Eat

Sabeinglae

438/82 Moo 1, Maret, 077-233-082, 081-538-7045. Open daily 10am-10pm. www.sabeinglae.9nha.com
Sabeinglae offers a long list of authentic local dishes like gaeng kua hed lhoob (mushroom curry), wai kua (squid simmered in coconut milk), and gang som pla grabog yod mapraw (sour curry with fish and young coconut). Also try the fresh oysters with deep-fried garlic (B40 each). The kluay buad shi (bananas in sweet coconut milk) can’t be missed for dessert. Unlike other seafood restaurants in Samui, the bill is affordable and might come in under B1,000 for two.

Janhom

7/3 Bang Por Beach, 077-236-458. Open daily 10am-10pm
If you want authentic, then test your tongue with Janhom’s fiery Southern dishes like the nam prik goong sod (vegetables with shrimp relish, B120) and wipe your tears away with the kua gling moo (stir fried pork with spicy herbs, B150) at this popular no-frills eatery.

Kanomjeen Pa Maitree

217/2, Maenam Beach Soi 4, 077-247-075. Open daily 8:30am-3:30pm
A not-to-be-missed spot for its local food. Situated close to Maenam Intersection, Kanomjeen Pa Maitree offers various soups from nam ya (coconut soups) to green curry, or gaeng tai pla (a spicy Southern soup) to eat with rice noodles. Prices start from just B30.

Namcha

Fisherman’s Village, Bophut Beach, 077-427-115. Open daily 9:30am-1 pm. www.namchasamui.com
Run by a Filipino family with a tea obsession, this teahouse sits just at the entrance of Fisherman’s Village and is one of the most charming buildings in the area. Like almost everywhere in Samui, the place offers an open-air vibe, but here there are four sections with Japanese, Chinese, African, and English tea room styles. Their offerings range from English breakfast and Jasmine, to chai tea imported from around the world. Prices start at B120 per pot.

Le Salon de Ti / Zazen Restaurant

Zazen Boutique Hotel and Spa, 177 Moo 1, Bophut, 077-425-085, www.samuizazen.com
Created by couple Alex and Ti, Le Salon de Ti serves desserts, cocktails and 23 kinds of Dilmah tea, served hot or cold. The open-air space on the 2/F of the teak building is decked out in vintage-style French furniture and is perfect for afternoon high tea (from B590 for two people). Downstairs, Zazen Restaurant is a casual oceanfront joint serving tapas and Thai cuisine by day, after which it turns into a candlelit, intimate outlet for French Executive Chef Cyrille Keyser’s fine Mediterranean cuisine. Zazen also has the only underground wine cellar on the island—it’s blissfully cool.

Drink

9 Gems

141/190 Moo 6, Bophut, 077-256-125, 080-692-0520. Open Tue-Thu 4pm-midnight, Fri-Sun 4pm-2am. www.9gemssamui.com
Hidden away on one of the island’s many hilltops, 9 Gems combines fine dining with breathtaking views of Pru Chaweng (Chaweng Lagoon) and Chaweng town center below. The menu offers fusion food, tapas, desserts, cocktails and bubbly. Request to be seated on one of their beds on the rooftop to enjoy the 360-degree view. Settling yourself in just before sunset is highly recommended.

Green Mango & Sweet Soul

Soi Green Mango, Chaweng Beach Rd. Open daily 9pm till late. www.thegreenmangoclub.com
This has long been one of the most popular nightclubs in Samui. With a gigantic open-air space that contains several bars, pool tables, and huge dance floors, all you need is a plastic bucket of Sangsom mixed with Red Bull and some straws. To warm up, stop by at Sweet Soul, the sister club of Green Mango (located right in front).

Sound Club

Soi Green Mango, Chaweng Beach Rd., Open daily 11pm-6am. www.soundclubsamui.com
Sound Club has both open-air and indoor spaces, and the DJs are usually the same ones who do the Full Moon parties on nearby Koh Pha Ngan.

TOP SUNDAY BRUNCHES

Beach Republic

Elegant and sexy with its red hot decor, Beach Republic boasts two infinity pools, regular DJs and live performances. The Ultimate Sunday Brunch Club features a buffet offering myriad international options like meat carving stations, seafood, Thai dishes, sushi, cold cuts, and crepes suzette. Outside those hours, entry into the club for outside guests is B500, but that does turn into F&B credits. There are also 39 rooms available from B3,900 per night.
176/34 Moo 4, Maret, 077-458-100. Sunday brunch B1,400, 11:30am-3:30pm. www.beachrepublic.com

Nikki Beach

Laze on their throw pillows, daybeds, plush champagne beds and Nikki’s signature teepees. The highlight of the week is the “Amazing Sunday Brunch,” offering over 40 dishes including seafood, sushi, meat carvings, and desserts. The brunch includes one free mimosa or bellini. Annual membership (approximately B7,500) gets you entry into the club for a year, but won’t include special events like Sunday brunch. Private bungalows available, starting from B4,600.
96/3 Moo 2, Lipa Noi, 077-914-500. Sunday brunch B950, 11am-4pm. www.nikkibeach.com

Going somewhere else? Check out Thailand's Best Restaurants and Bars.

Eat

MEE TON PAE

214/7-8 Phuket Rd., Phuket Town, 076-216-293. Open daily 10:30am-5pm. Closed every 29th of the month
Phuket Town takes great pride in its Hokkien traditions. The best place to get a taste of the city’s Chinese ancestry is at Mee Ton Poe, right on the Clock Tower Circle. Mixed in with big yellow or white noodles, slurp up seafood, fish balls, pak choi and fresh eggs at Phuket Town’s most famous Hokkien noodle stall. Like the locals, have it with a side of chicken satay straight from the grill. Come early, as it’s only open until 5pm.

Kan Eng@Pier

44/1 Moo 5, Viset Rd., Rawai, 076-381-212. Open daily 10:30am-10:30pm
Though the decor has been refurbished, the makeover of this decades-old eatery that sits overlooking Chalong Bay has left the menu untouched. That’s a good thing for its loyal following of upscale islanders and tourists addicted to their deep-fried seaweed and spicy yellow soup. The refurb does mean that the setting is now also perfect for romantic dinners and sunset cocktails.

Lim’s

Kalim Soi 7, Kalim Beach, 076-344-834. Open daily 6:30-10:30pm. www.limsphuket.com
Set on the outskirts of Patong, you reach Lim’s by climbing a long, potholed stretch of road that seems to shoot straight into the jungle on the hill above. Lim’s itself is a stark, bare, concrete box, but its garden and plants bring the luxuriant foliage right into the otherwise minimalist decor. The food is fusion, the mango daiquiris are to-die-for and the servers are cute and attentive.

Phuket 346

15 Soi Rommanee, Thalang Rd., 076-258-108. www.phuket346.com
Phuket’s coolest cafe-cum-hotel has just relocated, yet thankfully remains in an authentic Sino-Portuguese shophouse, in the colorful alley of Soi Rommanee. The cafe serves well-executed local dishes in a casual, but charming, atmosphere. We recommend the stuffed squid and shrimp cakes but almost every dish is a winner, thanks to the use of locally-sourced ingredients and free-range poultry. You can also stay there (only three rooms!) or see some art at the adjoining gallery.

Drink

Baba 88

Sri Panwa, 88 Moo 8, Sakdidej Rd., Panwa, 076-371-000. Open by appointment only. www.sripanwa.com
Though it’s hidden on the lower floor of a high-end resort at the southeastern tip of the island, Baba 88 is worth the visit. After stepping into the classic black space you will soon find yourself dancing on a Sino-Portuguese tile floor to funky electronic tunes as you’re dizzied by the lasers and the high-end cocktails. Note that it’s currently only open by appointment, making it an even more exclusive experience.

Ka jok See

26 Ta Kua Pa Rd., Phuket Town, 076-217-903. Open Tue-Sun 6pm-late
Kenzo, Kate Moss, Calvin Klein—when the fashion crowd descends upon high end retreat Amanpuri, their port of call in Phuket Town is always Ka Jok See. The charming old shophouse serves ho-hum Thai food (no frills, no fusion) but people come mostly for the atmosphere. Weekends see drag shows with a retro touch (the oversized Marylin Monroe is divine) and, after dinner, tables are usually pushed aside (or used as podiums) for some late night dancing.

Seduction

339/1 Bangla Rd., Patong, 076-340-215. Open daily 8pm-late. www.seductiondiscotheque.com
Not the classiest venue in town, Seduction continues to pull in the crowds thanks to its decent selection of danceable music. DJs play everything from classic 70-80s pop to recent chart hits. A must is the VIP room which boasts an admirably laissez-faire attitude and stays open until sunrise. Not everyone is invited but, then again, it is not too difficult to get on the VIP list.

Surin Beach

This slightly hidden beach—blink and you’ll miss the turn—was once a popular picnic destination for locals. Now, it’s easily the coolest nightlife spot on the island, home to a number of hip on-the-beach hangout venues like Catch Beach Club and Stereo Lab. Stereo Lab (14 Srisoonthorn Rd., Surin Beach, 089-218-0162. Open daily 11pm-2am. www.stereolabphuket.com) is great for those sunset moments: indulge in a cocktail while listening to chill-out beats and kicking back on their white and turquoise sofas on the beach. Catch Beach Club (Surin Beach, +66(0)-7631-6599. Open daily 9am-1am. Entry fee B1,500 with B1,500 credit to spend at the beach club. www.catchbeachclub.com) owned by the stylish Twin Palms Phuket hotel, offers a more Nikki Beach-like scene.

White Box

2475/7 Prabarame Rd., Patong, 076-346-271. Open daily 5pm-late. www.whiteboxphuket.com
At the far end of Patong, next to Kalim Beach, you’ll find this boxy all-white modern architectural offering perched above the sand. Big bay windows in the dining room offer sweeping views while the rooftop adds the pleasure of a light sea breeze. Live percussion and special DJs on weekends.

Yaowarat Road

Part of the old Yaowarat Road, from the fountain circle to Dibuk Road, is now the hot nightlife destination for Phuket hipsters. Young entrepreneurs have revamped the old Sino-Portuguese shophouses and turned them into chill bars where you can enjoy cheap booze together with local live music. Venues like Ploenchit (Dibuk Rd., Phuket Town, 076-218-515) and Sanaeha (Yaowarat Rd., Phuket Town, 081-536-1377) are currently hot spots if you want to blend in with the local nightlife scene.

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Eat

Baan Klai Wang

11 Nabkehas Rd., near Putahracsa Resort, 032-531-260/1
If you wanted one word to describe this eatery, whose name roughly means house by the palace, it would have to be cute. Set in a period-style seaside home it features a pretty, if slightly overgrown, garden with views over the Gulf of Thailand. The food matches the vibe with a strong emphasis on yummy homemade cakes to snack on while you gaze across the waves.

Platoo

241/44 Ruamchit Rd., 032-451-355, 032-508-175. Open daily 10am-10pm. www.platoorestaurant.com
A fish lovers’ heaven, Platoo, named after the Thai word for mackerel, whips up a wide list of fish dishes from salt-coated grilled sea bass to deep-fried grouper with three-flavored sauce. But it is the platoo that’s the real highlight, served as either delicious tom yam soup or stir-fried with chili paste.

Madame Green Jae Keao

42 Moo Baan Khao Takieb, Nong Kae, 032-536-899/6900. Open daily 10am-10pm
Hidden on a tiny road on the way to Khao Takieb, this Hua Hin institution has been a favorite for its fresh and tasty seafood for decades. Go for the simple deep-fried sea bass with fish sauce, soft shell crab with garlic or fried squid with salted egg and oyster omelet.

Raya Restaurant and Seafood

264/2, Ruamjit Road, Cha Am, 032-472-641/-5. Open daily 10am-10pm
Opened earlier this year, Raya is fast making a name for itself thanks to the exciting dishes served up by European trained Thai Chef Susie S. Nilklad. Situated in a traditional Thai style wooden house and located right on the beach, its menu offers an intriguing mix of Western classics. Imported products from New Zealand, Norway and Australia go alongside Thai favorites like spicy papaya salad with pickled crab and plenty of fresh seafood.

You Yen

51 Naebkaehat Rd., 032-531-191. Open daily 10am-10pm. www.youyen.com
Situated in a pale-green colonial mansion on a calm beach with a beautiful garden, You Yen gives off plenty of nostalgic charm. Its kitchen serves up a variety of Thai and seafood dishes—and recommendations include stir-fried crab meat with curry sauce, sweet and sour squid soup and the deep-fried sea bass with lemongrass salad.

LET’S SEA

83/188 Soi Talay 12, Khaotakieb, Hua Hin Rd. 032-536-888. Open 7-12 am. www.letussea.com
Let’s Sea cooks up “modern seaside cuisine,” think inter favorites (like spaghetti vongole) spruced up with a healthy dose of local herbs, spices and a contemporary presentation. But Let’s Sea has also been paying particular attention to its wine list, which now includes over 100 affordable, mid-range wines.

Drink

Hi-4

41/48 Phetkasem Rd., Hua-Hin (next to Hin Nam Sai Suay Hotel 1), 085-299-2903. Open daily 8pm-3am
This long lasting nightlife destination is a Thong-Lor-Ekkamai-inspired club on a larger scale—about the size of Thong Lor’s Arena 10. Expect the house band every day along with DJ interludes. Big city outfits like Sqweez Animal and Krungthep Marathon even show up on occasion. The outdoor space is pretty nice and chill, too, but don’t get too casual: flip-flops (and shorts for guys) not allowed.

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Eat

Fern Forest Café

2/2 Singharak Soi 4, 053-416-204. Open daily 8:30am-8:30pm
A doctor and his wife have turned their house into a homey café with tables scattered among lush green trees and huge ferns, so it’s easy to relax as you sip their unique Sylvanian coffee. Having their own coffee farm, this place promises strong, bitter brews that go well with their sweet homemade pastries. If he’s in a good mood, the owner will even show you to the secrets of his ferns.

Charcoa

4 Sripoom Soi 1, 053-212-681. Open daily 7am-9.30pm. www.charcoa.com
Hidden in a tiny soi, this petite café is decked out in a Mediterranean-cum-Lanna aesthetic with frescos and natural materials. They do an extensive list of Western food with a touch of Thai fare, and a famed bakery menu, including the stand out Charcoa chocolate fudge cake.

Vieng Joom On

53 Charoenraj Rd., Wat Gate, 053-303-113. Open daily 10am-7pm. www.vjoteahouse.com
The name means pink town in the Lanna tongue, and this attention-grabbing teahouse is, you guessed it, as pink as can be. Your girly friends will ooh and ahh over the kitschy, feminine decor, as well as the extensive range of teas on offer. You can also head outside to a riverside patio to enjoy the views.

W by Wanlamun

Chang Moi Soi 2, 053-232-328. Open Tue-Sun 11:30am-10pm. www.wanlamun.com
This classic white wood house is one of Chiang Mai’s top destinations for tasty dishes and creamy pastries. The few small tables in the front yard are perfect for hanging out on cooler days, but the air-con room, decked out in classic English style, offers a welcome respite from the heat or rain. The popular tiramisu or fruit tart, along with cups of herbal tea, come highly recommended.

Drink

the Good View

13 Charoenraj Rd., Wat Gate, 053-302-764, 053-241-866. Open daily 10am-1am. www.goodview.co.th
For a relaxed, informal but seriously fun night out, wander down to the river and seek out the Good View. This Chiang Mai institution is a cavernous, semi-open-air bar-cum-restaurant-cum-live music venue that always seems to be bursting at the seams. Book early if you want to get a table out by the river.

Mandalay

5/3 Phra Poklao, Phra Singha, 053-208-395/-8. Open daily 9pm-2am
Located near Thapae Gate, Mandalay has been the popular spot for the Chiang Mai gay scene for as long as we can remember. The lofty, but suitably dark, space is filled with a variety of music ranging from international hits to Thai favorites as well as some live dance performances by coyote boys. It’s packed every weekend with local gays and their gal-pals.

Monkey Club

Nimmanhaemin Soi 9, 053-226-997. Open daily 6pm-1am
People-watching is the name of the game at this tried-and-tested watering hole. The outdoor area is decked out in a tropical garden style with an acoustic band playing softly in the background. Step inside and get ready to sweat, dance and monkey around with trendy local party animals and flight attendants while house bands serve up thumping pop/rock.

Going somewhere else? Check out Thailand's Best Restaurants and Bars.

Pre-Party

You need build up some pre-club energy, but don’t want to get your hair all smokey at those tam sang stalls that are everywhere on Thong Lor. Consider Niyom Pochana (125 Sukhumvit Soi 55, 02-3911517. Open daily 4pm-12am) for a wide variety of standards, even if they aren’t always that cheap. Get the real-deal poo pad pong kari (yellow crab curry, count B1,000 for a big crab) or the tom yam kung mae nam (tom yam with river prawns, B600). Less pricey but equally delicious is their moo satay (B80 for small). The place is situated in an old shophouse and is perpetually packed with local families, so do come early. Further up is the Vietnamese Nam Nueng (400 Sukhumvit Soi 55, 02-714-9575. Open daily 8am-10pm). Try their recommended dishes like the guay jub yuan (Vietnamese noodles, B60) and gung pun aoi (sugar cane wrapped with minced prawns, B100 for small).

post-Party

So you’re done partying, you’re all out of cash and you need a late-night eat. Paikiew (081-826-9352. Open daily 12pm-5pm, 6pm-midnight) is located in front of Family Mart, Thonglor Soi 17, and attracts lots of people like you, so you can sometimes have a long wait. But it’s worth it for their tangy roasted duck which comes in a bamee ped (noodle soup with slices of duck, B40). Or, if it’s really late, you can go to the famed 55 Pochana at the beginning of Soi Thong Lor (1087-1093 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-391-2021. Open daily 5pm-3am). The must-orders are the or-suan (oyster omelette, B150) or dok kajon pad kai (stir-fried flowers with egg, B80). Be warned, though, the service can sometimes be a little gruff. But if you’re drunk and hungry, you won’t care. Just a few steps away is the hidden treasure Khao Tom Prung (1083 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-391-8433. Open Tue-Sun 4.30pm-10.30pm), with its diversity of toppings. A quality khao tom pla (rice soup with fish) dish is only B80. It’s fresh and tastes homemade. If you’re a real fish fan, there are also fish eggs and fresh fish maw, but for those, you have to show up before 7:30pm or call ahead to reserve.

Old Classics

It’s so hot and trendy, it’s hard to remember that Thong Lor has its army of classic cateries that folks flock to from all parts of the city. Our favorite among them is Hoy Tod Chao Lay (25 Sukhumvit Soi 55, 085-128-3996. Open daily 9am-9pm). They do hoy tod (crispy oyster omelet, B60), or-suan (B100), and pad Thai (B80) and are very generous with portions. Further up, on the same side, is the legendary Mandarin (729/1 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 02-391-4062. Open daily 9.30am-6pm). A dish of khao naa ped or bamee ped costs you only B55, and the crispy skin on the roast duck is pretty delectable, but weekends do get crazy. And who can not love Khao Mun Kai Boon Tong Kiat (440/5 in front of Thonglor Soi 16, 02-390-2508. Open daily 10am-10pm). Their khao mun kai (B65) comes with lovely, fatty rice and strong sauces. Finally, for dessert, there’s Maewaree (1 Sukhumvit Soi 55, 02-392-4304. Open 24/7, khao niew only available 5am-11pm), whose vast mango displays take up half the sidewalk and where you can order khao niew moon (sticky rice with coconut milk) with chunks of sweet mango for B90. (Sometimes they do sneak in the seed, though.)

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