Thaila Thai

Of the many restaurants that battle it out along this strip, none buzz more than Thaila Thai. Frequently packing out its two levels with a lively, casual crowd armed with BYO booze, its reputation's built on huge portions at bargain prices. It may lack that zing and spiciness you'll find in a Chiang Mai street stall, but you can't go wrong with long-time favourites of crisp pork wontons, or creamy, coconutty red beef and veg curry redolent with coriander and lemongrass. Pad thai here is an institution but the menu delves deep, so don't hesitate with lesser-known gems. You can see it all being cooked in the wok-tossing, theatrical show of the frantic front-window kitchen.