Riverside Flavours of Ayutthaya: A Delicious Lunch at The Summer House
📍 The Summer House, Ayutthaya, Thailand
If there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss when visiting Ayutthaya beyond its magnificent temples, it’s the food — especially the famous Ayutthaya river prawns! My lunch at The Summer House turned out to be a delicious introduction to this local speciality, with a beautiful riverside setting overlooking the Chao Phraya River.
Set along the riverbank, The Summer House has a relaxed yet stylish atmosphere, combining wood and brick elements with both comfortable air-conditioned interiors and open-air seating right beside the water. I chose to sit by the river, making lunch feel even more enjoyable with the gentle breeze and scenic views.
🦐 The Star of Lunch — Grilled River Prawn
I ordered the grilled river prawn, and this was definitely the highlight of the meal. Ayutthaya is renowned for its giant freshwater river prawns, locally known as Goong Mae Nam. The province’s rivers and waterways provide a natural environment for these prawns, making them an important part of Ayutthaya’s culinary identity.
The prawn was grilled until the shell developed a beautiful smoky aroma while the meat remained juicy, firm and naturally sweet. The real treat was the rich, creamy orange roe/tomalley inside the head — something that makes Ayutthaya-style river prawns particularly indulgent. It’s easy to understand why grilled river prawns are almost a must-try when visiting Ayutthaya!
🌿 Hor Mok Pla — A Taste of Traditional Thai Cuisine
I also tried Hor Mok Pla, a traditional Thai steamed fish curry. This dish was a lovely contrast to the grilled prawn, with a soft and delicate texture and the unmistakable fragrance of Thai herbs and red curry.
Hor Mok is traditionally prepared by mixing fish with a fragrant curry mixture, coconut milk and herbs before steaming it until it becomes wonderfully smooth and custard-like. The result is rich without being overwhelmingly heavy, with layers of aromatic curry, coconut and herbs coming through in every bite.
☕ More Than Just a Riverside Restaurant
The Summer House is also a great place to linger after lunch. With its connection to Summer Coffee, coffee lovers can easily extend the meal with a specialty coffee or one of their creative drinks and desserts.
What I particularly enjoyed was the combination of good Thai food, local Ayutthaya flavours and a relaxed riverside atmosphere. It feels less like simply stopping for a meal and more like taking a leisurely break from sightseeing.
✨ My tip: If you’re visiting Ayutthaya, make time for a riverside lunch here and try the grilled river prawn. Pair it with a traditional Thai dish such as Hor Mok Pla, then sit back with a drink and enjoy the Chao Phraya River views.
For me, this was one of those meals that added another dimension to the Ayutthaya experience — ancient temples, flowing rivers and unforgettable Thai flavours, all in one afternoon. 🇹🇭🦐
📍 The Summer House Ayutthaya
71/1, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Ayutthaya, Thailand
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