That's not to say that to dine here you need to be a government minister or professional food critic. However, the restaurant has a dress code - 'polite-casual' but polite, no shorts when entering the restaurant. Friendly and pleasant staff and attentive service as you would expect at a five-star resort, whether you're sitting in an air-conditioned room or an outdoor terrace with a cool ocean breeze.

The food is the real star at the Royal Grill Room & Wine Cellar - sometimes literally as some dishes will be prepared right at your table. The restaurant serves the highest quality imported meats and seafood and especially the best steak in Pattaya. The highlight of the menu is the chateaubriand, prepared at your table and shared for two, which is also a good choice for a romantic meal. The meat is beautifully tender, juicy, flavorful and expertly prepared. All in all, the portions are up to fine dining standards, but the quality and variety make even the most elegant of dishes very satisfying.

In addition, a strong point of the restaurant is its fine wine collection. Described as a cellar where more than 1,000 wines are imported from around the world and can be sampled before dinner. In fact, this is the only restaurant in Thailand with an underground wine cellar and it really looks like it was hollowed out of a rock. This superb collection includes a wide range of premium wines and liqueurs. With classy surroundings and a stately atmosphere, a glass of brandy after dinner seems like the logical thing to do.

Royal Grill Room & Wine Cellar offers fine food with the best flavors. Of course, this comes with a hefty price tag compared to the average in Pattaya but it certainly makes for a worthwhile experience. The special menu served here costs up to nearly 1,000 baht for three courses, excluding wine. However, spending such money to be able to enjoy a unique experience and special food in an elegant setting is a must-do when visiting Pattaya.

Opening hours: 18:30 - 23:30 (Tuesday will close earlier)

Address: Royal Cliff Resort, Pratumnak Hill - 353 Phra Tamnuk Road, Pattaya, Chonburi, Thailand 20150

Phone: +66 (0)3 825 0421 (ext. 2007)