Aree Restaurant
Serving both Thai and European food, the reason however, for dining at this restaurant would be for the tasty list of Indian delights on offer. A range of curries simmered to perfect can be accompanied by a chilled beer. Starters and side dishes include what you might expect from a westernized Indian –onion bajis, samosas and roti.
Opening Hours: 10:00-23:00
Address: Soi Cattareya
Tel: +66 (0) 84-0096350
Cuisine: Indian
Baan E-San
How can you tell whether or not you are getting the real taste of Isan cuisine? Ask any of its die-heart fans and the answer is probably the fermented fish paste (yes, the stinky, nose-pinching plaa raa). Baan Isan is one such place that won’t disappoint the true gourmands of northeastern Thai cuisine. Besides whipping up one of the best plaa raa in town, Baan Isan serves up a range of tasty Isan dishes, from som-tam plaa raa to salt-grilled snake head fish. Seating is provided under individually set thatched-roof huts in the garden and in the air-conditioned room. From 18:30 until close, enjoy live folk songs with your meal.
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 22:00 (kitchen closed at 21:00)
Location: Opposite Rama VI military training camp
Tel: + 66 (0) 32 406 099
Cuisine: Northeastern Thai
Price Range: Budget
Baan Thai
Situated just ten metres from the beach on an elevated terrace all diners can expect sea views with their meal. Owned by a Norwegian and Thai family, Baan Thai doubles as a guesthouse and are open to tailoring dishes to fit the needs of guests. The menu is predominantly Thai cuisine such as phad thai, tom yum goong, curries and of course seafood. The drinks menu features a varied selection of wines and beers, some from Norway. Baan Thai is one of the few restaurants in Cha-Am that is listed in the Lonely Planet so it is usually quite busy.
Opening Hours: 07:00-23:00
Address: 222/16-16 Roomjit Road
Tel: +66 (0) 32-470596
Cuisine: Thai
Beach Society at Sofitel So Hua Hin
Beach Society combines ocean views with a modern menu of signature international dishes. The menu combines international dishes with the freshest Thai ingredients. This is certainly more on the side of western comfort food than haute cuisine, but when you are just a few metres from the lapping shore of Cha-Am it fits perfectly. The squid with polenta, mushroom and sundried tomato is a must try, as is the rich choco-lava cake for dessert.
Opening Hours: 11:00 - 23:00
Location: 115 Moo 7 Tambol Bangkao, Cha-Am
Tel: +66 (0)32 709 555
Cuisine: International
Cha Inn @ Cha Am
One of the more contemporary places in the area, the Cha Inn beams lasers off its walls which really brightens the place up and makes it almost impossible not to stop and look in when walking past. Along with a handful of other places on this street it is catering to Cha-Am’s broader market. As it continues to grow as a holiday destination the number of internationally owned restaurants inevitably increases. Incidentally, the menu features classic European dishes including pizzas and pastas and Thai dishes.
Opening Hours: 10:00-23:00
Address: 274/34 Roomjit Road, Cha-Am
Tel: +66 (0) 32-471879
Cuisine: Thai and European
Clouds Loft
The handiwork of one of Thailand’s leading architects, Duangrit Bunnag, the Alila Hotel’s signature restaurant is an exercise in world-class dining. It is situated poolside, on an elevated terrace which not only brings with it a cooling breeze but enables diners to get a better appreciation of the surrounding nature. The menu combines a mixture of the finest local and international cuisine. This is the sort of restaurant where you should take your time, it has real Zen-like qualities enhanced by the secluded location, and you feel at one with nature while still being in extremely sophisticated surroundings. Clouds is a pretty unique restaurant that won’t fail to impress.
Opening Hours: 17:30-23:00
Address: Alila Cha-Am Resort, 115 Moo 7, Tambol Bangkao Amphur Cha-Am
Tel: +66 (0)32-709555
Cuisine: Thai and international
Som Tam Luang Prabang
One of the area’s more recently opened restaurants and something of a novelty, it serves Laotian food which differs to Thai slightly, although you should still expect to the see laap, som tam and fish-based dishes. At the time of writing the restaurant was very busy with locals who came for the live music and tasty, cheap food. The setting is simple but nonetheless clean and comfortable.
Opening Hours: 16:00-23:00
Address: Narathip Road (Opposite the Banpleng Pub)
Cuisine: Laotian
InAzia
This is as upscale as it gets in Cha-Am, the Sheraton’s signature and award-winning restaurant is adorned in an Indo-Chinese style and is both warm while demonstrating a contemporary edge. The cuisine is primarily Pan-Asian, carrying accents of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai and Vietnamese fare, all prepared using quality ingredients and spices before being artfully presented.
Opening Hours: 18:30-23:00
Address: Sheraton Hua Hin Resort, 1573 Petchkasem Road, Cha-am
Tel: + 66 (0) 32-708000
Cuisine: Pan Asian
Nancy’s Bistro
This is a cool place to head to for reasonably priced food as it is comfortable and clean. The owner also has an art shop on the opposite side of the street so once you have finished eating check out the funky crafts store. The menu features western favourites, including burgers and sandwiches with the usual garnishing of fries and salads, spaghetti, pasta and of course fish-based dishes. There are also some Thai classics of which the green curry is very good.
Opening Hours: 10:30-24:00
Address: 274/18 Roomjit Road
Tel: + 66 (0) 89-8360081
Cuisine: Thai
O-Zone
This lively joint attracts a regular crowd eager to enjoy the live music while feasting on great seafood with a cooling ocean breeze to make the experience all the more comfortable. This place has a real holiday vibe to it, especially with the wooden decking floor and the Beach Road location; you can see why it is so popular with Cha- Am residents and visitors.
Opening Hours: 17:00-23:00
Address: 241/119 Roomjit Road, Cha-Am
Tel: +66 (0) 81 9811833
Cuisine: Thai
Poom Restaurant
Usually the number of Thai people eating in restaurant is a good indicator of how good the food is. In the case of Poom, this is a weekend haunt for many locals and visiting Thais which would indicate that the food is very good indeed. Although, slightly pricier than similar establishments, the portions are massive, and the long tables provide ample space to order a fair bit from the lengthy menu.
Opening Hours: 12:00-23:00
Address: 274/1 Roomjit Road, Cha-Am
Tel: +66 (0) 32-471036
Cuisine: Thai
Rangyen
This lovely patio-style restaurant serves up Thai favourites under the stars.Well hidden at the far end of the Beach Road Rangyen is tucked in a private-house-style setting. An intimate eatery, the restaurant is situated in a courtyard surrounded by trees and flowers. The menu is predominantly Thai and very reasonably priced. This place has privacy down to the ground.
Opening Hours: 17:00-23:00
Address: 259/40 Roomjit Road, Cha-Am
Tel: +66 (0) 32 - 471267
Cuisine: Thai
The Medi
The most chic of all the restaurants down on the Beach Road, The Medi in Tara Mantra is the place to head for westernized delights such as homemade pizza, BBQ and steaks. The Medi restaurant offers poolside dining amid palm trees and sea views. This is as chic as it gets in Cha-Am town and with wicker tables and chairs and an intimately lit ambience you will pay extra ultimately for a more sophisticated experience. Having said that, the food is excellent and the staff incredibly accommodating.
Opening Hours: 17:30-23:00
Address: Tara Mantra Hotel, 225/99Roomjit Road
Tel: +66 (0) 32-433999
Cuisine: International