Thailand Guide
Southern Thailand: the Gulf coast
Food and drink
1 Damkanning On the corner of Thanon Watkid and Thanon Ratchadamnoen A decent Thai-Chinese fallback in the evening, one of several affordable, popular restaurants with pavement tables in the area.
2 Hao Coffee In the Bovorn Bazaar, Thanon Ratchadamnoen Popular place modelled on an old Chinese-style coffee shop, packed full of ageing violins, clocks and other antiques. Offers a wide selection of Thai dishes, cakes teas and coffees, including Thai filter coffee and delicious iced capuccinos. Opening time: Daytime only
3 
Hua Thale Thanon Pak Nakhon Nakhon's best restaurant, renowned among locals for its excellent, varied and inexpensive seafood. Plain and very clean, with an open kitchen and the day's catch displayed out front and relaxing patio tables and an air-con room at the back. Recommended dishes include a superb yam plaa duk foo, shredded and deep-fried catfish with a mango salad dip, whole baked fish and king prawns, and hoy maleang poo op mordin, large green mussels in a delicious herb soup containing lemon grass, basil and mint. Opening time: Daily 3.30–9.30pm
4 Khanom Jiin Muangkorn Thanon Panyom, near Wat Mahathat Justly famous, inexpensive outdoor restaurant dishing up one of the local specialities, khanom jiin, noodles topped with hot, sweet or fishy sauce served with pak ruam, a platter of crispy raw vegetables. Opening time: Lunchtimes only
5 Krua Nakhon In the Bovorn Bazaar, Thanon Ratchadamnoen A great place to sample southern food, buffet-style in a big, rustic pavilion, with good khanom jiin and other very cheap local dishes: kaeng som, a mild yellow curry; kaeng tai plaa, fish stomach curry; khao yam, a delicious southern salad of rice and vegetables; and various khanom wan, coconut milk puddings. Opening time: Breakfast and lunch only