I came for the atmosphere and stayed for the food.
While compiling my bucket list of Must Visit Restaurants, Cabbages and Condoms Restaurant in Pattaya Thailand featured in my list of the Top 10 “weirdest restaurants in the world” which if given a chance I’d have loved to visit in my lifetime…
So when I accidentally stumbled on the sign post while strolling the beaches of Pattaya, I decided to stop by.
Owned by prominent social justice, planned parenthood and HIV/AIDS campaigner Mechai Veravaidya, the restaurant’s slogan is: “Our food is guaranteed not to cause pregnancy.”
A part-Thai, part-Scottish national who grew up and went to school in Scotland and Australia, Viravaidya returned to Thailand in 1965.
At the time, issues of substandard medical care for women and improper family planning practices were prevalent in the country and he sought to advocate for change.
He noted that one could go to any shop around Thailand and always find cabbages, but not condoms.
Thus, he reasoned that to curb the HIV/AIDS pandemic that had hit most countries “condoms should be like cabbages which are ubiquitous and accessible to everyone.”
Hence the genesis of Cabbages and Condoms chain of restaurants.
To get to the restaurant, you first go through a long path adorned with exotic gardens, flower beds, bamboo foot bridges, and streams with fish.
Plus all manner of quirky signs on various subjects such as corruption, words of famous poets, quotes by notable human rights activists and other dignitaries, etc.
And just when you think you’ve seen it all, nothing prepares you for what is about to hit you inside the restaurant.
I have never seen so many condoms on public display in my life!
In place of regular decor typical of most restaurants and hotels, everywhere I looked around in the restaurant, more and more condoms and various birth control pills greeted me.
On trees, on the table-side lamps, in the bathroom, on mannequins, everywhere! Even a bunch of dolled up with condoms .
Because of its quirky name and theme, you would think the restaurant is tacky and passé coarse.
But I was pleasantly surprised of its romantic ambiance.
The restaurant actually had beach front sitting staggered down hill. And the food was also pretty good.
The only drawback with the Cabbage and Condoms restaurant was the rather slow service.
Fortunately for me it wasn’t a deal breaker as I was too busy taking it all in… and of course taking pictures. By the time I was done, the food was ready.
Overall, I’d highly recommend Cabbages and Condoms Restaurant as a must visit while in Pattaya.
If for nothing, but just to knock it off your bucket list of must visit “most weird and unusual restaurants in the world” or “restaurants with the weirdest names”, Cabbages and Condoms Restaurant has got you covered.
Thanks for reading and don’t forget to subscribe!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EvaMtalii/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EvaMtalii
*****************************************
For Business: info@evamtalii.com
