand. Dishes like green curry with river prawns, crispy soft-shell crab with chili jam, and tom yum seafood capture the essence of regional flavor.
Just steps from the sand, Lay Beach Club channels the laid-back allure of the Mediterranean with hand-shucked oysters, seafood paella, burrata with heirloom tomatoes, and Sicilian cannoli with orange mascarpone. Signature cocktails — including the Blue Tides (vodka, coconut, pandan syrup, blue coconut foam) and The Wave Rider (gin, rose syrup, aloe, lime) — complete the experience of seaside indulgence.
Sustainability runs through every aspect of Meliá Pattaya’s culinary vision, from waste reduction and composting to working closely with local growers and fishers. “We’re constantly expanding our plant-based offerings and sourcing as locally as possible,” Laird adds. “It’s not just about taste — it’s about ensuring every meal supports our community and reflects a more mindful approach to modern hospitality.”
At a Glance
Hotel: Meliá Pattaya
Concept: Authentic, sustainable, and imaginative resort dining
Highlights: Yitong (contemporary Chinese), DEN (Nikkei fusion), Sanehh Sarae (Thai coastal), Lay Beach Club (Mediterranean beachfront)
Location: Pattaya, Thailand
Book via Trip.com. Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you book through it.
Also read My Interview with the General Manager, Melia Pattaya
