Most people ordering Thai food in Amsterdam reach for whatever beer is on the menu without a second thought. At Royal Thai, near Leidseplein, two drinks on the bar are worth pausing for: Singha, Thailand's most recognised beer, and Mekhong, the spirit many Thais simply call their national drink. Neither is a generic import — both carry real history, and both are made to be drunk alongside the food they were built for.

Ask for either by name at most Amsterdam restaurants and you'll get a blank look. That's part of the point: these aren't drinks chosen to fill out a menu category, they're what's actually poured in Thailand, and Royal Thai keeps them behind the bar for exactly that reason.

What is Singha Beer?

Singha is Thailand's original lager, brewed by Boon Rawd Brewery since 1933 — the first Thai-owned brewery in the country. It's a crisp, golden lager with a slightly higher hop character than many Southeast Asian lagers, which is exactly why it holds up well against Thai food's heat rather than disappearing under it.

Why order it at Royal Thai: a cold Singha is the classic pairing for anything built around chilli — think green curry or a spicier Pad Thai. The carbonation and light bitterness reset your palate between bites instead of just diluting the spice. It's served ice-cold, the way it's drunk in Bangkok, rather than at the warmer temperature more common with European lagers — worth knowing if you're used to a different serving style.

Amsterdam Kerken Spiritueel Ervenis
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What is Mekhong, and is it whiskey?

Mekhong is often called "Thai whiskey," but that's not quite accurate — it's technically a spirit distilled from rice and blended with sugarcane molasses, giving it a smoother, slightly sweeter profile than a true whiskey. Created in 1941 and named after the Mekong River, it's been Thailand's best-known domestic spirit for over 80 years, sitting somewhere between rum and whiskey in character.

Why it matters on the menu: Mekhong isn't just poured neat. It's the base spirit behind two of Royal Thai's most popular cocktails, Mai Thai and Pattaya, both mixed at the restaurant's cocktail bar. If you've had either of those and enjoyed them, Mekhong is the reason. Its natural sweetness means it mixes well without needing much added sugar, which is part of why it works so well in cocktails built around citrus and spice rather than the heavier syrups some whiskey-based drinks lean on.

Pairing guide: what to drink with what

Pad Thai — Singha, straight up. The lager's light bitterness complements the tamarind and peanut without competing with them.

Green curry (chicken or tofu) — Singha again, or a Mekhong-based cocktail if you want something with more depth to stand up to the coconut milk.

Pla Sam Rod (signature fish dish) — this dish's sweet-sour-spicy sauce pairs well with Mekhong served over ice, letting the spirit's sweetness echo the sauce.

An evening at the cocktail bar before heading out near Leidseplein — Mai Thai or Pattaya, both built on Mekhong, are the house picks.

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Part of a night out near Leidseplein

Royal Thai sits on Lange Leidsedwarsstraat, a short walk from Leidseplein's bars, theatres and clubs — which makes the cocktail bar as much a starting point for the evening as an accompaniment to dinner. A Mai Thai or Pattaya before you head out, or a Mekhong on ice to close out the meal, fits naturally into a night that continues elsewhere in the neighbourhood. It's a different way to think about the drinks list than "what goes with the food" — sometimes it's simply what's poured before the night really starts.

FAQ

Does Royal Thai serve Singha beer?

Yes — Singha, Thailand's original lager, is available at Royal Thai.

What is Mekhong and does Royal Thai serve it?
Where can I get Singha beer in Amsterdam?

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