For comfortable airconditioned daytime dining, try the foodcourt at the Royal Plaza. Great choice of food (Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, Pizza, Indian, - even Russian??) at reasonable prices. Sure, its not as cheap as some of the street cafes, and its not as atmospheric as some of the restaurants, but for very good food at reasonable prices (120-160 bht per person for a single dish and a drink) its hard to beat for lunch. Also open in the evenings, but not as busy as during the day.

For a nice Thai meal with a show, Ruen Thai (off Pattaya 2nd Road nearly opposite Soi Post Office) is very nice. Thai dancers, musicians, fire-eaters etc. will entertain you while you eat. Bargain on about 700 bht for two including a carafe of Thai wine.

For a really special occasion, try PIC Kitchen. Here you can sit outside on a raised veranda in the Thai style (on cushions on the floor) while being served by extremely attentive waiters. The food is of the highest quality and the atmosphere perfect for a romantic meal. When you arrive you are shown to the Jaz Pit (the inside bar area where they have jazz musicians jamming), where you can order a drink while mulling over the menu. You order in the bar and you are taken to your table when the food is ready. It is a bit pricey here, bargain on spending 2000bht for two including a bottle of wine, but well worth it once during a stay.

If you miss your steaks, chicken and ribs, you can try Cafe New Orleans. An American Rib style restaurant serving all the types of food you would expect from such a place. Nice atmosphere inside, not too bad outside if you like people watching and don't mind the bustle. Food very good by most standards, but again a bit pricey with the average meal being around 1900bht for two including a bottle of wine.

If you like a good Green Curry, give Baywatch Cafe a go (between the Royal Plaza and Walking Street on Beach Road). It's one of the nicest around, and as Baywatch is open all night long, you can have a meal on your way home at 2:30am!

Lots of great restaurants in Pattaya, all reasonably priced.  In the Royal Garden Shopping Center, between Beach Road and Pattaya Second road, there is a Sizzler, McDonalds, Burger King, Swensen's Ice Cream, Dairy Queen, Pizza Hut, Au Bon Pain, KFC, Starbucks, Benihana and on and on.  On the top floor is a food court very reasonable, with great views too.  The adjacent Marriott Hotel has a great buffet dinner, which is about $20; the same thing in the U.S. would cost at least double or triple.  In Europe, it would be 80 Euros easily. 

Restaurants in Pattaya :  Casa Pasqual, Jamison's Irish Pub (great hamburgers), Bruno's continental, seafood restaurants in Jomtien and by the Royal Garden on second road, Dusit Hotel coffee shop, Pan Pan Italian on the way to Jomtien, Fuji Japanese (several locations), fresh seafood restaurants in Jomtien,  Too many Thai restaurants to mention, but most of the ones mentioned above have Thai menus too. 

Most of the big hotels have nice buffets evenings, and on weekends.  Royal Cliff is a must.   Also, the Mercure Hotel is reasonable, and has a good restaurant.

Excellent seafood restaurants on Walking Street - very romantic as the sun goes down over the bay. Some seafoods are served based on the weight. Hence, checking prices before ordering is advised to avoid surprises.

A notable new addition is Mantra - decor is world class, similar to Aqua in HK or Buddha Bar Paris - without the french! It is Pattaya's only truly world class venue, although Mez at the Sheraton has an interesting menu with a new chef (formerly at the W Seoul) - fusion style food in a beach front location - but it never seems to be as busy as it deserves. Mantra is buzzing - and a great place to people watch.

One tip - don't let waiters pour wine for you - get them to leave the bottle on the table, otherwise you'll find waiters hovering to refill, often to the brim, every time you take a sip.

Symphony - don't miss out on this great little restaurant - used to be Mata Hari but has kept up the high standard or even improved on. There's a good wine list and for those who like lamb...go for the knuckle!  You can find it on 2nd road near to Soi 8 or 7 turn off.

American Ribs, just opened November 2006, on Tepprasit Road--best food in town, truly American taste.  Nice ambiance, live music some nights, great brownies too. 

Also try ZEN upstairs at Royal Garden, great Japanese food, better quality than FUJI Restaurants, with friendly service. 

Also, Mignon Steaks, on Tepprya, just before entering Jomtien, it will be on your left.    Small place, but EXCELLENT New Zealand steaks.  Not air conditioned, but comfortable in the evening, and great prices. 

Also, Mike's Mexican, also on Teppraya, heading from Jomtien to Pattaya, it's near Pattaya entrance, on the right side, across from the Seven Oaks Inn hotel... really great tacos, really fresh, great quality. 

Mata Hari has opened again in Jomtien and is full most nights (although its closed on mondays). Most diners are expats making it a very social venue for long term residents. The owner, Louis, is a real character, as are most of the staff. Food is international with good, but unusually for Thailand, inexpensive wine list. Don't bother going without reservation, although the bar does serve tapas and with a club - house atmosphere.  You can eat almost the same quality food at Mata-Hara as in the DOUBLE higher priced MANHATTAN'S almost next door.  Many local gay men go to Mata Hari for dinner... remember:  CLOSED MONDAYS. 

 Beware the Sunday Lunch at Jamesons. The almost complete absence of any green vegetables and over cooking makes it a very bland experience.

Currently the Cherry on second road opposite Excite Disco is flavour of the month,  Euro -style food mainly, you'll almost certainlty need to book to get in though.

For good seafood, get out of town and head 10km south to Ban Amphoe - Preecha and the other restaurants there leave Walking Street standing.

The BEST OVERALL VALUE in all of Pattaya are the dining counters at the supermarkets FOODLAND on Pattaya Klang (central) road, AND at the new VILLA Supermarket, inside "THE AVENUE" shopping center, somewhat across from the Marriott.  You get great fresh meals, in air conditioned comfort, at reasonable prices.  They both offer both Thai and Western meals.  Both are open 24 hours, every day. Many of the local expats eat at these counters.  For choice and value the food courts at Big C (Sukhumvit Road) and Central Festival (Beach Rd) are a must. Chicken and beef shawarmas provide a Middle-Eastern flavour . Outlets for take-away or sit-in are on  Second Road - in the South Pattaya area. Freshly bar-be-qued on a horizontal spit, the meats are sliced and salads with sauces added wrapped in pita bread. Aromatic and tasty at between Bht 60- and Bht 80- a sandwich (wrap).

 The SIZZLER at the Royal Garden has a decent salad bar buffe.  

 FUJI has several locations in town, and has a good salmon steak set lunch, which includes the salmon, vegetables, rice, salad, soup, and few little other extras, AND fruit and coffee or tea at the end for about 210 baht.