Restaurants in Upper Southern Gulf
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A
Chatchai Market
The city's day market resides in an historic building built in 1926 with a distinctive seven-eaved roof in honour of Rama VII. There are the usual market refreshments: morning vendors selling Ъah·tôrng·gŏh (Chinese-style doughnuts) and gah·faa boh·rahn (ancient-style coffee spiked with sweetened condensed milk); as well as all-day noodles with freshly made wontons; and the full assortment of fresh tropical fruit.
reviewed
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Fame Restaurant
A farang (foreigner) depot, Fame does a little bit of everything; cooks up Western breakfasts and Thai stir-fries, books ferry tickets and rents out day-use showers. It's open from before the crack of dawn until late at night.
reviewed
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B
Chao Lay
Probably the best of the wharf restaurants, this place certainly manages to fill its two levels of pier seating. There's a veritable fish market out front where you can choose your catch of the day, and a small army of waiters to deliver the end product.
reviewed
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C
Brasserie de Paris
France comes to town with a real French chef cooking up authentic French flavours in a light and airy space with good views of la mer from bistro tables upstairs. Local crab is the standout dish. Reassuringly expensive.
reviewed
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D
Rang Yen Garden
This lush garden restaurant is a cosy and friendly spot to feel at home after a day of feeling like a foreigner. It serves up Thai favourites and is only open in the high season.
reviewed
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Krua Medsai
This fantastic local haunt rarely registers on Cha-am's tourism radar because it sits just north of the beachside burg. Try succulent Ъoo nim (soft-shell crab) and order a bowl of spicy đôm yam gûng (prawn and lemongrass soup) with coconut. To find Krua Medsai, go north along the main ocean road until the rows of accommodation end; you'll pass over a small bridge and a few hundred metres later there's a large blue billboard pointing to the restaurant on the right-hand side of the road.
reviewed
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Khaao Chae Naang Ram
Khaao Chae Naang RamKôw châa (camphor-scented chilled rice served with sweet/savoury titbits) is a dish associated with Phetburi, and this roadside stall in front of a noodle restaurant is considered one of the best places to try it (it’s an odd flavour and icy texture, but worth a go). There’s no English sign; look for the cart under the old blue awning).
reviewed
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E
Hua Hin Thai Show
Just off the main night-market street, this open-air Thai restaurant draws in the crowds with free nightly performances - try to make the Wednesday night classical and folk Thai dance show. The food's not bad either, and there's nice mood lighting with tables set around Thai-style pagodas - it's only mildly cheesy.
reviewed
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F
Rabieng Rim Nam
This riverside restaurant serves up terrific food and a lot of tourist information in English – a rarity in this town – and organises tours. Sadly the affiliated guest house is just too decrepit to recommend.
reviewed
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Baan Itsara
Baan Itsara is a destination for aficionados of the ocean's produce. Considered by some to be one of the best seafood places in town, this restaurant has tables right on the ocean and a small imported-wine list. The tiger prawns in sweet basil sauce are a perennial favourite.
reviewed
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Papa Seafood & Papa 2000
This large patio restaurant right in the heart of town dishes out tasty barbecued seafood and steak under flickering Christmas lights. As the evening turns to night, Papa fills up with locals who toss back a few beers before heading to the adjacent Papa 2000 discotheque.
reviewed
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Mondee
During the day, this cosy wooden shack beside the river serves kà·nŏm jeen (fresh rice noodles served with a variety of curries). At night Mondee takes full advantage of the breezes and river view and serves decent central-Thai fare with an emphasis on seafood.
reviewed
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G
Monsoon
An excellent wine list and mood lighting make this Vietnamese restaurant, located in a lovingly restored two-storey teak house, Hua Hin’s most romantic (and expensive) spot. There’s also Thai and European food, and you can treat yourself to afternoon tea from 3pm.
reviewed
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Mondee
During the day, this cosy wooden shack serves khànǒm jeen (fresh rice noodles served with a variety of curries). At night Mondee takes full advantage of the breezes and river view and serves decent central Thai fare with an emphasis on seafood.
reviewed
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H
Bamboo
Though the name has changed from the beloved Elmar’s (the old sign still hung outside when we visited), Bamboo strives to carry on the 15-year tradition of Elmar’s excellent European dishes and comfort food. Sample some goulash (125B) or Wiener schnitzel (210B).
reviewed
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Phen Phrik Phet
Located directly across from the entrance to Wat Yai Suwannaram, this local noodle legend makes delicious gŏoay đĕeo mŏo nám daang (pork noodles in a fragrant dark broth). There’s no English sign; look for the umbrellas, pots and potplants.
reviewed
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Khaao Chae Naang Ram
Khâao châe (camphor-scented chilled rice served with sweet/savoury titbits) is a dish associated with Phetburi, and a good place to sample it is at this renowned roadside stall in front of a noodle restaurant.
reviewed
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Ma Prow
An airy wooden pavilion across from the beach, Ma Prow cooks up excellent Ъlah săm·lee dàat dee·o (a local specialty of whole sun-dried cotton fish that is fried and served with mango salad). The tamarind fish dish is another favourite with foreigners and locals.
reviewed
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J
Chalasai
With a small patio and a seaside location, Chalasai (no roman-script sign – it’s across from Monsoon) doesn’t need to put any energy into ambience. Instead, it puts it all into the delicious, cheap Thai seafood.
reviewed
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K
Poom Restaurant
Slightly more expensive than other nearby beach restaurants, but worth it for the fresh seafood served under tall sugar palms. It appears to be the restaurant of choice for weekending Thais – always a good sign.
reviewed
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L
Shiew O Cha
This big, modern and airy Chinese-Thai restaurant offers plenty of alternatives to seafood and occasionally hosts live music. There's no roman-script sign but you can't miss the large cream and green building.
reviewed
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Phloen Samut Restaurant
One of a few seafood restaurants along the promenade, with sea views and loads of seafood, this is a good option. The service would be better if the staff stopped watching Thai soap operas on the telly.
reviewed
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Baan Muang Petch
This well-situated coffee shop is an excellent place to refill on real coffee, iced or otherwise, and sweets between temple visits. Simple dishes and a great sunset view of Khao Wang are also available.
reviewed
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German Food House
Run by a butcher and baker (no candlestick maker, though), this joint is deservedly popular with expats. A carnivore’s delight, this butcher shop’s menu includes house-made sausages and artisan breads.
reviewed
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Yota Vegetarian
Located beside Fame Restaurant, this hole-in-the-wall eatery has delicious self-serve vegetarian dishes. Add your own touch with overflowing plates of Vietnamese mint, holy basil and sliced cucumber.
reviewed
