🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Ubol Ratana is a large dam holding back the Phong River, and its reservoir is so wide that locals nickname it the 'Isan Sea'. The stretch that falls inside Nong Bua Lamphu province is the Phu Phan Kham area in Non Sang district — that's where the sandy beaches, viewpoints and riverside restaurants cluster together. Most of the fish here are freshwater types like tilapia, red tilapia and barb, with snakehead and butter catfish showing up in some seasons. Locals like to order a big salt-grilled fish to pick apart with jaew dipping sauce, then follow it with a hot pot of fish tom yum.
Before you go, we'll be straight with you: Nong Bua Lamphu is a small province, and there are far fewer proper riverside restaurants than in the big tourist towns. Many spots are simple village places — wooden lean-tos and waterside salas that open and close with the season and the water level in the dam. In the dry season when the water drops, some places move their salas to follow the shoreline, so we'd recommend phoning ahead to be sure.
Riverside fish spots locals actually go to
Ordered by how easy they are to reach and the riverside setting — not by who's tastier, because each place is strong on a different dish. Pick whichever location fits your route best.
Non Yao Beach (Pattaya 3)
A sandy beach on the Phu Phan Kham side of the Ubol Ratana reservoir, jokingly called Isan's 'Pattaya 3'. Restaurants and waterside stalls line the shore — order grilled fish, som tam and grilled chicken and eat on a mat or in a sala by the water, with a clear view of the Phu Phan range. On weekends there are inner tubes and banana boats too, so it works well for the whole family.
Chao Khuean Restaurant
A waterside restaurant near the Ubol Ratana dam. The draw is fresh fish straight from the dam done several ways — salt-grilled, steamed with lime, and in tom yum. You sit in a sala by the water catching the breeze. It's the kind of place drivers passing through stop at regularly.
Phu Wa Pla Phao 2
An Isan restaurant on the edge of Nong Muang lake, in the city district. It has thatched wooden salas jutting out over the water in little huts, friendly owners, and a full Isan menu — grilled fish, larb, koi, tom saep, the lot. It's closer to town than the dam side, so it's handy if you don't want to drive far out.
Charoen Pla Phao
A grilled-fish place in the city district that Nong Bua Lamphu locals have known for years. It focuses on salt-grilled fish and the Isan basics — an easy stop near town when you don't want to drive all the way out to the dam.
Nong Bua Lamphu Pla Phao
A som tam and Isan-food spot known for its grilled fish and miang pla phao (grilled-fish wraps). They do delivery if you'd rather eat in, making it another solid in-town option for grilled-fish fans.
Som Tam Bun Rod
A som tam shop that plenty of reviewers say nails its miang pla phao — firm-fleshed grilled fish wrapped with fresh herbs and a punchy dipping sauce, followed by som tam and grilled chicken. A simple, genuinely Isan dinner.
Rim Khuean Coffee
A countryside-style cafe-restaurant on the Ubol Ratana reservoir, with views of mountains and rice fields. They serve coffee alongside Isan food like grilled fish, som tam and sticky rice — a nice spot to chill and take photos before or after a fish meal.
U Khao U Nam Farmstay, Ubol Ratana Dam
A farmstay-cafe near the dam with wide-open rice-field surroundings — good for stopping in for a drink and catching the breeze. If you want to stay near the dam and wake up to fish by the water, this is a convenient choice.
Ordering fish like a pro
A big salt-grilled fish is best the moment it comes off the grill — the flesh is sweet and juicy, but leave it too long and it firms up. Order it and dig in while it's hot for the best flavour. For fish tom yum, tell the kitchen whether you want clear broth or creamy — plenty of Isan folk prefer the clear, sour-and-spicy version.
Want to taste deeper? Try a Nong Bua Lamphu food tour or cooking class
Half a day with a local who knows the lanes — or cooking a dish yourself — teaches you more than just eating. Book ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide.
Fish dishes to try by the dam
- Salt-grilled fish — a big tilapia or red tilapia stuffed with lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves, packed in salt and grilled, then picked apart with jaew or seafood sauce. The star of every riverside place.
- Steamed fish with lime — fish steamed and topped with lime juice, chilli and garlic, fresh and sour-spicy, great for cutting through richer dishes.
- Fish tom yum — a hot pot of punchy freshwater-fish tom yum with mushrooms and local vegetables, easy to slurp down.
- Grilled-fish wraps (miang pla phao) — grilled fish picked apart and wrapped in fresh herbs with dipping sauce and miang fixings, an Isan way of eating fish that several places are known for.
- Fish larb / koi — minced fish tossed with larb seasoning, eaten with sticky rice and fresh vegetables on the side.
A 2-day, 1-night riverside fish trip
If you want to eat your fill of riverside fish and get some nature in too, try a 2-day, 1-night loop that hits both the dam side and the town.
The Ubol Ratana dam–Phu Phan Kham side
Into town — closing out with in-town grilled fish
About the water in the dam
The water level in the Ubol Ratana reservoir rises and falls with the seasons. From late rainy season into early winter (roughly Oct–Jan) the water is full, the views are lovely and the air is cool — the best time to visit. In the dry season the water drops; some beaches get wider but some restaurants may move their salas, so it's worth checking with the place before you go.
Plan a full eating-and-travel trip in Nong Bua Lamphu
See the Nong Bua Lamphu guide →