Quick Facts for Tourists
Best Tourist App
Grab
Food, rides, and packages — all in one
Foreign Cards
Grab & Foodpanda: YES
Cash on delivery also widely available
Phone Number
Thai SIM Recommended
Required for LINE MAN; Grab works with international
Language
Grab: Full English
LINE MAN and others mostly Thai
Top Food Delivery Apps in Thailand
Thailand has a thriving food delivery market driven by its incredible street food culture and the country's embrace of super-apps. Here is every delivery app you need to know about, ranked by tourist-friendliness.
Grab
Super App — Best for TouristsGrab is THE app for tourists in Thailand. It is a super-app that handles food delivery (GrabFood), ride-hailing (GrabCar/GrabBike), grocery delivery (GrabMart), and package delivery. The app has full English support, accepts foreign credit cards, and covers all major tourist destinations. GrabFood has thousands of restaurant partners across Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, and other cities. It is the single most important app to have on your phone in Thailand.
Foodpanda
Food Delivery — Good Tourist OptionFoodpanda is a solid second option for tourists in Thailand. The app has good English support, accepts foreign credit cards, and has wide restaurant coverage across Bangkok and other major cities. It often runs promotions and discounts that can make it cheaper than Grab. The interface is clean and familiar if you've used Foodpanda in other Asian countries. A great app to have as a backup alongside Grab.
LINE MAN
Super App — Biggest Local PlatformLINE MAN is what Thai locals actually use the most. It is integrated with LINE, Thailand's dominant messaging app (used by virtually everyone in the country). LINE MAN offers food delivery, grocery delivery, messenger service, and more. The restaurant selection is massive, especially for authentic local food and street food stalls that may not be on Grab. However, the app is Thai-focused and requires a Thai phone number linked to LINE.
ShopeeFood
Food Delivery — Growing PlatformShopeeFood is the food delivery arm of Shopee, Southeast Asia's biggest e-commerce platform. It has been aggressively expanding in Thailand with competitive pricing and frequent promotions. The app is growing rapidly but is primarily aimed at local Thai users. The interface is mostly in Thai, and payment options are geared toward local methods. Not recommended as a primary option for tourists.
Robinhood
Food Delivery — Zero Commission Local AppRobinhood is a Thai-developed food delivery app backed by Siam Commercial Bank. Its unique selling point is that it charges zero commission to restaurants, meaning more money goes directly to the food vendors. This has made it popular with local restaurants and food stalls. However, the app is entirely Thai-focused with no English support and requires Thai payment methods. Tourists will find this app essentially unusable.
Grocery & Convenience Delivery
Thailand has excellent grocery delivery options, especially through Grab's ecosystem. Here are the best ways to get groceries and essentials delivered to your accommodation.
Tops (via GrabMart)
Grocery Delivery — Premium SupermarketTops is Thailand's premium supermarket chain, and you can order from them through GrabMart (inside the Grab app). This is the easiest grocery option for tourists since you are already using Grab. Great selection of fresh produce, imported goods, snacks, drinks, and household items. Delivery is typically within 1-2 hours.
Lotus's (Tesco Lotus)
Grocery Delivery — Budget SupermarketLotus's (formerly Tesco Lotus) is Thailand's largest hypermarket chain. They offer delivery through their own app and through GrabMart. More budget-friendly than Tops, with a massive selection including Thai staples, fresh food, and household goods. A great option for stocking up an Airbnb or long-stay accommodation.
Big C (via HappyFresh / Grab)
Grocery Delivery — Major ChainBig C is another major Thai supermarket chain available through HappyFresh or GrabMart. Similar to Lotus's in terms of pricing and selection. Good for bulk purchases and everyday essentials. The HappyFresh app has decent English support but requires a local phone number for signup.
Tourist Reality Check
Thailand is one of the easiest countries in Southeast Asia for tourist food delivery, but there are still things you should know.
Grab Is Your Swiss Army Knife
Grab is not just a food delivery app in Thailand — it is a super-app that handles rides, food, groceries, packages, and even payments. Download Grab before you arrive and you will use it multiple times every day. It is the single most important app for any tourist in Thailand.
Street Food vs. Delivery Fees
Thailand's street food is famously cheap — a pad thai from a street stall costs 40-60 baht ($1-2). But delivery fees on apps can be 30-60 baht per order, which can double the cost of cheap meals. For budget travelers, walking to a street food stall is almost always cheaper. Delivery makes more sense for restaurant meals or when you are tired and don't want to go out.
Cash on Delivery Works Great
If your foreign card gives you trouble, cash on delivery is widely available on Grab, LINE MAN, and Foodpanda. Just make sure you have Thai baht in smaller denominations (20, 50, 100 baht notes). Drivers may not always carry change for 1,000 baht bills. Cash is king in Thailand, and many restaurants actually prefer it.
Motorbike Delivery Is the Norm
In Thailand, nearly all food delivery is done by motorbike. This means delivery is fast (usually 20-40 minutes) but food is carried in insulated bags on the back of a bike. Soups and liquid dishes are usually well-packaged in sealed bags. Drivers navigate Bangkok's notorious traffic by weaving through lanes, which is exactly why motorbike delivery works so well here.
Tipping & Delivery Etiquette
Tipping culture in Thailand is evolving, especially with the rise of delivery apps.
Tipping Is Appreciated but Not Required
Tipping is not traditionally part of Thai culture, but it has become more common with delivery apps. A tip of 20-40 baht (roughly $0.50-$1) is appreciated by drivers, especially during bad weather or late at night. Grab has an in-app tipping feature. You are not expected to tip, but delivery drivers in Thailand earn modest wages and a small tip goes a long way. Rounding up to the nearest convenient amount is a nice gesture when paying cash.
Hotel & Accommodation Delivery
Getting food delivered to your accommodation in Thailand is straightforward in most cases.
Hotels & Hostels
Hotels in Thailand generally have no issue with food delivery. Tell the driver your hotel name and either meet in the lobby or provide room details. Most Thai hotel staff are used to delivery drivers and will help coordinate. Hostels work the same way — just meet the driver at the entrance.
Condos & Serviced Apartments
If you are staying in a condo or serviced apartment, the driver may need a gate code or building access information. Add this to your delivery notes. Some buildings have a security guard who will hold the food for you. In Bangkok, many condos have dedicated delivery pickup areas on the ground floor. Include the building name and any specific instructions like "gate code is 1234" or "tell security apartment 12B."
Download Before You Land
Get these apps set up before your flight to Thailand. You will be ready to order the moment you arrive.
Thailand Download Pack
- Grab — Essential. Download and add your credit card now. You will use this for food, rides, and groceries every single day.
- Foodpanda — Great backup for food delivery with good promotions and discounts.
- LINE — Thailand's main messaging app. Useful for communicating with hotels, restaurants, and locals.
- Google Maps — Download offline maps for Bangkok and your destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Grab Thailand accepts international Visa, Mastercard, and American Express credit cards. Simply add your card in the Grab app's payment section. Some travelers report occasional card decline issues — if this happens, try a different card or switch to cash on delivery. GrabPay credits can also be topped up at 7-Eleven stores if needed.
Grab is the best choice for tourists — it has full English support, accepts foreign credit cards, and handles food, rides, and groceries. LINE MAN is what locals use — it has more Thai restaurant options (especially street food stalls) and is integrated with LINE messaging. However, LINE MAN requires a Thai phone number and is primarily in Thai. As a tourist, Grab should be your primary app, but if you get a Thai SIM and want more food options, LINE MAN is worth exploring.
Yes, cash on delivery is widely available and commonly used in Thailand. Both Grab and Foodpanda offer cash payment options. This is actually a great backup if your foreign credit card doesn't work. Just make sure you have Thai baht in smaller denominations. Drivers may not always carry change for large bills like 1,000 baht notes. Many restaurants in Thailand actually prefer cash payments.
Absolutely. Hotels in Bangkok are very accustomed to food delivery. Simply use your hotel's address in the app and note the hotel name in the delivery instructions. You can meet the driver in the lobby or ask the front desk to direct them. For condos and serviced apartments, provide the building name and gate code if needed. Most Bangkok accommodations have worked out smooth delivery processes.
For Grab and Foodpanda, you can register with your international phone number. However, for LINE MAN (the most popular local app), you need a Thai phone number because it is linked to LINE. Thai SIM cards are cheap and easy to get — available at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports for about 300 baht ($8-9) with generous data packages. AIS, DTAC, and TrueMove all offer tourist SIM options.
Yes. Bangkok is one of the best cities in the world for late-night food delivery. Grab and LINE MAN both operate late into the night, and many restaurants and street food stalls stay open past midnight. In popular tourist areas like Sukhumvit, Khao San Road, and Silom, you can find delivery options until 2-3 AM or even later on weekends. Outside Bangkok, late-night availability drops significantly, with most restaurants closing by 10-11 PM in smaller cities.