Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [520]
SAIREE BEACH (HAT SAI RI)
Sairee Beach is tiny Tao’s unofficial capital of cuisine, offering an impressive assortment of international flavours. Keep an eye out for rickety food carts scattered around the village serving tasty tea and treats. Stop by the 7-Eleven beside Big Blue Resort to check out Ally the Pancake Man ( Map) as he dances around, like an Italian chef making pizza, while cooking your tasty dessert. He’s become quite the local legend and has even appeared on YouTube.
White House Food Stalls ( Map; dishes 30-70B; lunch & dinner) Plunked in front of a humble white house amid the bustling action in Sairee, these clinking metallic food stalls sling awesome sôm·am and barbecue treats to crowds of hungry locals.
Café Corner ( Map; mains 30-100B; breakfast & lunch) The flaky pain au chocolat can easily be mistaken for a Parisian patisserie. Customers enjoy their desserts at swirling stainless steel countertops while watching movies on a swank plasma TV. Swing by at 5pm to stock up for tomorrow morning’s breakfast; the scrumptious baked breads are buy-one-get-one-free before being tossed at sunset.
Blue Wind Bakery ( Map; 0 7745 6116; mains 50-120B; breakfast, lunch & dinner) This beachside shanty dishes out Thai favourites, Western confections and freshly blended fruit juices. Enjoy your thick fruit smoothie and flaky pastry while reclining on tattered triangular pillows.
Krua Thai ( Map; 08 7892 9970; dishes 50-120B; lunch & dinner) Popular with the tourists who want their food ‘fa·ràng spicy’ rather than ‘Thai spicy’, Krua Thai offers a large assortment of classic faves served in a well-maintained storefront.
El Gringo ( Map; 0 7745 6323; dishes 80-150B; breakfast, lunch & dinner) As if there weren’t already enough nicknames for Caucasians in Thailand…this self-proclaimed ‘funky’ Mexican joint slings burritos of questionable authenticity at two locations in Sairee Beach and a third in Mae Hat.
Chopper’s Bar & Grill ( Map; 0 7745 6641; dishes 60-200B; breakfast, lunch & dinner) A great place to widen that beer belly, Chopper’s offers live music, sports on big-screen TVs, billiards, and a classier screening room upstairs. Friday night is particularly popular; the drinks are ‘two for one’ and dishes are half-priced. Cheers for scored goals are interspersed with the exaggerated chatter about creatures seen on the day’s dive.
ZanziBar ( Map; 0 7745 6452; sandwiches 90-140B; breakfast, lunch & dinner) The island’s outpost of sandwich yuppie-dom slathers a mix of unpronounceable condiments betwixt two slices of whole-grain bread.
Hippo ( Map; 0 7745 6021; dishes 80-300B; breakfast, lunch & dinner) A new favourite, Hippo offers tasty reminders of home: grilled steaks, fish and chips (the island’s best!), burgers and omelettes.
Morava ( Map; 0 7745 6270; dishes 200-350B; breakfast, lunch & dinner) This Sairee splurge has out-swanked the competition with smooth decor and equally stylish dishes. The recently refined menu features delicious options like tender lamb steaks and fresh-from-the-sea sashimi.
MAE HAT (HAT AO MAE)
Cappuccino ( Map; 08 7896 8838; dishes 30-90B; breakfast & lunch) Cappuccino’s decor falls somewhere between the New York deli on Seinfeld and a French brasserie – it’s a great place to grab a coffee and croissant while waiting for the ferry.
Zest Coffee Lounge ( Map; 0 7745 6178; dishes 70-190B; breakfast & lunch) Indulge in the street-cafe lifestyle at Zest; idlers can nibble confections or nurse their cup of joe all the way till sunset. There’s a second location in Sairee.
Whitening ( Map; 0 7745 6199; dishes 90-160B; dinner) This sandy spot falls somewhere between being a restaurant and bar – foodies will appreciate the modern twists on indigenous dishes while beer-toters will love the beachy, bleached-white atmosphere which